Abstract: A method for workforce talent, tracking and development, that uses a computer for sending information to each of a plurality of applicants for a job. The computer gets information from people making recommendations about whether to hire the applicants. It sends information to the applicants indicating whether or not they have been selected for the job, including an accepted applicant for the job, and multiple other applicants who were not accepted for the job; and after a job has been accepted, using the computer for tracking multiple applicants including at least the accepted applicant for the job, and multiple of the other applicants.

Abstract: A lens for a flashlight or other lighting unit provides for focusing light from a source, such as an LED, to provide a light beam adjustable between a spot beam and a wide beam. The lens includes a lens body with a front face, a rear LED-receiving well, and a side surface extending between the front face and the rear well. The front face includes a central surface surrounded by an annular concave surface. The rear well includes a space for the LED to be adjusted in position. The rear well space is defined by a concavely-curved sidewall and a concavely-curved base. The concave curvature of the sidewall and base may be Bezier curves.

Abstract: Methods are provided for testing a honeycomb body comprised of a core portion comprising honeycomb cell walls and a circumferential skin portion overlying at least some outer honeycomb cell walls. The circumferential skin portion includes a cement mixture layer. The method comprises the step of directing a fluid stream from a pressurized fluid source at the honeycomb body. The fluid stream is capable of separating at least part of the skin portion from the outer honeycomb cell walls when the adherence between at least part of the skin portion and the outer honeycomb cell walls is below a minimum threshold. In one example, the method further comprises the step of inspecting at least part of the interface between the honeycomb body and the skin portion during or after directing the fluid stream at the honeycomb body. In further examples, an apparatus is provided for testing the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A lens for a flashlight or other lighting unit provides for focusing light from a source, such as an LED, to provide a light beam adjustable between a spot beam and a wide beam. The lens includes a lens body with a front face, a rear LED-receiving well, and a side surface extending between the front face and the rear well. The front face includes a central surface surrounded by an annular concave surface. The rear well includes a space for the LED to be adjusted in position. The rear well space is defined by a concavely-curved sidewall and a concavely-curved base. The concave curvature of the sidewall and base may be Bezier curves.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for forming a circumferential skin surrounding a central cellular structure of an extruded honeycomb article. The method and apparatus may be used to produce defect-free skins and/or skins having large thickness and a high degree of particle alignment thereby preferably exhibiting CTE comparable to the extruded webs. These benefits are achieved by providing a die and method wherein a flow, Q, exiting any two active ones of a plurality of peripheral slots forming the skin is substantially equal. Also disclosed is a thick-skinned ceramic article having a thick extruded skin (ts?>5 tw?) with an I-value comparable to the webs.

Abstract: Methods are provided for testing a honeycomb body comprised of a core portion comprising honeycomb cell walls and a circumferential skin portion overlying at least some outer honeycomb cell walls. The circumferential skin portion includes a cement mixture layer. The method comprises the step of directing a fluid stream from a pressurized fluid source at the honeycomb body. The fluid stream is capable of separating at least part of the skin portion from the outer honeycomb cell walls when the adherence between at least part of the skin portion and the outer honeycomb cell walls is below a minimum threshold. In one example, the method further comprises the step of inspecting at least part of the interface between the honeycomb body and the skin portion during or after directing the fluid stream at the honeycomb body. In further examples, an apparatus is provided for testing the honeycomb body.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polypeptides, termed FCTRX polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides encoding FCTRX polypeptides and antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an FCTRX or a derivative, variant, mutant, or fragment of an FCTRX polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the FCTRX polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are used in detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

Abstract: The instant invention is concerned with genes associated with obesity. Additionally, the invention provides methods of using the differential expression of these genes associated with obesity to diagnose and treat obesity, as well as to screen for compounds useful for treating obesity.

Abstract: Genes are disclosed that are differentially-regulated during feeding and fasting cycles. These genes, and their encoded polypeptides are useful to combat obesity.