Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.

Abstract: An athletic training table has a main body with a padded weather resistant platform attached to a frame with a handle and wheels. The frame further has first legs and second legs rotatably connected thereto. The first legs and the second legs each have a first leg portion and a second leg portion. The first leg portion and the second leg portion, on both the first legs and the second legs, are connected by a cross-support member and a base support member. The first legs and the second legs are attached to a central telescopic member that expands and contracts as the first legs and the second legs are rotated between a folded position and an unfolded position.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods that include obtaining multispectral image information for a sample that includes a fluorescent dye, calculating from an image cube of the information a first spectrum and a second spectrum, and calculating a pure spectrum of the fluorescent dye in the sample based on the first and second spectra, where a relative contribution of light emission from the fluorescent dye to the second spectrum is larger than a relative contribution of light emission from the fluorescent dye to the first spectrum, where calculating the first and second spectra includes identifying corresponding first and second sets of pixel intensity values in the image cube, and where identifying the first set of pixel intensity values includes designating one or more layers of the image cube as a first layer set.

Abstract: A dietary supplement composition is provided for enhancing the expression of a sirtuin gene or protein. An inventive supplement composition includes at least one cinnamon extract containing at least 0.5% doubly linked Type-A polymers by dry weight. The cinnamon extract is derived from the Cinnamonum aromaticum, Cinnamonum verum or Cinnamonum burmannii plant. In some embodiments, the cinnamon extract is present at approximately 20%-50% of the dry weight of the composition. A vitamin, weight loss agent, or antioxidant is optionally provided in the composition. The dietary supplement composition is administered orally to promote expression or enhanced expression of a sirtuin gene or protein.

Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.

Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods and systems that include positioning a surface of a coverslip overlying a sample relative to an object plane of a microscope system, projecting a two-dimensional pattern of light onto the surface, where a focal plane of the two-dimensional pattern at a position of the surface is rotated by an angle ? relative to the object plane, obtaining a two-dimensional image of the pattern of light reflected from the surface using a detector that includes an imaging sensor oriented perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the reflected pattern of light at the sensor, analyzing the image to determine a line of best focus of the pattern within the image, determining an offset of the line of best focus from an expected position of the line of best focus within the image, and determining a position adjustment of the surface based on the offset.

Abstract: One or more powertrains can include a motor-generator disposed therein that is electrically coupled to an energy storage device through an inverter gate. A regulation strategy can monitor operation of the powertrain to regulate the inverter gate to selectively discharge energy from the energy storage device to the motor-generator to assist the powertrain or to charge energy from the motor-generator to the energy storage device for future use. In an aspect, the regulation strategy may maintain a consistent speed of an internal combustion engine associated with the powertrain. In another aspect, the regulation strategy may regulate simultaneous operation of first and second powertrains disposed a parallel relation.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of a first component relative to a second component includes a first sensor mounted on the first component and configured to generate first position signals indicative of a position of the first component, and a reference sensor mounted on the second component and positioned adjacent the first sensor and configured to generate reference position signals indicative of a position of the second component. A controller is configured to receive the first position signals, receive the reference position signals, and determine a position of the first component relative to the second component based upon both the first position signals and the reference position signals.

Abstract: A power control system is disclosed for a machine. The system has an electric motor device configured to power a hydraulic device. The system also has an energy storage device configured to store electrical energy. The system also has an electric driving circuit coupled to the electric motor device and the energy storage device. The electric driving circuit is configured to drive the electric motor device using the electrical energy stored in the energy storage device. The electric motor device is configured to function as a generator to receive power feedback from the hydraulic device and electrically charge the energy storage device through the electric driving circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods that include obtaining multispectral image information for a sample that includes a fluorescent dye, calculating from an image cube of the information a first spectrum and a second spectrum, and calculating a pure spectrum of the fluorescent dye in the sample based on the first and second spectra, where a relative contribution of light emission from the fluorescent dye to the second spectrum is larger than a relative contribution of light emission from the fluorescent dye to the first spectrum, where calculating the first and second spectra includes identifying corresponding first and second sets of pixel intensity values in the image cube, and where identifying the first set of pixel intensity values includes designating one or more layers of the image cube as a first layer set.

Abstract: A method for promoting weight loss and/or lowering blood glucose comprises an active material which may be cinnamon, an extract of cinnamon, or a derivative of a cinnamon extract. The active material may be utilized in combination with further active ingredients.

Abstract: A process for increasing lean body mass in a mammalian subject is provided that includes administering to the subject a purified quantity of maslinic acid, oleanolic acid, or a combination thereof. The administration can be orally and benefits from ingestion of an amino acid source such as dietary protein, oligopeptides, or amino acids. Administration within 2 hours of muscle-degrading exercise or on a daily basis for a period of time increases lean body mass.

Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein include obtaining a first image of a sample, where the first image corresponds to light transmitted through the sample in a first plurality of distinct spectral bands, obtaining a second image of the sample, where the second image corresponds to light transmitted through the sample in a second plurality of distinct spectral bands, and where at least some members of the second plurality of spectral bands are different from the members of the first plurality of spectral bands, and combining the first and second images to form a multispectral image stack, where each pixel in the image stack includes information corresponding to at least four distinct spectral bands, and where the at least four distinct spectral bands include at least one member from the first plurality of spectral bands and at least one member from the second plurality of spectral bands.

Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein include obtaining a first plurality of images of a sample, where each image in the first plurality of images corresponds to a different spectral band of illumination light incident on the sample or emission light from the sample, obtaining a second plurality of images of the sample, where each image in the second plurality of images corresponds to a different spectral band of illumination light incident on the sample or emission light from the sample, aligning the first and second pluralities of images based on information from a first image from the first plurality of images and a second image from the second plurality of images, where the first and second images correspond to a shared spectral band, and combining at least some members of the first plurality of images and at least some members of the second plurality of images to form an image stack.

Abstract: Materials derived from Nelumbo are administered orally to humans or animals for the purpose of enhancing creatine transport into skeletal tissue and for purposes of enhancing lean body mass. Enhancing creatine transport through improved insulin signaling is a new method of depositing creatine and enhancing lean body mass. Such administration is also used for enhancing athletic performance and controlling bodyweight and body fat levels. More specifically, such administration is used for the purpose of enhancing creatine transport into excitable tissues such as skeletal muscle. The material is administered as extracts of Nelumbo and administered in a variety of ways including capsules, tablets, powdered beverages, bars, gels or drinks.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include: acquiring a first sequence of multiple images of a sample, with each image in the first sequence corresponding to a different spectral weighting function; unmixing the first sequence of images into data corresponding to a first set of unmixed images, where each unmixed image in the first set corresponds to a spatial distribution in the sample of a different one of multiple components at a first time; acquiring one or more additional images of the sample and combining the additional images with one or more of the images in the first sequence to form a second sequence of images; unmixing the second sequence of images into data corresponding to a second set of unmixed images; and displaying information about the sample as a function of time based on the data corresponding to the first and second sets of unmixed images.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include: acquiring a first sequence of multiple images of a sample, with each image in the first sequence corresponding to a different spectral weighting function; unmixing the first sequence of images into data corresponding to a first set of unmixed images, where each unmixed image in the first set corresponds to a spatial distribution in the sample of a different one of multiple components at a first time; acquiring one or more additional images of the sample and combining the additional images with one or more of the images in the first sequence to form a second sequence of images; unmixing the second sequence of images into data corresponding to a second set of unmixed images; and displaying information about the sample as a function of time based on the data corresponding to the first and second sets of unmixed images.

Abstract: Disclosed methods include: acquiring a first sequence of multiple images of a sample, with each image in the first sequence corresponding to a different spectral weighting function; unmixing the first sequence of images into data corresponding to a first set of unmixed images, where each unmixed image in the first set corresponds to a spatial distribution in the sample of a different one of multiple components at a first time; acquiring one or more additional images of the sample and combining the additional images with one or more of the images in the first sequence to form a second sequence of images; unmixing the second sequence of images into data corresponding to a second set of unmixed images; and displaying information about the sample as a function of time based on the data corresponding to the first and second sets of unmixed images.

Abstract: A dietary supplement composition comprising aronia extract containing at least 20% anthocyanins by dry weight. The aronia extract is derived from the aronia melanocarpa plant. The aronia extract comprises approximately 10%-30% of the dry weight of the composition. A vitamin, weight loss agent, or antioxidant is provided in the composition. The dietary supplement composition is administered orally to promote weight loss.