Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel substituted thiophene compounds and the finding that they display useful efficacy in the inhibition of the p38? MAPK enzyme. This provides for use of the compounds in various treatment methodologies related to MAPK inhibition, including the treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating an image file of a 3D body model of a user wearing a garment, comprising: (i) receiving one or more two dimensional images of a model wearing a garment, which images provide a view of an outer surface of the garment; (ii) for each two dimensional image, segmenting an image of the garment to produce a set of segmented garment images; (iii) using the set of segmented garment images to generate a complete 3D garment model; (iv) receiving a 3D body model of a user; (v) simulating the complete 3D garment model worn on the 3D body model of the user and, (vi) generating an image file of the 3D body model of the user wearing the complete 3D garment model, using the simulated complete 3D garment model worn on the 3D body model of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating an image file of a 3D body model of a user wearing a garment, comprising: (i) receiving one or more two dimensional images of a model wearing a garment, which images provide a view of an outer surface of the garment; (ii) for each two dimensional image, segmenting an image of the garment to produce a set of segmented garment images; (iii) using the set of segmented garment images to generate a complete 3D garment model; (iv) receiving a 3D body model of a user; (v) simulating the complete 3D garment model worn on the 3D body model of the user and, (vi) generating an image file of the 3D body model of the user wearing the complete 3D garment model, using the simulated complete 3D garment model worn on the 3D body model of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel substituted thiophene compounds and the finding that they display useful efficacy in the inhibition of the p38? MAPK enzyme. This provides for use of the compounds in various treatment methodologies related to MAPK inhibition, including the treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying comment clusters for panoramic content segments. A panoramic content segment of digital content may be hosted to client computing platforms. User comment information may be received. The user comment information may convey user comments, include time indications for a duration of a content segment, and/or include location indications for a panorama of the panoramic content segment. A comment distribution may be determined from the user comment information. A comment cluster may be identified based on the comment distribution. View information may be received from a client computing platform. Whether a view range associated with the comment cluster identified is located within or outside one or more visible ranges of viewing angles selected by the user may be determined. Alert information may be generated and/or transmitted for effectuating presentation of a notification on the client computing platform associated with the user.

Abstract: A switch-mode power supply (SMPS) with auto-tuning using limit-cycle oscillation response evaluation provides optimized performance with reduced capacitance and inductance requirements for a given design. During operation of the SMPS, parameters of the converter are extracted, and the feedback and/or feed-forward compensation is adjusted to either hold the loop bandwidth of the converter near the critical bandwidth of the output capacitors, or maintain output voltage transients within a specified limit. The compensator response is either periodically updated, or is updated in response to an event, such as detection of a transient voltage spike having a characteristic that exceeds one or more predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: The present invention provides the tertiary structure of a Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) polymerase reverse transcriptase (rt) domain from which a variant HBV polymerase mutations associated with resistance to or having reduced sensitivity to an anti-viral drug have been mapped. The present invention further provides methods of identifying, designing and/or modifying agents capable of modulating the functional activity of the HBV polymerase based on the atomic co-ordinates provided by the tertiary structure. The present invention still further provides a method of modulating HBV polymerase functional activity and agents useful for same. The agents identified in accordance with the method of the present invention are particularly useful inter alia in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of infection by an HBV resistant to or exhibiting reduced sensitivity to an anti-viral drug. The agents may also have utility as diagnostic agents such as to distinguish between resistance mutations.

Abstract: A switching power converter and method of controlling an output voltage thereof using predictive sensing of magnetic flux provides a low-cost switching power converter via primary-side control using a primary-side winding. An integrator generates a voltage that represents flux within a magnetic element by integrating a primary-side winding voltage. A detection circuit detects the end of a half-cycle of post-conduction resonance that occurs in the power magnetic element subsequent to zero energy level in the power magnetic element. The integrator voltage is stored at the end of the half-cycle and is used to determine a sampling point prior to or equal to the start of post-conduction resonance in a subsequent switching cycle of the power converter. The primary-side winding voltage is then sampled at the sampling point, providing an indication of the output voltage of the power converter by which the output voltage of the converter can be controlled.

Abstract: A switch state controller generating a pulse train is used in a power converter utilizing a plurality of converter stages all simultaneously controlled by a single switch controlled by said pulse train. On time of the pulse train is controlled according to an input or interim node characteristic of the supply and period is controlled by a characteristic of the output of the converter. This allows development of AC-to-DC converters, including power-factor-correction converters, and DC to DC converters with high conversion ratio with minimal parts count & high reliability.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptively controlling power supplied to a hot-pluggable subsystem controls the inrush current of the hot-pluggable subsystem when the subsystem is coupled to another system that supplies power, and optionally other signal connections. The apparatus and method adaptively control a pass device by detecting the voltage at the gate of the pass device during initial charging of the gate. The gate voltage may be sampled and used subsequently to control the operation of the pass device, and short-circuit conditions may be detected by determining that the miller effect does not change the charging of the gate capacitance. Automatic restart circuitry can be included to generate multiple startup attempts, and under-voltage lockout circuitry and power-on-reset timers can be used to provide a robust solution. The apparatus and method can be adapted to provide a three terminal device that does not require a feedback connection from a power supply output.

Abstract: A switching power converter and method of controlling an output voltage thereof using predictive sensing of magnetic flux provides a low-cost switching power converter via primary-side control using a primary-side winding. An integrator generates a voltage representing magnetic flux within a power magnetic element by integrating a voltage on a primary-side winding of the power magnetic element. A detection circuit detects the end of a half-cycle of post-conduction resonance in the power magnetic element after the energy level in the power magnetic element reaches zero. The voltage of the integrator is stored at the end of the post-conduction resonance half-cycle and is used to determine a sampling point prior to or equal to the start of post-conduction resonance in a subsequent switching cycle of the power converter. The primary-side winding voltage is then sampled at the sampling point, providing an indication of the output voltage of the power converter.

Abstract: AC/DC cascaded power converters having high DC conversion ratio and improved AC line harmonics provide low input harmonic currents, high power factor and efficient operation for low voltage DC outputs when coupled directly to a source of unfiltered rectified AC voltage. The power converter incorporates an intermediate storage element that provides most or all of the energy storage capacitance within the power converter and a blocking device that enables continuous energy transfer from AC line to output to achieve unity power factor and regulated output while maintaining low AC input current ripple.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for programmable control of laser diode modulation and operating point provides control for laser diodes having widely varying characteristics, such as laser diodes from a variety of manufacturers. Operating a wide variety of lasers is useful for implementation of a device independent integrated circuit for control of a laser diode. Laser diode maximum AC drive levels, AC input circuit response and DC operating point are programmed via a programmable storage coupled via control circuits to a drive amplifier and a bias circuit. The laser diode modulation control may be combined with laser diode bias control in a single integrated circuit, providing a single-chip solution for laser diode transceiver module manufacturers. The programmable storage may be one-time programmable for factory customization of laser diode transceiver module diodes, or may be an electrically alterable storage.

Abstract: A switch state controller generating a pulse train is used in a power converter utilizing a plurality of converter stages all simultaneously controlled by a single switch controlled by said pulse train. On time of the pulse train is controlled according to an input or interim node characteristic of the supply and period is controlled by a characteristic of the output of the converter. This allows development of AC-to-DC converters, including power-factor-correction converters, and DC to DC converters with high conversion ratio with minimal parts count & high reliability.

Abstract: AC/DC cascaded power converters having high DC conversion ratio and improved AC line harmonics provide low input harmonic currents, high power factor and efficient operation for low voltage DC outputs when coupled directly to a source of unfiltered rectified AC voltage. The power converter incorporates an intermediate storage element that provides most or all of the energy storage capacitance within the power converter and a blocking device that enables continuous energy transfer from AC line to output to achieve unity power factor and regulated output while maintaining low AC input current ripple.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptively controlling power supplied to a hot-pluggable subsystem controls the inrush current of the hot-pluggable subsystem when the subsystem is coupled to another system that supplies power, and optionally other signal connections. The apparatus and method adaptively control a pass device by detecting the voltage at the gate of the pass device during initial charging of the gate. The gate voltage may be sampled and used subsequently to control the operation of the pass device, and short-circuit conditions may be detected by determining that the miller effect does not change the charging of the gate capacitance. Automatic restart circuitry can be included to generate multiple startup attempts, and under-voltage lockout circuitry and power-on-reset timers can be used to provide a robust solution. The apparatus and method can be adapted to provide a three terminal device that does not require a feedback connection from a power supply output.