Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a power apparatus. The power apparatus includes a power converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage for providing power at an output thereof to which a load is connectable. The converter can include an isolation barrier configured to electrically isolate the output and the load from an input source that provides the input voltage. The system also includes a control loop that includes indirect sense circuitry configured to indirectly derive an indication of at least one of output current and output power of the converter. The control loop is configured to control output current or output power based on the indirectly derived indication of output current or output power, respectively.

Abstract: An adaptive iris matching approach for processing images of irises having a quality not sufficient for conventional non-adaptive matching approaches. Visible regions in a radial direction on an iris, without segmenting a circumferential of the iris, may be processed. A boundary of the visible region of the iris may be estimated. An iris map may be constructed with the non-visible portion of the iris masked. The iris map may be at least partially encoded. Partial codes of the iris map may be extracted to index at least portions of a database containing iris information. Irises may be retrieved from the database with an iris code as a query.

Abstract: Administration of estrogenic extracts having ER?-agonistic activity results in reduced fat accumulation, induced weight loss, or both.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a writing element having a first portion operable to discharge a first marking substance on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element over the surface and a second portion operable to discharge a second marking substance on the surface in response to a controller. The apparatus also includes the controller operable to encode information corresponding to a context of the apparatus by regulating the discharge of the second marking substance.

Abstract: Extracts of various species of the Moraceae family have estrogenic properties. For example, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Morus alba L. species possess estrogenic properties in both ER?+ and ER?+ cells. These estrogenic effect include estrogen response element (ERE) stimulation as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) repression. Methods are provided for treating climacteric symptoms, breast and/or uterine cancer, and osteoporosis.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, and a device A device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface corresponding to a movement of the writing element over the surface. The device also includes a controller operable to digitally encode information in the mark.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method, a manual device, a handheld manual device, a handheld writing device, a system, and an apparatus. An embodiment provides a manual device operable in a context. The manual device includes a writing element operable to form a mark on a surface in response to a movement of the writing element with respect to the surface. The manual device also includes a controller operable to encode information corresponding to the context of the manual device by regulating the formation of the mark.

Abstract: Isolated compounds and combinations of isolated compounds isolated from Epimedium grandiflorum Morr. are estrogenic, and can be used to treat one or more symptoms of menopause and/or ER-positive cancer. The compounds and combinations may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions for administration to mammals, such as humans, for the treatment of solid cancers, such as epithelial cancers. Such epithelial cancers include breast cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vulvar cancer, endometrial cancer.

Abstract: A system and method relate to multi-modal biometrics. A single modality score is generated for each of a plurality of biometric modalities. A classifier is selected from a database of multi-modal classifiers, and a multi-modal fusion is applied to the single modality scores using the classifier. The single modality scores are then aggregated. A context dependent model is generated, and a measure of the context in which the biometric samples were obtained is applied to the aggregated single modality scores. It is then determined whether there is a match between two or more biometric samples.

Abstract: A rotational testing system for a test article includes a rotational test stand. The rotational test stand includes a rotating element having a drive end capable of being mechanically coupled with the test article. The rotational testing system also includes a non-isolating torsional damper attached to the rotating element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting people in video data streams or image data are provided. The method includes using a plurality of training images for learning spatial distributions associated with a plurality of body parts, detecting a plurality of detections of body parts in an input image, clustering the detections of body parts located within a predetermined distance from one another to create one effective detection for each cluster of detections, and determining a position of each person associated with each effective detection. The detections of body parts can be associated with respective previously learned spatial distributions.

Abstract: A discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) converter is provided. The converter comprises a transformer having a primary and a secondary side, an RCD network, a rectifier, a switch, and a controller. The transformer has primary side with a first primary winding and a second primary winding and has a secondary side with a secondary winding. The RCD network is coupled to the first primary winding and is adapted to receive energy from the leakage inductance of the first primary winding. The rectifier is coupled to the second primary winding. The switch is coupled between the RCD network and ground. The controller receives indicia of a rectified voltage from the rectifier, indicia of current from the switch, indicia of transformer magnetization and controls the actuation of the switch. Preferably, the controller provides an actuation signal to the switch with actuation periods that are separated from one another by an interval that allows energy within the transformer to substantially dissipate.

Abstract: A method for automatically estimating the spatial positions between cameras in a camera network utilizes unique identifying signals, such as RFID signals, transmitting between nearby cameras to estimate the relative distances or positions between cameras from received signal strength (RSS), time of arrival (TOA), or time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements to thereby determine the neighboring relationship among the cameras. A discover-locate process can be used to discover, from the estimated relative distances, unknown cameras in the vicinity of at least three cameras at known locations. Absolute locations of the discovered unknown cameras can then be calculated using a geometric calculation. The discover-locate process can be cascaded throughout the network to discover and locate all unknown cameras automatically using previously discovered and located cameras.

Abstract: Estrogenic extracts of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. Bge. Var. mongolicus Bge. of the Leguminosae Family are provided. Also provided are methods of using said extracts to achieve an estrogenic effect, especially in a human, e.g. a female human. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of climacteric symptoms. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment of estrogen receptor positive cancer, such as estrogen responsive breast cancer. In some embodiments, the methods include treatment or prevention of osteoporosis.

Abstract: An extract of Scutellaria barbata D. Don is effective in the arrest of cancer cell growth in the G1 phase, the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells and the shrinking of solid cancers. The extract may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition for administration to mammals for the treatment of solid cancers, such as epithelial cancers. Such epithelial cancers include breast cancer and ovarian cancers. The extract is obtained from Scutellaria barbata D. Don by contacting aerial portions of a plant from the species Scutellaria barbata D. Don with an aqueous or alcoholic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to thermal imaging systems and methods and uses therefor, and in a particular though non-limiting embodiment, to a method of detecting corrosion under insulation, as well as corrosion-related material data associated therewith. The system utilizes advanced infrared imaging video cameras to detect characteristic signatures of wet thermal traits on process equipment. Various embodiments of the invention integrate equipment, automation, and algorithms to form a method for identifying wet thermal insulation by scanning multiple locations along insulated piping, tanks, or other manufacturing equipment. Such scans can occur individually, sequentially, or simultaneously, with the results then being stored and comparatively analyzed.

Abstract: A system and method for power conversion synchronizes multiple phases at a desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves variable frequency switching, fixed on-time and provides power factor correction. A relative measure of a phase angle difference between two phases permits each phase to be controlled to obtain the desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves transition mode switching to help reduce switching losses. A phase angle difference detector may be provided for each phase. The various phases may have different inherent frequencies that vary with switching frequency, and are synchronized to an average frequency. Current measures can be taken with a single component, such as a resistor. A maximum frequency control limits period width to avoid high frequency switching. An added switch on time improves input voltage crossover distortion. One or more phases can be deactivated in light load conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for power conversion synchronizes multiple phases at a desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves variable frequency switching, fixed on-time and provides power factor correction. A relative measure of a phase angle difference between two phases permits each phase to be controlled to obtain the desired phase angle difference. The power conversion involves transition mode switching to help reduce switching losses. A phase angle difference detector may be provided for each phase. The various phases may have different inherent frequencies that vary with switching frequency, and are synchronized to an average frequency.

Abstract: An extract of Scutellaria barbata D. Don is effective in the arrest of cancer cell growth in the G1 phase, the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells and the shrinking of solid cancers. The extract may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition for administration to mammals for the treatment of solid cancers, such as epithelial cancers. Such epithelial cancers include breast cancer and ovarian cancers. The extract is obtained from Scutellaria barbata D. Don by contacting aerial portions of a plant from the species Scutellaria barbata D. Don with an aqueous or alcoholic solvent.

Abstract: Isolated compounds and combinations of isolated compounds isolated from Scutellaria barbata D. Don are effective in the generation of reactive oxygen species, induction of DNA damage and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. The compounds and combinations may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions for administration to mammals, such as humans, for the treatment of solid cancers, such as epithelial cancers. Such epithelial cancers include breast cancer and ovarian cancers.