Abstract: An electric energy converter for converting a first energy into a second energy comprises two first terminals for the first energy, at least one second terminal for the second electric energy, P switching arms, each including two switching half-arms connected in series between the two first terminals and connected to one another at a midpoint that is connected to a respective second terminal. Each half-arm including N switching half-branches connected in parallel, N?2, each switching half-branch including a switch. This converter further comprises 2×P control modules, each control module being configured to control the switches of a respective half-arm, each control module including an output terminal for each respective switch, each output terminal being configured to deliver a control signal for said respective switch.

Abstract: This electric energy converter for converting a first energy into a second energy comprises two first terminals for the first energy, at least one second terminal for the second electric energy, P switching arms, each including two switching half-arms connected in series between the two first terminals and connected to one another at a midpoint that is connected to a respective second terminal. Each half-arm including N switching half-branches connected in parallel, N?2, each switching half-branch including a switch. This converter further comprises 2×P control modules, each control module being configured to control the switches of a respective half-arm, each control module including an output terminal for each respective switch, each output terminal being configured to deliver a control signal for said respective switch.

Abstract: The present document describes a system for installation in an operation room for providing a remote viewer/doctor with continuous visual access to the proceedings of a surgery (as a fixed target). The system comprises a camera comprising an internal processor for the processing of images/video, a moving platform on which the camera is provided, and pan and tilt motors for moving the camera head. A remote server sends pan/tilt commands for the pan and tilt motors and position commands for the moving platform to change positions. An external processor is provided at the system, which is dedicated to the processing of the pan and tilt commands without delay for panning and/or tilting the camera as the moving platform is changing positions at a rotating speed that allows the remote viewer to have un-interrupted visual access to the proceedings of the surgery.

Abstract: A system for decontaminating a gas is provided. The system includes: a passageway containing at least one set of two or three electrodes. If the set contains three electrodes, it has two outer electrodes electrically connected together and one inner electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of sterilizing air that contains airborne pathogenic agents or microorganisms such as spores, bacteria, viruses, yeasts and moulds The method consists in damaging and braking up the contaminant molecular structure by oxidation and ionization and chemical bond rupture. Through this process the microorganisms or the contaminants are inactivated through structural damages to the cellular membrane and/or the nucleus membrane and/or to the DNA structure. This is accomplished by creating through the air to be treated, various electronic current having a plurality of specific controlled average kinetic energies matching the desired chemical bonds to be affected and/or ruptured. The air interaction with such various currents, having specific energies, sufficient intensities and exposition time is accomplished through several stages to completely sterilize the air or gas.

Abstract: The process for controlling an electronic power component for piloting an opening and/or closure of this component. The piloting process includes a plurality of steps for controlling the application of a succession of different commutation voltages on a control electrode of the electronic power component between an instant when the piloting process begins and an instant when either the opening or the closure of the electronic power component is to stop. Passage from one commutation voltage to a successive commutation voltage in this piloting process is automatically effected as soon as a corresponding condition of passage is satisfied. The process further includes a step of interrupting the piloting process and immediately triggering off a process for safeguarding the integrity of the electronic power component if the component does not react to a commutation voltage within a predetermined time for the commutation voltage.

Abstract: An improved method of chromatographic analysis of protein samples is disclosed in which a Pluronic surfactant is used.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus using infrared thermography for predicting an unknown value of an internal composition characteristic of velvet antler in vivo, in vitro, and/or during cooling or warming. The method involves generating a predictive model using a sample population of antlers to determine a relationship between a known input variable and a known value for the composition characteristic; and using the predictive model to predict the unknown value of the same composition characteristic in an antler not selected from the sample population. Using this value, a map can be made to identify sites and levels of the composition characteristic within the antler. The invention provides a method for predicting an internal composition characteristic of a velvet antler by obtaining an infrared thermographic image of the antler and visually ranking the image by comparison to a corresponding image of an antler with the desired composition characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which exhibit transcriptional enhancement in Schwann cells. The present invention also provides vectors comprising the subject isolated nucleic acid molecules. Methods of regulating gene expression in Schwann cells and therapeutic uses involving the isolated nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for emergency control of the switching of a power transistor in the case of dysfunction of this transistor, which comprises:

Abstract: The process according to the invention for controlling an electronic power component contains a process for piloting the opening and/or closure of this component. The piloting process comprises a plurality of steps for controlling the application of a succession of different commutation voltages on a control electrode of said component between the instant when the piloting process begins and the instant when the opening and/or closure of the electronic power component is to stop. The process comprises the step consisting in interrupting said piloting process and in immediately triggering off a process for safeguarding the integrity of the electronic power component if the component does not react in a predetermined imparted time.

Abstract: Methods for determining an individual's susceptibility to obesity or to a health disorder associated with obesity, comprising detecting an allele at a polymorphic site genetically linked to the resistin gene locus, wherein the allele is further linked to obesity, and wherein detection of the allele is indicative of the patient's susceptibility to a health disorder associated with obesity are provided. Also included in the present disclosure are nucleic acid molecules containing allelic variants at polymorphic sites.

Abstract: A carrier frequency modulating system and method for producing a modulated carrier frequency is disclosed. The system comprises a carrier frequency signal generator for producing a carrier frequency signal at a carrier frequency at an output thereof. The system further comprises a sequencer for producing a modulation signal at an output thereof. This modulation signal comprises a plurality of modulation signal portions separated by at least one null modulation signal portion having a corresponding time length. The system is provided with a modulator for producing a modulated carrier frequency signal at an output thereof. The modulator has a first input connected to the output of the carrier frequency signal generator for receiving the carrier frequency signal, and has a second input for receiving the modulation signal. The system further comprises a power supply unit for supplying electrical power to the carrier frequency signal generator.