MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.

Embodiments include a fiducial deployment system and method for use thereof. A fiducial may include one or more protuberances configured to engage one or more slots in a needle of the system. The needle may be configured to deliver a plurality of fiducials to a target location in serial fashion, one at a time. In certain embodiments, echogenic placement of fiducials may present certain advantages.

A device for fluorescence-based imaging and monitoring of a target comprising: a light source emitting light for illuminating the target, the emitted light including at least one wavelength or wavelength band causing at least one biomarker associated with the target to fluoresce; and a light detector for detecting the fluorescence.

A biometric monitoring device measuring various biometric information is provided that allows the person to take and/or display a heart rate reading by a simple user interaction with the device, e.g., by simply touching a heart rate sensor surface area or moving the device in a defined motion pattern. Some embodiments of this disclosure provide biometric monitoring devices that allow a person to get a quick heart rate reading without removing the device or interrupting their other activities. Some embodiments provide heart rate monitoring with other desirable features such as feedback on data acquisition status.

A peak-relevant value device acquires a peak-relevant value (for example, the peak value of an R wave (R peak value)) every cycle from an electrocardiogram acquired. The frequencies of the peak-relevant value acquired as time-series data and the magnitudes for the respective frequencies are analyzed. A peak-relevant value LF calculating device calculates an LF component (peak-relevant value LF component) from the frequency component of the peak-relevant value. An interval acquiring device acquires the interval between characteristic points of the electrocardiographic complex from the electrocardiogram acquired and the frequencies of the feature point interval acquired as time-series data to acquire the magnitudes of the respective frequency component are analyzed. An interval HF calculating device calculates the HF component from the frequency components of the feature point interval acquired and pain is judged on the basis of the variations of the peak-relevant value LF components and the interval HF components.

In aspects of the present disclosure, an auto turn on blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system is provided. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.

The described invention provides a disposable handheld biopsy device for taking biopsies, the biopsy device comprising a tissue cutting assembly which has features to control the tissue length that will be severed by the cutting assembly; and a vacuum assembly which has features to control the vacuum level. The disposable handheld biopsy device of the described invention is simple, lightweight, portable, and cost effective to manufacture and dispose of.

The present invention discloses devices and methods for performing intravascular procedures without cardiac bypass. The devices include various embodiments of temporary filter devices, temporary valves, and prosthetic valves. The temporary filter devices have one or more cannulae which provide access for surgical tools for effecting repair of the cardiac valves. A cannula may have filters of various configurations encircling the distal region of the cannula, which prevent embolitic material from entering the coronary arteries and aorta.The temporary valve devices may also have one or more cannulae which guide the insertion of the valve into the aorta. The valve devices expand in the aorta to occupy the entire flow path of the vessel. In one embodiment, the temporary valve is a disc of flexible, porous, material that acts to filter blood passing therethrough. A set of valve leaflets extend peripherally from the disc. These leaflets can alternately collapse to prevent blood flow through the valve and extend to permit flow.The prosthetic valves include valve fixation devices which secure the prosthetic valve to the wall of the vessel. In one embodiment, the prosthetic valves have at least one substantially rigid strut, at least two expandable fixation rings located about the circumference of the base of the apex of the valve, and one or more commissures and leaflets. The prosthetic valves are introduced into the vascular system a compressed state, advanced to the site of implantation, expanded and secured to the vessel wall.

A reusable needle guide suitable for an ultrasonic probe to be use for an endocavity examination of a patient is disclosed. The needle guide basically comprises at least a first and second guide members and a mounting (e.g., clamp) assembly. The clamp assembly serves to releasably mount the needle guide on the probe. The first guide member has a first passageway-forming surface. The second guide member has a second passageway-forming surface. The guide members are connected together to enable them to be pivoted from a closed orientation to an open orientation and vice versa. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces form an elongated passageway to guide a needle therethrough when in the closed orientation. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces are disposed at an angle to each other when they are in the open orientation, whereupon the first and second passageway-forming surfaces can be readily cleaned.

The present invention relates to a process of production of a compound, which is useful as an intermediate (building block) in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of vitamin A or β-carotene and derivatives thereof, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin.

Disclosed are effective and simple adsorbents and methods of using the adsorbents for removing metal impurities generated during storage, transportation and supply of organometallic compounds. The disclosed adsorbents and methods provide for the easy and effective removal of the metallic impurities or compounds generated from decomposition of the organometallic compound during its transportation, storage, and supply. Namely, the disclosed adsorbents and methods permit the stable supply of a high purity organometallic compound desired in the semiconductor and photovoltaic cell.

Provided by the present invention is a method for efficient oxidation of alcohols by using, as a catalyst for dehydrogenation oxidation, a ruthenium complex which can be easily produced and easily handled and is obtainable at a relatively low cost. The invention relates to a method of producing a compound having a carbonyl group by dehydrogenation oxidation of alcohols by using as a catalyst the ruthenium carbonyl complex represented by the following general formula (1) RuXY(CO)(L) (1) (in the general formula (1), X and Y may be the same or different from each other and represent an anionic ligand, and L represents a tridentate aminodiphosphine ligand).

A new functionalized polyhedral octavinylsilsesquioxanes having the general formula 1, in which R1 denotes: (1) any aryl group other than a non-substituted phenyl or a phenyl substituted in position four with a halogen or the groups-trimethylsilylethynyl, 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3-dioxaborolane-2-yl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 3',5'-bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl or benzo[d][1,3]-dioxol-5-yl; (2) any heteroaryl group; or (3) groups including coupled aromatic rings. Additionally, a method to obtain new and known functionalized polyhedral octavinylsilsesquioxanes having the general formula 1, by the silylating coupling of octavinylsilsesquioxane with olefins in the presence of a ruthenium complex catalyst.

Provided are a coating composition for low refractive layer including fluorine-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1, an anti-reflection film using the same, and a polarizer and an image display device including the same, wherein the fluorine-containing compound of the following Chemical Formula 1 has a low refractive index of 1.28 to 1.40, thereby making it possible to easily adjust a refractive index of the anti-reflection film and be usefully used as a coating material of the anti-reflection film having an excellent mechanical property such as durability, or the like.

A silane compound having a secondary amino group protected with a specific silyl group is useful as silane coupling agent, resin additive, textile treating agent, surface treating agent, paint additive, and adhesive.

A problem of the present invention is to prevent a base layer beneath the layer to be irradiated with light from deterioration in property and a functional thin film from deterioration in property as the fine patterning of a functional film is performed with light irradiation. Means for solving the problem is a compound obtained by dimerizing with light irradiation a compound (A) containing a group that has photosensitivity and can be photodimerized and a group having lyophilicity and a compound (B) containing a group that has photosensitivity and can be photodimerized and a group having liquid-repellency.

Apparatus and methods are provided for forming and processing multiphasic systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the manufacture of an epoxide, including reacting an olefinically unsaturated compound with an oxidant in the presence of a buffer component and a water-soluble manganese complex disposed in an aqueous phase having a first pH level in a first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase to a second pH level less than the first pH level, isolating at least a portion of the aqueous phase from the first multiphasic system, adjusting the pH of the at least a portion of the aqueous phase to a third pH level greater than the second pH level, and introducing the at least a portion of the aqueous phase into a second multiphasic system.

The present invention relates to a novel compound of Formula 1, a method for manufacturing the same, and an organic electronic device using the same, and the novel compound according to the present invention may act as a hole injection, hole transport, electron injection and transport, or light emitting material in an organic light emitting device and an organic electronic device, and the device according to the present invention shows excellent properties in terms of efficiency, a driving voltage, and stability.

A substituted phenoxyethyl(isopropyl)acyloxyalkyl phosphonate having phosphorusheterocyclic ring and having herbicidal activity, with a general formula of I, wherein R represents 5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-2-one-2-yl, or 1-oxo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl, or 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl; R1 represents H, C1-C4 alkyl, phenyl, furyl, pyridyl, or phenyl substituted with methyl, methoxyl, nitro or chloro; R2 represents H, methyl, and methyl only if R in the general formula I is 1-sulfo-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2]octan-4-yl as phosphorusheterocyclic ring; X and Y represent H, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl or trifluoromethyl, and X and Y are the same or different. The compounds according to the present invention may be used as active component of dicotyledonous broadleaf weed herbicides.

Provided are a novel 1,2-bis(dialkylphosphino)-4,5-(methylenedioxy)benzene derivative that forms a metal complex having particularly high asymmetry induction capacity and catalytic activity on β-dehydroamino acids, a method for manufacturing the same, a metal complex having this 1,2-bis(dialkylphosphino)-4,5-(methylenedioxy)benzene derivative as a ligand, and an asymmetric hydrogenation method using this metal complex. A 1,2-bis(dialkylphosphino)-4,5-(methylenedioxy)benzene derivative represented by general formula (1). (In the formula, R1 and R2 represent an alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 have different numbers of carbon atoms.)

Disclosed is a process to produce a dry purified carboxylic acid product comprising furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The process comprises oxidizing at least one oxidizable compound selected from the following group: 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF), 5-HMF esters (5-R(CO)OCH2-furfural were R alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-HMF ethers (5-R'OCH2-furfural, where R'=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), 5-alkyl furfurals (5-R″-furfural, where R″=alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl), mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF esters and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-HMF ethers and mixed feed-stocks of 5-HMF and 5-alkyl furfurals to generate a crude carboxylic acid slurry comprising FDCA.

A liquid crystal composition including a dioxolane compound represented by the general formula (G1) as a chiral agent is provided. In the general formula (G1), R1 and R2 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and having a phenyl group as a substituent; R1 and R2 may be bonded to each other to form a ring; R3 and R4 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and a cycloalkyl group; and R5 to R40 individually represent any of hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms.

Provided is a method of producing an organic transistor, including collectively forming a gate insulating film and an organic semiconductor film by applying, onto a gate electrode, a solution including a polymer and at least one of compounds represented by General Formulas 1 to 4 and 5 to 7, a compound having a structure represented by General Formula 4, a compound having a structure represented by General Formula 5 or 6, and forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on the organic semiconductor film. (where R is a linear or branched alkyl group) (where R is an alkyl group) (where R is an alkyl group) (where A1 and A2 are represented by Formula 8) (where R is an alkyl group or another substituent).

Steroid compounds having increased resistance against metabolism and increased water solubility are disclosed, together with methods for their production. These substances are suitable for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of steroid related or steroid induced CNS disorders and for use in methods of prevention, alleviation or treatment of such disorders.

The invention provides a method for synthesizing 7-Acetyleno quinone methide compounds that is safe and inexpensive. The method avoids the need for extremely cold reaction temperatures and unlike the prior art does not require any highly explosive materials. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing a condensation reaction between 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and a secondary amine thereby forming a secondary amine quinone methide intermediate;b) removing water from the secondary amine quinone methide intermediate by azeotropic distillation;c) adding the dehydrated secondary amine quinone methide intermediate to an organic medium containing a metal acetylide to form a Mannich base intermediate; andd) adding a release agent to the Mannich base intermediate to yield a 7-Acetyleno quinone methide.

Disclosed are methods of purifying (20R) and (20S) analogs of 2-methylene-19-nor-22-dimethyl-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the (20R) and (20S) analogs in crystalline form. The method includes the steps of preparing a solvent of either diethyl ether or a mixture of 2-propanol and hexane, dissolving a product containing the (20R) and (20S) analog to be purified in the solvent, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-17 bicyclic amines of triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II and III: These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Methods and compositions for treating 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in a patient are described herein. The method includes orally administering to the patient a delayed, sustained release formulation including a first ingredient selected from the group consisting of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or a combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or it includes gradually administering to the patient a sterile intravenous formulation including a first ingredient selected from the group consisting of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or a combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

The present invention provides novel 16,23-diene 25-oxime ether analogs of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds as inhibitors of CYP24. In particular, the novel compound of the invention are useful for treating diseases which benefit from a modulation of the levels of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, for example, cell-proliferative disorders.

Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, C-3 cycloalkenyl triterpenoids that possess unique antiviral activity are provided as HIV maturation inhibitors, as represented by compounds of Formulas I, II, III and IV: wherein X can be a C4-8 cycloalkyl, C4-8 cycloalkenyl, C4-9 spirocycloalkyl, C4-9 spirocycloalkenyl, C4-8 oxacycloalkyl, C4-8 dioxacycloalkyl, C6-8 oxacycloalkenyl, C6-8 dioxacycloalkenyl, C6-9 oxaspirocycloalkyl, or C6-9 oxaspirocycloalkenyl ring. These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-2-methylene-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

A hydrophobic cationic steroidal anti-microbial (ceragenin) compound forms an amphiphilic compound having a hydrophobic sterol face and a hydrophilic cationic face. The hydrophobic CSA also includes a hydrophobic substituent that gives the ceragenin compound a CLogP value of at least 6.5.

This invention discloses N-cyclopropyl-(20R)-2-methylene-19,26,27-trinor-25-aza-vitamin D analogs, and specifically N-cyclopropyl-(20R)-2-methylene-19,26,27-trinor-25-aza-1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. This compound exhibits relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent especially for the treatment or prevention of leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer.

This invention discloses 3-desoxy-2-methylene-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-3-desoxy-2-methylene-1α,25-dihydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D3 and (20R)-3-desoxy-2-methylene-1α,25-dihydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D3 as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to monocytes thus evidencing use as anti-cancer agents especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also exhibit relatively high calcemic activity evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.

To provide a novel vitamin D3 derivative useful as a therapeutic agent for osteoporosis. Provided is a vitamin D3 derivative represented by the following formula (1) or a medicinally acceptable solvate thereof: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl group with each alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an arylcarbonyloxyalkyl group with the aryl having 6 to 10 carbon atoms and the alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or, together with the other R2 and the carbon atom to which they are bound to, may form a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or, together with the other R3 and the carbon atom to which they are bound to, may form a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; X represents an oxygen atom or a methylene group; and n represents an integer of 1 or 2.

The present invention provides a compound which functions as a selective vitamin D receptor modulator and has action-selectivity or tissue-selectivity such that it does not induce hypercalcemia but causes other effects. There is provided a compound represented by formula (I), a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof. wherein m and n each independently represent 1 or 0;R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group;Y represents an ethane-1,1-diyl group or an ethyne-1,2-diyl group; andZ1 represents a hydrogen atom and Z2 represents a hydroxyalkoxy group, orZ1 and Z2 jointly form a methylene group.

Tissue slices and whole organisms offer substantial challenges to fluorescence imaging. Autofluorescence and absorption via intrinsic chromophores, such as flavins, melanin, and hemoglobins, confound and degrade output from all fluorescent tags. An “optical window,” farther red than most autofluorescence sources and in a region of low hemoglobin and water absorbance, lies between 650 and 900 nm. This valley of relative optical clarity is an attractive target for fluorescence-based studies within tissues, intact organs, and living organisms. Novel fluorescent tags were developed herein, based upon a genetically targeted fluorogen activating protein and cognate fluorogenic dye that yields emission with a peak at 733 nm exclusively when complexed as a “fluoromodule”. This tool improves substantially over previously described far-red/NIR fluorescent proteins in terms of brightness, wavelength, and flexibility by leveraging the flexibility of synthetic chemistry to produce novel chromophores.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

The present invention comprises formulations comprising at least one pesticide and at least one co-polymer comprising a) 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone as comonomer a); and b) 60-99 wt % at least one comonomer b) chosen from the group of laurylacrylate and vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid in polymerized form, methods of combating harmful insects and/or phytopathogenic fungi, a method of controlling undesired vegetation and methods of improving the health of plants based on the afore-mentioned formulations.

The present weed reducing material reduces the necessary weed control work by making joint filling sand a hostile substrate for plant and fungus growth by using an environmentally acceptable slow release mineral additive. The additive, having similar grain size distribution, mechanical and rheological properties, forms an integral part of the joint filling sand. The specific gravity of the additive is lower than quartz sand imparting a tendency for the additive to migrate towards the top part of the joint. The additive leads to pore waters rich in sodium and at high pH, both qualities being maintained over long periods. The mixture of additive and sand is handled and applied using conventional laying techniques and equipment, observing usual precautions for mortar or cement mixes with sand. In the environment, reaction with CO2 in the air or in the soil porosity inactivates the causticity, yielding harmless carbonate salts.

Penoxsulam, 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N-(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide, is useful in controlling broadleaf weeds and sedges in turfgrass and in vine and orchard floors.

New phenylamidines are described, having general formula (I): and their use for the control of phytopathogenic fungi.

The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker) from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired. In one aspect of the invention, stable isotope-labeled substrate molecules are administered to a subject and the label is incorporated into targeted molecules in a manner that reveals molecular flux rates through metabolic pathways of interest.

A method is disclosed for generating a mass spectrum, e.g. for Fourier transform mass spectrometry, having improved resolving power. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of mass spectra from a mass spectrometer using image current detection determining the centroids of at least some of the peaks which have a sufficient signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio so that the variation of the centroid of each such peak from the plurality of mass spectra is significantly lower than the full-width at half-maximum, dM, of the peak in the m/z domain; and generating a histogram of the centroids determined from the plurality of acquired mass spectra thereby forming a composite mass spectrum. The resultant composite mass spectrum comprises peaks having full-width at half-maximum, dMC, significantly narrower than the peak width, dM, of the corresponding peaks in the plurality of acquired mass spectra.

The abnormality determination apparatus, which is for determining presence of an abnormality in an angle detection device configured to output an output signal having a value equivalent to a rotational angle of a rotating body, includes a smoothing device configured to receive the output signal of the angle detection device to smooth a dependent variable of a function whose independent variable is the rotational angle equivalent value, and a parameter calculation device for calculating an abnormality determination parameter based on the dependent variable smoothed by the smoothing device. The function is such that an integrated value of the rotational angle equivalent value over a predetermined time section is always positive or negative, and is configured to vary the dependent variable continuously in accordance with continuous variation of the independent variable in at least a part of the predetermined time section.

Disclosed are various embodiments involving correction of signals generated by a crystal oscillator. An age of an integrated circuit or a time of use of the integrated circuit may be determined. A signal generated from a crystal of the integrated circuit may be modified based at least in part on the determined age of the integrated circuit or the determined time of use of the integrated circuit.

An electrostatic coating plant coats components with a coating agent that is electrically charged by high voltage device. A first operating variable of a high voltage device may be determined and compared to a limit value. A safety measure may be initiated if the comparison between the first operating variable and the limit value indicates a disturbance in the electrostatic coating plant. The limit value may be flexibly adjusted depending on the operation mode.

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a signal indicative of one or more types of individual measurable device characteristic/s that are unique to a given electronic device by providing a signal indicative of the measurable and unique device characteristic/s in a passive manner from the electronic device. The signal indicative of one or more types of individual measurable device characteristic/s may be so provided without requiring operational power to be applied to any active electronic circuitry of the device, and without requiring any power to be generated by the device.

A method for calculating efficiency of a power supply system includes: displaying a parameter selection interface on the display unit for selecting power supply parameters and transmission line parameters. Obtaining power supply parameters and transmission line parameters selected by the user via the parameter selection interface when determining the user has finished the selection. Determining a efficiency of a selected power supply of the power supply parameters according to the relationship table, and calculating a sum efficiency according to the obtained power supply parameters and the transmission line parameters and the efficiency of the selected power supply. And calculating a total efficiency of the power supply system according to each sum efficiency when determining that all of the power supplies of the power supply system have been selected.

A method and apparatus for estimating virtual machine energy consumption, and in particular, a method and apparatus for estimating virtual machine energy consumption in a computer system. The method includes: obtaining system energy consumption of the system hardware resources; obtaining event information of a plurality of functional units into which the system hardware resources are divided, and mapping the event information to the respective virtual machines; and calculating energy consumption of the virtual machines according to a plurality of energy consumption coefficients corresponding to the plurality of functional units and according to the event information mapped to the functional units of the respective virtual machines.