Abstract: A phase detection circuit arranged as sigma-delta modulator for determining a phase difference between a periodic signal and a reference signal, the periodic signal and the reference signal having a substantially equal frequency, includes: a source input configured to receive the periodic signal whose phase relationship with respect to the reference signal is to be determined; a feedback signal generator configured to provide a feedback signal, the feedback signal and reference signal having substantially the same frequency; a phase difference circuit coupled to the source input node and a second signal input node coupled to the feedback signal generator, and configured to determine an error signal as a function of the phase difference between the periodic signal and the feedback signal; an integrator circuit coupled to the phase difference circuit, configured to receive the error signal and to integrate the error signal to provide an integration signal; a digitizing circuit coupled to the integration circuit

Abstract: The invention relates to method of detecting autoantibodies from patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. To this end, according to the invention, at least two peptide units are used of which at least one peptide unit comprises a part not derived from (pro)filaggrin, fibrin, fibrinogen, vimentin, cytokeratin 1 and cytokeratin 9, and which peptide unit comprises the motif XG, and a peptide unit comprising the motif XnonG, wherein X is a citrulline or an analogue thereof, and nonG is an amino acid other than glycine.

Abstract: A scintillator material has a formula La(1-x)CexBr3(1-y)I3y in which x represents a real number greater than or equal to 0.0005 and less than 1, y represents a real number greater than 0.20 and equal to or less than 0.9. This material has scintillation properties and emission properties and is useful in a scintillation-based detector for detecting radiation over a wide energy range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyacylurethane having the following general formula (I) and a process for the preparation of such polyacylurethane. Preferred embodiments of the polyacylurethanes according to the invention have elastomeric properties. The polyacylurethanes can suitable be used in biodegradable, biocompatible and/or biomedical devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a material comprising a compound of formula Pr(1-x-y)LnyCexX3 wherein—Ln is chosen from the elements or mixtures of at least two elements, of the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, —X is chosen from the halides or mixtures of at least two halides, of the group: Cl, Br, I, —x is above 0.0005 and is lower than 1, —y is from 0 to less than 1 and—x+y) is less than 1, and its use as scintillation detector, for example in PET scanner with time of flight capabilities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantification of a degree of obstruction in a liquid passageway, notably a male urethra. Data related to sonic waves generated by a liquid passing the obstruction may be accessed from a suitable file, or, alternatively may be directly obtained as a result of a measuring step 2. For determining the degree of obstruction of the urethra the measuring step 2 may be performed by arranging at least one sensor, notably a microphone, in the area of the perineum for detecting sonic waves generated by a liquid (urine) passing the obstruction. At the step 5 the power spectrum of the obtained data related to the sonic waves is calculated, after which a suitable feature 6a, 6b, or 6c representative of the power spectrum is selected. Preferable embodiments of the feature comprise a weighted average frequency of the power spectrum, a standard deviation of the power spectrum, or a skewness of the power spectrum, discussed above.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging apparatus comprises an electromagnetic radiation source configured to irradiate a sample area and an acoustic signal detection probe arrangement for detecting acoustic signals. A radiation responsive acoustic signal generator is added outside the sample area. The detection probe arrangement detects both signals generated in a sample area in response to the irradiation and an acoustic signal from the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator that has traveled through the sample area. A computing system distinguishes first acoustic signal detections attributed to the acoustic signal generated by the radiation responsive acoustic signal generator and second acoustic signal detections attributed to the acoustic signals generated by the sample area. The computing system performs a tomographic computation of an acoustic transmission parameter as a function of a position in the sample area from the first acoustic signal detections.

Abstract: The invention is directed to embolic material comprising spherical, homogeneous and substantially non-porous radiopaque polymer particles based on at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one radiopaque monomer according to general formula wherein R is H, methyl or ethyl, and R1 is I, Br or wherein R2 is O, NH, O—[CH2—CH2—O]p—C(O)—, O—[CH2]m—O—C(O)—, O—[CH2]p—, NH—[CH2—CH2—O]p—C(O)—, NH—[CH2]m—O—C(O)- or NH—[CH2]p— wherein m>1 and p?1, R3 is I or Br and n is 1, 2 or 3, the iodine and/or bromine content being at least 5 wt. % based on the dry weight of the particle, the said particles having an average particle diameter of at least 10 ?m and being able to imbibe water up to a volume increase of the particle of at least 10%.

Abstract: A triggering system for a stroboscope system, comprising: a light source for projecting light on a vibratory object, such as vocal folds, an optical sensor for sensing light reflected or transmitted from said vibratory object in response to the projected light, in order to obtain vibratory information from the vibratory object; and a control arrangement connected to the optical sensor, for converting the vibratory information into triggering signals for the stroboscope system, said electronic control arrangement including a control output connectable to said stroboscope system, for outputting said triggering signals to said stroboscope system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for photodynamic treatment of a fungal skin disorder, said pharmaceutical composition comprising a photosensitizer and an enhancer, wherein the photosensitizer is a cationic photosensitizer and the enhancer is chosen from the group of i) an acid, and ii) a metal chelating agent. Such a composition is capable of eliminating both conidiae and hy-phae. The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: An oscillator device for generating an oscillator signal, includes a heater arrangement, a first switching element, a temperature sensor, signal process means, and voltage controlled oscillator; an output of the temperature sensor being connected to an input of the signal processing means, and an output of the signal processing means being connected to an input of the voltage controlled oscillator. The first switching element is arranged for receiving the oscillator signal from the voltage controlled oscillator and for providing a heater drive signal to either a first heater element or a second heater element of the heater arrangement based on the oscillator signal. The signal processing means comprise a synchronous demodulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of coronaviruses and diagnosis, therapeutic use, and vaccines derived therefrom. The invention provides replicative coronaviruses and virus-like particles (VLPs) from which large parts of their genome are (at least functionally) deleted without abolishing their replicative capacities. The deletion preferably results in at least a functional deletion in that the corresponding gene is not or is only partly expressed wherein the resulting gene product is dysfunctional or at least functionally distinct from a corresponding wild-type gene product.

Abstract: A scintillating material of the generic formula Cs(2?z)RbzLiLn(1?x)X6:xCe3+, where X is either Br or I, Ln is Y or Gd or Lu or Sc or La, where z is greater or equal to 0 and less or equal to 2, and x is above 0.0005 useful for detecting neutrons in a sample of radiation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a material comprising a compound of formula Pr(1-x-y)LnyCexX3 wherein—Ln is chosen from the elements or mixtures of at least two elements, of the group: La, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, —X is chosen from the halides or mixtures of at least two halides, of the group: Cl, Br, I, —x is above 0.0005 and is lower than 1, —y is from 0 to less than 1 and—x+y) is less than 1, and its use as scintillation detector, for example in PET scanner with time of flight apabilities.

Abstract: The invention concerns an inorganic scintillator material of general composition M1?xCexCl3, wherein: M is selected among lanthanides or lanthanide mixtures, preferably among the elements or mixtures of elements of the group consisting of Y, La, Gd, Lu, in particular among the elements or mixtures of elements of the group consisting of La, Gd and Lu; and x is the molar rate of substitution of M with cerium, x being not less than 1 mol % and strictly less than 100 mol %. The invention also concerns a method for growing said monocrystalline scintillator material, and the use of said scintillator material as component of a scintillating detector in particular for industrial and medical purposes and in the oil industry.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.

Abstract: Intravascular ultrasound techniques provide for intravascular imaging using contrast agents and nonlinear techniques. An ultrasound imaging device for detecting internal properties of a target body comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned at a distal end portion of a catheter, for transmitting excitation pulses and for receiving echo signals. A signal processor analyses echo signals at harmonics and/or subharmonics of the transmit frequency. The catheter may include a contrast agent delivery conduit extending along the catheter, the delivery conduit having an exit orifice proximal to the ultrasound transducer. The device may discriminate between echo signals respectively arising from interaction with tissue and from the interaction with contrast agent. The device may generate an image of the site of interest using non-linear components of the received ultrasound echo signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inputting an information signal into a power cable which is connected to a voltage supply and which includes at least one or more conductors, a dielectric provided around the conductors and a conductive earth sheath arranged wholly or partially around the dielectric, the method incluging inputting a pulse-like information signal at a first position via the earth sheath in order to produce a corresponding pulse-like information signal which is propagated to a second position in the dielectric of the power cable.

Abstract: A compound includes a carrier molecule wherein the carrier molecule is linked to a further molecule, wherein the further molecule is at least one cyclic peptide in which the cyclic peptide portion thereof contains at least one sequence encoding a cell receptor recognizing peptide (RRP) and with the proviso that the compound is not a naturally occurring receptor agonist or antagonist. Preferably, the RRP is a receptor specific for Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) or a receptor that is up-regulated on HSC during disease. The RFP may be chosen from among a PDGF receptor, a collagen type VI receptor, cytokine receptor(s) such as TGB?, INF? and interleukin?. The cyclic portion of the peptide can contain at least one amino acid sequence RGD or KPT.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide derived from an antigen recognized by autoantibodies, which peptide is reactive with autoimmune antibodies from a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The peptide according to the invention possesses a modified arginine residue. The invention also relates to antibodies against the peptide and a method of detecting autoimmune antibodies.