Abstract: The present invention relates to data collection comprising the receiving of inbound data from a hygiene equipment, the inbound data indicating a filling status of the hygiene equipment acquired by a data acquisition unit of the hygiene equipment, and comprising the transmitting of outbound data to the hygiene equipment, the outbound data changing a behaviour with regard to a lock unit of the hygiene equipment based on the filling status of the hygiene equipment.

Abstract: An automatic sampling apparatus for taking liquid samples for the qualitative or quantitative determination of at least one analyte contained in the sample liquid includes a sample line that can be fluidically connected to the sampling station, a pump device, at least one sample container that can be fluidically connected to the sample line, and an electronic control system. The electronic control system is configured to fluidically connect the sample line to the sample container such that a fluid flow path extending from the sampling station through the sample line into the sample container is formed. The electronic control system is further configured to transport, using the pump device, a definable volume of the sample liquid, in the form of a liquid sample, along the fluid flow path into the sample container. The sampling apparatus is configured for concentrating or extracting the analyte present in the liquid sample.

Abstract: Implementations generally relate to a decision graph. In some implementations, a method includes receiving a graph, where the graph includes data criteria. The method further includes receiving a data structure, where the data structure includes input values. The method further includes applying the data criteria of the graph against the input values of the data structure. The method further includes computing an output value based on the applying of the data criteria against the input values.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lid for a microtiter plate, which has a plurality of cavities arranged on a top of the microtiter plate and serve for receiving samples, wherein the lid is securable on the microtiter plate such that it covers of the microtiter plate. The lid has a basic body, which is embodied such that at least in regions, which are located above the cavities when the lid is on the microtiter plate, it is transmissive for light of predeterminable wavelength, and wherein the lid includes at least one closure element, which is embodied and/or arranged in such a manner that it closes at least one of the cavities in the microtiter plate when the lid is on the microtiter plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filtering method for isolating a substance from a sample. The method includes: providing a filter module having a sample inlet, a sample outlet, and a filter covering the sample outlet; introducing, via a sample inlet a first quantity of the sample into the filter module; conducting the sample from the sample inlet through the filter and the sample outlet by applying a pressure difference between a side of the filter facing the sample inlet and a side of the filter facing away from the sample inlet; measuring the pressure difference and/or a volumetric flow through the filter; comparing the measurement values to a predefined reference value; and ending the method if successively detected measurement values lie within a predefined range of values around the reference value. Disclosed also is a device with which the method can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for controlling the temperature of a sample carrier (2), and to an automatable laboratory workplace comprising an apparatus (1) according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a heating device (2) having a heater (3) and a movable heating cover (6), which is arranged over the receiving region of the heater (3) and is designed to press the sample carrier (4) in a heating position (H) into the receiving region (3a) of the heater (3) with a predefinable contact pressure, and a transport device (8), which is designed to introduce the sample carrier (3) into the apparatus (1) from an insertion position (E) outside the apparatus (1).

Abstract: An inoculation system for a bee hive having a hive opening includes (a) a body mountable to the hive intermediate the hive opening and an outside environment external the hive, (b) a bee pathway in the body for providing passage between the hive opening and the outside environment when the body is mounted to the hive, (c) a removable cartridge installed in the body and having a cartridge chamber storing an inoculum, and (d) an automatic inoculum dispenser in the body. The dispenser is operable to controllably dispense the inoculum from the cartridge chamber into the bee pathway to dust bees passing through the bee pathway with the inoculum.

Abstract: A temperature-control device for receiving a reaction vessel having a heat-insulated interior space and which is covered by a lid. The reaction vessel has a hollow body and a cap, this hollow body being closed on one side by a base. The base contacts a heatable heating block in order to heat a sample located in the reaction vessel. The hollow body is surrounded by a heatable heating body which communicates with the lid via a heat-conducting contact region so that the heating body heats the hollow body directly and heats the cap indirectly via the lid.

Abstract: An inoculation system for a bee hive having a hive opening includes (a) a body mountable to the hive intermediate the hive opening and an outside environment external the hive, (b) a bee pathway in the body for providing passage between the hive opening and the outside environment when the body is mounted to the hive, (c) a removable cartridge installed in the body and having a cartridge chamber storing an inoculum, and (d) an automatic inoculum dispenser in the body. The dispenser is operable to controllably dispense the inoculum from the cartridge chamber into the bee pathway to dust bees passing through the bee pathway with the inoculum.

Abstract: A temperature-control device for receiving a reaction vessel having a heat-insulated interior space and which is covered by a lid. The reaction vessel has a hollow body and a cap, this hollow body being closed on one side by a base. The base contacts a heatable heating block in order to heat a sample located in the reaction vessel. The hollow body is surrounded by a heatable heating body which communicates with the lid via a heat-conducting contact region so that the heating body heats the hollow body directly and heats the cap indirectly via the lid.

Abstract: Individual viruses in any type of sample are identified quickly, unambiguously and reliably, and with the least possible preparation-related and technology-related expenditure, without necessitating immobilization using antibodies and without requiring an indication or at least a suspicion of potentially present viruses. This is accomplished by scanning the height profile of the sample, from which scanning sites suspected of containing viruses are selected, exposing those cites to monochromatic excitation light and spectroscopically analyzing the resulting Raman scattered light.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator having a substrate, one or more optical waveguides, at least one active electrode formed on the substrate and aligned over the optical waveguide, the active electrode operating to induce a refractive index change in the optical waveguide. The active electrode has a lower surface arranged facing the substrate, an upper surface arranged away from the substrate, substantially planar side walls, and rounded corners between the side walls and the lower surface of the active electrode. The electrode can be a bridge electrode, with two lower portions and an upper portion connected to the lower portions, the lower portions spaced apart from each other, each of the two lower portions of the active electrode extending over one of the optical waveguides. Each of the lower portions has rounded convex corners. The upper surface of the electrode can also have rounded corners or a completely rounded upper surface.

Abstract: A composite candle structure is provided. A variety of color-scented hollow wax discs and a center filler wax form a laminated candle body providing a permanent base with mixed aroma for supporting a collection of removable tea-light candles in matching colors and scents. Each layer of wax disc may be distinguished by its color and scent and further by an inscribed pattern of words or messages for a spectator to read and get inspired. Also, a user can make swift changes among various illuminative as well as aromatic effects due to the simple fitting of interchangeable tea-light sections.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate, at least two parallel optical waveguides, at least one ground plane, at least one active electrode with at least two lower portions of the active electrode, and an upper portion connected to the lower portions, the lower portions spaced apart from each other, each of the two lower portions of the active electrode extending over one of the optical waveguides. An electro-optic phase modulator has at least one optical waveguide and at least one active electrode formed on a face of the substrate, the active electrode having a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion, the lower portions of the active electrode aligned with and extending over one of the optical waveguides. A bridge electrode has at least one narrower lower portion, and a wider upper portion, the lower portion for being arranged over an optical waveguide formed in a substrate.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate, at least two parallel optical waveguides, at least one ground plane, at least one active electrode with at least two lower portions of the active electrode, and an upper portion connected to the lower portions, the lower portions spaced apart from each other, each of the two lower portions of the active electrode extending over one of the optical waveguides. An electro-optic phase modulator having at least one optical waveguide and at least one active electrode formed on a face of the substrate, the active electrode having a wider upper portion and a narrower lower portion, the lower portions of the active electrode aligned with and extending over one of the optical waveguides. A bridge electrode has at least one narrower lower portion, and a wider upper portion, the lower portion for being arranged over an optical waveguide formed in a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an affinity sensor and methods suitable for use in an affinity sensor for detecting specific molecular binding events, as is particularly used in the molecular biological field, for example, in the medical diagnostics, in the biosensor technology or in the DNA-microarray technology, and application of the same. A method for detecting binding of members of a specific binding pair of the invention comprises providing a first member of said binding pair coupled to a deposition nucleus and specifically binding said first member to a surface-immobilized second member of said pair and determining the electrical resistance of said surface, the method characterized in that after binding of the members on said surface an electrically conductive deposit is formed on said surface under conditions that allow said deposit to be formed specifically on said nucleus or deposit formed.