Abstract: A microfluidic system including a number of microfluidic devices having a first perfusion path and a second separate perfusion path; the microfluidic devices each also having a chamber containing a matrix, where the matrix surrounds at least one void whose lumen is in fluidic connection exclusively with the first perfusion path, where the at least one void is populated with at least one cell type in such way that the cells are in direct contact with the matrix; where the matrix is in fluidic connection exclusively with the second separate perfusion path. The microfluidic devices are integrated onto a platform; and each of the microfluidic devices mimics at least a partial organ module.

Abstract: Collating text strings having Unicode encoding includes receiving two text strings S=s1s2 . . . sn and T=t1t2 . . . tm. When the two text strings are not identical, there is a smallest positive integer p for which the two text strings differ. The process looks up the characters sp and tp in a predefined lookup table. If either of these characters is missing from the lookup table, the collation of the text strings is determined using the standard Unicode comparison of the text strings spsp+1 . . . sn and tptp+1 . . . tm. Otherwise, the lookup table assigns weights vp and wp for the characters sp and tp. When vp?wp, these weights define the collation order of the strings S and T. When vp=wp, the collation of S and T is determined recursively using the suffix strings sp+1 . . . sn and tp+1 . . . tm.

Abstract: Comparing text strings with Unicode encoding includes receiving two text strings S1 and S2. The process computes, for the first text string S1, a first weight according to a weight function ƒ that computes an ASCII prefix ƒA(S1), computes a Unicode weight suffix ƒU(S1), and concatenates the weights to form the first weight ƒ(S1)=ƒA(S1)+ƒU(S1). Computing the ASCII prefix for the first string applies bitwise operations to n-byte contiguous blocks of the first string to determine whether each block contains only ASCII characters, and replaces accented Unicode characters with equivalent unaccented ASCII characters when comparison is designated as accent-insensitive. When there is a first block containing a non-replaceable non-ASCII character, the Unicode weight suffix is computed by performing a character-by-character Unicode weight lookup beginning with the first block. The same process is applied to the second string. The text string are compared by comparing their computed weights.

Abstract: Vascularizing cell aggregates or tissue segments in a microfluidic device by filling a chamber within the device with a matrix that allows for endothelial sprouting; creating at least three voids within the matrix, of which at least two outer voids are lumenally connected to separate perfusion paths within the device and at least one additional void is positioned in between the at least two outer voids; endothelializing the at least two outer voids; introducing at least one cell type, matrix material, tissue segment, or combinations thereof into the void between the two outer voids; and using vascular growth factors to induce the endothelial cells to sprout into the matrix until the at least three voids are interconnected by endothelial sprouts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, for affinity purification of an antibody or an fragment of an antibody, of a ligand-substituted matrix comprising a support material and at least one ligand covalently bonded to the support material, the ligand being represented by formula (I) L-(Sp)v-Ar1-Am-Ar2 ??(I) wherein L, SP, Ar1, AM, Ar2 and v are defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, for affinity purification of an antibody or an fragment of an antibody, of a ligand-substituted matrix comprising a support material and at least one ligand covalently bonded to the support material, the ligand being represented by formula (I) L-(Sp)v-Ar1—Am—Ar2?? (I) wherein L, SP, Ar1, AM, Ar2 and v are defined herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use for affinity purification of an antibody or a fragment of an antibody, of a ligand-substituted matrix comprising a support material and at least one ligand covalently bonded to the support material.

Abstract: A method for the creation of endothelial parent vessels from human vascular endothelial cells in vitro in a culture perfusion device (CPD) including a collagen chamber, inlet ports, a capillary tube, and an outlet port. A collagen solution is injected into the collagen chamber through a syringe needle until the chamber is filled with collagen. The CPD is perfused by filling the inlet ports and sequentially priming the inlet ports, and the outlet ports. A perfusable channel is created in the collagen chamber and a concentrated suspension of endothelial cells is injected into the inlet ports. The endothelial cells are injected into the at least one perfusable channel and incubated to attach to the walls of the perfusable channel. The cells are distributed within the CPD; and perfused to form a parent vessel having homogeneous monolayers of cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, for affinity purification of an antibody or an fragment of an antibody, of a ligand-substituted matrix comprising a support material and at least one ligand covalently bonded to the support material, the ligand being represented by formula (I) L-(Sp)v-Ar1—Am—Ar2??(I) wherein L, SP, Ar1, AM, Ar2 and v are defined herein.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for generating compartmentalized microenvironments of tissues and organs in vitro and for independently perfusing the compartments. A microfluidic device that includes at least a first perfusion path and a second separate perfusion path. The microfluidic device also has a chamber containing a matrix, where the matrix surrounds at least one void whose lumen is in fluidic connection exclusively with the first perfusion path, where the at least one void can be populated with at least one cell type in such way that the cells are in direct contact with the matrix and the matrix is in fluidic connection exclusively with the second separate perfusion path.

Abstract: A device, system and method for an update system for updating a digital map for a vehicle. The update data is sent from a control center via a satellite navigation system to the individual receivers. The update data is received by the receivers in parallel with the position data from the satellites. For this purpose, a subchannel is provided. This allows large portions of the worldwide population to be supplied with the update data.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system for catalytic fast pyrolysis comprising a cerium-incorporated HZSM-5 zeolite (Catalyst 1), and methods of making and using the same. The invention also provides a process for reducing coke formation during catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass using HZSM-5, wherein the process can include incorporating cerium into the HZSM-5 zeolite to produce Catalyst 1 prior to the catalytic fast pyrolysis.

Abstract: A method for 3D imaging of a biologic object (1) in an optical tomography system where a subcellular structure of a biological object (1) is labeled by introducing at least one nanoparticle-biomarker. The labeled biological object (1) is moved relatively to a microscope objective (62) to present varying angles of view and the labeled biological object (1) is illuminated with radiation having wavelengths between 150 nm and 900 nm. Radiation transmitted through the labeled biological object (1) and the microscope objective (62) within at least one wavelength bands is sensed with a color camera, or with a set of at least four monochrome cameras. A plurality of cross-sectional images of the biological object (1) from the sensed radiation is formed and reconstructed to make a 3D image of the labeled biological object (1).

Abstract: Creating a tissue structure in vitro includes juxtaposing mandrels on a culture/perfusion device frame where the mandrels are spaced apart substantially parallel to each other and connecting the mandrels to tubes including an upstream tubes and downstream tubes. The upstream tubes are connected with an upstream manifold and the downstream tubes are connected to a downstream manifold. The frame and the mandrels are sterilized, coated and seeded with cells that multiply and form circular layers around each of the mandrels until the circular layers merge into a tissue structure which is subjected to a growth medium. The mandrels are extracted and the tissue structure is perfused.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system for catalytic fast pyrolysis comprising a cerium-incorporated HZSM-5 zeolite (Catalyst 1), and methods of making and using the same. The invention also provides a process for reducing coke formation during catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass using HZSM-5, wherein the process can include incorporating cerium into the HZSM-5 zeolite to produce Catalyst 1 prior to the catalytic fast pyrolysis.

Abstract: An emergency call device for a vehicle is specified in which, on occurrence of a certain event, a data record is generated which thereupon is transmitted during the emergency call. The event can be an external request by an operator or a trigger signal inside a vehicle. In this way, the operator can obtain the most recent information at any time during the emergency call.

Abstract: An air flap device (10) for a cooling or/and freezing appliance of kitchen equipment comprises an air flap (18) which is mounted so that it can pivot about a first axis of rotation (20) between an open position and a closed position, uncovers an air passage opening for the passage of air in the open position and at least substantially blocks the air passage opening against the passage of air in the closed position, and a motor-driven flap operating mechanism for pivoting the air flap. According to the invention, the flap operating mechanism comprises a rotary member (26) which is disposed so as to be driven about a second axis of rotation (28) as well as a separate force transmission member (32) which serves to transmit force between the rotary member and the air flap, is coupled to the rotary member at a point lying eccentrically to the second axis of rotation and is coupled to the air flap (18) at a point lying at a distance from the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinked organopolysiloxanes which are linked by a polyether building block via the Si atoms, to emulsifier systems which have these crosslinked organopolysiloxanes, and also to cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical formulations comprising a crosslinked organopolysiloxane or an emulsifier system comprising these.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use for affinity purification of an antibody or an fragment of an antibody, of a ligand-substituted matrix comprising a support material and at least one ligand covalently bonded to the support material, the ligand being represented by formula (I) wherein Sp is a spacer group; v is 0 or 1; Am is an amide group —NR1—C(O)—, and wherein either NR1 is attached to Ar1 and —C(O)— is attached to Ar2, or —C(O)— is attached to Ar1 and NR1 is attached to Ar2; and R1 is hydrogen or C1 to C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl; and more preferably hydrogen; Ar1 is a divalent 5- or 6-membered substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring; Ar2 is 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic aromatic ring which is (a) attached to a further 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring via a single bond; or (b) fused to a further 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring as part of a multicyclic ring system; or (c) attached to at least one substituent selected from C1 to C4 alkyl; C2 to C4 alkenyl; C2 to C4 alkynyl; a

Abstract: A method for creating networks of perfusable microvessels in vitro. Cells including cell types capable of sprouting are seeded 1300 into a channel in a matrix at to activate competency 1304 of the cells for sprouting as microvessels based on the seeding density. The matrix channel is perfused with medium to allow parent vessels to form and for viability 1324. The parent vessels and matrix are incubated and perfused to provide for sprouting of microvessels from parent vessels into the surrounding matrix 1328. The sprouting parent vessels are grown until network forms 1332.