Abstract: An optical assembly including: a beam generating system generating radiation (6) at an operating wavelength, an optical element (13, 14) arranged in a residual gas atmosphere (16) and subjected to the radiation, which induces a degradation of a surface of the optical element, and a feed device feeding at least one gaseous constituent into the residual gas atmosphere, to suppress the degradation of the surface. Either a beam diameter (d) of the radiation at the surface of the optical element, lies above a threshold value (dc), thereby suppressing the degradation by the gaseous constituent, or, if the beam diameter (d) at the surface (14a) of the optical element (14) lies below the threshold value (dc) so that the effectiveness of the suppression of the degradation is reduced, at least one further device (25, 27) enhancing suppression of the degradation of the surface (14a) is assigned to the optical element (14).

Abstract: A method and system of preparing a sample for microbial testing by providing a sample in a sample bag, a dry sterile growth medium in a bag, and a source of pure (Type II) water heated to a temperature of about 25-50° C., homogenizing the sample, reconstituting the dry medium with the heated Type II water, mixing the medium and sample to a homogenous consistency and incubating the sample for a period of time sufficient to allow the growth of microbes. A tankless water heater or a heat exchanger can be used to heat the water to a desired temperature. The Type II water can be heated either before or after it is made. A blender can be used for the sample homogenization as well as the final mixing before incubation and may be a paddle or stationary blender. Microbes are detected by various methods well known in the art.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I, defined herein, act both as muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists and are useful for treating broncho-obstructive and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: An optical hollow waveguide assembly (1) includes an optical hollow waveguide (2) for guiding illumination light (3). The hollow waveguide (2) has a tubular main body (6) with a continuous waveguide cavity (7). The waveguide cavity has an illumination light inlet (8) and an illumination light outlet (9). A cavity inner wall (10) of the waveguide cavity (7) is configured to be highly reflective for the illumination light (3) under grazing incidence. A gas source (12) has a fluid connection (13) to the waveguide cavity (7). The resulting hollow waveguide assembly exhibits a reduced risk of contamination of the hollow waveguide.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I, defined herein, act both as muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists and are useful for treating diseases of the respiratory tract.

Abstract: A thermal overcurrent circuit breaker having a switch housing in which a thermal expansion element and a snap-action switching mechanism, which is coupled to the thermal expansion element and can be manually operated, and also a moving contact, which interacts with the snap-action switching mechanism, and a fixed contact are arranged, the fixed contact being connected to a first connection rail while contact is made with the moving contact by a second connection rail by means of the thermal expansion element. The switch housing has a number of connection chambers in which in each case one of the connection rails is arranged, wherein a two-limb spring element for making clamping contact with a connection line, which is guided into the connection chamber via a first housing opening and has the connection rail, is arranged in each connection chamber.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) defined herein act both as muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists and are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of broncho-obstructive or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I, defined herein, act both as muscarinic receptor antagonists and beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists and are useful for treating broncho-obstructive and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A radiation sensing device for sensing first radiation (15) comprises a radiation sensor (11) for sensing the first radiation and at least one first radiation guiding member (13) forming at least a part of a first radiation path for guiding, and preferably converging or focusing, the first radiation towards the sensor. The first radiation guiding member (13) also forms at least a part of a second radiation path for guiding second radiation emitted by an illumination device (12). A control circuit (20) comprises a first sensor circuit (21) for operating one or more radiation sensors (11), an illumination circuit (22) for operating one or more illumination devices (22), and at least one connection (26) amongst said circuits (21, 22).

Abstract: Liquid crystal mixture comprising one or several compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, M1, M2, X, A, and m are defined herein.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to sense presence and motion in a monitored space includes one or more thermal sensing devices and a lens array. Each thermal sensing device is configured to produce a direct current output that is sustained at a level substantially proportional to an amount of thermal energy being received at the thermal sensing device. The lens array is coupled to the one or more thermal sensing devices and includes multiple lenses, each of which is configured to direct incident thermal energy from at least a respective one of multiple different physical zones located within the monitored space onto the one or more thermal sensing devices.

Abstract: A radiation sensing device for sensing first radiation (15) comprises a radiation sensor (11) for sensing the first radiation and at least one first radiation guiding member (13) forming at least a part of a first radiation path for guiding, and preferably converging or focusing, the first radiation towards the sensor. The first radiation guiding member (13) also forms at least a part of a second radiation path for guiding second radiation emitted by an illumination device (12). A control circuit (20) comprises a first sensor circuit (21) for operating one or more radiation sensors (11), an illumination circuit (22) for operating one or more illumination devices (22), and at least one connection (26) amongst said circuits (21, 22).

Abstract: An arrangement for use in a projection exposure tool (100) for microlithography comprises a reflective optical element (10; 110) and a radiation detector (30; 32; 130). The reflective optical element (10; 110) comprises a carrier element (12) guaranteeing the mechanical strength of the optical element (10; 110) and a reflective coating (18) disposed on the carrier element (12) for reflecting a use radiation (20a). The carrier element (12) is made of a material which upon interaction with the use radiation (20a) emits a secondary radiation (24) the wavelength of which differs from the wavelength of the use radiation (20a), and the radiation detector (30; 32; 130) is configured to detect the secondary radiation (24).

Abstract: An apparatus configured to sense presence and motion in a monitored space is presented. The apparatus includes a dual-element assembly with a first thermal sensing element and a second thermal sensing element configured to produce a direct current output that is sustained at a level substantially proportional to an amount of thermal energy being received at the thermal sensing elements. A lens array (or equivalent optics) is coupled to the elements, having a plurality of lenses directing incident thermal energy from a plurality of optically-defined spatial zones onto the sensing elements. An electronic circuitry is configured to read a resulting signal of the dual-element assembly and an individual output signal of each the first thermal sensing element and the second thermal sensing element.

Abstract: An optical hollow waveguide assembly (1) includes an optical hollow waveguide (2) for guiding illumination light (3). The hollow waveguide (2) has a tubular main body (6) with a continuous waveguide cavity (7). The waveguide cavity has an illumination light inlet (8) and an illumination light outlet (9). A cavity inner wall (10) of the waveguide cavity (7) is configured to be highly reflective for the illumination light (3) under grazing incidence. A gas source (12) has a fluid connection (13) to the waveguide cavity (7). The resulting hollow waveguide assembly exhibits a reduced risk of contamination of the hollow waveguide.

Abstract: A method for producing rod lenses with an enveloping diameter of the rod lens face of up to 200 mm and an edge length of at least 800 mm. The method is characterized in that fabrication is performed from a cylindrical rod lens element made from synthetic quartz glass material configured as a fused silica ingot. This is performed using a flame hydrolysis method with a direct one stage deposition process of SIOx particles from a flame stream onto die that rotates and is moveable in a linear manner with respect to the flame stream.

Abstract: Liquid crystal mixture comprising one or several compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, M1, M2, X, A, and m are defined herein.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to a method of monitoring a message object sent from a client to invoke an operation on a server in a distributed computing environment. Upon receipt of the message object at a measurement point, measurement data is produced. The measurement data is inserted into the message object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic plant with increased trace element contents and a method for producing the same. In particular, the transgenic plant is incorporated by a polynucleotide encoding an iron-regulated protein 1 (IRP1/IMA1) or IRP1-like (IRL/IMA3) polypeptide, which facilitate uptake and circulation of the trace elements into the plant. Also provided is a method for treating trace element deficiency by administrating to a subject in need a composition comprising a transgenic plant as described or an edible tissue or part thereof.

Abstract: A composite body comprises a substrate (4), a first decorative paper (1) and an electrically conductive structure (2.1) which is arranged between the substrate and first decorative paper (1), wherein at least one electrical conductor (6) connects the electrically conductive structure (2.1) to an electronic circuit (5), and the first decorative paper (1) is arranged above the electrically conductive structure (2.1) in order to cover said structure.