Abstract: The invention relates to nucleoside derivatives with photolabile protecting groups of general formula (I) wherein R1 is H, F, Cl, Br, I, or NO2; R2 is H or CN, provided that R1 and R2 are not simultaneously H; R3 is H, 1-4 C alkyl, or phenyl; R4 is H or a conventional functional group for the synthesis of oligonuleotides; R5 is H, OH, halogen or XR6, where X=O or S, and R6 is a conventional nucleotide protecting group; and B is adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil, 2,6-diaminopurin-9-yl, hypoxanthin-9-yl, 5-methylcytosin-1-yl, 5-amino-4-imidazolcarboxamid-1-yl or 5-amino-4-imidazolcarboxamid-3-yl, where, if B is adenine, cytosine or guanine the primary amine functionality, optionally, carries a permanent protecting group. Furthermore, these derivatives may be used for the light-controlled synthesis of oligonucleotides on a DNA chip.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for identifying an object comprising the following steps: (a) selecting an intrinsic surface of an object to be identified; (b) illuminating at least an identification zone in the intrinsic surface of the object to be identified with a coherent light and intercepting at least part of the light reflected by the identification zone, so as to obtain an interference figure in specific illuminating and intercepting conditions; (c) preserving said interference figure as reference interference figure of the object to be identified; (d) placing a candidate object which could possibly be the object to be identified in similar illuminating and intercepting conditions as those used to obtain the reference interference figure and obtain from said candidate object an interference figure; (e) comparing the reference interference figure with the interference figure of the candidate object; and (f) assessing the probability of identity between the object to be identified and the candidate obje

Abstract: A flat hernia implant with a flexible fabric formed from at least two textile fabric structures constructed substantially independently of one another and firmly interconnected over the entire surface area of the hernia implant so as to form a composite structure, is made available for use in surgery.

Abstract: A method and device for forming artificial openings in a biological membrane with a pyrotechnic charge that is exploded in a controlled manner in proximity of the biological membrane to form the artificial opening(s) therein. The method and device are useful in connection with transdermal delivery and monitoring applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an Au/Fe2O3 catalyst comprised of a particle-shaped, co-catalytically active Fe2O3 supporting material with metallic Au clusters deposited thereupon which have a diameter of less than 4.5 nm. The catalyst materials can be obtained by: a) reacting a water-soluble Fe(III) salt in an aqueous medium with a base; b) impregnating the hydroxide gel which is formed thereby and which is still moist with a solution of a water-soluble Au compound in order to deposit complexed Au clusters on the surface of the hydroxide gel; c) removing water from the suspension of the reaction product formed thereby; d) subjecting the dried reaction product to a calcination at temperatures ranging from 350 and 700° C. The inventive catalyst material is especially suited for selective low-temperature CO oxidation in reformate hydrogen which is used as combustible gas for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Abstract: A container valve for fixed fire extinguishing systems comprises a valve body (12), a closure piston (26), one sealed end of which is introduced into the release chamber (24) and the opposite end of which has a sealing surface which can be pressed against a valve seat (22). Said closure piston (26) has a pressure compensation channel (36). A closing spring (32) exerts a spring force on the closure piston (26) in the direction of the valve seat (22). A trigger device (46) enables a drop in pressure to be created in the release chamber (24), in such a way that the closure piston (26) is displaced away from its valve seat (22), coming to rest against an end stop. A sealing element (38) seals the pressure compensation channel when the closure piston (26) rests against the end stop.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing power comprising a grate cooler for cooling clinker supplied from cement production apparatus, an electrostatic precipitator that extracts particulate matter from hot air supplied from said grate cooler, the grate cooler and electrostatic precipitator working in combination with an air-heat transfer heat-exchanger, a pre-heater, a vaporizer, a turbine, and a working fluid condenser, to produce power.

Abstract: A pressure cell contains a base body (1), a membrane (2) that is arranged on the base body (1) and can be deformed by a pressure to be measured, as well as a first and a second temperature sensor. The second temperature sensor is spaced apart from the first temperature sensor in the direction of a temperature gradient. Temperature shocks of the measuring cell can be determined and compensated by monitoring the difference between the temperatures measured by the sensors or changes in the temperatures measured by a sensor.

Abstract: Retrofit equipment includes an auxiliary gas turbine unit including an auxiliary compressor for compressing ambient air to produce compressed air, a solar collector that receives the compressed air for heating the same to produce heated compressed air, and an auxiliary turbine coupled to the auxiliary compressor and to an auxiliary generator for expanding the heated compressed air and driving the auxiliary compressor and auxiliary generator thereby producing power and hot exhaust gases. When solar insolation is available, a flow control selectively supplies the hot exhaust gases from the retrofit equipment to a boiler which is part of a conventional fossil fueled power plant. The boiler has heat exchanger coils containing water and receives hot exhaust gases for vaporizing water in the coils and producing steam which is supplied to a steam turbine coupled to a generator for expanding steam produced by the boiler, and driving the generator and producing power and expanded steam.

Abstract: The invention provides for improved devices and methods for forming openings in a biological membrane for delivering substances into an animal through the biological membrane for treatment applications, or extracting substances from the animal through the biological membrane for monitoring or other diagnosis applications and for increased transmembrane flux.

Abstract: In a method for working up a gold bath or a gold alloy bath, which contains gold in the form of a gold sulphite complex, working up takes place through at least one oxidant, which oxidizes the sulphite contained in the complex and reduces the gold contained in the complex to its metallic form. In the method in particular hydrogen peroxide and potassium-peroxo-monosulphate are used as oxidants. The oxidants are provided in a kit.

Abstract: Method for the production of binder-bound mineral wool products, in which mineral fibers are deposited on a production surface (13) to form a mineral wool web (12) and are compacted, and their relative positions are reoriented by mechanical action, for which purpose the web is guided on its large faces and at the same time forces, in particular upsetting forces, are introduced into the web in parallel with the large faces, the forces being introduced in introduction regions which are located next to one another transversely to the running direction in zones and in each case at a distance from one another and one behind the other in the running direction in longitudinal zones, and the introduction regions of adjacent longitudinal zones being arranged so as to be offset relative to one another, after which the binder is cured.

Abstract: The method and the device for manufacturing an acoustically effective foil stack (9) made of embossed foil webs (5e, 5f, 5g, 5h) is characterised by the fact that at least two foil webs lying over one another (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are embossed at the same time, are conveyed along different length conveying routes (W, W1, W2, W3), and then are brought together into a stack (9), and embossed foil webs (5e, 5f, 5g, 5h) arranged to be lying next to one another are laid down in an offset fashion due to the different length conveying routes (W, W1, W2, W3). A particularly advantageous-design of the embossing rollers (1a, 1b) provides foil webs which have knobs with a draped or folded type structure.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a pressure-measurement device with a pressure sensor (1) for measuring the pressure of liquid or gaseous media and with a diaphragm seal (2) that subjects measuring diaphragm (11) of pressure sensor (1) to a pressure to be measured. Pressure sensor (1) has a connection part (12) made of a ceramic material which is connected to measuring diaphragm (11) on the diaphragm side via a joint (14) that is diffusion-tight towards the exterior, and is connected diffusion-tightly to diaphragm seal (2) on the diaphragm seal side. In this way, it is assured that no gases or water vapor can enter the pressure-transfer medium via pressure sensor (1). The operational mode of the pressure transducer remains functional over a long time, and particularly at high temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant vector for use in gene therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and a therapeutic composition thereof. Following the injection of a &bgr;-galactosidase expression vector having a K14 promoter gene, along with a Drosophola's P transposase expression helper vector, into murine skin in a liposome-mediated manner, the &bgr;-galactosidase gene is expressed in the keratinocyte layer from 24 hours to 20 weeks after injection as measured by X-gal staining. With the enhancement effect and tissue specificity, the K14 promoter is applied for the expression of a human insulin gene in keratinocytes, thereby suggesting a new gene therapy method for treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. When, in combination with the P-element expression helper vector, a human insulin expression vector with the K14 promoter is injected into the skin of diabetic mice, which lack insulin-producing &bgr;-cells of the pancreas, their blood glucose levels are maintained in a normal range.

Abstract: A novel silicone gum and the use of a silicone gum such as diphenyldimethicone dissolved in a silicone oil for making a cosmetic of pharmaceutical compositions, particularly dermatological compositions, containing a fatty phase. Anb exemplary silicone oil is phenyltrimethicone. Also contemplated is the preparation of a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for skin care, in particular for the face or the body or for hair care.

Abstract: A novel rapid-melt, semi-solid molded composition, including methods of making the same, and methods of using the same for the delivery of prophylactic and therapeutic active materials to a mammal wherein the prophylactic or therapeutic active is a psychotropic, a gastrointestinal therapeutic or a migraine therapeutic.

Abstract: A heat recovery method and system that extracts heat from the exhaust of a gas turbine unit in a waste heat, heat exchanger and transfers the heat to an intermediate fluid, which can be pressurized water. The intermediate fluid in-turn transfers the heat to an organic working fluid resulting in the vaporization thereof. The vaporized organic working fluid drives a series of turbines which in turn drive a generator that generates electricity.

Abstract: A power plant includes a prime mover for burning fuel and producing work and hot exhaust gases, and heat exchanger apparatus that is responsive to the hot exhaust gases and to pre-heated steam condensate for converting the latter into high-pressure steam and for producing heat depleted exhaust gases. A combustor, preferably, a fluidized bed combustor, is responsive to burning fuel for supplying additional heat to a product of the heat exchanger apparatus, and producing combustion products. The combustion products are supplied to a superheater for producing superheated, high pressure steam from the high pressure steam supplied from the heat exchange apparatus. A high pressure steam turbine expands the superheated, high pressure steam and produces power and exhaust steam that is condensed to steam condensate in a condenser.