Abstract: A method for synthesizing a peptide having the sequence His-X-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Y-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Z-Gly-Arg-Gly is disclosed. The method includes enzymatically coupling: (a) a peptide C-terminal ester or thioester having a first peptide fragment with the sequence His-X-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-(thio)ester; and (b) a peptide nucleophile having an N-terminally unprotected amine having a second peptide fragment with the sequence H-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Y-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Z-Gly-Arg-Gly; wherein: X is Ala or an ?-amino-isobutyric acid (Aib) residue; Y is Lys, which Lys has a free side-chain ?-amino group or of which Lys the side-chain ?-amino group is protected with a protective group or of which Lys the side-chain ?-amino group is functionalized with an amino acid or another functional group; and Z is Arg or Lys.

Abstract: Aqueous intumescent coating compositions which include a non-ionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 9 to 20, and substrates coated with the coating composition are disclosed. Inclusion of the non-ionic surfactant in the coating compositions is found to reduce char cracking and improve the mechanical strength, cell size, and cell density for intumescent chars formed when coatings deposited from the coating compositions are exposed to open flame and/or elevated temperatures, as compared to the same coatings lacking the non-ionic surfactants.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity bounded by a chamber inner wall and a chamber bottom of the first brew chamber part wherein the cavity is arranged for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, wherein the first brew chamber part is further provided with an alignment cap which is movable in an axial direction of the first brew chamber part.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes at least one evaporation space in which feed water is evaporated into a vapour and at least one condensation space, in which vapour from a preceding evaporation space is condensed into distillate. The evaporation space and the condensation space each include a chamber and a plurality of interdigitated pockets arranged between said chambers, such that a first pocket of the evaporation space is present between a first and a second pocket of the condensation space, and that the first pocket of the condensation space is present between the first and a second pocket of the evaporation space. The spaces are mutually separated by means of a separation barrier that is configured for transmission of heat and for definition of the interdigitated pockets.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber including polyetherketoneketone including the steps of: mixing polyetherketoneketone and sulfuric acid having a concentration of at least 90 wt % to obtain a spin dope and passing the spin dope through a spinneret into a coagulation bath, wherein the polyetherketoneketone is dissolved in the sulfuric acid to a concentration of 12 to 22 wt %. Also disclosed are fibers obtainable by the process and polyetherketoneketone fibers having a sulfur content of 0.001 to 5 wt %, based on the weight of the fiber, in particular such fibers having low or high crystallinity, as well as, hybrid yarns and composite materials.

Abstract: Carts for transporting elongated materials and processes for making, assembling, and using same. In some examples, the carts can include a pivot assembly that pivotally connects an arm to a frame to allow the arm to move between a use position and a stored position. An arm receiver can be configured to selectively engage the first arm to selectively maintain the arm in the use position, and to selectively disengage the arm to allow the arm to be moved from the use position to the stored position. A locking pin assembly can be configured for automatic actuation to allow the arm to move from the stored position to the use position and to lock the arm in the use position without manual actuation.

Abstract: Herein is described a method of providing a printed label. The method comprises: providing a printed label substrate having disposed thereon an electrostatically printed ink; applying a UV curable overcoat composition to the printed ink, wherein the UV curable overcoat composition comprises (i) a component selected from UV curable monomers and UV curable oligomers, and (ii) a slip agent; curing the overcoat composition under UV irradiation with an output power of 2500 W or less. Printed labels and an ink and overcoat composition set are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to determination of a location of a device of a user. In a methods, information of signal strength of one or more wireless signals and information of signal strength distribution of wireless signals is obtained by a device. The information of signal strength and the information of signal strength distribution are used to determine at least one likelihood whether the device is inside an area. In the method radio maps representing signal strength distribution in the building may be used.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a three-dimensional shaped biodegradable pulp product by (b) pressing a 3D product made of biodegradable pulp which product is coated with a water-resistant compound having a melting temperature of above 40° C. in a mould at a temperature above the melting temperature of the water-resistant compound, and (c) releasing the product from the mould and reducing the temperature to below the melting temperature of the water-resistant compound.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method can comprise using compiled personalization logic to evaluate one or more user conditions of a user to determine one or more user segments and evaluate an experience based at least in part on the one or more user segments. In many embodiments, the method also can comprise executing the compiled personalization logic when the user visits the channel in order to facilitate display of personalized content based at least in part on the experience. Other embodiments of related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method of calculating electromagnetic scattering properties of a structure represented as a nominal structure and a structural perturbation, has the steps: 1008 numerically solving a volume integral equation comprising a nominal linear system 1004 to determine a nominal vector field being independent with respect to the structural perturbation; 1010 using a perturbed linear system 1006 to determine an approximation of a vector field perturbation arising from the structural perturbation, by solving a volume integral equation or an adjoint linear system. Matrix-vector multiplication of a nominal linear system matrix convolution operator may be restricted to sub-matrices; and 1012 calculating electromagnetic scattering properties of the structure using the determined nominal vector field and the determined approximation of the vector field perturbation.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption includes a second exchangeable capsule having a second body with a second flange-like rim and a second exit face attached to the second flange-like rim. The system further includes an apparatus for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption having a first brew chamber part having a cavity for holding the second exchangeable capsule and a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the second exchangeable capsule. The first brew chamber part has a first substantially annular abutment surface in the cavity and further has a second substantially annular abutment surface. A diameter of the second annular abutment surface is larger than a diameter of the first annular abutment surface. The second abutment surface is arranged for abutting the second flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the second exchangeable capsule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a back module (2) for an exoskeleton structure, comprising a spinal column segment (21) designed to extend along a spinal column of a user, the spinal column segment (21) comprising a plurality of vertebral elements (211), stacked on one another, and a flexible connecting element (212) connecting the vertebral elements (211) to one another, the spinal column segment (21) having a stable equilibrium position in which the flexible connecting element (212) holds the vertebral elements (211) supported against one another, and the flexible connecting element (212) being elastic so that, during a movement of the back of the user, the flexible connecting element (212) allows a movement of the vertebral elements (211) with respect to one another, while exerting a return force tending to return the spinal column segment (21) the stable equilibrium position.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for facilitating surgical anastomosis between bodily passages. In an illustrative embodiment, an eversion mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening of a receiving passage and further configured to leave a proximal portion of the opening of the receiving passage in a non-everted position. A donor support mechanism is configured to partially evert a distal portion of an opening at an end of a donor passage and further configured to leave a first proximal portion of the end of the donor passage in a non-everted position. The donor support mechanism is further configured to form a passage juncture at the end of the donor passage and the opening of the receiving passage. A suturing mechanism is configured to motivate a filament through a generally helical path around the passage juncture to suture the donor passage to the receiving passage.

Abstract: A crane includes a crane structure defining a substantially vertical rotation axis; a boom connected with a first end to the crane structure to be rotatable about the vertical rotation axis; a trolley moveable along the boom in longitudinal direction of the boom; a hoisting cable and a load connector. The load connector is arranged at a free end of the hoisting cable to be connected to a load for hoisting purposes. The trolley includes a cable guide to guide the hoisting cable and an attachment configured to temporarily attach the load connector to the trolley to fix the position of the load connector relative to the trolley.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating and/or preventing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) using salt-inducible kinase (SIK) inhibitors, such as macrocyclic SIK inhibitors of Formula (I), imidazolyl SIK inhibitors of Formula (II), and urea and carbamate SIK inhibitors of Formula (III-A) (e.g., urea and carbamate STK inhibitors of Formula (III)).

Abstract: A patterning apparatus for a lithographic apparatus, the patterning apparatus including a patterning device support structure configured to support a patterning device having a planar surface; a patterning device conditioning system including a first gas outlet configured to provide a first gas flow over the planar surface in use and a second gas outlet configured to provide a second gas flow over the planar surface in use, wherein the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet are arranged at different distances perpendicular to the planar surface; and a control system configured to independently control a first momentum of gas exiting the first gas outlet and a second momentum of gas exiting the second gas outlet or to independently vary the first gas flow and/or the second gas flow over the planar surface of the patterning device.

Abstract: A toilet bowl system for use on-board an aircraft includes a toilet bowl body comprising a toilet bowl and a shroud. The toilet bowl has a rim. A removable splash guard is positioned between the toilet bowl and the shroud, and comprises a generally flat, flexible, planar shield having a central opening. The shield includes a top portion and a rear portion, the top portion faces the shroud and the lower portion faces the toilet bowl, and the lower portion is shaped to correspond with an upper portion of the rim of the toilet bowl and is configured to secure the removable toilet splash guard to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A component placement device is provided. The component placement device includes a machine frame, a subframe supported by the machine frame, and a component pickup unit. The component pickup unit is movable relative to the subframe. The component pickup unit is movable by a first drive at least in a direction of movement. The component placement device includes a movable counter-mass being movable relative to the subframe by a second drive in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the component pickup unit to at least partially counteract a reactive force exerted on the subframe by the component pickup unit during movement of the component pickup unit in the direction of movement relative to the subframe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a graft copolymer comprising a polyolefin main chain and one or multiple polymer side chains, the process comprising the steps of: copolymerizing at least one first type of olefin monomer and at least one second type of metal-pacified functionalized olefin monomer to obtain a polyolefin main chain having one or multiple metal-pacified functionalized short chain branches, and reacting the polyolefin main chain having one or multiple metal-pacified functionalized short chain branches with at least one metal substituting agent to obtain a polyolefin main chain having one or multiple functionalized short chain branches; and forming one or multiple polymer side chains on the polyolefin main chain, wherein as initiators the functionalized short chain branches on the polyolefin main chain are used to obtain the graft copolymer. The invention also relates to the products obtained therefrom.