Abstract: Automatic diagnostic apparatus comprises: a controller for controlling operation of the apparatus and for processing data; a sensing system operably connected to the controller for performing an assay, preferably an electrochemical assay (more preferably an electrochemical immunoassay), of a sample and communicating data from the assay to the controller; voltage supply means for applying a potential differential to the sensing system; and output means for communicating processed data to a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (2) in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings indicated in the description, their preparation and their further reaction to give compounds of formula (1), in which A1, A2 and R4 have the meanings indicated in the description. The compounds of the formula (1) are valuable intermediates for the preparation of medicaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to levelling agents for surface coatings having a weight-average molecular weight of from 5000 to 100,000. The levelling agent is a branched polymer comprising a free-radically or ionically polymerized base molecule into which macromonomeric units containing at one end a monomeric unit which has an ethylenically unsaturated bond and possessing a weight-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 30,000 have been incorporated by free-radical or ionic copolymerization, the weight fraction of the macromonomeric units, based on the total weight of the branched polymer, being from 1 to 60% by weight. The invention further relates to the use of appropriate polymers as levelling agents for coating formulations and to coating formulations comprising the levelling agents of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersing agents for pigments or extenders based on acrylic acid alkyl ester polymers, wherein at least part of the ester groups of the polymers is reacted to form acid amides, wherein the dispersing agent is obtainable by the aminolysis of ester groups of the polymers by means of amines, wherein, for the aminolysis, at least one amine is used from the group comprising a) amines of general formula NH2—R1—NR2R3, wherein R1 is a divalent alkylene radical comprising 2-4 carbon atoms and R2 and R3 are aliphatic and/or alicyclic alkyl radicals which comprise 1-12, preferably 1-6 carbon atoms and which can be the same or different, and b) amines of general formula NH2—R1-Z, wherein R1 is a divalent alkylene radical comprising 2-4 carbon atoms and Z is a 5- or 6-membered N-containing heterocycle which can comprise up to 2 nitrogen atoms or which can additionally comprise oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a procedure for the quality control of in particular finished surfaces wherein the device comprises at least one illuminating means having at least one light source, its light directed at a predetermined angle to the measurement surface. A plurality of at least three measuring means is provided, whereby each of said measuring means is directed at a different predetermined angle to the measurement surface and receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface. Each measuring means comprises at least one photosensor which emits an electrical measurement signal which is characteristic of the light received by said measuring means. A control and evaluation means having at least one processor means and one memory means controls the measurement sequence, evaluates the measurement results and derives therefrom a parameter which characterizes the surface. An output means serves for the outputting of parameters or measurement results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a solution which comprises urea urethanes and is effective as a thixotropic agent, which involves reacting at least two structurally different monohydroxy compounds with an excess of toluene diisocyanate to form monoisocyanate adducts, removing the unreacted portion of the toluene diisocyanate, and reacting the resultant monoisocyanate adducts with diamines in an aprotic solvent in the presence of a lithium salt to form urea urethanes. The invention also relates to the use of the solution to receive thixotropic coating compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersing agents for pigments or extenders based on acrylic acid alkyl ester polymers, wherein at least part of the ester groups of the polymers is reacted to form acid amides, wherein the dispersing agent is obtainable by the aminolysis of ester groups of the polymers by means of amines, wherein, for the aminolysis, at least one amine is used from the group comprising a) amines of general formula NH2—R1—NR2R3, wherein R1 is a divalent alkylene radical comprising 2-4 carbon atoms and R2 and R3 are aliphatic and/or alicyclic alkyl radicals which comprise 1-12, preferably 1-6 carbon atoms and which can be the same or different. The invention also relates to the use of the dispersing agents according to the invention for the production of pigment concentrates and coating media, and to a process for producing the dispersing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for a quantified determination of the quality of structured surfaces comprising a first optical device that emits light at a predetermined angle onto the surface to be measured and a second optical device having at least one photo sensor which receives the light reflected by the measurement surface. The optical device are configured such that the reflected light is influenced by the structure of the measurement surface and the reflected light is evaluated by an evaluator, which is provided for controlling the measurement sequence and which comprises a processor and a controller where at least one structural variable is derived therefrom which is characteristic of at least one structural-contingent property of the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combined use of the PDE4 inhibitor N-(3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl)-3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxybenzamide, its pharmacologically tolerable salts or its N-oxide with a PDE3 inhibitor for the treatment of certain disease conditions such as, for example, acute or chronic obstructions of the bronchi.

Abstract: A composition comprising a combination of a compound of formula I 1

Abstract: Procedure for taking a reference measurement employing an optical device which comprises the following: an illuminating means having a source of radiation, its light being directed at a predetermined angle to a surface to be measured; a first optical measuring means which is aligned at a predetermined angle to said measurement surface and which receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface and which comprises a photo sensor which emits a measurement signal characteristic of said reflected light; a second optical measuring means which is aligned at a predetermined angle to said measurement surface and which receives a portion of the light reflected from said measurement surface and which comprises a photo sensor which emits an electrical measurement signal characteristic of said reflected light; a control and evaluation means having a processor and memory means for controlling the measurement sequence and evaluating the measurement results which are then output via an output means.

Abstract: The invention relates to the dihydrate of the magnesium salt of pantoprazole.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel inhibitors of human tryptase which are used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of medicaments.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1) in which the substituents have the meanings mentioned in the description, are suitable for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for determining the properties of reflective and especially heterogeneous reflective bodies having at least one illuminating means which emits light onto a measurement surface, at least one detecting means for recording the light reflected from said measurement surface, wherein said detecting means comprises a plurality of light-sensitive sensor means and whereby a measurement value may issue from substantially each of said sensor means which is characteristic of the light received by each respective sensor means. A first predefined threshold is provided in a memory means. A controlling means serves to control the measurement sequence and comprises a processing means. Said controlling means directs the measurement sequence such that a measurement value of a sensor means is allotted to a first surface type when same exceeds said first threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to branched polymers derived by free-radical polymerisation from a mixture of monomers with 50 to 93 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, 2 to 25 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer with a molecular weight of 1,000 to 20,000 and 5 to 25 wt. % of at least one polymerisable imidazole derivative, wherein the components together make up 100 wt. %, the resulting polymer possesses a molecular weight of 15,000 to 100,000 and is optionally present in the form of a salt. The present invention also relates to the production of these polymers and their use as dispersing agents in liquid media or for the pre-coating of solids to be dispersed.

Abstract: Compositions for treating IRDS and ARDS contain N-(3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl)3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxybenzamide and/or a pharmacologically tolerable salt thereof and lung surfactant.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1) in which the substituents have the meanings mentioned in the description, are suitable for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 have the meanings indicated in the description, are novel active bronchial therapeutics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a solution that is active as a thixotropic agent and contains urea urethanes, in which monohydroxyl compounds are reacted with an excess of toluene diisocyanate, the unreacted portion of the toluene diisocyanate is removed from the reaction mixture and the monosiocyanate adduct obtained is further reacted with diarines in the presence of a lithium salt to form urea urethanes. The invention also relates to the use of the solution for imparting thixotropic properties to coating compounds.