Abstract: An aspiration device (110) for measuring the viscoelastic deformability of biological tissues and synthetic materials comprises a probe head (11), a probe channel (41), a pressure unit (20), a pressure sensor (31) and a control unit (60). The first probe channel (41) is connecting the pressure unit (20) providing a vacuum with the probe head and includes the pressure sensor (31) detecting the pressure in the first probe channel (41). The first probe channel (41) has a distal end (141) leading with its lower open end (144) through the top wall (14) into the cavity (15) of the probe head. The cavity (15) comprises either an opening (16) in the side or top wall (13, 14) or a second probe channel connected with a valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wearable device (1) adapted to detect contacts of fingers (F) on a surface (S), and to identify the responsible finger. It comprises move sensors adapted to collect the vibrations resulting from the contact of the fingers on a surface. It comprises a memory comprising reference vibration profiles (T), corresponding to the impact of at least one finger (F) of a user (U) to a surface (S). A computing unit (32) is configured allows to identify the finger responsible for the impact sensed by the move sensors (10, 10a, 10b). The invention further relates to a manufacturing process of such a device and to a method of sensing the contact of a finger on a surface.

Abstract: A solar receiver having an enclosure delimiting a cavity that is configured to receive a heat transfer fluid, at least one opening in the enclosure for access of solar radiation into the cavity, at least one window that seals the opening, and at least one cooling device that is configured to cool the window. The cooling device is configured to supply at least one window-cooling liquid fluid to the window, such that the window-cooling liquid fluid forms at least one liquid layer on and/or in the window.

Abstract: A method is indicated for producing a nano-structured element (1) made of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The method comprises the steps of a.) generating a relief structure (4) in the surface (31) of a resist (3), the resist in particular being a polymer resist (3); of b.) placing the resist (3) on the hBN-element (1); and of c.) transferring the relief structure (4) from the resist (3) into the hBN-element (1) by means of etching. Furthermore, a device is indicated comprising one or several nano-structured hBN-elements (1), the one or several hBN-elements (1) having a relief structure (4) provided for the targeted influencing of the electronic, optical and/or mechanical properties of the device.

Abstract: A method for changing an inter-particle distance (D) between particles (1) arranged in a particle array (2) is provided, the method comprises creating a primary optical lattice (10), loading the particles (1) into the primary optical lattice (10) such that the particles (1) are trapped in the primary optical lattice (10), changing a primary-lattice spacing (L1) of the primary optical lattice (10) to change the inter-particle distance (D), creating an auxiliary optical lattice (20), ramping up the auxiliary-lattice and ramping down the primary optical lattice until the particles (1) are trapped in the auxiliary optical lattice (20), setting the primary-lattice spacing (L1) to a different primary-lattice spacing value, ramping up the primary-lattice and ramping down the auxiliary lattice (20) until the particles are trapped in the primary optical lattice (10) again.

Abstract: Suspensions containing oxidic nanoparticles as a dispersed phase and an aqueous solution containing citric acid as a diluent are disclosed. Advantageously, the oxidic nanoparticles contain bioglass and ceria. Also further disclosed are topical dosage forms including such oxidic nanoparticles and uses thereof. The dosage forms were found to be useful in the treatment of wounds and post-operative lesions, and particularly for the prevention of seroma, the prevention of infections and/or the prevention of inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an expression system and a method ensuring constant-level concentration of an output. The invention also relates to a cell comprising the expression system.

Abstract: An assay device (1) for electrochemical sensing of a sample fluid comprises, at least one substrate (2), at least one electrode (3), and at least one channel (5). The channel (5) extends at least partially in the substrate (2) and is configured to receive the sample fluid. At least part of the electrode (3) is arranged in the channel (5) and is configured to detect at least one electrical property being associated with the sample fluid. The substrate (2), at least in the region of the channel (5), is porous. At least the part of the electrode (3) being arranged in the channel (5) is porous. The substrate (2) is configured to exert a capillary force onto the sample fluid in the channel (5) such that the sample fluid is flowing through the part of the electrode (3) being arranged in the channel (5).

Abstract: The present invention provides polymersomes comprising amphiphilic block-copolymers and their use to quantify ammonia in samples (e.g., body fluid samples). More particularly, it provides a polymersome comprising (a) a membrane, which comprises a block copolymer of poly(styrene) (PS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), wherein the PS/PEO molecular weight ratio is higher than 1.0 and lower than 4.0; and (b) a core which encloses an acid and at least one pH-sensitive dye. Compositions, strips and kits comprising the polymersomes are also provided along with methods of quantifying ammonia in a sample using the polymersomes, compositions and kit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for steering a physical analog system (e.g., an electric motor) using a discrete-level (e.g., binary) control signal. The discrete-level control signal is computed by an iterative scheme that can handle a long planning horizon. A preference for infrequent level switches can be taken into account. The quality of the fit to the target trajectory can be expressed not only by the quadratic error, but also by other norms. The method can be used also for digital-to-analog conversion.

Abstract: Provided is an process for the automated synthesis of at least one chemical compound including providing at least one substrate in at least one solvent in the at least one reaction container; automatically passing the at least one substrate through at least one first compartment of the at least one cartridge once or several times and collecting a formed substrate-reagent intermediate product in the at least one reaction container prior to passing the substrate-reagent intermediate product into a subsequent compartment; automatically passing the substrate-reagent intermediate product through at least one second compartment once or several times and collecting a formed reaction product prior to passing the reaction product into a subsequent compartment; automatically passing the reaction product through at least one third compartment for purifying the product once or several times and collecting a purified product in the at least one reaction container.

Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemically controlled degradation of metals particles using halide biochemistry allowing in-situ control and being suitable for analyte detection and quantification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell line wherein the endogenous class I and/or class II HLA alleles are inactivated, the cell line further comprising (a) a polynucleotide encoding a first fluorescent marker under control of at least one STAT response element, and (b) an interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor. The invention further relates to the use of said cell line for the identification of antigenic peptide and/or the identification of alloreactive T cell receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer structure (1) formed by at least a polymer, wherein said structure (1) comprises a volume (2) and a surface (3), wherein said polymer comprises a plurality of polymer chains connected by linkings, characterized by a linking density, wherein said linking density increases, particularly monotonously, from the surface (3) into the volume (2) of the polymer structure (1).

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a computer implemented method for determining a representation which indicates the activity of a locus coeruleus system of a user, comprising the steps of, measuring the size of a pupil of a user; providing a representation the appearance of which is based on the measured size of the pupil. There is also provided a method for estimating the activity of a locus coeruleus system of a user. There is also provided assemblies which can be used to perform said afore-mentioned methods.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for operating a multicopter experiencing a failure during flight, the multicopter comprising a body, and at least four effectors attached to the body, each operable to produce both a torque and a thrust force which can cause the multicopter to fly when not experiencing said failure.

Abstract: A CRISPR-based genome editing is disclosed. More specifically, nucleic acids, compositions and kits for editing a human HBD gene and their use in the treatment of haemoglobinopathies are disclosed. Methods of making thereof and methods of editing a human HBD gene are also disclosed. The composition and/or kit contains (a) a first component selected from a guide RNA (gRNA) or a DNA polynucleotide encoding the gRNA, (b) a second component selected from a DNA donor template or a vector containing the DNA donor template, and (c) a third component containing a Cas9 polypeptide or a variant thereof or a nucleic acid encoding a Cas9 polypeptide or a variant thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bacterial cell comprising a Cas1 RT fusion protein, a Cas2 protein and a CRISPR direct repeat (DR) sequence, wherein an RNA polymerase promoter in addition to the leader sequence is associated with the DR sequence. The invention further relates to a composition comprising two bacterial cell populations, each comprising a Cas1 RT fusion protein and Cas2 protein. The two cell types contain different versions of a CRISPR direct repeat (DR) sequence. The invention further relates to methods for analysis of transcription recording events of bacteria having passed through a subject's intestine, to assign a probability to the subject having a condition, such as malnutrition or inflammation of the intestine.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacturing of porous polymer membranes by (a) providing pellets comprising a polymer matrix and particles in the ratio 90:10 to 10:90, (b) converting said pellets into a non-porous film by a solvent-free process; (c) removing said particles from said film with an aqueous composition to thereby obtain said membrane. The invention further relates to pellets useful in such manufacturing process as well as porous polymer membranes obtainable or obtained by such manufacturing process as well as textile materials and articles containing such membranes; to the use of such pellets, membranes, and articles.

Abstract: A terahertz device for detecting or emitting or for both detecting and emitting electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range. The terahertz device comprises: a first waveguide branch and a second waveguide branch, the first and second waveguide branches being configured to allow optical signals to propagate through them, the first and second waveguide branches being nonlinear dielectric elements with a thickness of at most 500 micrometres; and an antenna arrangement comprising a set of antennas for capturing and/or emitting electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range, the antennas being placed along at least one of the waveguide branches in an immediate vicinity of the respective waveguide branch and/or around the respective waveguide branch to at least partially enclose the respective waveguide branch in a respective antenna gap of the respective antenna.