Abstract: The invention provides methods and means for specifically altering the DNA sequence in a genome, in particular for genome editing by deleting or replacing a sequence of interest. Advantageously, the invention uses two non-identical sequences naturally occurring in a genome as target sites two which DNA-recombining enzymes are generated. The invention is in particular useful for medicine, in particular to repair a mutation in a genome or to delete predefined genetic material from cells or tissue and to cure diseases. An advantage of the invention is that it allows precise site directed altering of DNA without engaging host DNA repair pathways and thereby works without inducing random insertions and deletions (indels).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds as new chemical entities with thymine skeleton, these compounds for use as in medicine, especially in the treatment of carcinoma, HSP27-associated diseases and cystic fibrosis; and a pharmaceutical product containing at least one of these compounds. Finally, a method of production of that novel compounds is presented. General formula of these compounds is formula (I): as further defined in claim 1.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating one or more characteristics or parameters of a material, such as a soft material (e.g., hydrogel, human cell, UV-curable polymer, etc.). Methods include incorporating a plurality of magnetic nanowires into the material to form a test solution. The test solution is subjected to a magnetic field. A change in the magnetic nanowires in response to the magnetic field is recorded. A characteristic of the material is determined based upon the recorded change. In some embodiments, the applied magnetic field causes the magnetic nanowires to rotate from an initial orientation to a stimulated orientation, with the change in orientation being indicative of a stiffness (e.g., internal stiffness) of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel HSP27 inhibitors, in particular thymine derivatives according to general formula (VI), (VII) or (VII) and phenothiazine derivatives according to formula (V), and to their use as drugs for the selective inhibition of the heat shock protein HSP27 (HSPB1), in particular for use in the treatment of carcinomas or cystic fibrosis, said inhibitors having a particularly advantageous activity in the lower micromolar or sub-micromolar active ingredient concentration range with respect to HSP27.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjusting a powder flow in relation to the central longitudinal axis of an energy beam for a working head which is formed for powder application welding. There is a device for the two-dimensional or three-dimensional alignment of the powder supply in relation to the central longitudinal axis of the energy beam in a plane oriented at right angles to the central longitudinal axis of the energy beam. From one side, a linear beam is directed to the region in which the particles of the powdery material meet one another. At right angles thereto, there is arranged an optical detector array for locally resolved detection of intensities connected to an electronic evaluation unit designed to determine the shape, size and/or length of an irradiated region in which locally resolved intensities which exceed a predefinable threshold have been detected with the optical detector array.

Abstract: A generally time-varying boundary surface between a plurality of flowing fluids having different refractive indices, e.g. the boundary surface between water and air with an open water surface, produces an optical disturbance. Optical flow measurement procedures that occur through the boundary surface are affected by this disturbance, which can lead to significant measurement deviations or can even completely prevent a measurement from being made. The invention contributes to solving this metrological problem by proposing arrangements and methods for instantaneous, hardware-based correction of optical disturbances caused by a fluctuating boundary surface. For this purpose, a wavefront modulator is introduced into the beam path of the optical measuring method, the modulator actively compensating for the optical disturbance by means of a control system. The invention makes it possible to perform optical flow measurements through a fluctuating boundary surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of nanoscale nucleic acid-encircled lipid bilayers, the nanoscale nucleic acid-encircled lipid bilayers and their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing hydrophobized, doped or non-doped mixed metal oxide nanoparticles or doped metal oxide nanoparticles by flame spray pyrolysis, wherein a combustible precursor solution A, containing at least two metal alkyloates of general formula Me(OOC—R)x with differing metals Me, or a combustible precursor solution B containing at least one metal alkyloate of general formula Me(OOC—R)x and at least one metal salt containing a metal ion Me and at least one metal salt containing a metal ion Me, with Me selected from metal ions of the subgroups of the periodic system of the elements, with R=alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl chain is branched or straight, and wherein x corresponds to the oxidation step of the metal ion, is used in stoichiometric excess relative to a quantity of oxygen, and wherein a combustion ratio ? of 3.5 bis 0.4 is established, and hydrophobized nanoparticles and the use thereof.

Abstract: Method and a device for the optical in ovo sex determination of fertilized and incubated birds' eggs. The method includes monitoring formation of at least one identifiable blood vessel, creating a hole in the shell of the egg, finding and irradiating the blood vessel with at least one laser beam source emitting an excitation wavelength, recording backscatter radiation of the irradiated blood vessel and evaluating backscatter radiation from recorded spectral intensity of fluorescence radiation in a spectral range redshifted to an excitation wavelength. Sex-specific properties of male and female blood are contained in the intensity and spectral profile of the recorded fluorescence radiation. where intensity levels for male blood has an evaluable value distinct from that of female blood. Further, determining the sex of the bird egg from difference values of the fluorescence intensity and displaying the sex determined for the embryo in the egg.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine installed in a vehicle, in particular a diesel engine, in which the instantaneous concentration of a pollutant contained in the exhaust gas, in particular the NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, is measured or calculated in the flow direction after an exhaust gas aftertreatment. Using the determined pollutant concentration, the predefined distance- and/or power-based compliance with pollutant limiting values in mg/km or mg/kWh are monitored by means of specifically influencing the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine and/or an exhaust gas after treatment system in regulated form.

Abstract: The system according to the invention for haptic interaction with virtual objects comprises a visualisation unit for visualising virtual objects and the user's hand, a haptic output unit for reproducing haptic impressions at least by means of force feedback on fingertips of the user's hand, and a data processing unit for processing input data and controlling the visualisation unit and the output unit. The output unit has at least two movement-coupled segments of the interaction region, a finger-based positioning system, and a global positioning system, as well as a sensor system and actuator system. The movement-coupled segments are designed as touch surfaces, and each movement-coupled segment is assigned to one fingertip of the user's hand and can be moved by the latter. The position of the fingertip on the movement-coupled segment can be changed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for the identification of genetic variants that are associated with the severity of an infectious disease. The invention further pertains to a set of genetic factors associated with the severity of Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infection, for example in human infants. The genetic polymorphisms identified according to the present invention are for use in the diagnostic of infectious diseases and patient stratification in order to avoid or reduce the occurrence of fatal events during infection or to elect the most appropriate therapeutic approach to treat the disease.

Abstract: A field emission propulsion system for a spacecraft includes a control unit, a propulsion assembly, and a plurality of extractor electrode voltage sources. The propulsion assembly comprises a plurality of field emission propulsion units having an ion source with a plurality of ion emitters and extractor electrodes associated with the ion emitters and disposed in a field arrangement. The plurality of extractor electrode voltage sources, each associated with the extractor electrodes to control the same, are controlled by the control unit using an individual extractor electrode voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-wheeled vehicle frame with two frame half-shells (1, 1?) which are joined so as to form a support frame (3), thereby forming at least one inner cavity (2). The support frame (3) has at least one separating surface (4) on which the two frame half-shells (1, 1?) rest against each other. The support frame (3) preferably has receiving areas (5, 6, 7) for a handlebar tube and/or a bottom bracket and/or an operator seat tube. The support frame (3) forms a rear structure (8) for assembling a rear wheel (9) at the rear end when seen in the travel direction (z). In order to form the rear structure (8), a left-hand support brace (10) when seen in the travel direction (z) and a right-hand support brace (11) when seen in the travel direction (z) are provided such that the rear wheel (8) can be mounted between the two support braces (10, 11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device which has at least one first culture chamber with cardiac muscular cells, at least one microfluidic channel, at least one pump (for example a micropump), and at least one detector, said detector being configured to detect an activity of the cardiac muscular cells contained in the culture chamber. The microfluidic device additionally contains at least one controller which is configured to control the at least one pump on the basis of the cardiac muscular cell activity detected by the at least one detector. The invention additionally relates to uses of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A generally time-varying boundary surface between a plurality of flowing fluids having different refractive indices, e.g. the boundary surface between water and air with an open water surface, produces an optical disturbance. Optical flow measurement procedures that occur through the boundary surface are affected by this disturbance, which can lead to significant measurement deviations or can even completely prevent a measurement from being made. The invention contributes to solving this metrological problem by proposing arrangements and methods for instantaneous, hardware-based correction of optical disturbances caused by a fluctuating boundary surface. For this purpose, a wavefront modulator is introduced into the beam path of the optical measuring method, the modulator actively compensating for the optical disturbance by means of a control system. The invention makes it possible to perform optical flow measurements through a fluctuating boundary surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a multi-material composite and to a multi-material composite. Due to the stepwise change of material properties at the interface between different materials, in particular metallic and polymeric materials, cracks often develop in multi-material composites, whereby the service life being shortened. The method according to the invention is based on a gradual adaptation of the material properties of the materials of a multi-material composite at the interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for diagnosing tumors, in particular for an early diagnosis (prevention) and for differentiating between benign and malignant tumors using a PCR, in particular in bodily fluids. The method according to the invention is characterized by a combination of a pre-amplification process using a PCR, wherein methylated DNA sequences are amplified more strongly than non-methylated DNA sequences, and a subsequent quantification process using a special digital PCR, in which significantly more DNA is used than normally in the prior art. As comparison data indicates, the invention advantageously allows a clear reliable conclusion as to whether a malignant tumor disease is present or not. The invention is suitable for screening (prevention), monitoring the progress of a tumor disease, in particular to order to exclude a minimal residual disease (MRD), and for a differential diagnosis between malignant carcinoma and benign tumors.

Abstract: A device for Doppler optical coherence tomography (Doppler OCT), preferably of the human middle ear, is proposed. The device has an endoscope unit for at least partial insertion into the auditory canal. A sound source, a sound receiver, and OCT optics are integrated in the endoscope unit.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for detecting binding events of molecules, at least one second molecule covalently bound to a ligand, and optionally bonded to a third molecule bound to a ligand, forms a specific non-covalent fond with a first molecule immobilised on a bioactive surface by a covalent bond, and binding events between an analyte molecule and the second-molecule bound ligand are detected by an analytical measuring method, wherein the specific non-covalent bond between the first and second molecules is breakable by supplying a buffer solution, and, hence, a specific ligand, or two, different specific ligands are made available on the bioactive surface in an easily reversible manner.