Abstract: The invention relates to the use of gene modifications in the human gene CHK2 (CHEK2), which encodes the checkpoint kinase 2, for predicting the risk and progression of cancer diseases, for predicting the response to pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapeutic measures for treating cancer diseases, and for predicting undesired effects of drugs. The invention further relates to the provision of individual gene variants with the help of which further gene modifications that can be used for the aforementioned purposes can be detected and validated. Such gene modifications can comprise a substitution of adenine for guanine in position ?7161 in the promoter of CHK2, a substitution of guanine for cytosine in position ?7235, a substitution of adenine for guanine in position ?10532, or a deletion of 29 base pairs in positions ?10621 to ?10649.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting an optical signal based on a baseband signal, including an up-transformer for up-transforming the baseband signal to obtain a bandpass signal and a converter for converting the bandpass signal into a signal having a DC-offset. The transmitter further includes a modulator for modulating a light source with the signal having the DC-offsets to transmit the optical signal.

Abstract: A method of detecting at least one gene modification such as a mutation in a gene includes carrying out an asymmetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a combined use of at least one detectable mutation-specific hybridization probe (sensor probe) and at least one wild-type specific blocking agent which inhibits a binding of the at least one detectable mutation-specific hybridization probe (sensor probe) to a wild-type gene so as to provide at least one of a selective intensification and an amplification of a detection of a gene segment of a mutation gene having a gene modification.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe designed to increase an instability upon striking the ground. The sole extends from a rear heel region via a metatarsal region to a front forefoot region. In a region of a gait line, the sole includes an instability region which substantially follows a contour of the gait line and extends at least in sections in a longitudinal direction of the sole. A bulk modulus is increased compared to at least one of a medial outer region and a lateral outer region of the sole adjacent to the instability region, and/or, a sole thickness is increased compared to at least one of the medial outer region and the lateral outer region of the sole adjacent to the instability region so as to provide an uneven sole contour perpendicular to a running direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing an electrically conductive, porous, silicon- and/or tin-containing carbon material which is suitable in particular for the production of an anode material, preferably for lithium ion batteries; in a first step of the process, preferably crystalline silicon nanoparticles and/or tin nanoparticles and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles are introduced into a matrix based on at least one organic polymer, being more particular dispersed therein, and subsequently, in a second step of the process, the resultant polymer matrix containing the silicon, tin and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles is carbonized to form carbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to dispersions of artificial oxygen carriers, wherein the dispersions contain capsules with reversible oxygen storage capacity, the capsules comprising an oxygen-permeable capsule material, that contains and/or encloses fluorinated, particularly perfluorinated hydrocarbons, preferably perfluorocarbons. The dispersions are particularly suitable as a blood substitute, preferably for the purpose of transfusion, e.g. in states of blood loss of the human or animal body, in particular following surgical interventions, accidents, injuries etc, or for the prophylactic treatment and/or treatment by therapy of ischaemic states or states following a reperfusion.

Abstract: A relay station and a method for relaying signals between a first signal source and a second signal source. The relay station includes at least two antennas for receiving/transmitting signals from/to the first and second signal sources. At the relay station first and second signals received from the first and second signal sources are network coded thereby generating a first network coded signal and a second network coded signal. The first and second network coded signals are transmitted from the relay station to the first and second signal sources using different antennas.

Abstract: A method for detecting at least one gene modification, such as a mutation in a gene, such as a gene that codes for a protein associated with at least one of a tumor and a cancer. The method includes providing a detectable hybridization probe (sensor probe) which interacts with/binds to a gene not having a gene modification (wild type gene) and with a gene having a gene modification (mutation gene). The detectable hybridization probe (sensor probe) has at least one of a higher specificity, a higher binding affinity and a higher selectivity for the gene not having a gene modification (wild type gene) compared to the gene having a gene modification (mutation gene). At least one gene modification is detected with the detectable hybridization probe (sensor probe).

Abstract: A neutron detector includes a bulk of a neutron moderating material, a first housing consisting of or comprising a gamma ray attenuating material, a second housing consisting of or comprising a gamma ray attenuating material, a first sensor device comprising a gadolinium cover disposed in the first housing, and a second sensor device disposed in the second housing. The first sensor device and the second sensor device are each sensitive to gamma rays. The first housing and the second housing are arranged adjacent to each other in the bulk.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe designed to increase an instability upon striking the ground. The sole extends from a rear heel region via a metatarsal region to a front forefoot region. In a region of a gait line, the sole includes an instability region which substantially follows a contour of the gait line and extends at least in sections in a longitudinal direction of the sole. A bulk modulus is increased compared to at least one of a medial outer region and a lateral outer region of the sole adjacent to the instability region, and/or, a sole thickness is increased compared to at least one of the medial outer region and the lateral outer region of the sole adjacent to the instability region so as to provide an uneven sole contour perpendicular to a running direction.

Abstract: A method of using at least one quantitative ratio of two different amyloid beta-peptides in a sample of a body fluid from a patient for determining the patient's probability of contracting Alzheimer's disease (AD) or for determining the patient's suffering from a precursor of Alzheimer's disease includes obtaining the sample of the body fluid from the patient. The at least one quantitative ratio is calculated from the two different amyloid beta-peptides from the sample. The patient's probability of contracting Alzheimer's disease (AD) or the patient's suffering from a precursor of Alzheimer's disease is calculated using the at least one quantitative ratio. The two different amyloid beta-peptides are selected from (a) A?(1-42), (b) A?(2-40) and (c) A?(2-42). The at least one quantitative ratio is selected from (a) A?(1-42)/(b) A?(2-40), (a) A?(1-42)/(c) A?(2-42), (b) A?(2-40)/(a) A?(1-42) and (c) A?(2-42)/(a) A?(1-42).

Abstract: A stimulation system, an implantable electrode device and a method for operating an implantable electrode device are proposed. A simplified implantation, a simple construction and reliable control are made possible by the electrode device being supplied with energy, and controlled, in an exclusively wireless manner via a time-variable magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated by an implanted control device.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting an optical signal based on a baseband signal, including an up-transformer for up-transforming the baseband signal to obtain a bandpass signal and a converter for converting the bandpass signal into a signal having a DC-offset. The transmitter further includes a modulator for modulating a light source with the signal having the DC-offsets to transmit the optical signal.

Abstract: A relay station and a method for relaying signals between a first signal source and a second signal source. The relay station includes at least two antennas for receiving/transmitting signals from/to the first and second signal sources. At the relay station first and second signals received from the first and second signal sources are network coded thereby generating a first network coded signal and a second network coded signal. The first and second network coded signals are transmitted from the relay station to the first and second signal sources using different antennas.

Abstract: This invention provides novel compositions to inhibit the aggregation of amyloid proteins. In various embodiments the compositions comprise a molecular tweezers that binds lysine and/or arginine and thereby inhibits the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins.

Abstract: An electrochemical antifouling system for preventing fouling organisms from adhering to seawater-wetted structures includes a direct current circuit for creating an electrolytic environment in seawater, the direct current circuit having an adjustable direct current source, a lattice electrode having a single metallic component so as to provide a dimensionally stable lattice structure, the lattice electrode electrically insulated from a surface of a seawater-wetted structure, at least one corrosion-resistant counter electrode having polarity opposite to the lattice electrode and disposed at a distance therefrom, and a switching device configured to alternatively switch the lattice electrode to (a) a continuous operating mode, and (b) a temporary depletion mode, wherein the lattice electrode is disposed in a distance range from the surface of the seawater-wetted structure so that the surface lies within an area of influence of an increase in pH value of the seawater caused by electrolysis.

Abstract: A device and method for sorting microparticles including a nozzle for a separating stream, with a vibration generator for the dispersion of the separation flow into a droplet flow with a deflector device for separation of the droplet flow into a through flow and at least one side flow depending on signals from an analytical device configured to analyze the microparticles (s) contained in the droplets and to control the deflector device. Also provided is a protective chamber in which at least the nozzle, the oscillation generator and the deflector device are arranged. The analytical device is outside the safety cabinet wherein the protective chamber is part of the safety cabinet with a clean chamber and a monitoring device through which the signals of the microparticles arising from the separating stream are supplied to the detectors of the analytical device, arranged outside the safety cabinet.

Abstract: A method is proposed for opening of hollow structures made of magnetic nanoparticles. To avoid an unwanted heating, the hollow structures are opened by a strong, preferably rotating magnetic field. The method can be used, in particular, for the releasing of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in a human or animal body.

Abstract: In order to predict disease risks, disease courses and the response of an individual patient to pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies a polymorphism in the AQP5 gene has been investigated, in particular in the promoter region of said gene,on the human 12q13 chromosome, wherein the therapy can also be a cosmetic treatment.

Abstract: A method and a device (1) for ultrasound measurement of the blood flow through a heart valve are proposed. To permit a simple, automated measurement, it is proposed that the measurement area (9) of a measurement beam (7) is moved three-dimensionally by means of a multi-array transducer (11) and continuously evaluated for characteristic Doppler signals. It is further proposed to evaluate several measurement beams (7) with offset spatial, partially overlapping measurement areas (9) and/or several reference beams (8) with offset spatial measurement areas (10) for determination of the opening surface area, the volumetric flow rate, the flow volume and/or a value proportional thereto.