Abstract: The present invention describes tripodal catechol derivatives with a flexible basic framework for the functionalisation of surfaces, and methods for their production and use. The central atom of the flexible framework is hereby a tertiary aliphatic carbon atom. The remaining fourth bridgehead position is easily suitable to be further functionalised via so-called click reactions, e.g. with biomolecules, dyes, radiomarkers, polyethylene glycol or active agents.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for improving characteristic peak signals in electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurements of crystalline materials. A beam scanning protocol is applied which varies the inclination, azimuthal angle, or a combination thereof of the incident beam while spectroscopic data is acquired. The method and system may be applied to compositional mapping.

Abstract: Continuous system and procedure of sterilization and physical stabilization of pumpable fluids, food, or other type of fluids, through ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH) includes a first heat exchanger 1 which preheats the fluid at temperature Tp between 40 and 90° C.; an ultra-homogenizer 3 through which fluid at temperature Tp is introduced at a pressure Pu between 200 and 600 MPa increasing its temperature up to a final value Tu. A second heat exchanger 4 has its cooling temperature adjusted at value Te. An aseptic tank 5 receives the cooled down fluid at value Te, from which it is pumped by sterile air pressure into an aseptic packaging machine, for the packaging of the final product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a (poly)peptide or a peptidomimetic thereof having the biological activity of Conkunitzin-S1, wherein said (poly)peptide is selected from (a) a polypeptide comprising or having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a polypeptide having at least 85% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1; or (c) a fragment of a) or b); wherein said (poly)peptide or peptidomimetic specifically modulates the activity of a channel having the activity of a Kv1.7 containing channel, for the treatment or prevention of metabolic diseases or conditions, or secondary diseases or conditions related to said metabolic diseases or conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to molecules, such as for example monoclonal antibodies or Fab fragments thereof, which are capable of binding to the human NogoA polypeptide or human NiG or human NiG- or human NogoA_623-640 with a dissociation constant, 1000 nM; polynucleotides encoding such a binding molecule; an expression vector comprising such polynucleotides; the use of such a binding molecule in the treatment of nerve repair, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a binding molecule; and to a method of treatment of diseases associated with nerve repair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to building blocks and methods for the efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine-containing nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of polyclonal IgG's ability to promote Schwann cell maturation, differentiation, and myelin production. Methods for treating non-idiopathic, demyelinating peripheral neuropathies in mammals, where the neuropathy is not immune-mediated or infection-mediated, through the administration of polyclonal IgG are provided. Types of demyelinating peripheral neuropathies treatable with the present invention include peripheral nerve trauma and toxin-induced peripheral neuropathies. Alternatively, a composition of polyclonal IgGs can be applied directly to a peripheral nerve cell to induce maturation, differentiation into a myelinating state, and myelin expression or promote cell survival.

Abstract: A method of storing and accessing data in a database system is disclosed. The database system comprises at least one primary data source. The database system is associated with at least one adapted data structure that defines the physical data storage structures (e.g., row storage and columnar storage) in which the data are stored. Data is allocated from the at least one primary data source to the at least one adapted data structure in correlation with a database query received. For example, based on the data access patterns (e.g., queries), the physical data storage structures in which the data managed by the database system are to be stored are dynamically determined.

Abstract: A method of marking fruits includes an incision in a fruit piece surface with a laser beam and the deposition in the superficial incision of a contrast agent comprising salts or oxides of iron or copper at a concentration between 0.001% and 1% of the total weight. The salts or oxides are capable of reacting with any of the phenolic and/or polyphenolic compounds present in the superficial tissues of the fruit. This contrast agent may also include other additives: acidity regulators, emulsifiers, antioxidants and complexing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat storage system using sand as a solid heat storage medium, characterized in that it comprises the following components: a storage tank (1) for cold sand; a storage tank (2) for hot sand; a fluidized bed heat exchanger (3) arranged therebetween, which is separated from the storage tanks (1, 2) by weirs (4, 5) and divided into a plurality of chambers (7) by weirs (6), wherein the weirs (4, 5, 6) are arranged as a combination of overflow and underflow weirs; wherein means (8) for transferring heat from a heat source to the sand fluidized therein as well as means (9) for transferring heat from the sand fluidized therein to a heat transport medium are provided in the chambers (7) of the heat exchanger (3); and at least one blower (14) positioned underneath the heat exchanger (3) for fluidizing the sand.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method of making metal oxide nanoparticles comprising the reaction of—at least one metal oxide precursor (P) containing at least one metal (M) with—at least one monofunctional alcohol (A) wherein the hydroxy group is bound to a secondary, tertiary or alpha-unsaturated carbon atom—in the presence of at least one aliphatic compound (F) according to the formula Y1—R1—X—R2—Y2, wherein—R1 and R2 each are the same or different and independently selected from aliphatic groups with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, —Y1 and Y2 each are the same or different and independently selected from OH, NH2 and SH, and —X is selected from the group consisting of chemical bond, —O—, —S—, —NR3—, and CR4R5, wherein R3, R4 and R5 each are the same or different and represent a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group with from 1 to 20 carbon atoms which optionally carries functional groups selected from OH, NH2 and SH.

Abstract: Methods and systems to decentralize managing of neighboring femtocells. The methods and systems include communication to a first femtocell from a second femtocell of next information that includes communicated information of: i) the interference requirement constraint of an active user of the second femtocell, and ii) one or more parameters characterizing a physical radio channel defined from the first femtocell to the at least one active user of the second femtocell; the self-configuration of the transmission parameters of the first femtocell based upon the communicated information i) and ii). Another method (and system to implement the method) includes the mutual adjustment of the interference requirement constraints between a first and a second femtocell, regarding their active users, in a decentralized manner, on the basis of not affecting the transmission performance of the rest of the plurality of femtocells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gasification reactor (1) and associated method for the entrained-flow gasification of solid fuels under pressure. The reactor essentially consists of a pressure vessel (4) that can be cooled and an inner jacket (7) that is equipped with a heat shield. At least one crude gas outflow (8) is located at the upper end of the cylindrical pressure vessel and at least one bottoms withdrawal outlet (30) is located at the lower end, the pressure vessel having at least enough space for a moving bed (13), an entrained flow (11) that circulates internally above the surface of the moving bed and a buffer zone (3) situated above said entrained bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle having a light source, which is arranged in a reflector, for emission of light beams in a light outlet direction, having a masking apparatus (1) which has a mask (2) which can be moved to a first position in order to mask out at least a portion of the light beams, and which can be moved to a second position in which the mask (2) is moved at least partially out of the light beams, wherein the movement of the mask (2) can be produced by an actuator unit (3) which has at least one magnet coil (4) and a magnet yoke (5) in order to form a magnetic flux circuit. According to the invention, a hinged armature (6) is provided, is held in an articulated manner on at least a part of the magnet yoke (5) and is in the form of part of the mask (2), such that the hinged armature (6) carries out a folding movement, and produces the movement of the mask (2), when current is passed through the magnet coil (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the breakdown of a pn junction in a semiconductor component and to a semiconductor component adapted to carrying out said method. According to the method, optical radiation which is emitted if a breakdown occurs on a pn junction is detected by a photosensitive electronic component (8) integrated into the semiconductor component. The supply of the pn junction is controlled according to the detected radiation to prevent a complete breakdown during operation of the semiconductor component. The method according to the invention and the semiconductor component adapted thereto permit the operating range of the semiconductor component to be extended and the power output to be increased without the risk of destruction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for activation of at least one element. The apparatus comprises at least one activation layer and at least one migration layer arranged at the at least one activation layer and being permeable to a fluid along a transversal direction across a surface of the at least one migration layer, such that a change of doping level in the at least one activation layer is achieved, for activating the at least one activation layer along the transversal direction, wherein a substrate onto which the activation layer and the migration layer are deposited comprises an opening being sealed by a gas permeable membrane, the gas-permeable membrane being in contact with a fluid container.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous stable suspensions of biodegradable diblock copolyesters and a method for their production. The diblock copolyesters comprise one block of an aliphatic polyester and one block of a polyethylene oxide. Suspensions according to the present invention are suitable to be used as biodegradable viscosity modifiers, compatibilizers in blends, as glues, varnishes, paper additives, flame retardants, impact modifiers and hazers of transparent plastics, and for the production of biodegradable sheets, films, fibers, plates, vessels, tubes and capillaries for transport or packaging purposes. Furthermore, the suspensions according to the present invention are suitable to be used for the production of nano- and microfibers and nano- and microfiber nonwovens with non-oriented or oriented fibers by means of electrospinning.

Abstract: The present invention describes tripodal catechol derivatives with an adamantyl basic framework for the functionalisation of surfaces, and methods for their production and use. A fourth remaining position of the adamantane skeleton is suitable to be optionally functionalised by so-called click reactions, for example with biomolecules, polyethylene glycol or active agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to zinc amide bases of the general formula (I) (R1R2N)2—Zn.aMgX12.bLiX2??(I) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or silyl derivatives thereof, and substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, and wherein R1 and R2 can form together a ring structure, or R1 and/or R2 can be part of a polymer structure; X12 is a divalent anion or two monovalent anions that are independent from each other; X2 is a monovalent anion; a is >0; and b is >0. The zinc amide bases can be used, amongst other things, for deprotonation and metallization of aromatics.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of one or more of linear nitriles, amides and formamides which includes reacting a nitrogen containing compound, such as ammonia or NOx, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A further process for the production of one or more of linear phosphorous containing compounds is also described, which includes reacting a phosphorous containing compound, such as a phosphine, and a synthesis gas over a catalyst at a temperature of between 160° C. and 400° C. and a pressure of between 1 bar and 50 bar. A supported cobalt, iron, ruthenium or rhodium catalyst or an unsupported (bulk) promoted iron catalyst, modified with a promoter is used. The synthesis gas is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, in a ratio from 0.5:1 to 5:1; or a mixture of hydrogen and carbon dioxide; or a mixture of water and carbon monoxide.