Abstract: The present invention relates to a sigma-delta analogue-to-digital converter. The sigma-delta analogue-to-digital converter comprises a transconductance stage having first, second and third terminals. A capacitor is connected in parallel at the third terminal. Further, the sigma-delta analogue-to-digital converter comprises a quantiser at the third terminal of the transconductance stage with feedback by a voltage digital-to-analogue converter for feeding back a feedback signal to one of the terminals of the transconductance stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for expressing nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), polyketide synthases (PKS) or NRPS/PKS hybrid synth(et)ases. NRPS, PKS or hybrids thereof are large multi-domain proteins or multi-domain complexes, the expression of which for the production of peptides often causes difficulties. The invention correspondingly relates to a system for expressing portions of the enzymes which can be assembled post-translationally via protein-protein interactions, introduced in a targeted manner, to form multi-enzyme complexes. The invention discloses protein fragments of such an assembly, and the nucleic acids coding therefor. The invention also relates to a vector system for the protein fragments of the invention and its use for producing functional NRPS/PKS enzyme complexes.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods useful for the treatment and prevention of conditions associated with short telomere length.

Abstract: A compound for use in the treatment of itch is provided, wherein the compound comprises the general formula (1a), general formula (1b) or general formula (1c). The compounds of the invention are positive allosteric ?2 and/or ?3 GABAA receptor modulators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new pestivirus useful in the fields of veterinary virology and vaccines. Specifically, it relates to an isolated polynucleotide originating from pestivirus and a pestivirus, to vaccines and medical uses thereof, to chimeric virus comprising the polynucleotide and to expression vectors for heterologous expression of polypeptides.

Abstract: Use of Keplerate type polyoxomolybdates of the general structure Mo72M30, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, V or Mo2, for decontaminating aqueous media (water) from inorganic and organic pollutants.

Abstract: A method of contrast enhancement of a three-dimensional light sheet microscopy image formed from N individual images each corresponding to a light sheet plane and spaced apart from each other in the z-direction by at least a distance d, the x/y-plane being the light sheet plane and the x-direction being the propagation direction of the light sheet of the light sheet plane, comprising: Deconvolution of the three-dimensional image in the z-direction, comprising: For each intensity vector of N intensities (Ix,y,1, . . . ,Ix,y,N) having the same x/y value, performing a multiplication with a tridiagonal N×N deconvolution matrix, which assigns to each voxel (x, y, n) a correction parameter f1, with which, by the multiplication of the deconvolution matrix with the intensity vector, for a component I(x, y, n) of the intensity vector the intensities Ix, y,n+1 and Ix, y,n?1 of the corresponding voxels of the neighboring image plane are multiplied, before they are subtracted from the intensity value I(x, y,n).

Abstract: A drill bit for a drill includes a body clearance extending helically along the drill bit, a margin also extending helically along the drill bit, adjacent to and projecting radially beyond the body clearance, and a flank at which the body clearance and the margin terminate at a tip of the drill bit. The margin has a variable width along its helical extension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tooth whitening composition, which comprises a reducing agent partially encapsulated in liposomes. It relates also to a method for preparing that tooth whitening composition and to the non-therapeutic cosmetic use of that composition for tooth whitening.

Abstract: A method for controlling a combustion apparatus having a combustion state in which a parameter related to the combustion state reflects a chaotic behavior is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the parameter and determining a time series of the parameter, shifting the time series by a variable time delay for determining a time-shifted signal, and forming a difference between the time-shifted signal and the time series for determining a time dependent first signal, so that a norm of the difference is lowest. A time dependent second signal is determined, wherein determining the time dependent second signal includes at least one of using a frequency of a desired oscillating combustion state, and shifting the time series by a set time delay. The first signal and the second signal are combined to determine a control signal. The control signal is used to influence the combustion apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and a corresponding method for generating at least one random number are disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical parametric oscillator being pumped by a pump signal with a predetermined pump power and a predetermined pump frequency. The optical parametric oscillator is configured to operate in a period multiplication state for providing an oscillator output signal of alternating light pulses, the oscillator output signal having a period that is N-times the period of the pump signal, where N is an integer and N>I. The apparatus also includes a comparing unit being configured to compare the output signal with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal has a frequency that is 1/N of the predetermined pump frequency, and an evaluation unit being configured to generate the at least one random number based on the comparison of the output signal with the reference signal.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor comprising a sensor element (10) for measuring a magnetic field, the sensor element (10) comprising a set of at least two first input ports (I1), a set of at least two exit ports (E) each of which is connected to one of the first input ports (I1) via a corresponding first beam path (B1), a set of at least two second input ports (I2) each of which is connected to a second beam path (B2), wherein the first beam paths (B1) extend through a common plane (CP) located inside the sensor element (10), said plane (CP) comprising a plurality of magneto-optically responsive defect centers, wherein the second beam paths (B2) also extend through said common plane (CP), but are angled with respect to the first beam paths (B1) such that a plurality of intersections between the first and second beam paths (B2) is defined, and wherein each intersection forms a sensor pixel (P) located at at least one of said magneto-optically responsive defect centers.

Abstract: The invention refers to a composite wavelength converter (1) for an LED (100), comprising a substrate (10) and an epitaxial film (20) formed by liquid phase epitaxy on the top and bottom of the substrate (10). Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of preparation of a composite wavelength converter (1) for an LED (100). Furthermore, the invention refers to a white LED light source comprising an LED (100) and an inventive composite wavelength converter (1) mounted on a light emitting surface of the LED (100).

Abstract: An occluder device is provided for occluding a cardiovascular defect or a gap between a medical device and adjacent body tissue, the device including a compliant balloon defining a fluid-tight balloon chamber and a balloon channel forming a longitudinal passage from a proximal to a distal side of the balloon, the balloon including a fluid port for filling a fluid into the balloon chamber. A tip and a base are coupled to the distal and the proximal sides of the balloon, respectively. At least one connecting strut is attached to the tip and to the base. An elongate actuator is disposed longitudinally slidable in the balloon channel and connected to the tip, and longitudinally slidable with respect to the base so as to set a distance between the tip and the base. A lock is configured to maintain the distance between the tip and the base. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel inhibitors of the shikimate pathway (shikimic acid pathway), pharmaceutical compositions comprising these novel inhibitors, methods for the production of the inhibitors and their use as antibiotics and herbicides.

Abstract: A nano platelet gibbsite treated with compound of formula (ORa)3Si—Rb or of formula Rc—COOH wherein Ra equal to or different from each other is a C1-C10 alkyl radical; Rb is a C5-C30 hydrocarbon radical and Rc is a C5-C30 hydrocarbon radical is used as a catalyst support.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a mutein of the ?-subunit of human Interleukin 27 and of human heterodimeric Interleukin 27 according to the present invention. The present invention further refers to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mutein of the ?-subunit of human Interleukin 27 or of the human heterodimeric Interleukin 27. The invention further refers to a host cell containing a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a mutein of the ?-subunit of human Interleukin 27 or of the human heterodimeric Interleukin 27. The invention also refers to an immune modulator comprising a mutein of the ?-subunit of human Interleukin 27 or of the human heterodimeric Interleukin 27, to the respective use thereof as well as to a method of producing a said muteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a DNA nanostructure for detecting a target structure. In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA nanostructure, which ensures a preferably linear dependence on the number of marker molecules and the measurement signal regardless of the physical arrangement of a plurality of such DNA nanostructures by virtue of the skilled selection of the shape of the DNA nanostructure and the placement of the marker molecules attached to it. The invention additionally relates to the use of said DNA nanostructures and other nanoreporters, preferably in combination with adapters which bind specifically to target molecules, in a method for quantifying a plurality of target molecules, preferably in a simultaneous manner, using a multiplex method.

Abstract: A sensor (10) comprises a waveguide (20) having a longitudinal axis and an end face (21), the waveguide (20) comprising a Bragg grating (23). The sensor comprises at least one reflector (24) on the end face (21) of the waveguide (20). An optical resonator (25) is formed by the Bragg grating (23), the at least one reflector (24), and an inner portion of the optical resonator (25) between the Bragg grating (23) and the at least one reflector (24). The inner portion of the optical resonator (25) extends within a portion of the waveguide (20). The sensor (10) comprises a detector (32) configured to detect at least one spectral characteristic of the optical resonator (25) or a change of at least one spectral characteristic of the optical resonator (25).

Abstract: A method adapts a resonant frequency of a first filter of a closed control loop to a given frequency. The method includes feeding an output signal of a delta sigma modulator of the closed control loop into a frequency adaptation circuit and determining a first noise spectrum of the output signal in a first frequency band and a second noise spectrum of the output signal in a second frequency band. The first frequency band and the second frequency band are arranged symmetrically with respect to the given frequency. The method includes comparing the first noise spectrum with the second noise spectrum, generating an adaptation signal that causes a frequency adaptation of the resonant frequency if the first noise spectrum differs from the second noise spectrum, and outputting the adaptation signal from the frequency adaptation circuit to a control input of the first filter for adapting the resonant frequency.