Abstract: A method for rendering material surfaces, inert is provided. Exemplary surfaces include ceramic, metal or plastic surfaces. The method is accomplished with functionalized perfluorinated compounds for the formation of hyperhydrophobic structures on the surfaces to create inert surfaces. The inert surfaces produced or can be produced in this way have an extremely low surface energy, are resistant to deposits of substances or cells and have a very low coefficient of friction. Practical uses of the inert surfaces are also provided.

Abstract: A component has an integrated sensor device for an optical, multi-axis measurement of a force applied to the component. The component includes a cavity and a first support element having one or more first optical elements and a second support element having one or more second optical elements. The first support element and the second support element are formed in the cavity and partially inserted into the component. A transmission device generates at least two beams in independent directions when connected to a power source. The beams pass through the cavity between the first optical elements and the second optical elements. The first optical elements and the second optical elements are adapted to generate information about a relative positional change of the first support element with respect to the second support element based on the at least two beams. The transmission device provides the information for measuring the force application.

Abstract: Inter-alia, an implantable lens is disclosed comprising a refractive element causing chromatic aberration and an element inducing an increase of the chromatic aberration. It is further disclosed a method for producing an implantable lens.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for introducing sub-millimeter sized particles into a carrier material. The carrier material has a melting point which lies above 0° C., preferably above room temperature. The electrostatic precipitator comprises a casing having an inlet for inserting a gas flow into the casing and having an outlet for guiding a gas flow out of the casing. A channel for passing the gas flow from the inlet to the outlet is provided. A discharge electrode is provided on a first side of the channel. A collecting electrode is provided at a second side of at least a part of the channel. The electrostatic precipitator applies an electric field between the discharge electrode and the collecting electrode. A receiving volume is provided with a molten material as carrier material.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for the assembly and modification of non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPS). The system uses novel well defined building blocks (units) comprising condensation subdomains. This strategy allows for the efficient combination of assembly units referred to as eXchange Units (XU2.0) independent on their natural occurring specificity for the subsequent NRPS adenylation domain. The system of the invention allows for the easy assembly of NRPS having any amino acid sequence of choice, without any restrictions due to natural occurring NRPS units. The system also allows the exchange of natural NRPS building blocks with the inventive XU2.0 leading to the production of modified peptides. The invention provides the system, their individual exchange units, nucleic acids encoding these units, as well as methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: A microchannel sensor for detecting radiation and/or particles, the microchannel sensor comprising at least one sensor substrate, wherein said sensor substrate comprises a plurality of channels extending from a first side of the substrate to an opposite side of the substrate, wherein said channels are arranged along a channel axis which is tilted relative a normal axis of said substrate, and wherein said plurality of channels comprise a first set of channels with a first cross section and a second set of channels with a second cross section being different from said first cross section.

Abstract: In a blood pump for assisting cardiac output, including a housing with a housing inlet and a housing outlet, wherein the housing forms a first pump housing and a second pump housing, a rotor which is mounted in the housing and is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotor comprises a first pump stage with a first impeller arranged in the first pump housing and a second pump stage with a second impeller arranged in the second pump housing, wherein the first and the second pump stages are each formed as radial or diagonal pumps and through which the blood to be pumped from the housing inlet to the housing outlet can flow in succession, the first pump housing and the second pump housing are connected via a channel which runs radially outside a middle section of the housing arranged between the first and the second pump housing.

Abstract: A method for obtaining metal oxides supported on mesoporous silica particles includes a) providing a solution of at least one metal salt, b) providing a solution of at least one template forming agent of the general formula (I) Y3Si(CH2)n—X (I), wherein X is a complexing functional group; Y is —OH or a hydrolysable moiety selected from the group containing halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, c) mixing the metal salt solution and the complex forming agent solution to obtain a metal precursor; d) adding at least one solution containing at least one pore structure directing agent to the metal precursor to obtain a metal precursor template mixture; e) adding at least one alkali silicate solution to the metal precursor template mixture at room temperature to obtain a silica-supported metal complex; and f) calcination of the silica-supported metal complex under air to obtain the supported metal oxide mesoporous silica particles.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a RNA replicon that can be replicated by a replicase of alphavirus origin and comprises an open reading frame encoding a reprogramming factor. Such RNA replicons are useful for expressing a reprogramming factor in a cell, in particular a somatic cell. Cells engineered to express such reprogramming factors are useful in cell transplantation therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a vehicle for specific molecular targeting of Langerin+ cells, wherein the vehicle is capable of specifically binding to a Langerin+ cell, said vehicle comprising (a) at least one carrier and (b) at least one saccharide moiety-based conjugate for a targeted cargo delivery into a Langerin+ cell, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and uses comprising the inventive vehicle.

Abstract: A method, program and system for training a neural network to perform a machine learning task is provided. The method comprises receiving input data for the neural network. The method further comprises determining values for a plurality of hyperparameters of the neural network. The method further comprises building the neural network according to the hyper parameter values, wherein the neural network comprises a plurality of neurons. Each neuron includes a probability distribution for a plurality of logic operators, such that the neuron includes a corresponding probability for each of the logic operators. The method further comprises training the neural network according to the hyper parameter values and the input data by learning the probability distribution of each neuron. The method further comprises determining a logic operator of the plurality of logic operators for each neuron by selecting a value in the probability distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an effector polypeptide comprising (i) an amino acid sequence at least 70% identical to the amino acid sequence RSNLGWLCLLLLPIPLIVWVKRK (SEQ ID NO: 1); and (ii) an exchange of an amino acid to a non-identical amino acid at least one position selected from the list consisting of positions 1, 2, 3, 19, 22, and 23 of the amino acid sequence of (i). The present invention also relates to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the aforesaid effector polypeptide. and to related host cells. pharmaceutical compositions. and uses. and to related uses in medicine, in particular in treating and/or preventing cancer, inflammatory disease, or acute or chronic neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds having Formula I or Formula II: wherein each dashed line independently represents a saturated or unsaturated bond; R1 and R?1 are aryl or heteroaryl as defined herein; and R2 and R?2 are as defined herein. Further described is a method of inhibiting nuclear translocation of ERK1/2 in a cell, by contacting the cell with a compound having Formula I or Formula II. The compounds may also be for use in treating a disease or disorder associated with nuclear translocation of ERK1/2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SH2B adapter protein 3 (SH2B3) for use as a diagnostic marker. Further, the present invention relates to a method for the determination of SH2B3 gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel method for the generation of a vector construct suitable for gene editing applications which comprises a fixed pair of predetermined expressible guide RNA (gRNA) sequences. The method of the invention allows for an easy construction of such vectors and provides in addition thereto vector libraries for the expression of fixed pairs of gRNAs. The vectors of the invention may be advantageously used to cut out larger genomic DNA sequences, or alternatively, to simultaneously introduce mutations in the genome without a loss or larger genomic sequences. Hence, the system of the invention provides for many molecular genetic approaches for genome alteration.

Abstract: Powder bed 3D printing processes for producing elastic molded silicone articles and silicone resin-containing powders suitable for the processes are provided. The processes comprise: a) layer-by-layer spreading of a powder in a powder bed 3D apparatus, wherein the powder contains a silicone resin of formula (I); b) applying a crosslinker solution to the layer of a) according to a printing pattern for the elastic molded article, wherein the crosslinker solution comprises a hydrosilylation catalyst and a silicone oil of the general formula (II); c) repeating a) and b) according to the printing pattern for the elastic molded body; and d) removing of the non-crosslinked powder.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a psychiatric disorder and/or blood pressure disorder in a subject in need thereof. The method includes implanting one or more leads into the subject, wherein each of the one or more leads comprises a plurality of electrodes; generating an electrical signal; generating an electrical field that is substantially directional and substantially focused; and delivering the electrical field to a superolateral branch in a medial forebrain bundle of the subject via at least one of the plurality of electrodes. Provided are also an implantable pulse generator configured to deliver the corresponding electrical field via respective leads and electrodes.

Abstract: In a method for setting up a pipeline section of a pipe system in a heat network, which is provided for transferring a heat transfer fluid between a heat provider and a heat consumer, the pipeline section is subdivided into segments in a segmentation step. A segment characteristic variable is determined for each segment based on a physical soil characteristic variable. The determined segment characteristic variables of two adjacent segments differ by more than a predefined segment characteristic variable difference value. In a bedding determination step, segment embedding of a pipeline segment, introduced in the trench in this segment, in a water-permeable segment bedding material is predefined for each segment such that a heat loss of the heat transfer fluid transferred in the pipeline segment, which is averaged over the segment and is based on a unit of length, is lower than a predefined heat loss limit value.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a RNA replicon that can be replicated by a replicase of alphavirus origin. The RNA replicon comprises sequence elements required for replication by the replicase, but these sequence elements do not encode any protein or fragment thereof, such as an alphavirus non-structural protein or fragment thereof. Thus, in the RNA replicon according to the invention, sequence elements required for replication by the replicase and protein-coding region(s) are uncoupled. According to the present invention the uncoupling is achieved by the removal of at least one initiation codon compared to a native alphavirus genomic RNA. In particular, the RNA replicon comprises a 5? replication recognition sequence, wherein the 5? replication recognition sequence is characterized in that it comprises the removal of at least one initiation codon compared to a native alphavirus 5? replication recognition sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable signal source with low phase noise, comprising: an optical-microwave phase detector (BOMPD) which comprises: an intensity modulator (BIM) having an optical signal input, a modulation input (1), a first output (O1), and a second output (O2), a first photodiode (PD1) which can be irradiated by light from the first output (O1) during operation, a second photodiode (PD2) which can be irradiated by light from the second output (O2) during operation, wherein the first photodiode (PD1) and the second photodiode (PD2) are connected in series in a biased manner during operation, wherein a tap for a tap signal is arranged between the first photodiode (PD1) and the second photodiode (PD2), further comprising a controllable DC power source (N4), wherein an offset current is can be set at the tap during operation by means of the first DC power source (N4), whereby the symmetry of the optical-microwave phase detector is canceled by an offset current during operation, wherein the