Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure and a micromechanical structure. The method includes: forming a first micromechanical functional layer; forming a plurality of trenches in the first micromechanical functional layer, which include an upper widened area at the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer and a lower area of essentially constant width; depositing a sealing layer on the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer to seal the plurality of trenches, a sealing point of the plurality of trenches being formed below the upper side of the first micromechanical functional layer and the first trenches being at least partially filled; thinning back the sealing layer by a predefined thickness; and forming a second micromechanical functional layer above the thinned-back sealing layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel antiviral agents. Specifically, the present invention relates to compounds which can inhibit the protein(s) encoded by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or interfere with the function of the HBV replication cycle, compositions comprising such compounds, methods for inhibiting HBV viral replication, methods for treating or preventing HBV infection, and processes and intermediates for making the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to novel antiviral agents. Specifically, the present invention relates to compounds which can inhibit the protein(s) encoded by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or interfere with the function of the HBV replication cycle, compositions comprising such compounds, methods for inhibiting HBV viral replication, methods for treating or preventing HBV infection, and processes and intermediates for making the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new combination therapies of HBV-infected individuals using a Parapoxvirus ovis (PPVO) and at least one further antiviral drug, e.g., nucleoside inhibitors, such as Entecavir. The methods and combination products according to the present invention are safe and suitable for the induction of a functional cure in chronically HBV-infected patients.

Abstract: A risk simulation and assessment tool may enable a user to select scenarios and risk factors associated with a selected scenario. The risk factors may be defined by risk factor characteristics along with links that define connectivity or interconnectedness to other risk factors. The risk factor characteristics may also include impact, velocity, and likelihood. The tool may provide for a simplified way to create a computerized network map that includes the nodes of risk factors associated with each of the scenarios. The computerized network map may be displayed and dynamic adjustment may be available to the user. A simulation using the computerized network map may also be executed as defined by the risk factor characteristics, thereby enabling a user to determine how operations of an organization may be impacted by changing events that may occur in regions in which physical operations of an organization of the user exist.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A method can include producing a real model, including a reproduction of at least sections of at least two tooth crowns of teeth in a jaw and contains bracket reproductions or brackets associated with the reproductions of the tooth crowns; and producing at least two trays by producing at least one impression of the real model, wherein the trays each comprise an impression of at least one tooth crown part of the at least two tooth crowns and at least one bracket part of the at least two bracket reproductions or brackets, wherein the at least one bracket part, viewed from the occlusal surface of the associated tooth crown, extends vertically to at most the end of the wire guide and/or the end of the first undercut of the bracket and/or bracket reproduction, which is arranged after the upper wing in the view from the occlusal surface.

Abstract: A system and process for forecasting third party disruption that uses a complex computerized network map as part of a risk model may be used to analyze risk for third parties. A number of risk factors or nodes of the map may include a wide range of risks (e.g., corruption) that have an impact on third parties in a geographic region. A baseline risk level may be established by scoring underlying risk measures for respective geographic regions. By executing the risk model using dynamic signal processing in a near real-time manner and considering impact, velocity, likelihood, and interconnectedness of risk factors and the diffusion of risk across a network, potential third party disruption and/or vulnerability can be forecasted.

Abstract: A risk simulation and assessment tool may enable a user to select scenarios and risk factors associated with a selected scenario. The risk factors may be defined by risk factor characteristics along with links that define connectivity or interconnectedness to other risk factors. The risk factor characteristics may also include impact, velocity, and likelihood. The tool may provide for a simplified way to create a computerized network map that includes the nodes of risk factors associated with each of the scenarios. The computerized network map may be displayed and dynamic adjustment may be available to the user. A simulation using the computerized network map may also be executed as defined by the risk factor characteristics, thereby enabling a user to determine how operations of an organization may be impacted by changing events that may occur in regions in which physical operations of an organization of the user exist.

Abstract: A system and process for forecasting third party disruption that uses a complex computerized network map as part of a risk model may be used to analyze risk for third parties. A number of risk factors or nodes of the map may include a wide range of risks (e.g., corruption) that have an impact on third parties in a geographic region. A baseline risk level may be established by scoring underlying risk measures for respective geographic regions. By executing the risk model using dynamic signal processing in a near real-time manner and considering impact, velocity, likelihood, and interconnectedness of risk factors and the diffusion of risk across a network, potential third party disruption and/or vulnerability can be forecasted.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing a micromechanical structure, in which a structured surface is created in a substrate by an etching method in a first method step, and residues are at least partially removed from the structured surface in a second method step. In the second method step, an ambient pressure for the substrate which is lower than 60 Pa is set and a substrate temperature which is higher than 150° C. is set.

Abstract: A hook strip is provided having a backing with a first surface and a length in a first direction; multiple rows of hook elements aligned in the first direction and projecting from the first surface of the backing; and slits in the backing between at least some pairs of adjacent rows of the hook elements. The slits may be interrupted by a bridging region of the backing, or the slits may be partial slits that penetrate the thickness of the backing in a range from 40 to 90 percent. A fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the hook strip described above joined to the carrier is also provided. In some embodiments, the fastening laminate includes slits that form separate, abutting portions of the backing on the carrier. An absorbent article containing the hook strip and a method of making the hook strip are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing a micromechanical structure, in which a structured surface is created in a substrate by an etching method in a first method step, and residues are at least partially removed from the structured surface in a second method step. In the second method step, an ambient pressure for the substrate which is lower than 60 Pa is set and a substrate temperature which is higher than 150° C. is set.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods comprising: producing a real model, comprising a reproduction of at least sections of at least two tooth crowns of teeth in a jaw and contains bracket reproductions or brackets associated with the reproductions of the tooth crowns; and producing at least two trays by producing at least one impression of the real model, wherein the trays each comprise an impression of at least one tooth crown part of the at least two tooth crowns and at least one bracket part of the at least two bracket reproductions or brackets, wherein the at least one bracket part, viewed from the occlusal surface of the associated tooth crown, extends vertically to at most the end of the wire guide and/or the end of the first undercut of the bracket and/or bracket reproduction, which is arranged after the upper wing in the view from the occlusal surface.

Abstract: A micromechanical method for manufacturing a cavity in a substrate, and a micromechanical component manufactured with this method. In this method, in a first step a first layer is produced on or in a substrate. At least one second layer is then applied onto the first layer. An access hole is produced in this second layer. Material of the first layer and of the substrate can be dissolved out through this hole, so that a cavity is produced in the substrate beneath at least a portion of the second layer. This second layer above the cavity can subsequently be used as a membrane. In addition, the possibility also exists of depositing further layers onto the second layer, only the totality of which layers constitutes the membrane. The material of the first layer is selected so that dissolving out the material of the first layer produces a transition edge in the first layer, which edge at is at a predefinable angle between the substrate and the second layer.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.