Abstract: A method for detecting contact of a pipette tip with a surface of a liquid in a pipetting device is disclosed. The method consists of moving the pipette tip in the direction of the surface of the liquid thereby measuring an absolute capacitance between the pipette tip and a reference potential and generating a sampled output signal. A predicted momentary sample value of the output signal is generated based on a plurality of past sample values of the output signal. A contact signal indicative of the pipette tip being in contact with the surface of the liquid is generated based on comparing a momentary sample value of the output signal with the predicted momentary sample value of the output signal. A corresponding pipetting device capable of performing the method as a laboratory system, in particular an automated liquid processing system, with one or more such pipetting devices are proposed.

Abstract: The present invention describes an efficient and economical process for the preparation of a 2,3-disubstituted 2-phenyl-1h-phenantrho[9,10-d]imidazole derivative that is useful for the large scale production of material for preclinical and clinical use. The process of the present invention represents a convergent approach to generate the 2,3-disubstituted 2-phenyl-1h-phenantrho[9,10-d]imidazole derivative in high overall yield. The compound made by the process of the invention is an inhibitor of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme and is therefore useful to treat pain and/or inflammation from a variety of diseases or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and acute or chronic pain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic processes useful in the preparation of fluorinated 4-azasteroid derivatives that modulate androgen receptors and have application in the treatment of conditions caused by androgen deficiency or androgen receptor hyperactivity, such as osteoporosis, periodontal disease, bone fracture, frailty, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, androgen-dependent cancers and sarcopenia. The present invention also encompasses intermediates useful in the disclosed synthetic processes and the methods of their preparation.