Abstract: A method for a safety concept for an AC battery, in which the AC battery includes a central controller, a plurality of battery modules which respectively have a power board with a plurality of switching states, a plurality of contactors, a plurality of current sensors, a fault loop and a high-speed bus and is connected to a traction machine. The central controller has a hardware-programmable processor unit with at least one microprocessor core on which a control program is configured to control the battery modules, the plurality of contactors and the fault loop. A state machine is implemented by the control program. The battery modules are connected, starting from the central controller, via the high-speed bus and the fault loop. If an abort fault occurs, the AC battery is changed to a safe operating state. The safe state is achieved at least by emergency disconnection of the central controller.

Abstract: The current disclosure relates to pharmaceutical combinations and compositions useful in the treatment of certain types of cancer. The disclosure also relates to methods for treatment of these types of cancer. In particular, the disclosure relates to the combined use of of an inhibitor of a protein of the MAPK/ERK pathway and an inhibitor of specific kinases in the treatment of a cancer, in particular melanoma, in a patient. In an important embodiment, the cancer is characterized by the absence or reduced expression of MITF.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus has a current sensor and at least one A/D converter, which current sensor has at least two channels (CH1, CH2), via which channels (CH1, CH2) the current sensor (30) respectively provides a measurement signal (CH1_SIG, CH2_SIG) characterizing the current. The at least two channels (CH1, CH2) include a first channel (CH1) and a second channel (CH2), which second channel (CH2) is designed to measure a greater maximum current than the first channel (CH1). Also described is a method for measuring a current flowing through a conductor by way of the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: One example provides a power quality improvement system for an electrical power distribution system including a parameter measurement module to measure a power factor of the electrical power distribution system, a number of capacitor steps selectively connectable to the electrical power distribution system, and a number of harmonic filters connected to the electrical power distribution system, wherein a number and size of each capacitor step and a type of the harmonic filters are based on a load profile of the electrical power distribution system. A controller monitors a status of the harmonic filters and automatically connects or disconnects selected capacitor steps from the electrical power distribution to maintain the measured power factor at a set-point power factor, where a delay before connecting or disconnecting each selected capacitor step is based on a load stability factor of the electrical power distribution system, the load stability factor based on the load profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ambient ionization mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil-shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapor onto said collision assembly.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a first target of biological material; and mass and/or ion mobility analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said aerosol, smoke, or vapour, or ions derived therefrom so as to obtain first spectrometric data. The method may use an ambient ionisation method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarkers and diagnostic profiles based on the expression status of particular genes for use in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, in particular the early detection of prostate cancer and prediction of disease progression and Gleason ?4 cancer. The present invention also provides methods of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, and kits for the early detection of prostate cancer based on the expression status of the biomarkers in biological samples, in particular urine samples.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Abstract: A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

Abstract: A method for switching control of a multi-level converter. The multi-level converter has a plurality of modules. A total switching state is formed from respective module switching states of the plurality of modules by the switching control. A current state of charge of all energy stores of the multi-level converter is provided continuously to the switching control. The switching control is divided into an offline part and an online part, wherein, in the offline part, a plurality of offline switching tables is calculated by way of optimizers in a continuous sequence and, for calculation of a respective offline switching table of the plurality of offline switching tables, a respective cost function is minimized according to at least one predefined offline optimization criterion for evaluating the total switching state. In the online part, an online switching table is selected from the plurality of offline switching tables in a continuous sequence.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an analyte; supplying a matrix compound to said analyte such that said analyte dissolves in said matrix; forming first droplets of the dissolved analyte; and colliding said first droplets with a collision surface. The use of matrix improves the analyte ion signal.

Abstract: A method controls switching states of a multi-level converter with multiple modules. Each module has: terminals on a first and second side; controllable switches; and an energy store in series with a first switch in a first connection between the terminals. A second switch is arranged in a connection between the terminals. The control of the switching states is divided into a real-time and offline part. In the real-time part, for each time step: a voltage level is allocated to a voltage requirement; a total switching state is determined in a first switching table for the voltage level; and the total switching state is passed on as a control signal to the switches. In the offline part: a second switching table is calculated, resulting in accordance with a minimization of a cost function.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: An adaptive X-ray anti-scatter device (20) for placement in the source-detector axis (22) of an X-ray imager (8) comprising:—an anti-scatter filter having a source orientable surface and a detector orientable surface, wherein the anti-scatter filter comprises a plurality of realignable slats (24) for absorbing incident X-rays, wherein the slats are separated by a plurality of interstitial portions (26); and—a first actively deformable member (26a) comprising a first set of one or more actively deformable actuators (28a, 28b) disposed across a first region of the first actively deformable member (26a), wherein one or more actively deformable actuators of the first set of one or more actively deformable actuators are configured to change the alignment of a corresponding of slat of the anti-scatter filter in relation to the source-detector axis, wherein at least a portion of each actuator of the first set of one or more actively deformable actuators is partially or fully recessed within the interstitial portions

Abstract: The present invention relates to guidance during examinations or interventional procedures. In order to facilitate information provision in a medical environment such as an operation room or cathlab, an augmented reality display device (10) for medical equipment is provided that comprises a data input unit (12), a processing unit (20) and a display unit (22). The data input unit is configured to receive displayed operation parameters (14) of at least one medical appliance. The data input unit is also configured to receive relative location information (16) of at least one medical appliance in relation to the display unit and a viewing direction information (18) of the user. The processing unit is configured to detect if at least one of the medical appliances is in the user's field of view based on the relative location information and the viewing direction information. The processing unit is further configured to generate display data based on the operation parameters of the detected medical appliance.

Abstract: A system and method relating to providing a program executable via an icon provided in one or more pages displayed by a user interface displaying content associated with an item available for purchase via a transaction platform associated with a merchant. In response to an interaction with the icon, a first form is generated in the user interface to collect data associated with a loan application associated with a transaction corresponding to the item. In response to receiving a submission of the data associated with the loan application, a determination is made to approve a loan associated with the item. A token including an identifier corresponding to the loan and the transaction is generated, such that the token can be processed to enable completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A method of analysis is disclosed comprising providing a sample on an insulating substrate such as a petri dish 4 and contacting e.g. the rear surface of the insulating substrate with a first electrode 9. The method further comprises contacting the sample with a second electrode 2 and applying an AC or RF voltage to the first and second electrodes 9,2 in order to generate an aerosol from the sample.