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 el 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: 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: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a target, an inlet conduit to an ion analyser or mass spectrometer, the inlet conduit having an inlet through which the aerosol, smoke or vapour passes, and a Venturi pump arrangement arranged and adapted to direct the aerosol, smoke or vapour towards the inlet.

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 method for state-of-charge monitoring of an AC battery, in which the battery includes a central controller having a scheduler, measuring sensors and at least two battery modules. The at least two battery modules each have at least one energy storage element and at least two power semiconductor switches, which connect the respective battery module in series or in parallel or in bypass with another battery module. The battery is controlled by the central controller, and a respective switching state of the at least two battery modules is preset by the scheduler. The state-of-charge monitoring is implemented by a control program within the scheduler. During operation of the battery, a state of each individual energy storage element is monitored by virtue of a respective current flow at a respective energy storage element being determined using continued evaluation of measured values of preset battery parameters which are detected by measuring sensors.

Abstract: A method for actuating contactors in a traction system. The traction system includes an AC battery, an electric motor, at least one peripheral unit, a plurality of voltage and current sensors, a plurality of contactors, which are arranged in electrical connections to the AC battery and to the electric motor and to the at least one peripheral unit, and a controller having a hardware-programmable processor unit on which a control program for actuating the contactors is configured at the start of operation. After the configuration, a fixed semiconductor circuit structure relating to the actuation of the contactors is available to the processor unit. The traction system has multiple modes of operation. A respective mode of operation is predefined by a general vehicle controller. A respective mode of operation has a plurality of states formed by at least one respective target state and at least one intermediate state.

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: 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: 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.