Abstract: A stator winding of a sheet-metal stator for an electric motor. A stator lamination stack of the stator is equipped with an insulating end plate. Stator teeth protruding in the radial direction are wound with a winding wire. After a specified number of stator teeth, the winding wire is guided away from the stator lamination stack and then back to the stator lamination stack, thereby forming an at least U-shaped loop. The loop is then used to contact a motor electronics unit of the electric motor.

Abstract: A fuel cell device of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The fuel cell device includes a fuel cell, a supply air path leading to the fuel cell for a cathode supply air flow, and an exhaust air path leading away from the fuel cell for a cathode exhaust air flow. The supply air path and the exhaust air path are routed through a humidifier that humidifies the supply air and dehumidifies the exhaust air. The exhaust air path is further routed through a water separator that removes water from the exhaust air to provide evaporation water. A heat exchanger for cooling the fuel cell is provided that has an evaporative cooler for cooling the heat exchanger. The evaporative cooler is assigned to the water separator in fluidic communication and is supplied with evaporation water by the water separator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a crankshaft, a camshaft, a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder and coupled to the crankshaft for driving the crankshaft, a first gas exchange valve which is assigned to the cylinder, a first valve clearance compensation device, where via the first valve clearance compensation device the first gas exchange valve is displaceable between a first open position and a first closed position by a first cam of the camshaft, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to align the camshaft such that the first valve clearance compensation device is pressure-loaded in the idle state of the crankshaft by a plateau area assigned to the first cam to hold the first gas exchange valve in the first open position.

Abstract: A modular headphone system that can afford the wearer configurable choices of hearing protection and quality sound delivery for music and programming is provided. In an embodiment, a modular headphone includes a headband and an earpiece mounted to the headband. The earpiece comprises a can comprising a speaker, the can secured to the headband. A removable and replaceable music ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker. A removable and replaceable hearing protection/sound amplification (HP/amp) ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker.

Abstract: A modular headphone system that can afford the wearer configurable choices of hearing protection and quality sound delivery for music and programming is provided. In an embodiment, a modular headphone includes a headband and an earpiece mounted to the headband. The earpiece comprises a can comprising a speaker, the can secured to the headband. A removable and replaceable music ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker. A removable and replaceable hearing protection/sound amplification (HP/amp) ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle includes a crankshaft, a camshaft, a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder and coupled to the crankshaft for driving the crankshaft, a first gas exchange valve which is assigned to the cylinder, a first valve clearance compensation device, where via the first valve clearance compensation device the first gas exchange valve is displaceable between a first open position and a first closed position by a first cam of the camshaft, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to align the camshaft such that the first valve clearance compensation device is pressure-loaded in the idle state of the crankshaft by a plateau area assigned to the first cam to hold the first gas exchange valve in the first open position.

Abstract: A modular headphone system that can afford the wearer configurable choices of hearing protection and quality sound delivery for music and programming is provided. In an embodiment, a modular headphone includes a headband and an earpiece mounted to the headband. The earpiece comprises a can comprising a speaker, the can secured to the headband. A removable and replaceable music ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker. A removable and replaceable hearing protection/sound amplification (HP/amp) ear cup is removably mountable to the can to overlie the speaker.

Abstract: A dual-configuration microscope is provided that may be converted into an upright or inverted microscope. The microscope includes a body having a plurality of planar surfaces, each planar surface configured to support the body on a working surface as the body is tilted between the upright and inverted configurations. The microscope further includes an objective, a condenser, a stage positioned between the objective and the condenser, and a portable display device to display a specimem.

Abstract: A dual-configuration microscope is provided that may be converted into an upright or inverted microscope. The microscope includes a body having a plurality of planar surfaces, each planar surface configured to support the body on a working surface as the body is tilted between the upright and inverted configurations. The microscope further includes an objective, a condenser, a stage positioned between the objective and the condenser, and a portable display device to display a specimem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting the onset of fetal membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of assaying a tissue or fluid sample of fetal membrane origin obtained from the female for the presence of pro-metalloproteinase-9 (pro-mmd-9). The presence of pro-mmd-9 in the sample is a positive indication of the onset of fetal membrane rupture. Also disclosed is a method of delaying the onset of female membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of administering to the female an MMP-9 inhibitor in an amount effective to delay fetal membrane rupture. Further disclosed is a method of inducing labor in a gestative female comprising the administration of an MMP-9 activator or MMP-9 itself in an amount effective to induce fetal membrane rupture, and thus facilitate the onset of labor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting the onset of fetal membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of assaying a tissue or fluid sample of fetal membrane origin obtained from the female for the presence of metalloproteinase-9 activity. The presence of such activity in the sample is a positive indication of the onset of fetal membrane rupture. Also disclosed is a method of delaying the onset of female membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of administering to the female an MMP-9 inhibitor in an amount effective to delay fetal membrane rupture. Further disclosed is a method of inducing labor in a gestative female comprising the administration of an MMP-9 activator or MMP-9 itself in an amount effective to induce fetal membrane rupture, and thus facilitate the onset of labor.