Abstract: A method of increasing accuracy of optical sensors based on generating two sets of light waves having different velocities in the presence of a non-vanishing measurand field within a sensing element of the sensor is described. A defined static bias phase shift is introduced between the two sets of light waves. The sensor converts a total optical phase shift including static bias optical phase shifts and measurand-induced optical phase shifts into anti-phase optical power changes in at least two detector channels. The method includes steps of normalizing the optical power changes after their conversion into electrical detector signals in the two detector channels to reduce effects of uneven intensity or power of the light source and different loss or gain in the detector channels. Further methods, sensors and apparatus for temperature stabilizing such optical sensors and novel sensors are also presented.

Abstract: This invention concerns a biomimetic material based on energy-rich amorphous magnesium polyphosphate (Mg-polyP) microparticles that enhance cartilage synthesis and regeneration. One preferred formulation of the inventive material is a hyaluronic acid-Mg/Ca-polyP paste that can be produced from a water-soluble salt of polyP and water-soluble hyaluronic acid in the presence of water-insoluble/nearly insoluble calcium carbonate. Surprisingly, the inventor found that this cartilage-like material comprising amorphous Mg/Ca-polyP microparticles promotes the adhesion of chondrocytes and strongly upregulates the expression of the chondrocyte marker genes encoding alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 3A1, aggrecan and Sox9.

Abstract: This invention concerns a calcium polyphosphate material consisting of amorphous nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately between about 45 nm to about 0.25 ?m that displays a considerable hardness (elastic modulus) of about 1.3 GPa. The inventive noncrystalline and biodegradable material that is produced under mild conditions, at room temperature, is morphogenetically active and preferably induces bone formation and the expression of the marker gene for osteoblast activity, alkaline phosphatase. In a preferred aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing amorphous retinol/calcium-polyphosphate nanospheres (retinol/aCa-polyP-NS) that show several unexpected properties and can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of a variety of dermatological conditions, including photoaging.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sealing dentinal tubules exposed at the tooth surface as a consequence of enamel defects, based on amorphous calcium polyphosphate (Ca-polyP) nano- or microparticles that strongly bind both to tooth enamel, cementum and dentin surfaces. The inventive method can also be used for the production of morphogenetically active tooth implants. A further aspect of this invention concerns the incorporation of such nano- or microparticles, after encapsulation of retinol (“retinol/aCa-polyP nano- or microspheres”), into wound dressings and related materials that are made, e.g., by electrospinning. The resulting, inventive retinol/aCa-polyP nano- or microspheres fiber mats show antimicrobial and wound healing properties and was found to increase the expression of the genes encoding for leptin and the leptin receptor, as well as the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in a synergistic manner.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel (Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-isoxazoles and -[1,3,4]thiadiazoles and their use as CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and their use for the treatment of CB2 receptor mediated disorders or conditions.

Abstract: It is proposed to use a spun birefringent fiber for a current sensor or magnetic field sensor. The fiber has a birefringence that increases with temperature. In this case, the temperature dependence of the fiber's sensitivity to magnetic fields counteracts the temperature dependence of the fiber's Verdet constant, which allows to design current and field sensors that have reduced temperature dependence.

Abstract: A conveyor belt, in particular a pouch conveyor belt, with a first layer, which comprises a material with high flexibility, and to a conveying installation, in particular a pouch conveying installation, with such a conveyor belt.

Abstract: There is described an optical fiber cuing sensor having an opto-electronic module pan (10-2) for detecting an optical phase shift induced by the measurand field in a sensing fiber (12), a sensor head (10-1) including the sensing fiber (12), wherein the sensing fiber (12) is a spun highly-birefringent fiber having a length L=?ds defined by the line integral along the space curve given by the sensing fiber coil such that the length L of the sensing fiber (12) is sufficiently long to suppress thermal signal instabilities due to the spun character of the sensing fiber (12) while the effective number of fiber windings is low enough to maintain a maximum sensitivity over the full measurement range of the fiber-optical sensor (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to novel (Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-isoxazolesand-[1,3,4]thiadiazoles and their use as CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and their use for the treatment of CB2 receptor mediated disorders or conditions.

Abstract: In a fiber-optic current sensor, a 22.5° Faraday rotator, which is part of the sensing fiber coil, determines the working point of the sensor. The coil is operated with substantially linearly polarized light or incoherent substantially left and right circularly polarized light waves. In one arrangement, a polarization beam splitter generates two optical signals that vary in anti-phase with changing current. A signal processor determines the current from the two anti-phase signals. Appropriately detuned and oriented fiber-optic half-wave or quarter-wave retarders before the fiber coil are used to reduce or cancel the adverse effects of temperature and bend-induced birefringence on the measurement signal. Moreover, the temperature may be derived from the difference in the bias of the anti-phase signals and may be used to cancel temperature effects in the signal processor.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor and related method are described, with the sensor including a cross-coupling element in the optical path between a polarizing element and a sensing element, but separated from the sensing element itself; with the cross-coupling element generating a defined cross-coupling between the two orthogonal polarization states of the fundamental mode of a polarization maintaining fiber guiding light from the light source to the sensing element thus introducing a wavelength-dependent or temperature-dependent sensor signal shift to balance wavelength-dependent or temperature-dependent signal shifts due to other elements of the sensor, particularly signal shifts due to the wavelength dependence of the Faraday effect or the electro-optic effect constant.

Abstract: A method of increasing accuracy of optical sensors based on generating two sets of light waves having different velocities in the presence of a non-vanishing measurand field within a sensing element of the sensor is described. A defined static bias phase shift is introduced between the two sets of light waves. The sensor converts a total optical phase shift including static bias optical phase shifts and measurand-induced optical phase shifts into anti-phase optical power changes in at least two detector channels. The method includes steps of normalizing the optical power changes after their conversion into electrical detector signals in the two detector channels to reduce effects of uneven intensity or power of the light source and different loss or gain in the detector channels. Further methods, sensors and apparatus for temperature stabilizing such optical sensors and novel sensors are also presented.

Abstract: A conveyor belt, in particular a pouch conveyor belt, with a first layer, which comprises a material with high flexibility, and to a conveying installation, in particular a pouch conveying installation, with such a conveyor belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds defined by formula I wherein the groups X, Y, W and R1 to R4 are defined as in claim 1, possessing valuable pharmacological activity. Particularly the compounds are agonists of the 5-HT2C receptor, and thus are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by inhibition of this receptor, such as metabolic and CNS-related disorders.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel (Cyano-dimethyl-methyl)-isoxazolesand-[1,3,4]thiadiazoles and their use as CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and their use for the treatment of CB2 receptor mediated disorders or conditions.

Abstract: A fiber-optic current sensor uses a highly-birefringent spun fiber as sensing fiber. The light is fed through a retarder, which is a detuned quarter-wave or half-wave retarder. It is shown that such detuning can be used to compensate for temperature dependencies of the sensing head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus having at least two server communication terminals, which are connected by at least one optical cable and which each have at least one transmitter and one receiver, wherein the transmitter of a first communication terminal is connected to the receiver of a second communication terminal by a first fiber optic passage and the receiver of the first communication terminal is connected to the transmitter of the second communication terminal by a second fiber optic passage, wherein a circuit tester having an evaluation unit for evaluating test and/or error signals transmitted by the optical cable is provided for detecting damage to and/or disturbances of the optical cable. In accordance with the invention, the circuit tester is integrated into the first and/or second server, the two fiber optic passages being further connected by at least one signal diversion module.

Abstract: In a fiber-optic current sensor, a 22.5° Faraday rotator, which is part of the sensing fiber coil, determines the working point of the sensor. The coil is operated with substantially linearly polarized light or incoherent substantially left and right circularly polarized light waves. In one arrangement, a polarization beam splitter generates two optical signals that vary in anti-phase with changing current. A signal processor determines the current from the two anti-phase signals. Appropriately detuned and oriented fiber-optic half-wave or quarter-wave retarders before the fiber coil are used to reduce or cancel the adverse effects of temperature and bend-induced birefringence on the measurement signal. Moreover, the temperature may be derived from the difference in the bias of the anti-phase signals and may be used to cancel temperature effects in the signal processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the new compounds of general formula I wherein A, U, V, X, Y, R1, R2 and R3 are defined as stated hereinafter, the tautomers, the isomers thereof, the diastereomers, the enantiomers, the hydrates, the mixtures and the salts thereof as well as the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, medicaments containing these compounds, their use and processes for preparing them.

Abstract: A device for measuring electrical current, voltage and temperature in a conductor made of rigid material is disclosed. The conductor is formed from two conductor sections, between which an electrical resistor element is provided that is made of a material having greater resistance than the material of the conductor sections. In the region of the resistor element, a flattened area with a depression is provided, over which a measuring arrangement, through which a portion of the current flowing through the conductor flows, is placed in the manner of a bridge. In the measuring arrangement is arranged in the vicinity of a contact piece by means of which the conductor can be connected in an electrically conducting manner to another conductor such that the heat generated at the contact point is measured.