Abstract: The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS and/or APRIL antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF-R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF-R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of the immunosuppressive drugs contemplated include cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), although any drug that suppresses the immune system may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of various immunoglobulins in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A switchable solar heating device for a gas turbine with a compressor, having a valve for electively bypassing a solar heater arranged between a compressor stage and a turbine stage of the gas turbine. The valve is constructed as a 4-way valve with a compressor port that can be connected to the compressor stage, a turbine port that can be connected to the turbine stage, a solar input port that can be connected to an input of the solar heater, and a solar output port that can be connected to an output of the solar heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel combination therapies involving BLyS or BLyS/APRIL inhibition and immunosuppressants for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. One preferred method is where the BLyS and/or APRIL antagonist is a Fc-fusion protein which can be a TACI-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of TACI or a functional fragment thereof, a BAFF-R-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BAFF-R or a functional fragment thereof, or a BCMA-Fc-fusion protein comprising the extracellular domain of BCMA or a functional fragment thereof. In the methods of the present invention some of the immunosuppressive drugs contemplated include cyclophosphamide (CYC), azathioprine (AZA), cyclosporine A (CSA), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), although any drug that suppresses the immune system may be suitable. The methods of the present invention reduce the levels of various immunoglobulins in patients in need of such reduction, such as those suffering from autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A seatbelt pretensioner is provided including an inner tube with a gas generator housed therein, an intermediate sleeve extending over the inner tube, and a spool portion housing the sleeve and the tube. The spool portion includes spiraling flutes thereon that correspond to a protruding member in the form of flutes or pegs extending from the intermediate sleeve. In response to the gas generator firing, the sleeve will be driven longitudinally, causing the protruding member to act on the spiraling flutes of the spool, thereby causing the spool to rotate. The intermediate sleeve can include a spiraling slot that receives a peg from the inner tube, so that the intermediate sleeve will rotate to compound the spool rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the isolation of a phospholipid and for producing a polyunsaturated, long-chain fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched fraction from a fish oil comprising the steps of —providing a fish oil containing lipids and phospholipids; —mixing the fish oil with a polar solvent; —centrifuging the mixture of the fish oil and the polar solvent to separate a polar fraction from a lipid fraction; —isolating a phospholipid from the polar fraction or isolating a PUFA-enriched fraction from the polar fraction. The fish oil may be provided by —extracting a fish material with an extractant solvent; —removing the extractant solvent to provide the fish oil; —optionally subjecting the fish oil to a solid-liquid separation. The isolated phospholipids and PUFA's may be used as additives for functional foods, as a dietary supplement and for pharmaceutical application.

Abstract: A compressed air supply assembly for operating a pneumatic assembly includes a compressed air supply; a compressed air connection to the pneumatic assembly; a purge connection to the environment; a pneumatic main line between the compressed air supply and the compressed air connection comprising an air dryer; a purge line between the compressed air connection and the purge connection; and a solenoid valve arrangement with a control valve to control a purge valve. The control valve is connected to a control valve connection in a pneumatic control line connected to a pressure control connection of the purge valve, and the purge valve is connected to a purge valve connection in the purge line. A pressure-maintaining device is connected to the pneumatic control line and maintains control pressure at the pressure control connection when the purge valve connection is open, independently of pressure in the purge line and/or the main line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the isolation of a phospholipid and for producing a polyunsaturated, long-chain fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched fraction from a fish oil comprising the steps of -providing a fish oil containing lipids and phospholipids; -mixing the fish oil with a polar solvent; -centrifuging the mixture of the fish oil and the polar solvent to separate a polar fraction from a lipid fraction; -isolating a phospholipid from the polar fraction or isolating a PUFA-enriched fraction from the polar fraction. The fish oil may be provided by -extracting a fish material with an extractant solvent; -removing the extractant solvent to provide the fish oil; -optionally subjecting the fish oil to a solid-liquid separation. The isolated phospholipids and PUFA's may be used as additives for functional foods, as a dietary supplement and for pharmaceutical application.

Abstract: A method for joining parts to be joined which are subject to tolerance in the aerospace sector. The method involves determining the geometric data of a first and second part to be joined, determining the joining gap dimensions of the first and second parts from the determined geometric data and arranging a plurality of shape elements which can be connected together in planar manner in a first region of a surface of the first part. The method moreover comprises application of a first adhesive layer onto the plurality of shape elements and in a second region of the surface of the first part. The method finally involves joining the first and second parts, the first adhesive layer being brought into contact with the surface of the second part. A corresponding apparatus is provided for joining parts which are subject to tolerance in the aerospace sector.

Abstract: A machine train includes a drive unit, preferably a steam turbine with axial exhaust flow, a geared turbine machine, and an additional compressor. The geared turbine machine has an integrated gear train with a drive pinion for driving turbine machine rotors via a large gear, and an output pinion of a rotational speed reduction power gear for driving the additional compressor.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring at least one blood parameter of the blood of different patients, comprising a plurality of access devices for establishing at least one means of access to the blood of each patient through the skin, a plurality of removal devices for removing a quantity of blood from each patient in order to obtain at least one blood sample, at least one blood analysis device for analysing the blood sample with respect to predeterminable blood parameters and for generating individual blood parameter data sets, a calculation device which can be used jointly for a plurality of blood parameter data sets of different patients for calculating data sets of drug parameters of the drugs to be administered to the respective patient on the basis of the individual blood parameter data sets, and a plurality of supply devices for supplying the respective drug having the calculated drug parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous polyurethane dispersions for sealing teats of animal mammary glands.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for monitoring at least one blood parameter of the blood from a predetermined patient, with an access device for setting up access to the patient's blood, a removal device for removing an amount of blood in order to obtain a blood sample, a blood analysis device for analysing the blood sample, and a calculation device for calculating drug parameters of a drug to be administered to the patient as well as a supply device for supplying the drug having the calculated drug parameters. The system identifies the blood samples using bar codes, as a result of which there are no errors when assigning the blood to be analysed to the respective patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for administering medicaments to a patient. The system comprises: a mobile medicament container with a liquid medicament; an identification-element-generating device for generating a first identification element with first data relating to the patient, medication and/or treatment, in order to apply this identification element to the medicament container; a reading device for reading the first data; a delivery device for delivering the medicament to the patient from the medicament container inserted into the delivery device, wherein the reading device is suitable for reading second data provided on/in a second identification element assigned to the patient and connected to the delivery device, and a control device within the delivery device sends a first control signal for activating the delivery process to at least one of a plurality of delivery units of the delivery device if the first and second data at least partially match.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining treatment-related data for the administration of at least one drug to a patient to be treated, comprising at least one drawing device for continuously and successively drawing blood samples from the patient in order to obtain a plurality of blood samples, at least one, preferably a plurality of, blood value measuring devices for measuring blood values of the blood samples drawn and for obtaining blood value measurement data sets, and at least one calculation device for calculating treatment-related data from the blood value measurement data sets and optionally further data sets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for administering medicaments to a patient, comprising: at least a first measuring device (7, 8) for measuring urine values of the urine of a patient (2); at least a first evaluation device (6) for evaluating the measured urine values (6a); at least a first calculating device (13) for calculating first medicament parameters of the medicaments to be administered to the respective patient (2) on the basis of the evaluated, measured urine values (6a); and at least one delivery device (1) for delivering the respective medicaments with calculated, common medicament parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring at least one blood parameter of the blood of various patients by means of a plurality of access devices for in each case setting up at least one access to the blood of each patient through his skin, a plurality of extraction devices for extraction of an amount of blood from each patient in order to obtain at least one blood sample in each case, blood analysis devices, which are used jointly for a plurality of blood samples, for analysis of predeterminable parameters of the blood from the blood sample, a common calculation device for calculation of medicament parameters for the medicaments to be prescribed to the respective patient on the basis of data records of the determined parameters of the analyzed blood, and a plurality of feed devices for feeding in the respective medicament with the calculated medicament parameters.

Abstract: Containers for infusion liquids and methods for making the same are described herein. Aspects of an exemplary container include an extended hollow body, a standing bottom, collapsible side walls and a tapered shoulder region which transforms into a neck. Fold lines (BL) are provided and configured such that they cause portions of the container having the fold lines to be flattened when liquid is removed from the container without venting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system, apparatus, and computer pro-gram product for transmitting or receiving a plurality of time-duplexed transmission signal components via respective transmission or reception chains and respective antenna elements of a smart antenna system. A calibration signal is temporarily coupled into or from the transmission or reception chains via a selected one of the transmission or reception chains by using a portion of the transmission signal components, and a calibration signal parameter, influenced by said transmission or reception chains, is measured relative to a selected one of the transmission or reception chains. Then, a beamforming process of said smart antenna system is calibrated in response to a result of the measuring.

Abstract: A soldering machine for soldering components which are mounted on a circuit board contains a soldering module and comprises at least one soldering station which is mobile and exchangeably insertable in the soldering module. The soldering station and the soldering module are equipped with means for mutual alignment and with female or male plugs, which fit with one another and which terminate supply lines for goods. When inserting the soldering station in the soldering module said means align the soldering station in relation to the soldering module. Preferably, the soldering machine is composed of modules which are situated one behind another in the transport direction and are removably connected to one another. Each module comprises an own transport system.

Abstract: A switchable solar heating device for a gas turbine with a compressor, having a valve for electively bypassing a solar heater which is arranged between a compressor stage and a turbine stage of the gas turbine. The valve is constructed as a 4-way valve with a compressor port that can be connected to the compressor stage, a turbine port that can be connected to the turbine stage, a solar input port that can be connected to an input of the solar heater, and a solar output port that can be connected to an output of the solar heater.