Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating a locking member (10) of a functionally essential component (40), particularly a steering column (40) of a motor vehicle, having a gear box (20), being operatively connected to the locking member (10), wherein the locking member (10) can be moved into a locked position (1) and into a released position (2), and vice versa, wherein the locking member (10) engages into the functionally essential component (40) in the locked position (1), the locking member (10) is released from the functionally essential component (40) in the released position (2), an actuation device (30) is provided that can be accessed by a user, said actuation device being signal-connected to the gear box (20) during normal operation, by means of which an electronic actuation of the gear box (20) can be effected via an intentional actuation of the actuation device (30), said gear box moving the locking member (10) into the respective position (1, 2) thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a hybrid solar radiation collection and distribution system comprising both passive solar and active solar components, generating electric potential, generating heat, and distributing visible light to numerous endpoints.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-piercing element, that can be fastened to a structural component by means of piercing and beading. Additionally, the present invention discloses an apparatus for seating the self-piercing element and a corresponding method. The self-piercing element comprises a functional head, a seat geometry and a cutting geometry, while the cutting geometry has a radially outwards arranged, centering exterior bevel, a radially inward arranged interior bevel and a cutting edge arranged in between.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide compound having an improved binding affinity to somatostatin receptors, comprising a somatostatin analogue as the peptide and a chelating group covalently linked to the N-terminal free amino group of said peptide, wherein said somatostatin analogue carries an 1-naphthylalanine or a 3-benzothienylalanine residue in its 3-position. The invention further relates to said peptide compound labeled with a detectable element or with a therapeutic radionuclide, as well as to a diagnostic method and to a method for the therapeutic treatment of tumors, by using the labeled compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a peptide compound having an improved binding affinity to somatostatin receptors, comprising a somatostatin analogue as the peptide and a chelating group covalently linked to the N-terminal free amino group of said peptide, wherein said somatostatin analogue carries an 1-naphthylalanine or a 3-benzothienylalanine residue in its 3-position. The invention further relates to said peptide compound labeled with a detectable element or with a therapeutic radionuclide, as well as to a diagnostic method and to a method for the therapeutic treatment of tumors, by using the labeled compounds.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I wherein X, Y, Z, R1 and R2 are as defined in claim 1, and their salts and solvates, can be used as integrin inhibitors in particular for the prophylaxis and treatment of circulatory disorders, for thrombosis, cardiac infarction, coronary heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, for pathological processes which are maintained or propagated by angiogenesis and in tumour therapy.

Abstract: A device with a key-actuated closing cylinder and a switch triggers, when a key is turned therein, a particular electric function in a motor vehicle. In order to achieve a particularly compact and reliable device, at least two sensors are arranged inside the cylinder housing of the closing cylinder in zones that are mutually offset in the longitudinal direction. The sensor outputs are connected to a common evaluation device. The cylinder core has in corresponding axial zones several permanent magnets at particular points of its periphery. These points are selected so that the evaluation device detects different codes at the sensor outputs in the different working positions of the cylinder core and clearly identifies with these codes the corresponding working positions. The evaluation device thus acts as an electronic switch which on the basis of the sensed code triggers the electric function that corresponds to the momentary working position.

Abstract: A device with a key-operated lock cylinder acts on a switching device as a function of the turning of a key. In addition to the key channel for holding the associated key and the tumblers, the cylinder core has a permanent magnet on its periphery. Similarly, in addition to a locking channel for the tumblers, the cylinder housing has at least one sensor which, when the cylinder core is actuated by the key, responds to the permanent magnet and activates the switching device via an evaluator. In order to secure the device against theft as a result of an unauthorized person replacing the cylinder core in the lock cylinder, an entire group of different cylinder cores is associated with the cylinder housing. They differ from one another with respect to at least one of their permanent magnets. In the device a given pair of cylinder core and cylinder housing is used as the lock cylinder which then has a given magnet code.