Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating low-nitrogen tolerance levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low nitrogen tolerance-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased[RCL2] low-nitrogen tolerance levels and plant products produced from plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels.

Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating low-nitrogen tolerance levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low nitrogen tolerance-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels and plant products produced from plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels.

Abstract: A handheld working tool for treating a workpiece comprises a tool nose provided for contacting the workpiece at a working point, and an indicator provided for indicating a reference point on a surface of the workpiece at a predetermined distance to the working point when the tool nose contacts the workpiece at the working point.

Abstract: A laser system (10) for generating a linear laser marking (38) on a projection surface (37), including: a laser beam source (11), which generates a laser beam (28) and emits it along a propagation direction (29), an offset device (16) having a first interface (21), at which a first deflection of the laser beam is effected, and a conical mirror (14), which is embodied as a right cone having a cone axis (15) and a reflective lateral surface (26), wherein the conical mirror (14) is arranged in the beam path of the laser beam downstream of the offset device (16). The offset device (16) is embodied as rotatable about an axis of rotation (17), wherein the axis of rotation is arranged coaxially with respect to the cone axis (15).

Abstract: A laser system (10) for generating a linear laser marking (34) on a projection surface (33), including a laser beam source (11), which generates a laser beam (25) and emits it along a propagation direction (26), a first beam shaping optical unit (12) embodied as a collimation optical unit and having a first optical axis (13), and a conical mirror (14) which is embodied as a right cone having a cone axis (15) and a reflective lateral surface (22) and is arranged in the beam path of the laser beam downstream of the collimation optical unit (12), wherein the cone axis (15) is oriented parallel to the first optical axis (13). The laser system (10) includes a second beam shaping optical unit (16), which is arranged in the beam path of the laser beam upstream of the conical mirror (14) and reshapes the laser beam into a ring beam (28) having an intensity minimum in the center of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically measuring a distance to a target object which is embodied as a scattering target object or a reflecting target object. The apparatus has a distance measuring device and an adjustment device. In the distance measuring device, a laser beam is generated which is adjusted with the aid of the adjustment device to an external optical unit. The adjustment device includes a beam shaping optical unit and a focal shift device.

Abstract: A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Abstract: An optical system for shaping a laser beam is disclosed. The system includes a first optical element that has a lateral surface which is designed as a reflecting surface for the laser beam, where the lateral surface reshapes the laser beam at least in some segments thereof into a ring-shaped laser beam. The at least segmentally ring-shaped laser beam propagates in a propagation plane. A further optical element is provided for shaping the ring-shaped laser beam that shapes the ring-shaped laser beam at least in some segments thereof in a plane parallel to the propagation plane of the laser beam.

Abstract: A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Abstract: A control system for allowing a user to control the orientation of a medical device or a medical instrument in a variety of directions. An actuator selectively tensions one or more control cables having ends secured at or adjacent a distal tip of the medical device in order to bend the distal tip in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a physician can adjust the movement of the distal tip in a desired direction without affecting the orientation of the medical device in other directions.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including either a reinforced balloon bolster or the combination of a balloon bolster and a wire-basket bolster. According to one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a low-profile replacement PEG device comprising a feeding tube, an external bolster, an end cap and an internal bolster. The internal bolster comprises a first expandable structure and a second expandable structure. In one embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure comprises reinforcing members. In another embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure is a wire basket bolster. The feeding tube has a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen, extending parallel longitudinally. The external bolster is fixed to the external end of the feeding tube and has a feeding lumen aligned with that of the tube and an inflation lumen aligned with that of the tube.

Abstract: A laser system (1) for creating a laser marking (23) on a substrate (4, 7), having a laser device (2) with a beam source (11) that emits a laser beam (14) along a first optical axis (16), and having a deflection unit (3) with a deflection lens (19) that deflects the laser beam (14) along a second optical axis (22), whereby the first and second optical axes (16, 22) are arranged at an angle of 90°, and the deflection unit (3) can be adjusted with respect to the laser device (2).

Abstract: A measuring device for the measurement of a distance to a target object has a beam source which is designed as an electrical-optical component and which emits a transmission beam. A detector, which is designed as a further electrical-optical component, receives a reception beam that is reflected and/or scattered by the target object. A beam splitting lens is configured to deflect the transmission and/or reception beam. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device includes a beam shaping lens is configured for shaping the transmission and/or reception beam. A lens support is configured to accommodate the electrical-optical components. The lens support also accommodates the beam splitting lens and/or the beam shaping lens. The lens support has a first wafer for accommodating the electrical-optical components and a second wafer for accommodating the beam splitting lens, and/or the beam shaping lens.

Abstract: A laser system for creating a linear laser marking, including a radiation source that emits a laser beam and that emits it along a direction of propagation, a focusing lens assembly with an optical axis, and a conical mirror that, at least in certain areas, is configured as a straight cone with a cone axis and a reflecting lateral surface. The conical mirror is arranged in the beam path of the laser beam behind the focusing lens assembly, and the cone axis is oriented parallel to the optical axis of the focusing lens assembly. The direction of propagation of the laser beam is inclined at an angle relative to the optical axis of the focusing lens assembly.

Abstract: A laser instrument and a method for adjusting the laser power is disclosed. The laser instrument includes a laser device which generates a laser beam and a rotating device which moves the laser device back and forth around an axis of rotation between a first turning point and a second turning point. The laser beam generates a laser line between a first end point and a second end point on a target surface. A control device is provided which adjusts the laser power of the laser beam as a function of a rotation angle and/or an angular velocity of the rotating device.

Abstract: An optical system for shaping a laser beam includes an optical element with a base member having a lower base, an upper base, and a lateral surface. The lateral surface includes a transmitting surface for the laser beam, and the base member includes a first cutout portion having a lower base arranged in the upper base of the base member, and a lateral surface that has a first reflecting surface for the laser beam and generates an at least segmentally ring-shaped laser beam. The base member includes a second cutout portion having a lower base arranged in the lower base of the base member, an upper base that includes a transmitting surface for the laser beam, and a lateral surface abutting the lower and upper base. The lateral surface includes a second reflecting surface for the at least segmentally ring-shaped laser beam.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including either a reinforced balloon bolster or the combination of a balloon bolster and a wire-basket bolster. According to one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a low-profile replacement PEG device comprising a feeding tube, an external bolster, an end cap and an internal bolster. The internal bolster comprises a first expandable structure and a second expandable structure. In one embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure comprises reinforcing members. In another embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure is a wire basket bolster. The feeding tube has a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen, extending parallel longitudinally. The external bolster is fixed to the external end of the feeding tube and has a feeding lumen aligned with that of the tube and an inflation lumen aligned with that of the tube.

Abstract: A medical catheter assembly including either a reinforced balloon bolster or the combination of a balloon bolster and a wire-basket bolster. According to one embodiment, the medical catheter assembly is a low-profile replacement PEG device comprising a feeding tube, an external bolster, an end cap and an internal bolster. The internal bolster comprises a first expandable structure and a second expandable structure. In one embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure comprises reinforcing members. In another embodiment, the first expandable structure is a balloon and the second expandable structure is a wire basket bolster. The feeding tube has a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen, extending parallel longitudinally. The external bolster is fixed to the external end of the feeding tube and has a feeding lumen aligned with that of the tube and an inflation lumen aligned with that of the tube.

Abstract: A laser system (1) for creating a laser marking (23) on a substrate (4, 7), having a laser device (2) with a beam source (11) that emits a laser beam (14) along a first optical axis (16), and having a deflection unit (3) with a deflection lens (19) that deflects the laser beam (14) along a second optical axis (22), whereby the first and second optical axes (16, 22) are arranged at an angle of 90°, and the deflection unit (3) can be adjusted with respect to the laser device (2).

Abstract: An optical system for shaping a laser beam is disclosed. The system includes a first optical element that has a lateral surface which is designed as a reflecting surface for the laser beam, where the lateral surface reshapes the laser beam at least in some segments thereof into a ring-shaped laser beam. The at least segmentally ring-shaped laser beam propagates in a propagation plane. A further optical element is provided for shaping the ring-shaped laser beam that shapes the ring-shaped laser beam at least in some segments thereof in a plane parallel to the propagation plane of the laser beam.