Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the integrity of the cell wall of the bacteria present in a culture in the presence of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall which, from a practical point of view, allows quickly determining if a bacterium is sensitive or resistant to an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall. Likewise, the present invention also relates to a lysis solution applicable in the preceding method, specifically affecting bacteria having the cell wall damaged by the action of an antibiotic acting on the bacterial cell wall, which allows distinguishing bacteria sensitive to said antibiotic from those resistant to said antibiotic.

Abstract: A decorative multi-layer covering for horizontal and vertical surfaces such as floors and walls, having a decorative layer provided with decorative motifs visible from the outside, a support layer and a self-adhesive layer to be placed on the surface to be covered. The self-adhesive layer has a perforated foam material layer with an outer surface provided with an adhesive. The perforated surface of the foam material layer has between 5% and 95%, and more preferably between 15% and 50%, of the entire surface of one of the two faces of the support layer, which is distributed over several perforations. A stabilising layer can be arranged between the support layer and the self-adhesive foam material layer, the perforations connecting to the lower face of the stabilising layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dual-discharge tank for toilets, including a tank, a water inlet having controlling means which are activated depending on the volume of water contained in the tank, a discharge mechanism coupled to a drainage collector, and means for actuating the discharge mechanism. The tank also includes an additional water inlet connected to a timed valve for controlling water flow, which automatically cuts off the flow of water through said inlet after a predetermined time has elapsed since the actuation thereof. The outlet of the timed valve for controlling water flow is connected to a first pipe that directs the additional water toward the drainage collector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer lining plate for essentially horizontal support surfaces such as floors or floor coverings, comprising a main layer having at least two longer sides and two shorter sides, including at least one part, and a ductile upper decorative layer, wherein the lining plate comprises along an outer edge of each of the longer sides of the main layer a ductile machinable portion that can be machined to form a connecting profile for connection of the lining plate with other plates; wherein the at least one part of the main layer is more rigid than the upper decorative layer; and wherein the at least one part of the main layer is made of magnesium oxide, fibrocement or mortar with perlite and/or vermiculite and/or cellulose.

Abstract: A method for uncertainty estimation for nonlinear inverse problems includes obtaining an inverse model of spatial distribution of a physical property of subsurface formations. A set of possible models of spatial distribution is obtained based on the measurements. A set of model parameters is obtained. The number of model parameters is reduced by covariance free compression transform. Upper and lower limits of a value of the physical property are mapped to orthogonal space. A model polytope including a geometric region of feasible models is defined. At least one of random and geometric sampling of the model polytope is performed in a reduced-dimensional space to generate an equi-feasible ensemble of models. The reduced-dimensional space includes an approximated hypercube. Probable model samples are evaluated based on data misfits from among an equi-feasible model ensemble determined by forward numerical simulation.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system suitable for characterizing multicellular aggregates during culture and before implantation combines a low shear flow channel with a multiphoton laser scanning microscope, the latter permitting the characterization of interior and exterior cells in optical isolation from other cells for a representative sampling of fluorescent activity. Imaging capabilities permit sophisticated statistical measurements reflecting individual cell characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for performing location specific processing of a workpiece is described. The method includes placing a microelectronic workpiece in a beam processing system, selecting a beam scan size for a beam scan pattern that is smaller than a dimension of the microelectronic workpiece, generating a processing beam, and processing a target region of the microelectronic workpiece by irradiating the processing beam along the beam scan pattern onto the target region within the beam scan size selected for processing the microelectronic workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer lining plate (100) for essentially horizontal support surfaces such as floors or floor coverings, comprising a main layer (1), including at least one part made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, and a ductile or flexible upper decorative layer (2). The lining plate comprises in the perimeter of the main layer (1) a ductile machinable portion (3) that can be machined to form a connecting profile for the connection of the plate with other plates. The machinable portion (3) is preferably made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a wood-plastic composite (WPC) material or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the main layer is of magnesium oxide, fibrocement or mortar with perlite and vermiculite.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining changes or revisions to a set of data and providing a user with a computerized graphical depiction of these changes through the use of multiple geometric shapes, the positioning of which shapes relative to one another and the size of which shapes relative to one another depict the changes to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing allergy in a human or animal patient, wherein the level of species-specific lipocalin, especially lipocalin 2 in a human patient, is measured in a sample of said patient and wherein a lowered level of said lipocalin compared to the level of said lipocalin in the corresponding sample of a human or animal that has no allergy, is indicative of an allergy, as well as a kit for performing this method, and a kit for quality control of allergen molecules or extracts used for immunotherapy of allergy by determining its siderophore-iron ligand load and thus immunomodulatory potency. Further, lipocalin proteins for use in treatment or prevention of allergies are provided, preferably complexed with siderophore-iron ligands.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning the saddle of a bicycle that includes a measuring pole and an adaptor positioned at an end of the measuring pole for coupling the end to the pedal crankshaft of the bicycle. The positioning device also includes a positioning assembly with a base that is configured to be supported on the saddle. An articulation assembly couples the base with the measuring pole. The base is slideable along the measuring pole and has a main plate that is capable of being supported on the saddle. The base includes a front stop adapted for abutting a front end of the saddle. The positioning device being adapted for incorporating an angle of inclination measuring device for measuring the angle of inclination of the measuring pole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to am method for the rapid evaluation of bacterial susceptibility or non-susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis. The rationale is to identify bacterial responses that depend or are influenced by protein synthesis. If this response is prevented or reduced by the antibiotic that inhibits the protein synthesis, the bacteria are susceptible to this antibiotic. Otherwise, if the response keeps similar despite the incubation with the antibiotic, the bacteria are no susceptible or resistant to this antibiotic.

Abstract: A method and system for performing gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etch processing of various materials is described. In particular, the GCIB etch processing includes setting one or more GCIB properties of a GCIB process condition for the GCIB to achieve one or more target etch process metrics. Furthermore, the GCIB etch processing utilizes Si-containing and/or Ge-containing etchants. Further yet, the GCIB etch processing facilitates etching Si-containing material, Ge-containing material, and metal-containing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for determining the DNA integrity in microorganisms and a kit for evaluating the DNA integrity therein. Due to the fact that cell death means DNA fragmentation, with the present process the DNA fragmentation levels in microorganisms can be clearly discriminated in a simple, quick and accurate manner.

Abstract: A gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) etching method for adjusting a fin height in finFET devices is described. The method includes providing a substrate having a fin structure and a gap-fill material layer completely overlying the fin structure and filling the regions between each fin of the fin structure, wherein each fin includes a cap layer formed on a top surface thereof, and planarizing the gap-fill material layer until the cap layer is exposed on at least one fin of the fin structure. Additionally, the method includes setting a target fin height for the fin structure, wherein the fin height measured from an interface between the cap layer and the fin structure, and exposing the substrate to a GCIB and recessing the gap-fill material layer relative to the cap layer until the target fin height is substantially achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multilayer lining plate (100) for essentially horizontal support surfaces such as floors or floor coverings, comprising a main layer (1), including at least one part made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, and a ductile or flexible upper decorative layer (2). The lining plate comprises in the perimeter of the main layer (1) a ductile machinable portion (3) that can be machined to form a connecting profile for the connection of the plate with other plates. The machinable portion (3) is preferably made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a wood-plastic composite (WPC) material or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the main layer is of magnesium oxide, fibrocement or mortar with perlite and vermiculite.