Abstract: An elevator system (1) including at least one refuge space (7, 8) and at least one sensor (9). The at least one sensor (9) is configured to detect weight in the at least one refuge space (7, 8) and produce at least one safety signal (21) indicating the presence of weight in the at least one refuge space (7, 8). The system can be used to improve the safety in the at least one refuge space (7, 8) in the event that the usual safety procedures have either failed or not been followed. For example, if for some reason the elevator system (1) has not been placed into a safe state before a maintenance worker (10) accesses the at least one refuge space (7, 8), the system will detect them and can produce at least one safety signal immediately indicating their presence in the at least one refuge space.

Abstract: The present invention describes fusion proteins based on cytokines, called bi-cytokines (BC), specifically formed by the binding of an IL2 agonist mutein with a type I interferon (IFN), linked by an Fc region of a mutant human IgG1 and a connector peptide. The combination of an IL2 agonist mutein and a type I IFN in the structure of the bi-cytokines gives surprising immunoregulatory properties to these molecules and a superior therapeutic effect than that of parental cytokines, or their combination, which makes them attractive and novel molecules for the treatment of cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising as an active ingredient the fusion proteins object of this patent are also described.

Abstract: An improved mechanical shoehorn that provides a new and unique enhanced application. The shoehorn includes a pivotable handle with a substantial length which helps to push the heel into the shoe. Additionally, the shoehorn includes an arched frontal assembly that widens the shoe opening which makes it easier for a user to slide their foot into the shoe. In one embodiment, the shoehorn further comprises a sock applicator that attaches to the back of the main device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for determining an optimal speed of a first vehicle preceded by a second vehicle. Position, speed and acceleration of the second vehicle are measured in order to determine a trajectory thereof, and a dynamic model of the first vehicle is constructed. The optimal speed is then determined by minimizing the energy consumption of the vehicle by use of the dynamic model by minimization being constrained by the trajectory of the second vehicle.

Abstract: An improved mechanical shoehorn that provides a new and unique enhanced application. The shoehorn includes a pivotable handle with a substantial length which helps to push the heel into the shoe. Additionally, the shoehorn includes an arched frontal assembly that widens the shoe opening which makes it easier for a user to slide their foot into the shoe. In one embodiment, the shoehorn further comprises a sock applicator that attaches to the back of the main device.

Abstract: A structure is heated in a tool. The structure is quenched in the tool such that a shape of the structure is maintained, in which quenching is performed by contacting the structure with a quenching medium.

Abstract: The photoreactor comprises at least one housing (11) for at least one reaction vessel and at least one light source for lighting said at least one reaction vessel, and the photoreactor comprises: a first module (1) provided with said at least one housing (11) for at least one reaction vessel and comprising a cooling/heating circuit (15) for regulating the temperature of said at least one reaction vessel; a second module (2) provided with said at least one light source; and a thermal insulating layer (5) placed between the first module (1) and the second module (2). It improves reproducibility of the reactions by temperature and light intensity control.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system (e.g., for improved single molecule sequencing, etc.) can include preparing a set of unique molecular identifier (UMI)-based molecules associated with a set of target nucleic acid sequences; facilitating generation of (e.g., generating, etc.) a set of tagged nucleic acid molecules based on the set of UMI-based molecules and a set of nucleic acid molecules corresponding to (e.g., including, etc.) the set of target nucleic acid sequences; and/or facilitating (e.g., performing, etc.) single molecule sequencing with the set of tagged nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming metal workpieces made from a heat-treatable metal that has been shaped and tempered according to specified protocols that facilitate formation of large contoured unitary metal structures having welds that are retained in the finished structure, and finished metal structures made according to such methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system, such as for preparation of a normalized library for sequencing such as next-generation sequencing, can include one or more of: generating one or more normalized amplicon libraries; generating one or more normalized microbial community-associated libraries; and/or generating one or more normalized combined sequence libraries associated with amplicon-associated sequencing and microbial community-associated sequencing.

Abstract: The photoreactor comprises at least one housing (11) for at least one reaction vessel and at least one light source for lighting said at least one reaction vessel, and the photoreactor comprises: a first module (1) provided with said at least one housing (11) for at least one reaction vessel and comprising a cooling/heating circuit (15) for regulating the temperature of said at least one reaction vessel; a second module (2) provided with said at least one light source; and a thermal insulating layer (5) placed between the first module (1) and the second module (2). It improves reproducibility of the reactions by temperature and light intensity control.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method 100 and/or system 200 or library preparation for sequencing associated with microorganisms can include: preparing a set of unique molecular identifier (UMI)-based molecules associated with one or more targets; preparing a set of sequencing-based primers; generating a set of tagged target molecules based on the set of UMI-based molecules and one or more samples associated with the one or more targets; and/or generating a set of sequencing-ready tagged target molecules based on the tagged target molecules and the set of sequencing-based primers.

Abstract: A structure is heated in a tool. The structure is quenched in the tool such that a shape of the structure is maintained, in which quenching is performed by contacting the structure with a quenching medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system (e.g., for improved single molecule sequencing, etc.) can include preparing a set of unique molecular identifier (UMI)-based molecules associated with a set of target nucleic acid sequences; facilitating generation of (e.g., generating, etc.) a set of tagged nucleic acid molecules based on the set of UMI-based molecules and a set of nucleic acid molecules corresponding to (e.g., including, etc.) the set of target nucleic acid sequences; and/or facilitating (e.g., performing, etc.) single molecule sequencing with the set of tagged nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and/or system, such as for preparation of a normalized library for sequencing such as next-generation sequencing, can include one or more of: generating one or more normalized amplicon libraries; generating one or more normalized microbial community-associated libraries; and/or generating one or more normalized combined sequence libraries associated with amplicon-associated sequencing and microbial community-associated sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an optimal speed to be reached for a first vehicle preceded by a second vehicle. For this method, the position, the speed and the acceleration of the second vehicle are measured (MES) in order to determine the trajectory thereof (POS), and a dynamic model (MOD) of the first vehicle is constructed. The speed to be reached (VIT) is then determined by minimizing (MIN) the energy consumption of the vehicle by means of the dynamic model (MOD), the minimization being constrained by the trajectory (POS) of the second vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method 100 and/or system 200 or library preparation for sequencing associated with microorganisms can include: preparing a set of unique molecular identifier (UMI)-based molecules associated with one or more targets; preparing a set of sequencing-based primers; generating a set of tagged target molecules based on the set of UMI-based molecules and one or more samples associated with the one or more targets; and/or generating a set of sequencing-ready tagged target molecules based on the tagged target molecules and the set of sequencing-based primers.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming metal workpieces made from a heat-treatable metal that has been shaped and tempered according to specified protocols that facilitate formation of large contoured unitary metal structures having welds that are retained in the finished structure, and finished metal structures made according to such methods.

Abstract: A superplastically formed structural assembly is provided, as is an associated preform and method for forming such an assembly. The assembly includes a skin member and a support member that are joined to define a space between the members and between the joints. The assembly can be produced by joining the members in a flat configuration, and then forming the resulting preform to a predetermined shape of the structural assembly. The support member defines at least one aperture in communication with the space between the members. Thus, the skin member can be formed by delivering a pressurized fluid through the support member to the skin member, e.g., to superplastically form the skin member against a die that defines a contour surface corresponding in shape to the predetermined configuration of the assembly. The support member can extend in a substantially direct configuration between opposing portions of the skin member.

Abstract: A superplastically formed structural assembly is provided, as is an associated preform and method for forming such an assembly. The assembly includes a skin member and a support member that are joined to define a space between the members and between the joints. The assembly can be produced by joining the members in a flat configuration, and then forming the resulting preform to a predetermined shape of the structural assembly. The support member defines at least one aperture in communication with the space between the members. Thus, the skin member can be formed by delivering a pressurized fluid through the support member to the skin member, e.g., to superplastically form the skin member against a die that defines a contour surface corresponding in shape to the predetermined configuration of the assembly. The support member can extend in a substantially direct configuration between opposing portions of the skin member.