Abstract: A microscope-autofocus device for feedback-controlling a focal position of an imaging system of a microscope apparatus, wherein the imaging system includes a microscope objective, a monitoring beam source for creating a monitoring beam, a detector device for detecting a drift variation of an axial objective distance between the microscope objective and a sample by sensing the monitoring beam directed through the imaging system to the sample and reflected by the sample, and a feedback loop device for controlling the imaging system in dependency on the detected objective distance variation of the microscope objective.

Abstract: A microscope-autofocus device for feedback-controlling a focal position of an imaging system of a microscope apparatus, wherein the imaging system includes a microscope objective, a monitoring beam source for creating a monitoring beam, a detector device for detecting a drift variation of an axial objective distance between the microscope objective and a sample by sensing the monitoring beam directed through the imaging system to the sample and reflected by the sample, and a feedback loop device for controlling the imaging system in dependency on the detected objective distance variation of the microscope objective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ?-AR homologous cyclopeptide-mutants comprising only two cysteine residues able to form an intramolecular linkage, to linear peptides that can form these cyclopeptide-mutants and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these cyclopeptide-mutants and linear peptides. Moreover, vectors and recombinant host cells comprising said nucleic acid molecule and a method for producing the disclosed cyclopeptide-mutants are provided. Further provided is a composition comprising the peptides, nucleic acid molecules, vectors or host cells of the invention. The present invention also relates to therapeutic and diagnostic means, methods and uses taking advantage of the peptides of the invention and to means, methods and uses for detecting anti-.beta.-adrenergic receptor antibodies like anti-?1-adrenergic receptor antibodies.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a flash memory, such as a NAND flash memory, selectively updates blocks based on hash values associated with the blocks, wherein the hashing codes are generated for each block from the software image to be programmed into the flash memory. Selectively updating blocks in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention might reduce re-programming time and potentially destructive pre-mature aging of cells in the flash memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an IC system includes a system on a chip (SoC) adapted to load boot-up code from an external NAND flash memory, which stores the boot-up code. The SoC has a processor, an internal ROM including boot-loading code, an operating RAM, a NAND flash controller (NFC), and an OTP memory. At some point after SoC manufacture, the OTP memory is programmed with parameters needed for communication between the NFC and the external NAND flash memory. This provides a system designer flexibility in choosing a type of external NAND flash memory for the IC system. During SoC power-up, the NFC is initialized with the communication parameters, thereby allowing the NFC to control the NAND flash memory. The boot-loading code directs the processor to load the boot-up code from the external NAND memory onto the operating RAM. The processor then executes the boot-up code from the operating RAM.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: The invention relates flash memory programming techniques. An object of the invention is to provide a flash memory programming technique avoiding problems of the known state of the art and in particular, saving a significant amount of time during the development and/or production phases of any equipment containing flash memory devices and also saving time during an updating or upgrading procedure of such an equipment already being in use. Accordingly, the invention proposes for programming a flash memory device to program only differences in information between data already stored in the flash memory device and new data to be stored.

Abstract: A method of increasing the contractility of a heart, a heart muscle or cells of a heart muscle i by administering an agent capable of binding to a phosducin binding site of G&bgr;&ggr; is provided. Said phosducin binding site is preferably a binding site of N-terminal truncated phosducin. Further, methods of identifying compounds capable of increasing the contractility of a heart muscle and methods of identifying compounds capable of inhibiting G&bgr;&ggr;-mediated processes are provided.