Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an electromechanical, for example piezoelectric, transducer in which a first polymer layer comprising cutouts is applied to a first continuous polymer layer by means of a printing and/or coating method, a cover is applied to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts in such a way that the cutouts of the first polymer layer comprising cutouts are closed off with the formation of cavities, and the cover is connected to the first polymer layer comprising cutouts. The invention also relates to electromechanical transducers produced by the method according to the invention, and the use of said electromechanical transducers.

Abstract: The training of a hearing apparatus in respect of an individual adjustment is to be developed in a more user-friendly manner. To this end, provision is firstly made to automatically classify a hearing situation, to adjust a parameter of the signal processing facility of the hearing apparatus and to automatically learn the adjusted parameters for the current hearing situation. A temporal monitoring of the steps “classifying” and “adjusting” is however carried out here and the automatic learning is only triggered if the classified hearing situation and the adjustment of the parameters have not changed over a predetermined time period. This not only simplifies the training, but also enables a more rapid training by means of automatically triggered training events.

Abstract: The present application relates to novel substituted N?-cyano-N-halogenalkylimidamide derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to their use for controlling animal pests, especially arthropods, in particular insects.

Abstract: A method for data exchange is provided, whereby a first code is generated by a transponder, which is transmitted to a base station, a first transmission information is generated by the base station by encoding a base station code with a first identification and the first random number code, the first transmission information is transmitted to the transponder and the base station code is extracted by the transponder, a second code is generated by the transponder, which is transmitted to the base station upon an associated request from the base station, whereby before a transmission to the base station the second code is encoded with the extracted base station code, a second encoded transmission information comprising a second identification is generated by the base station with use of the second code and transmitted to the transponder, and at least one memory region of the transponder is released for read and/or write access after the second identification was verified as valid.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to make using a hearing device and in particular a hearing aid more comfortable and more effective for the user. To this end the setting of a portable hearing device is to be checked. First the acoustic data of a sound from the environment of the hearing device is recorded and/or determined simultaneously with the setting of the hearing device with at least one setting value. The setting of the hearing device is evaluated against the chronologically matching, recorded acoustic data in the hearing device using at least one predeterminable criterion. If necessary, the hearing device outputs an appropriate message. By this means a hearing aid wearer can, for example, be alerted to contact an acoustician, if the settings he made on the hearing aid are not effective.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine connected thereto which is in connection with at least one energy storage device including operating the internal combustion engine is operated in overload mode in at least one preferably exceptional operating situation of the hybrid drive in order to avoid power losses at low loading state of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A procedure for RACH initial access in a mobile terminal is provided such that necessary information is conveyed the for the initial access procedure with less overhead. The method allow an accurate choice of the uplink transport format by allowing the mobile terminal to determine by itself whether a certain transport format may be used for the transmission of a message prior to the first preamble transmission and prior to the power ramping.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for therapy of cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other conditions characterized by defective chloride transport are provided. The compositions comprise one or more compounds such as flavones and/or isoflavones, ascorbate and/or derivatives thereof capable of stimulating chloride transport in epithelial tissues. Therapeutic methods involve the administration (e.g., orally or via inhalation) of such compositions to a patient afflicted with cystic fibrosis, asthma, and/or another condition responsive to stimulation of chloride transport.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel alkoxyalkyl spirocyclic tetramic and tetronic acids of the formula (I), in which A, B, D, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, G, W, X, Y and Z are as defined above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides and/or microbicides, and also to selective herbicidal compositions comprising, firstly, the alkoxyalkyl spirocyclic tetramic and tetronic acids and, secondly, at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound.

Abstract: A method is provided for driving at least one lamp unit, which is connected to an AC voltage power supply system. The method comprises modulating a control information item for the operation of the lamp unit onto the supplied AC voltage, decoding of the modulation received on the lamp unit side for reading the control information item and driving the light-emitting device in accordance with the control information item. Provision is made for a shunt to be produced in the line used for transmitting the control information item prior to or at the beginning of the modulation of the control information item. The disclosure also provides a lamp unit and a control device for implementing the method. The disclosure also provides a lighting system.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways, mechanisms, systems and methods to confer chemoautotrophic production of carbon-based products of interest, such as sugars, alcohols, chemicals, amino acids, polymers, fatty acids and their derivatives, hydrocarbons, isoprenoids, and intermediates thereof, in organisms such that these organisms efficiently convert inorganic carbon to organic carbon-based products of interest using inorganic energy, such as formate, and in particular the use of organisms for the commercial production of various carbon-based products of interest.

Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive thermoset precursors containing carbon nanotubes is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing conductive thermosets containing carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may in individual form or in the form of aggregates having a macromorpology resembling the shape of a cotton candy, bird nest, combed yarn or open net. Preferred multiwalled carbon nanotubes have diameters no greater than 1 micron and preferred single walled carbon nanotubes have diameters less than 5 nm. Carbon nanotubes may be adequately dispersed in a thermoset precursor by using a extrusion process generally reserved for thermoplastics. The thermoset precursor may be a precursor for epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, urethane, polyester, vinyl ester or silicone. A preferred thermoset precursor is a bisphenol A derivative.

Abstract: An air conditioning method is provided. The method comprises when a refrigerant circuit is in operation and a temperature of an evaporator of the refrigerant circuit is lower than a temperature of a heat exchanger of a heating circuit, transferring heat from the heat exchanger to air passing through the heat exchanger, and when the refrigerant circuit is not in operation and the temperature of the evaporator is higher than the temperature of the heat exchanger, transferring heat from the air passing through the heat exchanger to the heat exchanger. In this way, the heat exchanger functions to augment the cooling capabilities of the evaporator.

Abstract: Novel etch techniques are provided for shaping silicon features below the photolithographic resolution limits. FinFET devices are defined by recessing oxide and exposing a silicon protrusion to an isotropic etch, at least in the channel region. In one implementation, the protrusion is contoured by a dry isotropic etch having excellent selectivity, using a downstream microwave plasma etch.

Abstract: A syringe delivery system for dispensing a highly viscous material through a syringe delivery opening includes a syringe barrel having a delivery opening, a plunger stem including a threaded shaft that threadably engages a proximal end of the syringe barrel for selectively dispensing a viscous material through the delivery opening, and a sheath. The sheath is rigidly attached with the plunger stem so that the plunger stem and sheath rotate together in unison relative to the syringe barrel. The sheath and syringe barrel may enclose the plunger stem. In order to dispense a viscous material, the syringe barrel is rotated relative to the sheath, causing the syringe barrel to be progressively received within the sheath and simultaneously forcing the plunger stem further into the syringe barrel so as to dispense a viscous material from the delivery opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for washing a vehicle at a vehicle wash facility. At least one wash tool is moved along the vehicle as a function of the contour of the vehicle. In order for effective cleaning of the vehicle to be achieved even if the latter has a complicated contour, the invention proposes that at least one wash tool be moved along the vehicle during a reference run, the movement of the wash tool being controlled manually along at least a partial area of the vehicle, and that the contour of at least the vehicle area in which the movement of the wash tool is controlled manually be stored in the form of contour data on a storage medium, and that the stored contour data be used in a subsequent washing operation in order to control the same vehicle wash facility or a vehicle wash facility of identical construction. Furthermore, a vehicle wash facility is proposed for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic ballast comprising a step-up converter for operating a discharge lamp. The electronic ballast is embodied in such a way as to disconnect a switching element (T1) in the step-up converter when a maximum current value of the current flowing through the switching element is reached. The electronic ballast comprises a holding circuit (HS) which is provided with a time-function element (R27, C23) and is embodied in such a way that it sets the time-function element (R27, C23) when the switching element (TI) is disconnected and reconnects the switching element after a time interval defined by the time-function element (R27, C23).

Abstract: The invention relates to a light source for generating light having a spectral emittance in at least a part of the range of 380 nm to 780 nm, the light having a spectral power distribution E(?) as a function of the wavelength ?, and a general color-rendering index Ra, wherein the ratio of the integral spectral power distribution over a first range of 575 nm???650 nm to that of a second range of 380 nm???780 nm is given by the relation: and wherein Bb, ?0.15 and Ra?20. The light generated by the light source has a relatively small disturbing effect on migrating birds, while it still allows acceptable visibility for human beings.

Abstract: A method for making an antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of positioning an antimicrobial agent source within a package comprising an inner surface, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; positioning a medical device within the package; and subjecting the package, the antimicrobial agent source and the medical device to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the medical device, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the medical device.

Abstract: The invention concerns an external gear hydraulic pump including a pump body housing rotating pinions that mutually engage. Located on opposite sides of the body are a cover and a support, forming an outlet manifold for high pressure fluid. Acoustic insulation elements damp the vibrations produced by the pinions. The acoustic insulation elements acoustically decouple the pump body from the support.