Abstract: The present invention provides an amorphous caesium aluminium fluoride complex, a process for its production and the use of the complex as a flux, in particular for the soft soldering of aluminium.

Abstract: A measuring head (4) according to the invention comprises the combination of a zone lens (26), which is preferably a diffractive lens, with a hemispherical lens (23) or a GRIN lens (33). This represents a concept capable of miniaturization, resulting in very slender measuring heads (4) having a high numeric aperture and, accordingly, leads to the best resolution capacity. Such measuring heads are insensitive to angular errors as concerns the orientation of the measuring head to the surface to be measured or to an oblique positioning of the surface relative to the optical axis of the measuring head.

Abstract: A measuring device (1) for measuring the shape, contour and/or roughness of a workpiece is based on a contact-less optical probe having a large numeric aperture. The probe has at least two different focal points with which at least two photo receptors are associated. The latter generate a differential signal for controlling a positioning device (13) for tracking the optical probe in such a manner that the workpiece surface is maintained within the measuring range of the probe. The differential signal is proven to result in a rapid and accurate tracking of the position of the sensor arrangement (3).

Abstract: A measuring device (1) for measuring the shape, contour and/or roughness of a workpiece is based on a contact-less optical probe having a large numeric aperture. The probe has at least two different focal points with which at least two photo receptors are associated. The latter generate a differential signal for controlling a positioning device (13) for tracking the optical probe in such a manner that the workpiece surface is maintained within the measuring range of the probe. The differential signal is proven to result in a rapid and accurate tracking of the position of the sensor arrangement (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing selectively collated print products employ a production section, a control device, a transfer-out device for transferring out defective print products, a detection device that detects and records gaps resulting from the transfer out of defective print products, and a transfer-in device. Initially, a line of print products are processed in a production section; a predetermined number of print products are diverted from the production section and supplied to a product buffer. If the print products are not diverted, the line of print products continue in a conveying section and gaps between the print products are detected and recorded via the detection device. A number of print products are removed from the product buffer based on a control signal from the control device to fill detected gaps between print products in the conveying section; and the removed print products are inserted into the recorded gaps.

Abstract: An interferometric measuring method for detecting shapes is based on the interferometric observation of an object surface subjected to narrow-band lighting. A movement of the interferometer (1) relative to the object surface (2) generates a measuring signal on a suitable photo receiver, for example a camera circuit (5), from which two extremely closely positioned signal frequencies (f0) and (f0+?f) are extracted. The phase difference between the two signal components is used for determining the distance and/or the change in the distance. The method has a large unambiguousness range, thus making it possible to have a large depth measurement range. The method can also be used for workpieces having offset areas on the surface, wherein the measurement is not disturbed along the edges and the offset areas of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method aiding in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis. The method especially is used in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. The method is for example practiced by analyzing biochemical markers, comprising measuring in a sample both the concentration of anti-CCP and of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) correlating the concentrations determined to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. To further improve the assessment of RA in a method of this invention the level of one or more additional marker may be determined together with anti-CCP and ANA and be correlated to the absence or presence of RA. The invention also relates to the use of a marker panel comprising anti-CCP and ANA in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and it teaches a kit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A measuring head (4) according to the invention comprises the combination of a zone lens (26), which is preferably a diffractive lens, with a hemispherical lens (23) or a GRIN lens (33). This represents a concept capable of miniaturization, resulting in very slender measuring heads (4) having a high numeric aperture and, accordingly, leads to the best resolution capacity. Such measuring heads are insensitive to angular errors as concerns the orientation of the measuring head to the surface to be measured or to an oblique positioning of the surface relative to the optical axis of the measuring head.

Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention comprises an object lens which can operate in at least two different measuring modes. In a first, interference mode a workpiece is measured by means of interference optometry. In a second, imaging measuring mode an optical image is produced, for example, on a camera-like detector array and may be applied to an image processing routine. Switching between the two measuring modes is performed by the type of illumination of the object lens and an element which is disposed preferably in the reference beam path of an interferometer and which activates or deactivates the reference beam path dependent on the spectral composition of the utilized light. In this manner a simple and rapid changeover between the two measuring modes is provided, without the need for replacing or even for moving the object lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for establishing a diagnosis if an individual has suffered from or a prognosis if an individual is at risk of suffering from a coronary heart event, which method comprises determining the concentration of sCD40L in a body fluid of the individual; determining the concentration of a proximal inflammatory marker, preferably PAPP-A or Lp-PLA2 comparing the values obtained with reference values; and establishing the diagnosis or the prognosis in respect to the cardiovascular event. The combination according to the invention can be used with further markers selected from further inflammatory markers, anti-inflammatory markers and/or neurohumoral markers.

Abstract: A process is described for the recombinant production of ribonucleoproteins in prokaryotic cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing selectively collated print products employ a production section, a control device, a transfer-out device for transferring out defective print products, a detection device that detects and records gaps resulting from the transfer out of defective print products, and a transfer-in device. Initially, a line of print products are processed in a production section; a predetermined number of print products are diverted from the production section and supplied to a product buffer. If the print products are not diverted, the line of print products continue in a conveying section and gaps between the print products are detected and recorded via the detection device. A number of print products are removed from the product buffer based on a control signal from the control device to fill detected gaps between print products in the conveying section; and the removed print products are inserted into the recorded gaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-sensitive recording material for the production of offset printing plates having a dimensionally stable support, a radiation-sensitive layer located on the front of the support, and a layer which comprises an organic polymeric material having a glass transition temperature of 35° C. or above and in which pigment particles are embedded and which is resistant to processing chemicals and is located on the back of the support. The pigment particles are preferably silica gel particles having a mean diameter of from 0.1 to 50 &mgr;m or organic particles having a mean diameter of from 3 to 10 &mgr;m. The image layer on the front may be matted or pigmented. The back coating enables the recording material to be stacked without separating paper. The image layer located on the front is not scratched by the pigmented back coating during storage and transport and during removal from the stack.

Abstract: A process is described for the recombinant production of ribonucleoproteins in prokaryotic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tightening fastener, in which a clip band is bent in the shape of a ring or a spiral, as well as a tension locking system, wherein the clip band can be used to fasten elongated objects such as cables or pipes in pipeworks and mainly pipes which cannot be accessed. A series of radially protruding holders may be attached to the clip band. These holders are positioned to receive cables, pipes, or other elongated objects. The tension locking system may include a stop member which can, for example, be made in the shape of a stop bolt and which may be maintained in a stop position by a stop frame. When the stop bolt is disengaged from its stop position, the tension locking system partially expands and transmits the tightening force to the clip band, thus tightening the clip band.

Abstract: A seat cross-member is provided in a vehicle with at least one platform, including longitudinal and cross-members as well as a center tunnel and chassis side members. The seat cross-member includes two profiled partial cross-members that are fastened at least on end sides to the longitudinal members and that, in the region of the center tunnel, are connected together, on the one hand, by at least one connecting element and, on the other hand, by the center tunnel. The connecting element has a bracket for a bearing of a drive shaft.

Abstract: In the case of a process for producing an elongated closed duct within a hollow space of a vehicle body, it is provided that the guiding element formed of plastic is equipped on both ends with exterior surrounding flanges. Between the flanges and the vehicle body parts, one surrounding foam seal respectively is arranged which swells up during the painting process in the drying oven at a defined temperature and forms a tight connection between the vehicle body parts and the guiding element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-sensitive recording material for the production of offset printing plates having a dimensionally stable support, a radiation-sensitive layer located on the front of the support, and a layer which comprises an organic polymeric material having a glass transition temperature of 35° C. or above and in which pigment particles are embedded and which is resistant to processing chemicals and is located on the back of the support. The pigment particles are preferably silica gel particles having a mean diameter of from 0.1 to 50 &mgr;m or organic particles having a mean diameter of from 3 to 10 &mgr;m. The image layer on the front may be matted or pigmented. The back coating enables the recording material to be stacked without separating paper. The image layer located on the front is not scratched by the pigmented back coating during storage and transport and during removal from the stack.

Abstract: A dummy plate is provided for offset printing which essentially consists of a plate-, sheet- or band-form, mechanically and/or electro-chemically roughened, anodically oxidized and optionally hydrophilized aluminium support and a non-photosensitive, water-soluble protective layer applied thereto, characterized in that the layer contains a water-soluble organic compound which contains at least one OH- or NH-acidic group having a pKa value of ≦8 as acid or salt, and has a layer thickness which is smaller than the average roughness ra of the support material, determined by optical means. Even after extended storage at elevated temperature, the dummy plate can easily be used without an additional development step and exhibits no tendency to stick.

Abstract: A printing machine is described that includes a rotary plate for decollating top sheet from a stack of sheets by turning the top sheet so as to expose a second sheet. The machine also has a clamping finger that tilts into position to hold the second sheet once the top sheet has been turned. The top sheet is then turned back to the original position, aligned with the feed direction.