Abstract: A method for assessing the status of degradation and/or integrity of one or more nucleic acids in a sample, which includes amplifying at least two overlapping regions within at least one locus and detecting the amount of the amplification products using at least two probes, where one probe binds to an overlapping region and the other probe binds to a non-overlapping region. Also, a method of designing primers and/or probes for amplifying at least two overlapping regions within at least one single copy locus or multicopy locus. Also a primer and a primer pair for amplifying at least two overlapping regions from one nucleic acid template which is a multicopy locus present in loci in the human genome. Also a kit including primers and/or probes for assessing the status of degradation and/or integrity of one or more nucleic acids in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to pH-dependent mutant interleukin-2 polypeptides that exhibit reduced IL-2 receptor binding at neutral pH and retained IL-2 receptor binding at reduced pH. In addition, the invention relates to immunoconjugates comprising said pH-dependent mutant IL-2 polypeptides, polynucleotide molecules encoding the pH-dependent mutant IL-2 polypeptides or immunoconjugates, and vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotide molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the pH-dependent mutant IL-2 polypeptides or immunoconjugates, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide primers and probes for quantifying and/or detecting human male DNA in a forensic sample. The oligonucleotides are useful for amplifying a multicopy locus within the human Y-chromosome (MCL-Y) that shares at least 80% sequence identity to a sequence according to SEQ ID NO. 3 over a stretch of at least 60 base pairs. The oligonucleotides hybridize under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid having at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 3 to SEQ ID NO. 11 and/or SEQ ID NO. 17 to SEQ ID NO. 25. Kits including the oligonucleotide primers, probes and/or primer pairs and reagents for performing an amplification reaction on DNA recovered from a forensic sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A load cell has a longitudinal body including a bending beam axially between a force input element and a force output element, strain gages applied on strainable measuring parts of the bending beam, a hermetically sealed enclosure outside around the strain gages and the strainable measuring parts, and an overload protection arrangement including an overload beam in a recess in the bending beam, a receiving hole partially in the overload beam, and a fitting pin received in the receiving hole so that a defined gap is formed between the fitting pin and an adjacent stop surface in the recess of the bending beam. In further embodiments, the enclosure includes a stiff pipe sleeve and ring elements with flexible membranes connecting the sleeve to the longitudinal body, and a mounting end face of the longitudinal body has centering pins in holes and an O-ring in a groove.

Abstract: A load cell has a longitudinal body including a bending beam axially between a force input element and a force output element, strain gages applied on strainable measuring parts of the bending beam, a hermetically sealed enclosure outside around the strain gages and the strainable measuring parts, and an overload protection arrangement including an overload beam in a recess in the bending beam, a receiving hole partially in the overload beam, and a fitting pin received in the receiving hole so that a defined gap is formed between the fitting pin and an adjacent stop surface in the recess of the bending beam. In further embodiments, the enclosure includes a stiff pipe sleeve and ring elements with flexible membranes connecting the sleeve to the longitudinal body, and a mounting end face of the longitudinal body has centering pins in holes and an 0-ring in a groove.

Abstract: A load cell includes a longitudinal body including force input and output elements and a bending beam, strain gages, and a hermetically sealed enclosure. A force applied onto the input element perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis causes bending strain of the beam, which is measured by the strain gages. The enclosure includes a stiff pipe sleeve and two ring elements, which each include a membrane that is more flexible than the pipe sleeve, and which support the pipe sleeve relative to and spaced radially away from the longitudinal body. The membranes preferably decouple the pipe sleeve from the longitudinal body so that essentially none of the applied force is shunted into the pipe sleeve. Preferably a cylindrical outer surface of the pipe sleeve can avoid accumulation of contaminants.

Abstract: A load cell has a longitudinal body including a bending beam axially between a force input element and a force output element, strain gages applied on strainable measuring parts of the bending beam, a hermetically sealed enclosure outside around the strain gages and the strainable measuring parts, an O-ring and centering pins. An end face of the force input or output element is to be connected to a weighing scale part in an aligned, force-transmitting, hermetically-sealed manner, for which the end face has centering holes receiving the centering pins, a circular groove receiving the O-ring, and a threaded hole receiving a connecting bolt. Further embodiments involve an overload protection integrated in the bending beam, or the enclosure including a stiff pipe sleeve and ring elements with flexible membranes connecting the sleeve to the longitudinal body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell, preferably for an aseptic platform scale, which is embodied rod-shaped and includes a force introduction element (1) and a force output element (2) and a force measuring element arranged axially therebetween. In that regard, the force measuring element comprises a bending beam (3), of which the internally located measuring spring parts (12) with the strain gages applied thereon are hermetically tightly enclosed by welded metal parts (4, 5, 6). In that regard, the force introduction element (1), the force measuring element (3) and the force output element (2) are embodied substantially rotationally symmetrically and rounded-off along a longitudinal axis (9), whereby the force measuring element comprises a flexurally stiff pipe sleeve (4) with the bending beam (3) arranged therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the weight-dependent filling of containers, especially bottles (3), which comprise a tubular neck section (7) and which consists of a fill nozzle (8), a weighing device (5) and a holding element (6) for holding the container (3) under the fill nozzle (8). In that regard the weighing device (5) includes a force uptake element (14), a force introduction element (15) and a deformation body (17, 18) that is arranged therebetween and that is provided with strain gages (24) applied thereon. In that regard, the force uptake element (14) is secured on a machine frame (2) and the holding element (6) is secured on the force introduction element (15). The invention is characterized in that the force uptake element (14) is embodied as an outwardly lying ring element (14) and the force introduction element is embodied as a coaxially inwardly lying ring element (15), between which at least one radially spring-elastic connecting web (17, 18) is arranged as the deformation body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load cell, preferably for an aseptic platform scale, which is embodied rod-shaped and consists of a force input element (1) and a force output element (2) and a force measuring element arranged axially therebetween. In that regard, the force measuring element comprises a bending beam (3), of which the internally located measuring spring parts (12) with the strain gage strips applied thereon are hermetically tightly enclosed by welded metal parts (4, 5, 6), and the force F to be measured is introducible perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (9). The invention is characterized in that the force input element (1), the force measuring element (3) and the force output element (2) are embodied substantially rotationally symmetrical and rounded-off along a longitudinal axis (9), and that the force measuring element consists of a flexurally stiff pipe sleeve (4) with the bending beam (3) arranged therein.

Abstract: A monitoring system in a motor vehicle, for detecting an incorrectly locked detent connection between a gas bag module and a vehicle-fixed component, includes first and second detent elements complementary to each other. A signal circuit is provided, having first and second contact elements which are part of a switch arranged in the signal circuit, a monitoring signal being generated when the switch is closed. The contact elements are in electrical contact with each other, with the switch being closed, only in an incorrectly locked state of the first and second detent elements only.

Abstract: A gas bag module has several detent hooks by which it can be fastened to a component which is fixed to a vehicle, and a sheet metal carrier plate with a substantially flat base section. The detent hooks are connected in one piece with the base section and project therefrom.

Abstract: A gas bag module comprising a gas generator (16) and a module housing (14). The gas generator (16) has a generator flange (22), which is provided with first hook-shaped fastening elements (24) of sheet metal for fastening the gas bag module (12) to a steering wheel (10). The generator flange further has second fastening elements (30; 30?; 30?) for fastening the gas generator (16) to the module housing (14).

Abstract: An assembly of a steering wheel base body (12) and a gas bag module (14), the gas bag module (14) being able to be detachably latched with the steering wheel base body (12). A group of first latching elements (18; 318) is provided on the gas bag module (14) or the steering wheel base body (12), and at least one second latching element (22; 322), able to be brought into reversible locking engagement with the first latching elements (18; 318), is provided on the steering wheel base body (12) or the gas bag module (14). When the assembly (12, 14) has been put together, the first latching elements and the at least one second latching element (18, 22; 318, 322) are arranged so as to be movable with respect to each other in an unlocking direction (R; R?).

Abstract: An assembly for fastening a gas bag module to a vehicle, in particular in a steering wheel, has a first and a second detent element in engagement with each other defining a detent connection in a closed state. The first detent element and the second detent element are movable relative to each other in a movement direction over a defined displacement path. The first detent element has an indentation in which a contact region is formed running obliquely to the movement direction. The second detent element has at least one detent section, which is able to be brought into abutment with the contact region, and the detent section lies against the contact region under prestressing (F) over the entire displacement path.

Abstract: A gas bag module comprising a gas generator (16) and a module housing (14). The gas generator (16) has a generator flange (22), which is provided with first hook-shaped fastening elements (24) of sheet metal for fastening the gas bag module (12) to a steering wheel (10). The generator flange further has second fastening elements (30; 30′; 30″) for fastening the gas generator (16) to the module housing (14).

Abstract: A monitoring system in a motor vehicle, for detecting an incorrectly locked detent connection between a gas bag module and a vehicle-fixed component, includes first and second detent elements complementary to each other. A signal circuit is provided, having first and second contact elements which are part of a switch arranged in the signal circuit, a monitoring signal being generated when the switch is closed. The contact elements are in electrical contact with each other, with the switch being closed, only in an incorrectly locked state of the first and second detent elements only.

Abstract: A gas bag module has several detent hooks by which it can be fastened to a component which is fixed to a vehicle, and a sheet metal carrier plate with a substantially flat base section. The detent hooks are connected in one piece with the base section and project therefrom.

Abstract: An assembly of a steering wheel base body (12) and a gas bag module (14), the gas bag module (14) being able to be detachably latched with the steering wheel base body (12). A group of first latching elements (18; 318) is provided on the gas bag module (14) or the steering wheel base body (12), and at least one second latching element (22; 322), able to be brought into reversible locking engagement with the first latching elements (18; 318), is provided on the steering wheel base body (12) or the gas bag module (14). When the assembly (12, 14) has been put together, the first latching elements and the at least one second latching element (18, 22; 318, 322) are arranged so as to be movable with respect to each other in an unlocking direction (R; R′).