Abstract: A machine tool or a production machine, such as e.g. a multispindle machine, or a robot, is described, wherein a liquid metal lubricated slide bearing is not only used to transmit feed currents for electrical consumers but also to transmit currents for producing control signals. Accordingly, it is possible to apply via the liquid metal lubricated slide bearings a voltage of 600 volts in order to produce feed currents and a voltage of 24 volts in order to produce control signals.

Abstract: A process for operating a fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle. The fuel cell system (1) includes at least one fuel cell (3) as well as at least one reformer (2). To improve the possibility of warm start, a warm-holding mode, in which heat transfer takes place from the fuel cell (3) to the reformer (2), is activated after switching off the fuel cell system (1).

Abstract: A process is provided for operating a fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, wherein the fuel cell system (1) includes at least one reformer (2) and at least one fuel cell (3). To prolong the service life of the system (1), a warm-holding mode is carried out after switching off the fuel cell system (1). During the warm-holding mode an educt containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is fed to the reformer (2) and reacted with air in reformer (2) at a catalyst (5) of reformer (2) in an exothermal reaction.

Abstract: In a known method for the production of a blank mold for optical fibers, a fluorine-doped SiO2 enveloping glass is produced on a core glass cylinder that rotates about its longitudinal axis, wherein a silicon-containing starting substance is fed to a plasma burner, said substance is then oxidized in a plasma flame assigned to the plasma burner to obtain SiO2 particles, the SiO2 particles are deposited by layers on the enveloping surface of the cylinder of the core glass cylinder in the presence of fluorine and sintered into the enveloping glass. The invention aims at providing an economical method, which builds upon the above-mentioned method, in order to produce a blank mold from which optical multi-mode fibers (52) can be obtained.

Abstract: A biocompatible hydrogel comprises a specified content of polyacrylamide and pyrogen-free water. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydrogel and an injectable or implantable endoprosthesis. The hydrogel may also be used to treat a cosmetic or functional defect. Hydrogels specified according to their polyacrylamide content may be used for medical indications, such as an implantable or injectable endoprostheses for mammoplastic reconstruction, implantable or injectable endoprostheses for treating (reflux) oesophagitis, and for body contouring of various body parts.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for producing a seal between a first part and a second part, especially a first housing part and a second housing part. The seal can be produced according to a physical property of an electroactive plastic material which can be modified. A device for receiving an electrical circuit and/or a device including electrical switching device is also disclosed, having at least one first and one second housing part operating as a first part and a second part, with an above-mentioned device. A method is further disclosed for producing a seal between a first part and a second part, especially a first housing part and a second housing part, by way of such a device, a first electrical voltage being applied to create the seal, and a second electrical voltage being applied to lift the seal.

Abstract: A machine having two machine parts, of which one is able to be rotated relative to the other, in which light signals are transferred from the one part to the other part. The light signals are transmitted radially to the axis of rotation of the rotatable machine part. In a first embodiment a plurality of light sources couple light into an optical waveguide ring which is coupled out over the entire outer circle of the optical waveguide ring so that it is guaranteed that light signals reach a receiver arranged radially outside in each case. In another embodiment light sources couple light into optical waveguide structures, with branches of the optical waveguides guaranteeing that on the outer circle of the one component the exit points for light are sufficiently dense that for any given angular position of the rotatable component at least one of two receivers receives a light signal.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus, in particular for measuring current, is provided. In at least one embodiment, the measuring apparatus includes a sensor and an evaluation device which is coupled or can be coupled thereto, in which the coupling is effected contactlessly, in particular by way of a transponder interface. As such, on the one hand current can be measured in a reaction-free manner, wherein on the other hand the resulting measuring apparatus can be used in a particularly flexible and versatile manner on account of the maneuverability of the components with respect to one another and on account of the relatively large possible distance between the two parts of the transponder interface.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention specifies a current-sensing apparatus and/or a method for its operation which is based on the current sensor provided being a GMR sensor in the form of a gradient sensor and on the gradient sensor, or a component which includes this gradient sensor, itself including a conductor section of a compensating circuit. As such, the current in the measurement circuit can be compensated for by a current in the compensating circuit and the compensating current can be evaluated as a measure of the electrical variable to be detected for the measurement circuit.

Abstract: A key-operated switch includes a first excitation device which generates a first alternating magnetic field and has a first inductance. The key-operated switch is constructed in such a manner that the first alternating magnetic field can be used to scan a first coding of a key, with the first coding changing the first inductance of the first excitation device. The first coding is read by the key-operated switch in this manner. The key associated with the key-operated switch has a carrier element which is not electrically conductive and is not magnetizable. Arranged on the carrier element is the first coding which is made of an electrically conductive and/or magnetizable material. As a result, the key can be scanned without wear.

Abstract: There are disclosed compound of formula I, in which R1 represents a hydrophobic moiety adapted to occupy the C? channel of human CDId, R2 represents a hydrophobic moiety adapted to occupy the A? channel of human CDId, such that R1 fills at least at least 30% of the occupied volume of the C? channel compared to the volume occupied by the terminal nC14H29 of the sphingosine chain of ?-galactosylceramide when bound to human CDId and R2 fills at least 30% of the occupied volume of the A? channel compared to the volume occupied by the terminal nC25H51 of the acyl chain of ?-galactosylceramide when bound to human CDId R3 represents hydrogen or OH, Ra and Rb each represent hydrogen and in addition, when R3 represents hydrogen, Ra and Rb together may form a single bond, X represents or —CHA(CHOH)nY or —P(?0)(0?)0CH2(CH0H)mY, in which Y represents CHB1B2, n represents an integer from 1 to 4, m represents 0 or 1, A årepresents hydrogen, one of B1 and B2 represents H, OH or phenyl, and the other represents hydrogen or o

Abstract: An immersive audio-visual system (and a method) for creating an enhanced interactive and immersive audio-visual environment is disclosed. The immersive audio-visual environment enables participants to enjoy true interactive, immersive audio-visual reality experience in a variety of applications. The immersive audio-visual system comprises an immersive video system, an immersive audio system and an immersive audio-visual production system. The video system creates immersive stereoscopic videos that mix live videos, computer generated graphic images and human interactions with the system. The immersive audio system creates immersive sounds with each sound resource positioned correct with respect to the position of an associated participant in a video scene. The immersive audio-video production system produces an enhanced immersive audio and videos based on the generated immersive stereoscopic videos and immersive sounds.

Abstract: An immersive audio-visual system (and a method) for creating an enhanced interactive and immersive audio-visual environment is disclosed. The immersive audio-visual environment enables participants to enjoy true interactive, immersive audio-visual reality experience in a variety of applications. The immersive audio-visual system comprises an immersive video system, an immersive audio system and an immersive audio-visual production system. The video system creates immersive stereoscopic videos that mix live videos, computer generated graphic images and human interactions with the system. The immersive audio system creates immersive sounds with each sound resource positioned correct with respect to the position of an associated participant in a video scene. The immersive audio-video production system produces an enhanced immersive audio and videos based on the generated immersive stereoscopic videos and immersive sounds.

Abstract: An immersive audio-visual system (and a method) for creating an enhanced interactive and immersive audio-visual environment is disclosed. The immersive audio-visual environment enables participants to enjoy true interactive, immersive audio-visual reality experience in a variety of applications. The immersive audio-visual system comprises an immersive video system, an immersive audio system and an immersive audio-visual production system. The video system creates immersive stereoscopic videos that mix live videos, computer generated graphic images and human interactions with the system. The immersive audio system creates immersive sounds with each sound resource positioned correct with respect to the position of an associated participant in a video scene. The immersive audio-video production system produces an enhanced immersive audio and videos based on the generated immersive stereoscopic videos and immersive sounds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating transactions in a wide area network. Information relating to a transaction between a first party and a second party is provided to a third party via the wide area network. The third party is then enabled to facilitate consummation of the transaction between the first and second parties via the wide area network. According to a specific embodiment, the information includes a bid price associated with the first party and an ask price associated with the second party, the third party being enabled to cover at least part of a difference between the bid and ask prices via the wide area network.

Abstract: To enable signals to be transmitted from a fixed machine part to a machine part opposite same which rotates on a hollow shaft or vice versa, light must be able to be transmitted or received over the entire circumference. This is achieved by using an optical waveguide which, unlike conventional optical waveguides, is designed to couple out some of the light passing through it and, conversely, to allow light to enter, at any locations on its circumference.

Abstract: A machine having two machine parts, of which one is able to be rotated relative to the other, in which light signals are transferred from the one part to the other part. The light signals are transmitted radially to the axis of rotation of the rotatable machine part. In a first embodiment a plurality of light sources couple light into an optical waveguide ring which is coupled out over the entire outer circle of the optical waveguide ring so that it is guaranteed that light signals reach a receiver arranged radially outside in each case. In another embodiment light sources couple light into optical waveguide structures, with branches of the optical waveguides guaranteeing that on the outer circle of the one component the exit points for light are sufficiently dense that for any given angular position of the rotatable component at least one of two receivers receives a light signal.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a fixed computed tomography (CT) system including a storage device configured to share power delivery with an input power line in order to reduce peak load requirements of the input power line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating neurological-urological conditions. This is accomplished by administration of at least one neurotoxin.