Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device for adjusting shutoff strips of an at least partly closable air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the shutoff strips leave the air inlet at least partly open and a second position in which the shutoff strips at least partly close the air inlet. The adjustment device comprises a drive unit, situated in a housing, which has a motor and a drive train with reduction stage. The drive train comprises an output shaft provided with a first coupling means facing outside the housing and a second coupling means facing outside the housing, opposite with respect to the first coupling means. The coupling means are configured to cooperate with, respectively, a first and a second coupling element of a first and second set of shutoff strips, respectively, for coupling the output shaft on both sides of the housing to the respective set of shutoff strips.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides immunogenic compositions, such as vaccines, including DNA vaccines, and uses thereof, e.g., to suppress or prevent an immune response and/or to treat or prevent an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods for the prevention or treatment of infections by negative strand RNA viruses, such as influenza virus and measles virus, wherein said compounds delay or inhibit viral replication by modulating the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in the synthesis or degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a cell, tissue, or subject. The methods involve administration of one or more compounds which modulate the level of gene expression, where the gene encodes a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, or modulate the level or activity of a polypeptide involved in regulating the metabolic level of S1P, such as sphingosine kinase (SK) and S1P lyase (SPL). Exemplary methods are directed towards reducing the level of SW by reducing the level or activity of one or more SKs, increasing the level or activity of one or more SPLs, or a combination of both steps.

Abstract: A method is provided for mass spectrometry. The method includes generating precursor ions from a sample; transmitting the precursor ions into a collision cell; generating product ions in the collision cell; detecting the precursor and product ions; applying modulation to one or more of the precursor ion intensity and the product ion intensity; and identifying precursor ion and product ion relationships by analyzing intensity profiles defined by the modulation.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed to methods and apparatuses for mass spectrometry that include configuring mass spectrometry apparatus to perform a plurality of separate assays on ions fragmented from a given analyte, where each such analysis by the spectrometry apparatus is targeted at a different respective associated mass-to-charge ratio and provides a quantitative measure of the number of fragments thereof.

Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting an air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the air inlet is substantially open and a second position in which the air inlet is substantially closed, comprising a drive unit for adjusting the air inlet between at least the first position and the second position, wherein the drive unit comprises a compound drive system.

Abstract: A process for treating a mixture of R,R- and S,S-lactide is provided. The process involves contacting the lactide mixture with an aliphatic alcohol and/or an alkoxide to produce a mixture of R,R- and S,S-aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid, subsequently contacting the mixture of R,R- and S,S-aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid with an enzyme to produce a mixture comprising aliphatic ester of lactic acid corresponding to one lactide enantiomer and the aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid corresponding to the other lactide enantiomer, and recovering the product. Also provided are processes for the production of S-lactic acid, S,S-lactide, poly-S-lactic acid, R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex polylactic acid.

Abstract: A method for modeling hydraulic fractures of a well. The method includes receiving a reservoir model that describes petrophysical properties of a subsurface of the earth near a reservoir. The method then receives one or more mechanical properties of the reservoir and generating a geomechanical model of the reservoir based on the reservoir model and the mechanical properties. After generating the geomechanical model of the reservoir, the method generates a three dimensional (3D) representation of the hydraulic fractures based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model.

Abstract: A process for treating a mixture of R,R- and S,S-lactide is provided. The process involves contacting the mixture with an aliphatic alcohol and an enzyme to produce a mixture comprising aliphatic ester of lactic acid corresponding to one lactide enantiomer and the aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid corresponding to the other lactide enantiomer; separating the mixture from the enzyme, and recycling the enzyme to the process; and separating the aliphatic ester of lactic acid from the aliphatic ester of lactyl-lactic acid by fractional distillation. Also provided are processes for the production of S-lactic acid, S,S-lactide, poly-S-lactic acid, R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex polylactic acid.

Abstract: A process for treating a mixture of R,R- and S,S-lactide is provided. The process involves contacting the mixture with an aliphatic alcohol and an enzyme in the presence of a ketone solvent to produce a mixture comprising aliphatic ester of lactic acid corresponding to one lactide enantiomer, and the aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid corresponding to the other lactide enantiomer. Also provided are processes for the production of S-lactic acid, S,S-lactide, poly-S-lactic acid, R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex polylactic acid.

Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting an air inlet of a motor compartment of a motor vehicle between at least a first position in which the air inlet is substantially open and a second position in which the air inlet is substantially closed, comprising a drive unit for adjusting the air inlet between at least the first position and the second position, further comprising an auxiliary unit which is arranged for adjusting the air inlet in case of a calamity for bringing the air inlet to a predefined position, comprising at least one energy storage element.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for differentiating reward programs that use the same identity holder. This differentiation allows different businesses to offer their own tailored rewards program while the consumer has the convenience of using a single identity holder. Moreover, the system and computer program product provide for integrating proximity and affinity into multi-business rewards programs. Finally, the system and computer program product provide for members of a consumer membership organization to receive rewards based on their membership, thus allowing the organization to receive financial incentives based on encouraging their members to shop at certain businesses.

Abstract: System and methods are provided to ameliorate a shortcoming identified by applicants for analyte meter in wireless communication to a server.

Abstract: An adaptively-spaced repetition learning system and method facilitate the learning of material over time through the presentation of the material at ever-increasing intervals. Embodiments of the system and method present a stimulus-response pair to a student to obtain a binary response that is either correct or incorrect. The token is next presented to the student based on the student's response. If the response is correct, then the token is presented to the student based on the initial repetition interval without modification. If the response is incorrect, then the learnedness value is reset and the progression through the repetition intervals is restarted. In some embodiments, the initial repetition intervals are dynamically adjusted based on the student's response to obtain revised repetition intervals. This is achieved by manipulating the exponent of the mathematical term representing the curve of the repetition intervals.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for integrating petroleum system and geomechanical computer models for use in oil and gas exploration. In one embodiment, the invention provides a petroleum system model capable of analyzing data relating to a subterranean formation and calculating the geometry and geochemistry of each layer of the formation through geologic time. The present invention also provides a geomechanical model in communication with the petroleum system model such that information concerning each layer of the subterranean formation may be shared and cross-referenced as an iterative operation prior to the analysis of subsequent layers. At each step of the iterative operation, results are calculated, validated, and cross-referenced in order to produce improved reliability estimates of petroleum charge and mechanical seal integrity for the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method for modeling hydraulic fractures of a well. The method includes receiving a reservoir model that describes petrophysical properties of a subsurface of the earth near a reservoir. The method then receives one or more mechanical properties of the reservoir and generating a geomechanical model of the reservoir based on the reservoir model and the mechanical properties. After generating the geomechanical model of the reservoir, the method generates a three dimensional (3D) representation of the hydraulic fractures based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model.

Abstract: A gastric space filler device effective for reducing stomach volume comprises at least one inflatable space filler and a sleeve to prevent leakage out of the gastric space filler device. The gastric space filler device may be inflated with an insufflation fluid and with mineral oil, which further has the effect of reducing leakage. Delivery systems and methods are effective for inserting a gastric space filler device into a patient. The gastric space filler device may be provided with sheaths and methods for covering the gastric space filler device during delivery into a patient.

Abstract: According to features of the present disclosure, a gastric space filler device and methods effective for reducing stomach volume are disclosed. A gastric space filler comprising at least one inflatable space filler and a sleeve to prevent leakage out of the gastric space filler device is disclosed. The gastric space filler device may be inflated with an insufflation fluid and with mineral oil, which further has the effect of reducing leakage. Delivery systems and methods for inserting a gastric space filler device into a patient are also disclosed. Sheaths and methods for covering a gastric space filler device during delivery into a patient are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for treating an inflammatory condition, treating haematological and other malignancies, causing immunosuppression, or preventing or treating transplant rejection in man or other animals which comprises administering to a patient a compound that has the structure of Formula (I) or Formula (II) as defined below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof or pro-drug therefor, wherein R?NH2, NHR1, NHOR2, NHNHR2, NHCOR2, and R1?C(1-4)alkyl, C(3-6)cycloalkyl, Cn, where n=1-3, R2=methyl, ethyl, R3=alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl, or substituted hetrecoaryl; wherein R4, R5?C(1-4)alkyl. Novel compounds according to Formula (III), wherein R6 and R7 are any of H, CH3CO, CH3CH2CO, CH3CH2CH2CO provided that R6 and R7 are not both H, or Formula (IV), wherein R8 and R9 are any of H, CH3CO, CH3CH2CO or CH3CH2CH2CO, having use in such methods, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to support means, which is for supporting a lateral conveyor adapted for mounting upon a mobile chassis, including a tail section, middle section and at least one head section having pivot points related to the conveyor frame separating said sections from each other. The support means includes a variable length mounting arm comprising at least first and second sections and first and second ends, and means for locking the length of the mounting arm into at least one fixed length corresponding to the length of the conveyor in use. The first end is fixed immobile in relation to the mobile chassis and the second end is fixed immobile in relation to the head section of the conveyor.