Abstract: An ice fishing rod holding device is an automatic fishing device having a U-shaped base, a fishing rod perpendicularly secured adjacent a base end opposite a U-shaped base cutout, and a pin assembly which retains the rod in a horizontal position until a fish strikes a bait secured to the end of the rod by a length of fishing line. Secured at the base of the rod is a flexible spring. Secured at the distal end of the rod are a pair of spheres. The device may emit an audible alarm when activated.

Abstract: A system to maintain a knowledge base including a device to: (i) generate a first interface to: receive a query for transmission to a question-answer system and provide a response including one or more proposed triple in a list, (ii) after selection of a particular triple, generate a second interface to: provide at least one evidence record including a span of text in support of the particular triple, and provide one or more control element associated with each evidence record including at least one of: a first control element selectable to cite its corresponding evidence record and span of text as supporting the particular triple, or a second control element selectable to prevent its corresponding evidence record and span of text from being cited as supporting the particular triple, and (iii) generate a data structure, based on selections of the one or more control element, to update the knowledge base.

Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional microtissue comprising the reaction of at least two cytocompatible polymer solutions, each polymer comprising complementary reactive groups capable of spontaneous reaction, at least one of which solutions additionally contains cells. The method allows the rapid, efficient production of microtissues useful for purposes such as pharmaceutical screening and tissue reconstruction.

Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when specific routine does not exist.

Abstract: A robot control system has a connection module for a data network and includes a filter module configured to read data out of a data flow of a data network. The filter module identifies real-time data in the data network and extracts the real-time data as required. In addition, a method for directing data traffic in real time between a data system based on real-time and a network includes the steps of monitoring a data flow in the network for defined data using a filter module in the data system, extracting the defined data from the network, identifying real-time data in the defined data using an identification characteristic, and relaying the real-time data to a first receiving module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complete method for producing pure silicon that is suitable for use as solar-grade silicon, comprising the reduction of a purified silicon oxide using one or more pure carbon sources, the purified silicon oxide, which was purified as silicon oxide dissolved in an aqueous phase, having a content of other polyvalent metals or metal oxides, in relation to the silicon oxide, of less than or equal to 300 ppm, preferably less than 100 ppm, especially preferably less than 50 ppm and according to the invention less than 10 ppm of the other metals and being obtained advantageously by gel formation in alkaline conditions. The invention also relates to a formulation containing an activator and to the use of purified silicon oxide together with an activator for producing silicon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a complete method for producing pure silicon that is suitable for use as solar-grade silicon, comprising the reduction of a silicon oxide, purified by acidic precipitation from an aqueous solution of a silicon oxide dissolved in an aqueous phase, using one or more pure carbon sources, the purified silicon oxide being obtained, in particular, by the precipitation of a silicon oxide dissolved in an aqueous phase in an acidifier. The invention also relates to a formulation containing an activator and to a device for producing silicon, a reactor and electrodes.

Abstract: There is provided compounds of formula I, wherein R1, R2, X1, X2 and n have meanings given in the description, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, which compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases in which inhibition of the activity of a lipoxygenase (e.g. 15-lipoxygenase) is desired and/or required, and particularly in the treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: There is provided compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, X1, X2 and n have meanings given in the description, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, which compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases in which inhibition of the activity of a lipoxygenase (e.g. 15-lipoxygenase) is desired and/or required, and particularly in the treatment of inflammation.

Abstract: A robot control system has a connection module for a data network and includes a filter module configured to read data out of a data flow of a data network. The filter module identifies real-time data in the data network and extracts the real-time data as required. In addition, a method for directing data traffic in real time between a data system based on real-time and a network includes the steps of monitoring a data flow in the network for defined data using a filter module in the data system, extracting the defined data from the network, identifying real-time data in the defined data using an identification characteristic, and relaying the real-time data to a first receiving module.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a double-layer membrane of different polymers or polymer mixtures with opposite blood-compatible and tissue-compatible surfaces, a first polymer solution of a blood-compatible polymer and a second solution of a tissue-compatible polymer are extruded concurrently in layered form through a nozzle into a coagulation bath so as to form a double layer membrane.

Abstract: Polymeric composition, material produced thereof and their applications The invention relates to a novel polymer composition comprising at least one copolymer constituted of acrylic (AC) monomer units and of at least one water-soluble comonomer unit, which is preferably 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The composition is used to produce materials, such as membranes, film or suface coatings, that are suitable as highly tissue compatible supports for epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. The materials are suitable to be used in a bioartificial liver, where they work as separating membrane and carrier for adhesion-dependent tissue cells. As an example it is described how selectively permeable membranes are formed by a phase inversion process from these acrylic copolymers with varying content of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and how they interact with liver cells to construct a biohybrid organ for liver replacement.

Abstract: Benzimidazole compounds of the general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof are peptide deformylase inhibitors useful in the treatment or prevention of infections and other diseases in which peptide deformylases are involved, especially in the treatment of bacterial and parasitic infections, for example infections fully or partly caused by microorganisms belonging to Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Moraxella, Escherichia, Mycobacterium, Mycoplasma, Pseudomonas, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Klebsiella, Shigella, Salmonella, Bordetella, Clostridium, helicobacter, Campylobacter, Legionella, or Neisseria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer substrate for cultivating tissue cells. The substrate is provided in form of an oxygen-permeable flat membrane, preferably with ultra-filtration properties, and has an optimized amine content of at least 10 nmole amine function per cm2 membrane. The substrate can be used to treat burns and other tissue defects. The substrate can be rapidly populated with cells, in particular with keratinozytes, and supports reorientation of the cells after the populated membrane is transferred to a wound or a dermis equivalent. The substrate can also be later easily detached from the newly formed tissue structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel polymer composition comprising at least one copolymer constituted of acrylic (AC) monomer units and of at least one water-soluble comonomer unit, which is preferably 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The composition is used to produce materials, such as membranes, film or suface coatings, that arc suitable as highly tissue compatible supports for epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. The materials are suitable to be used in a bioartificial liver, where they work as separating membrane and carrier for adhesion-dependent tissue cells. As an example it is described how selectively permeable membranes are formed by a phase inversion process from these acrylic copolymers with varying content of 2-aclylanido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and how they interact with liver cells to construct a biohybrid organ for liver replacement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a matrix structure for inducing a neofascia with at least one two-dimensional matrix of at least one biocompatible and resorbable polymer, wherein the surface of the matrix is designed to immobilize tissue cells, in particular autologous fibrocytes of the fascia transversalis, and to reduce a preferably three-dimensional tissue growth in vitro or in vivo. The invention is also directed to a hybrid matrix system, which includes the matrix structure and tissue cells immobilized thereon. The novel matrix as well as the fascia hybrid are characterized by a high biocompatibility and overcome the disadvantages of non-degradable implants, thereby promoting formation of a neofascia with native biomechanical properties.

Abstract: A star-blocked polymeric material based on polyethylene glycol and having a uniform distribution of both hydroxy and amine functional groups throughout the polymeric material is described. The polymeric material, known as HYDRA (hydroxy and amine functionalized resin), is prepared by forming a polyimine compound by reacting an aldehyde and an amine. The polyimine is then reacted with a reducing agent to form a star-blocked polymeric material. HYDRA resins can be used, for example, as solid supports for organic synthesis, for enzymatic assays, for immobilization of biomolecules, for controlled release of drugs, and for chromatographic separations.

Abstract: In a membrane body and a method for producing such a body, at least one hollow membrane is provided which is joined to, and at least partially surrounded by, a flat membrane to form a combined hollow and flat membrane body for separating more than one component from a fluid mixture.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a double-layer membrane of different polymers or polymer mixtures with opposite blood-compatible and tissue-compatible surfaces, a first polymer solution of a blood-compatible polymer and a second solution of a tissue-compatible polymer are extruded concurrently in layered form through a nozzle into a coagulation bath so as to form a double layer membrane.

Abstract: A star-blocked polymeric material based on polyethylene glycol and having a uniform distribution of both hydroxy and amine functional groups throughout the polymeric material is described. The polymeric material, known as HYDRA (hydroxy and amine functionalised resin), is prepared by forming a polyimine compound by reacting an aldehyde and an amine. The polyimine is then reacted with a reducing agent to form a star-blocked polymeric material. HYDRA resins can be used, for example, as solid supports for organic synthesis, for enzymatic assays, for immobilization of biomolecules, for controlled release of drugs, and for chromatographic separations.