Abstract: In a method for the coating of substrates made of plastic, with a light-reflecting layer, preferably an aluminum layer, and another layer placed between the substrate and the light-reflecting layer, the additional layer, which has a high barrier effect to substances which migrate or evolve gases from the plastic, is a highly crosslinked hydrocarbon layer, a silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride layer, with a thickness of at least 15 nm, wherein the carbon content of the barrier layer is <15%.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified acetylcholine receptor subunits, to nucleic acids coding modified acetylchloine receptor subunits, and to methods for finding active ingredients for crop protection and active pharmaceutical ingredients for treating humans and/or animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides having the biological activity of latrotoxin receptors, and to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, and in particular to their use for finding active compounds for crop protection.

Abstract: A process for coating plastic substrates with a transparent layer compact that is not sensitive to scratches and abrasion and resistant to atmospheric influence with a plasma flame in a vacuum chamber at some distance from the substrate. The process includes the steps of: a cleaning of the substrate with an oxidizing gas in a first procedural step and then a cross linkage with an inert gas in a second procedural step, an oxidizing gas and a silicon-organic compound are used in a third procedural step to produce a first barrier layer, and an oxidizing gas, a silicon-organic compound, and a UV-absorbing compound are used in a fourth procedural step to deposit a sublayer with UV absorbers, an oxidizing gas and a silicon-organic compound are used in a fifth procedural step to deposit a scratch-resistant layer, an inert gas and a silicon-organic compound are used in a sixth procedural step to deposit a smooth layer.

Abstract: In a method for the coating of substrates made of plastic, with a light-reflecting layer, preferably an aluminum layer, and another layer placed between the substrate and the light-reflecting layer, the additional layer, which has a high barrier effect to substances which migrate or evolve gases from the plastic, is a highly crosslinked hydrocarbon layer, a silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride layer, with a thickness of at least 15 nm, wherein the carbon content of the barrier layer is <15%.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides having the biological activity of peptide receptors, and to nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides, and in particular to their use for finding active compounds for crop protection.

Abstract: A structural arrangement for NOx sensors including a first selectively oxygen ion-conductive layer and a second gas-permeable, nonconductive layer, the latter having a porous spinel structure or porous platinum. The oxygen ion-conductive layer made from a mixed-conductive ceramic can have an additional layer of a material which is catalytically inactive to NOx.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode insect acetylcholine receptor &bgr; subunits, and to polypeptides which exert the biological function of such acetylcholine receptor &bgr; subunits, and in particular to their use for finding active compounds for crop protection.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode polypeptides with the bioactivity of the ultraspiracle protein, and to such polypeptides per se. The invention furthermore relates to methods of finding insecticidal active compounds and for the controlled expression of target genes (gene switch).

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids which encode insect acetylcholine receptor subunits, to the corresponding polypeptides, and to processes for discovering novel active compounds for plant protection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a flow rate of a fluid sample having an unknown or variable viscosity. The fluid sample is provided as a first fluid flow to a microfluidic channel. A second fluid is provided to the channel as a sheath around the first fluid. In one embodiment, the second fluid is injected between the first fluid flow and an internal surface of the channel. In another embodiment, the second fluid completely circumscribes the first fluid as a parallel or sheath flow. The second fluid has a known viscosity selected for achieving a flow rate. The first fluid flows at the same rate as the achieved flow rate of the second fluid.

Abstract: A method for detection of intracellular bacteria in a blood sample by staining with ethidium bromide and observing microscopically using fluorescence is provided. The bacteria stain rapidly and selectively and are detectable in complex mixtures. The bacteria may be in whole blood or may optionally be partially isolated or purified before staining.