Abstract: This invention concerns a calcium polyphosphate material consisting of amorphous nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately between about 45 nm to about 0.25 ?m that displays a considerable hardness (elastic modulus) of about 1.3 GPa. The inventive noncrystalline and biodegradable material that is produced under mild conditions, at room temperature, is morphogenetically active and preferably induces bone formation and the expression of the marker gene for osteoblast activity, alkaline phosphatase. In a preferred aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing amorphous retinol/calcium-polyphosphate nanospheres (retinol/aCa-polyP-NS) that show several unexpected properties and can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of a variety of dermatological conditions, including photoaging.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the production of amorphous, nano- or microparticular materials based on inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) and calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate that show osteogenic activity. In one aspect of the invention, the inventor shows that amorphous calcium polyphosphate (Ca-polyP) microparticles can be used for biological functionalization of titanium alloy surfaces. The inventive method allows the fabrication of a durable and stable, almost homogeneous and morphogenetically active Ca-polyP layer on titanium oxidized Ti-6Al-4V scaffolds that supports the growth and enhances the functional activity of bone cells, in contrast to biologically inert non-modified titanium surfaces. A preferred aspect relates to the formation of amorphous calcium phosphate (CaP) particles in the presence of low concentrations of sodium polyP. This material causes a strong upregulation of the expression of proteins involved in bone formation.

Abstract: This invention concerns a formula for the synthesis of a printable hybrid material, formed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and polyphosphate (polyP). Both polymers are linked together by calcium ions. The inventive CMC-polyP material, in combination with alginate, is biocompatible, biodegradable and useful for three-dimensional (3D) printing and 3D cell printing (bioprinting). The CMC-polyP scaffold, hardened by exposure to calcium ions, is morphogenetically active and can be used in bone N tissue engineering, as a bio mimetic 3-phase scaffold that mimics and induces essential phases in bone repair, including blood clot formation and platelet degranulation (release of growth factors and cytokines) (Phase 1: initiation phase), calcium carbonate bioseed formation (Phase 2: nucleation) and expression/activation of bone alkaline phosphatase (Phase 3: hydroxyapatite-biomineral.

Abstract: This invention concerns a biomimetic material based on energy-rich amorphous magnesium polyphosphate (Mg-polyP) microparticles that enhance cartilage synthesis and regeneration. One preferred formulation of the inventive material is a hyaluronic acid-Mg/Ca-polyP paste that can be produced from a water-soluble salt of polyP and water-soluble hyaluronic acid in the presence of water-insoluble/nearly insoluble calcium carbonate. Surprisingly, the inventor found that this cartilage-like material comprising amorphous Mg/Ca-polyP microparticles promotes the adhesion of chondrocytes and strongly upregulates the expression of the chondrocyte marker genes encoding alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 3A1, aggrecan and Sox9.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sealing dentinal tubules exposed at the tooth surface as a consequence of enamel defects, based on amorphous calcium polyphosphate (Ca-polyP) nano- or microparticles that strongly bind both to tooth enamel, cementum and dentin surfaces. The inventive method can also be used for the production of morphogenetically active tooth implants. A further aspect of this invention concerns the incorporation of such nano- or microparticles, after encapsulation of retinol (“retinol/aCa-polyP nano- or microspheres”), into wound dressings and related materials that are made, e.g., by electrospinning. The resulting, inventive retinol/aCa-polyP nano- or microspheres fiber mats show antimicrobial and wound healing properties and was found to increase the expression of the genes encoding for leptin and the leptin receptor, as well as the fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in a synergistic manner.

Abstract: This invention concerns a calcium polyphosphate material consisting of amorphous nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately between about 45 nm to about 0.25 ?m that displays a considerable hardness (elastic modulus) of about 1.3 GPa. The inventive noncrystalline and biodegradable material that is produced under mild conditions, at room temperature, is morphogenetically active and preferably induces bone formation and the expression of the marker gene for osteoblast activity, alkaline phosphatase. In a preferred aspect, the invention concerns a method for producing amorphous retinol/calcium-polyphosphate nanospheres (retinol/aCa-polyP-NS) that show several unexpected properties and can be used in the treatment or prophylaxis of a variety of dermatological conditions, including photoaging.

Abstract: A method and a device for injecting a fluid into a layer of rock or earth, such as a crude oil-containing layer of rock or earth, for example, for the tertiary crude oil production by means of a suitable line, wherein the line is introduced into the layer of rock or earth. The line consists of an inner pipe and an outer pipe. The inner pipe is provided with injection nozzles. The injection nozzles are positioned and thus ensure a pressing of the fluid into the surrounding layer of rock or earth via the openings in the outer pipe in a positioned manner. Means which allow for a selective impacting of the individual injection nozzles, are located in the interior of the inner pipe. The fluid is pressed into the surrounding layer of rock or earth in a positioned manner.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for injecting a fluid into a crude oil-containing layer of rock or earth by means of a suitable line, wherein the line is introduced into the layer of rock or earth and the fluid is injected for the purpose of an enhanced crude oil production from the crude oil-containing layer of rock or earth.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for injecting a fluid into a crude oil-containing layer of rock or earth by means of a suitable line, wherein the line is introduced into the layer of rock or earth and the fluid is injected for the purpose of an enhanced crude oil production from the crude oil-containing layer of rock or earth.

Abstract: A process (10) for synthesising hydrocarbons includes feeding a gaseous feedstock (18) comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, into a first Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage (12) which is a three-phase low temperature catalytic Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage, and allowing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide partially to react catalytically in the first reaction stage (12) to form hydrocarbons. At least a portion of a tail gas (32) which includes unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide obtained from the first reaction stage, is fed into a second Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage (42) which is a two-phase high temperature catalytic Fischer-Tropsch reaction stage. The hydrogen and carbon monoxide are allowed at least partially to react catalytically in the second reaction stage (42) to form gaseous hydrocarbons.

Abstract: This invention provides an understanding of the structure and porosity of soil and stony regions. The method is characterized by release of a measuring gas in the region being investigated and its penetration through the investigated region to several places where it is captured and measured. Thus, the measured data from the various measuring locations provides the structure and the porosity of the region being investigated. The method is especially suited for the investigation of dams and the location of underground cavities and tectonic faults.

Abstract: A steering column switch with a warning flashing switch that overlaps a steering column spindle. There is a conductor plate perpendicular to the axis of the steering spindle with an actuating member for the actuation of a slider switch provided in the peripheral wall of the steering column switch. In an annular section of the conductor plate there are contact heads on either side of the plate. The slider has a circular, segment-shaped cross section and is parallel with the axis of the steering column switch, and shiftable perpendicular to the plane of the conductor plate. The slider carries several contact bridges which cooperate with the contact heads of the conductor plate. Contact bridges on the conductor plate are non-flexibly held and fixed to the slider and establish stop positions of the slider when the contact bridge engages the contact heads on the conductor plate.

Abstract: A steering column switch with a rotary pin aligned and parallel to the steering spindle and maintained between socket plates with a switching lever having an annular slider therein encompassing the steering spindle. A rotary pin is retained within a passage in the annular slider. The annular slider is rotatable around the rotary pin and can also be tilted relative to the axis of the rotary pin. The annular slider has a stop profile diametrically opposite the passage for the rotary pin into which a stop spring is engaged. There are contact plates on the rotary pin adjacent the areas where it engages the socket plates. A saddle-shaped contact bridge causes completion of an electrical circuit depending upon the direction of tilting the annular slider.

Abstract: Circuit arrangement for monitoring an electricity-consuming load fed with direct current one terminal of which is grounded, particularly for monitoring an incandescent of an automotive vehicle, and the circuit arrangement being installable without interfering with the existing network of lines or cutting conductors. Between the switch of the load and the current-consuming device a measurement coil is arranged parallel to a conductor within the magnetic field produced by the flow of electricity through the conductor, the input of the coil being connected to a voltage supply source and its output being connected in a Schmitt trigger circuit with the non-inverting input of a differential amplifier constituted as operational amplifier and the output of the amplifier being fed back via a resistor to the non-inverting input and being connected to a fault indicator.

Abstract: A plate conveyor or moving walk, especially for transporting individuals, comprising plates or pallets arranged in succession in the direction of travel of the moving walk. These plates are connected with two essentially mutually parallely extending, endless drive chains. Traveling rolls enable the plate conveyor to revolve upon guide rails in one or a number of horizontal and/or inclined planes or portions. The drive chains are arranged along sides of the plates extending parallel to the direction of travel of the plate conveyor. Each chain link is connected by at least one attachment element with one of the plates.