Abstract: A device for sorting biological entities is disclosed. The device comprises a channel to canalize the biological entities and a selector having slots to accommodate said entities. Means for detecting and analysing an optical parameter of the biological entities is coupled with the selector. The selector can switch from a rest position to a sorting position, or at least two sorting positions, based on the detected and analysed optical parameter, so that biological entities can be sorted on the basis of their optical properties. The device is particularly intended for sorting egg cells, zygotes, embryos, or larvae of an insect, an amphibian or a fish such as Xenopus laevis, C. elegans or zebfrafish Danio rerio.

Abstract: A random access memory having a memory array having a plurality of local memory groups, each local memory group including a plurality of bitcells arranged in a bitcell column, a pair of local bitlines operatively connected to the plurality of bitcells, a pair of global read bitlines, a local group read port arranged between the pair of local bitlines and the pair of global read bitlines for selectively accessing one of the local bitlines depending on a state of a selected bitcell, and a local group precharge circuit operatively arranged between the pair of local bitlines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of inhibitors of Notch signalling pathway selected from the group consisting of 6-(4-Tert-Butylphenoxy)Pyridin-3-Amine (I3), its derivatives, in treating and/or preventing cancers.

Abstract: A novel mechanical system, based on a new cable driven mechanical transmission, able to provide sufficient dexterity, stiffness, speed, precision and payload capacity to actuate multi-DOF micro-manipulators. Besides the possibility of being used in several articulated surgical instruments and robotic systems for surgery or other applications involving remote manipulation, it enables the design of a novel fully mechanical surgical instrument, which offer the advantages of conventional laparoscopy (low cost, tactile feedback, high payload capacity) combined with the advantages of single port surgery (single incision, scarless surgery, navigation through several quadrants of the abdominal cavity) and robotic surgery (greater degrees of freedom, short learning curve, high stiffness, high precision, increased intuition).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a robotic system useful to unload an object/person from its weight. The robotic system is useful in locomotor rehabilitation programs and allows the manipulation of forces in a three-dimensional space with far lower actuator requirements and a much higher precision than prior-art systems. The apparatus combines passive and active elements to minimize actuation requirements while still keeping inertia to a minimum and control precision to a maximum. It requires minimal actuators and at the same time has a low inertia.

Abstract: A device for electroadhesion and conversion of electrical energy into mechanical energy, for example electrostatic actuation, is provided, including a soft polymeric dielectric support having at least two sets of overlapping electrodes patterned respectively on the upper surface and bottom surface of the polymeric support, the electrodes of the two sets can be electrically activated through a power supply for providing voltage change suitable for electroadhesion, electrostatic actuation or both at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a A device for puncturing an object, in particular a bodily vein, comprising: a body defining an inner cavity with at least one opening and a perforating needle extending in the cavity and being movable in the cavity between a resting position and an active position where the needle extends at least partially through the opening outside the cavity, and actuating means arranged to move the needle between the resting and active positions. The actuating means comprises a tuneable multistable driving mechanism comprising at least a multistable element having a determined switching load, the multistable element being fixedly arranged between the needle and an inner wall of the cavity, and an actuator for transmitting energy to move the needle between the resting and active positions when the energy reaches the switching load.

Abstract: A device (100) is provided for treating diseases that produce elevated intraocular pressures, such as glaucoma, wherein the device (100) includes a housing shell (101) defining a cavity (107) between a first end (102) and a second end (104) of the housing shell (101), and an elastic membrane (110) disposed within the cavity (107) to divide the cavity (107) into a fluidic channel (106) that permits a flow of fluid from the first end (102) to the second (104) end and a sealed cavity (112). The elastic membrane (110) deforms to change the volume of the sealed cavity (107) responsive to pressure fluctuations between the first and second ends (102, 104), thereby varying the fluidic resistance of the flow of fluid through the fluidic channel (106).

Abstract: A method of analyzing molecules, comprising: generating ions from a sample of molecules; cooling the generated ions below ambient temperature; fragmenting at least some of the cooled ions by irradiating the ions with light at a plurality of different wavelengths (?) within one or more predetermined spectral intervals; recording a fragment mass spectrum of the fragmented ions comprising a detected signal (I) versus m/z over a predetermined range of m/z values for each of the plurality of different wavelengths (?), thereby recording a two-dimensional dependency of the detected signal (I) on m/z and irradiation wavelength (?); and determining from the recorded two-dimensional dependency an identity of at least one of the generated ions and/or relative abundances of different generated ions and thereby determining an identity of at least of one of the molecules and/or relative abundances of different molecules in the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is a composition for use as a hardening regulator, e.g. hardening accelerator or hardening retarder, for building materials, as well as methods for producing thereof. The composition is characterized by a biphasic nature in which solid calcium silicate nanoparticles are dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising inorganic water soluble iron, and possibly zinc, silicate and calcium, species. Additional components such as inorganic ions and silica nanoparticles can be present. Depending on the relative ratio of each component, the composition can be used either for retarding or for accelerating the hardening process of a building material such as cement or concretes. The so-obtained building material further shows an enhanced strength upon compressive forces applied thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterodimeric inactivatable chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and their use for treatment.

Abstract: Using a transformation based at least in part on a non-simple orthogonal or unitary matrix, data may be transmitted over a data bus in a manner that is resilient to one or more types of signal noise, that does not require a common reference at the transmission and acquisition points, and/or that has a pin-efficiency that is greater than 50% and may approach that of single-ended signaling. Such transformations may be implemented in hardware in an efficient manner. Hybrid transformers that apply such transformations to selected subsets of signals to be transmitted may be used to adapt to various signal set sizes and/or transmission environment properties including noise and physical space requirements of given transmission environments.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to systems for electrical neurostimulation of a spinal cord of a subject in need of nervous system function support. In one example, a system comprises a signal processing device configured to receive signals from the subject and operate signal-processing algorithms to elaborate stimulation parameter settings; one or more multi-electrode arrays suitable to cover a portion of the spinal cord of the subject; and an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) configured to receive the stimulation parameter settings from the signal processing device and simultaneously deliver independent current or voltage pulses to the one or more multiple electrode arrays, wherein the independent current or voltage pulses provide multipolar spatiotemporal stimulation of spinal circuits and/or dorsal roots. Such system advantageously enables effective control of nervous system functions in the subject by stimulating the spinal cord, such as the dorsal roots of the spinal cord, with spatiotemporal selectivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates, for example, to a semiconductor structure containing multiple parallel channels in which several parallel conductive channels are formed within the semiconductor structure. Electric contact or electrostatic control over all these channels is done by three-dimensional electrode structures. The multiple channel structure with three-dimensional electrodes can be applied to semiconductors devices such as field effect transistors, diodes, and other similar electronic or quantum-effect devices. This structure is practical for materials where multiple parallel conduction channels can be formed, such as in III-V semiconductors. Ill-Nitride semiconductors with such structures are described which can lead to increased power density, reduced on-resistance and improved device performance, in addition to reducing dynamic on-resistance, and improving the stability of their threshold voltage and reliability.

Abstract: A method of displaying an image on a see-through display comprises: obtaining a first electro-magnetic radiation matrix of radiation intensity values of an object; dividing the first matrix into a second matrix representing a first subset of the radiation intensity values, and a third matrix representing a second subset of the radiation intensity values; generating a first histogram for the second matrix; equalizing the first histogram to obtain an equalised second histogram; generating a first grayscale image representing the first subset of the radiation intensity values; colouring the first grayscale image with a first colourmap to obtain a first colour image; generating a second grayscale image representing the second subset of the radiation intensity values; colouring the second grayscale image with a second colourmap to obtain a second colour image; combining the first colour image and the second colour image; and displaying the combined colour image on the see-through display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing monomers via depolymerisation from lignocellulose-containing biomass.

Abstract: An implantable device for intrafascicular stimulation and/or sensing of a peripheral nerve, including a blocking element adapted for wrapping a nerve, comprising an access point and an exit point, and an electrode adapted to traverse the blocking element via the access point and the exit point having a distal end, a proximal end and an elongated body in between, the electrode being electrically isolated from the surrounding environment except that for an active site. In another aspect, the invention features a system comprising the implantable device of the invention operably coupled with an external device such an electrostimulator and/or a sensing device for sensing and recording electrical nerve signals.

Abstract: A dual-frequency-comb spectrometer and a method for spectroscopic investigation of a sample are described. The spectrometer includes first and second frequency comb devices for emitting laser pulses along first and second light paths, wherein the repetition frequency of the laser pulses emitted by the second device is offset from that of the first device. First and second multi-core waveguides including at least two separate single core waveguides having field-coupling via a coupling gap therebetween are arranged in the first and second light paths. The sample is irradiated by the second frequency comb in the second light path. A detector device is arranged in a third light path where the first and second light paths are combined, for simultaneously sensing the first frequency comb and the second frequency comb after an interaction with the sample. A computing device receives output of the detector device and calculates spectroscopic properties of the sample.

Abstract: A polymer-based optoelectronic interface comprises an elastomeric substrate (10) and a plurality of discrete photovoltaic pixel elements (20) disposed on top of the substrate. Each pixel element comprises at least one active layer comprising a semiconducting polymer or polymer mixture. The pixel elements are excitable by light to generate an electric signal via a photovoltaic process. For mechanically protecting the pixel elements, an elastomeric encapsulation layer (30) can be disposed on top of the substrate, the encapsulation layer defining access openings (31) for the pixel elements (20). Pillar-like structures (40) can be disposed on the pixel elements. Methods for fabricating such an optoelectronic interface are also disclosed. The optoelectronic interface can be used as a retinal prosthesis.

Abstract: A preferred frequency is identified, being usable to stimulate a neurological target within a mammalian body using at least one microelectrode positioned at or near the target. To establish efficient and effective stimulation, an impedance analyzer is provided for measuring electrical impedance values indicative of a microelectrode-tissue interface across a range of different frequencies. A preferred one of the measured electrical impedance values is identified as being closest to a pure resistance. The neurological target can then be stimulated at or near the frequency associated with the preferred impedance value (peak resistance frequency), thereby promoting desirable traits, such as optimum charge transfer, minimum signal distortion, increased stimulation efficiency, and prevention of microelectrode corrosion. The peak resistance frequency can be used to determine an preferred pulse shape.