Abstract: A mechanical collimator receives particles from a gamma radiation emission source and/or neutron emission source, a material that absorbs neutrons and is virtually transparent to gamma radiation A first detector includes a scintillator crystal with neutron-gamma discrimination capability and a position-sensitive photosensor, coupled to the mechanical collimator. One or more detector blocks have scintillator crystals of gamma or neutron-gamma radiation and position-sensitive photosensors, after the first detector, on a face opposite the mechanical collimator. A processing and acquisition module is connected to the detectors The device is suitable for use in inspections relating to nuclear safety, port safety, nuclear threats and accidents, and hadron-therapy treatments and nuclear medicine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the controlled fragmentation of solids by means of acoustic beams, comprising at least one acoustic beam generation unit (100); and one feedback and control unit (200) of said generation unit (100). Advantageously, the acoustic beams generated by the system are acoustic vortex beams; and the feedback and control unit (200) further comprises a feedback subsystem (12), configured to receive the information relating to the fragmented solids and to utilize it so as to adapt the operation of the acoustic beam generation unit (100). Given that the generation of shearing stresses is more efficient using vortex beams, the amplitudes of the ultrasonic field needed to fragment the calculi are much lower than in current extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy techniques. Likewise, the system minimizes unwanted effects on soft tissues surrounding the solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the strain of Holdemanella biformis CECT 9752, its cellular components, metabolites, and secreted molecules, and to compositions comprising the aforementioned products, in addition to the use of said strain, but also to the genus Holdemanella, and to the species H. biformis for preventing alterations in energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism, including, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Abstract: A device and a method for sensing the electrolytic conductivity of a fluid are disclosed. The device comprises a battery (1) having an oxidizing electrode (2) and a reducing electrode (3) connected by a hydrophilic and/or a porous material or an empty receptacle (4) providing a microfluidic cavity for a fluid (10), said battery (1) being activated upon the addition of said fluid (10) therein and providing electrical energy while the fluid (10) impregnates by capillarity said microfluidic cavity; and at least one instrument (5) connected to the battery (1). The instrument (5) has an equivalent impedance that makes the battery (1) work at a specific operating point allowing determining or discriminating among values of electrolytic conductivity of the fluid (10) and includes means for quantifying the electrolytic conductivity of the fluid (10), thereby inferring the conductivity of the fluid (10) from the performance of the battery (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an olive oil enriched with oleanolic acid that comprises a concentration of oleanolic acid between 580 and 650 mg/kg. This functional olive has proven to be effective in the treatment and prevention of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and pre-diabetes. Also, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of said functional olive oil enriched with oleanolic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for performing magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, which exploits prior knowledge of the interactions between electromagnetic fields and spins in the sampled object. This technique is able to provide shorter acquisition times with respect to traditional (Nyquist-Shannon limited) MRI. The method is based on an encoding matrix formalism constructed from the specific knowledge of how every spin would evolve in time depending on their position for a given pulse sequence. This particular previous knowledge has not been fully exploited previously by traditional MRI techniques. Moreover, the method of the invention can be used in combination with other schemes, such as compressed sensing, parallel imaging, or deep learning, for further shortening the MRI scan time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanostructured lipid gel formed by alternating layers and vesicles composed of phospholipids, fatty acids and a high water content. The structure and fluidity respond reversibly to temperature and pH, and they are capable of transporting at least one active ingredient within the skin and also to the follicles. The exclusively lipid composition ensures high biocompatibility, and the rheological behaviour facilitates topical and ocular application.

Abstract: A high stearic oilseed stearin fat including: from 19% to 95% of disaturated triglycerides in which the (w/w) ratio of disaturated triglycerides with one oleic acid to disaturated triglycerides with one linoleic acid (SOS/SLS) is higher than 1; and at least 1% of trisaturated triglycerides; in which the Ssn-2/Stotal×100 value is of from 11 to 98; and a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 needed for primase active as well as new replicative DNA polymerase enzymes, preferably that of SEQ ID NO: 2, comprising said peptide. Thus, these DNA polymerases are endowed with priming activity and do not require externally provided primers for initiating and performing DNA amplification. These polymerases are able to carry out a faithful and processive de novo DNA synthesis of DNA templates in the absence of pre-synthetized primers. Therefore, these enzymes of the invention act both as primases and DNA polymerases. Furthermore, they show translesion synthesis capacity, so that they may be useful not only for whole-genome amplification but also for the amplification of damaged DNAs. The invention further refers to methods for amplifying templates DNAs using these enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a population of connective tissue derived cells that respond to interferon-gamma (IFN-?) by expressing indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) for use in preventing, treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with disorders in which modulation of a subject's immune system is beneficial, including, but not limited to, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, and immunologically mediated diseases including rejection of transplanted organs and tissues.

Abstract: Vitreous material treatment uses a piece of vitreous material having two opposite faces and a laser emission beam source. The vitreous material is heated, and a laser beam radiated on one of the faces of the vitreous material to scan following a line surpassing the opposite edges of the face of the vitreous material while the vitreous material oscillates along a path. The scan is performed while the vitreous material is heated. The vitreous material is cooled. The laser beam scan follows a line surpassing the opposite edges of the face. The scan performed oscillating between a first point and a second point.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an In vitro method for screening for subjects at risk of developing thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or a disease causing TAA comprising: (a) measuring the expression pattern or level of at least A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) obtained from an isolated biological sample of the subjects to be screened; and (b) comparing said expression pattern or level of at least ADAMTS1 of the subjects to be screened with an already established expression pattern or level, wherein reduced expression of at least ADAMTS1 is indicative of a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sampling air-borne particles. According to one embodiment a nozzle is used to generate a jet of fog that includes a gas and liquid droplets. The jet of fog is formed by the nozzle in a way to cause particles in the air surrounding the jet of fog to be drawn into the jet of fog and to further cause the particles to aggregate with the liquid droplets inside the jet of fog. A sample collecting surface is located opposite and spaced apart from an outlet of the nozzle. The sample collecting surface is preferably sloped so that the liquid sample can be forced by gravity off the collecting surface and into a liquid sample container. Inside the jet of fog and on the sample collection surface the liquid droplets merge with one another to form larger sized droplets that are collectable in the liquid sample container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for identifying adsorbates deposited on resonance plates. The method includes (i) calculating a candidate mass and candidate position of the adsorbate, disregarding the effect of stiffness, from the measurement of the frequencies of the plate and prior knowledge of the mass of the plate; (ii) using the calculated values as a starting point for calculating the final values of the mass and position of the adsorbate and the different stiffness coefficients from the measurement of the frequencies of the plate; (iii) comparing the values of the candidate mass of the adsorbate and of the calculated coefficients with a set of previously stored reference values corresponding to a catalogue of known adsorbates; and (iv) identifying the adsorbate deposited on the plate as the adsorbate belonging to the catalogue that is most similar to the obtained values.

Abstract: An analysis system includes a reflective substrate; a hollow elongate structure with two ends; two polymer supports coupled to the ends and joined to the substrate; a piezoelectric device coupled to the substrate and designed to produce vibrations in the elongate structure; a laser for emitting a beam; a beam splitter; a photodetector; an amplification module; and a processor. The laser beam passes through the cavity and is absorbed by the photodetector, which generates a signal that is transmitted to the amplification module. The amplification module separates the signal into a modulated component and an unmodulated component. The signal is transmitted to the processor to obtain the resonance frequency and reflectance and to provide the piezoelectric device with an excitation signal at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining elastic properties of a soft solid by means of quasi-omnidirectional transverse waves generated by a focused ultrasound beam, with a helical phase profile that produces an acoustic vortex that generates a transverse wave front, not only in the direction perpendicular to the ultrasound beam but also in the same direction as the ultrasound beam. The invention also allows control of the transverse wave front generated, which facilitates the carrying out of elastography studies at different frequencies and increases the amplitude of the transverse waves produced, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The invention provides mitochondria-targeted chemiluminescent agents and their use in methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In particular, the invention provides compounds of general formula (I), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts: (I) in which A represents a chemiluminescent moiety; each L, which may be the same or different, is either a direct bond or a linker; each B, which may be the same or different, represents a mitotropic moiety; n is an integer from 1 to 3, preferably 1; and x is an integer from 1 to 3, preferably 1. Such compounds find particular use in the treatment of deeply-sited tumours, e.g. glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), when used in combination with a photosensitizer or photosensitizer precursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for biodetection applications comprising two basic elements, a substrate with a functionalized surface and a nanoparticle, the system being capable of enhancing the plasmonic effect of the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to a biosensor incorporating such system, in addition to the method for detecting and quantifying a target analyte selected in a sample using such system. Finally, the invention relates to a device which can detect the enhanced optoplasmonic effect of the nanoparticles by means of the system of the invention or by combining the detection of such optoplasmonic effect with the analysis of the changes in the mechanical characteristics in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for processing a crude oil feedstock include introducing a crude oil stream to a reactive distillation unit to remove conradson carbon and metals from the crude oil stream and generate a distillate stream having a mean boiling point distribution less than the crude oil stream and passing the distillate stream in a gaseous form in a continuous manner and without further processing to a catalytic cracking reactor that cracks the distillate stream to form a petrochemical product stream including light olefins and BTX. The catalytic cracking reactor includes a cracking catalyst and a susceptor material dispersed throughout the catalytic cracking reactor. Further, the catalytic cracking reactor operates at a temperature of 300° C. to 800° C. with heating from magnetic induction of the susceptor material.

Abstract: Methods for processing a crude oil feedstock include introducing a crude oil stream to a reactive distillation unit to remove conradson carbon and metals from the crude oil stream and generate a distillate stream having a mean boiling point distribution less than the crude oil stream and passing the distillate stream in a gaseous form in a continuous manner and without further processing to a catalytic cracking reactor operating at a temperature of 300° C. to 800° C. with a cracking catalyst disposed therein that cracks the distillate stream to form a petrochemical product stream including light olefins and BTX.