Abstract: A novel radio frequency sequence, suitable for performing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of 2-dimensional (2D) slices of samples exhibiting short magnetization coherence times (i.e., hard tissues). The SS-ZTE pulse sequence contains the following steps: a) magnetizing all spins in the sample from a longitudinal direction to the transverse plane; b) exciting the 2D slice of interest, which comprises the selective locking of said 2D sample slice magnetization while spoiling the magnetization in the rest of sample volume; c) making the magnetization of the selected 2D slice impervious to reconfigurations of the magnetic field gradients from slice selection to encoding and readout; d) reading out of the free induction decay signal of the sample; e) repeating steps (a-d) with different readout directions, so as to gather a corresponding number of radial spokes of the plane defined by the 2D sample slice.

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 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: 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 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: 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 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 invention relates to neuroprotective, antioxidant quinolylnitrones to which the blood-brain barrier is highly permeable, as potential drugs for the treatment of a cerebral stroke or ischaemia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: A device for the detection of gamma rays presents a high resolution in the three-dimensional position of the impact of the gamma ray within one or more scintillation crystal blocks coupled to an array of photosensors, for the determination of the impact energy of said gamma ray, the determination of the instant in time when said impact occurred, the interaction depth and the determination of the time-of-flight. Advantageously, in said device, the scintillation crystal detection blocks are optically isolated, in such a way that the scintillation light can only exit said blocks via the output region; and the scintillation crystal detection blocks and the array of photosensors are disposed in direct optical coupling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a lens for an ultrasound apparatus, as well as to an apparatus comprising the lens. The method comprises choosing a source point, providing a treatment volume situated inside a bone tissue model, providing a plurality of nodes distributed inside the treatment volume, and simulating the emission of a spherical wave from each of the nodes. Thus, a simulated wave front is created, in which each spherical wave has an amplitude and a phase, there being at least two nodes with different amplitudes and/or phases. The simulated wave front is received on a receiving surface. On the basis of the processed results, a holographic lens surface is designed, which can generate a wave pattern equivalent to the simulated wave.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a self-standing catecholamine-based membrane, the process comprising the steps of: (a) cross-linking a catechol derivative with an amine selected from the group consisting of: a known aliphatic amine hydrocarbon of formula (II); and an aromatic amine of formula (IIbis), in a liquid medium, wherein both the catechol and the amine are soluble, at a pH comprised from 6.5 to 10, and under appropriate agitation to create a catecholamine membrane in the air/liquid interface in the absence of any support; and b) isolating the membrane resulting from step (a) from the air/liquid interface. The resulting self-standing catecholamine-based membrane was robust, easy to handle and manipulate, highly flexible and adaptable to any kind of surface without breaking, and adhesive.

Abstract: An integrated mode converter and multiplexer (/demultiplexer) combines a multimode interference coupler, at least one phase-shifter and a symmetrical Y-junction. The dispersion of the multimode interference coupler is engineered through subwavelength structures in order to achieve a very wide bandwidth. Several phase-shifter topologies for further bandwidth enhancement are disclosed, as well as architectures for multiplexing a greater number of optical modes.

Abstract: In a method of preparing an immobilized selenium system or body, a selenium-carbon-oxygen mixture is formed. The mixture is then heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of selenium and the heated mixture is then cooled to ambient or room temperature, thereby forming the immobilized selenium system or body.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method using no switching elements for multiplexing and reading arrays of sensors whose electrical resistance is modulated by the signals to be measured are proposed. Sensor elements are arranged in groups and columns where each column is fed with a continuous voltage waveform of different amplitude, frequency and phase characteristics which then produce current signals that are modulated by the variable resistance signals to be measured. Modulated currents are summed row-wise and collected at the read-out circuits, either by applying a constant voltage to each row of the array or by connecting a capacitor and converting these current summations into output voltage signals. The read-out circuits de-multiplex each individual sensor signal to be measured by lock-in demodulation according to the frequencies and phases employed for the stimulation of each column.

Abstract: A method for controlled production of an array of planar microparticles with the multiplexing of molecules on the surface thereof, intended to function as molecular sensors and/or actuators and a matrix (array) of microparticles, the surface thereof being printed with all of the molecular components required to provide the surface with functionality. Different molecular elements are multiplexed on the surface of each particle while they are supported on a substrate by means of a structural foot engraved below the particle. These microparticles can be released mechanically from the support on which they are produced using a controlled mechanical rupture method which is not chemically aggressive and therefore does not affect the molecules previously printed on the surface. The array and the particles contained therein offer great versatility in both chemical and/or biological applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic chemical network that mimics the transfer of information and ultimately produces a chemical response, for example a readable signal. More specifically, the invention discloses a dynamic system able to selectively sense a biologically-relevant analyte, such as cysteine, in its reduced or its oxidized form (cystine) in aqueous media and in a biofluid (such as urine) for diagnostic application. Due to this property, said dynamic system is useful for the detection of cysteine or its derivatives in biological fluids such as urine.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of IL13R?2-overexpressing cancer, wherein the treatment comprises administering a protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) inhibitor.