Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing lipid-bacteriophage conjugates, wherein the bacteriophage:lipid ratio is in the range of 3:1 to 100:1 and wherein the lipid is an immunologically active lipid and the bacteriophage is a filamentous bacteriophage, and uses thereof. Preferably, the bacteriophage is engineered to stimulate an immune response and/or bind to a target cell.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring the focus state of an optical instrument are described. The system and the method provide for forming an image of the exit pupil of the objective of the optical instrument. Where the image of the exit pupil is formed, one or more optical elements are placed, deviating at least part of the rays coming from the exit pupil, so that rays coming from different non-overlapping portions of the pupil follow separate optical paths. The rays coming from the two portions of the pupil are then focused, in order to obtain two bidimensional images. A computer determines the mutual distance between these two bidimensional images as a mutual rigid lateral displacement between the two and, based on this distance, determines the corresponding defocus of the optical instrument.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building structure is described. The system comprises a laser source which emits an infrared radiation and an interferometric arrangement which divides the radiation into an object beam and a reference beam. The object beam irradiates the building structure and is scattered by it, while the reference beam interferes with the scattered object beam so as to create a hologram of the building. The system also comprises a sensor which detects a sequence of holograms and a processing unit which reconstructs the evolution in time of deformations or displacements of the building by numerically processing the sequence of holograms. The system—being based on digital holography—offers various advantages compared to known monitoring techniques, for example techniques which make use of seismometers (possibility of remote monitoring, substantial space-time continuity of the monitoring, capacity for detecting a wider range of deformations and displacements).

Abstract: A system (10) for the remote detection of substances, comprising a vehicle (20) that is mobile in space and remote-piloted using a control device (40) with a haptic interface suitable to return a force feedback to a user of the control device (40), wherein the vehicle (20) is equipped with a position sensor (22) and a sensor (21) for detecting a physical quantity whose intensity depends on the distance of at least one substance present in a detection point located in a vicinity of the position of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a derivative of carnosine (?-alanyl-L-histidine) having formula (1), obtained by the functionalization of hyaluronic acid with carnosine.

Abstract: A new therapeutic use of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (Bont/A) is described, in the therapeutic treatment of paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a heart valve of polymer material which provides for the deposition of a polymer solution comprising a copolymer which is preferably a copolymer of poly(carbonato-urethane) fluoridate (F-PCU) and intracatenary polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a PDMS with a functional group outside the chain and a solvent onto a mould using a spray technique associated with phase inversion.

Abstract: The present invention features modified human transcription factors capable of increasing utrophin expression, recombinant adeno-associated vectors for delivery of the modified human transcription factors, and methods of treating muscle diseases, including Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: The present invention features recombinant adeno-associated vectors for delivery of genes to both skeletal and cardiac muscle and methods for treatment of muscle defects, including Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Abstract: A field-effect transistor and method for fabricating such a field-effect transistor that utilizes an air-sensitive two-dimensional material (e.g., silicene). A film of air-sensitive two-dimensional material is deposited on a crystalized metallic (e.g., Ag) thin film on a substrate (e.g., mica substrate). A capping layer of insulating material (e.g., aluminum oxide) is deposited on the air-sensitive two-dimensional material. The substrate is detached from the metallic thin film/air-sensitive two-dimensional material/insulating material stack structure. The metallic thin film/air-sensitive two-dimensional material/insulating material stack structure is then flipped. The flipped metallic thin film/air-sensitive two-dimensional material/insulating material stack structure is attached to a device substrate followed by having the metallic thin film etched to form contact electrodes. In this manner, the pristine properties of air-sensitive two-dimensional materials are preserved from degradation when exposed to air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of fiber-reinforced composite materials with an ultra-refractory, high tenacity, high ablation resistant matrix with self-healing properties, prepared from highly sinterable slurries. The composite material is produced using techniques of infiltration and drying at ambient pressure or under vacuum, and consolidated by sintering with or without the application of gas or mechanical pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring-down spectrometry apparatus in absorption saturation condition, for measuring the concentration of a gas through a measurement of the spectrum of a molecular transition of said gas. The apparatus includes a laser source, an adjuster for varying the wavelength of said radiation emitted by said laser, and a resonant cavity. A photodetector is adapted to detect an electromagnetic radiation beam and is adapted to generate a decay signal. An electronic circuit receives the signal from the photodetector and is adapted to convert it to a processor. A processor is adapted to receive said decay signal from the photodetector and perform interpolation to obtain a concentration of said gas.

Abstract: An integrated optofluidic device to illuminate, along an irradiation direction, a fluidic sample containing an object to be analysed, the device comprising: a substrate comprising an entry surface and being made of a material transparent to a light beam incident through the entry surface along the irradiation direction; a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate and having a channel portion intercepting the irradiation direction and extending along a longitudinal axis transverse to the irradiation direction, the microfluidic channel comprising a first flow inlet port for loading a fluidic sample therein, and an elongated lens cavity for an optofluidic cylindrical lens, the cavity being formed in the substrate and being arranged along the beam irradiation direction between the entry surface and the microfluidic channel, wherein the lens cavity is in fluid communication with a lens inlet port for loading a lens fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method of ring-down spectroscopy in saturated-absorption condition, for measuring a first concentration of a gas through a measurement of the spectrum of a molecular transition of said gas.

Abstract: The present invention places in the field of the maintenance of aeration, conditioning, air-conditioning, etc. plants, and in particular the present invention relates to a method for evaluating the cleaning state of a plant, with particular reference to the atmospheric particulate.

Abstract: It is disclosed a biocomposite of hydroxyapatite on graphene oxide sheets and its use for bone tissue engineering applications, such as bone repair, bone augmentation, as well as coating of biomedical implants. Processes for preparing said biocomposites are also described.

Abstract: The T cells specific to human collagen type II, one of the possible autoantigens, have a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis in the context of HLA-DR4. The protein-protein interactions between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the type II collagen linked to the allele MHC of class II HLA-DR4 may thus represent the target for the development of new drugs against rheumatoid arthritis. Using computational virtual screening techniques, families of pharmacologically active molecules have been identified that interfere with the TCR/collagen II-MHCII interaction. The compounds identified here open up new possibilities in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A new therapeutic use of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (Bont/A) is described, therapeutic treatment of paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device constituted by a planar optical antenna which allows to beam and collect light emitted from various light sources, including light-emitting devices (LEDs), fluorescent markers and single-photon sources. By considering the light source as a light receiver and using reciprocity, the device can also be used to improve the absorption of light by various receivers, including molecules. This device is in particular suitable for in-vitro diagnostics (IVD).

Abstract: Self-assembled block copolymer films having two or more blocks are manufactured by distributing a solution containing at least one block copolymer onto the substrate so as to partially coat a substrate surface, obtaining an intermediate product. A block copolymer is self-assembled by heating the intermediate product. The self-assembling step includes Rapid Thermal Processing, which is performed by heating the intermediate product up to a first target temperature, ranging from a glass transition temperature to an order-disorder transition temperature of the block copolymer, through a temperature rising ramp having a rate of temperature change not lower than 5° C./second; maintaining the intermediate product at the target temperature for a time interval not longer than 60 minutes, whereby a sample is obtained on the surface of which a self-assembled film of the block copolymer has been made; and cooling the sample down to the ambient temperature through a temperature descending ramp.