Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the diagnostic and/or prognostic of a neurological disease characterized by an inflammation process in a subject comprising measuring the amount of myeloid derived microvesicles in a cerebrospinal fluid sample obtained from the subject. The invention further relates to a method for predicting and/or monitoring the efficacy of a treatment for a neurological pathology or for monitoring a neurological disease progression.

Abstract: A porous polymeric matrix and a device for optically-controlled release of chemicals allow a controlled and localized administration of a chemical species, by exploiting the thermosensitivity of amphiphilic supramolecular structures used as reservoir without this requesting a direct heating, at the same time by guaranteeing a precise dosage and positioning of the release of the chemical species.

Abstract: A semiconductive substrate (1) is described that is suitable for realising electronic and/or optoelectronic devices of the type comprising at least one substrate (3), in particular of single crystal silicon, and an overlying layer of single crystal silicon (5). Advantageously, according to the invention, the semiconductive substrate (1) comprises at least one functional coupling layer (10) suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in the materials used. In particular, the functional coupling layer 10 comprises a corrugated portion (6) made in the layer of single crystal silicon (5) and suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in lattice constant of such materials used.

Abstract: A device (7) for the rehabilitation of the movements of the foot (1) includes a supporting base (8) and a mobile platform (9) with a supporting surface (10) for resting the sole of the foot (1), wherein the mobile platform (9) is secured to the supporting base (8) by a pure rotation movement mechanism (12) with three degrees of freedom of rotary movement independent the one from the other and placed in parallel which allow rotations of the mobile platform around three axes (13, 14, 15) which intersect one another in a single rotation center (P). The supporting surface (10) is turned towards the rotation center (P) and is distant from the rotation center (P) in such a way that the rotation center (P) is positioned in correspondence to the ankle (2) of the foot (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to dioxaspiroketal derivatives of formula (I): wherein R, is selected from the group consisting of H, straight or branched chain C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, phenyl, optionally para-, meta- or ortho-substituted with 0 to 3 substituent selected from halogen, —CN, —NH2, —OH, —NO2, COOR2, wherein R2 is selected from H and C1-C6 alkyl, n is 1 or 2, X is O or S, R1 is selected from H, OH, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, COOR3, wherein R3 is selected from H and C1-C6 alkyl, or physiologically acceptable salts thereof, process for preparation thereof, their uses in medical field, in particular as anti-tumor medicaments.

Abstract: A semiconductive substrate that is suitable for realising electronic and/or optoelectronic devices that include at least one substrate, in particular of single crystal silicon, and an overlying layer of single crystal silicon. Advantageously, the semiconductive substrate comprises at least one functional coupling layer suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in the materials used. The functional coupling layer can comprise a corrugated portion made in the layer of single crystal silicon and suitable for reducing the defects linked to the differences in lattice constant of such materials used. Alternatively, the functional coupling layer can comprise a porous layer arranged between the substrate of single crystal silicon and the layer of single crystal silicon, and suitable for reducing the stress caused by the differences between the thermal expansion coefficients of the materials used. A manufacturing process of such a semiconductive substrate is also described.

Abstract: A transistor includes at least one conductive layer, at least one gate dielectric layer and at least one semiconducting film deposited on top of a receptor molecule layer previously deposited or covalently linked to the surface of the gate dielectric. The layer of biological material includes single or double layers of phospholipids, layers made of proteins such as receptors, antibodies, ionic channels and enzymes, single or double layers of phospholipids with inclusion or anchoring of proteins such as: receptors, antibodies, ionic channels and enzymes, layers made of oligonucleotide (DNA, RNA, PNA) probes, layers made of cells or viruses, layers made of synthetic receptors for example molecules or macromolecules similar to biological receptors for properties, reactivity or steric aspects.

Abstract: A device for controlling liquid motion includes a substrate (10) of material having piezoelectric properties, and a system for controlling the motion of a quantity of liquid placed in contact with the substrate. The control system includes at least one interdigitated transducer (T1, T3, T5, T7), applied to the substrate (10) and designed for selectively generating a surface acoustic wave adapted to propagate on the substrate (10) and interact with the quantity of liquid. The control system further includes an acoustic resonator (30) which is placed on the path of the surface acoustic wave, and which is adapted to normally allow the forward transmission of the surface acoustic wave having a frequency equal to a resonance frequency of the acoustic resonator, and to reflect the surface acoustic wave back towards the transducer when the quantity of liquid is present within the acoustic resonator.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a wafer of semiconductor material intended for use for the integration of electronic and/or optical and/or optoelectronic devices. The method comprises: providing a starting wafer of crystalline silicon (205); on the starting wafer of crystalline silicon, epitaxially growing a buffer layer (210) consisting of a sub-stoichiometric alloy of silicon and germanium; epitaxially growing on the buffer layer a layer (225) of a semiconductor material having an energy gap greater than that of the crystalline silicon constituting the starting wafer, wherein the layer of semiconductor material having an energy gap greater than that of the crystalline silicon is grown so to have a thickness capable of constituting a substrate for the integration therein of electronic and/or optical and/or optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: A UV lamp includes a UV lamp unit including a tubular bulb and an antenna inserted in the tubular bulb, and an antenna lead for supplying microwave energy from a microwave energy source to the UV lamp unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of R—OH alcohols as phagodeterrents, and to a method for treating plants infested with aphids which comprises the administration of these R—OH alcohols.

Abstract: A biomedical device (1) for robotized rehabilitation of a human upper limb, particularly for neuromotor rehabilitation of the shoulder and elbow joint, includes a first rigid rod (2) and a second rigid rod (3), both of which can be associated with the upper limb (4) of a patient (5) and are articulated to each other at two adjacent ends (2a, 3a) thereof by way of a first universal joint (6) which can be arranged proximate to the elbow joint (7) of the upper limb (4).

Abstract: A method of suturing the lens capsule of the eye in the event of accidental rupture thereof or to create a valve and/or to close a capsulorhexis by laser-induced welding onto the capsule's surface of a flap of biocompatible biological tissue prepared so as to be optically absorbent at the wavelength of the laser being used for welding. The method is suitable for use in so-called Phaco-Ersatz or “lens refilling” ophthalmologic surgery. Welding is desirably performed using laser devices that comprise a laser generator and a fiberoptic system for conveying the laser beam, complete with an applicator handpiece suitable for use in welding the flaps onto the lens capsule in a liquid environment. The handpiece is shaped so as to exert moderate pressure on the tissues to be welded with the free end of the optic fiber.

Abstract: A microscopy optoelectronic device for reconstructing a three-dimensional model of a sample, which can be connected to any PC in order to obtain three-dimensional surface micro-reliefs, includes a portable device body, having a casing and a frame supporting: a digital optical sensor; an optical group, coupled to the sensor including an objective lens directed towards a distal end of the device body, faceable towards the sample; a motor that translates the optical group and sensor with respect to said frame; a connector to connect the device body to an energy source and to a device that controls the position of the optical group and to transmit the digitalized images; and a light source that provides diffused lighting at the objective lens arranged to surround a front region with respect to the objective lens and also includes a luminescent and diffusing surface having a tubular portion coaxial to the optical group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sensitizing dyes of natural origin in the photoelectrochemical solar cells and to the process for obtaining such vegetal extracts from fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a nucleotide aptamer having the sequence: 5?-AUGAUCAAUCGCCUCAAUUCGACAGGAGGCUCAC-3?(SEQ ID NO: 1) for use in the treatment and/or prevention and/or diagnosis of an Axl receptor tyrosine kinase induced disorder and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. The invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis of an Axl receptor tyrosine kinase induced disorder in a patient from which a sample is obtained and related diagnostic kit.

Abstract: Avermectin and milbemycin compounds, particularly the substance ivermectin, for preparing an antiviral medicament for the treatment, prevention or amelioration of a Flavivirus infection, such as those caused by YFV (yellow fever virus), DENV (Dengue virus), JEV (Japanese encephalitis virus), TBEV (tick-borne encephalitis virus) or MODV (Modoc virus) are provided. The antiviral compositions of the present invention are suitable for oral administration to a Flavivirus-infected subject or a subject at risk of a infection, such as a human or other mammal.

Abstract: In a method for detecting flaws in continuous laser welding processes, including a sensor measures plasma emission spectrum in a range of wavelengths between ?max and ?min in N channels, each measuring radiation strength emitted in the band centred at wavelength ?i (1?i?N) and width ??i. Deviation detection is based upon calculating intensity relationships of signals measured at specific wavelengths and in comparison with pre-determined threshold values. A calibration phase ensures a series of K weldings is performed, under optimized conditions, for each a number J of spectra OJ,K, is acquired, each one corresponding to a vector of N intensity values at wavelengths ?i, 1?i?N, and a series of weldings K? is then performed, (K??K), a single welding parameter A is altered by a known quantity, for each welding being acquired a sequence of J? spectra AJ?,K?, (J??J), which are stored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone substitute comprising a core based on hydroxyapatite (HA), obtained from at least one porous wood, or based on collagen fibres and hydroxyapatite, and a shell, based on hydroxyapatite (HA) or silicon carbide (SiC), obtained from at least one wood having a lower porosity than the at least one wood of the core. The porous wood has a total porosity of between 60% and 95%, preferably between 65% and 85%, and it is selected from amongst the choices of rattan, pine, abachi and balsa wood. The wood of the shell has a porosity of between 20% and 60%, preferably between 30% and 50%. The bone substitute is utilized for the substitution and regeneration of bone, preferably for bones subjected to mechanical loads, such as long bones of the leg and arm, preferably the tibia, metatarsus, femur, humerus or radius.

Abstract: A method for operating a scanning probe microscope at elevated scan frequencies has a characterization stage of sweeping a plurality of excitation frequencies of the vertical displacement of the scanning element; measuring the value attained by the reading parameter at the excitation frequencies; and identifying plateau regions of the response spectrum of the reading parameter. The reading parameter variation is limited within a predetermined range over a predefined frequency interval, thereby defining corresponding fast scanning frequency windows in which the microscope assembly is sufficiently stable to yield a lateral resolution comparable to the one obtained during slow measurements. The measurement stage includes driving the scanning element along at least a scanning trajectory over the surface of the specimen at a frequency selected among the frequencies included in a fast scanning frequency window.