Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising globular proteins and diacrylate-containing compounds that can react in-situ to provide polymerized networks that can be formed into objects using additive manufacturing techniques, such as printing techniques that use vat photopolymerization. Objects printed using the disclosed compositions also are described, with embodiments of such objects exhibiting shape recovery behavior. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the disclosed compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds derived from ursodeoxycholic acid of formula (I), to methods for obtaining same, as well as the use thereof in the treatment of polycystic diseases, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, or autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor for use in a variety of applications requiring extremely high sensitivity, such as measuring power and characteristics of incident electromagnetic radiation includes a superconducting layer that carries an exchange field for providing a spin splitting effect of charge carriers in the superconducting layer, a metal electrode, and an insulating layer arranged between the superconducting layer and metal electrode to form a spin filter junction therebetween. The electromagnetic sensor provides an antenna including a wave collecting element, in contact with the superconducting layer to convey thereinto external electromagnetic waves that are generated by an external source.

Abstract: Composition includes: (A) a mixed oxide of lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt and (B) a fluorinated anion salt of a polycationic polymer. The fluorinated anion salt of the polycationic polymer contains repeating units represented by one of formula (1) or formula (2): wherein, in the formula (1), N+ is a nitrogen atom constituting a quaternary ammonium cation, R1 and R2 being each independently a substituent containing a carbon atom bonded to the nitrogen atom, wherein, in the formula (2), R3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Provided herein is a nanopore structure, which in one aspect is a “carbon nanotube porin”, that comprises a short nanotube with an associated lipid coating. Also disclosed are compositions and methods enabling the preparation of such nanotube/lipid complexes. Further disclosed is a method for therapeutics delivery that involves a drug delivery agent comprising a liposome with a NT loaded with a therapeutic agent, introducing the therapeutic agent into a cell or a tissue or an organism; and subsequent release of the therapeutic agents into a cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 1,2,3-triazoles of formula: useful for improving or restoring the intracellular calcium homeostasis and RyR-calstabin binding function in human and animal cells. The present invention also relates to methods for synthesizing said compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to the use thereof for preventing or treating skeletal muscle, heart and nervous system disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising an exoglucanase catalytic domain comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 3, and to a polypeptide having beta-glucosidase activity comprising a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8, and to functionally equivalent variants thereof that maintain or improve their catalytic activity. Additionally, the invention relates to an enzyme cocktail comprising said polypeptide(s) and an endoglucanase.

Abstract: An electromagnetic sensor for use in a variety of applications requiring extremely high sensitivity, such as measuring power and characteristics of incident electromagnetic radiation includes a superconducting layer that carries an exchange field for providing a spin splitting effect of charge carriers in the superconducting layer, a metal electrode, and an insulating layer arranged between the superconducting layer and metal electrode to form a spin filter junction therebetween. The electromagnetic sensor provides an antenna including a wave collecting element, in contact with the superconducting layer to convey thereinto external electromagnetic waves that are generated by an external source.

Abstract: A superconducting logic element includes a superconducting tunnel junction including first and second superconductors. First and second insulating ferromagnets in contact with the first and second superconductors, respectively, generate by magnetic proximity effect a predetermined density of spin-split states in the first and second superconductors, respectively. A writing element applies a writing current to at least a superconductor and is in contact with one of the first or second insulating ferromagnets, so that the first and second insulating ferromagnets commute, by the magnetic field generated by the applied writing current, between a state with parallel magnetization to a state with antiparallel magnetization with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanoparticle comprising: (i) between 60 wt.-% and 99 wt.-% sorbitan ester, relative to the total weight of the nanoparticle; (ii) a positively charged substance; and (iii) a miRNA. The invention also relates to the methods for producing same and to the uses thereof, particularly for therapeutic uses, such as cancer treatment.

Abstract: A superconducting logic element includes a superconducting tunnel junction including first and second superconductors. First and second insulating ferromagnets in contact with the first and second superconductors, respectively, generate by magnetic proximity effect a predetermined density of spin-split states in the first and second superconductors, respectively. A writing element applies a writing current to at least a superconductor and is in contact with one of the first or second insulating ferromagnets, so that the first and second insulating ferromagnets commute, by the magnetic field generated by the applied writing current, between a state with parallel magnetization to a state with antiparallel magnetization with respect to each other.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprise a drug, a first block polymer and a second block polymer. The first block polymer has a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocycle (N-heterocycle). The N-heterocycle can be in the form of a base, a hydrosalt of the base, a sulfobetaine adduct of the base, or a combination thereof. The second block polymer has a PEO block and a polycarbonate block bearing a side chain catechol group, which can be present as a catechol, oxidized form of a catechol, and/or a polymerized form of a catechol. The nanoparticles can be dispersed in water and are capable of controlled release of the drug.

Abstract: Systems for visually inspecting a surface of an object are provided, which includes a visual inspection head, and a positioning apparatus for controlling a position and/or an orientation of the visual inspection head with respect to the object. The visual inspection head includes a visual inspection module, and an angle controlling module for ensuring a predetermined angle of the visual inspection system with respect to an area to be inspected of the surface of the object. The angle controlling module may include a pointer for projecting a light beam onto the area to be inspected and a camera for determining whether the light beam is reflected substantially perpendicularly. The system is configured to move the visual inspection head relative to the object until the light beam is reflected substantially perpendicularly. Methods for visually inspecting a surface are also provided.

Abstract: An ion gel including a hydrogel in an ionic liquid, and a reactive system that changes colour upon reaction with the nitrite and a microfluidic device having a substrate with calibration reservoirs that are separated from one another and include an ion gel, a calibration reservoir of the hydrogel in the ionic liquid, a reservoir for holding a sample to be analysed, connected to a measuring reservoir including an ion gel via a microfluidic channel with a reducing agent, and a measuring reservoir including an ion gel of the invention where a sample to be analysed is held and methods for producing the ion gel and the device, as well as a method for colorimetrically determining and detecting nitrite and nitrate in contaminated water using the ion gel and the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence or absence of a target analyte in a test sample, comprising the steps: i) providing a plurality of detector nanoparticles comprising a first detector nanoparticle functionalised with a first probe specific for a first region of a target analyte and a second detector nanoparticle functionalised with a second probe specific for a second region of said target analyte; and ii) contacting said detector nanoparticles with a test sample under conditions suitable for the binding of the specific probes to the target analyte, wherein target analyte-induced agglomeration of the detector nanoparticles permits the release of a detectable signal means from a signal reservoir. Also provided are related devices and systems for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A lipid nanoparticle that includes at least one antibiotic from the polymyxin family, a lipid fraction, and one or more surfactants. The lipid nanoparticle is useful in the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory tree infections.

Abstract: The role of a specific E2 region containing a putative fusion peptide (FP) sequence was evaluated. FPs critically contribute to the interaction between proteins and the membrane system of the host cell. Reverse genetics utilizing a full-length infectious clone of the highly virulent CSFV strain Brescia (BICv) was used to evaluate how amino acid substitutions within this region of E2 may affect replication of BICv in cell cultures and affect virus virulence in swine. Interestingly, mutated virus FPi.c was completely attenuated when inoculated intranasally at a dose of 105 TCID50 in swine. Importantly, animals infected with FPi.c virus were protected against the virulent challenge with Brescia virus at 3 and 28 days after vaccination. Protection was evidenced by absence of clinical signs related with CSF as well as the absence of viremia produced by the challenge virulent virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lipid nanoparticle system comprising a lipid component, a cationic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, a polysaccharide and, optionally, a positively charged peptide, useful for the release of pharmacologically active molecules, and especially for transfecting genetic material into cells and/or tissues. It also relates to methods for obtaining nanoparticles, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising it, as well as to the use thereof in gene therapy.

Abstract: A method for the depolymerization of lignin includes the steps of: providing a black liquor obtained from the treatment of delignification of the biomass, concentrating the black liquor; and subjecting the concentrated black liquor to a hydrothermal treatment. An acid is added to the reaction mixture obtained in the previous step, and then the precipitate is separated from the liquid phase resulting in the previous step. Finally, the method includes the step of extracting, from the recovered liquid phase, the aromatic products of depolymerization of lignin, such as phenol, cresols, catechol and the derivatives thereof (3-methylcatechol, 4-methylcatechol and 4-ethylcatechol).

Abstract: A non-human transgenic animal having a polynucleotide encoding an STXBP1 polypeptide, which polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter, wherein said transgenic animal has greater than wild-type expression of the STXBP1 polypeptide in at least one brain region, as well as related vectors, methods of producing transgenic animals, in vitro and in vivo screening methods for potential therapeutic agents, and methods for treating and diagnosing neuropsychiatric illness are disclosed.