Abstract: Apparatus for producing a multiplicity of photons having quantum-entangled single-photon states is provided. The single photon includes two quantum-entangled degrees of freedom, and the apparatus includes a source apparatus of the multiplicity of photons having quantum-entangled single-photon states including first- and second-generation stages. The first stage includes a first element having a source generating a multiplicity of photons, the first element selects a first degree of freedom of two degrees of freedom of the single photon, which includes only one pair of values, and a second element that selects a second degree of freedom of two degrees of freedom of the single photon. The second degree of freedom includes only one pair of values, the second stage: generates a coherent superposition of the two degrees of freedom of the single photon; selects one value of a first and a second of said two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: To address the limitations deriving from the unspecific genomic cleavages of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and to identify variants with higher cleavage fidelity, the present invention describes a yeast-based assay which allows to simultaneously evaluate the on- and off-target activity towards two engineered genomic targets. The screening of SpCas9 variants obtained by random mutagenesis of the Red-II domain allowed the identification of hits with increased on/off ratios. The best performing nuclease, evoCas9, was isolated through the combination of the identified mutations within a single variant. Side by side analyses with previously reported rationally designed variants demonstrated a significant improvement in fidelity of evoCas9 of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for determining the mechanical properties of nanomaterials comprising a substrate (30) onto which a nanomaterial specimen (40) can be anchored, wherein said substrate (30) is mechanically connected to an actuator (20) on one side and to a sensor (50) on the opposite side, and wherein the substrate (30) is configured to generate a fracture line (32?) in a predetermined position which divides the substrate (30) into two parts (31,31?), wherein a first part (31) is connected to the actuator (20) and a second part (31?) is connected to a sensor (50), in order to allow a relative movement between the actuator (20) and the sensor (50).

Abstract: Engineered Cas12a guide RNA (gRNA) molecules useful, for example, for correcting aberrant RNA splicing resulting from mutations in a genomic DNA sequence and for preventing exon inclusion in mature mRNA.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the distributed, privacy preserving and integrity preserving technical implementation of an order book where a group of computing devices belonging to agents (traders, brokers, or groups thereof) wishing to engage in distributed double auctions and markets can (1) keep private the information about the solvency of the individual agent owing the trader's computer; (2) publicly register the values of buy and sell orders while (a) maintaining confidential the information about the owner of the buy (resp. sell) order and (b) still having the possibility to accrue matched buy/sell transactions to the accounts of the computing devices of the individual agents owing those orders; (3) maintain the financial integrity of the market as implemented by a distributed systems of computing devices; and (4) keep private the possible exit from the market by computing devices operated by agents who could no longer meet their contractual obligations.

Abstract: Object of the present invention are new aza-tanshinone derivatives, a method for their preparation and their use in therapy, particularly, but not limited to, as anti-tumor agents and anti-inflammatories. The invention comprises also the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: To address the limitations deriving from the unspecific genomic cleavages of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and to identify variants with higher cleavage fidelity, the present invention describes a yeast-based assay which allows to simultaneously evaluate the on- and off-target activity towards two engineered genomic targets. The screening of SpCas9 variants obtained by random mutagenesis of the Red-II domain allowed the identification of hits with increased on/off ratios. The best performing nuclease, evoCas9, was isolated through the combination of the identified mutations within a single variant. Side by side analyses with previously reported rationally designed variants demonstrated a significant improvement in fidelity of evoCas9 of the present invention.

Abstract: Therapeutic agent for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with abnormalities of MAPT gene encoded protein tau, wherein said therapeutic agent comprises one or more siRNAs targeting MAPT exon 10 sequence.

Abstract: Recent studies in computer vision have shown that, while practically invisible to a human observer, skin color changes due to blood flow can be captured on face videos and, surprisingly, be used to estimate the heart rate (HR). While considerable progress has been made in the last few years, still many issues remain open. In particular, state-of-the-art approaches are not robust enough to operate in natural conditions (e.g. in case of spontaneous movements, facial expressions, or illumination changes). Opposite to previous approaches that estimate the HR by processing all the skin pixels inside a fixed region of interest, we introduce a strategy to dynamically select face regions useful for robust HR estimation. The present approach, inspired by recent advances on matrix completion theory, allows us to predict the HR while simultaneously discover the best regions of the face to be used for estimation.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and products for the stimulation of an immune response against tumors in a subject in need thereof. More specifically the invention provides immunogenic compositions containing bacterial outer membrane vesicles loaded with tumor antigens, fusion proteins comprising a bacterial protein and a tumor antigen, and isolated bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) containing said fusion proteins. The fusion proteins, OMVs and immunogenic compositions according to the invention are used in the prevention and treatment of tumors.

Abstract: This invention relates to outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Gram-negative bacteria. The vesicles comprise heterologous proteins or immunogenic fragments thereof expressed as lipoproteins in their membrane. The OMVs of the invention are capable of eliciting an immune response to the heterologous protein or to a fragment thereof when administered to a mammal. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of preparing the OMVs and immunogenic compositions containing the same.

Abstract: An optical plate includes a substrate and a resonator structure formed on or in the substrate, wherein the resonator structure is configured to produce an abrupt change in phase, amplitude and/or polarization of incident radiation.

Abstract: A silicon-based light-emitting device is described and comprises an active region, an excitation system which can bring about a condition of inversion of the population of carriers within the active region, and semi-reflective elements which can define a resonant optical structure in which the active region is inserted so as to bring about stimulated emission of coherent light. The active region comprises silicon nanostructures immersed in a silicon-dioxide-based dielectric matrix.