Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having antimicrobial activity and polynucleotides having a nucleotide sequence which encodes for the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid constructs as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Method to identify the mechanical properties of a material starting from at least a digitalized image of a sample of the material. The image of the sample to be analyzed is processed to achieve a numerical model comprising a determinate number of elementary geometric elements, or cells, to each of which a parameter to identify the type of matter is assigned, in order to obtain information on the distribution of the mechanical characteristics in the individual units of the sample, from which it is possible to trace both the elastic characteristics and hence the resistance, and also the distribution of stresses and strain in relation to the application of the loads.

Abstract: The patent describes new peptidomimetic inhibitors of retroviral proteases, in particular of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease. These inhibitors comprise as the core structure a new diaminodiol isostere of the dipeptide Phe-Pro having four stereogenic centres. The inhibitors of the invention have been shown to inhibit HIV protease and can therefore be usefully employed as antivirals for post-exposure prophylaxis and as a therapy for viral infections by a retrovirus, in particular HIV. The syntheses processes of the isosteres and inhibitors are also described.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new method for the purification of carbon nanotubes from contaminants deriving from industrial production, constituted by amorphous or carbon crystalline material and metals used for catalysis. The method provides for their organic furretionalization obtaining dirivatized nanotubes, precipitation of functionalized nanotubes and subsequent regeneration of non-functionalized nanotubes by heat treatment.