Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric particles comprising a biodegradable polymer, and at least one microorganism in a total concentration of at least 108 CFU/g dry weight that is stable for at least 35 weeks at 30° C. and optionally additional carriers and additives as well as to methods for producing polymeric particles and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanostructured conjugates, more specifically to nanostructured fusion proteins suitable for the selective delivery of their conjugated therapeutic agents to specific cell and tissue types. It also relates to nanoparticles comprising such nanostructured proteins and the therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: A wafer includes a substrate and at least one intermediate layer formed on a surface of the substrate. The at least one intermediate layer covers the surface of the substrate at least partially. An outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer is directed away from the surface of the substrate. The wafer further includes nanostructures grown on the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer. The at least one intermediate layer is formed in such a way that positions of growth of the nanostructures are predetermined on the outer surface of the at least one intermediate layer. At least one nanostructure material of the nanostructures is assembled at the positions of growth of the nanostructures.

Abstract: Multi-component systems and methods for determining the proximity of surgical tools to key anatomical features are provided. The inventive systems and methods can be applied in any surgical procedure requiring precision to avoid damage to key anatomical features such as nerves, with a particular example being the robotic cochlear implantation minimally invasive approach to cochlear implantation. Use of purpose built surgical robots, electromyography and tissue impedance, stereotactic tracking and drilling force/bone density measurements are all key components, with inputs from these various modalities being dynamically weighted. In the example of robotic cochlear implantation, the inventive concepts are used to provide key surgical guidance so as to avoid damage to the facial nerve and the chorda tympani, among other anatomical features.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hafnium (IV) oxide (HfO2) nanoparticle nanocrystal comprising or having a diameter equal or less than (?) 15 nm, stabilized by a plurality of dispersant molecules attached to its surface. The dispersant molecules comprise of a catechol or gallol surface adsorption moiety and an oligo (ethyleneglycol) moiety. The invention further relates to a composition of such nanoparticles in stable colloidal suspension at physiological pH, and the use of the composition in medical treatment and diagnostic applications, particularly to enhance radiotherapy and as an X ray contrast agent. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for manufacturing compositions and nanoparticles according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vacuum infusion system for infusing a fibre reinforcement with a resin comprising: a mould having a mould cavity comprising at least one moulding element for the reception of a fibre reinforcement, the system further comprising at least one counter mould comprising one or more flexible parts, each flexible part including at least one curved region for forming at least one curved region on the fibre reinforcement infused with resin; and a pressure applying configuration contributing to apply a pressure at least on the at least one curved region of the one or more flexible parts of the counter mould, to transmit a pressure to the at least one curved region of the fibre reinforcement infused with resin, said pressure applying configuration being configured for increasing the fibre volume ratio and/or reducing the void content of the composite moulded component.

Abstract: A method for obtaining mechanically recoverable recycled material from multilayer PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers of post-consumer and/or post-industrial origin involves cleaning the containers, crushing them into pieces, mixing the pieces with a compatibilizing mixture and melting the mixed product to obtain a continuous filament. The compatibilising mixture is formed by at least: 10-45% thermoplastic polyolefin matrix; a reagent of plant origin in a percentage of less than 7.5% of the total mixture; and a rosin-based tackifier in a percentage of less than 7.5% of the total mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for classifying a tissue sample obtained from mammary carcinoma. The method comprises determining a stiffness value for each of a plurality of points on said tissue sample, resulting in a stiffness distribution, and assigning said sample to a breast cancer subtype and nodal status based on said stiffness distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting and/or identifying magnetic supraparticles using magnet particle spectroscopy (MPS) or magnet particle imaging (MPI), wherein magnetic supraparticles are provided, each of which contains a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles and which have a specific composition and/or structure. The magnetic supraparticles are exposed to at least one magnetic field, whereby at least one voltage and/or a voltage curve is induced based on the magnetic moment of the magnetic supraparticles. The at least one voltage and/or the voltage curve is detected as at least one measurement signal, and at least one spectrum is generated from the at least one measurement signal, said spectrum containing harmonics, each of which has an amplitude and a phase. The magnetic supraparticles are (uniquely) detected and/or identified using the at least one generated spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture device (1) for use with an optical microscope (40), comprising a housing (10) that is configured to be placed onto a stage of an optical microscope (40) in front of an objective (41) of the microscope (40), the housing (10) enclosing an internal space (11) of the housing (10), a removable flow chamber (2) enclosing an internal space (20) for accommodating a cell culture (CC) comprising living biological cells, a heater (3) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (10) for heating said fluid medium (M) to be guided through the flow chamber (2), a first flow path (P1) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (10) for guiding said fluid medium (M) towards the flow chamber (2) via said heater (3), and a second flow path (P2) arranged in the internal space (11) of the housing (2) for guiding said fluid medium (M) away from the flow chamber (2), and a pump (4) for pumping said fluid medium (M) through the first flow path (P1) into the internal spac

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compounds which can be used in particular as structural mimetics of proline-rich peptides. The compounds of the present invention are capable of selectively inhibiting Ena/VASP-EVH1-mediated protein-protein interactions. The invention further relates to the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical agents and the use of the pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of tumor diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel human fins related tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) antigen binding proteins, such as antibodies, having improved FLT3 binding affinity, and/or anti-tumor activity. The FLT3 antibodies of the invention were generated by mutation of a parent FLT3 antibody and tested in in vitro in binding assays as well as in vivo in a mouse tumor model and in human patient tumor samples. The antibodies of the invention are provided as monospecific constructs or in a bispecific FLT3×CD3 antibody format and show excellent target affinity and/or tumor cell killing. The present invention also relates methods for producing the antigen binding proteins of the invention as well as nucleic acids encoding them, vectors for and host cells for their expression. The invention further relates to methods of treating or diagnosing a disease such as leukemia using an FLT3 antigen binding protein (ABP) of the invention.

Abstract: A method for aggregating a cluster of particles having a target cluster constitution in a channel comprising a retention section comprises the steps of establishing a fluid stream comprising a fluid carrier medium and particles of at least one type through said channel; controlling a supply of said particles of at least one type into the fluid stream; operating a retention mechanism to aggregate at least part of said particles in an aggregation region within said retention section, to thereby form said cluster of particles; monitoring, while operating said retention mechanism, the particles in at least part of said channel for obtaining a monitoring signal associated with the cluster and/or with the particles moving in the fluid stream; determining a current cluster constitution from the monitoring signal; comparing said current cluster constitution with said target cluster constitution; and controlling at least one of said particle retention mechanism and said supply of said particles of at least one type, s

Abstract: The invention discloses using secreted splicing variant of mammal Klotho (s-KL) as an agent for the prevention and/or treatment of cognitive and/or behaviour impairments. It also refers to gene constructs and expression vectors useful in gene therapy for the delivery of said s-KL variant to the central nervous system of a mammal, in particular a rodent or a human. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising either the protein s-KL or any gene construct for expressing the protein in the CNS are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyolefin composition (I) made from or containing: (A) 15-80% by weight of a heterophasic polymer composition made from or containing: (a) 50-80% by weight of a propylene polymer, and (b) 20-50% by weight of a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin; and (B) 20-85% by weight of a polyethylene composition made from or containing: (i) 25-85% by weight of a polyethylene component, having a weight average molecular weight Mw(i), equal to or higher than 1,000,000 g/mol; and (ii) 10-65% by weight of a polyethylene component, having an Mw(ii) equal to or lower than 5,000 g/mol, wherein the polyethylene composition (B) is made from or containing at least 70% by weight of (i)+(ii).

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds which are suitable for treating bacterial diseases and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The invention further relates to a kit of parts comprising such compounds and to the use of such compounds as disinfectants.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and techniques for acquiring output signals associated with different sources (such as audio sources) are presented. A first input signal is combined with a delayed and scaled version of a second input signal, to acquire a first output signal. A second input signal is combined with a delayed and scaled version of the first input signal, to acquire a second output signal. Using a random direction optimization, scaling values (forming a candidates' vector) are determined by iteratively modifying the candidates' vector. A Kullback-Leibler divergence is measured. The first output signal and the second output signal are selected to be those measurements associated with the candidate parameters associated with Kullback-Leibler divergence which indicates lowest similarity.

Abstract: A bicyclic triolborate of the general formula and its use in an electrolyte composition. The use of a bicyclic triolborate in an electrolyte composition in electrochemical supercapacitors, such as for example in double-layer capacitors in electric motors.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and compositions for the prediction of therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatments and the prognosis of cancer. The invention discloses markers that are associated with favorable and unfavorable outcomes, respectively, in certain cancer treatments and are useful as prognostic markers for cancer. Methods involving these markers are disclosed for predicting cancer therapy benefit and prognosing clinical outcome for cancer patients.

Abstract: An extrusion additive manufacturing process including the step of extruding a polyethylene composition having a melt flow index MIE of at least 0.1 g/10 min., the composition made from or containing: A) from 1% to 40% by weight of a polyethylene component having a weight average molar mass Mw, as measured by GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography), equal to or higher than 1,000,000 g/mol; B) from 1% to 95% by weight of a polyethylene component having a Mw value from 50,000 to 500,000 g/mol; and C) from 1% to 59% by weight of a polyethylene component having a Mw value equal to or lower than 5,000 g/mol.