Abstract: A method of operating a flyback converter is provided. The flyback converter comprises a transformer having a primary side winding and a secondary side winding, a primary switch at the primary side of the transformer and a secondary switch at the secondary side of the transformer, and a control unit. At the end of a switching cycle, before turning on the primary side switch: the control unit generates a Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) pulse in the secondary side winding, such that the parasitic capacitor of the primary side switch is discharged. Consequently, the primary side switch is turned on in ZVS or near ZVS conditions.

Abstract: A fabrication method of an elastomer breath structure includes the steps of applying a liquid elastomer onto a substrate an initial curing of the liquid elastomer on the substrate partially into a partially cured polymer, condensation of water droplets from the environment onto the partially cured polymer, and finishing curing of the partially cured polymer with parallel removal of the water droplets creating surface dimples on the cured elastomer.

Abstract: A laser device comprises a first optical cavity comprising a first gain medium and a second optical cavity comprising a second gain medium. The first gain medium and the second gain medium generate light at respective different ranges of wavelengths. A synchronizer is optically coupled to both the first optical cavity and the second optical cavity and is configured to synchronize and mode-lock light from the first optical cavity and the second optical cavity. The laser device also includes a first optical filter and a second optical filter to filter the light from the first optical cavity and the second optical cavity respectively to output first filtered light pulses at a first predetermined range of wavelengths and second filtered light pulses at a second predetermined range of wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging. More particularly, it relates to compounds of the cyanine family with near-infrared emission characterized by improved physico-chemical and biological properties and to conjugates with biological ligands thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds as optical diagnostic agents in imaging or therapy of solid tumors, to the methods for their preparation and to the compositions comprising them.

Abstract: A carousel-type packaging machine comprising a plurality of workstations adapted to carry out a sequence of packaging operations and a rotating carousel arranged to move the containers through said workstations, wherein the carousel is arranged with a horizontal rotation axis and includes counter-rotating gripping members adapted to maintain containers in a constant trim during the rotation of the carousel through the various steps of the packaging process; the gripping members are further equipped with movable grippers controlled by motors associated with the workstations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging. More particularly, it relates to compounds of the cyanine family with near-infrared emission characterized by improved physico-chemical and biological properties and to conjugates with biological ligands thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds as optical diagnostic agents in imaging or therapy of solid tumors, to the methods for their preparation and to the compositions comprising them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical imaging. More particularly, it relates to compounds of the cyanine family with near- infrared emission characterized by improved physico-chemical and biological properties and to conjugates with biological ligands thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds as optical diagnostic agents in imaging or therapy of solid tumors, to the methods for their preparation and to the compositions comprising them.

Abstract: An electronic device for detecting the weight of a capsule for a pharmaceutical product is provided with: a plurality of detection electrodes, which face a respective one of a plurality of sectors into which the capsule is divided in a main extension direction thereof, each one of the detection electrodes forming a respective detection capacitor with a common plate defined by a capsule-holding element which holds the capsule; and an electronic circuit having a plurality of detection stages, each operatively coupled to a respective one of the detection electrodes so as to detect, in an independent and exclusive manner, a capacitive variation of the respective detection capacitor and to generate a respective output quantity, which is a function of the capacitive variation and indicative of the weight of the respective sector of the capsule.

Abstract: Disclosed are gene signatures and methods for predicting the recurrence of prostate cancer in prostatectomized subjects. Other objectives of the invention are assay devices and kits for determining the expression levels of specific gene sets correlated to prostate cancer recurrence.

Abstract: A laser device for outputting filtered light pulses for inducing coherent Raman scattering in a sample. The laser device comprises a first optical cavity comprising a first gain medium; and a second optical cavity comprising a second gain medium different to the first gain medium. The first gain medium and the second gain medium are each excitable by a pump light source to generate light at respective different ranges of wavelengths. A synchronizer is optically coupled to both the first optical cavity and the second optical cavity. The synchronizer is configured to synchronize and mode-lock light from the first optical cavity and the second optical cavity. The laser device also includes a first optical filter and a second optical filter.

Abstract: An electronic device for detecting the weight of a capsule for a pharmaceutical product is provided with: a plurality of detection electrodes, which face a respective one of a plurality of sectors into which the capsule is divided in a main extension direction thereof, each one of the detection electrodes forming a respective detection capacitor with a common plate defined by a capsule-holding element which holds the capsule; and an electronic circuit having a plurality of detection stages, each operatively coupled to a respective one of the detection electrodes so as to detect, in an independent and exclusive manner, a capacitive variation of the respective detection capacitor and to generate a respective output quantity, which is a function of the capacitive variation and indicative of the weight of the respective sector of the capsule.

Abstract: A profiling machine, comprising: an annular guide (2), which defines a closed-loop path; a carriage (3), movable along the annular guide (2); a support arm (4), rotatably associated with the carriage (3) around a rotation axis (X); a profiling tool (10), associated with the support arm (4); a pusher (5), configured to drive the support arm (4) in rotation in an active direction, in order to push the profiling tool (10) towards a profile (P) to be machined.

Abstract: Functionalized graphene is provided. The functionalized graphene is graphene onto whose surface one or more active molecules are grafted, the active molecule includes a plurality of terminal functional groups, and the plurality of terminal functional groups include at least two active functional groups. Because the active functional groups can chemically react with molecules in silicone oil, the functionalized graphene can evenly dissolve in the silicone oil, so that polyorganosiloxane prepared by using the functionalized graphene has good heat conduction performance. In addition, this application further provides a preparation method of the functionalized graphene and corresponding polyorganosiloxane.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) comprising: semiconductor (2); and an asymmetric electrode arrangement (10) comprising a first electrode (11), a second electrode (12) separated from the first electrode across a portion of the semiconductor and at least one surface plasmon polariton generator (20) associated with at least the first electrode (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting a first tube to a second tube, the tubes being interconnected in an overlapping region by means of an adhesive that fills a gap in the overlapping region between the tubes. Said method is characterized in that: a) adhesive is applied to the overlapping region of at least one of the tubes and the adhesive is selected in such a way that it is solid at temperatures of below 30° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions (“Nanomaterial Polymer Compositions”) comprising a silicone polymer and a nanomaterial, including but not limited to, a single or multi-walled nanotube, a nanowire, a nanodot, a quantum dot, a nanorod, a nanocrystal, a nanotetrapod, a nanotripod, a nanobipod, a nanoparticle, a nanosaw, a nanospring, a nanoribbon, a branched nanomaterial, or any combination thereof. The Nanomaterial Polymer Compositions are useful for optical and sensing devices including but not limited to noise suppression, passive Q-switching, mode-locking, waveform shaping, optical switching, optical signal regeneration, phase conjugation or filter devices, dispersion compensation, wavelength conversion, a soliton stabilization, microcavity applications, interferometers; optical, magneto-optical or electro-optical modulation; and biochemical sensors and photodetectors. The Nanomaterial Polymer Compositions are also useful in soft lithography processes.

Abstract: A system and a method for the transmission of signals representative of an event include a first low frequency clock and a low frequency counter for generating a first delay, and a second high frequency clock and a high frequency counter for generating a second delay. The system further includes a transmitter for transmitting the representative signals after a delay from the event made up by the sum of the first and the second delay. The second delay can be generated also by an analog device including for example a capacitor, and devices for charging the capacitor up to the reaching of a preset voltage at its ends. A wireless transmission system according to the invention is utilized in a checking system with a contact detecting probe, for transmitting a signal representative of contact with the piece to be checked.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions (“Optical Nanomaterial Compositions”) comprising one or more nanomaterials and an optical coupling gel or an optical adhesive. The invention also provides methods for using the Optical Nanomaterial Compositions as an index-matching gel, an optical adhesive or an optical film, all of which are suitable for optical and sensing devices applications, including but not limited to noise suppression, passive Q-switching, mode-locking, waveform shaping, optical switching, optical signal regeneration, phase conjugation, in filter devices, dispersion compensation, wavelength conversion, soliton stabilization, microcavity applications, in interferometers (such as the Gires-Tournois interferometer), optical, magneto-optical or electro-optical modulation, biochemical sensors and photodetectors.

Abstract: A system for checking dimensions of mechanical component parts includes a checking probe (4) which can be programmed from a base unit (11) by means of a wireless radio-frequency link. An interface unit (34) connected to or integrated in the base unit includes control devices with at least an infrared receiver (26, 27) causing the generation of a control signal once coded signals are received. The coded signals can be transmitted by a remote controller (37)—which can be of a universal or dedicated type—or by an emitter (24, 25) adjacent to the receiver. In this second case the transmitted coded signal is adapted to be reflected, for example by an operator's finger, and the pair of emitter and receiver forms an optical switch.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting a first tube to a second tube, the tubes being interconnected in an overlapping region by means of an adhesive that fills a gap in the overlapping region between the tubes. Said method is characterized in that: a) adhesive is applied to the overlapping region of at least one of the tubes and the adhesive is selected in such a way that it is solid at temperatures of below 30° C.