Search results for " Synthetic"
showing 10 items of 182 documents
On a Roadmap to Biologically Inspired Cognitive Agents
2011
A new challenge is proposed for future intelligent artifacts based on biologically inspired cognitive architectures (BICA), called the BICA Challenge. Namely, it is proposed that a BICA agent can only be considered human-level intelligent if it can be accepted and trusted as an equal member (a “person”) by a human community. For example, an agent of this sort would be able to win a political election against human candidates.
Resistance to disinfection of a polymicrobial association contaminating the surface of elastomeric dental impressions.
2009
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability to resist disinfection of a polymicrobial association contaminating the surface of dental impressions obtained with two different elastomers: a polyether (Impregum) and an addition-polymerized silicone (Elite). Impressions were contaminated with a mixture of three biofilm-forming microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans) and disinfected immediately after contamination, or after microbial layers were allowed to develop during a six-hour storage. Two commercial disinfectants were tested: MD 520 containing 0.5% glutaraldehyde and Sterigum Powder without glutaraldehyde. Residual contamination was recover…
Differing kinetics of anti-spike protein IgGs and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 after Comirnaty (BNT162b2) immunization
2022
Abstract Aims Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has had a serious worldwide impact on human health. On December 2020, an immunization campaign with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine (Comirnaty-BNT162b2 Pfizer-BioNTech) was started in Italy, first targeting healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aims to investigate the antibodies that are response against SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Methods and Results The kinetics and the persistence of both anti-S1/S2 IgGs and neutralizing antibodies (Nt-Abs) were investigated in 76 HCWs through a 4-month follow-up with multiple testing points starting at the first dose. Temporal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Abs titre kinetics showed three diff…
A multifunctional peptidomimetic macromolecule to fight polymicrobial infections
2018
Properties of modified hepatitis B virus surface antigen particles carrying preS epitopes
1995
The current hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines contain the small (S) and middle (M) viral envelope proteins in particulate form but lack the large (L) protein. Although these particles elicit protective immunity to HBV, inclusion of the immunogenic preS1 region of the L protein may enhance their efficacy. To present preS1-derived epitopes on secretable subviral particles we rearranged the HBV envelope ORF by fusing part or all of the preS1 region to either the N or C terminus of the S protein. Fusion of the first 42 residues of preS1 to either site allowed efficient secretion of the modified particles and rendered the linked sequence accessible at the surface of the particle. Conversely, fusi…
Perspectives of the encapsulation technology in the nursery activity of Citrus
2007
The genetic and phytosanitary certification has to guarantee the quality of the propagation material also in Citrus. Traditional methods can be assisted by the techniques of in vitro culture, which are fundamental for the mass production of high quality plants. The encapsulation technology represents an innovative tool to combine the advantages of micropropagation with handling ease, storability, reduced size of the propagules, mechanization potentiality, transportability of the gamic seeds. In this work somatic embryos obtained from in vitro anther culture of the cultivar Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli (Citrus reticulata Blanco) were encapsulated in a sodium alginate matrix and synthetic se…
Preliminary research on conversion of encapsulated somatic embryos of Citrus reticulata Blanco, cv. Mandardino Tardivo di Ciaculli.
2006
Somatic embryogenesis was obtained through anther culture of Citrus reticulata, cv. Mandarino Tardivo di Ciaculli. The work was carried out to evaluate the response of somatic embryos inside a sodium alginate coating to different storage periods, and to the effects of the germicide PPM (1 ml l(-1) stop) and the fungicide Thiophanate-methyl (100 mg l(-1) stop). The effect of these alone or in combination, added to the artificial endosperm on the performance of the encapsulated somatic embryos was tested. After 45 days of culturing, sprouting, root development and conversion were recorded. The encapsulated somatic embryos can be conveniently stored at 4 degrees C, but not for a period longer …
Series of Near-IR-Absorbing Transition Metal Complexes with Redox Active Ligands
2020
New soluble and intensely near-IR-absorbing transition metal (Ti, Zr, V, Ni) complexes were synthesized using a redox non-innocent N,N&rsquo
Synthesis, benzodiazepine receptor binding and molecular modelling of isochromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-5(1H)-one derivatives
2012
Abstract A series of isochromeno[4,3-c]pyrazole-5(1H)-one derivatives 7b–h were prepared and tested at 10 μM for their ability to displace specific [3H]flunitrazepam from bovine brain membranes. The substitution pattern of the above derivatives was shown to influence the receptor affinity. The most active compound of the series was 7e, showing a 54% inhibition of [3H]flunitrazepam binding. Compounds 7a–d,i were compared with the known isomers chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazole-4(1H)-ones 14a–d,i, showing that the isochromene/chromene isomerism influences the activity.
Light-driven proton transport of bacteriorhodopsin incorporated into long-term stable liposomes of a polymerizable sulfolipid
1983
Abstract The chromoprotein bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium halobium has been incorporated into liposomes made of a fully synthetic, polymerizable lipid. Bacteriorhodopsin is found to be active in these polymer liposomes. The advantage in the use of such polymer systems concerning long-term stability in comparison with liposomes made of natural lipid is demonstrated.