A process for preparing information that identifies a compound as capable of perturbing the epithelium in a D. melanogaster comprising the steps of: i) obtaining a D. melanogaster which is genetically unmodified except that the D. melanogaster optionally comprises at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a reporter polypeptide operably linked to a promoter of an endogenous protein; ii) contacting the D. melanogaster with the compound; and iii) determining whether there is a difference between the epithelium of the D. melanogaster of ii) and the epithelium of a corresponding D. melanogaster not contacted with the compound, wherein the presence of a difference between the epithelium of the D. melanogaster contacted with the compound and the epithelium of a corresponding D. melanogaster not contacted with the compound identifies the compound as a compound that is capable of perturbing the epithelium in a D. melanogaster.

The present invention refers to an embodied Robot videogame apparatus that receives input through the (human) user' s physical actions (full body actions), contact and physiological signals (Bio-signals). The apparatus has as principal components: led/sound sensor eye with a video camera; mechanical lever; rotation sensor; rubber torso; solar battery; sensor leds; heart rate and galvanic skin response sensor; multi - touch computer display, with a 1/0 board v2.0 Bluetooth wireless connection; multiplayer button; microphone;intensity sensor; feet support; suspensions; rubber pneumatic wheels; accelerometer sensor; plastic leveler sensor; wireless Bluetooth digitizers; Velcro strips; and GPS. The apparatus includes a series of electronic sensor that detects the user's input physical actions, contact and physiological signals in real-time. The output result is visualized on a multi - touch computer display. The player's real-time actions are translated in virtual actions in the software game scenarios (e.g., running with the physical robot represents the same virtual action in the game avatar). The apparatus establishes a simultaneous connection between physical and virtual realities and can be shared through online connection.

The present invention relates to a winemaking method that uses the traditional vinification process, except that, after fermentation, the wine is put into contact with a chitosan-based film and no sulphur dioxide is added to the wine. The present invention also relates to a method for producing the chitosan-based film by modifying chitosan with natural compounds that make it possible to produce chitosan films that are stable in an acid environment, have high antioxidant activity and retain antimicrobial activity. In one embodiment, the films are produced by covalently bonding to chitosan molecules that increase the insolubility of chitosan in an acid environment, such as genipin, and molecules with high antioxidant activity, such as caffeic acid or grape or wine extracts that are rich in compounds with antioxidant activity.

The present invention discloses a machine (1) for preparation of beverages, in particular beverages obtained by percolation such as for example espresso coffee, that presents a discharge device (5) with possibility of regulation of the height of beverage discharge, so that it may serve recipients of different dimensions and, in particular, different heights. The discharge device (5). The discharge device (5) with regulation of the height of exit is characterized by its construction simplicity, operation reliability and different embodiment possibilities.

The mechanical seals present in almost all types of industries (petro-chemical industry, for example) involve high temperatures in the pumping processes and need to be improved in view of the cost. The existing solutions have sealing elements which collapse when exposed to high temperatures. Rare and expensive materials are used to restrain the failure and consequent intervention, but the heat transfer persists. Through mechanical construction is created an inner zone which can be fully closed (13, 14), in which a fluid circulates promoting heat exchange zones which would not be accessible. More important than that is the increased lifespan and reduced mechanical seal interventions. A leak can be something extremely dangerous and may be the cause of immeasurable loss.

The present invention in the field of mechanical engineering consists of an improved chemical propulsion system in which at least one of the reactants is stored in the liquid phase (10). The invention includes a conventional reaction chamber (1) and nozzle (2) and re¬ uses waste heat from the refrigeration of said reaction chamber and nozzle, transferred to, for example piping (5) containing reactant that is adjacent to them, in order to vaporize and pressurize said reactant (s) (11) in the reservoirs (3, 12). The reactant (s) are then fed, in gaseous phase to the reaction chamber (1), with their flow controlled by valves (4). The liquid and gaseous phases in each reservoir may be physically separated by a separation element (13). This invention presents a simpler constructive solution for chemical propulsion systems, and is applicable especially to liquid or hybrid rocket motors.

The implantable hernia prosthesis of the present invention comprises at least one piece of mesh (1) arranged to cover at least a portion of the hernia, at least one support element (2) attached to said piece of mesh (1), said support element (2) comprising at least one resilient, deformable biasing filament, characterized by said support element (2) being an uninterrupted tension providing ring surrounding a portion of said mesh (1) and further comprising an indentation directed towards the center of said ring.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising a modified albumin-binding domain to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic molecules. The modified peptides show reduced immunogenicity and/or improved solubility. In particular, compositions and methods for enhancing therapeutic potential of protein therapeutics are provided including linking a protein albumin-binding domain, which has been modified to reduce immunogenicity and/or improve solubility, to a therapeutic protein, including therapeutic antibodies, antibody fragments, antibody single domains and/or dimers of antibody single domains. These linked polypeptides can exhibit enhanced serum half life without exacerbated immunogenicity and/or without decreased solubility, and without substantially affecting the specific binding properties of the therapeutic protein.

The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising one or more antibody single domains, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, directed against Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, in particular, two light chain variable domains in dimeric form, where the dimer has high solubility. It also relates to methods of using anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides in treating inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. Compositions and methods for enhancing therapeutic potential of anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides are provided, including linking the polypeptide to an albumin-binding domain and/or de-immunizing the polypeptide, to provide therapeutic agents with good solubility, enhanced serum half-life, and/or reduced immunogenicity, while substantially maintaining the specific binding properties of the anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha polypeptides.

There is provided a container for culturing cell samples in a 3D matrix in a spinner flask, the container comprising a plurality of chambers for containing the cell samples, wherein at least one of the walls of the chambers are perforated to allow culture media to enter the chambers through the perforations from outside the container, and wherein the container comprises one or more detachable lids which, when detached, open the top of the chambers to allow cell samples to be placed directly into or removed from the chambers.