University of Bari Aldo Moro
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Measurement of the Ωc0 and Ξc0 baryon lifetimes using hadronic b-baryon decays
No full textThe lifetimes of the Ωc0 and Ξc0 baryons are measured using a pp collision dataset collected by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1. The charm baryons are produced in the fully reconstructed decay chains Ωb−→Ωc0→pK−K−π+π− and Ξb−→Ξc0→pK−K−π+π−. The measurement uses topologically and kinematically similar B− → D0(→ K−K+π−π+)π− decays for normalisation. The measured lifetimes are (Formula presented.) where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to the uncertainty of the D0 lifetime. These results are consistent with previous measurements performed by the LHCb experiment
Indecomposability of derived categories in families
No full textUsing the moduli space of semiorthogonal decompositions in a smooth projective family, introduced by the second, the third and the fourth author, we propose a novel approach to indecomposability questions for derived categories. Modulo a natural conjecture on the structure of the moduli space, we give both general results, and discuss interesting explicit examples of the behaviour of indecomposability in families, by relating it to the behaviour of the canonical base locus in families. These examples are symmetric powers of curves, certain regular surfaces of general type with large canonical base locus, and Hilbert schemes of points on surfaces. Indecomposability for symmetric powers of curves has been settled via other means, the other cases remain open and we expect that our analysis of the base locus will prove instrumental in finding unconditional proofs
The first-in-class 1,3,5-triazine-derived dual 5-HT6R/FAAH modulators in search for potential drug against neurodegenerative diseases with cognitive impairment
No full textDue to complex etiology, a promising approach to find an effective therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD) lies in the search for multitarget ligands. Within this study, we have identified novel 1,3,5-triazine derivatives that modulate either the serotonin 5-HT6 receptor and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme, also slightly inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes, thus representing pioneering multitarget approach to address key pathological mechanisms in AD. Among the synthesized compounds, the m-chlorobenzyl- 7 (5-HT6R pKi = 7.59) and the trimethoxybenzyl- 23 (5-HT6R pKi = 6.33) derivatives exhibited the most favorable multitarget action, with 5-HT6R selectivity over other GPCR off-targets. Comprehensive molecular modeling provided insights into the compounds interactions with the molecular targets considered. In vitro evaluations revealed satisfactory metabolic stability and low risks of toxicity, including neurotoxicity. Notably, 23 demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects against Aβ1-42-induced toxicity in hippocampal model (HT-22). Furthermore, in a Novel Object Recognition (NOR) test, both 7 and 23 ameliorated MK-801-induced memory deficits in rats. The results indicate the therapeutic potential for these first-in-class dual modulators of both, endocannabinoid system and serotonergic neurotransmission, to address neurodegenerative diseases such as A
Travels with Lyell. Mary Horner’s “hidden” contribution to early nineteenth century geology
No full textThe early nineteenth century marked a crucial phase in the development of Earth sciences. While traditional historical narratives have largely focused on male scientists, a more composite picture is now emerging that recognises the participation of women who, in various ways and within the constraints of their time, contributed to the formation of the geosciences. In Britain, in particular, many women were actively engaged in scientific work, conducting research along the coasts and in the countryside, helping to uncover the Earth’s geological past.
Despite being excluded from formal scientific institutions, women often found ways to participate in informal networks of collaboration, carving out significant roles for themselves in a male‐dominated scientific environment. This article focuses on Mary Elizabeth Horner Lyell (1808‐1873). Reconstructing her contributions is difficult: she did not publish under her own name and much of her work is indistinctly intertwined with that of her husband, the geologist Charles Lyell (1797‐1875).
Through the examination of archival material, travelogues and correspondence, this study explores Mary Horner Lyell’s work as a geologist, conchologist, field assistant, translator and correspondent within international scientific networks. Her case illustrates how women, though often invisible in the published literature, played essential roles in the production and circulation of scientific knowledge of the early nineteenth century
Variation in the pollen diet of managed bee species across European agroecosystems
No full textBee-mediated pollination plays a crucial role in sustaining global food production. However, while the demand for these pollination services is increasing, many bee species are in decline. To address this discrepancy, farmers use managed bee species to improve crop pollination. One key factor affecting pollination efficiency is the affinity for the crop of interest (i.e., the extent to which a bee integrates floral resources of a crop into its diet). In this study, we characterised and compared the pollen foraging preferences of three managed bee species: Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, and Osmia bicornis, across European agricultural landscapes and across biogeographic regions. Managed populations of each bee species were experimentally established at 128 agricultural sites growing either apple or rapeseed, in landscapes representing gradients in terms of the proportion of cropland, in eight European countries. We conducted pollen store sampling and employed palynological analyses to describe the foraging preferences of these species and to extrapolate their suitability as pollinators for both crops. Our findings reveal that A. mellifera and B. terrestris exhibited a more generalised pollen diet compared to O. bicornis, which showed stronger preference to certain pollen forage plants, but these were mainly non-crop rather than crop plants. These results question the relevance of using O. bicornis in apple orchards and rapeseed crops given their poor affinity with these crops. Overall, A. mellifera collected the highest proportion of rapeseed pollen in its diet, and A. mellifera and B. terrestris collected higher proportions of apple pollen than O. bicornis. Our findings also highlight substantial variation in the percentage of focal crop pollen in the diet across biogeographic regions, while landscape composition had virtually no impact. These results provide valuable insights for selecting the most suitable managed bee species to enhance the pollination of two key crops in Europe
Transparency and Trust in the United States' Response to and Attitudes about Climate Change
No full textThis article explores the concept of “climate transparency” in two related settings: in communication about climate change policy by U.S. political elites and in public opinion among the U.S. population. We consider the meaning of the term “transparency” and how climate transparency has risen to prominence in the worldwide effort to combat climate change. We then analyse two sides of transparency in the United States’ treatment of the climate crisis: what political leaders have said about climate transparency and how the public has perceived it. Our analysis combines two methodological approaches: linguistic corpus analysis and public opinion data analysis. The corpus, which includes speeches delivered by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, John Kerry and Al Gore at COP summits, illustrates how the United States has contributed to transparent approaches to fighting climate change. This analysis emphasizes U.S. political leaders’ usage of the terms “accountable,” “candid,” “honest,” and “transparent;” “fossil fuels” and “decarbonisation” (as transparency requires the problem to be named directly); and “science” and “scientists” (the source of information that needs to be shared transparently). Meanwhile, analysis of public opinion data from a large sample of Americans reveals that individuals who agree with the Biden administration on climate policy are especially inclined to view the administration as transparent and trustworthy, as are those who have confidence in scientists, liberals, and older, better educated, and non-white Americans. The corpus analysis speaks directly to the public opinion analysis, as we examine the circumstances under which leaders who prioritize climate protection are perceived as transparent and trustworthy
The ACT Model: A Literature Review on the Role of Influencer Marketing in Digital Environments with a Focus on Food and Beverage
No full textThis research examines the role of influencer marketing in the digital environment, focusing on the food and beverage
sector through a literature review. Specifically, the authors introduce the ACT framework (Attractive, Connection,
Trend), a theoretical model that explains how human and virtual influencers attract consumers by creating emotional
connections and, consequently, generating new consumption trends. In particular, articles focusing on the role of
influencer marketing in digital environments, with a specific emphasis on the food and beverage sector, were identified,
selected, and included via Scopus and Scholar, following the PRISMA approach. Results identified three main research
areas, related to: Attraction, Connection, and Trend. Overall, results reveal that while users tend to perceive virtual
influencers similarly to human ones, awareness of their artificial nature can create a sense of detachment from reality,
finally impacting consumer behavior. This study, through the ACT model, provides preliminary analysis of the role of
influencer marketing in digital environments, with a focus on the food and beverage sector. Furthermore, it offers
valuable insights for both academic research and digital marketing strategies in the food and beverage industry
A Conceptual Framework for an Agroecological Business Model Canvas
No full textAgroecological transition toward stronger sustainability demands systemic changes in various domains across farms, agroecosystem landscapes, and broader food systems. Business model innovation plays a critical enabling role, by aligning farming systems with agroecology. However, designing or transforming farming business models presents significant challenges, as it involves a radical rethinking of the foundational architecture of value creation, delivery, and capture. This study offers a structured and actionable approach to support this process, by developing a conceptual framework that systematically integrates the FAO’s 10 Elements of Agroecology into the Business Model Canvas, drawing on an exploratory literature review and following a five-stage process. The outcome is a prototype of an Agroecological Business Model Canvas (ABMC) that serves as both an analytical and strategic tool to support the design, evaluation, and improvement of agroecological business models. The proposed ABMC redefines conventional components and introduces additional ones to fully reflect agroecological principles and incorporate evaluation elements for assessing both the transition degree and multidimensional sustainability performance. By facilitating iterative reflection and co-design, the ABMC represents a practical device for advancing Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems and supporting farmers in developing context-specific sustainable, resilient, and socially grounded agroecological business models
Constraints on the Pre-Big Bang scenario from a cosmological interpretation of the NANOGrav data
No full textWe discuss a recently proposed fit of the 15-year data set obtained from the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) in terms of a relic stochastic background of primordial gravitons, produced in the context of the string cosmology pre-big bang scenario. We show that such interpretation cannot be reconciled with a phenomenologically viable minimal version of such scenario, while it can be allowed if one considers an equally viable but generalised, non-minimal version of pre-big bang evolution. Maintaining the S-duality symmetry throughout the high-curvature string phase is possible although somewhat disfavoured. The implications of this non-minimal scenario for the power spectrum of curvature perturbations are also briefly discussed
Role of copper chelating agents: between old applications and new perspectives in neuroscience
No full textThe role of copper element has been an Increasingly relevant topic In recent years In the fields of human and animal health, for both the study of new drugs and Innovative food and feed supplements. This metal plays an important role in the central nervous system, where it is associated with glutamatergic signaling, and it is widely involved in inflammatory processes. Thus, diseases involving copper (II) dyshomeostasis often have neurological symptoms, as exemplified by Alzheimer's and other diseases (such as Parkinson's and Wilson's diseases). Moreover, imbalanced copper ion concentrations have also been associated with diabetes and certain types of cancer, including glioma.
In this paper, we propose a comprehensive overview of recent results that show the importance of these metal ions in several pathologies, mainly Alzheimer's disease, through the lens of the development and use of copper chelators as research compounds and potential therapeutics if included in multi-target hybrid drugs. Finally, seeing how copper homeostasis is important for the well-being of animals as well as humans, we shortly describe the state of the art regarding the effects of copper and its chelators in agriculture, livestock rearing, and aquaculture, as ingredients for the formulation of feed supplements as well as to prevent the effects of pollution on animal productions