DAU - Digital Archive of URL (Ramon Llull University)
Not a member yet
5388 research outputs found
Sort by
Measurement of CP asymmetry in Bs0→Ds∓K± decays
Get PDFA measurement of the CP-violating parameters in Bs0→Ds∓K± decays is reported, based on the analysis of proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6 fb−1 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measured parameters are obtained with a decay-time dependent analysis yielding Cf = 0.791 ± 0.061 ± 0.022, Af∆Γ = −0.051 ± 0.134 ± 0.058, Af¯∆Γ = −0.303 ± 0.125 ± 0.055, Sf = −0.571 ± 0.084 ± 0.023 and Sf¯ = −0.503 ± 0.084 ± 0.025, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This corresponds to CP violation in the interference between mixing and decay of about 8.6 σ. Together with the value of the Bs0 mixing phase −2βs, these parameters are used to obtain a measurement of the CKM angle γ equal to (74 ± 12)° modulo 180°, where the uncertainty contains both statistical and systematic contributions. This result is combined with the previous LHCb measurement in this channel using 3 fb−1 resulting in a determination of γ=81−11+12∘.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Advanced Skin Models for Nanomaterials Safety Assessment
Get PDFThe human skin acts as a biological shield against prolonged exposure to nanomaterials (NMs) and nanoparticles (NPs) coming from cosmetics, textiles, and environmental pollutants that are known to lead to adverse effects such as oxidative stress, skin irritation, and skin diseases. This chapter reviews the main pollutants that our skin are exposed to daily as well as the advanced in vitro skin models used for assessing nanotoxicity. It is widely known that the existing 2D and 3D skin models try to mimic the complexity of skin physiology however they still lack specific skin structures such as vascularization and hair follicles. Skin-on-a-chip (SoC) devices, employing microfluidic technologies, bring the advantage of offering dynamic environments for more realistic evaluations of NMs’ safety assessment. In this chapter, we analyze critically how these models could accelerate nanotoxicity testing and support regulatory decisions. Additionally, we also review existing biological assays for skin toxicity as well as the available computational models (e.g., Nano-QSR) that could help in predicting nanotoxicity taking into consideration the physicochemical properties of NMs. Future research should focus on enhancing skin model complexity and employing computational methods to predict NM behavior, ensuring the safe development of nanomaterials for dermal applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Measurement of the Ωc0 and Ξc0 baryon lifetimes using hadronic b-baryon decays
Get PDFThe 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.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Non-Destructive Classification of Sweetness and Firmness in Oranges Using ANFIS and a Novel CCI–GLCM Image Descriptor
Get PDFThis study introduces a non-destructive computer vision method for estimating postharvest quality parameters of oranges, including maturity index, soluble solid content (expressed in degrees Brix), and firmness. A novel image-based descriptor, termed Citrus Color Index—Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix Texture Features (CCI–GLCM-TF), was developed by integrating the Citrus Color Index (CCI) with texture features derived from the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). By combining contrast, correlation, energy, and homogeneity across multiscale regions of interest and applying geometric calibration to correct image acquisition distortions, the descriptor effectively captures both chromatic and structural information from RGB images. These features served as input to an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), selected for its ability to model nonlinear relationships and gradual transitions in citrus ripening. The proposed ANFIS models achieved R-squared values greater than or equal to 0.81 and root mean square error values less than or equal to 1.1 across all quality parameters, confirming their predictive robustness. Notably, representative models (ANFIS 2, 4, 6, and 8) demonstrated superior performance, supporting the extension of this approach to full-surface exploration of citrus fruits. The results outperform methods relying solely on color features, underscoring the importance of combining spectral and textural descriptors. This work highlights the potential of the CCI–GLCM-TF descriptor, in conjunction with ANFIS, for accurate, real-time, and non-invasive assessment of citrus quality, with practical implications for automated classification, postharvest process optimization, and cost reduction in the citrus industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A robotic system for space-time characterization of parametric acoustic sound sources
Get PDFParametric acoustic loudspeakers use arrays of ultrasonic transducers to generate audible fields through the non linearities of the propagation medium. Despite being commercially well consolidated, some aspects of the generated audible field still deserve further investigation, This paper describes the acquisition of impulse responses generated by parametric loudspeaker prototypes using an automated system to scan the sound field spatially. The scanning system comprises a 6-degree-of-freedom robotic
arm mounted over a linear track for increased spatial coverage. The robot positions the microphone in pre specified locations inside two desired apertures irradiated by the sound source. First, scanning planes parallel to the source axis allows direct visualization of the sound field generated by the source. Second, the scan of a normal plane to the source axis allows future applications using near-field acoustic holography and sound field reconstruction. This work showcases the first steps in implementing such measurements for parametric acoustic loudspeakersinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Nutritional profile of the diet according to circadian clock genes in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) chronodiet study
Get PDFBackground & aims
Circadian rhythms seem to impact both dietary intake and metabolism, depending on the individual's chronotype. We aimed to explore whether the nutritional composition of meals throughout the day is influenced by genetics linked to the circadian clock and chronotype within the “European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) chronodiet” study.
Methods
The study population comprised 3,183 subjects with information on diet and twelve genetic variants of six genes (PER1, PER2, PER3, CRY1, NR1D1, CLOCK). The associations between the variants with chrononutrition variables (macronutrients and serving sizes of each meal) were evaluated using linear regression, considering an additive genetic model, and adjusting for sex, age and center, among others. The β coefficients, 95 % confidence intervals (CI), and p-values corrected for multiple comparisons were estimated. A genetic risk score (GRS) that was associated to the evening/late chronotype as well as overweight/obesity in a previous study, the chronotype-GRS, was tested for its association with chrononutrition variables.
Results
The nutritional profile of the diet differed according to the individual's chronotype, with evening/late chronotypes exhibiting an unbalanced intake during breakfast and dinner compared to the intermediate and early chronotypes (e.g., percentage of fats consumed at breakfast relative to the total fat intake: 13 % and 9 %, respectively). However, significant differences were not encountered by the chronotype-GRS. In multivariate analyses, individual associations between the genetic variants and the nutrients revealed some nominal associations (e.g., rs1801260 and rs2070062 with carbohydrates at breakfast: β = −0.06 to 0.08). Higher scorings of the chronotype-GRS were inversely associated with the intake of proteins and carbohydrates (β = −0.46 and −0.41; nominal p-value<0.006; corrected = 0.25) during breakfast. Also, there was an inverse association between the chronotype-GRS and the breakfast's portion size (β = −0.3; nominal p-value = 0.03; corrected = 0.1).
Conclusions
Genetic susceptibility to an evening-like chronotype prone to overweight/obesity seems to be associated with a smaller serving size during breakfast, with lower protein and carbohydrate content.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Sustainability and efficiency assessment of routes for long-term energy storage in chemicals
Get PDFRenewable power plays a prominent role in the decarbonization of energy generation, particularly wind and solar energy sources. However, the intermittency of these renewable sources calls for energy storage, where hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol have emerged as potential chemical energy vectors. Such alternatives are often evaluated without modelling all the phases in detail of the storage process, i.e., (1) power-to-chemicals (P2C), (2) storage, and (3) chemicals-to-power (C2P), which can lead to limited insights. This work evaluates hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol as chemical energy vectors considering their economic and environmental performance using detailed simulations for all phases of the process based on harmonized assumptions and consistent datasets. Moreover, process simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA) are coupled with data envelopment analysis (DEA) to identify the most efficient alternatives and determine improvement targets for the inefficient ones. Hydrogen is found to have the lowest costs and environmental impacts, while methanol-based scenarios are moderately more expensive, and ammonia routes are the costliest. Furthermore, based on our modelling assumptions, methanol routes outperform ammonia routes in both economic and environmental terms. This work sheds light on the potential of chemical energy storage applications, and aims to open new avenues for holistic assessments of power generation and storage technologies under multiple sustainability and economic indicators.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Glycogenin is dispensable for normal liver glycogen metabolism and body glucose homeostasis
Get PDFGlycogen is a glucose-storage polysaccharide molecule present in animals, fungi and bacteria. The enzyme glycogenin can self-glycosylate, forming an oligosaccharide chain that primes glycogen synthesis. This priming role of glycogenin was first believed to be essential for glycogen synthesis, but glycogen was then found in the skeletal muscle, heart, liver and brain of glycogenin-knockout mice (Gyg KO), thereby showing that glycogen can be synthesized without glycogenin. Within the liver, glycogen is present in the form of individual glycogen particles, called β particles, and larger composite aggregates of linked β particles, called α particles. Previous studies suggested that liver glycogenin plays a role in linking β particles into α particles and thus participating in glucose homeostasis, which implies that α particles would be absent in Gyg KO mice liver. Here we test this through targeted characterization of glycogen structure and through proteomic and metabolic studies on Gyg KO mice. The results show that, contrary to what had been believed, glycogenin is not necessary for normal liver-glycogen metabolism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Combining molecular modelling approaches for a holistic thermophysical characterisation of fluorinated refrigerant blends
Get PDFAfter Montreal Protocol, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) appeared to be a permanent solution for replacing previous ozone-depleting substances. However, their utilisation has now progressively decreased following the Kigali Amendment application in 2016 due to their high global warming potential (GWP). Unsaturated HFCs, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), are considered feasible alternatives due to their high reaction rates and low atmospheric lifetimes, resulting in very low GWP. However, available data on their physicochemical behaviour still needs to be improved, even with the recent increase in the amount of new experimental data for these systems. In this direction, computational tools provide a quick pathway to screen their properties and complete the information obtained from experimental work. In this contribution, two different molecular modelling tools, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the soft-SAFT equation of state (EOS), are combined to compute the coexistence densities, vapour pressure, heat capacity, interfacial tension, and dynamic viscosity of several refrigerant blends based on 3rd and 4th generation compounds, in order to provide a thermodynamic analysis of the properties of these mixtures, addressing them for drop-in replacement purposes. Results from MD are compared with REFPROP data and those from soft-SAFT, where the capacities of both modelling methods are addressed. In general, quantitative agreement is achieved using the two approaches, offering a framework to screen these properties for new mixtures.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
N-Acetylcysteine-Amide Protects Against Acute Acrylamide Neurotoxicity in Adult Zebrafish
Get PDFAcrylamide (ACR) is a potent neurotoxicant that disrupts cellular redox homeostasis by depleting reduced glutathione (GSH) and inducing oxidative stress. Despite its well-characterized mechanism, no effective treatments for ACR-induced neurotoxicity currently exist. This study evaluates the therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine-amide (AD4), a blood–brain barrier (BBB)-permeable derivative of N-acetylcysteine, in a novel severe acute ACR neurotoxicity model in adult zebrafish. Adult zebrafish received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of ACR (800 μg/g), followed by AD4 (400 μg/g i.p.) or PBS 24 h later. ACR exposure reduced brain GSH levels by 51% reduction at 48 h, an effect fully reversed by AD4 treatment. Behavioral analyses showed that AD4 rescued ACR-induced deficits in short-term habituation of the acoustic startle response (ASR). Surprisingly, ACR exposure did not alter the neurochemical profile of key neurotransmitters or the expression of genes related to redox homeostasis, synaptic vesicle recycling, regeneration, or myelination. These results demonstrate AD4’s neuroprotective effects against acute ACR-induced brain toxicity, highlighting its therapeutic potential and validating adult zebrafish as a translational model for studying neurotoxic mechanisms and neuroprotective interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio