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    A hybrid trans-modal liquid crystal optical vortex generator

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    This work experimentally validates a large-aperture optical vortex generator using a novel hybrid structure, combining transmission electrode and modal techniques, in what we term the trans-modal technique. The continuous transmission electrode is designed to generate a linear voltage distribution between the contact electrodes, while the electrode stubs distribute the voltage across the active area. A high-resistivity layer of the conducting polymer PEDOT fills the gap between the electrodes, resulting in a completely continuous voltage distribution. A 1-cm aperture device is experimentally demonstrated, but the structure is completely scalable. Theoretical results validate the design, and experimental results demonstrate precise control over the topological charge for both positive and negative values of orbital angular momentum. Remarkably, the conversion efficiency for the first topological charges is almost 100%. The reduction in efficiency of the higher-order modes has been explained theoretically, and it is not caused by design but by the PEDOT characteristics. The fabrication process is straightforward, as the high-resistivity layer may also be inhomogeneous. This work contributes significantly to the field by introducing a novel method for optical vortex generation. The simplicity of the fabrication process, high conversion efficiency, and ability to control the topological charge make this technique a promising avenue for future research and applications.The authors would like to thank Prof. Ignacio Moreno for his helpful suggestions. J.F.A. acknowledges the support of the project RYC2022-035279-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Spain and FSE+. Also, by projects TED2021-130378B-C21 and PID2022-137269OB-C22 funded by MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033, Spain and by FEDER, Spain “A way to make Europe”. N. Bennis also acknowledges research project UGB 22-725 (Military University of Technology). D.C.Z. acknowledges the support of the project PRIN-2022 ALPHA (202288M84C) ”ALl-dielectric resonant metasurfaces enhancing PHoton emission phenomenA“ (CUP Master:D53D23001060006, CUP:B53D2300233 0006), Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), financed by the European Union, Next Generation EU. Finally, it has to be noted that this research was carried out on devices co-funded by the Warsaw University of Technology, Poland within the Excellence Initiative: Research University (IDUB) programme

    Advanced green capture of microplastics from different water matrices by surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles

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    The extensive production and application of plastic in recent decades has resulted in the presence of micro-plastics (MPs) in different water bodies. Considered as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), MPs are accessible to a wide range of organisms and can act as vectors for the transport of other persistent organic pollutants. The existing technologies to remove microplastics from wastewaters and prevent their intrusion in nature, still present several limitations, resulting in an urgent need to develop novel, fast, cost-effective and greener alternatives. In this work, the magnetophoretic capture of MPs by their assembly with magnetic nano particles through either electrostatic interactions or molecular forces is investigated. For the experimental assessment, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal coprecipitation and solvothermal decomposition methods, while polyethylene (PE) microspheres were selected as model microplastic pollutants. As a noteworthy novelty, thermal decomposition and coprecipitation particles were functionalized with amino groups and sodium alginate (SA), respectively, resulting in a modification of their surface properties and enhanced electrostatic or molecular interactions with MPs. After preliminary experiments, a concentration of 1.3 g L-1 and a contact time of 20 min between magnetic nanoparticles and MPs, were selected as operating conditions to assess the influence of the functional groups on the capture performance. The influence of other variables in the process was also evaluated, including the magnetic nanoparticles synthesis method, the pH of the medium, varied in the range 4?8, and the water constituents that may be present in water bodies. Results demonstrated that the presence of different types of polar groups on the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles make them interact towards MPs through electrostatic attraction or molecular forces, considerably enhancing the capture performance of bare magnetic nanoparticles. This work represents a step forward in the development of new and reliable techniques for the environmentally friendly capture of microplastics from polluted waters.These results are part of the R&D project PID2021-122563OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF/EU”. Daniel Aragón is grateful for the grant PRE2022-104908 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF+”. Belén García-Merino is grateful for the grant PRE2019-089339 and funded by MICIU/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Carmen Barquín is grateful for the grant PRE2019-089096 and funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Authors also thanks the technical and human support provided by materials characterization service (SERCAMAT) of the University of Cantabria and the microscopy unit of the Health Research Institute IDIVAL

    Personal Ornaments of Paleolithic Hunter-Gatherers from Llonín Cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias): A Technological and Traceological Approach.

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    La ornamentación personal constituye uno de los pilares fundamentales del estudio de los comportamientos simbólicos durante la prehistoria; ya que, tras cada cuenta de collar, se esconde una función social, una intencionalidad técnica y simbológica, y un medio de comunicación. La cueva de Llonín (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias) cuenta con una de las mayores y más diversas colecciones de ornamentos personales del Paleolítico cantábrico, cubriendo un amplio rango cronológico, desde el Solutrense superior hasta el Aziliense; en el que se perciben importantes cambios tecno-tipológicos en materia de ornamentación. En este trabajo se aborda esta colección desde una perspectiva multidisciplinar que combina el análisis en clave diacrónica con el estudio tipológico y, principalmente, tecnológico y traceológico de los ornamentos personales; buscando determinar, entre otras cosas, las técnicas empleadas en su manufactura, las preferencias en cuanto a la captación de materia prima, el uso que se les dio y, en última instancia, la función social que pudieron cumplir en el contexto de Llonín. Los resultados obtenidos permiten inferir una mayor heterogeneidad en lo referido a las tipologías, técnicas de manufactura y modos de uso utilizados durante las fases antiguas de la secuencia; en contraste con la estandarización y homogeneidad que caracteriza al conjunto del Magdaleniense medio, la etapa mejor representada de la colección. A su vez, frente a la funcionalidad de tipo individual que se hipotetiza para los ornamentos datados en el Solutrense y Badegouliense (en base a los mencionados análisis), del registro del Magdaleniense medio se extrapola una intencionalidad colectiva que, en el caso de Llonín, vinculamos a eventos de agregación o intercambio ocurridos en su contexto.Personal ornamentation constitutes a fundamental pillar in the matter of symbolic behavior in Prehistory; due to the fact that, beneath each and every bead lies a social function, a techno-symbological intention, and a mean of communication. Llonín cave (Peñamellera Alta, Asturias) gathers one of the biggest and most diverse ornaments assemblages in the Cantabrian Palaeolithic, covering a wide chronological range from the upper Solutrean to the Azilian; in which important techno-typological changes are perceptible regarding personal ornamentation. This paper addresses the above-mentioned collection from a multidisciplinary approach which combines a diachronic-key analysis with typological and, mainly, technological and traceological methodologies; aiming to determine, among other things, the manufacturing techniques involved in the crafting of personal ornaments, as well as the use given to them, the raw material procurement preferences and, ultimately, the functions they may have fulfilled in Llonín’s society and its context. The results obtained show greater heterogeneity in terms of typologies, manufacturing techniques and stringing methods used during the older stages of the sequence; in contrast with the homogeneity and standardization perceived during the middle Magdalenian, the best represented period of the assemblage. In addition, compared to the individual functionality hypothesized for the ornaments dated to the Solutrean and Badegoulian (based on the aforementioned analyses), a collective intentionality is extrapolated from the middle Magdalenian record that, in the case of Llonín, we link to aggregation or exchange events that took place in its context.Máster en Prehistoria y Arqueologí

    PoLambRimetry: a multispectral polarimetric atlas of lamb brain

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    Significance: Mueller matrix imaging (MMI) is a comprehensive form of polarization imaging useful for assessing structural changes. However, there is limited literatura on the polarimetric properties of brain specimens, especially with multispectral analysis. Aim: We aim to employ multispectral MMI for an exhaustive polarimetric analysis of brain structures, providing a reference dataset for future studies and enhancing the understanding of brain anatomy for clinicians and researchers. Approach: A multispectral wide-field MMI system was used to measure six fresh lamb brain specimens. Multiple decomposition methods (forward polar, symmetric, and differential) and polarization invariants (indices of polarimetric purity and anisotropy coefficients) have been calculated to obtain a complete polarimetric description of the samples. A total of 16 labels based on major brain structures, including grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM), were identified. K-nearest neighbors classification was used to distinguish between GM and WM and validate the feasibility of MMI for WM identification. Results: As the wavelength increases, both depolarization and retardance increase, suggesting enhanced tissue penetration into deeper layers. Moreover, utilizing multiple wavelengths allowed us to track dynamic shifts in the optical axis of retardance within the brain tissue, providing insights into morphological changes in WM beneath the cortical surface. The use of multispectral data for classification outperformed all results obtained with single-wavelength data and provided over 95% accuracy for the test dataset. Conclusions: The consistency of these observations highlights the potential of multispectral wide-field MMI as a non-invasive and effective technique for investigating the brain's architecture.Various institutions supported this article. This paper is independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Imperial Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the Convergence Science Centre, the Wellcome Trust MedTechOne, and the Brain Tumour Research Centre at Imperial College London. Additional support came from the grant PREVAL 21/07 (FUSIOMUSCLE) funded by IDIVAL, as well as projects DTS22-00127 (hyPERfusioCAM), funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), TED2021-130378B-C21 (PALACE) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/European Union NextGeneration EU/PRTR; PID2022-137269OB-C22 (PERFORMANCE), and funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE. The authors also acknowledge the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. LR23F050001). Mr. Giulio Anichini was financially supported by Brain Tumour Research (BTR), George Pickard’s Research Fellowship, and Brain Tumour Research Campaign (BTRC). Mr. Kevin O’Neill was financially supported by Brain Tumour Research (BTR) and Brain Tumour Research Campaign (BTRC)

    Neddylation inhibition prevents acetaminophen-induced liver damage by enhancing the anabolic cardiolipin pathway

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    Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant cause of acute liver failure (ALF) and liver transplantation in the Western world. Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a main contributor of DILI, leading to hepatocyte cell death through necrosis. Here, we identified that neddylation, an essential post-translational modification involved in the mitochondria function, was upregulated in liver biopsies from patients with APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) and in mice treated with an APAP overdose. MLN4924, an inhibitor of the neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8 (NEDD8)-activating enzyme (NAE-1), ameliorated necrosis and boosted liver regeneration in AILI. To understand how neddylation interferes in AILI, whole-body biotinylated NEDD8 (bioNEDD8) and ubiquitin (bioUB) transgenic mice were investigated under APAP overdose with and without MLN4924. The cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) synthase TAM41, responsible for producing cardiolipin essential for mitochondrial activity, was found modulated under AILI and restored its levels by inhibiting neddylation. Understanding this ubiquitin-like crosstalk in AILI is essential for developing promising targeted inhibitors for DILI treatment.Acknowledgments: This work was supported by grants from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades MICINN: PID2020-117116RB-I00 CEX2021-001136-S integrado en el Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica e Innovación, cofinanciado con Fondos FEDER (for M.L.M.-C.); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Programa Retos-Colaboración RTC2019-007125-1 (for M.L.M.-C.); Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Proyectos Investigación en Salud DTS20/00138 (for M.L.M.-C.); La Caixa Scientific Foundation (HR17-00601) (for M.L.M.-C.); La Caixa Consortium (for M.L.M.-C.); Ayudas Fundación Científica AECC para proyectos coordinados (IGTP-AECC_2022-042) (for M.L.M.-C.); Transferencia tecnológica 2022 (6/12/TT/2022/00001) (for M.L.M.-C.); Desarrollo Tecnológico en Salud (DTS20/00138) (for M.L.M.-C.); Ayudas a proyectos de investigación y desarrollo en salud (2023333041) (for M.L.M.-C.); Health Research 2017 (HR17-00601) (for M.L.M.-C.); Caixa Impulse Innovation 2023 (CI23-20155) (for M.L.M.-C.); PhD fellowship from AECC (PRDVZ172010SERR) awarded to M.S.-M.; FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades-Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-126096NB-I00 and RED2018-102379-T; and Xunta de Galicia 2021-CP085 and 2020-PG0157 to R.N. This work was supported by a PhD fellowship from MINECO (REF BES-2017-080435) awarded to I.G.-R., PRE2019-088771 awarded to C.G.-P.; C.M.R.-G. was supported by a postdoctoral contract Margarita Salas (University of Extremadura) from the Program of Requalification of the Spanish University System (Spanish Ministry of Universities) financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU; PRE2018-084840 awarded to M.M.-G.; PRE2021-097073 awarded to P.P.-S., by Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN); PRDVZ233980ZAPA awarded to L.E.Z.-P. by Ayudas Predoctorales AECC Bizkaia 2023; grants BFU2010-17857 and PID2019-109055RB-I00, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness grants BFU2013-47531-R and BFU2016-77408-R, and also by ERA-Net E-Rare EJP RD Joint Translational Call for Rare Diseases FIGHT-CNNM2 (EJPRD19-040), and from Instituto Carlos III, Spain (REF G95229142) to L.A.M.-C.; MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (PID2021-124425OB-I00 to P.A.) co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); and Grupos consolidados Gobierno Vasco IT1476-22 to P.A. We would like to acknowledge Begoña Rodríguez Iruretagoyena for her technical support

    Study of dye-sensitized solar cells: effects of fabrication, additives, and composition changes

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    Se ha desarrollado un método sistemático para fabricar y medir células solares funcionales de tinte fotosensibilizador en el laboratorio de Física del Estado Sólido de la UC, usando extracto de piel de uva como componente (fotoactivo) principal. Se han obtenido sus curvas I-V para determinar parámetros característicos (prestando especial atención a la potencia máxima y el factor de llenado) en condiciones de luz y oscuridad, demostrando que la eficiencia depende del tinte. Se ha comparado su desempeño con células de silicio comerciales. Se ha estudiado el efecto de la concentración de colorante en la potencia del dispositivo, y se han variado los materiales de contraelectrodo, destacando el grafito HB y hollín como los más eficaces. Se ha observado que procesos hidrotermales del tinte mejoran su espectro de absorción, aunque la grafitización no es suficiente para replicar el funcionamiento del contraelectrodo. Entre los aditivos utilizados destaca la mejora de la conductividad debido al Cobre y el aumento del tiempo de respuesta y efecto electroquímico debido al Hierro. La nueva técnica de fabricación One Pot, que integra dióxido de titanio y tinte en una única capa, ha mostrado resultados comparables a los métodos tradicionales, simplificando y acelerando significativamente el proceso de producción.A systematic method has been developed to fabricate and measure functional dye-sensitized solar cells in the Solid State Physics laboratory at UC, using grape skin extract as the main photoactive component. I-V curves have been obtained to determine characteristic parameters (paying special attention to maximum power and fill factor) under light and dark conditions, demonstrating that efficiency depends on the dye. The performance has been compared with commercial silicon cells. The effect of dye concentration on the device’s power has been studied, and different counter electrode materials have been varied, with HB graphite and soot being the most effective. It has been observed that hydrothermal processes of the dye improve its absorption spectrum, although graphitization is not sufficient to replicate the counter electrode’s functionality. Among the additives used, Copper stands out for improving conductivity, and Iron for increasing response time and electrochemical effect. The new One Pot fabrication technique, which integrates titanium dioxide and dye in a single layer, has shown comparable results to traditional methods, significantly simplifying and accelerating the production process.Grado en Físic

    Development of a graphical interface for management of virtual machines

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    This graphical interface has been designed to interact with virtual machines managed by VirtualBox, covering the deficiencies that the native application has when it comes to graphically representing the status and connectivity of the managed virtual machines. Using Python as a programming language and taking advantage of the native capabilities of the hypervisor to be controlled by line commands through its Software Development Kit. Using libraries such as Tkinter and Matplotlib, an application has been developed that includes network graphics and function menus for the management of installed virtual machines. Thus, the interface's main objective is to map the networks and facilitate the management and manipulation of virtual machines (VMs) within VirtualBox. A library of functions has been included, including: turning on and off, changing the name, importing OVA files, deleting VMs, adding and removing network adapters, changing network VMs or opening a terminal window.Esta interfaz gráfica ha sido diseñada para interactuar con máquinas virtuales gestionadas por VirtualBox, cubriendo las deficiencias que tiene la aplicación nativa a la hora de representar, de forma gráfica, el estado y conectividad de las máquinas virtuales gestionadas. Haciendo uso de Python como lenguaje de programación y aprovechando las capacidades nativas del hipervisor para ser controlado mediante comandos de línea a través de su Software Development Kit. Mediante el uso de bibliotecas como Tkinter y Matplotlib, se ha desarrollado una aplicación que incluye gráficos de red y menús de funciones para la gestión de las máquinas virtuales instaladas. Así, la interfaz tiene como objetivo principal plasmar el mapa de redes y facilitar la gestión y manipulación de las máquinas virtuales (VMs) dentro de VirtualBox. Se ha incluido una librería de funciones entre las que caben destacar: encender y apagar, cambiar el nombre, importar archivos OVA, eliminar VMs, añadir y eliminar adaptadores de red, cambiar VMs de red o abrir una ventana de terminal.Grado en Ingeniería de Tecnologías de Telecomunicació

    Validación de la ecografía de bolsillo para la estimación de la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda

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    El propósito de este trabajo fue investigar la utilidad de los ecógrafos de bolsillo para evaluar la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI). Métodos: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo con 120 pacientes adultos donde se evaluó la correlación entre la FEVI visualmente evaluada por un ecografista moderadamente experimentado con un ecógrafo de bolsillo en comparación con la evaluación estándar en el Laboratorio de Ecocardiografía. Resultados: La concordancia en la clasificación de FEVI como "normal" o "reducida" fue del 89.1%, con un índice kappa de 0.77 (p<0.0001). Para las categorías "normal", "levemente reducida", "moderadamente reducida" o "severamente reducida", el índice kappa fue de 0.77 (p<0.0001). Se demostró una alta correlación con un coeficiente r-cuadrado de 0.94 y un índice de correlación intraclase de 0.93 (p<0.0001). Conclusión: Con un ecógrafo de bolsillo, un operador moderadamente experimentado puede estimar la FEVI de manera precisa, facilitando su integración en la práctica clínica diaria.This study aimed to investigate the utility of pocket-sized ultrasound devices in assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: A prospective study with 120 adult patients evaluated the correlation between LVEF visually assessed by a moderately experienced sonographer using a pocket-sized ultrasound device compared to standard evaluation in the Echocardiography Laboratory. Results: Agreement in classifying LVEF as "normal" or "reduced" was 89.1%, with a kappa index of 0.77 (p<0.0001). For categories "normal," "mildly reduced," "moderately reduced," or "severely reduced," the kappa index was 0.77 (p<0.0001). High correlation was demonstrated with an R-squared coefficient of 0.94 and an intraclass correlation index of 0.93 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: A pocket-sized ultrasound device, operated by a moderately experienced user, accurately estimates LVEF, facilitating its integration into daily clinical practice

    Single-point and kinetics of peripheral residual disease by mass spectrometry to predict outcome in patients with high risk smoldering multiple myeloma included in the GEM-CESAR trial

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    The value of quantitative immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (QIP-MS) to identify the M-protein is being investigated in patients with monoclonal gammopathies but no data are yet available in high-risk smoldering myeloma (HRsMM). We have therefore investigated QIP-MS to monitor peripheral residual disease (PRD) in 62 HRsMM patients enrolled in the GEM-CESAR trial. After 24 cycles of maintenance, detecting the M-protein by MS or clonal plasma cells by NGF identified cases with a significantly shorter median PFS (mPFS; MS: not reached vs 1,4 years, p=0.001; NGF: not reached vs 2 years, p=0.0002) but reaching CR+sCR did not discriminate patients with different outcome. With NGF as a reference, the combined results of NGF and MS showed a high negative predictive value (NPV) of MS: 81% overall and 73% at treatment completion. When sequential results were considered, sustained negativity by MS or NGF was associated with a very favorable outcome with a mPFS not yet reached vs 1.66 years and 2.18 years in cases never attaining PRD or minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, respectively. We can thus conclude that 1) the standard response categories of the IMWG do not seem to be useful for treatment monitoring in HRsMM patients, 2) MS could be used as a non-invasive, clinical valuable tool with the capacity of guiding timely bone marrow evaluations (based on its high NPV with NGF as a reference) and 3) similarly to NGF, sequential results of MS are able identify a subgroup of HRsMM patients with long-term disease control. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02415413).Funding: This study was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Subdirección General de Investigación Sanitaria, Spain and by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society PI21/01917: grant recipients María-Victoria Mateos, Noemi Puig and Teresa Contreras. PI21/01751: grant recipient María Teresa Cedena PI21/01816: grant recipient María José Calansanz LLS Grant ID 6660-23: grant recipients María-Victoria Mateos, Noemi Puig and Cristina Agulló

    Variability assessment of global extreme coastal sea levels using altimetry data

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    This study assesses the variability of coastal extreme sea levels globally by utilizing nearly three decades of along-track, multi-mission satellite altimetry data. An altimetry-based global coastal database of the non-tidal residual sea level component has been produced. The climate variability of extremes is modeled through a parametric, non-stationary statistical model. This model captures intra-annual, inter-annual and long-term variations in non-tidal residual return levels. Comparisons with tide gauge data demonstrate the ability of altimetry data to capture the variability of coastal extreme sea levels. Our findings reveal a greater complexity in the monthly variability patterns of non-tidal residual extremes in tropical latitudes, often exhibiting multiple storm periods, contrasting with coasts in extratropical latitudes, which are mostly controlled by a winter-summer pattern. This study also highlights the significant influence of established climate circulation patterns on sea level extremes. The positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation pattern leads to increases of over 25% in non-tidal residual return levels in Northwestern Europe with respect to a neutral phase. Furthermore, return levels in the western coast of Central America could be 50% higher during El Niño compared to La Niña. Our results show a robust increasing trend in non-tidal residual return levels along most global coastlines. A comparative analysis shows that variations during the 1995-2020 period were primarily driven by intra-annual variations.This research was funded by the European Commission through the project CoCliCo (101003598, Call: H2020-LC-CLA-2020-2), and the ThinkInAzul programme, with funding from European Union NextGenera-tionEU/PRTR-C17.I1 and the Comunidad de Cantabria

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