Abstract: Proton therapy is a cancer treatment technique currently in growth since it offers advantages with respect to conventional X-ray and gamma-ray radiotherapy. In particular, better control of the dose deposition allowing to reach higher conformity in the treatments causing less secondary effects. However, in order to take full advantage of its potential, improvements in treatment planning and dose verification are required. A new prototype of proton computed tomography scanner is proposed to design more accurate and precise treatment plans for proton therapy. Our prototype is formed by double-sided silicon strip detectors and scintillators of LaBr3(Ce) with high energy resolution and fast response. Here, the results obtained from an experiment performed using a 100-MeV proton beam are presented. Proton radiographs of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) samples of 50-mm thickness with spatial patterns in aluminum were taken. Their properties were studied, including reproduction of the dimensions, spatial resolution, and sensitivity to different materials. Structures of up to 2 mm are well resolved and the sensitivity of the system was enough to distinguish the thicknesses of 10 mm of aluminum or PMMA. The spatial resolution of the images was 0.3 line pairs per mm (MTF-10%). This constitutes the first step to validate the device as a proton radiography scanner.

Abstract: Light sources that emit repetitive subnanosecond pulses are used in neutrino telescopes for time calibration. Optical pulses with an ultra-narrow (subnanosecond) width can replicate the light produced by neutrino interactions, and are an important calibration and test element. By measuring the time-of-flight of the light, it is possible to provide a relative time calibration for all the detector photomultipliers. This work presents the ultra-narrow time optical pulse emitter based on a laser (UNTOPEL), an instrument emitting ultra-short laser optical pulses with a duration of 500 ps, energies per pulse of four microjoules at a wavelength of 532 nm, and a timing precision of 400 ps. The UNTOPEL pulse intensity can be fine-tuned, which is a novelty and a significant advantage in those applications that need to illuminate light detectors located at different distances with the same light intensity. The UNTOPEL pulse intensity can be controlled remotely, allowing for its use in operating conditions where physical access is impossible or difficult. Moreover, it is easy to operate and can be easily controlled through an inter-integrated circuit bus. The UNTOPEL is a sound instrument used when subnanosecond pulses and variable energy emissions are needed.

Abstract: Pasteurization of eggs has adverse effects on nutrient composition and functionality of egg proteins. UV processing is an alternative technology with potentially fewer adverse effects as it is less intrusive. Egg white, whole egg and egg yolk vitamins (A, B-2, B-5, C and E), minerals (P, Cl, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn) and main secondary metabolites (lutein and zeaxanthin) were examined after exposure to UV in a coiled tube UV-C reactor at doses known to achieve microbiologically stable egg fractions. The studied nutrients were fairly stable to a treatment with UVC light with the exception of retinal, vitamin C and carotenoids, which showed loses up to 80%, 66% and 61%, respectively. Moreover, the functional properties of ultraviolet-treated eggs were investigated. Results showed a positive impact on the foam ability and foam stability, and an increase on the emulsifying activity index above 20% versus pasteurized samples. Processing with UV can maintain most of the egg nutritive properties, and retain or even improve the technological properties of foaming and emulsification in eggs. Industrial relevance:: This novel UV-C system can be applied successfully to the Food Industry. UV-C does not impair nutritional damage to egg-treated products, and even improve egg functional properties.

Abstract: We perform a systematic study of the discrete time Quantum Walk on one dimension using Wigner functions, which are generalized to include the chirality (or coin) degree of freedom. In particular, we analyze the evolution of the negative volume in phase space, as a function of time, for different initial states. This negativity can be used to quantify the degree of departure of the system from a classical state. We also relate this quantity to the entanglement between the coin and walker subspaces.

Abstract: Two novel blends containing a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and a neat polyamide (PA) or a polyamide nanocomposite (PAN) layers were fabricated and their technological potential was evaluated during the refrigeration of cooked ham in modified atmospheres (MAP). Nanoclays were homogeneously distributed and nearly exfoliated, and they lowered significantly the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the PAN films. Due to the lower OTR, the headspace oxygen level in PAN pouches do not rise above 0.26% but it approached 2% in PA pouches at day 20. The residual oxygen levels were key for colour change during MAP storage of cooked ham. Cooked ham redness and reflectivity were stable during 27 days in PAN pouches while a strong colour deterioration took place after day 7 in PA pouches. Other parameters such as moisture content and water activity remained unaltered, and pH development was related to microbial growth and independent of the packaging polymer. The evolution of cooked ham colour in PAN was comparable to a high-barrier commercial polymer, and was acceptable for commercial sale for 27 days, showing excellent perspectives for polyamide nanocomposites in the storage of cooked ham.