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This paper summarizes the findings from Phase II of the Offshore Code Comparison, Collaboration, Continued, with Correlation project. The project is run under the International Energy Agency Wind Research Task 30, and is focused on validating the tools used for modeling offshore wind systems through the comparison of simulated responses of select system designs to physical test data. Validation activities such as these lead to improvement of offshore wind modeling tools, which will enable the development of more innovative and cost-effective offshore wind designs. For Phase II of the project, numerical models of the DeepCwind floating semisubmersible wind system were validated using measurement data from a 1/50 th -scale validation campaign performed at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands offshore wave basin. Validation of the models was performed by comparing the calculated ultimate and fatigue loads for eight different wave-only and combined wind/wave test cases against the measured data, after calibration was performed using free-decay, wind-only, and wave-only tests. The results show a decent estimation of both the ultimate and fatigue loads for the simulated results, but with a fairly consistent underestimation in the tower and upwind mooring line loads that can be attributed to an underestimation of wave-excitation forces outside the linear wave-excitation region, and the presence of broadband frequency excitation in the experimental measurements from wind. Participant results showed varied agreement with the experimental measurements based on the modeling approach used. Modeling attributes that enabled better agreement included: the use of a dynamic mooring model; wave stretching, or some other hydrodynamic modeling approach that excites frequencies outside the linear wave region; nonlinear wave kinematics models; and unsteady aerodynamics models. Also, it was observed that a Morison-only hydrodynamic modeling approach could create excessive pitch excitation and resulting tower loads in some frequency bands.

Sodium alginate films with aloe vera extract were prepared by the casting/solvent evaporation technique. The resulting films were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical and water absorption tests. The in vitro degradation of the films was also investigated over 14 days. Results show that aloe vera contributes to both enhancing the thermal and mechanical properties of the films and decreasing the weight loss during in vitro degradation.

The poly ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) and poly lactid acid (PLA) were used for prepared blends with different percentage. PCL/PLA blends (70/30 wt% and 50/50 wt%) were prepared by physical blending process, called solvent casting. These blends were analysed by morphological, thermal and rheological tests in order to evaluate the miscibility and thermal stability of the polymers and their blends, important characteristics to apply in scaffold fabrication. The Simultaneous Thermal Analyser (STA) demonstrated two separated melting peaks in the blends, which show the immiscible polymers. The blends surface were analysed through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the results shows the presence of droplets in the blends surface, characteristic of an immiscible polymer. The results of rheological measurements present a good thermal stability of the polymers and their blends.

In this text, we intend to answer to the following question: is Augmented Reality an enhancer for Higher Education students in math's learning? For this purpose, we define augmented reality and present a state of the art mapped mainly by studies that focus AR in educational contexts. We also describe our research, including methodological aspects in data collection and the creation of 3D contents in AR. Then, we synthesize the analysis of some preliminary data, briefly presenting perceptions and practices of students in math's learning with AR contents. Finally, we conclude that the challenges that are nowadays put to teaching methods, acquisition and subsequent knowledge consolidation may be met, to some extent, by the application of available technologies. These, in turn, should enhance a more complete understanding of contents, leading to knowledge endogenization and also to the internalization of more sustained competencies. Among those technologies, we highlight augmented reality since it can encourage motivation, comprehension and a higher involvement with the contents to be learned. Thus, it may increase the use of information and the access to knowledge, improving digital and info-inclusion.

Some of the most interesting and enigmatic cnidarians are classified within the hydrozoan subclass Trachylina. Despite being relatively depauperate in species richness, the clade contains four taxa typically accorded ordinal status: Actinulida, Limnomedusae, Narcomedusae and Trachymedusae. We bring molecular data (mitochondrial 16S and nuclear small and large subunit ribosomal genes) to bear on the question of phylogenetic relationships within Trachylina. Surprisingly, we find that a diminutive polyp form,Microhydrula limopsicola(classified within Limnomedusae) is actually a previously unknown life stage of a species of Stauromedusae. Our data confirm that the interstitial formHalammohydrasp. (Actinulida) is derived from holopelagic direct developing ancestors, likely within the trachymedusan family Rhopalonematidae. Trachymedusae is shown to be diphyletic, suggesting that the polyp stage has been lost independently at least two times within trachyline evolution. Narcomedusae is supported as a monophyletic group likely also arising from trachymedusan ancestors. Finally, some data, albeit limited, suggest that some trachyline species names refer to cryptic species that have yet to be sorted taxonomically.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of burnout syndrome among nursing workers in intensive care units and establish associations with psychosocial factors. METHODS: This descriptive study evaluated 130 professionals, including nurses, nursing technicians, and nursing assistants, who performed their activities in intensive care and coronary care units in 2 large hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected in 2011 using a self-reported questionnaire. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to evaluate the burnout syndrome dimensions, and the Self Reporting Questionnaire was used to evaluate common mental disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of burnout syndrome was 55.3% (n = 72). In the quadrants of the demand-control model, low-strain workers exhibited a prevalence of 64.5% of suspected cases of burnout, whereas high-strain workers exhibited a prevalence of 72.5% of suspected cases (p = 0.006). The prevalence of suspected cases of common mental disorders was 27.7%; of these, 80.6% were associated with burnout syndrome (< 0.0001). The multivariate analysis adjusted for gender, age, educational level, weekly work duration, income, and thoughts about work during free time indicated that the categories associated with intermediate stress levels - active work (OR = 0.26; 95%CI = 0.09 - 0.69) and passive work (OR = 0.22; 95%CI = 0.07 - 0.63) - were protective factors for burnout syndrome. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors were associated with the development of burnout syndrome in this group. These results underscore the need for the development of further studies aimed at intervention and the prevention of the syndrome.

A synopsis of the species of Myxobolus Bütschli, 1882 (Cnidaria, Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) described from 2014 up till now is presented. It includes 122 nominal species described all over the world. For each of the species, the most relevant morphological and morphometric data, as well as data are provided related to the location in the host, type host and type locality. The GenBank accession numbers are provided whenever possible, and the spores were redrawn based on the original descriptions. The bibliography includes all the papers containing the species descriptions.

Advanced additive techniques are now being developed to fabricate scaffolds with controlled architecture for tissue engineering. These techniques combine computer-aided design (CAD) with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) tools to produce three-dimensional structures layer by layer in a multitude of materials. Actual prediction of the effective mechanical properties of scaffolds produced by additive technologies, is very important for tissue engineering applications. A novel computer based technique for scaffold design is topological optimisation. Topological optimisation is a form of "shape" optimisation, usually referred to as "layout" optimisation. The goal of topological optimisation is to find the best use of material for a body that is subjected to either a single load or a multiple load distribution. This paper proposes a topological optimisation scheme in order to obtain the ideal topological architectures of scaffolds, maximising its mechanical behaviour.

Abstract. Sea level is an essential climate variable (ECV) that has a direct effect on many people through inundations of coastal areas, and it is also a clear indicator of climate changes due to external forcing factors and internal climate variability. Regional patterns of sea level change inform us on ocean circulation variations in response to natural climate modes such as El Niño and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and anthropogenic forcing. Comparing numerical climate models to a consistent set of observations enables us to assess the performance of these models and help us to understand and predict these phenomena, and thereby alleviate some of the environmental conditions associated with them. All such studies rely on the existence of long-term consistent high-accuracy datasets of sea level. The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) of the European Space Agency was established in 2010 to provide improved time series of some ECVs, including sea level, with the purpose of providing such data openly to all to enable the widest possible utilisation of such data. Now in its second phase, the Sea Level CCI project (SL_cci) merges data from nine different altimeter missions in a clear, consistent and well-documented manner, selecting the most appropriate satellite orbits and geophysical corrections in order to further reduce the error budget. This paper summarises the corrections required, the provenance of corrections and the evaluation of options that have been adopted for the recently released v2.0 dataset (https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-sea_level_cci-1993_2015-v_2.0-201612). This information enables scientists and other users to clearly understand which corrections have been applied and their effects on the sea level dataset. The overall result of these changes is that the rate of rise of global mean sea level (GMSL) still equates to ∼ 3.2 mm yr−1 during 1992–2015, but there is now greater confidence in this result as the errors associated with several of the corrections have been reduced. Compared with v1.1 of the SL_cci dataset, the new rate of change is 0.2 mm yr−1 less during 1993 to 2001 and 0.2 mm yr−1 higher during 2002 to 2014. Application of new correction models brought a reduction of altimeter crossover variances for most corrections.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects that inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and respiratory exercises have on muscle strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and severity variables in children with asthma. METHODS: This was a randomized analytical study involving 50 children with asthma allocated to one of two groups: an IMT group, comprising 25 children submitted to IMT via an asthma education and treatment program; and a control group, comprising 25 children who were submitted only to monthly medical visits and education on asthma. The IMT was performed using a pressure threshold load of 40% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The results were evaluated using analysis of variance, the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, values of p > 0.05 being considered significant. RESULTS: In the comparative analysis, pre- and post-intervention values of MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and PEF increased significantly in the IMT group: MIP from -;48.32 +/- 5.706 to -;109.92 +/- 18.041 (p < 0.0001); MEP from 50.64 +/- 6.55 to 82.04 +/- 17.006 (p < 0.0001); and PEF from 173.6 +/- 50.817 to 312 +/- 54.848 (p < 0.0001). In the control group, however, there were no significant differences between the two time points in terms of MIP or MEP, although PEF increased from 188 +/- 43.97 to 208.80 +/- 44.283 (p < 0.0001). There was a significant improvement in the severity variables in the IMT group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Programs involving IMT and respiratory exercises can increase mechanical efficiency of the respiratory muscles, as well as improving PEF and severity variables.

This research activity was aimed at the development of dual-scale scaffolds consisting of three-dimensional constructs of aligned poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) microfilaments and electrospun poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) fibers. PCL constructs composed by layers of parallel microsized filaments (0/90° lay-down pattern), with a diameter of around 365 μm and interfilament distance of around 191 μm, were produced using a melt extrusion-based additive manufacturing technique. PLGA electrospun fibers with a diameter of around 1 μm were collected on top of the PCL constructs with different thicknesses, showing a certain degree of alignment. Cell culture experiments employing the MC3T3 murine preosteoblast cell line showed good cell viability and adhesion on the dual-scale scaffolds. In particular, the influence of electrospun fibers on cell morphology and behavior was evident, as well as in creating a structural bridging for cell colonization in the interfilament gap.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid source and carbohydrate content on the oxidative status of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. For that purpose, four diets were formulated with fish oil (FO) and vegetable oils (VO) as the lipid source and with 20 or 0 % gelatinised starch as the carbohydrate source, in a 2×2 factorial design. Liver and intestine antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)), hepatic and intestinal lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as hepatic oxidative stress index (OSI), were measured in fish fed the experimental diets for 73 d (n 9 fish/diet). Carbohydrate-rich diets promoted a decrease in hepatic LPO and OSI, whereas the lipid source induced no changes. Inversely, dietary lipid source, but not dietary carbohydrate concentration, affected LPO in the intestine. Lower intestinal LPO was observed in VO groups. Enzymes responsive to dietary treatments were GR, G6PD and CAT in the liver and GR and GPX in the intestine. Dietary carbohydrate induced GR and G6PD activities and depressed CAT activity in the liver. GPX and GR activities were increased in the intestine of fish fed VO diets. Overall, effects of diet composition on oxidative status were tissue-related: the liver and intestine were strongly responsive to dietary carbohydrates and lipid sources, respectively. Furthermore, different metabolic routes were more active to deal with the oxidative stress in the two organs studied.

The healing process of the skin is a dynamic procedure mediated through a complex feedback of growth factors secreted by a variety of cells types. Despite the most recent advances in wound healing management and surgical procedures, these techniques still fail up to 50%, so cellular therapies involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are nowadays a promising treatment of skin ulcers which are a cause of high morbidity. The MSCs modulate the inflammatory local response and induce cell replacing, by a paracrine mode of action, being an important cell therapy for the impaired wound healing. The local application of human MSCs (hMSCs) isolated from the umbilical cord Wharton's jelly together with a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA) membrane, was tested to promote wound healing in two dogs that were referred for clinical examination at UPVET Hospital, showing non-healing large skin lesions by the standard treatments. The wounds were infiltrated with 1000 cells/µl hMSCs in a total volume of 100 µl per cm(2) of lesion area. A PVA membrane was applied to completely cover the wound to prevent its dehydration. Both animals after the treatment demonstrated a significant progress in skin regeneration with decreased extent of ulcerated areas confirmed by histological analysis. The use of Wharton's jelly MSCs associated with a PVA membrane showed promising clinical results for future application in the treatment of chronic wounds in companion animals and humans.

Abstract In the last decade, the melt‐electrospinning technique has gained attention for the production of highly porous microfibrous tissue engineering scaffolds. The possibility of processing polymers without the use of organic solvents is one of the main advantages over solution electrospinning. In this study, computer‐controlled melt‐electrospinning of a commercial poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) and of two batches with different molecular weights of a three‐arm star poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) by means of a screw‐extruder‐based additive manufacturing system is reported. Experimental parameters such as processing temperature, extrusion flow rate and applied voltage were studied and optimized in order to obtain non‐woven meshes with uniform fibre morphology. Applying the optimized parameters, three‐dimensional scaffolds were produced using a layer‐by‐layer approach (0 − 90° lay‐down pattern). © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry

Tissue engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field that requires the integrated expertise of clinicians, cell biologists, engineers and material scientists, to make progress in the development and deployment of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function. The purpose is to provide the opportunities for tissue regeneration and organ replacement. Key advances in biological materials especially in the area of stem cells; growth and differentiation factors generate realistic opportunities to create tissues in the laboratory using an engineered extracellular matrix or scaffold and biologically active molecules. The scaffold acts as an artificial extracellular matrix and it needs to mimic the chemical composition and physical architecture of natural extracellular matrix to facilitate cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation and new tissue formation. In this contribution we review the role of the scaffold system in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation with respect to the anisotropic nature of the scaffold system. We address both the anisotropy which may exist at a microscopic or mesoscopic scale, for example the shape of pores as well as the molecular level interactions which may arise in a scaffold containing a molecular organization with a preferred orientation which may have been induced during the processing procedures used to prepare the scaffold. Of course some approaches to the preparation of scaffolds systems are inherently anisotropic, for example the wide-spread utilization of meshes prepared by electrospinning. In other words although the overall scaffold is isotropic, the basic elements in terms of an electrospun fibre is highly anisotropic in terms of its external form and possibly in terms of its internal structure. By reviewing the possible advantages of the inclusion of anisotropic elements in the scaffold we add to the knowledge base which allows scaffolds design to be optimised for specific tissue growth.

Recent advances in molecular sequencing technology and the increased availability of fieldable laboratory equipment have provided researchers with the opportunity to conduct real-time or near real-time gene-based biodiversity assessments of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we developed a workflow and portable kit for fieldable environmental DNA sequencing (FeDS) and tested its efficacy by characterizing the breadth of jellyfish (Medusozoa) taxa in the coastal waters of the Upper and Lower Florida Keys. Environmental DNA was isolated from seawater collection events at eight sites and samples were subjected to medusozoan 16S rRNA gene and metazoan mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 gene profiling via metabarcoding onsite. In total, FeDS yielded 175,326 processed sequence reads providing evidence for 53 medusozoan taxa. Our most salient findings revealed eDNA from: (1) two venomous box jellyfish (Cubozoa) species, including taxa whose stings cause the notorious Irukandji envenomation syndrome; (2) two species of potentially introduced stalked jellyfish (Staurozoa); and (3) a likely cryptic species of upside-down jellyfish (Scyphozoa). Taken together, the results of this study highlight the merits of FeDS in conducting biodiversity surveys of endemic and introduced species, and as a potential tool for assessing envenomation and/or conservation-related threats.

International audience

The chemical and dimensional stability associated with suitable fracture toughness and propitious tribological characteristics make silicon nitride-based ceramics potential candidates for biomedical applications, mainly as orthopedic implants. Considering this combination of properties, silicon nitride components were investigated in relation to their biocompatibility. For this study, two cylindrical implants were installed in each tibia of five rabbits and were kept in the animals for 8 weeks. During the healing time, tissue tracers were administrated in the animals so as to evaluate the bone growth around the implants. Eight weeks after the surgery, the animals were euthanized and histological analyses were performed. No adverse reactions were observed close to the implant. The osteogenesis process occurred during the entire period defined by the tracers. However, this process occurred more intensely 4 weeks after the surgery. In addition, the histological analyses showed that bone growth occurred preferentially in the cortical areas. Different kinds of tissue were identified on the implant surface, characterized by lamellar bone tissue containing osteocytes and osteons, by a noncalcified matrix containing osteoblasts, or by the presence of collagen III, which may change to collagen I or remain as a fibrous tissue. The results demonstrated that silicon nitride obtained according to the procedure proposed in this research is a biocompatible material.

Grape stems have emerged as a promising natural ingredient in the cosmetics industry due to their abundance of phenolic compounds, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds have shown great potential in promoting skin health, fighting signs of aging, and shielding against environmental stressors. With high concentrations of resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannins, grape stems have garnered attention from cosmetic scientists. Research has indicated that phenolic compounds extracted from grape stems possess potent antioxidant abilities, effectively combating free radicals that accelerate aging. Moreover, these compounds have demonstrated the capacity to shield the skin from UV damage, boost collagen production, and enhance skin elasticity. Cosmetic formulations incorporating grape stem extracts have displayed promising results in addressing various skin concerns, including reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots, leading to a more youthful appearance. Additionally, grape stem extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, soothing irritated skin and diminishing redness. Exploring the potential of grape stem phenolic compounds for cosmetics paves the way for sustainable and natural beauty products. By harnessing the beauty benefits of grape stems, the cosmetics industry can provide effective and eco-friendly solutions for consumers seeking natural alternatives. Ongoing research holds the promise of innovative grape stem-based formulations that could revolutionize the cosmetics market, fully unlocking the potential of these extraordinary botanical treasures.

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by synovial inflammation leading to progressive joint erosion and, eventually, joint deformities. RA treatment includes anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and immunosuppressants. Drug administration is associated with adverse reactions, as gastrointestinal ulcers, cardiovascular complications, and opportunistic infections. Wherefore, different plant-derived phytochemical compounds are studied like new therapeutic approach to treatment of RA. Among the phytochemical compounds of plants for treatment of RA, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins are related for present anti-inflammatory activity and act as physiological and metabolic regulators. They have low toxicity compared to other active plant compounds, so their therapeutic properties are widely studied. The intention of the review is to present an overview of the therapeutics of flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins for RA. An extensive literature survey was undertaken through different online platforms: PubMed, SciELO, and Virtual Health Library databases, to identify phytochemical compounds used in RA treatment and the descriptors used were medicinal plants, herbal medicines, and rheumatoid arthritis. Seventy-five research and review articles were found to be apt for inclusion into the review. The present study summarizes the phytochemicals isolated from plants that have therapeutic effects on RA models, in vitro and in vivo. The studied substances exerted anti-inflammatory, chondroprotective, immunoregulatory, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant activities and the most compounds possess good therapeutic properties, valuable for further research for treatment of RA.