Digital Twins of the ocean : autogenerated 3D environments for validating offshore wind farm operations.

Within the context of the Iliad project, the authors present technical challenges and the first results of having valid 3D scenes of (non-)existing offshore wind farms procedurally and automatically generated within either the Unreal or Unity game engine. The Iliad – Digital Twins of the Ocean project (EU Horizon 2020) aims to develop a ‘system of systems’ for creating cutting-edge digital twins of specific sea and ocean areas for diverse purposes related to their sustainable use and protection. One of the Iliad pilots addresses the topic of offshore floating wind farm construction or maintenance scenario testing and validation using the Unity 3D game engine. This work will speed up the development of these scenarios by procedurally and automatically creating the Unity 3D scene rather than manually (which is done at present). The main technical challenges concern the data-driven approach, in which a JSON configuration file drives the scene creation. The first results show a base wind farm running in Unreal 5.1. The final product will be able to handle environmental conditions, biological conditions, and specific human activities as input parameters

Digital Twins of the ocean : autogenerated 3D environments for validating offshore wind farm operations.

Within the context of the Iliad project, the authors present technical challenges and the first results of having valid 3D scenes of (non-)existing offshore wind farms procedurally and automatically generated within either the Unreal or Unity game engine. The Iliad – Digital Twins of the Ocean project (EU Horizon 2020) aims to develop a ‘system of systems’ for creating cutting-edge digital twins of specific sea and ocean areas for diverse purposes related to their sustainable use and protection. One of the Iliad pilots addresses the topic of offshore floating wind farm construction or maintenance scenario testing and validation using the Unity 3D game engine. This work will speed up the development of these scenarios by procedurally and automatically creating the Unity 3D scene rather than manually (which is done at present). The main technical challenges concern the data-driven approach, in which a JSON configuration file drives the scene creation. The first results show a base wind farm running in Unreal 5.1. The final product will be able to handle environmental conditions, biological conditions, and specific human activities as input parameters

Electrochemistry combined-surface plasmon resonance biosensors: A review

Over the years, most of the literature reported applications of electrochemical and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunoassays for biosensing but, so far, the combination of the two methods in the same sensing spot for analytical purposes is much less explored and discussed. The aim of this Review is to highlight the great potential of electrochemistry combined-SPR (eSPR) as analytical tool for screening chemically and biologically relevant (bio)molecules by combining the unique features of SPR integrated with electrochemical readout. In the first part of the Review, we describe the urgent need of innovative methods for screening clinical biological markers (General Introduction), briefly discuss general concepts of SPR and electrochemical sensing (Concepts behind eSPR biosensors) and highlight the hyphenation of two methods to developed combined biosensing systems (Set-up configuration and eSPR principles). Firstly, we briefly give an overview of the setup for implementation of eSPR technique and discuss some relevant experimental conditions to perform the combined optical and electrochemical measurements. Then, the principles and fundamentals of eSPR biosensors are presented and described. We also present representative examples of eSPR biosensors in the literature (Applications of eSPR biosensors). In the second part, we review studies on how combined electrical and plasmonic detection contributed to the biosensing field, in particular, for the successful screening of clinically relevant biomolecules, namely proteins (Detection of proteins), nucleic acids (Detection of nucleic acids), small size chemical species (Detection of small molecules) and cells (Living-cell Analysis). Finally, we discuss the current limitations of eSPR biosensors performance and suggest possible ways to overcome these limitations (Limitations and optimization) and then we explore aspects about the development of the method and its applications and discuss areas of likely future growth (Conclusions and perspectives).This research had the financial support of FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) and co-financed by the European Union (FEDER funds) under the Partnership Agreement PT2020, Research Grant Pest-C/QUI/UIDB/00081/2020 (CIQUP). J.A. Ribeiro (ref. SFRH/BPD/105395/2014) and C.M. Pereira (ref. SFRH/BSAB/150320/2019) acknowledge FCT under the QREN – POPH – Advanced Training, subsidized by European Union and national MEC funds. The authors acknowledge the research project MyTag (ref. PTDC/EEI-EEE/4832/2021), funded by FCT, for financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The role of bedding in the formation of fault–fold structures,

Fold-fault structures within a major transpressional shear zone of the SW Iberian Massif were investigated by combining geological mapping, cross-section analysis and microtectonic studies. A significant example of contractional deformation is displayed in the Portalegre-Esperanc¸a Shear Zone (PESZ) where a heterogeneous Ordovician stratigraphic sequence, showing a strong competence contrast between quartzites, slates and quartzo-feldspathic rocks favoured strain localization and fault nucleation that controlled fold formation. The presence of pelitic layers within the thick-bedded quartzites had probably provided weakness zones that were more favourable for the strain localization than the previous foliation present in the quartzites. The quartzites and the quartzo-feldspathic rocks (granites and volcaniclastic rocks) accommodated heterogeneous high strain developing different degrees of mylonitization. The quartzites with protomylonitic textures are dominant and represent coarse-grained siliciclastic sediments that suffered metamorphism and partial dynamic recrystallization. Ultramylonites occur within discrete high-strain shear zones. It is probable that the strain localization in the PESZ involved both the effect of having layers of different competence and layers or stratigraphic contacts with rocks that experienced grain size reduction dominated by cataclasis and dislocation creep. Folds within quartzites with sub-horizontal to gently plunging hinges vary from closed to open in thick-bedded quartzites and from tight to closed in thin-bedded quartzites. Observed changes in structural style of deformed quartzites, slates and quartzo-feldspathic rocks are interpreted to result from the constraints imposed by the mechanical properties of the different lithologies. As the folds tightened during shortening, the alternating zones of contrasting competence favoured the disruption of the bedding. The deformation history in the PESZ was dominated by thrusting and strike-slip faulting along incompetent layers that locally developed staircase geometry and transected the lower Ordovician stratigraphic sequence. The kinematic model proposed for the PESZ is consistent with the models of transpressional shear zones stretched along strike with the development of coeval strike-slip and low angle oblique-slip faults associated to active buckle folds with axes parallel to the principal extension directio

Mechanism in the Era of Transporter Structures

The properties of the interface between the water and DCE has some similarities with the interface between the biological membranes and water.[1] In order to increase the degree of similarity the water/DCE interface is modified with various lipids.[2,3] In this way, the ITIES mimics closely the bio-membranes,[4] and, without a doubt, it is possible to extract more reliable information about the processes taking place in the living organisms. Recently a particular interest has been devoted to the ion transfer across the interface of two immiscible solvents since these systems can be used to better understand the mechanisms involved in the process of drug uptake. In this work we will present experimental results obtained in the study of the transfer of acetylcholine cations across the interface of water and 1,2-dichloroethane-modified by dioleoylacetylcholine phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and dipalmitoylacetylcholine phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Phosphatidylcholine were chosen since they are an important component of cellular membranes and they are also the major delivery form of the essential nutrient choline which in turn is itself a precursor in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The experimental techniques used in this work include electrochemical techniques (voltammetry and electrochemical impedance) as well as Langmuir compression isotherms. From the experimental data it is possible to evaluate the kinetic parameters of the ion transfer and an interaction constant between the lipid and the acetylcholine cation and the results will be presented and discussed

Geological and geomorphological heritage of Avelada-Baçal area (Montesinho Natural Park, NE Portugal)

O Parque Natural de Montesinho (PNM) fica situado no Nordeste de Portugal, abrange a parte norte dos concelhos de Vinhais e Bragança e engloba as serras da Coroa e Montesinho. Geologicamente o PNM situa-se nas unidades autóctones da Zona Centro Ibérica e nas unidades parautóctones e alóctones da Zona Galiza-Trás-os-Montes. Nesta primeira abordagem acerca do Património Geológico do PNM, faz-se a analise da região situada entre Aveleda e Baçal, cuja clareza das formas de relevo e a definição das relações com a geologia e com a tectónica, no seio de uma área protegida, são razões para a sua valorização. Assim, no presente trabalho descrevem-se e interpretam-se os aspectos geomorfológicos desta região. A partir de locais de observação estabelecidos é possível constatar que a região de Aveleda-Baçal corresponde ao bloco abatido de um graben controlado por falhas de orientação NNE-SSW, com destaque para a falha de Portelo que origina uma escarpa pelo soerguimento do bloco ocidental e abatimento a leste. No bloco ocidental deste acidente tectónico estão representados restos de uma superfície de aplanamento a cotas superiores a 900 metros (superfície de Espinhosela) e para norte a serra de Montesinho (1481 m), um bloco mais elevado de topos relativamente aplanados.The Montesinho Natural Park (MNP) is located in NE Portugal (Vinhais -Bragan~a region), comprising the Coroa and Montesinho mountains. The geology of the area is characterised by the occurrence of mafic and ultramafic rocks defining the Bragança massif, one of the four massifs in the northwest Iberia. Geologically the MNP is placed both in the autochthonous sequences of the Central Iberian Zone and in the pile of thrust units of the "Galiza-Trás-os-Montes" Zone. These nappes comprises from bottom to the top: 1) parautochthonous thrust complex, including metasediments of Silurian-Devonian age having lithological affinities with the subautochthonous; 2) lower allochthonous thrust complex (H-P metamorphism, peralcaline bimodal volcanism) of Lower Palaeozoic for the bottom to Upper Palaeozoic age for the top of the unit; 3) a fragmented Palaeozoic ophiolite complex; 4) an upper continental allochthonous terrane of Precambrian to Lower Cambrian age. They are thrusted over a Silurian-Devonian subautochthonous metasediment sequence. Ordovician quartzites and slates mainly form the autochthonous. Finally, Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary events left their imprints on the landscape, namely with the presence of three unconforrnity-bounded sedimentary sequences. The late variscan tectonic episodes break up the Iberian Meseta plateau in several parts. The Aveleda-Baçal surface is a graben controlled by the NNE-SSW (Portelo fault) and N-S (Aveleda fault) fault systems. The Portelo fault belongs to a major lineament of the late-variscan tectonic episode of the NW Iberia (Bragança-Vilariça fault system). This is a left -lateral strike -slip fault with the uplift of the western block. The Aveleda fault is reactivated as dextral strike slip fault in late-variscan episodes. This complex geology is responsible for unique landscape features, having an important role on the natural heritage of the park. In this first overview, the Espinhosela area was selected for its distinguishing landscape features, clearly controlled by geological and tectonical events. The geomorphological features are described and interpreted from distinct observation sites. It is possible to define several local surfaces, traces of the Iberian Meseta plateau. In the western uplift block three surfaces are defined: 1) Espinhosela surface (900 m) tectonically controlled by the major thrusts between the allochthonous units; lithologically this surface is defined on the Espinhosela gneisses; 2) the Soutelo surface (1000-1100 m) bordered by the two major thrusts between parautochthonous and subautochthonous units; 3) to the north of this thrust, the Montesinho upper surface (1400 m) is defined on the granite intrusion. In the Aveleda-Baçal graben (locally known as "Baixa Lombada") two surfaces can be defined: Aveleda surface (800-900 m) defined on Cenozoic sediments and Baçal surface (600-700 m) defined on gneisses. The eastern limit of the graben is a complex conjugation of N/S and WNW/ESE faults rising the eastern block up to 900 m ("Alta Lombada").Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)Instituto de Conservação da Natureza (ICN)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo dos danos oxidativos provocados em proteínas por radicais hidroxilo gerados por meios eletroquímicos

Os radicais HO são espécies altamente reativas usualmente designadas de espécies reativas de oxigénio (ROS). Estas espécies podem provocar danos importantes em organismos vivos, estando na origem do stresse oxidativo1, 2. As proteínas, dada a sua abundância em células, constituem alvos importantes do ataque por ROS, sendo assim relevante caracterizar as suas modificações oxidativas. Neste contexto é importante o desenvolvimento de métodos que permitem gerar de forma controlada radicais HO em alternativa aos métodos químicos convencionais como a oxidação do peróxido de hidrogénio catalisada por metais (reação de Fenton e tipo-Fenton). Dadas as desvantagens associadas aos métodos químicos, e à baixa acessibilidade dos métodos de radiólise e de fotólise, neste trabalho é apresentado uma proposta de método alternativo em que a oxidação das proteínas é conduzida através de radicais OH gerados através da oxidação eletroquímica da água. Através da eletrólise da água, é sabido que ocorre a formação de radicais HO que ficam adsorvidos na superfície do ânodo, podendo participar em reações de oxidação com outras espécies presentes em solução3. Este processo de oxidação indireto tem sido amplamente estudada no âmbito da mineralização de materiais orgânicos em efluentes. No presente trabalho são apresentados e discutidos resultados relativos à oxidação da albumina do soro bovino (BSA) por radicais HO gerados em ânodos de platina e de diamante dopado com boro (BDD) em diferentes condições experimentais, tais como composição do meio e intensidade de corrente. A extensão da oxidação é analisada recorrendo à quantificação de grupos carbonilo através do método do DNPH4 e do nível da fragmentação da proteína por electroforese1 ao longo do tempo das electrólises galvanostáticas.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/64189/200

Mastitis diagnosis in ten Galician dairy herds (NW Spain) with automatic milking systems

Over the last few years, the adoption of automatic milking systems (AMS) has experienced significant increase. However, hardly any studies have been conducted to investigate the distribution of mastitis pathogens in dairy herds with AMS. Because quick mastitis detection in AMS is very important, the primary objective of this study was to determine operational reliability and sensibility of mastitis detection systems from AMS. Additionally, the frequency of pathogen-specific was determined. For this purpose, 228 cows from ten farms in Galicia (NW Spain) using this system were investigated. The California Mastitis Test (CMT) was considered the gold-standard test for mastitis diagnosis and milk samples were analysed from CMT-positive cows for the bacterial examination. Mean farm prevalence of clinical mastitis was 9% and of 912 milk quarters examined, 23% were positive to the AMS mastitis detection system and 35% were positive to the CMT. The majority of CMT-positive samples had a score of 1 or 2 on a 1 (lowest mastitis severity) to 4 (highest mastitis severity) scale. The average sensitivity and specificity of the AMS mastitis detection system were 58.2% and 94.0% respectively being similar to other previous studies, what could suggest limitations for getting higher values of reliability and sensibility in the current AMSs. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Streptococcus dysgalactiae (8.8%), followed by Streptococcus uberis (8.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.3%). The relatively high prevalence of these pathogens indicates suboptimal cleaning and disinfection of teat dipping cups, brushes and milk liners in dairy farms with AMS in the present study