Numerical Investigation of the Scaling Effects for a Point Absorber

In order to design and evaluate the behaviour of a numerically optimised wave energy converter (WEC), a recommended procedure is to initially study small scale models in controlled laboratory conditions and then progress further up until the full-scale is reached. At any point, an important step is the correct selection of the wave theory to model the dynamical behaviour of the WEC. Most authors recommend the selection of a wave theory based on dimensional parameters, which usually does not consider the model scale. In this work, the scale effects for a point absorber are studied based on numerical simulations for three different regular waves conditions. Furthermore, three different wave theories are used to simulate two scales 1:1 and 1:50. The WEC-wave interaction is modelled by using a numerical wave tank implemented in ANSYS-Fluent with a floating object representing the WEC. Results show that the normalised difference between 1:1 and 1:50 models, keeping the same wave theory fluctuate between 30% and 58% of the WEC heave motion and that a wrong selection of the wave theory can lead to differences up to 138% for the same variable. It is also found that the limits for the use of wave theories depends on the particular model and that the range of applicability of different theories can be extended

The circumstances of migrant families raising children with disabilities in five European countries: Updating knowledge and pursuing new research

In 2017, specialists in several fields (health, education, and social work) from five European countries (France, Georgia, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland) established a network to jointly pursue studies on migration and disability. An initial workshop provided an opportunity to discuss their previous individual work and to develop a comparative research project. This article presents the key aspects of the discussion and the resulting plans for collaborative study. First, migrant children with disabilities remain statistically invisible in some countries. Separate policies and systems address their needs as migrants and their needs as persons with disabilities. Second, in all countries covered by the research network, there is an important gap between legal norms and the circumstances of migrant families raising children with disabilities. The same holds true for collaboration between public agencies, or between those agencies and NGOs (serving persons with disabilities, migrants, and/or national minorities). Further comparative and cross-disciplinary study must focus on increasing the social participation of children with disabilities and their families through social, educational, and health interventions within an intercultural context

Bioaccessibility of selenium after human ingestion in relation to its chemical species and compartmentalization in maize

International audienceSelenium is a micronutrient needed by all living organisms including humans, but often present in low concentration in food with possible deficiency. From another side, at higher concentrations in soils as observed in seleniferous regions of the world, and in function of its chemical species, Se can also induce (eco)toxicity. Root Se uptake was therefore studied in function of its initial form for maize (Zea mays L.), a plant widely cultivated for human and animal food over the world. Se phytotoxicity and compartmentalization were studied in different aerial plant tissues. For the first time, Se oral human bioaccessibility after ingestion was assessed for the main Se species (SeIV and SeVI) with the BARGE ex vivo test in maize seeds (consumed by humans), and in stems and leaves consumed by animals. Corn seedlings were cultivated in hydroponic conditions supplemented with 1 mg L−1 of selenium (SeIV, SeVI, Control) for 4 months. Biomass, Se concentration, and bioaccessibility were measured on harvested plants. A reduction in plant biomass was observed under Se treatments compared to control, suggesting its phytotoxicity. This plant biomass reduction was higher for selenite species than selenate, and seed was the main affected compartment compared to control. Selenium compartmentalization study showed that for selenate species, a preferential accumulation was observed in leaves, whereas selenite translocation was very limited toward maize aerial parts, except in the seeds where selenite concentrations are generally high. Selenium oral bioaccessibility after ingestion fluctuated from 49 to 89 % according to the considered plant tissue and Se species. Whatever the tissue, selenate appeared as the most human bioaccessible form. A potential Se toxicity was highlighted for people living in seleniferous regions, this risk being enhanced by the high Se bioaccessibility

Twin pregnancy and polymalformative syndrome by Enterovirus.

editorial reviewedPrenatal diagnosed congenital infection by Enterovirus is rarely described in the literature. A few casereports describe severe abnormalities observed by ultrasound that have led to spontaneous intrauterine demise or early death of the newborn. We report the case of a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. At 24 weeks of gestation, the second trimester ultrasound examination shows cardiac, brain and abdominal abnormalities in one of the fetuses. The other fetus has a normal appearance. "Standard" serological tests conducted on the mother are negative and amniocentesis reveals no genetic abnormality. After birth, Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on samples of blood, ascites and stool reveals to be positive for Enterovirus in both newborns. Both are viable and exhibit severe brain abnormalities with severe neurological sequelae such as cerebral palsy, visual and hearing impairment. This case report illustrates the difficulty of prenatal diagnosis of congenital Enterovirus infection and informs about its possible neurological sequelae