The application of blockchain algorithms to the management of education certificates.

Blockchain is a new application technology in many sectors and the same is true in the world of education. Therefore, there is an increasingly emerging need to research blockchain technology, as it is still taking its first steps in different sectors, such as education. This article presents a review of the state of the art of blockchain technology in the education sector, focusing on identifying the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges associated with the introduction of blockchain technology in the education sector. In addition, the implementation of a title certificate solution through blockchain technology through the BeCertify project is presented. In this solution, the development stages of the platform, the system architecture, and the operation of the API have been carried out, resulting in a platform that constitutes the first step towards a more transparent and technologically advanced way of managing the certifications of the students' qualifications.

Local application of low level laser therapy in mice ameliorates ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide.

The aim of the present study is to assess whether low level laser therapy (LLLT) can protect ovaries from chemotherapy-induced gonadotoxicity using a mice model of premature ovarian failure induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). LLLT (64 J/cm2) increased the number of antral follicles whilst decreasing the number of atretic follicles compared to CTX alone. LLLT increased the number of primordial follicles compared with those in the CTX group but they did not differ from those in the control group. LLLT treatment increased the number of AMH-positive follicles compared to CTX alone. LLLT application increased ovarian weight, serum progesterone concentration and P450scc protein levels compared to CTX alone. LLLT reduced the apoptosis in antral follicles and the BAX/BCL-2 ratio compared to CTX alone. Vascular morphology, analysed by CD31 and α-SMA immunostaining, was restored in LLLT-treated ovaries compared to CTX alone. In conclusion, application of LLLT prior to CTX might serve as a promising and novel protocol to preserve female fertility in cancer survivors.

Vaccine Hesitancy on Social Media: Sentiment Analysis from June 2011 to April 2019.

Vaccine hesitancy was one of the ten major threats to global health in 2019, according to the World Health Organisation. Nowadays, social media has an important role in the spread of information, misinformation, and disinformation about vaccines. Monitoring vaccine-related conversations on social media could help us to identify the factors that contribute to vaccine confidence in each historical period and geographical area. We used a hybrid approach to perform an opinion-mining analysis on 1,499,227 vaccine-related tweets published on Twitter from 1st June 2011 to 30th April 2019. Our algorithm classified 69.36% of the tweets as neutral, 21.78% as positive, and 8.86% as negative. The percentage of neutral tweets showed a decreasing tendency, while the proportion of positive and negative tweets increased over time. Peaks in positive tweets were observed every April. The proportion of positive tweets was significantly higher in the middle of the week and decreased during weekends. Negative tweets followed the opposite pattern. Among users with ≥2 tweets, 91.83% had a homogeneous polarised discourse. Positive tweets were more prevalent in Switzerland (71.43%). Negative tweets were most common in the Netherlands (15.53%), Canada (11.32%), Japan (10.74%), and the United States (10.49%). Opinion mining is potentially useful to monitor online vaccine-related concerns and adapt vaccine promotion strategies accordingly.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) modulates ovarian function in mature female mice.

It is known that LLLT has beneficial effects on several pathological conditions including wound healing, pain and inflammation. LLLT modulates biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effect of local application of LLLT on follicular dynamics, ovarian reserve, AMH expression, progesterone levels, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and reproductive outcome in adult mice. LLLT (200 J/cm2) increased the percentage of primary and preantral follicles, whilst decreasing the percentage of corpora lutea compared to control ovaries. LLLT-treated ovaries did not exhibit any changes regarding the number of primordial follicles. We observed a higher percentage of AMH-positive follicles (in early stages of development) in LLLT-treated ovaries compared to control ovaries. LLLT reduced the P4 concentration and the apoptosis in early antral follicles compared to control ones. LLLT caused a reduction in the endothelial cell area and an increase in the periendothelial cell area in the ovary. Additionally, LLLT was able to improve oocyte quality. Our findings suggest that local application of LLLT modulates follicular dynamics by regulating apoptosis and the vascular stability in mouse ovary. In conclusion, these data indicate that LLLT might become a novel and useful tool in the treatment of several pathologies, including female reproductive disorders.

Effect of 940 nm Gallium Arsenide Laser on dental hard tissues temperature propagation / Influência do laser de arseneto de gálio (940 nm) na propagação da temperatura em tecidos duros dentais

Despite the extensive literature available on laser at the present, there are few articles about the temperature of laser radiation and its propagation on dental hard tissues. The present study general objective is to evaluate in vitro the effect of temperature increase produced by the laser radiation of 940 nm on the dental hard tissues and, as specific objectives a) analyze current parameters using 940 nm laser on dental hard tissues b) assess the most appropriate criteria for this wavelengthon dental hard tissues. 4 groups of 5 teeth each(lower incisors, upper incisors, canines and molars) were irradiated with 6 powers and frequencies (0.1 to 0.4 W, in continuous or pulsed mode). The results of this study allow us to ensure that, in the chosen parameters, major powers, but deliveredin pulsed manner, generate less temperature rise. Extremely significant differences were found between groups of lower incisors and molars. 0.1 W power, pulsed mode for 20 ms, with 20 millisecondintervals, generated less than 4 Celsius degrees of temperature increase in all the cases studied. Inconclusion, the use of powers of up to 0.4W, inpulsed mode, generated thermal effects of less than4 Celsius degrees...

Apesar da extensa literatura disponível sobre o laser na atualidade, há poucos artigos sobre a temperatura da radiação laser e sua propagação nos tecidos duros dentais. O presente estudo teve por objetivo geral avaliar in vitro o efeito do aumento da temperatura produzida pela radiação laser de 940 nm sobre os tecidos duros dentais e, como objetivos específicos a) analisar os parâmetros atuais utilizados para o laser de 940 nmn os tecidos dentais duros b) avaliar o parâmetro mais adequado para esse comprimento de onda sobre os tecidos dentais duros. Quatro grupos de 5 dentes cada (incisivos inferiores, incisivos superiores, caninos e molares) foram irradiados com 6 potências e frequências (0,1 a 0,4 W, em modo contínuo ou pulsado). Os resultados deste estudo permitem afirmar que, nos parâmetros escolhidos, as potências mais altas, mas entregues em forma pulsada, geram menos aumento de temperatura. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos de incisivos e molares inferiores. A potência de 0,1 W,modo pulsado para 20 ms, com 20 milissegundos de intervalo, gerou menos de 4 graus Celsius de aumento da temperatura em todos os casos estudados. Em conclusão, o uso de potências de até 0,4W, no modo pulsado, gerou efeitos térmicos de menos de 4 graus Celsius...