Blockchain Protocols and Edge Computing Targeting Industry 5.0 Needs.

"Industry 5.0" is the latest industrial revolution. A variety of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and others, come together to form it. Billions of devices are connected for high-speed data transfer, especially in a 5G-enabled industrial environment for information collection and processing. Most of the issues, such as access control mechanism, time to fetch the data from different devices, and protocols used, may not be applicable in the future as these protocols are based upon a centralized mechanism. This centralized mechanism may have a single point of failure along with the computational overhead. Thus, there is a need for an efficient decentralized access control mechanism for device-to-device (D2D) communication in various industrial sectors, for example, sensors in different regions may collect and process the data for making intelligent decisions. In such an environment, reliability, security, and privacy are major concerns as most of the solutions are based upon a centralized control mechanism. To mitigate the aforementioned issues, this paper provides the opportunities for and highlights some of the most impressive initiatives that help to curve the future. This new era will bring about significant changes in the way businesses operate, allowing them to become more cost-effective, more efficient, and produce higher-quality goods and services. As sensors are getting more accurate, cheaper, and have lower time responses, 5G networks are being integrated, and more industrial equipment and machinery are becoming available; hence, various sectors, including the manufacturing sector, are going through a significant period of transition right now. Additionally, the emergence of the cloud enables modern production models that use the cloud (both internal and external services), networks, and systems to leverage the cloud's low cost, scalability, increased computational power, real-time communication, and data transfer capabilities to create much smarter and more autonomous systems. We discuss the ways in which decentralized networks that make use of protocols help to achieve decentralization and how network meshes can grow to make things more secure, reliable, and cohere with these technologies, which are not going away anytime soon. We emphasize the significance of new design in regard to cybersecurity, data integrity, and storage by using straightforward examples that have the potential to lead to the excellence of distributed systems. This groundbreaking paper delves deep into the world of industrial automation and explores the possibilities to adopt blockchain for developing solutions for smart cities, smart homes, healthcare, smart agriculture, autonomous vehicles, and supply chain management within Industry 5.0. With an in-depth examination of various consensus mechanisms, readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest developments in this field. The paper also explores the current issues and challenges associated with blockchain adaptation for industrial automation and provides a thorough comparison of the available consensus, enabling end customers to select the most suitable one based on its unique advantages. Case studies highlight how to enable the adoption of blockchain in Industry 5.0 solutions effectively and efficiently, offering valuable insights into the potential challenges that lie ahead, particularly for smart industrial applications.

Use of construction and demolition solid wastes for basket gabion filling.

Construction and demolition wastes have been studied by technical means aiming at the development of management tools to reduce their environmental impacts. Among these, recycling can be highlighted. This paper aims at the technical assessment of basket gabions filled with construction and demolition solid waste. Gabions are usually used for retaining walls construction, and these are commonly filled with rocks. Retaining walls are essential for earthfill slopes stabilization, and they must have proper characteristics of strength. However, depending on the slope height or the technical responsibility of the retaining wall, alternative materials with proper characteristics could be used to fill the gabions. The use of recycled material for gabion filling could reduce environmental impacts and costs caused by retaining wall construction. So, basket gabion cells were filled with construction solid waste and basaltic rocks, both crushed into coarse granulometry aiming to compare technical characteristics among them. The performed laboratory tests showed that the horizontal and vertical displacements determined for gabion filled with wastes were near to those obtained for gabions filled with basaltic rocks for a retaining wall of 5 m and up. In conclusion, it can be drawn that basket gabions filled with construction and demolition waste may be a technical alternative for civil construction, reducing environmental impacts and raw material consumption for retaining wall execution.

Effects of climate change on aquaculture site selection at a temperate estuarine system.

Aquaculture is one of the food industries that most evolved in recent years in response to increased human demand for seafood products, which has led to a progressive stock threat in nature. With a high seafood consumption per capita, Portugal has been exploring its coastal systems to improve the cultivation of fish and bivalve species with high commercial value. In this context, this study aims to propose the use of a numerical model as a tool to assess the impact of climate change on aquaculture site selection in a temperate estuarine system (Sado estuary). Therefore, the Delft3D model was calibrated and validated, showing good accuracy in predicting the local hydrodynamics, transport, and water quality. Furthermore, two simulations for the historical and future conditions were performed to establish a Suitability Index capable of identifying the most appropriate sites to exploit two bivalve species (one clam and one oyster), considering both winter and summer seasons. Results suggest that the estuary's northernmost region presents the best conditions for bivalves' exploitation, with more suitable conditions during summer than winter due to the higher water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentrations. Regarding future projections, the model results suggest that environmental conditions will likely benefit the production of both species due to the increase in chlorophyll-a concentration along the estuary.

Relationship between sexual maturation and anthropometric and blood pressure indicators in teenagers. / Relação entre maturação sexual e indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos em adolescentes.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual maturation and anthropometric and blood pressure indicators in teenagers. This was a population-based cross-sectional study, conducted with 345 teenagers, aged 10 to 19 years, between 2018 and 2020. In this study, data referent to sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, blood pressure, and sexual maturation were collected. The data analysis was performed by applying the Principle Component Analysis (PCA), which generated three components and then tested the correlation between sexual maturation and the generated components. Most of the teenagers were female (53%), normotensive (66.1%), and with a normal weight (73%). A positive correlation was found between breast development and component 1 and component 2, as well as a negative correlation between the breasts and component 3. In the boys, the development of genitals and pubic hair was positively correlated with component 2 and inversely correlated with component 3. It could therefore be concluded that there is a relationship between sexual maturation and the anthropometric and blood pressure indicators, which proved to be representative variables for cardiovascular risk in teenagers, even if not in their entirety.

Objetivou-se investigar a relação entre a maturação sexual com indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos de adolescentes. Estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado entre 2018 e 2020, com 345 adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos. Coletou-se variáveis sociodemográficas e antropométricas, pressão arterial e maturação sexual. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio da Análise de Componentes Principais, que gerou três componentes e, posteriormente, testou-se a correlação entre a maturação sexual e os componentes gerados. A maioria dos adolescentes eram do sexo feminino (53%), normotensos (66,1%) e com peso normal (73%). Houve correlação positiva entre o desenvolvimento das mamas com o componente 1 e o componente 2, e correlação negativa entre mamas e o componente 3. Nos meninos, o desenvolvimento dos genitais e pelos pubianos estiveram positivamente correlacionados com o componente 2 e inversamente correlacionados com o componente 3. Conclui-se que existe relação entre a maturação sexual e os indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos, sendo variáveis representativas de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes, mesmo que não em sua totalidade.

Variable Thresholds of Vitamin D Plasma Levels to Suppress PTH: the Effect of Weight and Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathormone (PTH) have an inverse relation. The 25(OH)D threshold required to maximally suppress PTH has been used as a marker of optimal vitamin D status. Obesity is associated with lower serum levels of 25(OH)D and higher levels of PTH; however, the relation between these hormones in this setting is not well established. We aimed to assess the influence of excessive weight and weight loss after bariatric surgery on the relation between serum 25(OH)D and PTH. METHODS: Anthropometric and analytical parameters of phospho-calcium metabolism from 290 patients undergoing bariatric surgery were analyzed. The association between 25(OH)D and PTH before and 1 year after surgery was evaluated through Student's t test and simple and multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: At baseline, there was an inverse association between 25(OH)D and PTH plasma levels (ß = - 0.571; p = 0.001). The threshold for a significant increase of PTH at baseline was a 25(OH)D level of < 10 ng/mL (p < 0.001). At 1 year after surgery (n = 194), the association between the two variables was weaker (ß = - 0.291; p = 0.014). The 25(OH)D threshold for a significant increase in serum PTH levels was lower in patients who maintained obesity (n = 77) [25(OH)D 5 vs 10 ng/mL]. CONCLUSIONS: PTH suppression threshold observed in patients with morbid obesity before and after bariatric surgery is lower than that described for the general population, suggesting that the 25(OH)D plasma levels may not be representative of the body's vitamin D reserves. Other studies are required to demonstrate which optimal vitamin D levels need to be aimed for in obesity, in order to improve obese patients' bone health.

An overview of offshore wind energy resources in Europe under present and future climate.

Long-term sustainable development of European offshore wind energy requires knowledge of the best places for installing offshore wind farms. To achieve this, a good knowledge of wind resources is needed, as well as knowledge of international, European, and national regulations regarding conflict management, marine environment conservation, biodiversity protection, licensing processes, and support regimes. Such a multidisciplinary approach could help to identify areas where wind resources are abundant and where conflicts with other interests are scarce, support measures are greater, and licensing processes are streamlined. An overview of offshore wind power studies at present, and of their future projections for the 21st century, allows for determining the optimal European locations to install or maintain offshore wind farms. Only northern Europe, the northwest portion of the Iberian Peninsula, the Gulf of Lyon, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the northwest coast of Turkey show no change or increase in wind power, revealing these locations as the most suitable for installing and maintaining offshore wind farms in the future. The installation of wind farms is subject to restrictions established under international law, European law, and the domestic legal framework of each EU member state. Europe is moving toward streamlining of licensing procedures, reducing subsidies, and implementing auction systems.

Effect of nitrogen amendment on respiration and respiratory quotient (RQ) in three hydrocarbon contaminated soils of different type.

Three soil types (sandy gravel, silty clay and sandy loam) from sites historically contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) were amended with NH(4)NO(3) at concentrations ranging from 16 to 2133 mg/kg soil(dry weight). Microbial activity was measured as O(2) consumption and CO(2) production in order to assess nitrogen limitation. Although activity was stimulated in all three soils under NH(4)NO(3) amendment (after 72 h), the level of nitrogen required was soil specific. For the sandy gravel and silty clay soils, O(2) consumption and CO(2) production both showed enhanced microbial activity when amended with 16 mg/kg soil(dry weight) NH(4)NO(3), whereas, these two parameters gave differing results for the sandy loam soil. Specifically, CO(2) production and O(2) consumption were stimulated with 66 mg/kg and 133 mg/kg soil(dry weight) of NH(4)NO(3) respectively. In addition, respiratory quotient kinetic analysis suggested different decomposition processes occurring in this soil under different NH(4)NO(3) amendment concentrations.

Diagnóstico da denominação dos espaços de organização administrativos e acadêmicos dos cursos médicos no campo da Saúde Coletiva: um estudo ecológico

Introdução: Pelo impacto na formação médica, os processos de 'estruturar' e 'nomear' formatos de organização demandam contínuo aprimoramento frente às mudanças da sociedade e sua expressão na produção de conhecimento na saúde coletiva, algo nem sempre percebido na realidade. Por este motivo, o objetivo deste trabalho consiste em diagnosticar a filiação dos cursos médicos brasileiros aos paradigmas do histórico campo da saúde coletiva. Metodologia: Neste estudo de caso transversal foi realizado um levantamento das instituições com cursos médicos reconhecidos ou em processo de reconhecimento pelo Ministério da Educação, identificação das estruturas administrativas ou acadêmicas correspondentes à Saúde Coletiva, seus programas de pós-graduação relativos a este campo (quando existentes) e organização de tais dados por macrorregião, unidade federativa, organização administrativa e índice do Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes. Discussão dos Resultados: Foi possível observar um discreto predomínio do grupo que adere ao paradigma da saúde coletiva (37,89 %), o que na análise por macrorregiões é válido apenas para Sudeste (51,11%) e CentroOeste (66,67%). Em 75% das instituições privadas não foi possível identificar a estrutura organizacional. Não foi estabelecida correlação entre categoria administrativa, índice do Exame Nacional de Desempenho de Estudantes e a capacidade da instituição em aderir ao 'novo'. Considerações Finais: Apesar de grande parte das instituições não atribuírem a devida relevância à sua estrutura de organização e da dificuldade em reconhecer algumas inter-relações, levantam-se importantes indagações acerca da temática, passíveis de resposta em estudos posteriores.

Relação entre maturação sexual e indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos em adolescentes / Relationship between sexual maturation and anthropometric and blood pressure indicators in teenagers

Resumo Objetivou-se investigar a relação entre a maturação sexual com indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos de adolescentes. Estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado entre 2018 e 2020, com 345 adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos. Coletou-se variáveis sociodemográficas e antropométricas, pressão arterial e maturação sexual. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio da Análise de Componentes Principais, que gerou três componentes e, posteriormente, testou-se a correlação entre a maturação sexual e os componentes gerados. A maioria dos adolescentes eram do sexo feminino (53%), normotensos (66,1%) e com peso normal (73%). Houve correlação positiva entre o desenvolvimento das mamas com o componente 1 e o componente 2, e correlação negativa entre mamas e o componente 3. Nos meninos, o desenvolvimento dos genitais e pelos pubianos estiveram positivamente correlacionados com o componente 2 e inversamente correlacionados com o componente 3. Conclui-se que existe relação entre a maturação sexual e os indicadores antropométricos e pressóricos, sendo variáveis representativas de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes, mesmo que não em sua totalidade.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual maturation and anthropometric and blood pressure indicators in teenagers. This was a population-based cross-sectional study, conducted with 345 teenagers, aged 10 to 19 years, between 2018 and 2020. In this study, data referent to sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, blood pressure, and sexual maturation were collected. The data analysis was performed by applying the Principle Component Analysis (PCA), which generated three components and then tested the correlation between sexual maturation and the generated components. Most of the teenagers were female (53%), normotensive (66.1%), and with a normal weight (73%). A positive correlation was found between breast development and component 1 and component 2, as well as a negative correlation between the breasts and component 3. In the boys, the development of genitals and pubic hair was positively correlated with component 2 and inversely correlated with component 3. It could therefore be concluded that there is a relationship between sexual maturation and the anthropometric and blood pressure indicators, which proved to be representative variables for cardiovascular risk in teenagers, even if not in their entirety.

Prevenção do uso de álcool em adolescentes escolares / Prevention of the use of alcohol in school teenagers

Objetivo: relatar a experiência da implementação de uma intervenção educativa acerca da prevenção do uso de álcool em adolescentes escolares. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, tipo relato de experiência, desenvolvido a partir das seguintes etapas: 1) conhecimento da unidade escolar e apresentação da proposta de intervenção; 2) conhecimento do território e diagnóstico situacional de problemas com base nos eixos e diretrizes norteadoras do programa saúde na escola; 3) seleção da temática e planejamento da intervenção; e 4) execução e avaliação da intervenção educativa. Resultados: propiciou-se, por meio da intervenção, o esclarecimento sobre os riscos do uso do álcool, permitindo aos adolescentes escolares a reflexão sobre determinadas condutas e o quanto estas podem ser prejudiciais à saúde, como o uso do álcool na adolescência. Conclusão: avaliou-se a intervenção como positiva tanto para os acadêmicos em formação como para os alunos e reforça-se a necessidade de atividades educativas no espaço escolar, a fim de prevenir agravos relacionados à saúde do adolescente.(AU)

Objective: to report the experience of implementing an educational intervention on the prevention of alcohol use in school adolescents. Method: this is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, type experience report, developed from the following steps: 1) knowledge of the school unit and presentation of the intervention proposal; 2) knowledge of the territory and situational diagnosis of problems based on the axes and guidelines of the School Health Program; 3) theme selection and intervention planning; and 4) implementation and evaluation of the educational intervention. Results: it was provided, through the intervention, the clarification of the risks of alcohol use, allowing school adolescents to reflect on certain behaviors and how they may be harmful to health, such as alcohol use in adolescence. Conclusion: the intervention was evaluated as positive for both undergraduate students and students and reinforces the need for educational activities in the school space, in order to prevent health problems related to adolescents.(AU)

Objetivo: informar sobre la experiencia de implementar una intervención educativa sobre la prevención del consumo de alcohol en adolescentes escolares. Método: este es un estudio descriptivo con un enfoque cualitativo, tipo relato de experiencia, desarrollado a partir de los siguientes pasos: 1) conocimiento de la unidad escolar y presentación de la propuesta de intervención; 2) conocimiento del territorio y diagnóstico situacional de problemas con base en los ejes y lineamientos orientadores del programa de salud en la escuela; 3) selección del tema y planificación de la intervención; y 4) ejecución y evaluación de la intervención educativa. Resultados: se proporcionó, a través de la intervención, la aclaración de los riesgos del consumo de alcohol, permitiendo a los adolescentes escolares reflexionar sobre ciertos comportamientos y cómo pueden ser perjudiciales a la salud, como el consumo de alcohol en la adolescencia. Conclusión: la intervención fue evaluada como positiva tanto para estudiantes de pregrado como para estudiantes y refuerza la necesidad de actividades educativas en el espacio escolar, con el fin de prevenir problemas de salud relacionados con los adolescentes.(AU)

Riscos para o desencadeamento da osteoporose em idosos / Risks for development of osteoporosis in the elderly

Objetivo: conhecer os riscos para o desencadeamento da osteoporose nos idosos. Método: trata-se de estudo quantitativo, transversal e descritivo na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). Utilizou-se, para a coleta de dados, um instrumento composto por características sociodemográficas, antropometria, variáveis clínicas e hábitos de vida. Analisaram-se os resultados por meio do programa SPSS, versão 20.0, e se apresentaram os achados em tabelas. Resultados: prevaleceram-se as doenças hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus. Encontrou-se, sobre o histórico familiar, o fato de os idosos nunca terem apresentado fratura, não possuírem fatores genéticos sobre a osteoporose e não fazerem uso de cálcio e vitamina D. Com relação aos fatores modificáveis, grande parte dos idosos afirmou não praticar atividade física, não se expor ao Sol, ingerir bastante cafeína e leite. Conclusão: atingiu-se o objetivo proposto e espera-se que os resultados encontrados contribuam na construção do conhecimento sobre essa doença de crescente acometimento auxiliando a elaboração de estratégias de prevenção ou evitando possíveis complicações.(AU)