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Nowadays, numerical simulations of wind turbines based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) formulation are becoming, in terms of computational cost, increasingly more viable tools for geometry optimization and design. Nevertheless, a judicious use of RANS-type methods is still required to guarantee acceptable accuracy at manageable computational cost. Here, we assess the accuracy and cost of several well-known turbulence models (Spalart–Allmaras, k - ε , k - ω SST, along with transitional modelling) with and without a zigzag tape modelling for a representative horizontal axis wind turbine within a range of moderate Reynolds numbers ( Re ≈ 3 × 10 5 to 8 × 10 5 ). This range allowed for the assessment of turbulence models under various complex flow conditions. Significant differences in performance have been found and, for a notable portion of the test cases, the k - ε model was able to deliver good results (similar to k - ω SST results) with a considerably coarser mesh. This suggests that k - ε , although often recognized as less accurate than k - ω SST, might actually be more efficient for wind turbine simulations. Also, although the best results came only with a coupled transition model which required a higher computational cost, this increase in cost is not exceedingly high and might allow for this model’s usage in later design stages. Accordingly, the present study is a valuable source for future wind turbine simulations and design and we hope that it fosters further developments in the field.

This dissertation analyses the performance of Spanish mutual performance in the period 2011-2020. The mutual funds were divided into categories according to their geographical focus, namely National, Europe, USA, and Japan. The research is comprised of two parts.In the first part, the performance of the funds was calculated applying the traditional measures - Jensen’s Alpha, Treynor and Sharpe Ratio. We found that funds that invest in the Spanish market (“National”) did not perform positively, it being the only category with negative values in the majority of the measures. The other categories achieved positive values, indicating sound levels of performance.In the second part, we try to establish a relationship between certain characteristics of the funds, such as age, size, and managerial traits, with the performance measured by alphas. Not only did we prove that the relationship exists, but we also discovered that these characteristics are determinants of performance. However, the results are heterogeneous across the categories.Age and size had a significant impact on the performance in the majority of the categories. Regarding the characteristics of the management, the two most significant characteristics were managers working in a team, and funds not disclosing the identity of the managers.

Caçari is a fruit tree that is native to the Amazon region of Brazil. The fruit is considered to have the highest vitamin C content of any edible fruit (13.757 mg 100 g-1 dry weight). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D and 6-BAP alone or in combination on in vitro callus induction and pro-embryogenic mass formation in caçari stem segments in different culture media as a precursor for caçari micropropagation. The experiment consisted of two culture media (MS and WPM) and combinations of four concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 1, 2 and 4 mg L-1) and BAP (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg L-1). The results showed that the highest percentage of callus formation (99%) was obtained in WPM supplemented with 4 mg L-1, 2,4-D and 1 mg L-1 BAP, and this combination resulted in 93% pro-embryogenic mass formation.

Nocardia asiatica causing pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia is reported for the first time in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus (CM), diagnosed based on epidemiological, clinical, haematological, images, microbiological, histopathological, polymerase chain reaction and hsp65 gene sequencing findings. The immunosuppression of CM probably favoured the opportunistic behaviour of N. asiatica. Despite the therapeutic measures, the animal died, mainly due to respiratory distress. The association of methods to improve early diagnosis, therapy procedures and prognosis of canine nocardiosis is discussed, as well as the close relationship between pets and their owners, which may favour the transmission of pathogens such as Nocardia from pets‐to‐humans, which poses an emerging public health issue. Nocardia asiatica causing pyogranulomatous pleuropneumonia were report for the first time in a dog coinfected with canine morbillivirus.

The coinfections by some microorganisms have been related to severe diseases in humans and animals, where immunosuppressive agents favor opportunistic behavior of other pathogens. A 4-month-old, female mixed-breed dog with a two-week history of inappetence, prostration, emaciation, and respiratory distress was admitted at a veterinary hospital in Brazil. Tachycardia, pale mucous membranes, severe respiratory distress, and a large number of ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) in different body regions were observed at clinical examination. Hematological examination of dog showed leukocytosis, neutrophilia, mild anemia, and thrombocytopenia, whereas unremarkable values in biochemical tests. Thoracic radiography revealed a pleural effusion image. Blood and the pleural fluid (purulent aspect) samples were subjected to qPCR (16S rRNA and dsb genes) and sequencing, which identified Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys coinfection. An aggregate of coccoid-to-branching or long filamentous microorganisms, surrounded by pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction was seen at the cytology of the pleural fluid. Bacteriological culture of pleural effusion showed colonies compatible with the genus Nocardia , which revealed gram-positive filamentous organisms with a tendency of fragmentation and were identified as Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Therapy of N. otitidiscaviarum isolate using levofloxacin (supported by a previous in vitro susceptibility testing) and doxycycline for E. canis and A. platys resulted in complete resolution of the clinical picture. Here, we report for the first time a triple coinfection by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum , A. platys , and E. canis in a dog with pleural effusion, where debilitating or immunosuppressive conditions induced by A. platys and E. canis coinfection probably contributed to the opportunistic behavior of N. otitidiscaviarum .

Magnetoliposomes (MLs) were synthesized and tested for longitudinal monitoring of transplanted pancreatic islets using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rat models. The rat insulinoma cell line INS-1E and isolated pancreatic islets from outbred and inbred rats were used to optimize labeling conditions in vitro . Strong MRI contrast was generated by islets exposed to 50 µg Fe/ml for 24 hours without any increased cell death, loss of function or other signs of toxicity. In vivo experiments showed that pancreatic islets (50–1000 units) labeled with MLs were detectable for up to 6 weeks post-transplantation in the kidney subcapsular space. Islets were also monitored for two weeks following transplantation through the portal vein of the liver. Hereby, islets labeled with MLs and transplanted under the left kidney capsule were able to correct hyperglycemia and had stable MRI signals until nephrectomy. Interestingly, in vivo MRI of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats transplanted with allogeneic islets demonstrated loss of MRI contrast between 7–16 days, indicative of loss of islet structure. MLs used in this study were not only beneficial for monitoring the location of transplanted islets in vivo with high sensitivity but also reported on islet integrity and hereby indirectly on islet function and rejection.