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Leveraging Flexibility in the Design of a Wave Energy Converter:Strongly Coupled Two-Way FSI Numerical Modeling and Experimental Wave Tank Testing
No full textThe influence from the flexibility of plates on the hydrodynamic loads of an oscillating wave surge converter (OWSC) is investigated. Rigid and flexible plate designs have been tested with both numerical and experimental (physical wave tank) modeling. A strongly coupled two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) numerical model with scale-resolving CFD is benchmarked against experimental results and high compliance is observed. Promising results are found on how flexibility can be leveraged in the design of an OWSC to reduce extreme loads while maintaining operational loads. Further analyses and tests are pending
Biorefining of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Yields a Phytoestrogen-Rich Byproduct with Potent Antiparasitic Activity
No full textBiorefining of grasses and legume forages is carried out commercially to recover feed proteins for monogastric animals. The biorefining produces a fiber-rich pulp byproduct with additional valorization potential. Here, we explored whether pulp products from several biorefined plants could exhibit bioactivity against animal parasites. Among the tested plants, extracts derived from red clover possessed exceptionally high bioactivity against Ascaris suum larvae. GC-MS analysis revealed the antiparasitic compounds to be phytoestrogens, especially biochanin A and to a lesser extent formononetin. Higher concentrations of biochanin A and formononetin were found in biorefined pulp compared with unfractionated plants. These results underscore the dual benefit of biorefining: producing sustainable protein feed and valorizing residues for antiparasitic applications. These findings may offer a potential alternative to synthetic anthelmintics in addressing drug resistance challenges in livestock parasite management. Moreover, they pave the way for cost-effective, ecofriendly feed supplements, promoting circular economy principles in agriculture.</p
Conceptualizing the interplay between blue justice, blue economy, and blue governance
No full textRecent literature on blue justice underscores its growing relevance to legal instruments and state practices of blue governance. The blue economy, while promising sustainable development, often generates risks for coastal communities, including displacement, inequitable distribution of benefits and harms, and exclusion from governance processes. In response, states and international organizations have begun integrating environmental justice principles into ocean policies to promote equitable access and sustainable use of marine resources. However, much of the existing research remains largely descriptive. This paper advances the discourse by conceptualizing the interplay between blue justice, blue economy, and blue governance through three analytical lenses: (1) rigid and fluid, (2) global and local, and (3) plural and singular. The first lens highlights how static governance frameworks struggle to manage dynamic marine environments, leading to “governance inelasticity.” The second lens reveals the fragmented and often asymmetrical nature of decision-making across scales, resulting in “siloed justice approaches.” The third lens critiques dominant narratives that marginalize alternative histories and visions, leading to “singular perspectives”. Together, these lenses expose how justice risks emerge from mismatches between governance structures and the socio-ecological realities of blue spaces. By making these interconnections explicit, the paper offers a conceptual foundation for rethinking marine policy and governance. In doing so, it aims to support more inclusive, adaptive, and pluralistic approaches to governing the blue economy—contributing to ongoing efforts to ensure a just and sustainable ocean future
Leveraging genetic correlations to prioritize drug groups for repurposing in type 2 diabetes
No full textType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex, polygenic disease with substantial health impact. Despite extensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying risk loci, therapeutic translation remains limited. We applied a Bayesian Linear Regression (BLR) multi-trait gene set model to prioritize druggable gene sets, integrating GWAS summary statistics with drug-gene interaction data from the Drug Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb). For each drug group, defined at the ATC 4th level, we calculated posterior inclusion probabilities (PIP) to assess relevance. Known antidiabetic agents showed strong associations with T2D, validating the model. Additionally, carboxamide derivatives, fibrates, uric acid inhibitors, and various immunomodulatory and antineoplastic agents demonstrated significant genetic relevance. Gene-level analyses highlighted key T2D-associated genes, including PPARG, KCNQ1, TNF, and GCK. Notably, bezafibrate, a PPAR pan-agonist, demonstrated substantial genetic overlap with T2D loci, supporting its potential in metabolic disease. This study introduces a genetically informed pipeline for drug repurposing based on multi-trait gene set analysis
Food Addiction Is Strongly Associated With Psychopathology and Reduced Psychological Well-Being Among Adults Irrespective of BMI
No full textBackground and Aims: Food addiction has been linked to psychopathology and reduced psychological well-being. Here, we investigated whether these associations are mainly driven by food addiction itself or mediated via an increase in BMI. Methods: Data stem from a nationwide survey from Denmark (n = 1474 participants). The survey questionnaire included the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) measuring food addiction, questions on height and weight (to compute BMI), and a range of self-reported measures of psychopathology and psychological well-being. The association between food addiction and psychopathology/psychological well-being, stratified by weight category (normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30)), was assessed via multivariable regression analyses, adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status and BMI. Results: Across all BMI categories, having food addiction was strongly positively associated with psychopathology (depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity) and strongly negatively associated with psychological well-being (all p-values < 0.001), despite adjustment for BMI. These associations remained following exclusion of participants either having received a diagnosis of mental disorder or having redeemed a prescription for psychopharmacological treatment. Conclusion: The findings from this study are compatible with food addiction itself, and not increased BMI likely arising from it, being associated with psychopathology and reduced psychological well-being.</p
Numerical modelling of air-induced drag reduction allowing the transition between bubbly, air layer and mixed regimes
No full textAir lubrication can reduce the frictional resistance of ships, leading to significant fuel cost savings. However, the performance of air lubrication systems varies considerably, depending on the operating conditions. Complex gas morphologies play a crucial role here but are difficult to predict. Such a variety of morphologies (bubbly flow, air layers, or mixed regimes) requires morphology-adaptive methods, such as MultiMorph. This method allows for multiple morphologies of a given phase, including the transfer between them. The injection of gas can result in air bubbles, air layers, or a mixed regime, based on local transfer mechanisms. The ability to predict these morphologies is a distinctive feature of this method. Alternative methods prescribe a specific regime a priori, and do not allow a transition. To assess the suitability of MultiMorph for air lubrication problems, two geometries with different complexities are considered. The first test validates the method against flat plate experiments. Various water velocity and gas flow rate combinations were considered to investigate their influence on gas morphology and the associated drag reduction. The second case features a three-dimensional ship hull geometry with two bubble injectors to test the applicability of the method to a more complex scenario, including a curved geometry. The method performs well in both test cases and qualifies as a useful tool for numerical investigations of air lubrication phenomena.</p
