Abstract
The manufacturing process of thermoregulation products with polyester (PES) fabric and conductive polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) with proper wearability, comfort, and high performance is still a challenge due to low adhesion, environment instability and nonuniform coatings. This study presents a simple and effective method for producing thermoregulatory PES fabrics using the Joule heating effect. Textiles treated with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma were functionalized with PEDOT:PSS incorporating secondary dopants, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol (GLY). PEDOT:PSS was used because it does not compromise the mechanical properties of base materials. DBD plasma treatment was applied to PES to improve the substrate's functional groups and consequently increase adhesion and homogeneity of the PEDOT:PSS on the substrate. The polymer were applied to the textiles by dip-pad-drycure method ensuring uniform distribution and homogeneous heating of the materials. The samples' conductivity, impedance, potential and Joule effect, and their morphological, chemical and thermal properties were studied. Control samples without plasma treatment and secondary dopants were also prepared. The results showed that the DBD-treated samples, coated with 5 layers of PEDOT:PSS, doped with DMSO 7 % (w/v), displayed the best conductivity and Joule effect performance reaching 44.3 degrees C after 1 h.

Abstract
The need for real-time and scalable oceanographic monitoring has become crucial for coastal management, marine traffic control and environmental sustainability. This study investigates the integration of sensor technology into marine cables to enable real-time monitoring, focusing on tidal cycles and wave characteristics. A 2000 m cable demonstrator was deployed off the coast of Portugal, featuring three active repeater nodes equipped with pressure sensors at varying depths. The goal was to estimate hourly wave periods using fast Fourier transform and calculate significant wave height via a custom peak detection algorithm. The results showed strong coherence with tidal depth variations, with wave period estimates closely aligning with forecasts. The wave height estimations exhibited a clear relationship with tidal cycles, which demonstrates the system's sensitivity to coastal hydrodynamics, a factor that numerical models designed for open waters often fail to capture. The study also highlights challenges in deep-water monitoring, such as signal attenuation and the need for high sampling rates. Overall, this research emphasises the scalability of sensor-integrated smart marine cables, offering a transformative opportunity to expand oceanographic monitoring capabilities. The findings open the door for future real-time ocean monitoring systems that can deliver valuable insights for coastal management, environmental monitoring and scientific research.

Abstract
This study presents the development and testing of satellite antennas for the SONDA probe, an innovative deepsea monitoring system designed to be deployed by high-altitude balloons. The probe descends to the deep ocean, resurfaces, and transmits data while functioning as a drifter. The project faced unique design constraints, including the need for low-cost materials and lightweight construction for balloon deployment. These constraints ruled out traditional hermetic housings, necessitating alternative solutions for antenna protection. The work focused on custom ceramic patch antennas and their performance under various protective coatings, which affected the antennas' resonance and gain. Thinner layers effectively protected the antennas from high-pressure conditions and water ingress, maintaining functionality. Experiments on antenna height revealed optimal positioning above the water surface to minimize wave-induced signal interference. Hyperbaric chamber tests validated the mechanical integrity and functionality of the antennas under pressures equivalent to depths of 1500 m Antenna characterization techniques were employed in an anechoic chamber to validate antenna performance with the coating and to assess their correct operation after the hyperbaric tests. Field deployments demonstrated the antennas' capability to transmit data after diving. Challenges included communication delays, corrupted data, and mechanical vulnerabilities in materials. The findings emphasize the importance of rigorous mechanical design, material selection, and system optimization to ensure reliability in marine environments. This work advances the development of low-cost, lightweight, and modular probes for autonomous ocean monitoring, with potential applications in long-term drifter studies, real-time marine monitoring and oceanographic research.

Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying bone fatigue failure is crucial for advancing treatment strategies. In this regard, this study presents a novel approach to quantify crack propagation in cortical bone tissue through fatigue testing under mode I loading. To closely replicate real bone damage mechanisms, pre-cracked bone samples were subjected to cyclic loading. A compliance-based beam method and cubic B-spline interpolation method were employed to accurately extract fatigue coefficients and reduce experimental noise, yielding refined modified Paris law coefficients. A cohesive zone model for high-cycle fatigue was used to simulate crack propagation, capturing the nonlinear material response by means of the cohesive zone length, mimicking the non-negligible fracture process zone. The goal is to validate the followed experimental procedure. This study offers valuable insights into the fatigue and fracture mechanisms in cortical bone, providing a more accurate and realistic framework for characterizing fatigue life compared to previous methodologies. Coefficients produced from the cohesive model may be readily integrated into simulation tools commonly used in many areas of engineering, allowing biomechanical experts to create more robust designs that simulate actual world conditions for application in implants and orthopaedic structures.

Abstract
Estuaries are dynamic ecosystems where freshwater and seawater interact, shaping complex hydrodynamic and environmental processes. Traditional single-node monitoring systems, while informative, lack the spatial resolution necessary to fully capture these dynamics. This study presents the development and deployment of a dual-node synchronized wireless sensor network for real-time environmental monitoring in the Cavado Estuary, Portugal. The network architecture integrates low-power embedded systems, a synchronized radiofrequency network, and a web-based data visualization platform. Two monitoring nodes, deployed 675 meters apart, operate in a synchronous cycle to measure hydrostatic pressure and water temperature, demonstrating the feasibility of synchronized environmental sensing. The collected data validated network synchronization, revealing a 30-minute delay in tidal propagation between nodes and highlighting temperature variations influenced by estuarine hydrodynamics. Additionally, long-term observations captured seasonal trends, tidal influences, and extreme weather events such as Storm Kirk. The study also evaluated the system's energy efficiency, confirming the solar panel's capacity to sustain continuous operation and estimating battery life expectancy under different network configurations. This work advances synchronized monitoring networks by providing a scalable, low-cost solution for studying marine environments. The proposed system enables more precise quantification of oceanic influences on estuarine conditions, particularly regarding tidal propagation and phase differences, supporting more effective ecosystem management and understanding.

Abstract
Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) is an endemic threatened species from the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we report the first observations of intraspecific cleaning behavior in isolated summer pools in the Guadiana River Basin (Portugal). We found that focal S. alburnoides solicited cleaning by adopting an immobile tail-stand position known as posing, which immediately signaled a response to a few conspecifics that approached and inspect them. Our study expands the list of cleanerfish species in freshwaters, giving emphasis to the importance of mutual positive behavior within an endangered species, particularly when facing seasonal disturbance.