Abstract
Objectives:Angiotensin-converting enzymes' (ACEs) relationship with blood pressure (BP) during childhood has not been clearly established. We aimed to compare ACE and ACE2 activities between BMI groups in a sample of prepubertal children, and to characterize the association between these enzymes' activities and BP.Methods:Cross-sectional study of 313 children aged 8-9 years old, included in the birth cohort Generation XXI (Portugal). Anthropometric measurements and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring were performed. ACE and ACE2 activities were quantified by fluorometric methods.Results:Overweight/obese children demonstrated significantly higher ACE and ACE2 activities, when compared to their normal weight counterparts [median (P25-P75), ACE: 39.48 (30.52-48.97) vs. 42.90 (35.62-47.18) vs. 43.38 (33.49-49.89) mU/ml, P for trend = 0.009; ACE2: 10.41 (7.58-15.47) vs. 21.56 (13.34-29.09) vs. 29.00 (22.91-34.32) pM/min per ml, P for trend < 0.001, in normal weight, overweight and obese children, respectively]. In girls, night-time systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) increased across tertiles of ACE activity (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). ACE2 activity was associated with higher night-time SBP and DBP in overweight/obese girls (P = 0.037 and P = 0.048, respectively) and night-time DBP in the BMI z-score girl adjusted model (P = 0.018). Median ACE2 levels were significantly higher among nondipper girls (16.7 vs. 11.6 pM/min per ml, P = 0.009).Conclusions:Our work shows that obesity is associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, with significant increase of ACE and ACE2 activities already in childhood. Also, we report sex differences in the association of ACE and ACE2 activities with BP.

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This essay addresses the importance of geotechnics and marine georesources in developing technologies. The study proposes a coastal and marine geoengineering approach that focuses on five domains (5G’s): georesources, geology, geotechnics, geomechanics and geotechnologies. These domains are considered in several engineering projects related to coastal, hydraulic, marine, and maritime applications. The reality of a world in rapid, continuous evolution has put into perspective a multidisciplinary approach combining different practices and coastal strategies. That is the main driving force that should be considered when dealing with geoengineering projects in general. Moreover, geological resources and the potential exploitation of mineral and rock raw materials boost innovative techniques and upscaling geo-robotic systems. Finally, the essay unravels new trends in challenging and extreme environments and natural hazards, highlighting emerging fields such as deep-sea mining, geo-exploration, offshore, coastal, harbour and marine geotechnics. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Abstract
Volcanic sites on Earth provide valuable insights into the geological processes that shape our planet and can also serve as effective analogs for studying similar volcanic activity on other celestial bodies, such as the Moon. This work aims to discuss the general characterization of the Capelinhos volcanic site, in the archipelago of Azores in Portugal, showing the potential as a planetary analog. It's barren landscape, covered with pyroclastic rocks can lend itself the purpose of becoming a lunar planetary analog site, possibly even a Martian site. This geological site was formed during an eruption that occurred in 1957-58, thus the vegetation is practically absent. By examining the physical and chemical properties of its pyroclastic rocks, as well as the associated volcanic landforms, researchers of different fields can better understand lunar volcanic activity and its implications for many aspects of future lunar exploration. Although its origin is different from most of the locations on the lunar surface, since it doesn't contemplate the impactism originated regolith characteristics and associated geomorphology, it does resemble this setting for a broad range of research objectives. © 2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.

Abstract
The significance of analog studies using lava tubes on Earth to inform on the design of future lunar and Martian missions is aimed at exploring and utilising those structures as potential habitats on those planetary bodies. Lava tubes, natural subsurface cavities formed by volcanic activity, have several characteristics that make them appealing for human habitation on the Moon and Mars. Researchers conducting analog studies on Earth can gain valuable insights into the geological, environmental, engineering, crew and robotic challenges associated with lunar or Martian lava tube exploration and housing. This work reviews some scientific characteristics of an Azorean lava tube system that can contribute towards analog studies and their potential to help plan and design lunar and Martian missions. Human and robotic planetary exploration has garnered considerable attention recently, focusing on identifying potential habitats for future human missions. Lava tubes, formed by molten lava flowing beneath the solidified crust, offer natural subsurface shelters with numerous advantages for lunar or Martian habitation. This work provides insight into one of a lava tube structures, in Terceira island in the Azores archipelago. This structure would be adequate for analog studies that can contribute to the design of missions, providing valuable protocols for geological, geophysical and engineering tasks and potentially facilitating the development of sustainable lunar or Martian habitats. © 2023 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.