Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the large-scale deployment of hydropower on the provision of frequency regulation services, when equipped with the extended flexibility solutions being developed and/or tested within the scope of the XFLEX HYDRO project. The current analysis is performed on the Iberian Peninsula (IP) power grid considering its interconnection to the Continental Europe (CE) system, since this power system zone is expected to have the most severe frequency transient behaviour in future scenarios with increased shares of variable renewable energies. For this purpose, prospective scenarios with increased shares of time variable renewable generation were identified and analysed. To assess the impacts of the hydropower flexibility solutions on frequency dynamics after a major active power loss, extensive time domain simulations were performed of the power system, including reliable reduced order dynamic models for the hydropower flexibility solutions under evaluation. This research assesses the effects of synchronous and synthetic inertia, and of the Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR) and Fast Frequency Response (FFR) services as specified in European grid codes. The main findings highlight the potential of hydropower inertia and of adopting a variable speed technology for enhancing frequency stability, while contribute to better understand the role of hydropower plants in future power systems.

Abstract
The human brain, with its vast network of billions of neurons and trillions of synapses (connections) between diverse cell types, remains one of the greatest mysteries in science and medicine. Despite extensive research, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive normal behaviors and response to disease states is still limited. Advancement in the Neuroscience field and development of therapeutics for related pathologies requires innovative technologies that can provide a dynamic and systematic understanding of the interactions between neurons and neural circuits. In this work, we provide an up-to-date overview of the evolution of neurophotonic approaches in the last 10 years through a multi-source, literature analysis. From an initial corpus of 243 papers retrieved from Scopus, PubMed and WoS databases, we have followed the PRISMA approach to select 56 papers in the area. Following a full-text evaluation of these 56 scientific articles, six main areas of applied research were identified and discussed: (1) Advanced optogenetics, (2) Multimodal neural interfaces, (3) Innovative therapeutics, (4) Imaging devices and probes, (5) Remote operations, and (6) Microfluidic platforms. For each area, the main technologies selected are discussed according to the photonic principles applied, the neuroscience application evaluated and the more indicative results of efficiency and scientific potential. This detailed analysis is followed by an outlook of the main challenges tackled over the last 10 years in the Neurophotonics field, as well as the main technological advances regarding specificity, light delivery, multimodality, imaging, materials and system designs. We conclude with a discussion of considerable challenges for future innovation and translation in Neurophotonics, from light delivery within the brain to physical constraints and data management strategies.

Abstract
Modern supercomputers host numerous jobs that compete for shared storage resources, causing I/O interference and performance degradation. Solutions based on software-defined storage (SDS) emerged to address this issue by coordinating the storage environment through the enforcement of QoS policies. However, these often fail to consider the scale of modern HPC infrastructures. In this work, we explore the advantages and shortcomings of state-of-the-art SDS solutions and highlight the scale of current production clusters and their rising trends. Furthermore, we conduct the first experimental study that sheds new insights into the performance and scalability of flat and hierarchical SDS control plane designs. Our results, using the Frontera supercomputer, show that a flat design with a single controller can scale up to 2,500 nodes with an average control cycle latency of 41 ms, while hierarchical designs can handle up to 10,000 nodes with an average latency ranging between 69 and 103 ms.

Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards innovative and interactive learning approaches. Serious games have emerged as a promising solution in health education, offering engaging and immersive learning experiences. This article presents the development steps of a mobile application to promote knowledge of nursing assessment and intervention in the family. A prototype was developed for Android devices using React Native technology and Firebase database, incorporating gamification elements. It was then evaluated by potential users. The results showed that the proposed solution successfully enhanced nurses' learning about family issues and dynamics, receiving positive feedback from users regarding its effectiveness and usability. By leveraging the power of mobile technology and gamification, this researchwork seeks to bridge an existing gap, contributing to the advancement of game-based educational approaches in the health field.

Abstract
Fertilization is paramount for agriculture productivity and food security. Plant nutrition pre-established recipes and nutrient uptake are rarely managed by changing the fertilizer composition at the different stages of the plant life cycle. Herein we perform a literature review analysis - since the year 2000 and onwards - of the state-of-the-art capabilities of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (NPK) sensors for liquid fertilizers ( e.g. , hydroponics). From the initial search hits of 1660 results, only 53 publications had relevant information for this topic; from these, only 9 had NPK quantitative information. Qualitative analysis was performed by determining the number of publications for each nutrient, according to sample complexity and existing single, multiplexed or hybrid technologies. Quantitative assessment was performed by extracting the bias and linearity, the limit of detection and concentration ranges of sensor operation, framed into the context of the sensor technology development stage and sample compositional complexity. The most common technologies are colorimetry, ionselective electrodes, optrodes, chemosensors, and optical spectroscopy. The most abundant technologies are for nitrate quantification, from which ion-selective electrodes are the most widely used technology, and sensors for phosphate quantification are the less developed. Most are at low technological levels of development, not dealing with the complexity of agriculture samples due to matrix effects and interference. Measuring the fertilizer composition, nutrient uptake, the state of the chemical network, and controlling the release of nutrients using new functional materials, is one of the most important challenges ahead for the existence of precision fertilization. Intelligent sensing and smart materials are today the most successful strategy for dealing with matrix effects and interferences, being led by ion-selective electrodes and spectroscopy technologies.

Abstract
This paper presents a new type of phase-shifted Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG): the sliced-FBG (SFBG). The fabrication process involves cutting a standard FBG inside its grating region. As a result, the last grating pitch is shorter than the others. The optical output signal consists of the overlap between the FBG reflection and the reflection at the fiber-cleaved tip. This new fiber optic device has been studied as a vibration sensor, allowing for the characterization of this sensor in the frequency range of 150 Hz to 70 kHz. How the phase shift in the FBG can be controlled by changing the length of the last pitch is also shown. This device can be used as a filter and a sensing element. As a sensing element, we will demonstrate its application as a vibration sensor that can be utilized in various applications, particularly in monitoring mechanical structures.