Abstract
Bi-core optical fiber structures are studied for applications in sensing. In this paper, an analysis is performed on the spectral characteristics of light propagating in these fibers with central launching core illumination from a standard single mode fiber. Reflective and transmissive configurations are addressed. The characteristics of a reflective bi-core fiber structure for measurement of strain, temperature and absolute value of torsion are investigated and highlights for further research are presented.

Abstract
Background: In view of the growing importance of nanotechnologies, the detection/identification of nanoparticles type has been considered of utmost importance. Although the characterization of synthetic/organic nanoparticles is currently considered a priority (eg, drug delivery devices, nanotextiles, theranostic nanoparticles), there are many examples of "naturally" generated nanostructures - for example, extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipoproteins, and virus - that provide useful information about human physiology or clinical conditions. For example, the detection of tumor-related exosomes, a specific type of EVs, in circulating fluids has been contributing to the diagnosis of cancer in an early stage. However, scientists have struggled to find a simple, fast, and low-cost method to accurately detect/identify these nanoparticles, since the majority of them have diameters between 100 and 150 nm, thus being far below the diffraction limit. Methods: This study investigated if, by projecting the information provided from short-term portions of the back-scattered laser light signal collected by a polymeric lensed optical fiber tip dipped into a solution of synthetic nanoparticles into a lower features dimensional space, a discriminant function is able to correctly detect the presence of 100 nm synthetic nanoparticles in distilled water, in different concentration values. Results and discussion: This technique ensured an optimal performance (100% accuracy) in detecting nanoparticles for a concentration above or equal to 3.89 mu g/mL (8.74E+10 particles/mL), and a performance of 90% for concentrations below this value and higher than 1.22E-03 mu g/mL (2.74E+07 particles/mL), values that are compatible with human plasmatic levels of tumor-derived and other types of EVs, as well as lipoproteins currently used as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: The proposed technique is able to detect synthetic nanoparticles whose dimensions are similar to EVs and other "clinically" relevant nanostructures, and in concentrations equivalent to the majority of cell-derived, platelet-derived EVs and lipoproteins physiological levels. This study can, therefore, provide valuable insights towards the future development of a device for EVs and other biological nanoparticles detection with innovative characteristics.

Abstract
When it was first introduced, the concept of sustainability in the forestry sector had a narrow focus on sustainable wood production. Since then, this concept has evolved and it now considers now the three sustainability dimensions (economic, environmental and social) of the whole forest wood supply chain. The main objective of this study is then to review assessment and optimization studies that consider the forest wood supply chain and at least one of the sustainability dimensions. To accomplish this goal, a total number of 188 papers, published in English-speaking peer-reviewed journals from 1995 to 2017, were reviewed. These papers have been classified according to the sustainability dimensions explored, the stakeholder's involvement, the modeling approaches applied, the supply chain decision levels treated, the uncertainty inclusion, and case study analyzed. Most of the studies reviewed (84.6%) considered only two sustainability dimensions: economic (31.9%), environmental (13.8%), or a combination of both (38.8%). The first study including the three sustainability dimensions was published in 2005. Most of the studies reviewed (64.9%) focus on the bioenergy industry in Europe and North America, due to the growing interest in using biomass to substitute fossil fuels in energy production. The final part of the paper presents the identified specific features of sustainable forest wood supply chains and discusses a future research agenda in the area.

Abstract

Abstract
Cyber-Physical Systems, as distributed systems of computational elements interacting with the physical world, are highly complex systems. They can, in many instances, be considered safety critical interactive systems, as errors in interaction can have disastrous consequences (consider the case of autonomous vehicles or integrated clinical environments). High assurance is, then, an underlying requirement, also at their user interface. In this position paper we identify five challenges to be solved both in the short and in the long term, regarding the modelling of (1) distributed and (2) heterogeneous interactive systems, (3) the analysis and relation between the different abstraction layers of Cyber-Physical Systems, (4) the modelling of real time/hybrid systems, and (5) the modelling of the dynamic nature of such systems. Solutions for these challenges are not presented, but possible directions are discussed. Copyright © 2019 for this paper by its authors.

Abstract
One of the main strategies for fostering the entrepreneurial mindset in students has been the development of training activities inside and outside classrooms using serious games. The chapter makes a brief description regarding five serious games initiatives that intend to promote and facilitate entrepreneurship education for different educational stages. Furthermore, the authors discuss the key benefits and challenges by the introduction of serious games in the learning process. The authors concluded by identifying that serious games have the potentiality of improving the learning process by providing an immersive experience for students that increases their motivation and potentiates the acquisition of multidisciplinary competencies. However, there are some challenges that should be properly considered and mitigated, namely in terms of assessing learning goals, integration with didactical systems, and support for different styles of learning.