Metaverse in surgery — origins and future potential

The metaverse refers to a collective virtual space that combines physical and digital realities to create immersive, interactive environments. This space is powered by technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. In healthcare, the metaverse can offer many applications. Specifically in surgery, potential uses of the metaverse include the possibility of conducting immersive surgical training in a VR or AR setting, and enhancing surgical planning through the adoption of three-dimensional virtual models and simulated procedures. At the intraoperative level, AR-guided surgery can assist the surgeon in real time to increase surgical precision in tumour identification and selective management of vessels. In post-operative care, potential uses of the metaverse include recovery monitoring and patient education. In urology, AR and VR have been widely explored in the past decade, mainly for surgical navigation in prostate and kidney cancer surgery, whereas only anecdotal metaverse experiences have been reported to date, specifically in partial nephrectomy. In the future, further integration of AI will improve the metaverse experience, potentially increasing the possibility of carrying out surgical navigation, data collection and virtual trials within the metaverse. However, challenges concerning data security and regulatory compliance must be addressed before the metaverse can be used to improve patient care

Author Correction: Metaverse in surgery — origins and future potential (Nature Reviews Urology, (2024), 10.1038/s41585-024-00941-4)

Correction to: Nature Reviews Urologyhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-024-00941-4, published online 30 September 2024. In the version of the article initially published, Enrico Checcucci was wrongly stated to be affiliated with the University of Verona. This has now been amended in the HTML and PDF versions of the article so that Enrico Checcucci’s only affiliation is Department of Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy

Probabilistic corrosion hazard maps for reinforced concrete infrastructure in coastal regions

The development of probabilistic corrosion hazard maps for reinforced concrete infrastructure exposed to airborne chlorides in coastal regions is addressed in the present work, with special attention to bridges. The methodology developed in this study consists of three steps. Initially, spatial distribution, construction year, and main features of the existing infrastructure are examined together with the general characteristics of the study area. The second step deals with the elaboration of relevant environmental data, including the direction and height of sea waves, sea salinity, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, speed and direction of wind, and chloride deposition rates. Corrosion hazard maps are obtained next, wherein the corrosion current density is selected as an intensity measure. Particularly, they are elaborated for an assigned probability of exceedance given the exposure time window and concrete mixture. The presented methodology is applied to develop probabilistic corrosion hazard maps for reinforced concrete bridges exposed to the marine atmosphere at Oahu Island (Hawaii, United States). For this case-study, it is also discussed the correlation between the actual condition rating of the existing concrete bridges and the estimated corrosion hazard levels

Analyzing financial markets dynamics: a statistical equilibrium framework for stocks and cryptocurrencies

In this article, we study the stochastic structure of cryptocurrency rates of returns as compared to stock returns by focusing on the associated cross-sectional distributions. We build two datasets. The first comprises forty-six major cryptocurrencies, and the second includes all the companies listed in the S&P 500. We collect individual data from January 2017 until December 2022. We then apply the Quantal Response Statistical Equilibrium (QRSE) model to recover the cross-sectional frequency distribution of the daily returns of cryptocurrencies and S&P 500 companies. We study the stochastic structure of these two markets and the properties of investors’ behavior through bear and bull trends. Finally, we compare the degree of informational efficiency of these two markets

WHAT ITALIAN CHILDREN USUALLY EAT: HOW TO HARM OURSELVES AND THE ENVIRONMENT Cosa mangiano i nostri bambini: come far male a se stessi e anche all’ambiente

Background. The growth of the human population and expanding consumption patterns are among the primary causes of climate change and its health effects. The food system significantly contributes to the climate change, as it is responsible for 26% of CO2emissions, uses 50% of habitable land and 70% of water resources and causes biodiversity loss. Animal-based and processed foods have a greater environmental impact and the widespread adoption of a western diet is unsustainable for both the planet and human health. Materials and methods. This study examined the dietary habits of a paediatric sample (aged: 6 months-14 years) to assess adherence to guidelines by focusing on the consumption of high-impact foods. It also analysed whether school canteens promote a sustainable and healthy diet and assessed parents’ awareness of these issues and the role of paediatricians in disseminating this information, as well. Results. The results showed an excessive consumption of meat (68%) and dairy products (49%), making the diet unsustainable for both human and planetary health. The school system, while promoting overall healthy eating, increases the consumption of high-impact foods already excessively consumed at home. There is a lack of parental awareness about what a healthy diet and its environmental impact are, topics that are also under-addressed by paediatricians. The paper highlights the need for a better training for paediatricians to promote healthy and sustainable diets

Investigating Transparency in Corporate Discourse about Safety

Transparent communication is key to corporate reputation. Although greater public awareness has obliged firms to take a more proactive approach to transparent communication and disclosure, transparency remains an elusive concept and difficult to verify. This paper explores the characteristics of language which can act as indicators of transparency and focuses on the information about safety at sea provided by cruise and ferry operators in the relevant sections of the companies’ websites and their corporate reports. Following Schnackenberg and Tomlinson’s (2016) classification of the three dimensions of transparency, namely Disclosure, Clarity and Accuracy, the analysis adopts an eclectic, primarily qualitative approach to identify the linguistic and rhetorical features that contribute to or hinder transparency. The study takes into consideration the cognitive strategies adopted in the transfer of specialised and technical knowledge from expert to non-expert, which may give insight into the way information is rendered understandable and hence more transparent from the point of view of clarity. Another line of analysis is the use of vagueness, which could appear to move the discourse in the opposite direction, towards ambiguity, or even opaqueness. Whilst various rhetorical devices, such as cognitive strategies and FAQs, are found to enhance transparency, vagueness and highly evaluative language, typical of corporate communication, may impair it. The overall results of the analysis suggest that it is easier to identify the characteristics of the lack, rather than the presence, of transparency