Safe Production of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Arsenic-Contaminated Soil: a Remedial Strategy using Micro-Nanostructured Bone Biochar

This study investigated the effects of fine-sized pork bone biochar particles on remediating As-contaminated soil and alleviating associated phytotoxicity to rice in 50-day short-term and 120-day full-life-cycle pot experiments. The addition of micro-nanostructured pork bone biochar (BC) pyrolyzed at 400 and 600 °C (BC400 and BC600) significantly increased the As-treated shoot and root fresh weight by 24.4–77.6%, while simultaneously reducing tissue As accumulation by 26.7–64.1% and increasing soil As content by 17.1–27.1% as compared to As treatment. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that BC600 and BC400 treatments increased the proportion of plant growth-promoting microbes such as Ceratobasidium and Achromobacter by 33–81.6% in the roots and As adsorption-associated Bacillus by 1.15–1.59-fold in the rhizosphere soil. Metabolomic profiling suggests that BC and As coexposure triggered differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) enriched in lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolic pathways, all of which could alleviate As-induced phytotoxicity and promote plant As tolerance. Importantly, the quality of As-treated rice grains was improved by the BC amendments. This study demonstrates the significant potential of BC for enhancing crop growth and minimizing the As-induced phytotoxicity to rice and provides a framework for a promising strategy for remediating heavy metal(loid)-contaminated soil while simultaneously promoting food safety

The Changing Epidemiology of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A 15‐Year Overview Comparing Italian and European Data

Background and Aims: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) represents a prominent cause of infant death in many countries. Epidemiological data has been variable over time because the related International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code is not consistent throughout countries and has changed over the years. The prevalence of SIDS is unclear, with estimates that do not reflect the number of patients who actually died from SIDS. This paper aims to assess the trend of SIDS in Italy and Europe during 2011–2018, and factors contributing to epidemiological data. Data for Italy were also integrated with an individual‐level analysis over the period 2003–2018. Methods: A two‐pronged analysis was performed starting from the Italian National Institute of Statistics and experimental data. The individual characteristics of SIDS infants were detailed in association with biomedical, socioeconomic, and cultural variables. Results: Total infant mortality has been continuously declining in Italy, from 4.15‰ in 2003 to 3.05‰ in 2018 (−26.5%) with rates significantly lower than the European average in the same period (mean Italy 3.05‰ vs. mean Europe 4.11‰). Considering only SIDS, the 28 European countries show an average value of 0.15/1000 deaths/births (2011–2018), with a decreasing temporal trend. Italy displays an average rate 75% lower (0.04/1000 births). The seasonality of the syndrome highlights a prevalence during cold months (60.7%) and no evidence of a significant effect of mother's age at birth was found. The mean age at death is prevalent in the postneonatal period. No statistically significant effects on Italian SIDS mortality have been found regarding economical, educational, and cultural aspects related to the care of infants. Conclusion: The data suggest a likely effect of different ways of classification of SIDS‐related deaths, although a different approach to the prevention campaigns could be responsible for data variability among countries. Results also suggest an urgent need to get insight into previously unexplored aspects, such as neuroanatomical, genetic, metabolic, and proteomic aspects, focusing especially on high‐risk groups to further clarify the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome

Unlocking robotic perception: comparison of deep learning methods for simultaneous localization and mapping and visual simultaneous localization and mapping in robot

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) and Visual SLAM are crucial technologies in robotics, allowing autonomous systems to navigate and comprehend their environment. Deep learning (DL) has become a powerful tool in driving progress in these areas, providing solutions that improve accuracy, efficiency, and resilience. This article thoroughly analyzes different deep learning techniques designed explicitly for SLAM and Visual SLAM applications in robotic systems. This work provides a detailed overview of DL roles in SLAM and VSLAM and emphasizes the differences between these two fields. Five powerful DL methods are investigated: Convolutional Neural Networks in extracting features and understanding meaning, Recurrent Neural Network in modeling temporal relationships, Deep Reinforcement Learning in developing exploration strategies, Graph Neural Network in modeling spatial relationships, and Attention Mechanisms in selectively processing information. In this research, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in relation to robotic applications, taking into account issues such as real-time performance, resource restrictions, and adaptability to various situations. This article seeks to guide researchers and practitioners in selecting suitable deep learning algorithms to improve the capabilities of SLAM and Visual SLAM in robotic systems by combining ideas from recent research and actual implementations. The popular types of each concerned DL will be synthesized with the discussion of pros and cons

A Flexible Multi-Channel Platform for Versatile E-Nose and E-Tongue Operations

This paper introduces a flexible multi-channel platform designed for integrating multiple sensors, among which electronic noses (e-nose) and electronic tongues (e-tongue), targeting food quality and safety assessments. The proposed device is designed aiming for maximum portability, allowing on-site analyses, and maximum modularity, to meet user requirements. The customizable configurations allow the user to adjust the number of channels, current ranges, and voltage settings and to perform different analyses simultaneously. A variable number of sensing modules with different features can simultaneously be interfaced with the same control board, equipped with a microcontroller unit and a wireless module to both process data for on-board analyses and send it to the cloud. The modular design of the system allows for interchangeable sensing modules, offering high flexibility in sensory analysis compared to the existing portable solutions. Two custom dual-channel module boards have been designed with different operating current ranges, minimizing power consumption for extended portability, requiring only 3.16mA per channel during operations of the high-current module and 2.11mA for the low-current module. Device characterization demonstrates high linearity, with an R-squared higher than 0.999 over the entire voltage range. The channel-to-channel gain mismatch is limited to 0.26%. Spectral analysis shows 20 μVrms of equivalent noise, leading to an equivalent minimum sensor resolution of 16 noise-free bits

Clinical Guidelines for Virtual Health Assessment and Care: A Scoping Review

Aim: To locate and synthesise clinical guidelines for nurses and other health professionals undertaking routine virtual health (telehealth) assessment, triage and follow-­ up care. To locate practice guidelines where clinician and client are not in the same physical location and health assessments are undertaken ‘virtually’. Design: This review used JBI methodology for scoping reviews and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-­ Analyses Scoping Review extension (PRISMA-­ ScR). Data Sources: Search considered primary research, practice guidelines, case reports, expert opinions, professional organisation web-­ based resources and grey literature. Medline (Ovid), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL) and Scopus databases were searched in relation to all health professions. Grey literature search included guideline databases, literature databases, customised Google search engines, targeted websites and consultation with content experts. Citation searching was included. Results: Search identified 2359 peer-­ reviewed articles and 31 sources of grey literature (1997–2024). After screening, 22 peer-reviewed and 9 grey literature sources met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Studies were spread across diverse practice set- tings. Chronological sequencing provided visibility to innovations in telehealth practice over time from telephone-­ based practice to the introduction of video conferencing and the use of wearable devices for the transmission of remotely recorded clinical information. Conclusions: Standardised guidelines to safe practice for virtual health assessment are not well documented. The paucity of clinically orientated guidelines may be due to complexity and the resourcing needed to maintain clinically current guidelines across the full breadth of clinical specialisations, practice settings and telehealth modalities. Further research and development are needed in this growing area of care. Impact: The review highlights that clinically relevant guidelines are critical to safety and quality in virtual health contexts. Findings will inform future design and development of clinical practice guidelines for nurses engaged in virtual health assess- ment, triage and follow-­ up care

Effect of the surface morphology of 3D printed titanium substrates on the mode I fracture toughness of metal-metal and metal-composite bonded joints

Parts manufactured with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) are drawing interest in the adhesive joints research because of their high surface roughness, which is usually associated with good adhesion. This work aims to assess the adhesion strength of the inherent surface morphology of LPBF manufactured titanium. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were carried out to determine the mode I fracture toughness of joints comprising as-printed titanium (Ti6Al4V) adherends, namely titanium-titanium secondary bonded and titaniumCarbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) co-bonded joints. The effect of high-temperature oxidation on the fracture toughness was also evaluated by testing a batch of joints in which the titanium underwent a postprinting thermal treatment. The as-printed specimens were compared to the same type of joints but with sandblasted titanium adherends to evaluate the effect of this surface pre-treatment on the value of fracture toughness. The results indicate that non-oxidised titanium joints with untreated adherends had an average of 11% higher fracture toughness than their sandblasted counterparts. On the other hand, sandblasting proved beneficial for oxidised joints, increasing the fracture toughness by 64% on average over the untreated samples