Insights into the Ecotoxicology of Radicinin and (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-Pyriculol, Fungal Metabolites with Potential Application for Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) Biocontrol

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an invasive C4 perennial grass species that substantially reduces native plant diversity of the Sonoran Desert through fire promotion and resource competition. Broad-spectrum herbicides are essentially used for its control, but they have a negative environmental and ecological impact. Recently, phytotoxicity on C. ciliaris has been discovered for two metabolites produced in vitro by the phytopathogenic fungi Cochliobolus australiensis and Pyricularia grisea. They were identified as (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol and radicinin and resulted in being potential candidates for the development of bioherbicides for buffelgrass biocontrol. They have already shown promising results, but their ecotoxicological profiles and degradability have been poorly investigated. In this study, ecotoxicological tests against representative organisms from aquatic ecosystems (Aliivibrio fischeri bacterium, Raphidocelis subcapitata alga, and Daphnia magna crustacean) revealed relatively low toxicity for these compounds, supporting further studies for their practical application. The stability of these metabolites in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 8692:2012 culture medium under different temperatures and light conditions was also evaluated, revealing that 98.90% of radicinin degraded after 3 days in sunlight. Significant degradation percentages (59.51–73.82%) were also obtained at room temperature, 30 °C or under ultraviolet (254 nm) light exposure. On the other hand, (10S,11S)-epi-pyriculol showed more stability under all the aforementioned conditions (49.26–65.32%). The sunlight treatment was also shown to be most effective for the degradation of this metabolite. These results suggest that radicinin could provide rapid degradability when used in agrochemical formulations, whereas (10S,11S)-epi-pyriculol stands as a notably more stable compound

A first attempt to evaluate the toxicity to Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin exposed to rare earth elements

The increasing use and demand of rare earth elements in many emerging technologies is leading to a potentially higher input to the marine environment. This study compared for the first time the effect of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), and erbium (Er) to the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin. The algal growth inhibition was investigated after 72 h of exposure. The median effect concentrations (EC50) ranged from 0.98 mg/L to 13.21 mg/L and elements were ranked as follows: Gd > Ce > Er > La > Eu > Nd > Dy > Sm. The comparison of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for hazard and risk assessment with measured environmental concentrations showed that ecological risks deriving from REEs could be present, but limited to specific environments like estuarine waters. The results support evidence of actions to manage the REE impact in seawater environments, looking to improve the monitoring tailored to the different and dynamic nature of ecosystems

Pharmacological and molecular docking assessment of cryptotanshinone as natural-derived analgesic compound

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Coastal high-frequency radars in the Mediterranean ??? Part 2: Applications in support of science priorities and societal needs

International audienceThe Mediterranean Sea is a prominent climate-change hot spot, with many socioeconomically vital coastal areas being the most vulnerable targets for maritime safety, diverse met-ocean hazards and marine pollution. Providing an unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution at wide coastal areas, high-frequency radars (HFRs) have been steadily gaining recognition as an effective land-based remote sensing technology for continuous monitoring of the surface circulation, increasingly waves and occasionally winds. HFR measurements have boosted the thorough scientific knowledge of coastal processes, also fostering a broad range of applications, which has promoted their integration in coastal ocean observing systems worldwide, with more than half of the European sites located in the Mediterranean coastal areas. In this work, we present a review of existing HFR data multidisciplinary science-based applications in the Mediterranean Sea, primarily focused on meeting end-user and science-driven requirements, addressing regional challenges in three main topics: (i) maritime safety, (ii) extreme hazards and (iii) environmental transport process. Additionally, the HFR observing and monitoring regional capabilities in the Mediterranean coastal areas required to underpin the underlying science and the further development of applications are also analyzed. The outcome of this assessment has allowed us to provide a set of recommendations for future improvement prospects to maximize the contribution to extending science-based HFR products into societally relevant downstream services to support blue growth in the Mediterranean coastal areas, helping to meet the UN's Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the EU's Green Deal goals

Coastal high-frequency radars in the Mediterranean ??? Part 1: Status of operations and a framework for future development

Due to the semi-enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea, natural disasters and anthropogenic activities impose stronger pressures on its coastal ecosystems than in any other sea of the world.With the aim of responding adequately to science priorities and societal challenges, littoral waters must be effectively monitored with high-frequency radar (HFR) systems. This land-based remote sensing technology can provide, in near-real time, fine-resolution maps of the surface circulation over broad coastal areas, along with reliable directional wave and wind information. The main goal of this work is to showcase the current status of the Mediterranean HFR network and the future roadmap for orchestrated actions. Ongoing collaborative efforts and recent progress of this regional alliance are not only described but also connected with other European initiatives and global frameworks, highlighting the advantages of this cost-effective instrument for the multi-parameter monitoring of the sea state. Coordinated endeavors between HFR operators from different multi-disciplinary institutions are mandatory to reach a mature stage at both national and regional levels, striving to do the following: (i) harmonize deployment and maintenance practices; (ii) standardize data, metadata, and quality control procedures; (iii) centralize data management, visualization, and access platforms; and (iv) develop practical applications of societal benefit that can be used for strategic planning and informed decision-making in the Mediterranean marine environment. Such fit-for-purpose applications can serve for search and rescue operations, safe vessel navigation, tracking of marine pollutants, the monitoring of extreme events, the investigation of transport processes, and the connectivity between offshore waters and coastal ecosystems. Finally, future prospects within the Mediterranean framework are discussed along with a wealth of socioeconomic, technical, and scientific challenges to be faced during the implementatio

Towards Accessible Mixed Reality in the Museum. Usability Principles for Disadvantaged Visitors and a Feasibility Evaluation for a New MR System

While the evolution of head-mounted displays helps to popularize Mixed Reality, this contribution builds on an experimental project (MiRA) which provides a touchless, interactive perspective illusion that virtually completes exhibited artifacts through projections. This paper explores the possibilities of adapting such an interaction paradigm to the needs of users with special needs who do not conform to social standards. The accessibility of museums, websites, and user interfaces has received a lot of attention. However, since prior research on the accessibility of mixed-reality museum installations is relatively limited, this contribution aims to be a useful resource about how to approach Extended Reality (XR). As a literature review, this research is based on a qualitative approach to the issue. A total of fifty studies on accessibility and social inclusion were selected, in both museum and XR contexts, identifying three intervention categories: disabled, elderly, and neurodivergent people. Furthermore, the research revealed a series of accessibility guidelines that were applied to the current project to identify areas for improvement. Although the MiRA project’s use of a depth camera and projections suggested an approachable interaction for any type of visitor, this study discovered gaps in its accessibility. To make the proposed system of interactive museum projections accessible to visitors with specific needs, rules extrapolated from the fields of accessibility in museums, video games, and user interfaces were applied. The observations made in this study can be implemented to improve accessibility in this and other projects of Spatial Augmented Reality

Visor-less XR in museums. A Content Management System for Immersive Installations

The increasingly widespread XR technologies enable highly engaging immersive experiences, but they run the risk of isolating the user in an information bubble. Experiments in museum settings produce contradictory results: on the one hand, XR makes learning easier, but on the other hand, it can cause cognitive difficulties in visitors who are not used to it. At the same time, the issues that the staff in cultural institutions face in engaging with this kind of technology are often overlooked. The ongoing research project aims, on one side, at developing a technological framework capable of offering immersive environments through a smart MR-based system of projections only based on the user's position (thus deviceless). On the other side, the objective is the experimental development of a CMS (Content Management System) that is accessible to museum staff without IT expertise, and applicable to multiple situations of use

On the equipment design of a spinning disk reactor for the production of novel nano silver in amorphous zeolite particles

In recent years there is an increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a wide range of products, due to enhanced antibacterial and antiviral properties. In most applications, AgNPs are used immobilized on supporting surfaces, such as a coating over a medium or embedded into polymer matrixes, sensibly reducing their active surface. To overcome this constraint, it appears to be profitable to use microporous materials as a support to AgNPs, such as zeolites. One difficulty to produce AgNPs in zeolite particles (AgNP-Z) is the impossibility to adopt standard coating procedures at nano-scale. For this reason, AgNPs were produced separately and then embedded into zeolites during the synthesis of the latter. This result was achieved by use of a spinning disk reactor (SDR) during both involved process steps. In a first step, AgNPs were produced by SDR, achieving the production of particles of modal size equal to 66 nm after proper process optimization. After this, the synthesised AgNPs suspension was then employed during the chemical zeolite synthesis over the disk surface. SEM analysis confirmed the homogeneous position of the AgNPs placed deep within the formed amorphous zeolite structure cavities to achieve chemical availability. By adopting this technique AgNP-Z globules of a mean diameter of 150 nm forming particles of about 54 mu m have been successfully produced. Finally, the experimental work assisted to extent general insight to the design and operation of a SDR for particles production, and a simplified model will here be proposed and validated

Evolving scenarios of AI in the design practice

This contribution concentrates on how the design work may be enhanced by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools as well as the roles that designers and AI play in their collaboration, considering ethics of human-machine interaction. Recent developments in AI tools foreshadow fundamental changes in the future of the design practice, with concurrent effects including both an increase in the efficiency of creative professionals, and the democratisation of producing creative outputs by non-experts. While AI can be a component of designed solutions, this research focuses the design process itself, examining how AI can be a transformative force of not only for content generation, but also user research and conceptual development. Therefore, we aim to analyse existing generative AI tools for designers and describe potential "AI + Designer" strategies within currently widespread workflows. Initially, this article explores the potential of AI in creative fields, where the authors identify possible roles of AI to improve design work, such as AI as mediator between creative languages, or AI as a facilitator of user participation. Subsequently, the research describes a mapping and benchmarking activity of available AI tools for Designers, categorised by output type (3D, Graphics, Raster, Text, Utility, Vector, Audio & Video) and critically assessed according to the stages of the Design thinking process (Empathise & Define, Ideate, Prototype & Implement, and Validate). The mapping is organised to provide a multi-level perspective, and is divided into four main sections: a list with output-based clusters, info sheets (a product specification document), a map (a visual summary of the tools), and an introduction page. To evaluate the effectiveness of the AI tools during the design process, these were tested by replicating the processes of several projects and their output obtained by repeating tasks using AI tools. Thus, the mapping and testing showed interesting potential of AI tools in some phases of Design Thinking, but also a limited utility in the phases of empathising and validation. Ultimately, the study focuses on the opportunities and issues of human-machine interaction and raises questions about ethics and copyright, bias and discrimination, errors and the impact on creative processes. The potentially transcendental power of AI over the thinking process poses urgent risks and opportunities, evident already today in various creative domains. Therefore it is crucial to build a strategic foresight and hence a positive vision of AI-enhanced design in order to understand how the role of the designer will change. Among possible scenarios, we conclude with the hope that the innovation model of "AI + Designer" can alleviate technical tasks, help connecting knowledge areas, and understand better people, this enforcing the Designer in the role of "sensemaker" who shapes the culture of everyday life

Central odontogenic fibroma of the mandible: A case report with diagnostic considerations

Introduction: Odontogenic fibroma (OF), a rare odontogenic tumor of mesodermal origin, has been thought to originate from either dental follicle, periodontal ligament, or dental papilla [1]. Different studies reported high variability in the incidence rate as being between 3 and 23% of all odontogenic tumors [2,3]. OF manifests a dual character at the histopathological examination showing odontogenic epithelial structures mimicking those observed in biopsy of ameloblastoma and, in addition, peculiar fragments of cellular stroma. The clinical and radiological features of OF are similar to other odontogenic and/or non-odontogenic tumours and the differential diagnosis may first occur at fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Presentation of case: In the case reported, a young patient showed a localized gingival enlargement involving radiologically the superior margin of the right angle of the mandible and associated with an un-erupted tooth. The morphological characteristics together with clinical and radiologic findings confirmed the tumor to be a central odontogenic fibroma (COF) with secondary gingival involvement. Discussion and conclusion: Benign odontogenic tumors may be distinguished from other odontogenic/non-odontogenic neoplasias and from malignant tumours through a cytologic differential diagnosis as treatment differs accordingly