Drought conditions, tillage regime and soil phosphorous modulate the incidence of weeds, pests and pathogens in arable crops.

Drought events are expected to become increasingly frequent, with potentially severe aftermaths on agriculture through direct and indirect effects on crops. It is thus necessary to understand how management practices can mitigate the impacts of droughts on yields, harmful organisms and ecosystem service providers in different soil contexts. Soil disturbance reduction is often suggested as one such practice.

Evaluation of Adhesion Properties of Electrodeposited Copper Thin Films: Theoretical and Experimental Approach.

The adhesion of copper thin films galvanostatically electrodeposited on Cu cathodes from electrolytes without or with the addition of various additives, such as chloride ions, polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000), and 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid, has been investigated. Morphological and structural analyses of synthesized films were performed using the SEM, AFM, and XRD methods, while the adhesion of the films was examined by applying the theoretical Chen-Gao (C-G) composite hardness model using results from Vickers microindentation, a bidirectional bending test, and a scratch-tape adhesion test. The morphologies of the films were either very smooth, with mirror-like brightness, obtained from the electrolyte containing all three additives, or microcrystalline, with different grain sizes, obtained from other electrolytes.

Remote sensing assessment of the weed adaptability to soil salinization induced by extreme droughts on coastal agriculture.

Salinization and drought pose significant challenges to agriculture in coastal regions, yet their combined impact on crop production and weed proliferation remains understudied. This study investigated the influence of salinity caused by extreme droughts on agricultural ecosystems in the Po River Delta (Italy), using remote sensing techniques and soil measurement, focusing on crop health and weed resilience. Our findings reveal that prolonged drought conditions are exacerbated by saline water intrusion and elevated soil salinity levels, particularly in fields closer to the coast.

Maritime Health Onboard - Treatment Pathways IMHF Expert Panel Consensus Statement.

Background: Medical emergencies on board are seriously impairing seafarers' safety and health, as well as future work prospects. The purpose of this International Maritime Health Foundation's (IMHF) initiative was to establish common principles for the management of disease and injury by non-medical professionals at sea.

Materials And Methods: Nine expert participants actively participated in the workshop in order to identify common principles that should guide the future development of treatment pathways by evaluating selected treatment pathways from The Ship Captain's Medical Guide 23rd Edition in the context of medical intervention on board merchant ships and consensus statements from previous four IMHF EP Workshops on Medical Help on Board.

Post digestion weed seed survival in cattle.

Introduction: This research aimed to evaluate the impact of ruminant digestion on viability and germination pattern of the seeds of 9 weed species (, , , , , , , and ).

Methods: One hundred seeds of each species were included in nylon bags and exposed to procedures simulating the rumen fermentation according to an experimental design that considered: 9 weed species, 3 incubation times in the artificial rumen (12, 24 and 48 h), 2 diets (lactating cows, and heifers), 4 replications, plus 4 additional replicas per species with seeds not subjected to the digestion as a control. This design was repeated two times (2 batches), involving a total of 504 replicas.

An optimization procedure of shape and position of the aerodynamic device at the rear side of a semi-trailer truck model.

The paper outlines the development and optimization of an aerodynamic device for a semi-trailer truck model to reduce aerodynamic drag force. The optimization procedure involves the selection of a basic aerodynamic device shape, using airfoil profiles, and refining its shape and position through established optimization techniques like Full Factorial Design and Response Surface Method within the Design of Experiments framework. The test subject is a 1:10 scale model of the semi-trailer truck.

Influence of SiO Nanoparticles Extracted from Biomass on the Properties of Electrodeposited Ni Matrix Composite Films on Si(100) Substrate.

Lab-made biosilica (SiO) nanoparticles were obtained from waste biomass (rice husks) and used as eco-friendly fillers in the production of nickel matrix composite films via the co-electrodeposition technique. The produced biosilica nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM/EDS. Amorphous nano-sized biosilica particles with a high SiO content were obtained.

Method to evaluate the microbial degradation activity in silage, cow rumen with test, and in manure and slurry.

Microorganisms are present everywhere and can influence a variety of processes. In agriculture and husbandry, the level of microbial activity can be crucial information, yet the methods for determining microbial activity are usually very long, complex, and costly. In this work, a novel and easy-to-use method, already in use for determining soil microbial activity, named Fertimetro was tested as a fast and cheap solution for measuring microbial activity in silages, in vitro rumen fluids, and manure and slurry.

Effects of the salinity-temperature interaction on seed germination and early seedling development: a comparative study of crop and weed species.

Background: Weeds represent a great constraint for agricultural production due to their remarkable adaptability and their ability to compete with crops. Climate change exacerbates the abiotic stresses that plants encounter. Therefore, studying plant responses to adverse conditions is extremely important.

Design of Pt-Sn-Zn Nanomaterials for Successful Methanol Electrooxidation Reaction.

This work highlights the potential for the synthesis of new PtSnZn catalysts with enhanced efficiency and durability for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in low-temperature fuel cells. In this research, PtZn and PtSnZn nanoparticles deposited on high surface area Vulcan XC-72R Carbon support were created by a microwave-assisted polyol method. The electrochemical performances of synthesized catalysts were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and by the electrooxidation of adsorbed CO and the chronoamperometric method.

Medical training of seafarers: International Maritime Health Foundation (IMHF) Expert Panel Consensus Statement.

Background: Medical emergencies and on-going medical conditions on board may seriously impair seafarers' health and safety, and also negatively impact on future work prospects for seafarers. When a seafarer gets ill or injured on a ship, medical treatment often relies on the competences on his colleagues on board. The aim of this project was to establish a consensus-based minimum standard for medical education for seafarers, in order to ensure competency for adequate management of ill-health on board.

Germination Response of L. to Different pH and Salinity Levels under Different Temperature Conditions.

Weeds can be one of the most severe threats to crop production, especially when they are widespread and highly adaptable. Part of the adaptive strategy of plants is the ability to germinate in different conditions. Germination is the first developmental phase of plant life and is fundamental for its establishment.

Weed Seed Decay in No-Till Field and Planted Riparian Buffer Zone.

Field management practices can alter the physical and chemical properties of the soil, also causing changes to the seed bank. Alterations can also occur to the soil microbial community, which in turn can increase or diminish the process of weed seed decay. In this research, the issue of seed degradation was studied in an undisturbed and a no-till soil, trying not only to uncover where seeds are more degraded, but also to investigate the microbial activities that could be involved in this process.

A Medical Support in Offshore Racing - Workshop on Medical Support for Offshore Yacht Races, Telemedical Advice Service (TMAS), 1-2 December 2018, London, United Kingdom.

The safety and health of sailors offshore is of major concern. World Sailing (WS) and International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) are taking seriously the potential dangers to the safety and health at sea. By the nature of their sport, the sailors racing in offshore racing environment can be exposed to injuries and other health problems that can endanger their lives.

A Medical Support in Offshore Racing - Workshop on Medical Kit Inventory in Offshore Yacht Racing, 12-13 May 2017, Lorient, France.

No abstract.

Report of the MEDINE2 Bachelor of Medicine (Bologna First Cycle) tuning project.

Background: European Higher Education institutions are expected to adopt a three-cycle system of Bachelor, Master and Doctor degrees as part of the Bologna Process. Tuning methodology was previously used by the MEDINE Thematic Network to gain consensus on core learning outcomes (LO) for primary medical degrees (Master of Medicine) across Europe.

Aims: The current study, undertaken by the MEDINE2 Thematic Network, sought to explore stakeholder opinions on core LO for Bachelor of Medicine degrees.

Piracy on the high seas-threats to travelers' health.

Background: Piracy has been threatening international sea trade and creating risk for crews and passengers worldwide. The problem is largely confined to the Somalia coast, West Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. The targets are merchant ships, cruising yachts, and passenger ships with several thousand people on board.

AIDS prophylaxis--achievements due to appropriate strategies.

Seafaring as an occupation possesses a special blend of conditions that is strongly influencing the spread of HIV and is making prevention programs difficult to succeed. Actual prevention programs in the shipping industry are not showing success. Social partners are in a unique position to promote prevention efforts, particularly in relation to changing attitudes and behaviours through the provision of information and education, and in addressing socio-economic factors.

[Association between clinical parameters and the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with progressive periodontal lesions].

Background/aim: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues with consequential is bone loss as a result of host immunological reactions caused by periopathogens. The aim of the study was to investigate if there is a correlation between clinical parameters and the presence of two most aggressive periopathogens (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans--Aa and Porphyromonas gingivalis--Pg) in patients with progressive periodontal lesions.

Methods: A total of 34 systemic healthy people, 23 to 70 years old, were included in the study.

Civil aviation rules on crew flight time, flight duty, and rest: comparison of 10 ICAO member states.

Introduction: Members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) use various criteria to control flight crew scheduling and rest periods with the intention of reducing fatigue and thus improving airline safety. Comparison of these rules across nations may allow future harmonization of the criteria.

Methods: The regulations of 10 ICAO member states were compiled to determine the factors used by each to control scheduling.