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Anthropogenic noise may significantly affect marine mammals' vocalizations. The aim of this work is to describe for the first time the acoustic features of the click trains, buzzes, burst pulses and whistles produced by the Risso's dolphins in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central Mediterranean), the concurrent levels of noise to which dolphins are exposed, and the potential reactive changes in the acoustic structure of the species vocalizations. About 6 h of recordings were collected from April 2019 to September 2022 during daytime boat surveys. Elevated ambient noise levels were mainly present at the frequencies lower than 63 Hz, at about 1 kHz and 50 kHz likely attributable to anthropogenic activity, such as shipping and sonars. Even if the acoustic features of all the vocalizations can be disrupted, especially with increasing noise below 1 kHz and between 20 and 63 kHz, the click trains were the most affected vocalizations, showing changes in their Inter-Click-Interval and in the Peak Amplitude. Since these vocalizations are used for navigation and searching for prey, their alteration raises concerns on the potential negative effects on the well-being of the Risso's dolphin population in the Gulf of Taranto. • Acoustic features of Risso's dolphin vocalizations in the Gulf of Taranto. • Description of concurrent levels of noise recorded in the Gulf of Taranto. • Vessel traffic and high frequency sonar affect acoustic structure of Risso's dolphin vocalizations. • The click trains were the most affected vocalization when noise levels increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soundscape is an intrinsic property of an ecosystem and influences the species that live in it. Here, we examined for the first time the soundscape of a beach, one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth, where every year the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta lays eggs. The aim of this work was to analyze the acoustic components (biophony, anthropophony and geophony) to which turtles embryos were exposed throughout the development and the post-hatching period. The acoustic monitoring was carried out on the volcanic island of Linosa (central Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Sicily), during the months of July and August 2022, close to two turtle nests. Results revealed that all the acoustic levels (octave bands from 4 Hz to 16 kHz, and total 1–24,000 Hz band) showed lower values in July, and during the night. Furthermore, above 1 kHz the levels decreased and had very little variability. Anthropogenic noise was the main component of the soundscape and consisted of marine and land traffic, that affected sound levels directly or via seismic tremors. When the beach was exposed to the breaking waves, the latters were the first contributor to the noise up to 1 kHz. The only recognized biophony was represented by the shearwater choruses in July (at the frequency band 700–1500 Hz), but they had a negligible weight on the soundscape. Finally, human speech contributed to the soundscape at higher frequencies (1–8 kHz). These outcomes show that the embryos and the post-hatching turtles are exposed to a high anthropogenic noise level, which the effects of are still unknown. • The soundscape is an intrinsic property of an ecosystem and influences the species that live in it. • Here, we examined the soundscape of a beach where every year the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta lays eggs. • The aim was to analyze the sounds to which turtles embryos were exposed throughout the development. • Marine and land traffic were the main component of the soundscape, and affected sound levels directly or via seismic tremors. The breaking waves were the first natural contributor to the noise up to 1 kHz. • The embryos are exposed to a high anthropogenic noise, which the effects of are still unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed low cost interactive 3D models that improve access to architectural details of cultural sites for all, including people with vision impairments. Our approach uses rapid prototyping and 3D printing along with a very small single-board computer for automating user interaction. As a case study, we developed a prototype model of “Piazza dei Miracoli” (Pisa, Italy), the famous square where the Leaning Tower is located. The system is a combination of tactile information with audio descriptions to enable potential users to explore the artifact autonomously. We exploited low-cost and partially open-source technologies, thus rendering our system easily replicable. We evaluated the interactive system with a group of eight completely blind and partially sighted users. Our user test confirmed the validity of our approach: (1) the three-dimensional models and the tactile reproduction of details obtained via a low-cost 3D printing solution are well perceived by touch; (2) the semantic aural information activated via perceptible buttons on demand and the different content levels for the audio tracks are suitable for an interactive, autonomous and satisfying exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) often have a sedentary lifestyle. • A main reason is the lack of motivation. • HikePal is a game for motivating individuals with IDs to do physical activity outdoors. • We present a qualitative design and creation research study based on HikePal. • Having social interaction during the activity turned out to be a major motivational aspect. People with intellectual disabilities often have a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to long-term issues like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and depression. Although literature shows that the main reason for this is the lack of motivation to do physical activity, scarce research has been done in accessible apps to track and foster physical activities that address motivation. This paper presents HikePal, a game-inspired app to motivate individuals with intellectual disabilities to do physical activity outdoors. We have followed a design and creation research strategy using 1) semi-structured interviews with five experts (health care workers, special education experts and software engineers); 2) a focus group with an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and four software engineers; 3) a pilot user test with three individuals with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. Having social interaction during the physical activity turned out to be a major motivational aspect of the system, whereas reward systems did not attract much of the users' attention. Regarding the adapted navigational assistance, we found out that easy-to-read text, visual communication and street-level pictures were the key features to achieve successful and understandable guidance outdoors for people with intellectual disabilities. It proved useful to perform a test on the field and to refine the design guidelines in view of a forthcoming large-scale experimental test involving a larger number of persons with intellectual, sensory and motor disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new series of ligands is synthesised starting from thiocarbonohydrazide and isatin (H2itc) or N-alkylisatin (methyl, H2mtc; butyl, H2btc; pentyl, H2ptc); the X-ray structure of H2mtc is discussed. The bis imine ligands are reacted with diorganotin(IV) compounds, obtaining monometallic complexes. In order to establish unequivocally their coordination geometry, the X-ray structures of (C2H5)2Sn(Hmtc)Cl·THF (THF, tetrahydrofuran) and (C6H5)Sn(Hptc)Cl2 are determined. In (C2H5)2Sn(Hmtc)Cl·THF, the ligand results monodeprotonated and, essentially, monodentate through the sulphur atom, while in (C6H5)Sn(Hptc)Cl2 the ligand is still monodeprotonated but SNO tridentate. The organotin(IV) complexes of isatin and N-methylisatin exhibit good antibacterial activity, better than that of the corresponding N-butyl and N-pentylisatin derivatives. Gram positive bacteria are the most sensitive microorganisms. No growth inhibition of fungi is detected up to the concentration of 100 μg/ml. H2mtc shows mutagenic activity with and without metabolic activation, whereas no mutagenicity is found for its organotin complexes and for the other compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Copper complexes of thiosemicarbazones of imidazole-2-carbaldehyde, pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde and indole-3-carbaldehyde were synthesised and characterised. The antimicrobial properties of the free ligands and their complexes were evaluated against yeasts, moulds and bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). Some copper chelates exhibited a moderate inhibitory activity, better than that of the corresponding free ligands. In particular, the pyrrole derivative [Cu(HL2)2] proved to be a wide spectrum agent, showing an interesting inhibition of the growth of all Gram-positive bacteria and fungi tested at concentrations of 12–50μg/mL. In contrast, a selective effect was observed for imidazole and indole chelates against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]