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Polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDESs), also known as deep eutectic monomers, have emerged as a versatile material platform for fabricating dry ionic conductive elastomers (ICEs). ICE materials present numerous opportunities for wearable sensors, bioelectrodes, and biomedical device integration. Recent advances have been pursued to expand the current PDES library, incorporating innovative building blocks with multifunctional properties and allowing new families of ionic polymers known as polyDES. In this review, we delve into the central features of PDES, highlighting its macromolecular engineering for tuning its properties and designing new ionic conductive elastomers based on polyDES, including copolymers, dynamic and double networks, or nanocomposites. In addition, additive manufacturing techniques for structuring these ionic polymers are also overviewed. Finally, the latest advances in their bioelectronic applications, as well as current demands and potential opportunities for future developments of PDES, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of soil properties and the proper growth of natural tree regeneration are key elements for maintaining forest productivity after selective logging operations. This study was conducted on the soil properties and natural growth of two pioneer seedling species of alder and maple which were on skid trails in the mixed beech forests of northern Iran. To examine the long-term effects, we randomly selected six skid trails, with two replicates established for each of three time periods since last use (10, 20, and 30 years ago). Random plots 4 m × 10 m in size, three plots on each skid trail and six plots on areas without soil compaction (control), were selected. Measurements included the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the growth, and the architectural and qualitative characteristics of the seedlings. The results showed that all the soil properties of the 10- and 20-year-old skid trails were significantly different from the control area (except for the soil moisture in the 20-year-old skid trail). The 30-year-old skid trail showed values of other soil properties which were not significantly different from the control area, except for the amounts of organic matter and soil nitrogen, which was less than the control. The skid trails had a negative effect on all of the growth, qualitative, and architectural indices of seedlings. The characteristics of seedlings were related to soil characteristics and had the highest correlation with the soil penetration resistance (R-value from −0.41 to −0.63 for stem growth, p < 0.05; −0.57 to −0.90 for root growth, p < 0.01; and −0.76 to −0.86 for biomass, p < 0.01). The correlation coefficient between soil penetration resistance and the Dickson quality index of alder and maple seedlings was, respectively, −0.74 and −0.72, p < 0.01. The negative effect of soil compaction on root growth (−27.69% for alder seedlings and −28.08% for maple seedlings) was greater than on stem growth (−24.11% for alder seedlings and −16.27% for maple seedlings). The amount of growth, qualitative, and architectural indices of alder seedlings were higher than that of maple seedlings. Although alder is a better choice as compared to maple seedling in the initial year, the results of our study show that it is recommended to plant both alder and maple on skid trails after logging operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocardiography imaging (ECGi) is a non‐invasive inverse reconstruction procedure which employs body surface potential maps (BSPM) obtained from surface electrode array measurements to improve the spatial resolution and interpretability of conventional electrocardiography (ECG) for the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction. ECGi currently lacks precision, which has prevented its adoption in clinical setups. The introduction of high‐density electrode arrays could increase ECGi reconstruction accuracy but is not attempted before due to manufacturing and processing limitations. Advances in multiple fields have now enabled the implementation of such arrays which poses questions on optimal array design parameters for ECGi. In this work, a novel conducting polymer electrode manufacturing process on flexible substrates is proposed to achieve high‐density, mm‐sized, conformable, long‐term, and easily attachable electrode arrays for BSPM with parameters optimally selected for ECGi applications. Temporal, spectral, and correlation analysis are performed on a prototype array demonstrating the validity of the chosen parameters and the feasibility of high‐density BSPM, paving the way for ECGi devices fit for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Accurate identification of lymph node (LN) metastases is pivotal for surgical planning of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs); however, current imaging techniques have sub-optimal diagnostic sensitivity. Aim of this study is to investigate whether [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET radiomics might improve the identification of LN metastases in patients with non-functioning PanNET (NF-PanNET) referred to surgical intervention. Methods: Seventy-two patients who performed preoperative [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET between December 2017 and March 2022 for NF-PanNET. [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET qualitative assessment of LN metastases was measured using diagnostic balanced accuracy (bACC), sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV). SUVmax, SUVmean, Somatostatin receptor density (SRD), total lesion SRD (TLSRD) and IBSI-compliant radiomic features (RFs) were obtained from the primary tumours. To predict LN involvement, these parameters were engineered, selected and used to train different machine learning models. Models were validated using tenfold repeated cross-validation and control models were developed. Models' bACC, SN, SP, PPV and NPV were collected and compared (Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney). Results: LN metastases were detected in 29/72 patients at histology. [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET qualitative examination of LN involvement provided bACC = 60%, SN = 24%, SP = 95%, PPV = 78% and NPV = 65%. The best-performing radiomic model provided a bACC = 70%, SN = 77%, SP = 61%, PPV = 60% and NPV = 83% (outperforming the control model, p < 0.05*). Conclusion: In this study, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC PET radiomics allowed to increase diagnostic sensitivity in detecting LN metastases from 24 to 77% in NF-PanNET patients candidate to surgery. Especially in case of micrometastatic involvement, this approach might assist clinicians in a better patients' stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logging operations change the forest environment by creating a heterogeneous canopy with a range of different microenvironments that differ mostly in light intensity and level of soil disturbance. In this study, the growth characteristics and architecture of beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) seedlings grown in three different microenvironments in terms of canopy and soil conditions were investigated. The experimental treatments (microenvironments) included skid trail (removal of canopy and compacted soil), winching corridor (natural canopy and compacted soil), felling gap (removal of canopy and natural soil), and comparison with the control area (canopy and soil in natural state). The results showed that the status of many growth and architectural indicators of seedlings is significantly less favorable than in the control area. These indicators include the length and biomass above and below ground, and the ratio of root length to stem length in the skid trails and winching corridors. The status of these indicators was, however, more favorable in felling gaps than in the control area. The seedling quality index decreased by −12.2% and −4.9% in skid trails and winching corridors, respectively, but increased by 2.4% in felling gaps compared to the control area. The growth characteristics and biomass of seedlings had a significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) with soil bulk density and penetration resistance and a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with soil porosity, moisture, and organic matter content. These results showed that the creation of a gap in the stand canopy due to the cutting of individual trees created a favorable micro-environment for the growth of seedlings, but the soil compaction caused by logging operations created an unfavorable micro-environment for these. Therefore, it is necessary to plan and execute the operation of extracting the cut trees in such a manner as to reduce the extent and severity of soil compaction with the goal of preserving and maintaining the stability of the forest ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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High-quality pellets are typically produced from coniferous sawdust. However, achieving comparable quality from alternative feedstocks, such as broadleaf wood, often necessitates pre-treatments or additives. Yet, within the framework of small-scale pellet production, local forest enterprises may lack the resources for such treatments and usually produce pellets from the whole trees, including branches, leaves and tops. This can have an impact on the quality of the pellets obtained in this manner. To be classified as high-quality pellets (A1 class), the specific features of the pellet must be higher or fall below the thresholds specified in the EN ISO 17225 standard. In this study, we developed an alternative statistical approach to evaluate pellet quality in comparison to the constant thresholds reported in the technical standard. We applied such an approach to evaluate the quality of pellets produced from the broadleaved species common in the Mediterranean forestry, including European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L.), Eucalyptus (clone Eucalyptus camaldulensis x C. bicostata), and Poplar clone AF6. In particular, we focused on three variables that are generally the most troublesome for the production of high-quality pellets from the broadleaved species, namely bulk density, ash content, and lower heating value. We found that the beech pellets showed satisfactory bulk density (average effect size of −1.2, with no statistical difference in comparison to the standard's threshold) and ash content (average effect size of about −5 and significantly lower than the standard's threshold), but the heating value was significantly lower than the threshold required by the standard (average effect size of about −3). Conversely, other investigated species exhibited notable deficiencies, with turkey oak pellets displaying acceptable heating values. We found a significant improvement in ash content and heating value with increasing stem age within the same species thus suggesting that material derived from thinning interventions might be preferable over coppice-derived biomass for high-quality pellet production. We suggest that future research on the topic should focus on investigating pellets produced from blends of beech and turkey oak biomass. We further recommend a wider application of the proposed statistical approach, considering that it is clear and easy to interpret, and allows for a statistical comparison of the obtained values against the requirements of the technical standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of soil compaction on the seedlings of two species of deciduous (Acer velutinum and Alnus subcordata) and evergreen trees (Pinus eldarica and Pinus nigra) in terms of above- and below-ground morphology in a greenhouse. Six soil compaction levels were applied: the lowest intensity (control), very low, low, moderate, heavy, and very heavy. The results showed that there were different effects according to the species. These effects were on lateral root length, stem diameter, leaf dry biomass, SSL (specific stem length), SRL (specific root length), LMR (leaf mass ratio), RMR (root mass ratio), SMR (stem mass ratio), and R/S (root-to-shoot ratio). The results showed that soil penetration resistance (SPR) had a significant effect on seedling variables such as lateral root length, stem diameter, leaf dry biomass, and SRL (p < 0.05). A. velutinum seedlings have the highest values of growth variables compared to three other species, followed by A. subcordata seedlings. The two evergreen species, Pinus eldarica and Pinus nigra, have the lowest values of these growth variables. It is worth noting that we found that deciduous species had enhanced growth up to a moderate compaction level (1.3 MPa), while the growth decreased at an SPR that was higher than this value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entrapment of deep eutectic solvents (DES) and eutectic systems into porous scaffolds renders a new class of soft and nonvolatile materials called eutectogels that have recently stepped into the spotlight in different areas ranging from electronics to drug delivery. Recent progress in the use of DES in biocatalysis, where they have been demonstrated to improve substrate supply, conversion, and enzyme stability, has opened an unparalleled opportunity to exploit the merits of eutectogels for immobilizing biological catalysts. The resulting functional materials could outperform traditional hydrogels and ionic liquid gels, offering fresh perspectives to broaden the application scope of many enzymes. In this perspective, we go into the potential of eutectogels as innovative scaffolds that support biocatalytic reactions and discuss different applications where these systems could show plain benefits compared to traditional materials. Future directions for this newly developed technology are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has gained significant interest in the agroforestry sector, mainly because of its ability to improve soil quality and sequester carbon in the atmosphere. Among the feedstocks of possible use for biochar production is biomass, understood as products and residues of plant origin from agriculture and forestry. The quality of the biomass used for biochar production is important because the physicochemical characteristics of the final product depend on it. This review examines the use of biochar produced from forest wastes and its impact on agriculture, forest ecosystems and the environment in general. This work demonstrates that the use of biochar not only improves agricultural productivity and production, but also that the sustainable management of the environment and forests and contributes to forest fire risk mitigation. The authors, examining the physico-chemical properties of biochar produced by forest waste, noted that the most critical variable is the process (pyrolysis temperature, residence time and heating rate), but the type of biomass used as a raw material and the forest species used also have a significant impact in determining the characteristics of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a diverse group of tumors with varying clinical behaviors. Their incidence has risen due to increased awareness, improved diagnostics, and aging populations. The 2019 World Health Organization classification emphasizes integrating radiology and histopathology to characterize NENs and create personalized treatment plans. Imaging methods like CT, MRI, and PET/CT are crucial for detection, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring, but each of them poses different interpretative challenges and none are immune to pitfalls. Treatment options include surgery, targeted therapies, and chemotherapy, based on the tumor type, stage, and patient-specific factors. This review aims to provide insights into the latest developments and challenges in NEN imaging, diagnosis, and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of modern technologies to increase the overall sustainability of forest operations is known as precision forest harvesting. Precision forest harvesting can be a very powerful tool; however, it requires modern forest machinery, which is expensive. Given that most of the forest operators in the Mediterranean area are small-scale businesses, they do not have the resources to purchase costly equipment; thus, the application of precision forest harvesting is affected. Bearing this in mind, in this study, we aimed to test the accuracy of the GNSS receiver on which an innovative Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system developed to monitor small-scale forest operations is based. We tested the GNSS's accuracy by comparing the extraction routes recorded during coppicing interventions in two forest sites located in Central Italy with those obtained with a more high-performing GNSS receiver. We also used linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) to investigate the effects on the GNSS positioning error of topographic features, such as the slope, elevation, aspect and Topographic Position Index (TPI). We found that the average positioning error was about 2 m, with a maximum error of about 5 m. The LMMs showed that the investigated topographic features did not significantly affect the positioning error and that the GNSS accuracy was strongly related to the specific study area that we used as a random effect in the model (marginal coefficient of determination was about 0.13 and conditional coefficient of determination grew to about 0.59). As a consequence of the negligible canopy cover after coppicing, the tested GNSS receiver achieved satisfactory results. It could therefore be used as a visualising tool for a pre-planned extraction route network, allowing the operator to follow it on the GNSS receiver screen. However, these results are preliminary and should be further tested in more experimental sites and various operational conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]