Experimental Comparison of the MIG and Friction Stir Welding Processes for AA 6005 Aluminium Alloy

In this study, the mechanical properties of welded joints of AA 6005 aluminum alloy obtained with friction stir welding (FSW) and conventional metal inert gas welding (MIG) are studied. FSW welds were carried out on a semi-automatic milling machine. The performance of FSW and MIG welded joints were identified using tensile and bending impact tests, as far as the environmental aspects are also included in the discussion. The joints obtained with FSW and MIG processes were also investigated in their microstructure. The results indicate that, the microstructure of the friction stir weld is different from that of MIG welded joint. The weld nugget consists of small grains in FSW than those found in MIG weld. Taking into consideration the process conditions and requirements, FSW and MIG processes were also compared with each other to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the processes for welding applications of studied Al alloy. Better tensile and bending strength were obtained with FSW welded joints

Uma análise interseccional do subalterno feminino e do outro: alteridade, racismo e sexismo em Jorge Amado

The representation of women in amadian novels from the second half of the 1930s reflects the historical moment of discussions on the myth of racial democracy and on the dynamics of otherness experienced by black women. While the author criticizes current paternalism and patriarchy, he cannot overcome his own ideology with regard to these women. We will proceed to the literary analysis from the analytical tool of intersectionality and Americanity, seeking to read Jorge Amado from a situated point of view – opposed to the hegemonic and Eurocentric view that we sometimes see being reproduced in literary criticism.La representación de la mujer en las novelas amadianas de la segunda mitad de la década de 1930 refleja el momento histórico de las discusiones sobre el mito de la democracia racial y sobre la dinámica de la alteridad vivida por las mujeres negras. Si bien el autor critica el paternalismo y el patriarcado actuales, no puede superar su propia ideología con respecto a estas mujeres. Pasaremos al análisis literario desde la herramienta analítica de la interseccionalidad y la americanidad, buscando leer a Jorge Amado desde un punto de vista situado, opuesto a la mirada hegemónica y eurocéntrica que a veces vemos reproducida en la crítica literaria.A representação  da mulher nos romances amadianos da segunda metade da década de 1930 reflete o momento histórico das discussões sobre o mito da democracia racial e sobre a dinâmica de outridade vivenciada pela mulher negra. Ao mesmo tempo em que o autor faz uma crítica ao paternalismo e ao patriarcalismo vigentes,  não consegue superar a sua própria ideologia  no que diz respeito a essas mulheres. Procederemos à análise literária a partir da ferramenta analítica da interseccionalidade e amefricanidade, buscando ler Jorge Amado por um ponto de vista situado – oposto ao olhar hegemônico e eurocêntrico que, por vezes vemos ser reproduzidos na crítica literária

Childhood obesity and respiratory diseases: Which link?

Prevalence of childhood obesity is progressively increasing, reaching worldwide levels of 5.6% in girls and of 7.8% in boys. Several evidences showed that obesity is a major preventable risk factor and disease modifier of some respiratory conditions such as asthma and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Co-occurrence of asthma and obesity may be due to common pathogenetic factors including exposure to air pollutants and tobacco smoking, Western diet, and low Vitamin D levels. Lung growth and dysanapsis phenomenon in asthmatic obese children play a role in impaired respiratory function which appears to be different than in adults. Genes involved in both asthma and obesity have been identified, though a gene-by-environment interaction has not been properly investigated yet. The identification of modifiable environmental factors influencing gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms may change the natural history of both diseases. Another important pediatric respiratory condition associated with obesity is Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB), especially Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). OSAS and obesity are linked by a bidirectional causality, where the effects of one affect the other. The factors most involved in the association between OSAS and obesity are oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut microbiota. In OSAS pathogenesis, obesity’s role appears to be mainly due to mechanical factors leading to an increase of respiratory work at night-time. However, a causal link between obesity-related inflammatory state and OSAS pathogenesis still needs to be properly confirmed. To prevent obesity and its complications, family education and precocious lifestyle changes are critical. A healthy diet may lead to an improved quality of life in obese children suffering from respiratory diseases. The present review aimed to investigate the links between obesity, asthma and OSAS, focusing on the available evidence and looking for future research fields

Digital Drug Safety Surveillance: Monitoring Pharmaceutical Products in Twitter

Background: Traditional adverse event (AE) reporting systems have been slow in adapting to online AE reporting from patients, relying instead on gatekeepers, such as clinicians and drug safety groups, to verify each potential event. In the meantime, increasing numbers of patients have turned to social media to share their experiences with drugs, medical devices, and vaccines. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of concordance between Twitter posts mentioning AE-like reactions and spontaneous reports received by a regulatory agency. Methods: We collected public English-language Twitter posts mentioning 23 medical products from 1 November 2012 through 31 May 2013. Data were filtered using a semi-automated process to identify posts with resemblance to AEs (Proto-AEs). A dictionary was developed to translate Internet vernacular to a standardized regulatory ontology for analysis (MedDRA®). Aggregated frequency of identified product-event pairs was then compared with data from the public FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) by System Organ Class (SOC). Results: Of the 6.9 million Twitter posts collected, 4,401 Proto-AEs were identified out of 60,000 examined. Automated, dictionary-based symptom classification had 72 % recall and 86 % precision. Similar overall distribution profiles were observed, with Spearman rank correlation rho of 0.75 (p < 0.0001) between Proto-AEs reported in Twitter and FAERS by SOC. Conclusion: Patients reporting AEs on Twitter showed a range of sophistication when describing their experience. Despite the public availability of these data, their appropriate role in pharmacovigilance has not been established. Additional work is needed to improve data acquisition and automation

Desigualdades sociais e medidas de ação afirmativa: entre avanços, resistências, incompreensões e novos desafios

A igualdade, diversidade e inclusão social tornaram-se objetivos das sociedades ocidentais, promovidos e reivindicados por várias organizações e coletivos da sociedade civil, corroborados por estudos académicos e formalizados por diversas convenções e legislações. No entanto, as desigualdades persistem e as ideologias dominantes têm permanecido relativamente bem instaladas, contribuindo para a manutenção de sistemas estruturais de opressão, como o sexismo, o racismo, o classismo, a homofobia, o capacitismo, entre outros. Nestes termos, em diferentes contextos e regiões geográficas, os grupos denominados como minorias sociais têm-se organizado e desenvolvido ações políticas importantes que são contempladas nos debates sobre políticas públicas, quaisquer que sejam elas, desde que comprometidas com as suas exigências e trajetórias singulares. Estas reivindicações colocam a tónica na dimensão redistributiva (Fraser 2006) e de reconhecimento identitário (Phillips 2009), a fim de consolidar uma noção de justiça social (Fraser 2013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive and Prognostic Role of Pre-Therapy and Interim 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT Parameters in Metastatic Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Treated with PRRT

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective therapeutic option in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). However, PRRT fails in about 15–30% of cases. Identification of biomarkers predicting the response to PRRT is essential for treatment tailoring. We aimed to evaluate the predictive and prognostic role of semiquantitative and volumetric parameters obtained from the 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT before therapy (bPET) and after two cycles of PRRT (iPET). A total of 46 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. The primary tumor was 78% gastroenteropancreatic (GEP), 13% broncho-pulmonary and 9% of unknown origin. 35 patients (76.1%) with stable disease or partial response after PRRT were classified as responders and 11 (23.9%) as non-responders. Logistic regression analysis identified that baseline total volume (bTV) was associated with therapy outcome (OR 1.17; 95%CI 1.02–1.32; p = 0.02). No significant association with PRRT response was observed for other variables. High bTV was confirmed as the only variable independently associated with OS (HR 12.76, 95%CI 1.53–107, p = 0.01). In conclusion, high bTV is a negative predictor for PRRT response and is associated with worse OS rates. Early iPET during PRRT apparently does not provide information useful to change the management of NET patients

The Audiological Follow-Up of Children with Symptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Experience in Two Italian Centers

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading cause of non-hereditary sensorineural hearing loss in children. While about 10% of children reportedly display symptoms at birth, 85-90% of cCMV infection cases are asymptomatic. However, 10-15% of these asymptomatic infants may later develop hearing, visual, or neurodevelopmental impairments. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cCMV infection on newborns' hearing function with a particular emphasis on progressive and late-onset cases. Methods: This study is a retrospective chart analysis with longitudinal character and was conducted in two Italian centers: Center 1 (from 1 November 2007 to 31 December 2021) and Center 2 (from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2021). Data collected included newborn hearing screening results, characterization of hearing loss (unilateral/bilateral, degree of impairment), and audiological follow-up. Results: The cohort consisted of 103 children (42% males, 58% females). In total, 28 children presented with hearing impairment; 71.4% (20 out of 28) of the cases of hearing loss were severe/profound, with 35.7% of the cases due to unilateral hearing loss. Out of twenty-eight, six experienced progression of hearing loss and four had late-onset hearing loss. Conclusions: In the absence of universal cCMV screening, hearing screening at birth for cCMV remains a critical factor for early diagnosis. A significant percentage of children affected by cCMV with normal audiological evaluations at birth is easily lost to follow-up. Close collaboration between neonatologists, pediatricians, and audiological services is fundamental to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of cCMV-related hearing loss