Influence of skin-layer microstructure in ultrafast laser surface treatment

In this work, the morphology of AISI 316L stainless steel surfaces, textured with ultrafast laser machining, was studied by scanning probe microscopy. In particular, correlations between the morphology and the polycrystalline microstructure of the material were searched. Topographic maps of the treated surfaces revealed a transition from small-sized to larger size and rather irregular features, driven by increase in laser fluence and depending on process parameters. In addition, a metrological analysis of the material grains demonstrated a shape and size similarity with laser-induced features attained for certain process parameters, suggesting that surface texture turns influenced by the microstructure of the skin-layer

Study of the wettability behavior of stainless steel surfaces after ultrafast laser texturing

The interest in superhydrophobic surfaces has grown exponentially over recent decades. Since the lotus leaf dual hierarchical structure was discovered, researchers have investigated the foundations of this behavior and many methods have been developed to obtain superhydrophobic surfaces. In this paper the possibility to use ultrafast laser treatments to obtain hydrophobic and superhydrophobic stainless surfaces was investigated on a AISI 316L stainless steel, ranging the total energy doses provided to the surfaces from 178 to 1143 J/cm2. As SEM-FEG images reveals, different surface microstructures can be obtained at the increasing values of energy dose. Independently on the specific values of laser treatment, all the obtained samples showed hydrophobic values of static contact angle. However, only particular surface microstructures allowed obtaining a self-cleaning surface characterized by low values of both contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angle. The obtained results led to define the effect of the laser parameters on the morphological, chemical and wetting surface properties allowing one to design new textures with the desired wetting properties, from “lotus effect” surfaces to “rose petal effect” surfaces

Il dispositivo teatrale alla prova del Covid-19. Mediatizzazione, liveness e pubblici

The COVID-19 emergency had a profound impact on the artistic and cultural sectors, and on performing arts in particular. The lockdown required the suspension of all live performances and rehearsals, including the cancellation of seasons and festivals. Because physical proximity is an essential component of the live shows, this sector will be on pause longer than the others. Since the early stages of the lockdown, the Italian theatre field developed several online initiatives to counterbalance the suspension of its activities. These efforts aimed at keeping the relationship with the remote theatre audiences, by extending the presence of artists, theatres and performances in the online context. However, they also provided an opportunity to reflect at large on the digital transformations of performing arts. The following contribution reflects on how we are researching the online response of the theatrical sector from the perspective of sociology and media studies. The paper aims to contextualise the phenomenon within the processes of theatre mediatisation and digital transformation of liveness, and to the present what we think are the most urgent research questions in this direction. The first part of the article introduces the theoretical premises of the investigation. We present the frame of theatre mediatisation by analysing three interrelated processes: the mediatisation of dramaturgy through the concept of transmedia; the mediatisation of theatrical presence, with the debate on digital liveness, and the mediatisation of the theatrical relationship through social media. The second part will analyse some of the main online initiatives of the theatrical sector, observing how they fit into the previously introduced mediatisation processes. The third part will observe how users have responded to the initiatives presented on social media by some of the main Italian theatres. In the conclusions, we will discuss which research questions we consider crucial to connect the analysis of this critical moment to the main themes of sociological and media studies research on performing arts

The Effect of Turmeric and Garlic Phytobiotic Addition with Different Duration Storage on the Fungal Colony in Feed

Turmeric and garlic phytobiotic contain bioactive substances, each of which has a function as an antifungal. The study aims to determined to test the ability turmeric and garlic phytobiotic pressed fungal colonies in the feed with different storage time. The data were analyzed by a factorial experimental design with 5 treatments 4 replications and 2 repetitions. The first factor types phytobiotic and the second factor was storage duration. R0 = basal ration (without phytobiotic), R1 = basal ration + 0.3% synthetic antifungal, R2 = basal ration + 2.5% turmeric, R3 = basal ration + 5% garlic, R4 = (basal ration + 2.5% turmeric+ 5% garlic. W0, W1, W2 and W3 respectively with storage time 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Samples were taken from each experimental unit homogeneously. The results showed the average fungal colonies of garlic phytobiotic treatment (26.06±44.76 CFUx103/g) in 2-week storage time (25.20±22.52 CFUx103/g) lower than the provision of synthetic preservatives (57.75±52.03 CFUx103/g) and the control treatment (74.87±70.69 CFUx103/g). Fungal colonies increases rapidly with increasing length of time of storage. The conclusion of this study was that the additon of turmeric and garlic phytobiotic capable as an antifungal in feed

Aerobic degradation of 3-chlorobenzoic acid by an indigenous strain isolated from a polluted river

An indigenous strain of Pseudomonas putida capable of degrading 3-chlorobenzoic acid as the sole carbon source was isolated from the Riachuelo, a polluted river in Buenos Aires. Aerobic biodegradation assays were performed using a 2-l microfermentor. Biodegradation was evaluated by spectrophotometry, chloride release, gas chromatography and microbial growth. Detoxification was evaluated by using Vibrio fischeri, Pseudokirchneriellasubcapitata and Lactuca sativa as test organisms. The indigenous bacterial strain degrades 100 mg l-1 3-chlorobenzoic acid in 14 h with a removal efficiency of 92. 0 and 86. 1% expressed as compound and chemical oxygen demand removal, respectively. The strain was capable of degrading up to 1,000 mg of the compound l-1. Toxicity was not detected at the end of the biodegradation process. Besides initial concentration, the effect of different factors, such as initial pH, initial inoculum, adaptation to the compound and presence of other substrates and toxic related compounds, was studied.Fil: Gallego, Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gemini, Virginia L.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Rossen, Ariana Altair. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, Susana L.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Tripodi, Valeria Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Servicio de Huellas Digitales Genéticas; ArgentinaFil: Corach, Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Servicio de Huellas Digitales Genéticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Planes, Estela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Korol, Sonia Edith. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Quantification and characterization of water and wastewater in dairy farms II. Effluent quality and treatment process efficiency

This study was carried out in three dairy production areas in Buenos Aires. Effluent quality, treatment process efficiency, water management strategies and environmental contamination risk by effluent discharge, was characterized in 9 dairy farms. Holding area feces were measured. Treatment lagoons were sampled. Physicochemical and microbiological qualities, and BOD and COD were determined, and used as environmental risk indicators. Plate-cooler water management strategies were established in order to divide the dairy farms in two groups (G1 and G2). Treatment lagoons were inefficient in regards to effluent treatment. BOD, COD, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and enterococci found in the samples were not within acceptable values according to effluent discharge guidelines. NPK concentration would allow its potential use as a nutrient source. Variability found in the several parameters measured is related to the different lagoons? characteristics and water management strategies. Significant differences (p<0.05) were detected in N and P contents between G1 and G2. Proper environmental management in animal production systems requires an appropriate wastewater handling within each farm.Fil: Nosetti, L. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Herrero, M.A. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Pol, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Maldonado May, V. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Producción Animal. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Korol, S. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Higiene y Sanidad. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Rossi, S. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Higiene y Sanidad. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Gemini, V. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Cátedra de Higiene y Sanidad. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaFil: Flores, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Departamento de Salud Pública. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaEl estudio fue realizado en tres cuencas lecheras de Buenos Aires. Se caracterizaron en 9 establecimientos, la calidad de efluentes, la eficiencia de los sistemas de tratamiento, la estrategia del manejo del agua en el ordeño y el riesgo de contaminación ambiental por el vertido de efluentes. Fueron cuantificadas las heces en corrales de espera. Se tomaron muestras de las lagunas de tratamiento, analizando la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica. La DBO y DQO fueron utilizados como indicadores de riesgo ambiental. Los tambos fueron agrupados según la utilización del agua de la placa de refrescado (G1 y G2). Las lagunas no resultaron eficientes ya que no completaron el tratamiento de los efluentes, tampoco se obtuvieron valores aceptables de DQO, DBO, Nitrógeno (N), Fósforo (P) y enterococos, compatibles con normativas de vertido para evitar la contaminación de cursos de agua. La concentración de NPK permitiría su uso potencial como abono. La variabilidad de los parámetros analizados se relaciona a las diferentes características de las lagunas y a los sistemas de reutilización de agua. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0.05), entre G1 y G2, para el contenido de nitrógeno y fósforo. Las necesidades de una gestión ambiental adecuada en los sistemas de producción animal, requiere de un manejo apropiado de estos residuos dentro del mismo establecimiento

Using digital social market applications to incentivise active travel: Empirical analysis of a smart city initiative

Information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as mobile communication networks, and behaviour-based approaches for citizen engagement play a key role in making future cities sustainable and tackling persistent problems in high-density urban areas. In the context of Sharing Cities, an EU-funded programme aiming to deliver smart city solutions in areas such as citizen participation and infrastructure improvements of buildings and mobility, a prominent intervention has been the deployment and monitoring of a Digital Social Market (DSM) tool in Milan (Italy). The DSM allows cities to engage with residents and encourage sustainable behaviours by offering non-monetary rewards. This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the DSM approach to promote active travel (cycling and walking) by analysing the data collected through the app as well as through participant surveys. Our model results show that a broader engagement with the DSM app (number of claps to posts, number of posts made, non-monetary rewards earned by participating in non-travel events) is positively correlated with the monitored level of active travel. Lifestyles, attitudes, and social influence also explain the variability in cycling and walking. This highlights the importance of investigating these factors when replicating such initiatives on a large scale

The cleanability of laser etched surfaces with repeated fouling using Staphylococcus aureus and milk

Biofouling is a serious problem in the food industry, and one way to control biofouling is using topographically patterned surfaces. This in vitro study used a laser surface texturing process to produce six differently patterned topographies which were analysed for their topography and wettability with repeated fouling and cleaning. The surfaces were spray-inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus suspended in either sterile distilled water or whole milk, then spray-cleaned using a chlorinated, alkaline cleaner. The surfaces were cleaned up to 20 times and analysed for changes in their surface properties and biofouling. Analysis of Variance was used to assess the effect of the main factors and two-way interactions. Principal component analysis was used to discern underlying relationships. There were no significant differences (T-Tests) in the overall level of biofouling between the different rippled sub-textures. The spiked surfaces showed no overall increase in biofouling and the number of cleans but were predominantly influenced by the texture sub-type. The less regular spiked surfaces within the medium range showed the lowest levels of biofouling, even with repeated cleaning. This study demonstrated that the use of such surfaces in in vitro studies may reduce biofouling, but particular attention needs to be given to the surface design

TiO2 bioactive implant surfaces doped with specific amount of Sr modulate mineralization

One of the main problems that remain in the implant industry is poor osseointegration due to bioinertness of implants. In order to promote bioactivity, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and strontium (Sr) were incorporated into a TiO2 porous layer produced by micro-arc oxidation. Ca and P as bioactive elements are already well reported in the literature, however, the knowledge of the effect of Sr is still limited. In the present work, the effect of various amounts of Sr was evaluated and the morphology, chemical composition and crystal structure of the oxide layer were investigated. Furthermore, in vitro studies were carried out using human osteoblast-like cells. The oxide layer formed showed a triplex structure, where higher incorporation of Sr increased Ca/P ratio, amount of rutile and promoted the formation of SrTiO3 compound. Biological tests revealed that lower concentrations of Sr did not compromise initial cell adhesion neither viability and interestingly improved mineralization. However, higher concentration of Sr (and consequent higher amount of rutile) showed to induce collagen secretion but with compromised mineralization, possibly due to a delayed mineralization process or induced precipitation of deficient hydroxyapatite. Ca-P-TiO2 porous layer with less concentration of Sr seems to be an ideal candidate for bone implants.This work was supported by FCT with the reference projects UID/EEA/04436/2019, M-ERA-NET/0001/2015 and FCT/CAPES Procs.. 4.4.1.00. Also the support of FAPESP is acknowledged (Proc. 2017/24300-4). A.I. Costa is very grateful for the PhD grant through NORTE-08-5369-FSE-000051 project. The authors would like to thank the LABNANO/CBPF and Centro Nacional de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem (Cenabio) in Rio de Janeiro for technical support during electron microscopy work

Years of life that could be saved from prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes premature death and loss of life expectancy worldwide. Its primary and secondary prevention can result in a significant number of years of life saved. AIM: To assess how many years of life are lost after HCC diagnosis. METHODS: Data from 5346 patients with first HCC diagnosis were used to estimate lifespan and number of years of life lost after tumour onset, using a semi-parametric extrapolation having as reference an age-, sex- and year-of-onset-matched population derived from national life tables. RESULTS: Between 1986 and 2014, HCC lead to an average of 11.5 years-of-life lost for each patient. The youngest age-quartile group (18-61 years) had the highest number of years-of-life lost, representing approximately 41% of the overall benefit obtainable from prevention. Advancements in HCC management have progressively reduced the number of years-of-life lost from 12.6 years in 1986-1999, to 10.7 in 2000-2006 and 7.4 years in 2007-2014. Currently, an HCC diagnosis when a single tumour <2 cm results in 3.7 years-of-life lost while the diagnosis when a single tumour 65 2 cm or 2/3 nodules still within the Milan criteria, results in 5.0 years-of-life lost, representing the loss of only approximately 5.5% and 7.2%, respectively, of the entire lifespan from birth. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence results in the loss of a considerable number of years-of-life, especially for younger patients. In recent years, the increased possibility of effectively treating this tumour has improved life expectancy, thus reducing years-of-life lost