Use of a gray level co-occurrence matrix to characterize duplex stainless steel phases microstructure

Duplex stainless steels are widely used in industry. This is due to their higher strength compared to austenitic steels and to their higher toughness than ferritic steels. They also have good weldability and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking. These steels are characterized by two-phase microstructures composed by almost the same level of ferrite and austenite. Duplex steel 2205 samples evaluated are: as received, cold rolled (33%) and heat-treated at 800°C for 10 hours. A metallographic etching with 10% oxalic acid has been carried out to highlight the phases morphology. Some photos have been taken by SEM microscope and submitted to image analysis. The analysis carried out is based on the determination of co-occurrence matrix and on the following interpretation of appropriate indicators. Through these indicators is possible to estimate the features of images objectively

Tracking and data system support for the Mariner Mars 1969 mission. Volume 2: Midcourse maneuver through end of nominal mission

Tracking and data system support for Mariner Mars 1969 mission from midcourse maneuver through end of nominal missio

The Deep Space Network. An instrument for radio navigation of deep space probes

The Deep Space Network (DSN) network configurations used to generate the navigation observables and the basic process of deep space spacecraft navigation, from data generation through flight path determination and correction are described. Special emphasis is placed on the DSN Systems which generate the navigation data: the DSN Tracking and VLBI Systems. In addition, auxiliary navigational support functions are described

Diabetic striatopathy: an updated overview of current knowledge and future perspectives

Purpose: Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is a rare complication of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by hyperglycemia associated with chorea/ballism and characteristic reversible basal ganglia abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We propose a narrative review of the literature on this topic, currently unknown to most, and about which physicians should be aware. We intend to summarize, critically review, and take to mean the evidence on this disorder, describing its typical features. Methods: We searched Pubmed for English-language sources using the following keywords in the title and the abstract: diabetic striatopathy, hyperglycemic non-ketotic hemichorea/hemiballism, chorea/hemichorea associated with non-ketotic hyperglycemia, diabetic hemiballism/hemichorea, chorea, hyperglycemia, and basal ganglia syndrome. We collected scientific articles, including case reports, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from the years 1975 to 2023. We eliminated duplicate, non-English language or non-related articles. Results: Older Asian women are more frequently affected. Suddenly or insidiously hemichorea/hemiballism, mainly in the limbs, and high blood glucose with elevated HbA1c in the absence of ketone bodies have been observed. Furthermore, CT striatal hyperdensity and T1-weighted MRI hyperintensity have been observed. DS is often a treatable disease following proper hydration and insulin administration. Histopathological findings are variable, and no comprehensive hypothesis explains the atypical cases reported. Conclusion: DS is a rare neurological manifestation of DM. If adequately treated, although treatment guidelines are lacking, the prognosis is good and life-threatening complications may occur occasionally. During chorea/hemiballism, we recommend blood glucose and HbA1c evaluation. Further studies are needed to understand the pathogenesis

The Deep Space Network: A Radio Communications Instrument for Deep Space Exploration

The primary purpose of the Deep Space Network (DSN) is to serve as a communications instrument for deep space exploration, providing communications between the spacecraft and the ground facilities. The uplink communications channel provides instructions or commands to the spacecraft. The downlink communications channel provides command verification and spacecraft engineering and science instrument payload data

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for the differential diagnosis between granulomatous prostatitis and prostate cancer: a literature review to an intriguing diagnostic challenge

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is currently the most effective diagnostic tool for detecting prostate cancer (PCa) and evaluating adenocarcinoma-mimicking lesions of the prostate gland, among which granulomatous prostatitis (GP) represents the most interesting diagnostic challenge. GP consists of a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory lesions that can be differentiated into four types: idiopathic, infective, iatrogenic, and associated with systemic granulomatous disease. The incidence of GP is growing due to the increase in endourological surgical interventions and the adoption of intravesical instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer; therefore, the difficulty lies in identifying specific features of GP on mpMRI to avoid the use of transrectal prostate biopsy as much as possible

The Effect of the Immunization Schedule and Antibody Levels (Anti-S) on the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Large Cohort of Healthcare Workers in Northern Italy

Given their occupational risk profile, HCWs were the first to receive anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, breakthrough infections remained common, mainly sustained by new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) that rapidly spread one after another in Italy. Evidence suggests that the measured level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies does not clearly predict the level of protection conferred by either natural infection or vaccine-induced immunization, highlighting the need for further study on the diversity in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study aimed to characterize different risk profiles for SARS-CoV-2 infection in HCWs who had recently received the booster dose, and who were classified according to their immunization profile. The very small number of workers infected during the 8 months following the primary-cycle administration represents proof of the vaccine's effectiveness against non-omicron strains. The comparison among different immunization profiles showed that hybrid immunization (vaccine plus natural infection) elicits higher antibody levels. However, hybrid immunization does not always provide better protection against reinfection, thus suggesting that the immunization profile plays a major role as a virus-host interaction modifier. Despite the high resistance to the reinfection, the peri-booster infection had a not-neglectable infection rate (5.6%), this further reinforcing the importance of preventive measures

The Co-occurrence of child and intimate partner maltreatment in the family: characteristics of the violent perpetrators

This study considers the characteristics associated with mothers and fathers who maltreat their child and each other in comparison to parents who only maltreat their child. One hundred and sixty-two parents who had allegations of child maltreatment made against them were considered. The sample consisted of 43 fathers (Paternal Family—PF) and 23 mothers (Maternal Family—MF) who perpetrated both partner and child maltreatment, together with 23 fathers (Paternal Child—PC) and 26 mothers (Maternal Child—MC) who perpetrated child maltreatment only. In addition, 2 fathers (Paternal Victim—PV) and 23 mothers (Maternal Victim—MV) were victims of intimate partner maltreatment and perpetrators of child maltreatment and 7 fathers (Paternal Non-abusive Carer—PNC) and 15 mothers (Maternal Non-abusive Carer—MNC) did not maltreat the child but lived with an individual who did. Within their family unit, 40.7% of parents perpetrated both intimate partner and child maltreatment. However, fathers were significantly more likely to maltreat both their partner and child than mothers and mothers were significantly more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence than fathers. PF fathers conducted the highest amount of physical and/or sexual child maltreatment while MC and MV mothers perpetrated the highest amount of child neglect. Few significant differences between mothers were found. PF fathers had significantly more factors associated with development of a criminogenic lifestyle than PC fathers. Marked sex differences were demonstrated with PF fathers demonstrating significantly more antisocial characteristics, less mental health problems and fewer feelings of isolation than MF mothers. MC mothers had significantly more childhood abuse, mental health problems, parenting risk factors and were significantly more likely to be biologically related to the child than PC fathers. This study suggests that violent families should be assessed and treated in a holistic manner, considering the effects of partner violence upon all family members, rather than exclusively intervening with the violent man

Comparing the Prevalence of Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Nursing Homes and in the Community Dwelling Elderly of Emilia Romagna Region

Backround: We aimed at assessing the prevalence of polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with clinical relevance in elderly patient on Emilia Romagna area. Both outpatients and residents in nursing homes were assessed, with only partially overlapping strategies. Methods: We defined a list of 190 pairs of potentially interacting drugs, based on literature appraisal and availability of therapeutic alternatives. January-June 2018 data on drug use in patients over 65 years-old were collected from nine Local Health Authorities of Emilia Romagna: data on community-dwelling subjects were extracted from archives of reimbursed prescriptions, while drug use in a sample of nursing homes was recorded from clinical charts in one index day within the same semester. The frequency of polypharmacy (at least five or at least 10 concurrent drugs) and of each DDI was calculated. Results: In line with different rates of polypharmacy (80% vs 16%), the risk of exposure to at least one interaction was 53.7% in nursing homes and 26.4% in outpatients. Among DDIs, in nursing homes antidepressants—anxiolytics (11.9%) ranked first, followed by antidepressants—aspirin (7.4%). In outpatients, ACE-inhibitors—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reached 7.2% followed by the calcium channel blockers—α-blockers (2.4%). Discussion: Polypharmacy and risk of DDIs appeared very different in the two settings, due to both technical and clinical reasons. In order to reduce use of benzodiazepines, NSAIDs, antidepressants and relevant DDIs, 1) defining alternative options for pain relief in elderly outpatients, and 2) implementing non-pharmacological management of insomnia and anxiety in nursing homes should be prioritized

Gender, sexual orientation and health behaviors in the ELSA-Brasil cohort

This study aimed to investigate differences in health behaviors as a function of gender and sexual orientation in the ELSA-Brasil cohort. Data were collected using a multidimensional questionnaire on health-related behaviors. The sample consisted of 10,314 participants, each of whom was in a stable relationship. Individuals in same-sex relationships were more likely to smoke, to spend more of their leisure-time in front of a screen and to sleep longer. When the behaviors were analyzed as a function of sexual orientation and gender, women in heterosexual relationships were less likely to smoke or to drink in excess, got more hours of sleep and spent less leisure time in front of a screen. On the other hand, they were less likely to exercise. These findings should contribute towards preventing chronic diseases and promoting health in people with different sexual orientations in Brazil and in other similar settings