Comparison of the single‐ring pressure infiltrometer and SATURO methods for determination of field‐saturated soil hydraulic conductivity

Both the classical pressure infiltrometer (PI) method and the recently introduced SATURO device can be used to determine field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) through a single-ring, steady-state experiment with two pressure heads. The introduction of this automated device raised questions about the validity criteria for infiltration data, its performance compared to the classical method, and the impact of a quick literature estimate of the α* (sorptive number) parameter on Kfs calculations. For two sandy-loam soils and a clay soil, the SATURO criterion, denoted as Criterion 1, differed from the classical, more stringent Criterion 2 in terms of valid measurements (success rates of 47%–100% vs. 13%–87%, respectively) but not greatly in summary statistics (KfsTPD [where TPD represents two-ponding-depth] means equal to 65–527 mm h−1 in the former case and 70–300 mm h−1 in the latter one). The PI and SATURO yielded similar mean KfsE (E stands for experimental) values (81–345 vs. 78–192 mm h−1, respectively), but SATURO tended to give relatively smaller individual values. Using the first approximation value of α* instead of the experimental value led to differences in Kfs by 1.5 times at most, depending on the site. The classical data validity criterion should be applied to exclude physically impossible results. In practical use, both methods with similar run durations and water volumes yield comparable Kfs values. The first approximation value of α* could replace the experimental value in several cases. SATURO is a promising alternative to the PI for determining field-saturated soil hydraulic conductivity via single-ring, steady-state infiltration. There is room for improving its performance and also for simplifying its application in the field

Characterization of an Additive Manufactured TiAl Alloy-Steel Joint Produced by Electron Beam Welding

In this work, the characterization of the assembly of a steel shaft into a γ-TiAl part for turbocharger application, obtained using Electron Beam Welding (EBW) technology with a Ni-based filler, was carried out. The Ti-48Al-2Nb-0.7Cr-0.3Si (at %) alloy part was produced by Electron Beam Melting (EBM). This additive manufacturing technology allows the production of a lightweight part with complex shapes. The replacement of Nickel-based superalloys with TiAl alloys in turbocharger automotive applications will lead to an improvement of the engine performance and a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and emission. The welding process allows a promising joint to be obtained, not affecting the TiAl microstructure. Nevertheless, it causes the formation of diffusive layers between the Ni-based filler and both steel and TiAl, with the latter side being characterized by a very complex microstructure, which was fully characterized in this paper by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, and nanoindentation. The diffusive interface has a thickness of about 6 µm, and it is composed of several layers. Specifically, from the TiAl alloy side, we find a layer of Ti₃Al followed by Al₃NiTi₂ and AlNi₂Ti. Subsequently Ni becomes more predominant, with a first layer characterized by abundant carbide/boride precipitation, and a second layer characterized by Si-enrichment. Then, the chemical composition of the Ni-based filler is gradually reached

Long-term assessment of plasma lipids in transplant recipients treated with tacrolimus in relation to fatty liver.

Immunosuppression has improved graft and recipient survival in transplantation but is associated with possible adverse effects including cardiovascular diseases. The impact of tacrolimus on the lipidic profile has been debated for several years. Twenty-nine kidney transplant recipients on tacrolimus treatment were monitored for six years, and multiple laboratory parameters investigating the lipid asset, as well as glucose profile, were carried out. Tacrolimus has been responsible for significant changes in plasma lipid concentrations only for the first six months, but not for the remaining time of observation. Similarly, in the same periods, glycemic imbalance was highlighted. The liver enzyme activity showed a modest derangement during the tacrolimus treatment, suggesting the presence of lipid accumulation in the liver. Fatty liver reversed in the long term follow-up. Tacrolimus, although it is not a completely safe option in the first months of the immunosuppressive protocols in organ transplanted recipients, still retains a certain role in the long-term post-transplantation immunosuppressive approach with high cardiovascular risk

A note on comonotonicity and positivity of the control components of decoupled quadratic FBSDE

In this small note we are concerned with the solution of Forward-Backward Stochastic Differential Equations (FBSDE) with drivers that grow quadratically in the control component (quadratic growth FBSDE or qgFBSDE). The main theorem is a comparison result that allows comparing componentwise the signs of the control processes of two different qgFBSDE. As a byproduct one obtains conditions that allow establishing the positivity of the control process.Comment: accepted for publicatio

Involvement of 27-Hydroxycholesterol in Mitotane Action on Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer with poor prognosis. Mitotane, the standard treatment for ACC, impairs adrenocortical steroid biosynthesis and cholesterol metabolism. In the H295R cell line, a standard ACC in vitro model, mitotane was previously reported to enhance the production of some oxysterols. To verify the possible mechanistic involvement of oxysterols in the anti-ACC effect of mitotane, a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling of oxysterols and the main cholesterol precursors was carried out in H295R cells. Among the oxysterols detected in mitotane-treated cells, 27OHC was markedly produced, as well as lanosterol and lathosterol cholesterol precursors. In this cell model, mitotane was confirmed to affect mitochondrial transmembrane potential and induce apoptosis. Such cytotoxic effects were perfectly matched by H295R cell treatment with a single identical micromolar amount of 27OHC. The mitotane-dependent strong increase in 27OHC was confirmed in vivo, in the plasma of ACC patients under treatment with the drug. Moreover, lanosterol, lathosterol, desmosterol and, to a minor extent, 24-hydroxycholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol plasma levels were significantly increased in those patients. The cytotoxic effect of mitotane on ACC cells may be partly related to the increased intracellular level of 27OHC induced by the drug itself

Association of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Coronary Calcium Burden with Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume Obtained from PET–CT Imaging in Oncological Patients

Whole-body positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) imaging performed for oncological purposes may provide additional parameters such as the coronary artery calcium (CAC) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume with cost-effective prognostic information in asymptomatic people beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We evaluated the feasibility of measuring the CAC score and EAT volume in cancer patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) referred to whole-body 18F-FDG PET–CT imaging, regardless of the main clinical problem. We also investigated the potential relationships between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and CAC with EAT volume. A total of 109 oncological patients without overt CAD underwent whole-body PET–CT imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Unenhanced CT images were retrospectively viewed for CAC and EAT measurements on a dedicated platform. Overall, the mean EAT volume was 99 ± 49 cm3. Patients with a CAC score ≥ 1 were older than those with a CAC = 0 (p < 0.001) and the prevalence of hypertension was higher in patients with detectable CAC as compared to those without (p < 0.005). The EAT volume was higher in patients with CAC than in those without (p < 0.001). For univariable age, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and CAC were associated with increasing EAT values (all p < 0.005). However, the correlation between the CAC score and EAT volume was weak, and in multivariable analysis only age and BMI were independently associated with increased EAT (both p < 0.001), suggesting that potential prognostic information on CAC and EAT is not redundant. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a cost-effective assessment of CAC scores and EAT volumes in oncological patients undergoing whole-body 18F-FDG PET–CT imaging, enabling staging cancer disease and atherosclerotic burden by a single test already included in the diagnostic work program, with optimization of the radiation dose and without additional costs