Comparison of surface properties modification by direct and active screen plasma nitriding of an ASTM M2 high-speed steel in a nitrogen rich gas mixture

The active screen plasma nitriding technique has been studied in recent years as a method to optimize surface properties in steel components, avoiding the negative effects caused in the conventional Direct Current plasma treatments. In this study, ASTM M2 high-speed tool steel samples were plasma nitrided with and without the use of the active screen, in order to compare the surface properties developed by each technique. The treatments were carried out at 500 °C, with the gas mixture of 76 vol.% N2 + 24 vol.% H2 , for 4 and 8 h. The active screen used was built with an expanded sheet of 304 stainless steel. The results were evaluated through optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microhardness measurements. The samples were subjected to dry ball-on-flat tribological tests and the wear tracks were verified by 3D optical interferometry. The active screen use provided the formation of thinner layers, however, avoided the formation of brittle phases, resulting in the lowest wear volumes observed, up to 10 times less than the other analyzed conditions (nitrided and non-nitrided samples).A técnica de nitretação com tela ativa vem sendo estudada nos últimos anos como uma maneira de otimizar propriedades superficiais de componentes de aço, evitando os efeitos negativos provocados nos tratamentos a plasma convencionais de corrente contínua. Neste estudo, amostras do aço rápido ASTM M2 foram submetidas a tratamentos de nitretação a plasma com e sem a utilização da tela ativa, a fim de comparar as propriedades superficiais proporcionadas por cada técnica. Os tratamentos foram executados em 500 °C, com a mistura gasosa de 76% N2 + 24% H2 , durante 4 e 8 horas. A tela ativa utilizada foi construída utilizando chapa expandida de aço inoxidável AISI 304. Os resultados foram avaliados através de microscopia ótica, difração de raios-X e medidas de microdureza. As amostras foram submetidas a ensaios tribológicos do tipo esfera-sobre-plano a seco e as trilhas de desgaste foram verificadas por interferometria ótica 3D. A utilização da tela ativa proporcionou a formação de camadas menos profundas, porém, evitou a formação de fases frágeis, resultando nos menores volumes desgastados observados, até 10 vezes menor que as outras condições analisadas (amostras nitretadas e não-nitretada)

The influence of surface condition on the electrochemical properties of ASTM F138 steel for biomedical applications

The aim of this paper was to determine the influence of machining parameters on the surface layer, and consequently on the electrochemical properties, of ASTM F138 austenitic stainless steels. Eight different surface conditions were generated in cylindrical samples by turning and polishing. The surface was characterized by surface roughness Ra and Rt, Vickers microhardness and microstructural characteristics. Cyclic voltammetric tests were performed to evaluate the potential of repassivation and pitting. The surfaces were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy after the electrochemical tests were performed. The cutting parameters were identified to have a significant influence, and the feed rate was as influential as the depth of cut. The use of polishing alone is not sufficient to ensure that a surface has good surface integrity. Even with the polishing application, usually used to produce prostheses, a significant reduction in corrosion resistance occurs if care is not taken to minimize surface machining damage. Corrosion resistance is lower and pitting nucleation is higher in the samples with no polishing and with more severe machining parameters. The tests indicated that softer machining parameters can contribute to an increase in the life of implantable components, reducing the probability of localized corrosion, as well as improving the mechanical properties of prostheses

Comparative analysis of the friction and microstructural properties of WC-10Co-4Cr and Cr3C2-25NiCr coatings sprayed by high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF)

In this study, coatings WC-10Co-4Cr and Cr3C2-25NiCr were deposited on the AISI H13 steel by oxy-fuel Thermal spraying (HVOF). This coating increases the wear resistance of surfaces subjected to severe conditions, such as: abrasive wear, thermal fatigue and plastic deformation. The coatings microstructure, hardness and wear resistance are investigated through friction and wear tests performed through a pin-on-disc type tribometer following the procedures defined in ASTM G99-04. It was verified that both materials used in the spraying have high resistance to wear, however, in the sample coated with Cr3C2-25NiCr there was a greater removal of material during the test

JRC-Ispra Atmosphere-Biosphere-Climate Integrated monitoring Station 2012 report

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability provide long-term observations of the atmosphere within international programs and research projects. These observations are performed from the research infrastructure named ABC-IS: Atmosphere – Biosphere – Climate Integrated monitoring station. Most measurements are performed at the JRC-Ispra site. Observations are also carried out from two other platforms: the forest station in San Rossore, and a ship cruising in the Western Mediterranean sea. This document reports about measurement programs, the equipment which is deployed, the data quality assessment, and the results obtained for each site. Our observations are presented, compared to each other, as well as to historical data obtained over more than 25 years at the Ispra siteJRC.H.2-Air and Climat

JRC – Ispra Atmosphere – Biosphere – Climate Integrated monitoring Station : 2011 report

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability provide long-term observations of the atmosphere within international programs and research projects. These observations are performed from the research infrastructure named ABC-IS: Atmosphere-Biosphere-Climate Integrated monitoring station. Most measurements are performed at the JRC-Ispra site. Observations are also carried out from two other platforms: the forest station in San Rossore, and a ship cruising in the Western Mediterranean sea. This document reports about measurement programs, the equipment which is deployed, and the data quality assessment for each site. Our observations are presented, compared to each other, as well as to historical data obtained over the past 25 years at the Ispra site.JRC.H.2-Air and Climat

Alterações neurológicas associadas a SARS-CoV-2: uma revisão de literatura: Associated neurological changes the SARS-CoV-2: a literature review

Introdução. A doença comumente conhecida por COVID-19 é capaz de ser encontrada em todos os órgãos e sistemas. Contudo o SNC pode ser afetado de forma que cause danos significativos aos que foram acometidos pela mesma. Desta forma, este trabalho é uma revisão acerca dos achados e suas manifestações para que possamos no futuro triar, buscar e analisar fatores neurologicamente afetados. Objetivo. Analisar e revisar matérias que possam auxiliar no detalhamento acerca de alterações neurológicas oriundas da COVID-19. Método. A estratégia utilizada contou com estudos, tendo por base uma análise em plataformas como o Google Acadêmico, PubMed, SciELO, Medical Subject Heading (MeSH), nas quais cada fonte de dados contou com um estudo acerca dos títulos, assuntos e tipos específicos na língua portuguesa e inglesa. Resultados. Foi possível ao longo de 16 artigos analisados, observar que grande parte da população analisada teve alterações, sejam elas leves como mialgia, disfunções de olfato e paladar, podendo a ter alterações graves como o Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC). Além disso, foi possível observar que pacientes com morbidades como a DM e a HAS tiveram maiores propensões a doenças cerebrovasculares. Conclusão. Este estudo oferece uma nova forma de pensar e analisar as alterações causadas pela COVID-19, associado com as alterações neurológicas. Com isso, podemos ajudar a identificar e classificar as possíveis alterações, a fim de auxiliar no combate a alterações severas

Os aspectos semiológicos do acidente vascular encefálico: uma abordagem neurológica

O Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVC) é um evento neurológico súbito, com um foco de isquemia ou hemorragia. Ambos, qualificados pelo déficit neurológico focal abrupto. Ressaltando, que estes déficits podem ocorrer, sendo a ocorrência espontânea, perduração de 15 minutos, autoresolutiva é denominada como Ataque Isquêmico Transitório (AIT), no entanto, toda insuficiência neural que não melhorar pós esse período deve ser manejado como AVC. O artigo objetivou descrever os principais aspectos clínicos do AVC. O AVC é uma emergência para a saúde pública, em razão de ser um potencial em gerar morbimortalidades para os portadores e prejuízos para os sistemas de saúde. O AVC do tipo isquêmico representa a maioria das ocorrências, o quadro clínico do paciente é correspondente ao tecido neural afetado, inicialmente a tomografia computadorizada sem contraste é o primeiro exame, por ser crucial para descartar a etiologia hemorrágica, a condução terapêutica se baseia em medidas neuroprotetoras através da estabilização da glicemia, temperatura e sódio, adequar os níveis pressóricos, mediante o prazo estipulado impor terapia antitrombótica. A manifestação hemorrágica, pode ocorrer por torção de aneurisma sacular originando o sangramento subaracnóideo ou por hipertensão gerando o sangramento intraparenquimatoso. A partir da análise das informações coletadas, elucida-se que o diagnóstico precoce e o período transcorrido até o manejo terapêutico são cruciais para o desfecho clínico do portador, ou seja, é possível a normalização ou ocorrer sequelas neurais e óbito

Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Detailed, comprehensive, and timely reporting on population health by underlying causes of disability and premature death is crucial to understanding and responding to complex patterns of disease and injury burden over time and across age groups, sexes, and locations. The availability of disease burden estimates can promote evidence-based interventions that enable public health researchers, policy makers, and other professionals to implement strategies that can mitigate diseases. It can also facilitate more rigorous monitoring of progress towards national and international health targets, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. For three decades, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) has filled that need. A global network of collaborators contributed to the production of GBD 2021 by providing, reviewing, and analysing all available data. GBD estimates are updated routinely with additional data and refined analytical methods. GBD 2021 presents, for the first time, estimates of health loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The GBD 2021 disease and injury burden analysis estimated years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries using 100 983 data sources. Data were extracted from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, censuses, household surveys, disease-specific registries, health service contact data, and other sources. YLDs were calculated by multiplying cause-age-sex-location-year-specific prevalence of sequelae by their respective disability weights, for each disease and injury. YLLs were calculated by multiplying cause-age-sex-location-year-specific deaths by the standard life expectancy at the age that death occurred. DALYs were calculated by summing YLDs and YLLs. HALE estimates were produced using YLDs per capita and age-specific mortality rates by location, age, sex, year, and cause. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated for all final estimates as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles values of 500 draws. Uncertainty was propagated at each step of the estimation process. Counts and age-standardised rates were calculated globally, for seven super-regions, 21 regions, 204 countries and territories (including 21 countries with subnational locations), and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Here we report data for 2010 to 2021 to highlight trends in disease burden over the past decade and through the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: Global DALYs increased from 2·63 billion (95% UI 2·44–2·85) in 2010 to 2·88 billion (2·64–3·15) in 2021 for all causes combined. Much of this increase in the number of DALYs was due to population growth and ageing, as indicated by a decrease in global age-standardised all-cause DALY rates of 14·2% (95% UI 10·7–17·3) between 2010 and 2019. Notably, however, this decrease in rates reversed during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, with increases in global age-standardised all-cause DALY rates since 2019 of 4·1% (1·8–6·3) in 2020 and 7·2% (4·7–10·0) in 2021. In 2021, COVID-19 was the leading cause of DALYs globally (212·0 million [198·0–234·5] DALYs), followed by ischaemic heart disease (188·3 million [176·7–198·3]), neonatal disorders (186·3 million [162·3–214·9]), and stroke (160·4 million [148·0–171·7]). However, notable health gains were seen among other leading communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional (CMNN) diseases. Globally between 2010 and 2021, the age-standardised DALY rates for HIV/AIDS decreased by 47·8% (43·3–51·7) and for diarrhoeal diseases decreased by 47·0% (39·9–52·9). Non-communicable diseases contributed 1·73 billion (95% UI 1·54–1·94) DALYs in 2021, with a decrease in age-standardised DALY rates since 2010 of 6·4% (95% UI 3·5–9·5). Between 2010 and 2021, among the 25 leading Level 3 causes, age-standardised DALY rates increased most substantially for anxiety disorders (16·7% [14·0–19·8]), depressive disorders (16·4% [11·9–21·3]), and diabetes (14·0% [10·0–17·4]). Age-standardised DALY rates due to injuries decreased globally by 24·0% (20·7–27·2) between 2010 and 2021, although improvements were not uniform across locations, ages, and sexes. Globally, HALE at birth improved slightly, from 61·3 years (58·6–63·6) in 2010 to 62·2 years (59·4–64·7) in 2021. However, despite this overall increase, HALE decreased by 2·2% (1·6–2·9) between 2019 and 2021. Interpretation: Putting the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of causes of health loss is crucial to understanding its impact and ensuring that health funding and policy address needs at both local and global levels through cost-effective and evidence-based interventions. A global epidemiological transition remains underway. Our findings suggest that prioritising non-communicable disease prevention and treatment policies, as well as strengthening health systems, continues to be crucially important. The progress on reducing the burden of CMNN diseases must not stall; although global trends are improving, the burden of CMNN diseases remains unacceptably high. Evidence-based interventions will help save the lives of young children and mothers and improve the overall health and economic conditions of societies across the world. Governments and multilateral organisations should prioritise pandemic preparedness planning alongside efforts to reduce the burden of diseases and injuries that will strain resources in the coming decades. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation