Thermophysical, microstructural characterization and non-destructive control of TBCs by photothermal and thermographic techniques: some lessons learned

Since several years, photothermal and thermographic techniques have been used to perform the thermo-physical characterisation of TBCs and the non-destructive assessment of TBC integrity. Furthermore, in the last decade some attempts to use these techniques for carrying out a non-destructive microstructural characterization have been done, as well. In this talk the description of a thermographic technique able to simultaneously measure the through-the-thickness and the in-plane thermal diffusivity of free standing TBCs samples and thus giving evidence of the typical microstructural anisotropy of APS TBCs will be provided [1]. Furthermore, some effects of the laser radiation used in a laser flash experiment on the TBC thermal diffusivity and a new model for fitting the experimental data will be presented [2,3]. The main results of an activity focused to identify potentialities and limitations of using Laser flash experiments on multilayered samples for estimating thermal diffusivity of TBCs samples will be provided. A theoretical and experimental analysis of the real capabilities of infrared techniques to estimate the porosity content and the microstructure of porous ceramic materials such as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) by studying thermal diffusivity variations when pores are filled with air or vacuum will be provided [4,5]. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise program for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer

Objective: This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention for patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or lung cancer. Methods: A prospective, single-arm study was conducted, enrolling patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. Participants engaged in a 12-week exercise intervention comprising personalized bi-weekly aerobic and resistance training tailored to individual baseline conditions. The primary study outcomes focused on safety (absence of serious adverse events) and feasibility. Secondary outcomes included assessments of functional capacity using the "Six minutes walking test", strength measured through handgrip and leg press tests, anthropometric measures including body mass index and waist-hip ratio, quality of life (QoL), and changes in blood parameters. Results: The study involved twelve patients (mean age 57.66 ​± ​7.40 years), with seven having pancreatic cancer and five having lung cancer. The recruitment rate was 50%, and assessment adherence was 100%, with an 84% adherence to the exercise program and no dropouts. No exercise-related adverse events were recorded, while three non-severe, non-exercise-related adverse events were observed: treatment-related dermatitis (Grade 2), axillary lymphadenopathy (Grade 2), and migraine (Grade 1). Significant enhancements in functional capacity, emotional well-being, and social functioning within the QoL domains were observed. Anthropometric measures, specifically waist-hip ratio and body mass index, remained stable. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a tailored 12-week exercise intervention is both feasible and safe for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. This intervention appears to enhance functional capacity, specific aspects of QoL, and contribute to maintaining body weight

Exercise and bone health in cancer: enemy or ally?

Simple Summary Patients with cancer may face bone metastases and osteoporosis due to cancer or treatments, leading to a high risk of developing skeletal-related events. Skeletal-related events may negatively affect patients' quality and length of life. Although physical exercise has been recognized as a potential adjunctive strategy in the cancer setting, it is often not recommended to patients with bone health impairments due to safety concerns. In the present review, we explore the effects of exercise on safety profile, bone health, and the impact on functional outcomes in patients with cancer affected by bone metastasis, osteoporosis/osteopenia, or at high risk of losing bone. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effect of exercise on bone are explored, and considerations about exercise prescription are discussed. Bone health is often threatened in cancer patients. Bone metastasis and osteoporosis frequently occur in patients with cancer and may lead to different skeletal-related events, which may negatively affect patients' quality of life and are associated with high mortality risk. Physical exercise has been recognized as a potential adjunctive strategy in the cancer setting to improve physical function as well as treatment-related side effects. Nevertheless, exercise is often not recommended to patients with bone health impairments due to safety concerns. In the current review, we aimed, through a comprehensive review of the evidence, to explore the impact of exercise in terms of safety profile, bone outcomes, and the effects on other outcomes in patients with cancer affected by bone metastasis or at high risk of losing bone. Additionally, we explored the potential mechanisms by which exercise may act on bone, particularly the impact of mechanical load on bone remodeling. Finally, considerations about exercise prescription and programming in these populations are also discussed

A Feasibility Study Investigating an Exercise Program in Metastatic Cancer Based on the Patient-Preferred Delivery Mode

Background: Feasibility of exercise in patients with metastatic cancer is still a challenge. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an exercise intervention based on a patient-preferred delivery mode in patients affected by metastatic cancer. Materials and methods: Forty-four patients with a confirmed diagnosis of metastatic cancer were recruited in a 3-month exercise program. Whereas the exercise program consisted of aerobic and resistance activities performed twice a week, the participants may choose the mode of delivery: home based, personal training, or group based. The primary endpoint was the feasibility, defined by recruitment rate, attendance, adherence, dropout rate, tolerability (comparing the session RPE with the target RPE), and safety (using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0). Secondary endpoints included cardiorespiratory fitness (six minutes walking test), muscle strength (handgrip strength test and isometric leg press test), flexibility (the back scratch and chair sit and reach tests), anthropometric parameters (body mass index and waist-hip ratio), quality of life (EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire), and amount of physical exercise (Godin's Shepard Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire). Descriptive statistics, Student t test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to analyze data. Results: The study recruitment rate was 81%. Out of 44 recruited patients, 28 chose the personal training program, 16 chose the home-based program, and none chose the group-based program. Nine dropouts occurred (20%), 6 in the personal training program, and 3 in the home-based intervention. The median attendance rate was 92%, adherence was 88%, tolerability was 100%, and 9 nonsevere adverse events were registered during the exercise sessions. An increase in cardiorespiratory fitness (P < .001) and flexibility (P = .011 for chair sit and reach; P = .040 for back scratch) was observed at the end of the intervention, while no changes in anthropometric values and muscle strength were detected. Different quality-of-life domains were improved following the intervention, including physical (P = .002), emotional (P < .001), and role functioning (P = .018), fatigue (P = .030), and appetite loss (P = .005). Conclusion: A 3-month exercise program based on a patient-preferred delivery mode is feasible in patients with metastatic cancer and may improve physical function and quality of life. Trial registration: NCT04226508

Aislamiento de <i>Brucella abortus</i> en felinos domésticos en la República Argentina

Se reporta el aislamiento de Brucella abortus a partir de felinos domésticos en la ciudad de La Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires (República Argentina), en el año 2017. Los aislamientos fueron obtenidos a través de hemocultivo, realizados a tres felinos reactores serológicos a la prueba de aglutinación en placa con antígeno bufferado (BPA). Los microorganismos aislados fueron identificados bioquímicamente por las pruebas aplicables al género y fenotípicamente por la Reacción en Cadena de la Polimersa (PCR). Confirmados por la Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud (INEI-ANLIS, Sección Brucelosis) como pertenecientes al género Brucella abortus biovariedad (bv.1). Como parte de un proyecto de extensión interinstitucional, durante el periodo 2017-2020, se procede a muestrear felinos que concurren a la Dirección de Zoonosis municipal para su esterilización. Se han aprobado para ello procedimientos para la toma de muestras (con destino a pruebas serológicas, cultivos y técnicas moleculares), dirigidas a la búsqueda de las principales zoonosis bacterianas y una encuesta que permite identificar diversos factores de riesgo, dirigidos especialmente a la ocurrencia de zoonosis.Trabajo publicado en Cagliada, Maria del Pilar Lilia y Galosi, Cecilia Mónica (comps.). I Congreso de Microbiología Veterinaria. Libro de resúmenes. La Plata: Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, 2021.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Willingness, preferences, barriers, and facilitators of a multimodal supportive care intervention including exercise, nutritional and psychological approach in patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study

Supportive care, including exercise, nutritional and psychological support, is becoming increasingly important in cancer given their impact on 'patients' quality and quantity of life. The purpose of this study was to explore willingness, preferences barriers and facilitators for a multimodal intervention in patients with cancer

Effect of exercise across the head and neck cancer continuum: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Purpose: This study aims to systematically explore the impact of physical exercise as supportive therapy for head and neck cancer. Methods: A systematic search on PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus was conducted. Randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of a physical exercise intervention in comparison with usual care on outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer were selected. The RoB 2 tool was used to determine the study quality. The extracted data are reported as qualitative synthesis. Results: Among the 527 records examined, nine studies were included. No trials investigating exercise as prehabilitation were found, whereas eight studies involving 452 patients with head and neck cancer were conducted during anticancer treatment. Most trials did not report improvements in body mass index or body composition, while 2/4 and 3/5 investigations found a significant increase in muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, respectively. Regarding the patients' reported outcomes, 4 out of 7 studies observed enhancements in some domains of quality of life, and two trials out of 3 detected an amelioration in fatigue following the exercise intervention. Analyzing the exercise programs, it seems that combining aerobic and resistance training could be more beneficial compared to a single type of full-body exercise in counteracting physical decline and controlling symptoms in the anticancer therapy phase. One trial has investigated the effect of resistance exercise on patients who had terminated the anticancer treatments, reporting significant improvements in lean mass, muscle strength, and quality of life. Conclusion: Exercise may be a promising approach in patients with head and neck cancer. Future studies are needed to consolidate these results

Anisotropic Statistical Scaling of Vadose Zone Hydraulic Property Estimates near Maricopa, Arizona

reserved4Fluid flow and mass transport in the vadose zone are strongly influenced by spatial variability in soil hydraulic properties. It has become common to characterize spatial variability geostatistically and to solve corresponding flow and/or transport problems stochastically. The typical (though not only) approach is to treat log saturated hydraulic conductivity, Y=log(10)K(s), and perhaps other medium properties as statistically homogeneous, isotropic, or anisotropic multivariate-Gaussian random fields with unique variance and autocorrelation scale. A growing body of literature suggests that Y as well as many other variables may possess heavy-tailed, non-Gaussian distributions, and/or scale-dependent statistical parameters representing a multiscale, hierarchical structure. Elsewhere, we have demonstrated that these important phenomena are difficult to detect, and are not fully tractable, with standard geostatistical methods. They are however detectable and tractable with a novel geostatistical method of analysis which treats such variables as samples from sub-Gaussian random fields subordinated to truncated fractional Brownian motion (tfBm) or truncated fractional Gaussian noise (tfGn). Each such field is a mixture of Gaussian components having random variances. The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which hydraulic parameters of unsaturated soils exhibit heavy-tailed distributions and statistical scaling of the above type. As a test bed we have selected an experimental site near Maricopa, Arizona, at which soil texture data have been collected in boreholes and trenches to a depth of 15 m over an area of 3600 m(2). Since hydraulic parameters are difficult to measure to such depths we estimate them using a neural network pedotransfer model. Input data include percent sand, silt, and clay. Outputs include estimates of saturated and residual volumetric water content, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and (due to their wide applicability) parameters of the van Genuchten-Mualem constitutive model of unsaturated soil property variations with capillary pressure head. We find indeed that vertical and horizontal increments of our hydraulic parameter estimates exhibit heavy-tailed frequency distributions and statistical scaling which conform closely to our novel geostatistical framework. Its generality and applicability to the Maricopa site has far reaching implications vis-a-vis the geostatistical characterization of vadose zone properties and the stochastic modeling of flow and transport in unsaturated media at other sites.A. Guadagnini; S.P. Neuman; M.G. Schaap; M. RivaGuadagnini, Alberto; S. P., Neuman; M. G., Schaap; Riva, Monic