Functionalization of carbon-bonded ceramic foam filters with nano-scaled materials for steel melt filtration

In order to improve the purity of steel castings, the use of special reactive coatings on carbon-bonded ceramic foam filters was explored. Carbon nanotubes were dispersed in water by means of ultrasonic treatment, using xanthan gum to stabilize the nanotubes in suspension and control the rheological behavior. The coatings were applied by cold spraying and binding was achieved during heat treatment in reducing atmosphere, thanks to an artificial pitch added to the slurry. The coated filters were successfully immersed in molten steel for different times. The thickness of the first alumina layer generated at the interface was independent of the immersion time: concentration gradients through its thickness suggested that the formation of this structure is limited by diffusion. Investigation of the steel after solidification by means of ASPEX showed that the presence of the coating influenced the size as well as the chemical composition of the remaining inclusions. Nano-coated filters had the best filtration efficiency (up to 95% for alumina inclusions after 10 s), but longer tests resulted in worse performance. In addition, coatings based on calcium aluminates in combination with carbon showed an efficiency greater than 97% for steel samples taken directly from the melt

Echocardiography in the sepsis syndromes

Abstract Purpose of the review Non-invasiveness and instantaneous diagnostic capability are prominent features of the use of echocardiography in critical care. Sepsis and septic shock represent complex situations where early hemodynamic assessment and support are among the keys to therapeutic success. In this review, we discuss the range of applications of echocardiography in the management of the septic patient, and propose an echocardiography-based goal-oriented hemodynamic approach to septic shock. Recent findings Echocardiography can play a key role in the critical septic patient management, by excluding cardiac causes for sepsis, and mostly by guiding hemodynamic management of those patients in whom sepsis reaches such a severity to jeopardize cardiovascular function. In recent years, there have been both increasing evidence and diffusion of the use of echocardiography as monitoring tool in the patients with hemodynamic compromise. Also thanks to echocardiography, the features of the well-known sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction have been better characterized. Furthermore, many of the recent echocardiographic indices of volume responsiveness have been validated in populations of septic shock patients. Conclusion Although not proven yet in terms of patient outcome, echocardiography can be regarded as an ideal monitoring tool in the septic patient, as it allows (a) first line differential diagnosis of shock and early recognition of sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction; (b) detection of pre-existing cardiac pathology, that yields precious information in septic shock management; (c) comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring through a systematic approach based on repeated bedside assessment; (d) integration with other monitoring devices; and (e) screening for cardiac source of sepsis

Fosfori silicatici e silico ossinitruri da polimeri preceramici e fillers nanometrici

Sintesi di materiali ceramici che presentano il fenomeno della fotoluminescenza, per la realizzazione di LEDs a luce bianca. Questi sono vantaggiosi rispetto alle tradizionali lampade a incandescenza e fluorescenza, ma richiedono fosfori con assorbimento nell'UV o blu, alta efficienza di emissione e ottima stabilit termica e chimica. La tecnica di sintesi PDCs utilizza polimeri preceramici mescolati con fillers nanometrici, e permette di lavorare con temperature e tempi ridotti se paragonati alle tecniche tradizionali. In laboratorio sono stati preparati dei silicati drogati con Eu3+ attraverso un trattamento termico in aria a 1300C per 1h: i materiali sono cristallini ed emettono nel rosso. In seguito i batch di partenza sono stati trattati in azoto per ottenere fasi nitrurate e variare le propriet di emissione. Sono state preparate delle fasi Y-SiON drogate con Ce3+, che emettono nel blu. Infine si lavorato alla sintesi di ceramici Ca-alfa-sialon a partire da polisilazaniope

International evidence-based recommendations for point-of-care lung ultrasound

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Association of COVID-19 Vaccinations With Intensive Care Unit Admissions and Outcome of Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia in Lombardy, Italy

IMPORTANCE Data on the association of COVID-19 vaccination with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and outcomes of patients with SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia are scarce. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether COVID-19 vaccination is associated with preventing ICU admission for COVID-19 pneumonia and to compare baseline characteristics and outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients admitted to an ICU. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study on regional data sets reports: (1) daily number of administered vaccines and (2) data of all consecutive patients admitted to an ICU in Lombardy, Italy, from August 1 to December 15, 2021 (Delta variant predominant). Vaccinated patients received either mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) or adenoviral vector vaccines (ChAdOx1-S or Ad26.COV2). Incident rate ratios (IRRs) were computed from August 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022; ICU and baseline characteristics and outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients admitted to an ICU were analyzed from August 1 to December 15, 2021. EXPOSURES COVID-19 vaccination status (no vaccination, mRNA vaccine, adenoviral vector vaccine). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The incidence IRR of ICU admission was evaluated, comparing vaccinated people with unvaccinated, adjusted for age and sex. The baseline characteristics at ICU admission of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients were investigated. The association between vaccination status at ICU admission and mortality at ICU and hospital discharge were also studied, adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS Among the 10 107 674 inhabitants of Lombardy, Italy, at the time of this study, the median [IQR] agewas 48 [28-64] years and 5 154 914 (51.0%) were female. Of the 7 863 417 individuals who were vaccinated (median [IQR] age: 53 [33-68] years; 4 010 343 [51.4%] female), 6 251 417 (79.5%) received an mRNA vaccine, 550 439 (7.0%) received an adenoviral vector vaccine, and 1 061 561 (13.5%) received a mix of vaccines and 4 497 875 (57.2%) were boosted. Compared with unvaccinated people, IRR of individuals who received an mRNA vaccine within 120 days from the last dosewas 0.03 (95% CI, 0.03-0.04; P <.001), whereas IRR of individuals who received an adenoviral vector vaccine after 120 days was 0.21 (95% CI, 0.19-0.24; P <.001). There were 553 patients admitted to an ICU for COVID-19 pneumonia during the study period: 139 patients (25.1%) were vaccinated and 414 (74.9%) were unvaccinated. Compared with unvaccinated patients, vaccinated patients were older (median [IQR]: 72 [66-76] vs 60 [51-69] years; P <.001), primarily male individuals (110 patients [ 79.1%] vs 252 patients [60.9%]; P <.001), with more comorbidities (median [IQR]: 2 [1-3] vs 0 [0-1] comorbidities; P <.001) and had higher ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO(2)) at ICU admission (median [IQR]: 138 [100-180] vs 120 [90-158] mm Hg; P =.007). Factors associated with ICU and hospital mortality were higher age, premorbid heart disease, lower PaO2/FiO(2) at ICU admission, and female sex (this factor only for ICU mortality). ICU and hospital mortality were similar between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cohort study, mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines were associated with significantly lower risk of ICU admission for COVID-19 pneumonia. ICU and hospital mortality were not associated with vaccinated status.These findings suggest a substantial reduction of the risk of developing COVID-19-related severe acute respiratory failure requiring ICU admission among vaccinated people

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p

Preface of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems

This volume contains the proceedings of the 31st Italian Symposium on Advanced Database Systems (SEBD - Sistemi Evoluti per Basi di Dati), held in Galzinagno Terme (Padua, Italy) from 2 to 5 July 2023.</p

Updated guidance on the management of COVID-19:from an American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society coordinated International Task Force (29 July 2020)

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2. Consensus suggestions can standardise care, thereby improving outcomes and facilitating future research. METHODS: An International Task Force was composed and agreement regarding courses of action was measured using the Convergence of Opinion on Recommendations and Evidence (CORE) process. 70% agreement was necessary to make a consensus suggestion. RESULTS: The Task Force made consensus suggestions to treat patients with acute COVID-19 pneumonia with remdesivir and dexamethasone but suggested against hydroxychloroquine except in the context of a clinical trial; these are revisions of prior suggestions resulting from the interim publication of several randomised trials. It also suggested that COVID-19 patients with a venous thromboembolic event be treated with therapeutic anticoagulant therapy for 3 months. The Task Force was unable to reach sufficient agreement to yield consensus suggestions for the post-hospital care of COVID-19 survivors. The Task Force fell one vote shy of suggesting routine screening for depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The Task Force addressed questions related to pharmacotherapy in patients with COVID-19 and the post-hospital care of survivors, yielding several consensus suggestions. Management options for which there is insufficient agreement to formulate a suggestion represent research priorities.status: Published onlin

Functionalization of carbon-bonded ceramic foam filters with nano-scaled materials for steel melt filtration

In order to improve the purity of steel castings, the use of special reactive coatings on carbon-bonded ceramic foam filters was explored. Carbon nanotubes were dispersed in water by means of ultrasonic treatment, using xanthan gum to stabilize the nanotubes in suspension and control the rheological behavior. The coatings were applied by cold spraying and binding was achieved during heat treatment in reducing atmosphere, thanks to an artificial pitch added to the slurry. The coated filters were successfully immersed in molten steel for different times. The thickness of the first alumina layer generated at the interface was independent of the immersion time: concentration gradients through its thickness suggested that the formation of this structure is limited by diffusion. Investigation of the steel after solidification by means of ASPEX showed that the presence of the coating influenced the size as well as the chemical composition of the remaining inclusions. Nano-coated filters had the best filtration efficiency (up to 95% for alumina inclusions after 10 s), but longer tests resulted in worse performance. In addition, coatings based on calcium aluminates in combination with carbon showed an efficiency greater than 97% for steel samples taken directly from the melt

Fosfori silicatici e silico ossinitruri da polimeri preceramici e fillers nanometrici

Sintesi di materiali ceramici che presentano il fenomeno della fotoluminescenza, per la realizzazione di LEDs a luce bianca. Questi sono vantaggiosi rispetto alle tradizionali lampade a incandescenza e fluorescenza, ma richiedono fosfori con assorbimento nell'UV o blu, alta efficienza di emissione e ottima stabilit termica e chimica. La tecnica di sintesi PDCs utilizza polimeri preceramici mescolati con fillers nanometrici, e permette di lavorare con temperature e tempi ridotti se paragonati alle tecniche tradizionali. In laboratorio sono stati preparati dei silicati drogati con Eu3+ attraverso un trattamento termico in aria a 1300C per 1h: i materiali sono cristallini ed emettono nel rosso. In seguito i batch di partenza sono stati trattati in azoto per ottenere fasi nitrurate e variare le propriet di emissione. Sono state preparate delle fasi Y-SiON drogate con Ce3+, che emettono nel blu. Infine si lavorato alla sintesi di ceramici Ca-alfa-sialon a partire da polisilazan