Revealing hot tear formation dynamics in Al–Cu alloys with X-ray radiography

Hot tears can arise during the late part of alloy solidification because of the shrinkage of isolated liquid as it turns to solid and may have a catastrophic effect on cast tensile properties. Although there are correlations to suggest alloy hot tear sensitivity to casting conditions, they do not capture the influence of microstructure on tearing, such as second-phase particles or intermetallic compounds (IMCs) commonly present in engineering alloys. We use in situ X-ray radiography to quantify the formation and growth behaviour of hot tears in Al-5Cu and Al-5Cu-1Fe alloys during solidification. An automated hot tear detection, tracking and merging algorithm is developed and applied to reveal the role of Fe-rich IMC particles, typical of recycled alloys, on hot tear behaviour. These defects are termed hot tears here on the basis of their complex, extended inter-connected morphology, distinct from more rounded shrinkage porosity. We also visualise and quantify the velocity of interdendritic flow driven by solidification shrinkage, and estimate the pressure changes due to shrinkage. Hot tearing starts at lower solid fraction when IMCs are present due to reduced interdendritic flow, and hot tear formation is more spatially homogeneous, less clustered and more numerous. We show that the largest, most damaging hot tears form from many merging events, that is enhanced by the presence of IMCs

Comparison between a new thyroglobulin assay with the well-established Beckman Access immunoassay: A preliminary report

Objectives: Measurement of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) plays a key role in the post-thyroidectomy management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). In this context, the performance of new-generation thyroglobulin assay has clinical implications in the follow-up of DTC patients. Aim of this study was to compare the new highly sensitive Liaison Tg II (Tg-L) with the well-established Tg Access assay (Tg-A). Materials and methods: A total of 91 residual serum samples (23 positive and 68 negatives for Tg auto-antibodies) were tested by the Beckman Access and Diasorin Liaison assays. Study samples were from 21 patients with pathologically proven DTC and control samples from 70 (16 patients with benign thyroid disease and 54 apparently healthy subjects). Results: Our results showed that Tg-L was highly correlated with Tg-A for both values ranging between 0.2 and 50 ng/mL (Pearson's r = 0.933 [95%CI 0.894-0.958], P <.001) and higher than 50 ng/mL (Pearson's r = 0.849 [95%CI 0.609-0.946], P <.001). For Tg values lower than 0.2 ng/mL, the overall concordance rate was 92%. Moreover, we tested 7 fine-needle aspiration washout fluids (FNA), showing an overall concordance rate in discriminating negative and positive of 100%. Finally, we found no interference by Tg auto-antibodies (TgAbs) for both Tg-L and Tg-A. Conversely, rheumatoid factor (RF) interferes with Tg-A, but not with Tg-L in one patient with no relapsing thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions: Liaison Tg II demonstrated a good correlation with Access Tg assay both for sera and FNAs. Further studies on larger population are needed to evaluate Tg-L clinical impact on DTC patient's follow-up

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Effectiveness of expressive writing protocol in palliative care healthworkers: A quantitative study

Background and aim of the work: Palliative Care professionals are exposed to intense emotional envi-ronment. This puts them at risk for Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. The protective factors that can counter their onset are Compassion Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment and Resilience. Expressive Writing is a valid tool for adapting to traumatic events and enhancing psychological well-being. Aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the Expressive Writing in Palliative Care professionals on Compassion Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment, Resilience, Compassion Fatigue and perceived distress. Methods: Prospective experimental study with experimental/control groups and pre/post measurements. 50 Palliative Care professionals were recruited in Northern and Central Italy. Participants filled: Organizational Commitment Questionnaire; ProQol-revision III; Resilience Scale for Adults; Impact of Event-Scale Revised; Emotion Thermometer; ad hoc questionnaire for the evaluation of protocol usefulness. Results: Wilcoxon test demon-strated change in Continuative Commitment (Z =-3.357, p = .001), anger (Z =-2.214, p = .027), sleep (Z =-2.268, p = .023), help (Z =-2.184, p = .029), intrusiveness (Z =-2.469, p = .014), hyperarousal (Z =-2.717, p = .007), and total IES (Z =-2.456, p =, 014). Mann Whitney test showed a significantly lower score on post-test Intrusiveness in the experimental group (U = 202, p = .038). Conclusions: The Expressive Writing intervention was effective in improving organizational and emotional variables. Expressive Writing supports healthcare professionals in relieving the burden of traumatic episodes, ordering associated thoughts and emo-tions, and implementing a process of deep comprehension

Biological vulnerability to depression: Linked structural and functional brain network findings

Background: Patients in recovery following episodes of major depressive disorder (MDD) remain highly vulnerable to future recurrence. Although psychological determinants of this risk are well established, little is known about associated biological mechanisms. Recent work has implicated the default mode network (DMN) in this vulnerability but specific hypotheses remain untested within the high risk, recovered state of MDD. Aims: To test the hypothesis that there is excessive DMN functional connectivity during task performance within recovered-state MDD and to test for connected DMN cortical gyrification abnormalities. Method: A multimodal structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, including task-based functional connectivity and cortical folding analysis, comparing 20 recoveredstate patients with MDD with 20 matched healthy controls. Results: The MDD group showed significant task-based DMN hyperconnectivity, associated with hypogyrification of key DMN regions (bilateral precuneus). Conclusions: This is the first evidence of connected structural and functional DMN abnormalities in recovered-state MDD, supporting recent hypotheses on biological-level vulnerability

Resistante to mercury of endophytic bacteria obtained in contaminated sites.

Strategies for remediation of soils contaminated with mercury (Hg) are important and necessary. Several bacterial species interfere with biogeochemical cycle of mercury and are potential tools in bioremediation and/or phytoremediation programs. These bacteria are resistant to mercury and the main mechanism of resistance is mediated by proteins codificated by operon mer. This study aims to determine the level of resistance to mercury of endophytic bacteria and detect the presence of merA gene

Endophytic bacterium isolated of hosts present in contaminated areas by mercury in Pantanal mato-grossense.

The mercury is a contaminant in gold mining in the city of Poconé. This heavy metal is a toxic in different organisms and affect the human by bioaccumulation process causing a serie of cronic diseases. Mercury can be easily absorbed by plants and be accumulated in the human body through the food chain. The hypothesis is microorganism that is in association with plants, that survive in contaminated areas with mercury, provide greater resistance to contaminant and possibly an increased frequency of colonization. In this way, the aim of this study was to isolate endophytic bacterium that exhibit resistance to mercury

Alertness and visuospatial attention in clinical depression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cognitive deficits are a substantial burden in clinical depression. The present study considered dysfunction in the right-hemispheric attention network in depression, examining alertness and visuospatial attention.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three computerized visuospatial attention tests and an alertness test were administered to 16 depressive patients and 16 matched healthy controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Although no significant group effect was observed, alertness predicted reduced visuospatial performance in the left hemifield. Furthermore, sad mood showed a trend towards predicting left visual field omissions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Decreased alertness may lead to lower left hemifield visuospatial attention; this mechanism may be responsible for a spatial bias to the right side in depression, even though treatment of depression and anxiety may reduce this cognitive deficit.</p

Isolation of endophytic fungi in environments with and without traces of mercury contamination, Pantanal of Mato Grosso.

The mining activity in Mato Grosso is an economic source for many cities, especially in Poconé, where this activity is responsible for significant change in the landscape and the contamination of the ecosystem by mercury. This results in serious damage to biota enhanced by bioaccumulation capacity. Mercury is toxic to all organisms, however, some microorganisms have innate or acquired tolerance to metal. Therefore, our hypothesis is based on the premise that plants in contaminated environments with mercury harbor a specific community of endophytic fungi, therefore, variations in the colonization frequency of the endophytes in these plants are expected, when compared to places without contamination

Capacity resistance of endophytic fungi the mercury.

Contamination of biological systems by mercury represents a global concern, given the difficulty of degradation, persistence and potential toxicity of this metal in the environment. Remediation strategies of soils contaminated with mercury are required and the use of microorganisms as bioremediation agents is fully justified, in particular, the various mechanisms of tolerance to heavy metals allocated to them, particularly for fungi arising from various chemical processes, such as transformation valence, intra and extracellular precipitation and oxidation. Our hypothesis is that endophytic fungi isolated from areas contaminated by mercury present higher resistance to this metal