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High-performance alloys such as super duplex stainless steels (SDSS) are of interest to the oil and gas industry, especially in deep and ultra-deep reservoirs where high pressures and highly corrosive environments are prevalent. SDSS have high nitrogen contents and pitting resistant equivalent number (PREN) values greater than 40, however, fusion welds of these alloys can exhibit unsuitable microstructures and defects that may result in failure during usage. Solid-state linear friction welding (LFW) offers an alternative for the effective joining of SDSS with a less detrimental effect on microstructure and properties. In this work, four LFW joints in UNS S32760 SDSS were produced and investigated by evaluating the process parameters required to achieve a high-quality joint with the desirable metallurgical, mechanical, and localized corrosion properties. These properties were assessed through metallography (optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy), tensile and microhardness tests, and corrosion analysis according to the ASTM G48A standard. Results indicated that one specific combination of LFW parameters led to a defect-free joint, and that the mechanical properties of the weld in this case were comparable to those of the base material. Additionally, an adequate balance between ferrite and austenite phases was achieved throughout the microstructural gradients seen in the weld region. Microhardness values were below 350 HV, thus complying with the DNV–OS–F101 standard. Furthermore, no pitting corrosion was observed in this joint under the testing conditions suggested by ASTM G48A.

The first search for the lepton number violating decay K+→π0π−μ+e+ and lepton flavour violating decays K+→π0π+μ−e+, K+→π0π+μ+e− has been performed using a dataset collected by the NA62 experiment at CERN in 2016–2018. Upper limits of 2.9×10−10, 3.1×10−10 and 5.0×10−10, respectively, are obtained at 90% CL for the branching ratios of the three decays on the assumption of uniform phase-space distributions.

Arterial hypertension has remained the world's leading cause of morbidity and mortality for more than 20 years. While early Genome-Wide Association Studies raised the hypothesis that a precision medicine approach could be implemented in the treatment of hypertension, the large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms that were found to be associated with blood pressure and their limited impact on the blood pressure values have initially hampered these expectations. With the development and refinement of gene-editing and RNA-based approaches allowing selective and organ-specific modulation of critical systems involved in blood pressure regulation, a renewed interest in genetic treatments for hypertension has emerged. The CRISPR-Cas9 system, antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) have been used to specifically target the hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT) production, with the scope of safely but effectively reducing the activation of the renin-angiotensin system, ultimately leading to an effective reduction of the blood pressure with extremely simplified treatment regimens that involve weekly, monthly or even once-in-life injection of the drugs. Among the various approaches, siRNA and ASO that reduce hepatic AGT production are in advanced development, with phase I and II clinical trials showing their safety and effectiveness. In the current manuscript, we review the mode of action of these new approaches to hypertension treatment, discussing the results of the clinical trials and their potential to revolutionize the management of hypertension.

Objetivo: Caracterizar a educação interprofissional (EIP) e a aprendizagem colaborativa no cotidiano das residências em saúde. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura (RIL), na qual foram buscados estudos disponíveis nas bases da Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Biblioteca Virtual da Saúde (BVS) do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, PubMed e Web of Science (WOS), publicados entre 2005 e 2022. Resultados: Foram localizadas 797 publicações, sendo 66 excluídas pelo critério da repetição. Títulos e resumos de 731 publicações foram revisados e 87 artigos selecionados e lidos na íntegra. Nessa etapa, dois revisores independentes realizaram a leitura para assegurar uma seleção precisa. A amostra final foi constituída por 22 artigos, publicados entre 2009 e 2022, realizados nos Estados Unidos, Brasil e Canadá. Os resultados identificaram a percepção dos residentes sobre a interprofissionalidade e as relações interprofissionais, a partir de estudos realizados com residentes, médicos e equipe multiprofissional. A falta de conhecimento do papel de cada profissão, as relações de poder presentes no cotidiano do trabalho e a lógica produtivista nos serviços de saúde, interferiram negativamente na prática colaborativa. Das intervenções de EIP realizadas com residentes, com o propósito de auxiliar no desenvolvimento de competências colaborativas, com ênfase para a comunicação interprofissional, a simulação foi a que apareceu com maior destaque nos estudos. Conclusão: A RIL confirmou que a EIP tem potencial para influenciar positivamente as atitudes e os comportamentos dos residentes, promovendo a prática colaborativa e a gestão de conflitos. Os recursos educacionais aplicados demonstraram benefícios na melhoria nas relações entre as diferentes profissões e à resolutividade no cuidado ao paciente.

Abstract Geopolymers are chemically bonded ceramics formed at room temperature and obtained using aluminosilicates and alkali activators. Geopolymers have found applications beyond construction, such as in wastewater treatment and ceramics. This research aims to develop geopolymers using coal mining waste (CMW) for various purposes. The waste used in this study was obtained from the Barro Branco layer in companies located in southern Santa Catarina/Brazil. The waste was thermally treated at 900 °C for 160 min, followed by grinding and characterization using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and particle size analysis. Geopolymeric samples were produced using 60 wt% waste, 25 wt% sodium silicate, and 15 wt% 10 M NaOH. The specimens were divided into three groups and cured using different methods. The results showed that thermal curing enhanced waste reactivity, reduced curing time, and improved compressive strength. However, long-term submersion curing decreased compressive strength due to sodium leaching, reducing reactivity.

Vane motion is a critical aspect of balanced vane pumps as related to efficiency, durability, and noise-vibration-harshness performance. Assessing the behavior of the under-vane pockets in those machines is relevant since the related pressure forces are recognized as important contributors to vane dynamics. Within this context, this work addresses a numerical-experimental approach for the under-vane pressure characterization of balanced vane pumps. The methodology is numerically based on transient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics models that simulate the fluid domains of the entire machine, under-vane pockets included. The experimental approach for under-vane monitoring is based on a remote pressure transducer linked to an under-vane pocket through an auxiliary conduit. The methodology is applied to an automotive machine, and a virtual-experimental campaign concerning dedicated samples is presented for pump characterization and model validation. The numerical results reveal a notable agreement with experiments, showing the suitability of the proposed modeling approach for under-vane pressure prediction. Special attention is devoted to the limitations of the described experimental method due to the frequency response behavior of the auxiliary conduit as underlined by the numerical results. The latter topic is further investigated through acoustic Finite Element Method and Helmholtz resonator lumped parameter models.

Poor oral bioavailability limits chlorogenic acid (CGA) benefits on the gut-brain axis. In this study we demonstrate the existence of an active circadian-dependent efflux for the CGA intestinal permeation, leading to greater bioavailability in the evening rather than in the morning. As therapeutic/nutraceutical polyphenols can mutually influence their intestinal absorption following circadian rhythms, we also evaluated the effects of other polyphenols on CGA permeation/bioavailability. The results indicate that gallic acid reduced in vitro CGA permeation across IEC-6 cell monolayers, as well as rat oral CGA bioavailability. On the contrary, arbutin, caffeic acid and ferulic acid did not modify in vitro CGA permeation. Finally, 60 mM KCl-evoked dopamine release from PC12 cells significantly increased intestinal CGA permeation, likely by downregulating the expression/activity of efflux transporters, as confirmed by western blot analysis. Dopamine released from the enteric nervous system may therefore increase the dependence of oral bioavailability of CGA on circadian rhythms.

Abstract The NA48/2 experiment at CERN reports the first observation of the K ± → π 0 π 0 μ ± ν decay based on a sample of 2437 candidates with 15% background contamination collected in 2003–2004. The decay branching ratio in the kinematic region of the squared dilepton mass above 0.03 GeV2/c 4 is measured to be (0.65 ± 0.03) × 10 −6. The extrapolation to the full kinematic space, using a specific model, is found to be (3.45 ± 0.16) × 10 −6, in agreement with chiral perturbation theory predictions.

Abstract Asthma is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, and its prevalence and morbidity are influenced by a wide array of factors that are only partially understood. In addition to individual predisposition linked to genetic background and early life infections, environmental factors are crucial in determining the impact of asthma both on an individual patient and on a population level. Several studies have examined the role of the environment where asthmatic subjects live in the pathogenesis of asthma. This review aims to investigate the differences in the prevalence and characteristics of asthma between the pediatric population residing at higher altitudes and children living at lower altitudes, trying to define factors that potentially determine such differences. For this purpose, we reviewed articles from the literature concerning observational studies assessing the prevalence of pediatric asthma in these populations and its characteristics, such as spirometric and laboratory parameters and associated sensitization to aeroallergens. Despite the heterogeneity of the environments examined, the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of residing at a higher altitude on the prevalence of pediatric asthma could be confirmed, as well as a good profile on airway inflammation in asthmatic children. However, the possibility of a higher hospitalization risk for asthma in children living at higher altitudes was demonstrated. Moreover, a positive association between residing at a higher altitude and sensitization to pollens and between lower altitude and sensitization to house dust mites could be confirmed in some pediatric patients, even if the results are not homogeneous, probably due to the different geographical and climatic regions considered. Nonetheless, further studies, e.g., extensive and international works, need to be conducted to better understand the complex interplay between different environmental factors, such as altitude, and the pathogenesis of asthma and how its prevalence and characteristics could vary due to climate change.

Abstract Measurement of the ultra-rare K + → π + ν ν ¯ $$ {K}^{+}\to {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ decay at the NA62 experiment at CERN requires high-performance particle identification to distinguish muons from pions. Calorimetric identification currently in use, based on a boosted decision tree algorithm, achieves a muon misidentification probability of 1.2 × 10 −5 for a pion identification efficiency of 75% in the momentum range of 15–40 GeV/c. In this work, calorimetric identification performance is improved by developing an algorithm based on a convolutional neural network classifier augmented by a filter. Muon misidentification probability is reduced by a factor of six with respect to the current value for a fixed pion-identification efficiency of 75%. Alternatively, pion identification efficiency is improved from 72% to 91% for a fixed muon misidentification probability of 10 −5.

Delivery represents a major hurdle to the clinical advancement of oligonucleotide therapeutics for the treatment of disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this preliminary study, we explored the ability of 2′-O-methyl-phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) conjugated with lipophilic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to permeate across intestinal barriers in vitro by a co-culture system of non-contacting IEC-6 cells and DMD myotubes, either alone or encapsulated in exosomes. UDCA was used to enhance the lipophilicity and membrane permeability of ASOs, potentially improving oral bioavailability. Exosomes were employed due to their biocompatibility and ability to deliver therapeutic cargo across biological barriers. Exon skipping was evaluated in the DMD myotubes to reveal the targeting efficiency. Exosomes extracted from milk and wild-type myotubes loaded with 5′-UDC-3′Cy3-ASO and seeded directly on DMD myotubes appear able to fuse to myotubes and induce exon skipping, up to ~20%. Permeation studies using the co-culture system were performed with 5′-UDC-3′Cy3-ASO 51 alone or loaded in milk-derived exosomes. In this setting, only gymnotic delivery induced significant levels of exon skipping (almost 30%) implying a possible role of the intestinal cells in enhancing delivery of ASOs. These results warrant further investigations to elucidate the delivery of ASOs by gymnosis or exosomes.