Effect of powder composition, PTAW parameters on dilution, microstructure and hardness of Ni-Cr-Si-B alloy deposition: Experimental investigation and prediction using machine learning technique.

The implementation of hard-facing alloy on the existing materials caters the need for high-performance surfaces in terms of wear and high temperatures. The present research explore the effect of Plasma Transferred Arc Welding (PTAW) parameters and powder composition on dilution, microstructure and hardness of the commonly used hard-facing alloy Ni-Cr-Si-B powder. The hard-facing alloy was deposited with three weight proportions of boron (2.5 %, 3 % and 3.5 %). The statistical-based Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) followed by a Machine Learning Algorithm (MLA) was implemented to identify the ideal parameters and degree of significance of each parameter and for the prediction of the responses. The dilution percentage, microstructure analysis, and phase detection were estimated through elemental analysis, Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) respectively. The experimental and modelling results revealed that 400 mm/min of scanning speed, 8 gm/min of powder delivery, 14 mm of stand-off distance, and 120 A of current were the optimal parameters along with 3.5 wt% of boron powder composition to yield a better dilution, microstructure and hardness.

The Impact of Cancer on Mental Health and the Importance of Supportive Services.

Cancer is a complex disease that affects the physical and psychological well-being of the patient, their families, and caregivers. Indeed, cancer-related mental health disorders could impact treatment adherence, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. In addition, approximately 30% of patients may experience cancer-related psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Also, caregivers of patients with cancer can experience significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, which can have a negative impact on their health. Therefore, to address these issues, mental health resources should be integrated into cancer care settings to identify and intervene early for individuals with psychological distress. Hence, providing psychological support, counseling, and education about coping strategies could create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can express their emotions, reducing feelings of isolation and depression. However, there are some important barriers to accessing mental health support for individuals with cancer, including stigma, cultural attitudes, and financial and logistical challenges. Hence, strategies to overcome these barriers include increasing awareness and education about the importance of mental health care, providing integrated care that addresses both physical and mental health needs, and utilizing telehealth services. So, healthcare providers should continue to develop and implement innovative approaches to mental health care that are tailored to the essential requirements of individuals with cancer and to enhance knowledge regarding the key roles of mental health care for individuals with cancer.

Assessment of Post COVID-19 Health Problems and its Determinants in North India: A descriptive cross section study

With millions of people getting affected with COVID-19 pandemic caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), people living with post COVID-19 Symptoms (PCS) are expected to rise in the future{middle dot} The present study aimed at assessing PCS comprehensively and its associated factors among COVID-19 recovered adult population in north India. MethodsIn a tertiary health centre at Delhi, an online based cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire, developed by employing a nominal group technique, in aged 18 years and above who were SARS-CoV-2 positive during the month of January to April 2021. Socio-demographic, various potential risk factors, including pre-existing morbidities, vaccination status, and severity of acute COVID-19 illness, information on acute illness for management and a spectrum of PCS were collected between June 16 to July 28, 2021. Each participant was contacted telephonically before sending the survey link. PCS were presented as relative frequency; chi-square test, odds ratio, including adjusted, were calculated to rule out association between PCS and potential predictors. ResultsA total of 773 of 1801 COVID recovered participants responded to the link reaching a participation rate of 42{middle dot}9%, with a median age of 34 years (IQR 27 to 44). Male respondents were 56{middle dot}4%. Around 33{middle dot}2% of them had PCS at four or more weeks, affecting almost all body organ systems. The most prevalent PCS were fatigue (79{middle dot}3%), pain in the joins (33{middle dot}4%), muscle (29{middle dot}9%), hair loss (28{middle dot}0%), headache (27{middle dot}2%), breathlessness (25{middle dot}3%), sleep disturbance (25{middle dot}3%) and cough (24{middle dot}9%). The prevalence of PCS was reduced to 12{middle dot}8% at 12 weeks after positive test. Factor such as female gender, older age, oxygen supplementation during the acute illness, working in healthcare care facilities, the severity of acute illness, and pre-existing co-morbid were risk factors for PCS. Further, vaccination (second dose) reduced the odds of developing PCS by 45% compared to unvaccinated participants (aOR 0{middle dot}65; 95%CI 0{middle dot}45-0{middle dot}96). Finally, 8{middle dot}3% of participants rated their overall health status was either poor or very poor following COVID-19 illness. ConclusionsThe PCS involves almost all organ systems, regardless of the severity of acute COVID-19 illness. Two doses of vaccine help to reduce development of PCS. Research in ContextO_ST_ABSEvidence before this studyC_ST_ABSAlthough the evidence is mounting in prolonged COVID-19 symptoms among COVID-19 survivors, to date, the full range of such post-COVID-19 symptoms (PCS) is not yet fully understood. There is a lack of studies that assessed PCS comprehensively among persons who have recovered from the COVID-19illness. For example, limited data are available on psychosocial, behavioral, and oral manifestations related to PCS. Further, there is a paucity of studies that included a wide range of determinants of PCS and the association of vaccination with the development of PCS across the world. Our study is the first such study conducted among COVID-19 recovered persons who with a majority of them employed in a tertiary health care institute of north India. Added value of this studyOur study, for the first time, investigated a wide range of post-COVID-19 manifestations among COVID-19 recovered persons in organ-specific and psychosocial behavioral aspects, making this the largest categorization of PCS currently (in total 16). The study included telephonic calls to each eligible candidate which helped in ensuring the COVID-19 status at the time of the study. Since the participants either were employees in the hospital or their dependents that enhance the accuracy of reporting PCS. The most prevalent symptom was unspecific PCS (85.6%), e.g., fatigue, followed by musculoskeletal manifestations (49{middle dot}8%), Ear, Nose and Throat symptoms (47{middle dot}5%), neurological (47{middle dot}0%), cardio-respiratory (42{middle dot}4%, gastrointestinal (36{middle dot}2%), ocular symptoms (31{middle dot}9%), dermatological symptoms (31{middle dot}5%), and cardio-vascular (24{middle dot}5%) symptoms, and mental health symptoms (23{middle dot}7%). The rest of the organ specific symptoms were observed in less than 20% of the respondents. Older age, female gender, pre-existing co-morbid, oxygen supplementation during acute illness, the severity of illness, working in health care institutions were associated with PCS. Vaccination after the second dose was protective against PCS compared to non-vaccinated participants. Further, our study also reported a rating of the overall health status among COVID survivors, whereby around 8.3% of them reported being a poor or very poor health. Implications of all the available evidencePCS affects a multi-organ organ system, irrespective of the severity of acute-phase COVID-19 illness and hospitalization. Such persistent COVID-19 symptoms, compounded by its heterogeneity among COVID survivors can pose a substantial burden to the affected individuals and their families and additional challenges for healthcare delivery and public health service. The current study shows that one in three individuals experience persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Since the COVID pandemic is still ongoing across the world, therefore, the number of people experiencing PCS is likely to be increased substantially further. An integrated PCS care strategy, but not limited to organ-specific healthcare disciplines, others such as psychosocial support, including counseling and education, rehabilitation, community-based rehabilitation programs will be required for management. Prioritization of PCS care to elder and co-morbid patients should be recommended. Expediting the vaccination drive will be helpful to reduce the development of persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Research, collaborative and multidisciplinary, is required to understand the underlying pathophysiology mechanism for PCS.