Precipitation in a novel maraging steel F1E: A study of austenitization and aging using small angle neutron scattering

The effect of austenitization temperature, aging temperature, and, aging time on the development of precipitates in a novel maraging steel known as F1E was investigated. The investigation primarily employed small angle neutron scattering (SANS) coupled with thermal calculations, atom probe tomography (APT) and electron microscopy (SEM, STEM, TEM). This large scale study investigated austenitization temperatures of 825, 870 and 960 °C with aging of 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 24 h conducted at 540 °C. For austenitization at 960 °C, aging at 520 °C and 560 °C was also conducted for the same aging times. This yielded 32 conditions where the size, shape and volume fraction of three different precipitates were determined, namely a pre-existing laves phase, a developing laves phase, and a developing β phase. Also observed in this study was a significant change in microstructure of the pre-existing laves precipitate as a result of aging time

Discharge against Medical Advice at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Gujarat, India

Objective. We explored reasons for discharged against medical advice (DAMA) of neonates from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through in-depth interviews of the parents/guardians. Methods. Of 456 babies admitted to NICU during April 2014 to March 2015, 116 babies were DAMA. Parents of randomly selected 50 babies of these 116, residing within 50 kilometers, were approached for in-depth interviews at their homes. Audio recordings were done and manually transcribed, analyzed in detail to explore common threads leading to DAMA. Basic demographic information of the newborns was retrieved from hospital records. Results. The prevalence of DAMA was 25.4%. Of 50 parents approached, 41 in-depth interviews were completed. Nonaffordability (38.6%), no improvement (14.6%), poor prognosis (12%), and inappropriate behavior of the patient relation office personnel (10.6%) were major factors contributing to DAMA. Parents of 6.6% neonates wanted guarantee of survival and 5.3% parents reported poor behavior of nurses. No gender bias was observed related to DAMA. One-third of neonates (34.1%) were DAMA on first day of admission. Conclusions. The issue of DAMA needs attention. Besides nonaffordability and clinical characteristics of the baby, communication (breaking bad news, counseling, etc.) and lack of adequate infrastructure for relatives emerged as modifiable factors leading to DAMA

Hybrid Welding of 45 mm High Strength Steel Sections

Thick section welding has significant importance for oil and gas industry in low temperature regions. Arc welding is usually employed providing suitable quality joints with acceptable toughness at low temperatures with very limited productivity compared to modern high power laser systems. Laser-arc hybrid welding (LAHW) can enhance the productivity by several times due to higher penetration depth from laser beam and combined advantages of both heat sources. LAHW was applied to join 45 mm high strength steel with double-sided technique and application of metal cored wire. The process was captured by high speed camera, allowing process observation in order to identify the relation of the process stability on weld imperfections and efficiency. Among the results, it was found that both arc power and presence of a gap increased penetration depth, and that higher welding speeds cause unstable processing and limits penetration depth. Over a wide range of heat inputs, the welds where found to consist of large amounts of fine-grained acicular ferrite in the upper 60-75% part of welds. At the root filler wire mixing was less and cooling faster, and thus found to have bainitic transformation. Toughness of deposited welds provided acceptable toughness at -50 °C with some scattering

Knowledge of umbilical cord blood banking among obstetricians and mothers in Anand and Kheda District, India

Background: To assess the knowledge of obstetricians and expectant mothers towards UCB banking and their awareness regarding pros and cons of the process. Methods: Questionnaires from a previously published study were modified contextually and translated into vernacular language (Gujarati). The questionnaires were distributed among 200 obstetricians, of which 100 responded and 100 mothers were in Anand and Kheda districts of India. Informed consent was taken for both. Results: Mean (SD) age of obstetricians was 47.5 years (11.14) with mean (SD) work experience of 19.72 years (9.94). Almost all were aware of collection procedure for UCB and felt that UCB banking is useful. Thirty obstetricians thought that stored blood can be used in conditions of Autism, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and all genetic conditions. Sixty-three were aware of the procedure technique. Majority felt that the process was feasible and would do it for their own child. All the 100 mothers approached consented for the study with average age (SD) of 26.88 (4.17). Many were not aware of such a procedure and were not certain about the usefulness of the procedure. Seventy-six did not know the conditions in which the stored blood can be used. Only 4 mothers/family members had opted for UCB banking, whereas 27 expressed their willingness to recommend UCB to another mother. Five Muslim women wanted UCB but could not pursue it due to religious norms. Conclusion: The level of understanding among obstetricians was not commensurate with the amount of faith with which they promoted UCB banking

Glycaemic Control of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Paediatric Patients before and after the Use of Telephonic Reinforcement: A Prospective Interventional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Western India

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common paediatric endocrine illnesses. It is a chronic condition that involves regular administration of insulin, meal planning, strict adherence to physical activity and home-based sugar monitoring. Regular follow-up is essential to prevent short-term and long-term complications. Telemedicine has been extensively used in the management of multiple chronic conditions in adults. However, there are limited studies showing the impact of telemedicine in T1DM paediatric patients in the Indian population. Aim: To compare the glycaemic control in paediatric T1DM patients, before and after the use of telephonic reinforcement. Materials and Methods: A prospective, interventional study was conducted at Shree Krishna Hospital, Karamsad, Gujarat, India with no sub-specialty clinic. The duration of the study was one year and five months, from November 2017 to April 2019. Paediatric patients upto the age of 18 years, diagnosed with T1DM (by paediatricians/physicians) were included in the study. The records of 64 patients were traced, 27 were enrolled prospectively for the study (who could be contacted and consented to the present study). The baseline weight, height, age, duration of T1DM, insulin dosage and baseline Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded. Majority of the patients 24 (89.4%) from rural area belonged to lower socioeconomic class, belonging to lower socioeconomic class. After receiving due consent, the patients/parents were provided telephonic reinforcement by a paediatrician to ensure regular sugar monitoring, solve queries of parents and to ensure regular follow-up. The clinical profile and parameters were repeated at three monthly intervals and compared. A paired t-test was used with a p-value=0.05 as a cut-off to compare data before and after intervention. Results: The mean and median ages of the study participants at diagnosis were found to be 8.9 years and 10.5 years, respectively. Average duration of T1DM was four years. On telephone, three things were reinforced: 1) To take insulin regularly as advised; 2) To come for follow-up regularly and 3) If any difficulties faced by them while taking insulin or coming for follow-up then to contact us. The patients were followed-up as per routine, diabetic care protocol every three months and value of HbA1c was reduced significantly during follow-up. The (p-value<0.001) showed a significant difference after telephonic reinforcement. Conclusion: Telephonic reinforcement improves control of T1DM, by improving laboratory parameters and compliance with regular follow-up