Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A Study on Effect of Smart Phone Usage on Cardiovascular and Hematological Parameters in Adult Population

Background: Worldwide, mobile phone usage has increased dramatically which could have affected the health of the people in India and across the globe as well. Mobile phone radiation may impact cardiovascular parameters like heart rate and other physiological parameters1 therefore it is highly suggested to explore the impact of mobile phone usage on the health of the human beings. Materials & methods: The present study was conducted at Integral university campus, Lucknow (From January 2019 to June 2019) in the Department of Physiology of IIMS&R, Lucknow. A total of 197 adult population were recruited who underwent monitoring for the study purposes. Blood pressure both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) was recorded using mercury sphygmomanometer. Total white blood cells (WBC) count was done by Haemocytometer method using Turk’s fluid as diluent. Cells were counted manually using compound microscope. Results: In our study, Subjects (n=21) whose systolic blood pressure were recorded to be >140 mmHg accounting for 10.65% of total subjects. Subjects (n=2) whose diastolic blood pressure were recorded >90 mmHg whose percentage is 1.01 of the total subjects studied. After adjustment for age and sex, the positive correlation was found between the duration of mobile phone usage and SBP, DBP with a p value of 0.169 and 0.386 respectively. Total WBC count was found to be higher than normal range in two number of subjects with a p value of 0.715. Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that the electromagnetic field created by mobile phone’s usage can change blood pressure (SBP, DBP) and can induce changes in the population of white blood cells

Comprehensive Study on the Properties of AZ91/x-Si₃N₄ Composites for Their Prospective Application

Metal alloy matrix composites are generally lightweight structural materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio. They can be extensively used in various fields of modern engineering applications, such as aerospace and automotive components and biomedical engineering. This study focuses on the development and characterization of lightweight metal alloy matrix composites for industrial applications, with a particular emphasis on magnesium (Mg) alloys as a replacement for aluminum-based alloys. Mg alloys offer significant weight advantages, being 33% lighter than aluminum and 75% lighter than steel, making them highly desirable for use in various engineering fields. In the present study, Mg (AZ91) alloy reinforced with x-Si3N4 composites (x = 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 wt.%) were fabricated using a liquid state process. The AZ91/x-Si3N4 composites were evaluated through physical, mechanical, wear, and microstructural characterization. The experimental results, supported by statistical analysis, demonstrated that the incorporation of Si3N4 particles amplified the mechanical properties, wear resistance, and porosity of the composites. However, the presence of the reinforced particles resulted in reduced forgeability and elongation, limiting certain deformation characteristics. The existence of the reinforced particles within the composites was confirmed through SEM analysis, providing visual evidence of their distribution and interaction within the Mg alloy matrix. Finally, it was concluded that the implication of the study could be sought for the light structural parts of aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and prosthetic applications

A Review of Cobalt-Based Metal Hydroxide Electrode for Applications in Supercapacitors

Supercapacitors are the cutting-edge, high performing, and emerging energy storage devices in the future of energy storage technology. It delivers high energy and produces higher specific capacitances. This research study provides insights into supercapacitor materials and their potential applications by examining different battery technologies compared with supercapacitors’ advantages and disadvantages. Transition metal hydroxides (cobalt hydroxides) have been studied to develop electrodes for supercapacitors and their use in various fields of energy and conversion devices. Cobalt-based metal oxides and hydroxides provide high-capacitance electrodes for supercapacitors. Metal hydroxides combine high electrical conductivity and excellent stability over time. The metal oxides used to prepare the electrodes for supercapacitors are cobalt-based metal oxides and hydroxides. It is stronger than most of the other oxides and has tremendous electrical conductivity. Cobalt hydroxides are also used in supercapacitors instead of other metal hydroxides, such as aluminum hydroxide, copper hydroxide, and nickel hydroxide. This study gives a complete overview of the preparation, synthesis, analysis, and characterization of cobalt hydroxide thin film electrodes by using the electrochemical deposition technique, parameters measurements, important characteristics, material properties, various applications, and future enhancement in supercapacitors