Effect of Ayurvedic Intervention as an adjunct therapy in Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis (PCM): A non-randomized parallel group study

Background: The Ayurveda therapy is often used as an adjunct to conventional allopathic treatments for management of chronic disorders including life threatening infections such as post COVID-19 Mucormycosis (PCM). Aims/objectives: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the role of adjunct Ayurveda therapy (AAT + CAT) over conventional Allopathic therapy (CAT) in the prevention of progression of oral/orbital/neural extension of PCM. Material and methods: A non-randomised parallel group interventional study was on a sample of 92 cases of PCM, sorted into two groups i.e. group A (n = 46; AAT + CAT) and group B (n = 46; CAT/controls). The group A received AAT (lab-tested standardised regimen) while simultaneously receiving conventional antifungal measures (or CAT). The outcomes assessed were clinical symptomatic grading score, Nasal endoscopic examination for patency of sinuses, Progression or extension of disease from sinuses to maxilla, orbit and brain, need of additional surgical interventions and antifungal medication after study period, adverse drug reactions and mortality. Results: The group A (AAT + CAT)) had shown extension free PCM in 86.96% (n = 40) as opposed to 41.3% (n = 19) in group B (CAT), No surgical interventions were needed in 89.13% (n = 41) in group A vs. 60.87% (n = 28) in group B. Around 69.5% (n = 32) in group A vs. 4.37% (n = 2) in group B did not need antifungal medication. The safety of both arms of the therapy has been determined by liver function and renal profile which are with in normal range in both groups. Conclusion: Adjunct Ayurveda therapy (given along with routine medical therapy) for PCM showed a better cure and reduced disease progression after a trial period of 45 days and in the extended observational period of three months. AAT + CAT regimen is not only therapeutically effective, but also safe and economical option to consider for PCM

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Process Derived Al-TiO2 Nanocomposite

Aluminum-based composites have many advantages over their conventional counterparts. A major problem in such composites is the clustering of particles in the matrix. Friction stir processing (FSP) can homogenize particle distribution in aluminum-based composites. In this study, unannealed TiO2 particles were used to prepare Al-TiO2 nanocomposite using FSP. The TiO2 particles, about 1 A mu m, were dispersed into an aluminum matrix by 6 passes of FSP. The TiO2 particles were fractured by multiple FSP passes, leading to a nano-size particle distribution in the matrix. Nanoscale dispersion was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fractured TiO2 particles reacted with the aluminum matrix to form Al3Ti intermetallic and Al2O3 ceramic. The progression of the Al-TiO2 reaction from the fourth to the sixth pass of FSP was revealed by x-ray diffraction. Due to the nanoscale dispersion, the yield and ultimate tensile strength of the composite increased to 97 and 145 MPa, respectively. Ductility of the composite decreased marginally compared to the as-received aluminum. As the dispersed particles pin dislocations, the strain-hardening rate of the composite was considerably increased and the same was seen in the Kocks-Mecking plot. The TiO2 particles are mechanically activated due to their fracture during FSP, hence leading to reaction with the matrix. The particle refinement and dispersion lead to a homogeneous matrix with higher strength

Friction stir processing of squeeze cast A356 with surface compacted graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) for the synthesis of metal matrix composites

Friction stir processing (FSP) was applied to graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) physically compacted on the surface of squeeze cast A356 alloy to incorporate GNPs within the matrix and to improve its mechanical properties. Squeeze casting resulted in finer size silicon and intermetallic compounds in cast microstructure, and subsequently FSP further refined the microstructure of squeeze cast A356 alloy, and GNP reinforced A356 alloy. The finer Si particles, intermetallics and graphene dispersed in the matrix increased the yield and ultimate tensile strength of FSP squeeze cast A356 alloy compared to the results reported in prior literature for FSP A356 alloy. Eutectic Si needles have been converted to fine spherical particles during FSP and were uniformly distributed within the nugget zone. The crystallite size of GNPs which were physically adhered to the surface of squeeze cast alloy prior to FSP decreased after FSP as a result of deformation. Thus, a combination of squeeze casting, and friction stir processing and incorporation of GNPs reinforcement in the A356 matrix is a promising route to further improve its mechanical properties

Microstructure, mechanical properties and shape memory behaviour of friction stir welded nitinol

For the first time, NiTi shape memory alloy was successfully joined by Friction Stir Welding (FSW). The weld showed significant grain refinement without formation of detrimental phases. The yield strength of the weld joint increased by 17% as compared to the base metal without substantial change in shape memory behaviour

Exploring the functional and corrosion behavior of friction stir welded NiTi shape memory alloy

The friction stir welding was proved to be a promising process to weld NiTi shape memory alloy with adequate mechanical strength and retention of shape memory effect. In this work, the tool wear during welding and the compositional change in the weld cross section has been evaluated. The tensile cyclic behavior for different strain percentages has been investigated. Interestingly, the thermomechanical behavior of the weld was studied using electrical actuation. The actuation was carried out at different current and the actuation temperatures were corroborated with phase transformation temperature range measured using differential scanning calorimetry. A maximum displacement of 17.8 mm was recorded at the actuation current of 5 A. The electrochemical corrosion testing has been performed to understand the corrosion behavior of the friction stir welded NiTi. The weld has exhibited a lower corrosion resistance than the base metal as seen from the lower breakdown potential of 250 mV and a higher current density of 1.5 x 10(-4) mA/cm(2)