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The utilization of thermoplastics is extensively prevalent in modern industrial sectors owing to their distinctive mechanical features. Friction stir welding is recognized as a distinctive joining technology that addresses the weaknesses of heat-induced fusion welding. This friction-stirred solid-state welding technology can be effectively employed to join various difficult-to-weld polymeric materials. This paper examines the weldability of friction stir butt welding utilizing a cylindrical tapered threaded tool on a 3 mm thick Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polycarbonate (PC) polymers. The impact of tool rotational speed (800 and 1200 rpm) and tool traverse speed (10 mm/min to 50 mm/min) on the joint strength of welded samples has been analyzed. The maximum joint efficiency achieved is 52.71% for ABS while using a rotational speed of 1200 RPM and a traverse speed of 10 mm/min. For PC, the maximum joint efficiency is 54% with a rotational speed of 800 RPM and a traverse speed of 40 mm/min. The joint efficiency of polymer is significantly improved as a result of the effective heat distribution and fusion during the welding. The tensile strength of ABS polymer decreases as the traverse speed increases from 10 mm/min to 50 mm/min at both rotational speeds of 800 and 1200 rpm. However, the tensile strength of PC polymer exhibits fluctuations as the traverse speed increases from 10 mm/min to 50 mm/min. This behavior may be attributed to the fluctuating heating and cooling conditions that occur during the welding process at varying rotation and traverse speeds. In contrast to the polymeric base material, the weld zone demonstrated a lower hardness value. The heated tool induces material softening, which results in a reduction in hardness. An examination of alterations in the microstructure of the weld zone was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and stereo microscopy. The observed microstructures were applied to determine the reasons for the decrease in strength. The micrographs illustrate the formation of a fragmentation, attributable to the residual stress generated during the rapid cooling of the liquid polymer. Moreover, a highly increased temperature or traverse speed may result in the formation of voids at the joint interface.

A 6-year-old boy, with a history of being operated for Wilms tumour, had presented to us with symptoms of insidious onset gradually increasing breathlessness on exertion. Echocardiography revealed 46×30 mm pedunculated homogenous mass attached to free wall of the left atrium prolapsing into left ventricle during diastole, severe pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction (figure 1). Since he had a contrast-enhanced CT scan abdomen a few months back which did not show any recurrence, provisional diagnosis of atypical left atrial myxoma was made. However, his chest X-ray revealed homogenous opacity in the left upper and middle zones, arising from the mediastinum (figure 1). Hence, a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest was repeated at our centre which revealed mass arising from the mediastinum invading the left pulmonary vein and entering into the left atrium (figure 2).

Ceramics are the oxides of metals and nonmetals with excellent compressive strength. Ceramics usually exhibit inert behavior at high temperatures. Magnesium aluminate (MgAl 2 O 4 ), a member of the ceramic family, possesses a high working temperature up to 2000°C, low thermal conductivity, high strength even at elevated temperatures, and good corrosion resistance. Moreover, Magnesium Aluminate Nanoparticles (MANPs) can be used in the making of refractory crucible applications. This study focuses on the thermal behavior of Magnesium Aluminate Nanoparticles (MANPs) and their application in the making of refractory crucibles. The molten salt method is used to obtain MANPs. The presence of MANPs is seen by XRD peaks ranging from 66° to 67°. The determination of the smallest crystallite size of the sample is achieved by utilizing the Scherrer formula and is found to be 15.3 nm. The SEM micrographs provided further information, indicating an average particle size of 91.2 nm. At 600°C, DSC curves show that only 0.05 W/g heat flows into the material, and the TGA curve shows only 3% weight loss, which is prominent for thermal insulation applications. To investigate the thermal properties, crucibles of pure MANPs and the different compositions of MANPs and pure alumina are prepared. During the sintering, cracks appear on the crucible of pure magnesium aluminate. To explore the reason for crack development, tablets of MgAl 2 O 4 are made and sintered at 1150°C. Ceramography shows the crack-free surfaces of all the tablets. Results confirm the thermal stability of MANPs at high temperatures and their suitability for melting crucible applications.

Background Cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) have been reported following vaccination with AZD1222 or Ad26.COV2.S. This review aimed to explore the pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of TTS. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify evidence on TTS till 4th September 2021. Case reports and series reporting patient-level data were included. Descriptive statistics were reported and compared across patients with different sexes, age groups, vaccines, types of thrombosis, and outcomes. Findings Sixty-two studies reporting 160 cases were included from 16 countries. Patients were predominantly females with a median age of 42.50 (22) years. AZD1222 was administered to 140 patients (87·5%). TTS onset occurred in a median of 9 (4) days after vaccination. Venous thrombosis was most common (61.0%). Most patients developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST; 66.3%). CVST was significantly more common in female vs male patients (p = 0·001) and in patients aged <45 years vs ≥45 years (p = 0·004). The mortality rate was 36.2%, and patients with suspected TTS, venous thrombosis, CVST, pulmonary embolism, or intraneural complications, patients not managed with non-heparin anticoagulants or IVIG, patients receiving platelet transfusions, and patients requiring intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, or inpatient neurosurgery were more likely to expire than recover. Interpretation These findings help to understand the pathophysiology of TTS while also recommending diagnostic and management approaches to improve prognosis in patients. Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Vital signs on presentation are heart rate 100/min and blood pressure 130/70 mm Hg. According to the Frank-Starling mechanism, reduced contractility after a weaker beat increases preload, leading to stronger subsequent beats and more complete ventricular emptying1 . Recommendations for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging endorsed by the Chinese Society of Echocardiography, the Inter-American Society of Echocardiography, and the Brazilian Department of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven time and time again to be a game-changer innovation in every walk of life, including medicine. Introduced by Dr. Gunn in 1976 to accurately diagnose acute abdominal pain and list potential differentials, AI has since come a long way. In particular, AI has been aiding in radiological diagnoses with good sensitivity and specificity by using machine learning algorithms. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, AI has proven to be more than just a tool to facilitate healthcare workers in decision making and limiting physician-patient contact during the pandemic. It has guided governments and key policymakers in formulating and implementing laws, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, to curb the spread of this viral disease. This has been made possible by the use of social media to map severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 hotspots, laying the basis of the \"smart lockdown\" strategy that has been adopted globally. However, these benefits might be accompanied with concerns regarding privacy and unconsented surveillance, necessitating authorities to develop sincere and ethical government-public relations.

Background Pulmonary hypertension in young children can be due to a myriad of conditions. Few aetiologies of pulmonary hypertension are potentially reversible. An extensive workup for the cause of pulmonary hypertension is a must before attributing it to idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. We describe an uncommon aetiology of pulmonary hypertension in a young boy. Case presentation A 12-year-old child, with past history of tubercular pleural effusion, presented with dyspnoea on exertion and easy fatiguability for 2 years. He was evaluated elsewhere and was being treated as primary pulmonary hypertension with pulmonary vasodilators. The child was revaluated since the clinical features were not completely favouring the diagnosis. On detailed evaluation, a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was made. He was referred for pericardiectomy. Conclusions Constrictive pericarditis presenting with severe pulmonary hypertension without congestive symptoms is very rare. In patients presenting with pulmonary hypertension, always look for a reversible cause before labeling them as idiopathic PAH.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are rapidly gaining traction in healthcare, offering transformative opportunities for patient care, medical education, and therapeutic interventions. Despite their potential, challenges remain regarding the implementation and integration of these technologies into existing healthcare practices. Objective: This review aims to explore the current applications of VR and AR in healthcare, particularly focusing on their roles in enhancing patient care and medical training, as well as identifying research gaps that hinder their widespread adoption. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across 2 primary databases, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search was restricted to peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2024. Reference lists of included articles were also examined for additional relevant studies. Inclusion criteria focused on empirical studies addressing the use of VR and/or AR in patient care or medical training, while editorial pieces, non-peer-reviewed sources, and unrelated studies were excluded. A total of 17 900 search results were identified on Google Scholar and 300 on PubMed, leading to the inclusion of 89 articles in this review. Results: The findings indicate that VR and AR technologies significantly enhance patient experiences and medical training, providing immersive and interactive environments for learning and practice. However, notable challenges include integration issues with existing electronic health record systems, the need for appropriate implementation models, and a lack of substantial evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of AR-assisted procedures. Conclusion: While VR and AR hold considerable promise in revolutionizing healthcare practices, further research is essential to address existing gaps, particularly regarding implementation strategies, user acceptance, and empirical evaluation of patient outcomes and training effectiveness. Understanding the needs of healthcare professionals and patients will be critical to maximizing the impact of these technologies in clinical settings.