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INTRODUCTION: Although coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic does not result in increased blood needs, blood supply can be considerably compromised due to the unavailability of blood donors. The objective was to share our experience about blood donation patterns and concerns on blood safety during COVID-19 pandemic in India.METHODS: This was a retrospective study of approximately 4.5 months of data including both lockdown period (LD) and LD phases. LD phase was further subdivided into four phases of varying durations. Data of blood collected and various reasons for deferral of prospective donors were analyzed. The effectiveness of mitigation strategies adopted to maintain adequate blood inventory was also assessed. Events in transfusion services during the LD were compared with the pre-LD (P-LD) phase.RESULTS: The mean collection per day for WB and SDP was reduced by 70% and 50%, respectively, compared to pre-LD. Approximately 23% of WB and 27% of SDPs were collected on an appointment basis during LD. The proportion of indoor voluntary blood donation was increased by 7–8 times during LD compared to P-LD. Approximately 2% of total prospective donors screened were deferred after thermal scanning and due to risk of being infected with COVID-19. Donor deferrals due to high-risk behavior increased significantly in the LD phase compared to P-LD period.CONCLUSION: COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on the pattern of blood donation and blood safety. Transfusion services must develop appropriate plans to respond efficiently to various challenges posed by such pandemics.

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the effects of advanced heat treatment techniques on the mechanical properties of cast components. The study employs cutting-edge methodologies, including induction hardening, laser hardening, and cryogenic treatment, to modify the microstructure of various cast alloys. The primary focus is on the impact of these treatments on the hardness, tensile strength, ductility, and fatigue resistance of the materials. The experimental results reveal a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of the treated components, with notable improvements in wear resistance and structural integrity. The findings also underscore the potential of these advanced heat treatment techniques in extending the service life of cast components, thereby contributing to the sustainability of mechanical systems. This research provides a novel perspective on the optimization of heat treatment processes, offering valuable insights for the design and manufacturing sectors. The outcomes of this study have far-reaching implications for industries that rely heavily on cast components, including automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery, and pave the way for future research in this critical area of mechanical engineering.

In this study, we present an in-depth analysis of the microstructure and mechanical properties of cast materials, employing advanced characterization techniques. The research focuses on the utilization of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) for microstructural analysis, alongside nanoindentation and tensile testing for mechanical property evaluation. The materials under investigation include a variety of industrially relevant cast alloys, providing a comprehensive understanding of their behavior under different casting conditions. Our findings reveal a strong correlation between the microstructural features, such as grain size, phase distribution, and defect morphology, and the mechanical properties, including hardness, yield strength, and ductility. The study also highlights the influence of casting parameters on these properties, offering insights for optimizing casting processes. The results of this research not only contribute to the existing body of knowledge on cast materials but also pave the way for the development of advanced materials with tailored properties for specific applications. This work underscores the importance of integrated microstructural and mechanical characterization in understanding and predicting the performance of cast materials, thereby aiding in their effective utilization in various industrial sectors.

Organic farming has emerged as a sustainable solution to the adverse effects (diminished nutritional value, compromised food quality, environmental contamination, and public health hazards) that are usually associated with harmful chemical pesticides. To overcome such loss, one must explore the plantassociated microbes that are the naturally occurring root commensal and could positively improve crop health. In this review, we highlight the importance of the bacterial genus Rhodococcus, a subset of Actinobacteria that carries immense potential in enhancing crop yield and is associated with bioremediation of toxic pesticides and other chemicals to improve soil health. However, it has been noticed that few species of Rhodococcus are pathogenic for the plant (R. fascians) as well as humans/animals (R. equi). But still, the majority of Rhodococcus isolates are found to be nonpathogenic and carry substantial beneficial traits. Here, we have attempted to comprise those beneficial traits of the different members of the genus Rhodococcus. The main emphasis of this review article is to explore the major areas such as enzyme production, phytohormone synthesis, growth regulation, siderophore production, bioremediation, organic compound degradation, and environmental pollution control. Opinions towards the applications of advanced methodologies for utilizing the cumulative prospective potential of the genus Rhodococcus have also been discussed in the different sections of the review. Conclusively, this article gathers the scattered information from the past and recent literature about this bacteria and provides the future direction about how it can improve plant/soil health and eliminate toxic chemicals and environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces the development of an integrated data-based Electric Vehicle Accident Alert System (EVAAS), which is powered by Machine Learning, the Internet of Things(IoT), and cloud computing for better road safety & emergency handling by electric vehicles. The ESP8266-based system processes real-time GPS data using a K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classification algorithm to determine the likelihood of accidents in particular regions. When a crash happens, the EVAAS system will automatically send an SOS alert with accurate positioning data to one's pasted emergency contacts. EVAAS features a modular, plug-and-play design with an intuitive web interface for device registration and cloud integrations. Every device has a unique identifier linked to it on registration, so setup is easy and if need be quickly deployed in cars. Information from accidents is recorded continuously, and accident locations that are found get included in the ML model to increase prediction accuracy over time (the system teaches itself). This involves the use of Google Firebase for cloud services to enable enterprisegrade scalable and consistent data management. By converging the powers of IoT, ML and cloud technologies, we deliver resilient technology that is adaptable to changing EV-specific safety requirements, offering a human-centred approach. This paper also presents the architecture of EVAAS; model developments, IoT, and cloud integration are the focus of this study. We will also show performance measurements, detailing how accurate/fast/and scalable the system is. We end by discussing potential future improvements and externalities of such systems to enhance road safety in the era of electric mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Blood banks are responsible for notification and counseling of the reactive donors besides screening for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs). Donor notification and counseling is essential to protect the health of the donor by early clinical intervention and to prevent secondary transmission of infection. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-reactive donor notification and counseling in a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An audit of the records of HIV-reactive donors over 2 years was conducted. The response rate of HIV-reactive donors on notification about reactive HIV status for one-to-one counseling was evaluated. Their attendance at an integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC) and compliance at an antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic were also assessed. RESULTS: Out of 60,907 total donations, 124 (0.2%) donors were HIV reactive. One hundred and eleven were informed about their reactive status and the rest 13 could not be informed due to wrong demographic details in donor registration form. Eighty-seven (78%) reactive donors were informed by phone and the rest 24 (22%) were informed by confidential letter. Of the 111 informed donors, 62 (55.8%) came for one-to-one counseling (responders). Fifty-one (82.2%) responders visited ICTC after postdonation counseling. Over 6-month follow-up, 20/62 (32.2%) reactive donors were undergoing ART. CONCLUSION: The response rate of the donors to the notification and further receiving treatment is low in developing countries. Predonation screening and counseling by a trained counselor should be strengthened upon. Education of the donors about the TTIs can improve their knowledge and allay their anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]