ABSTRACT
Atmospheric pressure cold plasma generated using a radio frequency hollow cathode (RFHC) device recently showed its potent virucidal characteristics. For this purpose, the atmospheric pressure cold plasma of Ar was generated with a specially designed electrode using RF (13.56 MHz) power. In order to establish a correlation between the generated plasma species and its virucidal activity, systematic optical emission spectroscopy (OES) investigations were conducted on the plasma. OES studies revealed that the generated plasma using this device shows the emission of important species in the ultraviolet (UV) region and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the optimized operation condition, required for virucidal action. Furthermore, investigations revealed that similar active species can be generated by placing a commercial nebulizer in front of plasma. Investigations conducted on the aerosol capturing efficiency of N-95 mask revealed that cold plasma treatment leaves functional aspects of this medical personal protection equipment (PPE) unchanged. The results indicate that such an RF-HC device in combination with a nebulizer for introducing water mist in plasma can effectively destroy bacteriophage of Aeromonas bacteria at low operating power (70-90 W).
ABSTRACT
With the forced reboot of our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our interpersonal relationships are nowhere yet everywhere. However, opportunities for initiating or maintaining friendships and romance in the physical world have dwindled. Within the context of India where multiple realities exist, the question arises - what is the future of these relationships? In this paper, we present the outcomes of a workshop looking at the future of relationships using design fiction. Participants worked in small teams to create scenarios that critically consider the future of love, friendships, and romance within the Indian context. Through the lenses of criticality, empowerment, and value creation, we examine the design scenarios and the design process including criticality of the designs, empowering experiences of the participants, and the perceived value gained from participating in such a workshop. Our findings indicate the potential of design fiction to allow participants to step out of their comfort zone into a critical stance in discussing love and intimacy. Based upon our findings, we discuss implications for design research, practice, and education. © 2021 Owner/Author.
ABSTRACT
Aims&Objectives: To study the hematological parameters and platele tindices and correlate with the severity of disease in COVID-19 positive patients. Patients/Materials & Methods: A record based study conducted in a tertiary care centre included 125 COVID-19 positive patients diagnosed by either RT-PCR orrapidantigentest. The clinical data was retrieved from the case records and the cases were categorized as mild, moderate, severe and critical based on the consensus guidelines. Hematological parameters studied were hemoglobin, RBC indices, total leucocyte count, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet count, platelet indices (plateletcrit, platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume and platelet large cell ratio) and D-dimer. Each of the parameters were correlated with these verity of the disease and statistical analysis was done using IBMSPSS software. Results: The mean age was 53.3 years (range: 3-96 years) with male preponderance observed in 62.3% of cases. of the 125 cases, 57 patients were categorized as mild disease, 42 moderate, 16 severe and 10 with critical illness. Cases with severe and critical COVID-19 illness were associated with eosinopenia and neutrophillymphocyte ratio more than 3.3 (p value of both<0.05). Platelet count was normal in 69% cases. of the 39 patients with thrombocytopenia, as many as 59% had mild reduction (1.0-1.5 lakh/cumm). Among the various platelet parameters plateletcrit (PCT) was significantly lower in mild COVID illness in comparision with moderate to critical disease (p<0.05) while mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width was higher in severe and critical COVID illness (p value<0.05). PLCR did not show any statistical significance. Elevation of d-dimerlevels positively correlated with the severity of the disease. Patients with mild COVID-19 illness had mean D-dimer level of 0.86 Âμg/dl while patients with critical illness had 4.01 Âμg/ dl. Discussion & Conclusion: In addition to the known hematologic paratmeters implicated in COVID-19 illness such as NLR, eosinopenia and D-dimer, platelet parameters (MPV, PDW and PCT) can also be used as biomarkers that indicate the severity of the disease.