Pandemic intake questionnaire to improve quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of outpatient neurologic and developmental care at the Kennedy Krieger institute during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic uniquely affects patients with neurologic and developmental disabilities at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. These patients are at increased risk of co-morbidities, increasing their risk of contracting COVID-19. Disruptions in their home and school routines, and restrictions accessing crucial healthcare services has had a significant impact.MethodsA Pandemic Intake questionnaire regarding COVID-19 related medical concerns of guardians of patients was distributed using Qualtrics. Data from May-December 2020 were merged with demographic information of patients from 10 clinics (Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), Neurology, Epigenetics, Neurogenetics, Center for Development and Learning (CDL) Sickle Cell, Spinal Cord, Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), Tourette's, and Metabolism). A provider feedback survey was distributed to program directors to assess the effectiveness of this intervention.ResultsAnalysis included responses from 1643 guardians of pediatric patients (mean age 9.5 years, range 0–21.6 years). Guardians of patients in more medically complicated clinics reported perceived increased risk of COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and inability to obtain therapies (p < 0.001) and surgeries (p < 0.001). Guardian responses from CARD had increased reports of worsening behavior (p = 0.01). Providers increased availability of in-person and virtual therapies and visits and made referrals for additional care to address this. In a survey of medical providers, five out of six program directors who received the responses to this survey found this questionnaire helpful in caring for their patients.ConclusionThis quality improvement project successfully implemented a pre-visit questionnaire to quickly assess areas of impact of COVID-19 on patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. During the pandemic, results identified several major areas of impact, including patient populations at increased risk for behavioral changes, sleep and/or disruptions of medical care. Most program directors reported improved patient care as a result

Analysis of Banded Texture of Friction Stir Weld Bead Surface by Image Processing Technique

Abstract:- The tool shoulder of friction stir welding is considered to be one of the prime element which controls the material flow and heat input, generating required temperature and hydrostatic pressure along the weld line in producing a defect-free weld. The interaction of tool shoulder with base material in the formation of friction stir weld is studied by analyzing the banded texture of weld bead surface using image processing techniques, since the textures form an important clue for the recognition of surface. Experiments are carried out by capturing the images of weld bead surface of friction stir welded specimens produced using different process parameters. The images are digitally processed and analyzed by defining suitable region of interest along good and defect weld region based on X-Ray radiography results of friction stir welded specimens to determine first order and second order statistical textural parameters of weld bead surface using MATLAB. The variation in the textural parameters along good and defect weld regions are observed which enables to assess the quality of friction stir weld using image processing. Keywords:- Friction stir welding, Image processing, Statistical textural parameters, X-Ray radiography I

Optimization for Tensile Strength of Sisal Fiber, Glass Fiber and Alumina- Based Hybrid Composite using Taguchi Technique

Natural fibers composite play an important role in making eco-friendly products. The present investigation has been made to find tensile strength of hybrid composites fabricated using optimal composition of sisal fiber, glass fiber and alumina. Multi-response optimization has been carried out. The compositions of reinforcements namely sisal fiber, glass fiber and alumina in hybrid composite were prepared by Hand-layup technique. Sisal fiber of 20 Wt.%, 30 Wt.% and 40 Wt.% are chopped into 10mm length, Glass fiber of 20 Wt.%, 30 Wt.% and 40 Wt.% are 10mm length and alumina particles of 2Wt.%, 3 Wt.% and 4 Wt.% are compositions of reinforcement were chosen according to orthogonal array as Taguchi technique(L9). The results have been verified through confirmatory experiments. Experimentations were carried out with the different composition based on L9 process parameters. Based on the experimental observations the maximum ultimate tensile strength was found to be 37.87 MPa for optimised input parameters as 20% of sisal fiber, 30% of glass fiber and 3% of alumina.</jats:p

Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites by Powder Metallurgy: A Review

This Review paper mainly focuses on the processing technique of carbon nanotube reinforced materials with light material matrix composites of the powder metallurgy route. Different mixing/alloying conditions are used for carbon nanotube dispersion (CNT) in the Aluminium matrix using a ball milling process with ball milling time, milling speed, Ball to powder (BPR) ratio, and Process control agent (PCA). Processing parameters are discussed, such as sintering temperature, sintering time, pressure, and heat treatment condition. Mechanical and microstructural properties are discussed