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Introduction. The well-being of nurses in the field of oncology is paramount, both for the individuals themselves, also for the healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to comprehend and investigate nurses' experiences in the field of oncology, to understand the factors influencing their well-being. Methods. Between January 1, 2023, and April 5, 2023, a descriptive qualitative design was employed to gather data from individual in-depth interviews with eleven nurses working in the oncology department of a tertiary care hospital in Central Kerala, South India. Participants were selected and recruited based on inclusion criteria and purposive sampling techniques. A semi-structured in-depth face-to-face interview was conducted to obtain the data. Codes were identified, patterns analyzed, and themes were recorded using the Colaizzi approach, steps of thematic analysis. Results. The mean experience of the participants in the oncology department was 6.2 years and all were females. Two main themes that emerged from the analysis were Roadblocks to well-being and Concerns with satisfaction. Additionally, four sub-themes under the first theme and six under the second were identified, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by these nurses. Conclusion.The study's nurses battled occupational stress as well as physical and psychological issues, which can even reduce their quality of life. The results of this investigation provide valuable primary data for developing bio-psycho-social skill interventions for health professionals’ well-being in the oncology department.

We report on the observation of the rich variety of crystallographic phase formation in a RexMo1 – xS2 alloy for x < 0.5. For x < 0.23, no low dimensional superstructural modulation is observed and inter cation hybridization remains discrete, forming dimers to tetramers with increasing Re concentration. For x > 0.23, superstructural modulation is observed. Depending on the Re concentrations (x = 0.23, 0.32, 0.38, and 0.45) and its distributions, various types of cation hybridization result in the rich variety of low dimensional superstructural modulation as directly revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. These layered alloy systems may be useful for various energy and novel device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Frontline doctors managing the current novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic work under stressful conditions due to change in workload, working pattern, and worries about the infection to themselves and families with frequently changing treatment protocols. Their psychological well-being is necessary for the effective management of the health crisis. Objectives This study aims to assess the psychological state and worries of frontline doctors while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the various coping skills employed by them for maintaining their mental health, and the knowledge about illness and related myths and misinformation among them. A further objective is to compare the above between two groups of frontline doctors: the consultants and the junior residents (JR) working in the hospital. Materials and Methods A total of 164 participants (76 consultants and 88 JRs) were cross-sectionally evaluated online using a prevalidated questionnaire within a period of 3 months after obtaining institutional ethics approval Statistical Analysis The study sample and results were described using descriptive analysis. The association between the categorical variables was measured using chi-squared test. Results Most participants frequently updated themselves through reliable sources (consultants = 92%, JR = 73.9%) predominantly from the hospital task force and university. Overall, 71% of consultants and 58% of JRs were worried about being infected. JRs were significantly more worried about the spread of infection due to faulty sterilization of the protective equipment as compared to the consultants (p = 0.031). Most participants were worried about their families getting infected (consultants = 79%, JR =89.8%). Both consultants (18.4%) and JRs (35.2%) had sleep disturbances. Although most did not have syndromal depressive features and COVID-19-related anxiety, tiredness (45.1%) and worrying too much (47.5%) were the most common psychological symptoms. Almost all participants (consultants = 76.3%, JR = 80.7%) used multiple coping styles, such as avoiding thinking about COVID-19, listening to music, and physical activities. Conclusion Frontline doctors overall reported higher worries regarding their family being infected and protective equipment-related issues, whereas they had less core depressive and anxiety symptoms. They had adequate COVID-19-related awareness and used multiple coping skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present quantitative counting of Zn and O atoms in zinc oxide epitaxial thin film by different routes; reconstruction of phase from the side and central bands of atomic resolution off-axis and in-line electron holography. Results show that the reconstructed phase from both the side and the central bands and the corresponding number of Zn (Z = 30) and O (Z = 8) atoms are in close agreement with the systematic increase in the number of atoms for a sample area less than the extinction distance. However, complete disagreement is observed for the sample area more than the extinction distance. On the other hand, the reconstructed phase obtained via in-line holography shows no systematic change with thickness for the same sample. Phase detection limits and the atomic model used to count the atoms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression among elderly has serious public health implications. Integration of mental health into primary care may help in reaching the elderly population better and in identifying depression among them. Objectives: This study was done to determine the proportion and the correlates of depression among the elderly population which attended the rural psychiatry services and to compare the proportion with that of the middle aged population. Material and Methods: The outpatient data of the past one year in the rural psychiatry centre was analysed. Correlates of depression among the elderly were studied by Chi square test and the proportion in elderly was compared with that of the middle aged population using Z-test. Results and Conclusion: Depression among the elderly attendees was significantly higher than that in the middle aged group. Depression was more common among the young old and females and co-morbidities were more commonly seen in males and the young old compared to those who were aged 80 years and above.

The origin of alternating wavy dark-bright stripe-like contrast in strain contrast transmission electron microscopy images of NiCo2O4 (NCO) epitaxial thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition has been investigated. The nanoscale stripe-like pattern is determined to be associated with coexisting rock salt (RS) and inverse spinel crystal phases. The presence of two different phases, not addressed in previous reports, is experimentally confirmed by both electron diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging. First principles based calculations, together with compressive strain present in the films, support the formation of such coexisting crystallographic phases in NCO. Similar microstructural patterns and RS structure are not observed in epitaxial films of two other oxides of the spinel family, namely, NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4. A correlation between the coexisting structures and the macroscopic physical properties of NCO is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the detailed microstructural features in a low thermal conductivity Sn1-xSbxTe (x = 0.04, 0.08, 0.15) alloy investigated by transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory calculation. A near theoretical minimum thermal conductivity is obtained for Sn0.85Sb0.15Te alloy composition containing distinct microstructures. The crisscross lines along {111} planes forming nano-scale structures have been identified as areas with Sb replacing both regular Sn sites and Te anti-sites. This leads to the modulation in the {111} inter-planar spacing (d111) and results in superstructure spots in the electron diffraction pattern. The formation of such structures is supported by theoretical calculation. In general, two different phases are observed in the system, one with Sb replacing the regular Sn sites and another with crisscross lines where Sb replaces both the Sn and Te sites. Theoretical calculation further reveals that while the areas with Sb at the regular site give rise to large thermo-power, the areas with Sb substituting regular and anti-sites combination forming a superstructure contribute towards low lattice thermal conductivity and the combined effect increases the zT to ~1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the various types of Peierls like two dimensional structural modulations and relative phase stability of 2H and 1T poly-types in the RexMo1-xS2 and RexW1-xS2 alloy system. Theoretical calculation predicts a polytype phase transition cross over at ~50 at. % of Mo and W in ReS2 in both monolayer and bulk form, respectively. Experimentally, two different types of structural modulations at 50% and a modulation corresponding to trimerization at 75% alloy composition are observed for RexMo1-xS2 and only one type of modulation is observed at the 50% RexW1-xS2 alloy system. The 50% alloy system is found to be a suitable monolithic candidate for metal semiconductor transition with minute external perturbation. ReS2 is known to be in the 2D Peierls distorted 1Td structure and forms a chain like superstructure. Incorporation of Mo and W atoms into the ReS2 lattice modifies the metal-metal hybridization between the cations and influences the structural modulation and electronic properties of the system. The results offer yet another effective way to tune the electronic structure and poly-type phases of this class of materials other than intercalation, strain, and vertical stacking arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melioidosis is a severe systemic infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a gram-negative bacillus with bipolar staining. It is an environmental saprophyte endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The disease can have varying manifestations. This is a retrospective study of the clinical and microbiological profile of culture proven cases of melioidosis who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Coastal Karnataka between January 2018 and December 2020. The epidemiological, demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were studied and analyzed. A total of 27 cases were seen during the study period. All patients were from the western coastal areas of India. Fever was the most common presenting complaint. Analysis of the clinical manifestations showed 11 (40.74%) with bacteremia. Pneumonia was the most common primary clinical presentation with 11 cases (40.74%). 9 (33.3%) patients had an abscess in some part of the body on presentation. Secondary foci were seen in 5 (18.5%) patients. The prominent risk factors seen were history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, age >40 years, alcoholism and smoking. 13 (48.15%) were started with the treatment regimen for melioidosis. Only 8 (29.63%) were prescribed the eradication treatment regimen. One case which was inadequately treated came back with reactivation of melioidosis. Varied clinical presentation of melioidosis makes the specific clinical diagnosis difficult. Due to the high mortality and morbidity rate, early diagnosis and prompt management is warranted, this requires clinical vigilance and an intensive microbiological workup. Lack of adherence to the treatment protocol can lead to reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli CE3 strain at pH 4.8 results in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure different from the LPS of the same strain grown at pH 7.2. Chemical analysis showed that 2,3-di-O- methylfucose replaced 2,3,4-tri-O-methylfucose in the O-polysaccharide portion of the R. leguminosarum bv. phaseoli CE3 LPS grown at pH 4.8. This explains twomonoclonal antibodies' nonreactivity with this sample. Such methylation changesoccur on the LPS 0-polysaccharide region when this bacterial strain isgrown at low pH and during nodule development.