Background : Smoking can have a lifelong negative effect on health. Lower rates of successful smoking cessation in adulthood are associated with smoking initiation in early adolescence. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that public health programs tackle the problem of smoking initiation, rather than only focusing on smoking cessation. Aims and Objectives: To identify factors responsible for early initiation of smoking. To identify modalities to prevent smoking at a young age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among 453 smokers by enrolling consecutive cases who met the inclusion criteria from among those attending the Respiratory Medicine OPD of Pushpagiri Medical College from January to June of 2021. Results: All 453 study participants were males. More than 80% of the study group were above 60 years of age. 42% had higher secondary education, 20% were post-graduates and 16% came under the professional category. 60% started before completing their higher secondary, 12% after completing their higher secondary, and 12% during graduation, 3.9% of the participants started during post-graduation and 2% after starting their professional careers. 80% started due to peer pressure and 6% due to stress. The study showed that methods to prevent smoking include health education, participating in extracurricular activities and hobbies, maintaining good relationships, and having family support. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of many chronic diseases. Improved understanding of factors that contribute to the initiation and cessation of smoking can be used to strengthen preventive interventions and treatment strategies.
1 Grilli T, Magrini N, PPenna A, Mura G, Liberati A. Practice guidelines developed by speciality societies: the need for a critical appraisal. Lancet 2000; 355: 103–06. 2 Mann T. Clinical Guidelines: using clinical guidelines to improve patient care with the NHS. NHS Executive, May 1996. 3 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. SIGN guidelines: an introduction to SIGN methodology for the development of evidence-based guidelines. Edinburgh: SIGN, 1999. 4 Bernstein SJ, Laouri M, Hilbourne LH, et al. Coronary angiography a literature review and ratings of appropriateness and necessity. RAND. Report JRA-03 Santa Monica, 1992. 5 Cluzeau F, Littlejohns P, Grimshaw J, Feder G, Moran S. Development and application of a generic methodology to assess the quality of clinical guidelines. Int J Qual Health Care 1999; 11: 21–28.
Pulsed alternators (PAs) are ac generators which are specifically designed to generate pulsed currents of very high magnitudes for a given duration. An induction coilgun is being designed and developed in the author's laboratory to propel projectiles of different sizes. The scope of this work is to design and develop a PA for the same. A single-phase, iron core, slotted stator, cylindrical rotor, and no-compensation topology of the PA has been selected for this application. For the parametric analysis, a coupled circuit model of the PA has been used by considering the correction factors which include the skin effect and the magnetic saturation of the iron parts of the alternator. Eddy currents induced in the rotor core have been modeled as one circuit on each axis. A number of designs have been modeled and simulated and their performances have been analyzed for different design variables of the PA. Peak current, projectile velocity, and the temperature rise of the coil per current pulse are the output parameters which have been analyzed for every design. From the parametric analysis, PA with a particular configuration has been selected which results in the desirable performance of the PA-coilgun system. The design has been validated by modeling the same in finite element method (FEM)-based software. The performance of the PA driving the coilgun has been compared with that driven by the capacitor bank, and the feasibility of the multistage operation using the PA has been studied.
Heart rate (HR) is strongly associated with both peripheral and central blood pressures. This association has implications in hypertension (HTN) prognosis and management. Elevated HR in HTN further elevates the risk of adverse outcomes. Evidence suggests that HR is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) and total mortality in patients with HTN. With objective to engage physicians and researchers in India to identify and discuss the implications related to HR management in HTN, experts in the HTN management provided consensus recommendations. The key expert recommendations included the following. (i) Heart rate (HR) has inverse relationship with the central aortic pressure, whereby reduction in HR is associated with an increase in central aortic pressure. This counter-balances the benefit of HR reduction with the harmful effects of rising central aortic pressure. (ii) Increase in the resting HR is associated with increased risk of incident HTN. A linear association between the two is observed especially in individuals with HR >80 bpm. (iii) A reduced HR variability further adds to the propensity for the development of HTN, especially in men. (iv) Each 10 beats per minute increase in the resting HR can substantially increase the risk of adverse CV and mortality outcomes. On treatment HR provides a better prognostic guide. (v) Ambulatory HR with day-time and night-time HR evaluation may also suggest different impact on outcomes. (vi) Target HR in patients with HTN remains unclear. Generally, HR<70 bpm on beta blocker (BB) treatment is advised which may be further lowered in patients with comorbidities like heart failure and coronary artery disease. (vii) Adopting healthy lifestyle approaches to keep check on BP and HR is essential. (viii) Use selective beta-1 blocker in symptomatic cases with elevated HR beyond 80-85 mmHg. BBs are expected to benefit by lowering HR by nearly 10 bpm. Preference should be given to newer beta-blockers which reduce HR and both peripheral and central blood pressure to derive comprehensive advantage of this dual action. (ix) It still remains unclear whether reducing HR in HTN without comorbidities alters the CV and mortality outcomes.
This paper discusses the characteristics of very fast transient overvoltages (VFTO) in $SF_6-N_2$ gas mixtures at different percentages of $SF_6$. A comparison of the VFTO characteristics of pure $SF_6$ with those of pure $N_2$ is also presented. The investigations are performed using a laboratory model GIS bus duct having a test gap used for simulating a switching event leading to the generation of VFTO. A capacitive voltage sensor is used to measure the VFTO peak magnitude and temporal characteristics. Measurements were carried out at two different gap spacings
(0.20 and 0.61 mm) over a pressure range of 100 to 500 kPa. VFTO characteristics for $N_2$, $SF_6$ and $SF_6-N_2$ mixtures obtained from the experiments show similar trends. The level of surge peak magnitude is <2.0 pu for all cases when the gap was 0.20 mm, but it reaches a maximum of 2.41 pu at 0.61 mm gap. At 0.20 mm gap, in $SF_6-N_2$ mixtures, the difference in peak magnitudes is not significant for $10\%$ and $20\%$ $SF_6$ mixtures (between 200 and 400 kPa) and also for pure $SF_6$ and $40\%$ $SF_6$ (between 200 and 300 kPa). The occurrence of corona stabilization during breakdown of the gap may be the cause for such a behavior. Unlike the above observations at 0.20 mm gap, at 0.61 mm gap, the peak magnitudes strictly increase with pressure for the pure gases and gas mixtures. At 0.20 mm gap, the time to breakdown of the gap is found to be almost constant in all cases. But at 0.61 mm gap, the time to breakdown is seen to be dependent on the mixture, pressure, and breakdown voltage, and this observation is in accordance with Toepler's spark law.
In this paper, the radiated electric and magnetic fields above a perfectly conducting ground at different heights from 10 m to 10 km and for lateral distances varying from 20 m to 10 km from a lightning return stroke channel are computed and the field waveforms are presented. It has been observed that the vertical electric field reverses its polarity with height and this height depends on the radial distance from the lightning channel. The magnitude of the horizontal electric field, on the other hand,increases with height up to a certain height and then reduces. The effect of variation in the rate of rise of lightning current (di/dt) and the velocity of return stroke current on the radiated electric and magnetic fields for the above heights and distances have also been studied. It is seen that
the variation in maximum current derivative does not have a
significant influence on the electric field when ground is
assumed as a perfect conductor but it influences significantly the horizontal electric field when ground has finite conductivity. The velocity of propagation of return stroke current on the other hand has significant influence for both perfectly as well as finitely conducting ground conditions.
Estimation of very fast transient overvoltage (VFTO) has been carried out using EMTP for various switching conditions in a 420 kV gas-insulated substation (GIS). The variation of the VFTO peak along the GIS bus nodes for disconnector and circuit breaker switching operations, as well as the variation of VFTO peak with different magnitudes of trapped charges, have been studied. The results indicate a distinct pattern of variation of VFTO peak along the nodes of the GIS bus in the case of disconnector switch operation as compared to that of circuit-breaker operation. It has also been noticed that the variation of VFTO peak levels are not in direct proportion to the trapped charge present on the HV bus.
Introduction Myocardial infarction (MI) in young South Indians presents a shifting epidemiological landscape, challenging traditional perceptions of cardiovascular diseases. This study investigates the clinical and angiographic profiles of MI in this subgroup of the population in detail, emphasizing the interaction between lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that contribute to the incidence of MI in younger people. Methodology Utilizing a descriptive observational design, the study analyzed data from 70 young adults (aged 18-45 years) admitted to Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Chennai, with acute MI over six months. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and angiographic findings were collected and analyzed using standardized protocols. Statistical analysis employed chi-square tests and subgroup analyses to assess associations and differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Results The study revealed a predominance of males (84.29%) among MI cases, with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) being the most common presentation (52.86%). Anterior wall involvement was prevalent (50%), and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) was observed in the majority (67%) of patients. Chest pain (87%) was the predominant symptom, and diabetes (47%) and hypertension (47%) were the risk variables that were most common. Angiographically, the left anterior descending artery (LAD) was often affected (51%), with single-vessel disease predominating (41.43%). Conclusion The findings underscore the significance of early detection and intervention strategies for MI in young South Indians. Gender-specific risk assessment, prompt diagnosis, and tailored treatment approaches are imperative. The high prevalence of LVSD highlights the burden of cardiac morbidity, particularly in diabetic individuals. Lifestyle modifications and weight management interventions are crucial for MI prevention. This study provides insights into the frequency and features of MI in young South Indians, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts for early identification and control of modifiable risk factors to mitigate the burden of coronary artery disease (CAD) in this population subset.
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