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Bio-inspired designs have been serving as a great inspiration for Aerodynamists for the past several decades. The biological features of each species have evolved through generations that play a substantial role in their ultimate survival. Manmade technologies have significantly benefited from these evolutionary attributes by mimicking such optimal features through artificial means of engineering. Biologically mimicking a particular feature of a natural species for scientific applications has introduced an interdisciplinary field of study that is popularly termed as “Biomimetics”. Biomimetic solutions have gained greater scope because of their unique potential to address the existing design challenges. The present review article approaches the state-of-the-art biomimetic techniques in a qualitative as well as quantitative perspective by mainly focusing on the potential aerodynamic applications. Through a quantitative approach, emerging researchers can have a firm basis from a pool of existing techniques. Drag reduction, lift enhancement, and flow separation control are the major design optimization challenges existing in the field of aerodynamics. The Biomimetic techniques discussed herein are evaluated on such qualities through consecutively organized sections which are the key instruments for non-flapping applications. A critical review on the well-liked biomimetic techniques for flow control is addressed with their potential applications in relevance to the aerospace industry. Few patented techniques from allied fields like hydrodynamics are also discussed because of their conceptual effectiveness in aerodynamic applications. Furthermore, the flow control effectiveness of Humpback Whale (HW) inspired biomimetic leading edge tubercles is numerically investigated with straight and sweptback wing configurations. The results clearly indicate the potentials of biomimetic techniques to transform the future designs of aerodynamic surfaces.

The development of chirality descriptors for quantitative chirality structure–activity relationship (QCSAR) modeling has always attracted attention, owing to the importance of chiral molecules in pharmaceutical, agriculture, food, and fragrance industries, and environmental toxicology. The utility of a multidimensional space of novel relative chirality indices (RCIs) in the QCSAR modeling of twenty CCR2 antagonists is reported upon in this paper. The numerical characterization of chirality by the RCI approach gives a large pool of chirality descriptors with different degrees of mutual correlation (the correlation coefficient among the computed descriptors varied from 0.02 to 0.99). In the present study, the final data set contains 198 chirality descriptors for each of the twenty CCR2 antagonist molecules, providing a multidimensional space for modeling. The data reduction using principal component analysis resulted in the extraction of eight principal components (PCs). The linear regression using the principal component scores (PCSs) resulted in a three-predictor prediction model with good statistics: R2 = 0.823; Adj R2 = 0.790. The regression models were rebuilt using the chirality descriptors (RCIs) that are most correlated with each of the scores (PCSs) of the three principal components. The R2 value for the regression models with three RCIs as the predictors is 0.742 and the five-fold cross validation, Rcv2, is 0.839. The new chirality descriptors, namely, the RCIs calculated using a different weighting scheme, provide a multidimensional space of chirality descriptors for a set of chiral molecules, and such a multidimensional chirality space is a powerful tool to build quantitative chiral structure–activity relationship (QCSAR) models.

Buildings are amongst the world’s largest energy consumers and simultaneous peaks in demand from networks of buildings can decrease electricity system stability. Current mitigation measures either entail wasteful supply-side over-specification or complex centralised demand-side control. Hence, a simple schema is developed for decentralised, self-organising building-to-building load coordination that requires very little information exchange and no top-down management—analogous to other complex systems with short range interactions, such as coordination between flocks of birds or synchronisation in fireflies. Numerical and experimental results reveal that a high degree of peak flattening can be achieved using surprisingly small load-coordination networks. The optimum reductions achieved by the simple schema can outperform existing techniques, giving substantial peak-reductions as well as being remarkably robust to changes in other system parameters such as the interaction network topology. This not only demonstrates that significant reductions in network peaks are achievable using remarkably simple control systems but also reveals interesting theoretical results and new insights which will be of great interest to the complexity and network science communities.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an emerging preventable cause of blindness in India. All India Ophthalmology Society (AIOS) and Vitreo-Retinal Society of India (VRSI) have initiated several measures to improve of DR screening in India. This article is a consensus statement of the AIOS DR task force and VRSI on practical guidelines of DR screening in India. Although there are regional variations in the prevalence of diabetes in India at present, all the States in India should screen their population for diabetes and its complications. The purpose of DR screening is to identify people with sight-threatening DR (STDR) so that they are treated promptly to prevent blindness. This statement provides strategies for the identification of people with diabetes for DR screening, recommends screening intervals in people with diabetes with and without DR, and describes screening models that are feasible in India. The logistics of DR screening emphasizes the need for dynamic referral pathways with feedback mechanisms. It provides the clinical standards required for DR screening and treatment of STDR and addresses the governance and quality assurance (QA) standards for DR screening in Indian settings. Other aspects incorporate education and training, recommendations on Information technology (IT) infrastructure, potential use of artificial intelligence for grading, data capture, and requirements for maintenance of a DR registry. Finally, the recommendations include public awareness and the need to work with diabetologists to control the risk factors so as to have a long-term impact on prevention of diabetes blindness in India.

Introduction Despite several ongoing efforts in biomedicine and traditional medicine, there are no drugs or vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of May 2020; Kabasura Kudineer (KSK), a polyherbal formulation from India’s Siddha system of medicine, has been traditionally used for clinical presentations similar to that of COVID-19. We explored the efficacy of KSK in reducing viral load and preventing the disease progression in asymptomatic, COVID-19 cases. Methods A prospective, single-center, open-labeled, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in a COVID Care Centre in Chennai, India. We recruited reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 of 18 to 55 years of age, without clinical symptoms and co-morbidities. They were randomized (1:1 ratio) to KSK (60 mL twice daily for 7 days) or standard of care (7 days supplementation of vitamin C 60,000 IU morning daily and zinc 100 mg evening daily) groups. The primary outcomes were reduction in the SARS-CoV-2 load [as measured by cyclic threshold (CT) value of RT-PCR], prevention of progression of asymptomatic to symptomatic state, and changes in the immunity markers including interleukins (IL-6, IL-10, IL-2), interferon gamma (IFNγ), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF α). Siddha clinical assessment and the occurrence of adverse effects were documented as secondary outcomes. Paired t -test was used in statistical analysis. Results Viral load in terms of the CT value (RdRp: 95% CI = 1.89 to 5.74) declined significantly on the seventh day in the KSK group and that of the control group, more pronounced in the study group. None progressed to the symptomatic state. There was no significant difference in the biochemical parameters. We did not observe any changes in the Siddha-based clinical examination and adverse events in both groups. Conclusion KSK significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 viral load among asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and did not record any adverse effect, indicating the use of KSK in the strategy against COVID-19. Larger, multi-centric trials can strengthen the current findings. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI2020/05/025215 . Registered on 16 May 2020

Background Performing a surgical task subjects the surgeon to multitudinal stressors, especially with the newer 3D technology. The quantum of cognitive workload using this modern surgical system in comparison to the Conventional microscope system remains unexplored. We evaluate the surgeon’s cognitive workload and the surgical outcomes of macular hole(MH) surgery performed on a 3D versus a Conventional microscope operating system. Methods 50 eyes of 50 patients with MH undergoing surgery using the 3D or Conventional microscope visualization system. Cognitive workload assessment was done by real-time tools(Surgeons’ heart rate [HR] and oxygen saturation[SPO2]) and self-report tool(Surgery Task Load Index[SURG-TLX] questionnaire) of three Vitreoretinal surgeons. Based on the SURG-TLX questionnaire, an assessment of the workload was performed. Results Of the 50 eyes, 30 eyes and 20 eyes underwent surgery with the Conventional microscope and the 3D system, respectively. No difference was noted in the MH basal-diameter( p  = 0.128), total surgical-duration( p  = 0.299), internal-limiting membrane(ILM) peel time( p  = 0.682), and the final visual acuity (VA; p  = 0.515) between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in VA( p  < 0.001) with a 90% closure rate at one-month post-surgery. Cognitive workload comparison, the intraoperative HR( p  = 0.024), total workload score( P  = 0.005), and temporal-demand dimension( p  = 0.004) were significantly more in Conventional microscope group as compared to 3D group. In both the groups, the HR increased significantly from the baseline while performing ILM peeling and at the end. Conclusion The surgeon’s cognitive workload is markedly reduced while performing macular hole surgery with a 3D viewing system. Moreover, duration of surgery including ILM peel time, MH closure rates, and visual outcomes remains unaffected irrespective of the operating microscope system.

Purpose To analyse and compare the functional and radiological outcome of different methods of surgical management of humerus shaft fractures in 30 patients treated by conventional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). Methods This prospective interventional study was conducted among 30 patients by dividing into two equal groups over one year and six months. All patients were followed up for a minimum of at least six months. Radiological outcome was assessed using fracture union in serial radiographs and functional outcome was measured using DASH scoring. Results The majority of patients (26.7%) were between 18 to 30 years, overall mean age was 44.4 years, most of the patients (50%) had 12A3 AO type fractures, and 73.3% of patients had injuries following two-wheeler road traffic accidents. On comparing multiple factors, we found a statistically significant reduction of intra-operative blood loss in MIPO compared to ORIF. Though time taken for fracture union, functional outcome and complication rate were better in MIPO when compared to ORIF, these differences were not statistically significant. two patients in the MIPO group and one patient in the ORIF group had a peri-implant fracture following slip and fall again within the study period and underwent Revision plating. Excluding cases of peri-implant fractures, out of 13 patients in the MIPO group, only one patient developed fracture non-union. Of 14 patients in the ORIF group, three developed fracture non-union. Conclusion MIPO is a safe, reproducible, efficient and good if not a better alternative to ORIF as it offers good radiological and functional outcomes with advantages of minimal soft tissue damage, minimal blood loss, better cosmesis, no incidence of radial nerve palsy and with few concerns such as the need for fluoroscopy, and a learning curve.

In the construction industry, the manual verification of reinforcement material against the international standard is a critical yet time-consuming and error-prone process. Construction professionals often rely on standard or limiting values as presented in IS and ASTM codes, which not only slow decision-making but also increase the risk of oversight, inconsistency, and misinterpretation. This paper addresses this issue by introducing the Material Standard Compliance Model (MSCM), which automates and streamlines the compliance assessment of reinforcement materials in concrete construction. The MSCM incorporates international standards, computational analysis, and a Chrome-based application to provide real-time verification of material properties, including yield strength, elongation, and elastic modulus. The compliance verification is performed through rule-based checks and fuzzy matching, while analytical modules employ correlation analysis to highlight property trade-offs, particularly the negative correlation ( r = − 0.72) between yield strength and ductility.

In this paper, we analyze the virtual element method for the quasilinear convection-diffusion-reaction equation. The most important part in the analysis is the proof of existence and uniqueness of the branch of solution of the discrete problem. We extend the explicit analysis given by Lube (Numer. Math.61, 335–357, 1992) for the finite element discretization to virtual element framework. We prove the optimal rate of convergence in the energy norm. In order to reduce the overall computational cost incurred for the nonlinear equations, we have performed the numerical experiments using a two-grid method. We validate the theoretical estimates with the computed numerical results.