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Disorders of mental health are known to affect cognitive functions, hence called as cognitive disorders. Impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, vitamin-D deficiency and oxidative stress are some of the key early events reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of most common cognitive disorders, which include Alzheimer's disease. Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the known contributing factors of cognitive impairment and dementia. A cross sectional study was carried out in 145 subjects, who were assessed for cognitive function by modified mini mental status examination (3MS). In addition, measurement of fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin, HbA1c, lipid profile, vitamin D and oxidative markers was performed. Participants were divided into different groups based on (a) vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency; (b) diabetic and non-diabetic with and without cognitive impairment. The study included a total of 145 subjects; 51 males and 94 females and the mean age was 68.24±9.70 years. Among diabetics with vitamin D insufficiency, 35 subjects (71.43%) had cognitive impairment, but, among non-diabetics with vitamin D insufficiency, 27 subjects (62.79%) had cognitive impairment. Chi square test showed no significant association between diabetes, vitamin D insufficiency and cognitive impairment. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were non-significantly lower in cognition-impaired subjects, when compared to cognition normal subjects in diabetics with vitamin D insufficiency. Our study showed that cognitive impairment is more predominant in individuals with diabetes. However, our study did not find any significant relationship between T2DM, vitamin D deficiency, cognitive impairment, and oxidative stress. A significant association was found only with GPx and 3MSE score in vitamin D insufficient non-diabetics.

In fluid dynamics, a flow control device is used to control, manage, or modify the behavior of a fluid flow. Jet actuators work by releasing high-velocity jets of fluid, usually air or gas, into the surrounding environment to control or manipulate the flow of fluids. In this study, the flow control device, which was a dual synthetic jet actuator (DSJA), acted as a lift enhancement device over an optimized NACA 0012 aerofoil with a rounded trailing edge (TE) (Coanda surface approximately 9% of the trailing edge was modified) to enhance the lift at various angles of attack (AOAs). Fluctuating pressure inlets were introduced in two slots. When the dual synthetic jets were in control, the out-of-phase jets from the upper and lower trailing edge jets helped to boost the lift coefficient. The suction stroke from the lower half of the jet made the Coanda effect stronger in the upper half. The upper trailing edge jet deflected downwards merged with the lower one and helped to deflect the flow field closer to the bottom half. An unsteady CFD analysis was performed on optimized airfoils with and without a DSJ, with a driving frequency of 40.6 and a reduced frequency of 0.025 at a Reynolds number of 25000. The results obtained at different angles indicated that the L/D ratio was improved by 13.5% at higher angles of attack in the presence of the DSJA.

Here, we report the first detection of lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) in Indian glass fish in the Andaman Islands, India. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of whitish clusters of nodules on the fish’s skin, fins, and eyes. The histopathology of the nodules revealed typical hypertrophied fibroblasts. Molecular characterization of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene of the virus showed a significant resemblance to known LCDV sequences from Korea and Iran, with 98.92% and 97.85% sequence identity, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the MCP gene sequence of the virus belonged to genotype V. This study represents the first documented case of LCDV in finfish from the Andaman Islands, emphasizing the necessity for continued monitoring and research on the health of aquatic species in this fragile ecosystem.

Purpose This study aims to find the characteristics of supercritical airfoil in helicopter rotor blades for hovering phase using numerical analysis and the validation using experimental results. Design/methodology/approach Using numerical analysis in the forward phase of the helicopter, supercritical airfoil is compared with the conventional airfoil for the aerodynamic performance. The multiple reference frame method is used to produce the results for rotational analysis. A grid independence test was carried out, and validation was obtained using benchmark values from NASA data. Findings From the analysis results, a supercritical airfoil in hovering flight analysis proved that the NASA SC rotor produces 25% at 5°, 26% at 12° and 32% better thrust at 8° of collective pitch than the HH02 rotor. Helicopter performance parameters are also calculated based on momentum theory. Theoretical calculations prove that the NASA SC rotor is better than the HH02 rotor. The results of helicopter performance prove that the NASA SC rotor provides better aerodynamic efficiency than the HH02 rotor. Originality/value The novelty of the paper is it proved the aerodynamic performance of supercritical airfoil is performing better than the HH02 airfoil. The results are validated with the experimental values and theoretical calculations from the momentum theory.

The Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft represents a cutting-edge design that seamlessly merges the fuselage and wings into a unified aerodynamic structure. This configuration offers significant improvements in aerodynamic efficiency over traditional tube-and-wing aircraft. In this study, the aerodynamic performance of a BWB configuration incorporating a supercritical airfoil was investigated, with particular emphasis on low-speed flight conditions. Supercritical airfoils, such as the RAE2822, are engineered to perform efficiently at transonic speeds by delaying drag divergence. However, their performance at lower speeds remains less explored. Using SolidWorks for 3D modeling and SolidWorks Flow Simulation for aerodynamic analysis, the study compared the performance of the RAE2822 supercritical airfoil with the NLF-0215F airfoil, a natural laminar flow airfoil commonly employed in BWB designs. To validate the computational results, 3Dprinted models were tested in a wind tunnel, showing strong correlation with the simulations. The analysis revealed that the NLF-0215F outperformed the RAE2822 at low speeds, delivering approximately 20% greater aerodynamic efficiency across all angles of attack. These findings underscore the suitability of the NLF-0215F airfoil for low-speed BWB applications.

Biodiesel is an alternative sustainable energy source and can be utilized in the compression ignition engine without any changes in the engine design. This research work focuses on the preparation of Calophyllum inophyllum methyl ester through two steps of transesterification process and its implementation in common rail direct injection diesel engines under various fuel injection strategies. At the initial stage of the current research work, two biodiesel blends of 10 vol% and 20 vol% with remaining quantity as diesel have been used as fuel in a diesel engine at a fuel injection pressure of 600 bar at 5%, 10% and 15% pilot injection variations. In the second stage, the study has been extended for the same strategies of injecting the fuel at the rates of 10% and 20% exhaust gas recirculation. All the experimental results are compared with diesel fuel at an injection pressure of 600 bar with 10% pilot injection. The experimental results revealed that an increase in the blend ratio of biodiesel enhances the combustion, performance characteristics and proliferation of pilot injection from 5 to 15% facilitates spontaneous and complete combustion. It is observed that 15% pilot injection quantity of 20 vol% Calophyllum inophyllum methyl ester blend has shown the best performance among the test samples with other injection strategies. The results also showed that the implementation of exhaust gas recirculation at 10% and 20% rates during diesel engine operation is evident in lower performance characteristics with a significant impact on oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide emissions.Graphic abstract

This research paper aims to validate the aerodynamic performance of rotor blades using additive manufacturing techniques. Wind tunnel testing is a technique used to find the flow characteristics of the body. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques are used for aerodynamic analysis, and validation should be done using wind tunnel testing. In the aerodynamic testing of models, additive manufacturing techniques help in validating the results by making models easily for wind tunnels. Recent developments in additive manufacturing help in the aerodynamic testing of models in wind tunnels. The CFD analysis of helicopter rotor blades was analyzed in this research, and validation was done using additive manufacturing techniques. Computational analysis was carried out for static analysis for the forward speeds of Mach numbers 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5. The results obtained were satisfactory to the previous results and were validated with wind tunnel testing. Results proved that the error percentage was lower, and the computational analysis was valid. In this research, models were designed using the FDM technique for wind tunnel testing as it is cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

In the era of fast transport, to create inventive stream flow management solutions that are capable of diminishing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicles, there is a need to modify the flow characteristics over the vehicle by deferring or expelling the position of the flow partition. The objective of this study involves the parameterized design of an airfoil utilizing the Bezier curve technique with the assistance of the simulation program. For flow regulations, synthetic jet modules are ingrained at different percentages of the chord to manage the stall characteristics. The parametrization system, combined with the stream control method, can give a much better insight into flow re-energization and pave some way for the reduction of the wake. Digital fabrication technique (3d printing or Rapid Prototyping method) is used to fabricate the end product for aerodynamic testing. The comparative outcome showed a reduction in drag at certain angles of attack due to the surface finish obtained. By comparing the results, the aerodynamic efficiency showed a significant rise of 13.05% at lower angles of attack when compressed gas was used in the synthetic jet closer to the frontier edge of the airfoil. Near the stall angle of attack, the coefficient of lift (Cl) and coefficient of drag (Cd) values showed no progress.

Chicken feather is a waste product that remains after processing the chicken to obtain meat. A series of non-woven mats were made by adding several levels of chicken feather fiber (CFF) to determine the effect of CFF on mat properties. The fractions of CFF used ranged between 10 and 60% and pre-vulcanized latex was used as a binder. The mats were tested for tensile strength, resistance to tear and aging behavior. It was found that the tensile and tear strengths were similar to the latex adhesive strength. Water absorbency and thermal conductivity were also determined. These mats can be used as soil erosion mats, nursery bags, shoe insoles, thermal and acoustic insulators, etc.