Sundaram Medical Foundation

• Experimental optimization required validation; MCDA was used to confirm robustness of key parameters. • Application of MCDA enables structured, multi-dimensional analysis for optimizing hydrate desalination parameters. • Pioneered the use of MCDA to systematically optimize hydrate desalination process parameters. • Establishes a foundation for integrating AI-enhanced MCDA frameworks in adaptive and resilient desalination systems. • Future research could improve real-time, data-driven MCDA in the dynamic gas hydrate desalination systems. Gas hydrate-based desalination (GHBD) is a promising technology for sustainable water treatment, yet its practical implementation is often hindered by the slow kinetics and complexity of optimizing multiple process parameters. This study develops a robust decision-making framework using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to identify optimal conditions specifically volume, pressure, and stirring speed that enhance water recovery (WR) and moles of gas consumed. Experimental data were evaluated through MCDA based ranking methods to assess parameter performance. The results indicate that for CO₂ hydrate formation, the optimal conditions, 500 mL, at 3.0 MPa, provided a highest rank of 93 and stirring speed of 450 rpm with a rank of 32, produced a WR of 50%. In contrast, for CO₂+ C ₃H₈ hydrate systems in treating produced water (PW), at 2.0 MPa yielded the best performance with a highest rank of 39 and a WR of ∼60%. Unlike previous GHBD studies that primarily focus on feasibility and experimental characterization, this work introduces the first systematic MCDA based optimization framework for GHBD and provides experimentally validated optimal operating conditions. These findings highlight the importance of precise parameter selection and confirm the effectiveness of MCDA in guiding decision making for GHBD. This work introduces the first MCDA based framework for systematically optimizing operating parameters in GHBD. It uniquely shows that MCDA can reliably identify optimal CO₂ and CO₂ + C ₃H₈ hydrate conditions, WR, efficient scalable desalination strategies, supporting long term environmental sustainability. and scalability of GHBD.

Irregular multistorey buildings are prone to seismic forces due to torsional effects resulting from the eccentricity between the mass and stiffness centres. Shear walls are essential in multistorey buildings for improving structural behaviour when subjected to earthquake loads. The seismic response of buildings is highly sensitive to the placement and configuration of shear walls within the building infrastructure. This research focuses on optimising the location of shear walls in a T-shaped irregular reinforced concrete structure for better seismic resilience. The structural analysis is carried out, and the building is evaluated via the response spectrum as per the provisions of IS 1893:2016. This study examines various shear wall configurations to achieve optimised modal mass participation, thereby reducing dynamic irregularities and enhancing overall seismic performance. The impact of these optimised locations is assessed across various seismic zones in India, with a focus on critical response parameters, including lateral displacement, interstorey drift, storey shear, and base shear. The results reveal that strategically optimised shear wall placement significantly enhances seismic performance by reducing lateral drift and torsional effects. In this study, the shear wall configurations that resulted in higher modal participation factors and lower eccentricities between the centre of mass and the centre of stiffness demonstrated a superior seismic performance across all considered seismic zones.

Small and medium sized entities (SMEs) supposedly provide job creation, economic growth and poverty reduction, and tax incentives aimed at this sector should lead to inclusive economic growth. Section 12E of the South African Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (the Act) offers accelerated depreciation allowances to SMEs. However, this allowance is not meeting its intended purpose. Through a doctrinal research approach, this study interrogated the aim of section 12E, its limited coverage, the definition of small and medium businesses in the Act, and the effectiveness of policies targeting SMEs. The allowance is not adequately targeting the correct small businesses and informal enterprises. Additionally, taxation compliance is a challenge for these businesses, and thus taxation allowances that are intended to support SMEs may be misused or incorrectly applied. This study also found that a refundable compliance rebate may be more equitable and offers a solution to existing compliance issues faced by SMEs.

Abstract Small‐scale fisheries support millions of people globally, but if poorly monitored and managed, they can negatively impact threatened marine species like sharks. We explore approaches to assess the ecological sustainability of an extremely data‐limited, small‐scale fishery for blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) in Goa, India. We use an adapted expert elicitation approach, modified to suit local fishing communities, to collect data on shark catch and develop exploratory population models to understand conditions under which the fishery could be sustainable. An estimated 13,881–15,616 newborn blacktip sharks are targeted and captured annually by gillnets across our study sites. Our adapted expert elicitation protocol can serve as a rapid, cost‐effective, and inclusive method to obtain critical data for conservation planning, especially in data‐limited, Global South contexts. Our population models reveal that the current levels of shark harvesting are unlikely to be sustainable and can only continue if harvest rates are reduced by at least half and if the current local shark population is relatively high. Our study provides crucial information to inform conservation decision‐making, highlighting the need for urgent intervention to regulate Goa's shark fishery. Working with the local community and understanding the socio‐economic dimensions of this fishery can help identify appropriate conservation interventions.

A vast majority of advanced cancer care, including palliative and end-of-life care, is provided by the family members. Loss of loved ones leads to practical, emotional and psychological distress and thereby poor quality of life. The present study aims to explore the psycho social experiences of bereaved family members in the Indian context. In this prospective observational qualitative study, bereaved family members were (N=42) interviewed using a semi-structured in-depth interview schedule, after obtaining consent. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and translated by the researcher. Manual thematic analysis was used for analysing the data collected. The thematic analysis of the transcripts revealed six key themes: Heightened distress, family expectations, emotional conflicts versus collusion, challenges during COVID pandemic, coping with self and others, and gratification from caregiving. Many family members maintained a positive outlook on the care they provided and shared effective coping strategies. However, most reported heightened distress due to the loss of their loved one and struggled with emotional expectations during the grieving process. Negative experiences with collusion and its consequences were also noted. The COVID-19 pandemic's impact, particularly in limiting access to support, was another significant challenge for many family members. caregiving during illness or loss presents significant challenges, including emotional strain, family issues, and external stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, caregivers often find fulfilment and develop effective coping strategies to manage these difficulties. It is essential to address both the emotional and practical aspects of caregiving, particularly during crises, to support family members throughout their journey.

Intralesional (IL) steroids are the first-line treatment option for localized alopecia areata (AA). The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical calcipotriol with IL triamcinolone acetonide versus IL triamcinolone acetonide alone in AA. This randomized single-blinded clinical trial was conducted in a dermatology outpatient department. Both groups A and B received IL triamcinolone acetonide injections every 4 weeks for 12 weeks. Group A also received twice-daily topical calcipotriol. Follow-up was done every 4 weeks till 12 weeks. The primary outcome parameter was hair density assessment using a hair regrowth scale (RGS). Other parameters were the presence or absence of poor clinical response (less than 50% hair density), regrowth patterns, dermoscopy features, and adverse effects. Seventy-three (179 patches) patients completed the study. RGS and patches with more than 50% terminal hair regrowth significantly improved in both the groups beginning in the fourth week and going forward (P-value: .001, .001). The two treatment groups exhibited no statistically significant difference in terminal hair density (P values: .930, .616, .178). However, subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant difference in scalp patches of group A compared to group B in the 12th week of the study (P = .018) but not in beard patches (P-value: .527). Group A exhibited more irritation with a reduced incidence of atrophy. The addition of topical calcipotriol to IL steroid showed increased efficacy in scalp patches of AA but not in beard patches. Also, the incidence of atrophy was lower in the combination group.

Hypertension, a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), significantly contributes to premature death and morbidity worldwide. Despite stabilization in age-adjusted global prevalence, the absolute number of hypertensive individuals doubled from 2000 to 2010, largely due to increases in low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, only 21% of hypertensive individuals globally had effective blood pressure (BP) control. In India, hypertension is the leading risk factor for death and disability, with prevalence rates of 24% in men and 21% in women, as reported by the 2019–2020 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). Alarmingly, just 25% of rural and 38% of urban hypertensive Indians are undergoing treatment, with only 10% and 20% achieving BP control, respectively. This highlights the hypertension paradox, where clinical inertia and hesitancy in intensifying BP-lowering therapy persist despite the availability of antihypertensive drugs. This expert opinion paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of sacubitril/valsartan in hypertension management, leveraging insights from its approved use in heart failure and examining its benefits and challenges across diverse hypertensive populations. The formulation of this expert opinion involved employing evidence-based methodologies and utilizing all available data. The document underwent scrutiny by expert cardiologists, whose clinical experiences and examination of the evidence and guidelines informed the formation of the expert opinion. This expert opinion paper provides a thorough and informed evaluation of sacubitril/valsartan, highlighting its potential to address unmet needs in BP control, particularly in challenging cases such as resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Traffic go with the flow forecasting is essential in urban planning and management, optimizing transportation structures and resource allocation. However, accurately predicting visitors glide is tough because of its inherent complexity, nonlinearity, and diverse uncertain factors. The trouble declaration underscores the issue in as it should be forecasting site visitors flow, mainly in urban environments characterized through dynamic and complex site visitor’s styles. In the existing paintings there are numerous traditional devices getting to know models used for visitors flow prediction, however those conventional strategies show off barriers in reaching excessive prediction accuracy. Therefore, the proposed work targets to put into effect hybrid optimization techniques for correct prediction in shipping machine. Here fuzzy wavelet neural community (FWNN) is used to address complicated nonlinear structures with uncertain conditions and hybrid optimization method called hybrid firefly and particle swarm optimization (HFO-PSO) which combines the exploration and exploitation talents of firefly and this fusion allows the version to capture intricate visitor’s styles efficiently and optimize the prediction technique, improving accuracy and efficiency. Moreover, the prediction performance of the proposed model is established and compared by means of the usage of distinct measures.