Robust Control Algorithm for Drones

Drones, also known as Crewless Aircrafts (CAs), are by far the most multi - level and multi developing technologies of the modern period. This technology has recently found various uses in the transportation area, spanning from traffic monitoring applicability to traffic engineering for overall traffic flow and efficiency improvements. Because of its non-linear characteristics and under-actuated design, the CA seems to be an excellent platform to control systems study. Following a brief overview of the system, the various evolutionary and robust control algorithms were examined, along with their benefits and drawbacks. In this chapter, a mathematical and theoretical model of a CA’s dynamics is derived, using Euler’s and Newton’s laws. The result is a linearized version of the model, from which a linear controller, the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), is generated. Furthermore, the performance of these nonlinear control techniques is compared to that of the LQR. Feedback-linearization controller when implemented in the simulation for the chapter, the results for the same was better than any other algorithm when compared with. The suggested regulatory paradigm of the CA-based monitoring system and analysis study will be the subject of future research, with a particular emphasis on practical applications

Effect of chronic exposure to biomass fuel smoke on pulmonary function test parameters

Background: Life in a typical Indian household revolves around the cooking area, and Indian women spend much of their time there. Cooking stoves in most households are nothing more than a pit, a chulha (a U-shaped construction made from mud), or three pieces of brick. Cooking under these conditions entails high levels of exposure to cooking smoke. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Chronic Exposure to Biomass Fuel Smoke on Pulmonary Function Test Parameters.Methods: 60 non-smoking women without any history of any major chronic illness in the past were selected for this study. The study group comprised of 30 rural female subjects who were chronically exposed to biomass fuel smoke combustion and 30 age matched urban female subjects exposed chronically to clean fuel combustion (Liquified Petroleum Gas–LPG) in Haryana (India). All the subjects were evaluated for pulmonary function tests by RMS Medspiror.Results: Biomass exposure index came out to be 85.68±3.69 for women cooking on biomass and LPG index was 64.17±6.97 for women cooking on LPG. This implies significant chronic exposure of women to biomass fuel smoke. The lung function parameters were significantly lesser in biomass exposed rural women [FEV1 (p<0.01), FVC (p<0.01), FEF25-75 (p<0.01), FEV1/FVC ratio (p<0.01), PEFR (p<0.01), MVV (p<0.01)] than the LPG exposed urban women. The evaluation of PFT suggested obstructive type of pulmonary disease.Conclusion: The derangement in pulmonary function parameters in women exposed to biomass smoke pollutants could be due to chronic significant exposure as suggested by high Biomass exposure Index. Inadequate ventilation in cooking area without chimney/vent also contributed to pulmonary function derangement and COPD.

Do wildlife crimes against less charismatic species go unnoticed? A case study of golden jackal canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758 poaching and trade in India

Wildlife crimes pertaining to lesser-known species do not usually garner adequate focus or interest by enforcement and conservation agencies. Additionally, illegal wildlife trade fuelled by religious beliefs in sorcery and superstition is an oft-neglected field of research. To draw attention to these two broad issues, we provide a baseline analysis of open-source reports on Golden Jackal Canis aureus poaching and trade in India. We highlight the pervasiveness of an active local and transnational 'jackal horn' trade, which is severely under-reported and insufficiently researched. News reports and government seizure data reveal that, between 2013 and 2019, 126 skins, eight tails, more than 370 'jackal horns', 16 skulls and two live jackals have been seized. The demand for the illusionary 'jackal horn' appears to be driven by extensive online endorsement and unsubstantiated claims made by religious practitioners, targeted primarily at south Asian markets. This preliminary study is an urgent call for concerted efforts to monitor the illegal trafficking and trade of this common species, with a particular focus on the demand and supply chains

Opportunities for prioritizing and expanding conservation enterprise in India using a guild of carnivores as flagships

Conservation interventions in developing countries are frequently thwarted by socio-economic agendas, severely limiting the scope and rigor of biodiversity and habitat conservation. Very few ecological assessments incorporate human interests in conservation prioritization, creating asynchrony between planning and implementation. For conservation actions to be logistically feasible, multiple criteria including ecological, social, economic and administrative aspects must be considered. Understanding how these different dimensions interact spatially is also important for gauging the potential for conservation success. Here, we use a guild of select mammalian carnivores (wild canids and hyenas) in India to (i) generate distribution maps at the spatial scale of administrative sub-districts, that are relevant to management, (ii) examine ecological, social and biogeographic factors associated with their distribution, assess key threats, and identify areas important for their conservation, (iii) use prioritization tools for balancing habitat conservation, human needs and economic growth, and (iv) evaluate the spatial congruence between areas with high conservation potential, and areas currently in focus for protection efforts, conservation investments, and infrastructure development. We find that the current Protected Area system does not adequately cover or represent diverse habitats, that there is immense potential for States to increase financial investments towards alternative conservation strategies, and, most infrastructure projects may be potentially jeopardizing important carnivore habitats where the two overlap. Our framework allowed for identifying locations where conservation investments would lead to the highest benefits for carnivores as flagships, which also benefit other species across habitats. We make a case for re-evaluating how large-scale prioritization assessments are made, and for broadening the purview of conservation policies in India and other developing countries

Artificial skin: current advanced methods of fabrication and development

The skin is the largest multifunctional organ, that is, protective, self-healing, and proficient of sensing. Being exposed, it is one of the undoubtly easily injured organs. To heal an injured skin, a variety of approaches are in existence by implementing various hydrogels, chemically modified polymers, and a number of cellular therapies. Researchers have already fabricated various artificial skins whose properties are alike to those of human skin that is accountable for various important physiological functions. The modern recent strategies embrace scaffolds to lead skin regeneration, 3D printing, bioreactors to assist mature skin tissue in vitro, and electronic skin to develop numerous sensory functions. This chapter abridge all the recent advances associated to skin tissue development. Additionally, some current fabrication technologies of artificial skin are discussed. In summary, the artificial skin with the current new approaches is an encouraging candidate to be first among other tissues to be appropriate for skin tissue engineering applications in severely injured patients. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Unmanned Aerial System Trajectory Tracking Based on Diversified Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm

Trajectory tracking is one of the most important aspects of an unmanned aerial system (or quad-copter) for selecting the optimal path from the source to the destination. This article presents a mathematical framework and approach for addressing the challenge of nonlinear systems like quad-copter. A novel control system for the quad-copter&#x2019;s positions $\left ({{z,y,x} }\right)$ and attitudes (roll ( $\phi$ ), yaw ( $\psi$ ), pitch ( $\theta$ )) has been proposed based on optimisation techniques that are integrated with proportional-integral (PI) controllers. Astute position update methods such as helical, circular, etc. have been introduced using different algorithms like particle swarm optimization (PSO), grey Wolf optimization (GWO), and the diversified grey wolf optimizer (DGWOA) algorithm. Following that, in an iterative procedure, a variety of leadership levels are used to update the individual&#x2019;s position, and the leadership is modified through the use of an adaptive mechanism. For validation, the proposed algorithm&#x2019;s effectiveness is evaluated based on the convergence rate compared to that of other meta-heuristic algorithms. Owing to its inadequate exploration, PSO leads to challenges with parameter selection, whereas GWO is easy to get to the local optimum. The concept and execution of DGWOA have been implemented to update the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) controlled parameters in order to overcome these limitations. The proposed algorithm&#x2019;s performance for path planning in a complex and cluttered environment is investigated. The simulation shows that the DGWOA algorithm has a faster response as compared to the reference and $\left ({{z,y,x}}\right)$ has been improved with (92.87, 96.95, and 99.69) percentage along with eliminating the shortcomings of PSO &#x0026; GWO

Estimation of high sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with periodontal disease and without coronary artery disease

Background: HsCRP (Highly sensitive C reactive protein) is a global indicator for future vascular events in adults detected in blood stream 48 hours before the cardiovascular event. Periodontal disease may increase blood levels of inflammatory markers like IL-6, CRP and HsCRP. Hence the aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of elevated HsCRP levels in chronic periodontitis patients. Material and Methods: 100 patients who reported for cardiac master health check up were enrolled in the study. The periodontal status was assessed using periodontal probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. The decayed, missing and filled tooth was recorded using DMFT index. The venous samples of these patients were obtained for recording HsCRP levels. Results: Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between HsCRP level and probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and DMFT. The correlation value was 0.051, 0.025 and 0.101 respectively, the correlation is statistically significant for probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level (P>0.05). Chi- square test was performed to study the association between gender and HsCRP, Diabetes Mellitus and HsCRP and Hypertension and HsCRP; the results showed that there is no significant association between any of the above mentioned factors and HsCRP level in blood. Conclusions: We found an increased level of HsCRP in patients with chronic periodontitis which revealed the susceptibility of these patients to cardiac diseases like myocardial infarction and stroke. Hence present day focus in the line of management of cardiac patient has changed from the periodontal perspective

Pediatricians' view on early childhood caries and oral health in a north region of India: A cross-sectional study

Background: The majority of oral diseases in children are preventable. The pediatricians owing to the unique position they occupy in child care are invaluable in achieving standard oral and dental healthcare in children. This study was aimed to assess pediatrician's knowledge, attitude, and awareness toward early childhood caries (ECC), oral health, and treatment needs of their patients. Methods: A total of 65 pediatricians were randomly selected for the study and were requested to fill out an objective questionnaire pertaining to individual details, approach toward pediatric dentistry, and knowledge level of oral health, without providing any oral health information. Results: About 58.5% of pediatricians acknowledged the importance of pediatric dentistry. About 72.7% of pediatricians perform oral examination regularly. Around 17% of pediatricians have knowledge of the ECC. Only 32.3% of pediatricians acknowledged the cariogenicity of medicated syrups. Conclusion: This study shows those pediatricians who were surveyed had poor knowledge regarding ECC, oral health, and dental treatment need in children. Pediatricians need to update themselves on recent recommendations

A 96 Well Microtiter Plate-based Method for Monitoring Formation and Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Candida albicans Biofilms

Candida albicans remains the most frequent cause of fungal infections in an expanding population of compromised patients and candidiasis is now the third most common infection in US hospitals. Different manifestations of candidiasis are associated with biofilm formation, both on host tissues and/or medical devices (i.e. catheters). Biofilm formation carries negative clinical implications, as cells within the biofilms are protected from host immune responses and from the action of antifungals. We have developed a simple, fast and robust in vitro model for the formation of C. albicans biofilms using 96 well microtiter-plates, which can also be used for biofilm antifungal susceptibility testing. The readout of this assay is colorimetric, based on the reduction of XTT (a tetrazolium salt) by metabolically active fungal biofilm cells. A typical experiment takes approximately 24 h for biofilm formation, with an additional 24 h for antifungal susceptibility testing. Because of its simplicity and the use of commonly available laboratory materials and equipment, this technique democratizes biofilm research and represents an important step towards the standardization of antifungal susceptibility testing of fungal biofilms