What are the Implications of Using Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat and Improve Symptoms of Depression?
Neuroscientific practice is constantly evolving, improving, and developing. Recent research has introduced novel methods to treat pressing conditions which have affected the human population for many decades. This paper delves into the potential of a stimulation technique- deep brain stimulation- to treat the symptoms of a mood disorder as complex and convoluted as depression. Overall, 5 domains were considered, including: an overview of the diagnostic factors of depression, the biological causative factors for depression, current treatment opportunities, the mechanism of DBS and its application to treating depression, and finally, the ethical and social implications of implementing DBS as a mainstream form of treatment for cases of extreme depression. Before its utilisation in mainstream practice, the ethical implications, as well as clinical trials assessing the true long-term impacts of such treatment, must be evaluated. How far should the brain be manipulated in order to treat depression, and how could this impact autonomy and patient safety? Across the literature reviewed, DBS serves as a viable and credible means for relieving symptoms of depression and poses a great potential to improve the lifestyle of treated patients, which is ultimately the desired outcome of a neuroscientific endeavour such as this one.
Published by: Krisha Dhawal Maniyar
Author: Krisha Dhawal Maniyar
Paper ID: V12I2-1201
Paper Status: published
Published: March 27, 2026
Improving the Availability and Functional Status of Medical Equipment through a Clinical Audit Cycle: A Quality Improvement Study at Base Hospital Akkaraipattu, Sri Lanka
Improving the Availability and Functional Status of Medical Equipment through a Clinical Audit Cycle: A Quality Improvement Study at a Secondary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka. Background Medical equipment is essential for effective healthcare delivery; however, in low- and middle-income countries, inadequate maintenance systems and weak governance often result in high rates of non-functional equipment. Clinical audit is a recognised quality improvement approach that can identify system gaps and drive measurable improvements. Objective: To assess and improve the availability and functional status of medical equipment through a structured clinical audit cycle. Methods: A full clinical audit cycle was conducted over six months (October 2025–March 2026) at a secondary care hospital in Sri Lanka. The audit included baseline assessment, gap analysis, implementation of targeted interventions, and re-audit. Data were collected using a structured checklist through direct observation, inventory review, and staff interviews. Key indicators included equipment functionality, preventive maintenance, maintenance documentation, and calibration status. Interventions included the introduction of repair tracking systems, preventive maintenance schedules, equipment logbooks, calibration programs, and staff training. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 660 medical equipment items were assessed. At baseline, only 61.7% were fully functional, while preventive maintenance (15.6%), maintenance documentation (17.0%), and calibration (4.3%) were markedly deficient. Following interventions, functionality improved to 91.8% (absolute increase: +30.1%), exceeding the ≥90% standard. Preventive maintenance increased to 92.4% (+76.8%), maintenance documentation to 94.5% (+77.5%), and calibration to 73.6% (+69.3%). The proportion of non-functional equipment decreased from 32.5% to 5.5%, with substantial reductions in repair delays. Conclusion: Structured, low-cost interventions implemented through a clinical audit cycle significantly improved medical equipment functionality and management. Clinical audit is an effective strategy for strengthening health technology management systems in resource-limited settings.
Published by: Dr. AB. Mashooth
Author: Dr. AB. Mashooth
Paper ID: V12I2-1199
Paper Status: published
Published: March 26, 2026
Improvement Stability of Black Cotton Soil by using Marble Dust and Burnt Brick Powder
Black cotton soil is an expansive soil widely found in India, known for its high clay content and significant swelling and shrinkage behavior, making it unsuitable for construction without stabilization. This study focuses on improving its stability and strength using marble dust and burnt brick powder, which are industrial waste materials. Marble dust (rich in calcium carbonate) and burnt brick powder (containing silica and alumina) help form cementitious compounds that enhance soil cohesion, reduce plasticity, and minimize swelling. Laboratory tests such as Atterberg limits, compaction, UCS, and CBR were conducted. Results show significant improvement in strength, density, and load-bearing capacity, providing an economical and eco-friendly solution for construction works.
Published by: Awaiz Masjid Shaikh, Afeef Ismail Kazi, Ritash Kalyani Harkude, Hrishikesh Sandeep Kamble, Sanskruti Dharmale
Author: Awaiz Masjid Shaikh
Paper ID: V12I2-1161
Paper Status: published
Published: March 25, 2026
Engineering Analysis and Restoration of Go-kart
This study presents the design, analysis, and fabrication of a lightweight go-kart prototype aimed at achieving optimal performance, safety, and cost effectiveness. The project focuses on key engineering aspects such as chassis design, steering geometry, braking system, and power transmission. A systematic approach was adopted to select suitable materials and components, ensuring structural integrity while minimizing weight. The fabrication process involved precision manufacturing and assembly techniques to meet design specifications. Performance evaluation of the go-kart was conducted based on parameters such as speed, stability, maneuverability, and braking efficiency. The results demonstrate that the developed go-kart meets the desired functional requirements and provides a practical understanding of automotive design principles. This project serves as an effective platform for applying theoretical knowledge to real-world mechanical engineering applications.
Published by: Niel Omkar Deshpande, Umar Aslam Aga, Ryan Robert Dolare, Rakshit Ramesh Lagad
Author: Niel Omkar Deshpande
Paper ID: V12I2-1188
Paper Status: published
Published: March 23, 2026
Are Entrepreneurship Subsidies Effective in Reducing Urban Youth Unemployment?
The effectiveness of entrepreneurial subsidies in lowering youth unemployment in metropolitan areas is investigated in this study. Due to growing urbanization, a rise in young people looking for work, and a lack of formal sector job development, urban youth unemployment is still a significant socio-economic issue in many nations. To encourage young people to launch their own firms and become job creators rather than job seekers, governments have implemented a number of entrepreneurship subsidy programs, such as startup grants, low-interest loans, tax incentives, training programs, and mentorship efforts. The study uses secondary data from academic research, government publications, and policy reviews to examine the connection between young employment outcomes and entrepreneurial subsidies. It also looks at the benefits, drawbacks, and variables affecting these programs' efficacy. The study emphasizes that by promoting self-employment and the establishment of small businesses, entrepreneurship subsidies can contribute to a short-term decrease in unemployment. However, a supportive policy framework, market access, mentorship, and commercial acumen are all necessary for their long-term success. The results imply that although entrepreneurship subsidies can support economic growth and job creation, they are unable to address urban young unemployment on their own. Financial mismanagement, inexperience, and market competitiveness are some of the difficulties faced by many subsidized firms. In order to attain sustainable employment results for urban youth, the study suggests that entrepreneurship subsidies should be combined with more comprehensive employment initiatives like skill development, education reform, and improved labor market policies.
Published by: Aarohi Banerjie
Author: Aarohi Banerjie
Paper ID: V12I2-1187
Paper Status: published
Published: March 23, 2026
A Comparative Study of Decentralized Storage Systems: IPFS vs Traditional Cloud Storage
Rapidly expanding amounts of digital data are causing corporations and businesses alike to rely heavily upon cloud storage systems for managing and distributing this increasing amount of data. Traditional cloud storage solutions like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage offer high levels of availability, scalability, and performance via their centralized systems. However, there are concerns about the lack of privacy for data stored in the cloud, too much reliance on one vendor (vendor lock-in), and having only one point of failure. In the last few years, decentralized systems have been developed to address these concerns, taking advantage of a peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture to provide better resiliency and resistance to censorship. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) and traditional cloud storage systems. It evaluates how both systems are architected, compares their performance characteristics and compares the costs of using each type of system. The results of an experimental setup measuring upload and download speed for several different file sizes illustrate key trade-offs between centralized versus decentralized storage systems. While cloud storage provides for a higher level of reliability and performance than that provided by IPFS, the authors conclude that IPFS has certain advantages over cloud storage in terms of decentralization and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, hybrid storage models may be the most practical solution for meeting the needs of new modern distributed applications.
Published by: Kyrylo Sotnykov
Author: Kyrylo Sotnykov
Paper ID: V12I2-1186
Paper Status: published
Published: March 23, 2026
