Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence - A Comprehensive Review of Integration and Applications Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are two transformative technologies that are reshaping modern digital systems. While AI enables intelligent decision-making through data-driven models, blockchain provides decentralized, transparent, and tamper-resistant data management. Their integration has gained increasing attention as a means to address limitations inherent in each technology when deployed independently. This review paper presents a comprehensive survey of blockchain–AI integration, focusing on architectural models, enabling techniques, application domains, and current challenges. The study examines how blockchain enhances trust, data integrity, and accountability in AI systems, while AI improves scalability, efficiency, and automation within blockchain networks. Key application areas including healthcare, finance, Internet of Things, supply chain management, and smart cities are discussed. The paper further identifies open research challenges and future directions necessary to realize secure, scalable, and intelligent decentralized systems.

]]> Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Distributed Ledger, Machine Learning, Smart Contracts, Decentralized Systems, Trustworthy AI Review Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST An Analytical Review - Decentralized Finance (DeFi) of Protocols, Risks, and Regulatory Challenges Decentralized Finance (DeFi) represents a paradigm shift in financial services by leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts to provide open, permissionless, and trust-minimized alternatives to traditional financial systems. Over the past few years, DeFi has experienced rapid growth, enabling decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, stablecoins, and synthetic assets without centralized intermediaries. Despite its transformative potential, DeFi faces significant challenges related to security vulnerabilities, systemic risks, governance limitations, and regulatory uncertainty. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of DeFi protocols, examines key technical and economic risks, and critically evaluates emerging regulatory responses across jurisdictions. The paper further identifies open research gaps and future directions necessary for the sustainable development of decentralized financial ecosystems.

]]> Decentralized Finance, Blockchain, Smart Contracts, DeFi Risks, Financial Regulation, Cryptocurrencies Review Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Quantum Advantage in the NISQ Era - Algorithms, Benchmarks, and Practical Limitations The current stage of quantum computing development is defined by Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices, which operate with a moderate number of qubits that are inherently susceptible to noise and decoherence. Despite the absence of full error correction, NISQ systems have demonstrated the ability to perform computational tasks that challenge classical simulation under certain conditions. This paper explores the concept of quantum advantage in the NISQ era by analysing prominent algorithmic approaches, benchmarking methodologies, and the practical constraints imposed by contemporary hardware. Hybrid quantum–classical algorithms, sampling-based experiments, and performance metrics are examined to assess the extent to which near-term quantum devices can outperform classical systems. The study finds that while progress toward quantum advantage is evident, significant technical and algorithmic limitations prevent its widespread realization. The paper concludes by identifying key research directions required to bridge the gap between experimental demonstrations and practical quantum computing applications.

]]> Quantum Advantage, NISQ Devices, Variational Algorithms, Quantum Benchmarking, Quantum Noise, Hybrid Quantum–Classical Computing Review Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Quantum Supremacy vs. Quantum Utility - A Critical Evaluation Quantum computing has progressed from theoretical speculation to experimental realization, leading to milestone demonstrations that claim computational superiority over classical systems. Among these milestones, quantum supremacy experiments have attracted considerable attention by showcasing tasks that are infeasible for classical computation within reasonable time limits. However, the practical value of such demonstrations remains a subject of debate. This paper critically evaluates the distinction between quantum supremacy and quantum utility, emphasizing their conceptual differences, experimental foundations, and real-world relevance. By examining key experimental results, algorithmic developments, and benchmarking approaches, the study argues that quantum utility-defined by practical, application-oriented performance-provides a more meaningful metric for long-term progress. The paper highlights the limitations of supremacy-based demonstrations and discusses pathways toward achieving utility-driven quantum advantage in the near and long term.

]]> Quantum Supremacy, Quantum Utility, NISQ Devices, Quantum Advantage, Benchmarking, Hybrid Quantum Algorithms Review Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Recent Advances in Blockchain Technology - A Survey of Trends, Challenges, and Research Gaps Blockchain technology has evolved significantly since its introduction as the underlying framework for cryptocurrencies. In recent years, it has expanded into a versatile distributed ledger technology supporting decentralized applications across finance, healthcare, supply chains, governance, and the Internet of Things. This review paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advances in blockchain technology, focusing on architectural developments, consensus mechanisms, scalability solutions, security enhancements, and emerging application domains. The study critically examines current challenges such as performance limitations, energy consumption, interoperability, privacy concerns, and regulatory uncertainties. By analysing recent literature and technological trends, the paper identifies key research gaps and outlines promising directions for future investigation. The findings aim to support researchers and practitioners in understanding the current state of blockchain technology and its trajectory toward large-scale, sustainable adoption.

]]> Blockchain Technology, Distributed Ledger, Consensus Mechanisms, Scalability, Smart Contracts, Web3, Research Gaps Review Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST HbA1c Assay as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Diabetic Patients Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is one of the most for detection and long-term tracking diabetes mellitus due to measuring average blood glucose levels during the preceding 2-3 months. It is crucial for determining glycemic control and forecasting the likelihood of long-term diabetic consequences, especially microvascular illness. This mini-review focusing in the biochemical basis of glycosylated hemoglobin. its diagnostic and prognostic value, and major factors affecting its reliability. Although HbA1c minimizes the impact of short-term glucose fluctuations, its accuracy may be compromised by non-glycemic factors such as altered erythrocyte turnover, hemoglobin variants, comorbid conditions, and genetic polymorphisms. Awareness of these limitations is crucial for appropriate interpretation of HbA1c results. Understanding these restrictions is essential for correctly interpreting HbA1c findings. HbA1c remains a cornerstone in diabetes care, but optimal use requires integration with clinical context and complementary glycemic assessments.

]]> HA1C, Diabetes mellitus, Diagnostic biomarker, Prognostic biomarker Editorial Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST The Impact of Aging on HIV Acquisition in the Male Genital Tract Ageing is associated with progressive hormonal, immunological, and structural changes in the male reproductive system, including declining testosterone levels and deterioration of semen parameters. At the same time, the proportion of older men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is increasing globally. This mini-review summarizes current evidence on the interaction between ageing and HIV within the male genital tract, with emphasis on semen quality, immune status, and fertility implications. Available data indicate that while semen parameters may remain near normal in asymptomatic HIV-positive men, advancing age and disease progression are associated with reduced sperm motility, abnormal morphology, and impaired reproductive potential, particularly in the context of low CD4 cell counts. Understanding the combined effects of ageing and HIV is essential for improving reproductive health counseling and clinical management in older HIV-infected men.

]]> HA1C, Diabetes mellitus, Diagnostic biomarker, Prognostic biomarker Editorial Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Comparative Evaluation of Binocular Visual Function in Myopic Individuals Wearing Spectacles and Soft Contact Lenses: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Background: Myopia has emerged as a major global visual health concern, particularly among young adults. The mode of optical correction-spectacles or soft contact lenses (SCLs)-can influence binocular function through variations in vertex distance, prismatic effect, and accommodative demand. This study compared binocular visual performance between myopic individuals wearing spectacles and those using SCLs under habitual correction conditions.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 60 myopic participants (30 spectacle wearers and 30 SCL wearers) aged 18–35 years. Standardized optometric tests evaluated accommodation (amplitude, near point, relative accommodation), vergence (near point, fusional ranges, facility), and stereopsis. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests and Pearson correlations at α = 0.05, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), Cohen’s d, and post-hoc power reported.

Results: SCL wearers exhibited greater accommodative amplitude (Δ0.60 D, p = 0.03, d = 0.57) and positive relative accommodation (Δ0.27 D, p = 0.02, d = 0.63), along with a closer near point of accommodation (Δ0.70 cm, p = 0.04, d = 0.54). Vergence parameters also favored the SCL group, with a 1.30 cm closer near point of convergence (p = 0.01, d = 0.69) and higher vergence facility (p = 0.03, d = 0.57). Stereoacuity improved slightly but was not statistically significant (p = 0.21, d = 0.33). Positive correlations were observed between accommodative amplitude and vergence facility (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) and between near point of accommodation and convergence (r = 0.43, p = 0.02), indicating coordinated enhancement.

Conclusion: Soft contact lenses provide superior accommodative and vergence function compared to spectacles, promoting greater binocular efficiency and visual comfort. These findings suggest that SCLs may reduce eyestrain and improve endurance during prolonged near work and digital device use, representing a more physiologically natural correction modality for young myopic adults.

]]> Binocular vision, Accommodation, Vergence, Stereopsis, Myopia, Soft contact lenses, Spectacle correction Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Refractive Errors Among Schoolchildren in Central India: Prevalence and Functional Impact Background: Refractive errors are a primary cause of preventable visual impairment in schoolchildren globally. There is a lack of data from Central India concerning the prevalence and functional impact subsequent to refractive correction. This study sought to assess the prevalence and determinants of refractive errors and to evaluate the visual, functional, and psychosocial enhancements following spectacle correction.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical mixed-methods study was executed from August 2023 to July 2024 in 12 randomly chosen schools in Rajgarh District, Madhya Pradesh. Using multistage stratified random sampling, we screened 300 kids between the ages of 9 and 15. They did a visual acuity test, an objective and subjective refraction test, and a pre-validated questionnaire. All diagnosed students received spectacles, and a follow-up after 6–8 weeks evaluated adherence and functional enhancement. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to look at the quantitative data. Qualitative responses were subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: Refractive errors were detected in 24% (n=72; 95% CI: 19.2–28.8) of the students. Myopia was the most common (45.8%), followed by hyperopia (29.2%) and astigmatism (25%). Age (aOR = 1.18; p = 0.004) and living in a city (aOR = 2.09; p = 0.006) were both important predictors. After correction, the mean visual acuity improved significantly from 0.38 ± 0.12 to 0.05 ± 0.03 LogMAR (p < 0.001). At the follow-up, 83% of participants said they wore glasses regularly, and there were significant improvements in visibility in the classroom (91%), concentration (87%), and relief from headaches (82%).

Conclusion: In Central India, refractive errors are very common among students. Significant visual, academic, and psychosocial benefits were obtained from spectacle correction, confirming the efficacy of school-based screening models. The results encourage district-level school health systems to continue integrating refractive-error services.

]]> Refractive errors, schoolchildren; myopia, vision screening, spectacle compliance, Central India Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST Glycemic Status and its Relationship with Corneal Tomographic and Endothelial Parameters in Diabetes Mellitus This study aims to compare corneal tomographic and endothelial parameters in diabetic patients with both controlled and uncontrolled glycemic status, as well as to investigate the relationships between corneal parameters, glycemic control, and the duration of diabetes. Conducted in a hospital setting, this cross-sectional study involved diabetic patients categorized into controlled and uncontrolled groups according to their HbA1c levels. Corneal tomography was executed utilizing Scheimpflug imaging, while endothelial evaluation was performed through non-contact specular microscopy. To maintain statistical independence, the right eye was predetermined for all inferential analyses. Between-group comparisons were carried out using suitable statistical tests, with effect sizes presented alongside p-values. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses were employed to assess the associations among corneal parameters, HbA1c levels, and the duration of diabetes. The findings revealed that patients with uncontrolled diabetes exhibited a significantly steeper flat keratometry (K1) in comparison to those with controlled glycemic status, with a moderate-to-large effect size, suggesting potential clinical significance. Conversely, other tomographic parameters such as steep keratometry, mean keratometry, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and corneal volume did not show significant differences between the groups and were associated with small effect sizes. Nevertheless, a greater dispersion of various tomographic parameters was descriptively noted in the uncontrolled diabetes cohort, indicating heightened structural variability. The density of endothelial cells was numerically elevated in the uncontrolled diabetes group; however, it did not achieve statistical significance and was associated with increased variability. Indices of endothelial morphology, such as the coefficient of variation and hexagonality, were similar across the groups. Correlation and multivariable regression analyses indicated no significant independent relationship between HbA1c and central corneal thickness or endothelial cell density after controlling for age, sex, and duration of diabetes. The magnitude of the observed regression coefficients fell below thresholds deemed clinically significant. Uncontrolled diabetes is linked to subtle changes in corneal curvature and increased structural variability, rather than consistent alterations in corneal thickness or endothelial parameters. These results imply heterogeneous, subclinical corneal involvement in diabetes and underscore the multifactorial nature of diabetes-related corneal changes. Larger longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate their clinical implications.

]]> Diabetes mellitus, Corneal tomography, Endothelial cell density, Glycemic control, Specular microscopy Research Article Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 IST