A Novel Paddy Leaf Disease Detection Framework using Optimal Leaf Disease Features in Adaptive Deep Temporal Context Network

Since paddy has become the staple food for all human beings, crop productivity is highly demanded. Nowadays, the agriculture industry faces the leaf disease issue as the insect or pests affects the plant leaves to hinder further growth. Owing to this, the productivity gets affected that makes the farmers have economic loss. In earlier time, several methods have been explored to detect the disease significantly. However, such methods become more time consuming, structure complexity and other issues. To alleviate such complex, a new paddy leaf disease detection model is proposed using adaptive methodology. Initially, images related with paddy leaf are gathered from standard resources and offered as the input to segmentation region. Here, segmentation is performed by Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) to get the abnormal regions. Then, the segmented images are fed to ensemble feature extraction region to attain different features like deep, textural, morphological, and color features. Further, the acquired ensemble features are provided to concatenation phase to obtain the concatenate features and the optimal features are selected by the Fire Hawk Optimizer (FHO). Finally, the optimal features are subjected to paddy leaf detection phase, where leaf disease will be detected by Adaptive Deep Temporal Context Network (ADTCN), where the parameters are tuned by the FHO. Hence, the developed model secures efficient leaf disease detection rate than the classical techniques in the experiential analysis

Network Modeling and Emulation: A New Architecture of Next Generation WANem

Typically application developers develop and testing team tests an web based application in a local area network (LAN). And, once everything is completed deployment of the application is done in a wide area network (WAN). This process carries lots of WAN related bugs to the application. This is due to LAN having higher bandwidth (for example, 100 Mbps), lesser delay (~1 ms), almost zero loss, corruption and reordering of packets as compared to WAN. WANem[8] is used to provide real experience of a WAN during application development or testing over LAN environment. Thus, WANem helps both application developers and testers by emulating WAN in a LAN. Next Generation WANem (NxGen WANem) is developed based on existing WANem with enhanced features. With more interactive GUI and modifications on some preexisting commands, the NxGen WANem provides user with facility to model and design a network by dragging the network components available in the interface designed and thereafter emulate the network characteristics. In this paper, we propose an architecture of NxGen WANem.Keywords: Emulation, LAN, WAN, WANem, SWT, GWT, JSP, AJA

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF POULTRY SLAUGHTER HOUSE BYPRODUCTS BASED PET FOOD WITH INCORPORATION OF FIBER-RICH VEGETABLE POWDER

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fiber-rich vegetables on the quality characteristics of poultry slaughterhouse byproducts incorporated in pet food. Poultry byproducts incorporated in pet food were treated with different fiber-rich vegetables, viz. carrot and French beans powder separately at three suitable concentrations i.e. 5%, 10%, and 15% replacing freshly grated cruciferous vegetables and baked in a hot air oven at 1500 C for 20-25 minutes. Carrot powder @10% (CR) and French bean powder @10% (FB) were found optimum based on the palatability test. Finally, CR and FB were compared with control (BP) pet food for various physico-chemical properties and palatability tests. The pH values of BP and CR were significantly (p<0.05) higher than FB, whereas the baking yield values of CR were significantly (p<0.05) higher than BP and FB. Moisture, ash content, and water activity values of CR and FB were significantly (p<0.05) higher, and protein, as well as fat content, were significantly (p<0.05) lower than BP. There were no significant differences in springiness, cohesiveness, and resilience values between control and treatments. Hardness values of BP were significantly (p<0.05) higher whereas gumminess and chewiness values were significantly (p<0.05) lower than CR and FB. There was no significant difference in any textural parameter between CR and FB. Lightness and yellowness values of CR were significantly (p<0.05) higher whereas redness values of FB were significantly (p<0.05) lower than BP and other treatments. The scores of all palatability attributes of FB were significantly (p<0.05) lower than BP and CR, whereas no significant difference was observed between BP and CR. Therefore, Poultry byproducts incorporated with pet food with 10% carrot powder were selected as the best treatment

Condom use and prevalence of syphilis and HIV among female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India – following a large-scale HIV prevention intervention

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Avahan, the India AIDS initiative began HIV prevention interventions in 2003 in Andhra Pradesh (AP) among high-risk groups including female sex workers (FSWs), to help contain the HIV epidemic. This manuscript describes an assessment of this intervention using the published Avahan evaluation framework and assesses the coverage, outcomes and changes in STI and HIV prevalence among FSWs.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>Multiple data sources were utilized including Avahan routine program monitoring data, two rounds of cross-sectional survey data (in 2006 and 2009) and STI clinical quality monitoring assessments. Bi-variate and multivariate analyses, Wald Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were used to measure changes in behavioural and biological outcomes over time and their association.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Avahan scaled up in conjunction with the Government program to operate in all districts in AP by March 2009. By March 2009, 80% of the FSWs were being contacted monthly and 21% were coming to STI services monthly. Survey data confirmed an increase in peer educator contacts with the mean number increasing from 2.9 in 2006 to 5.3 in 2009. By 2008 free and Avahan-supported socially marketed condoms were adequate to cover the estimated number of commercial sex acts, at 45 condoms/FSW/month. Consistent condom use was reported to increase with regular (63.6% to 83.4%; AOR=2.98; p<0.001) and occasional clients (70.8% to 83.7%; AOR=2.20; p<0.001). The prevalence of lifetime syphilis decreased (10.8% to 6.1%; AOR=0.39; p<0.001) and HIV prevalence decreased in all districts combined (17.7% to 13.2%; AOR 0.68; p<0.01). Prevalence of HIV among younger FSWs (aged 18 to 20 years) decreased (17.7% to 8.2%, p=0.008). A significant increase in condom use at last sex with occasional and regular clients and consistent condom use with occasional clients was observed among FSWs exposed to the Avahan program. There was no association between exposure and HIV or STIs, although numbers were small.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The absence of control groups is a limitation of this study and does not allow attribution of changes in outcomes and declines in HIV and STI to the Avahan program. However, the large scale implementation, high coverage, intermediate outcomes and association of these outcomes to the Avahan program provide plausible evidence that the declines were likely associated with Avahan. Declining HIV prevalence among the general population in Andhra Pradesh points towards a combined impact of Avahan and government interventions.</p

How e-Health Has Influenced Patient Care and Medical Education: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

The concept of e-Health involves the application of information and communication technologies from off-site locations to various domains of healthcare ranging from patient care, public health, and administration to health education. It refers to health informatics, telemedicine, electronic health records, and clinical decision support systems. The e-health initiatives aim to improve health outcomes in terms of quality, access, affordability, and efficient monitoring. The application of e-health interventions has particularly expanded in recent times because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. It has been proven to be nearly as effective as in-person care along with high patient and provider satisfaction and at decreased costs. We present our experience from the use of various e-health interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic along with a review of related literature. This ranged from Internet-based services, interactive TV or Polycom’s, kiosks, online monitoring of patient’s vital signs, and remote consultations with experts. Our success and experience with various e-health interventions during the pandemic allow us to provide a more hybrid form of healthcare in the future both for patient care and medical education and training

Characterization of maize genotypes using microsatellite markers associated with QTLs for kernel iron and zinc

224-234Crop genetic resources rich in Fe and Zn provide sustainable and cost-effective solution to alleviate micronutrient malnutrition. Maize being the leading staple crop assumes great significance as a target crop for biofortification. We report here wide genetic variation for kernel Fe and Zn among 20 diverse maize inbreds lines, majority of which were bred for quality protein maize (QPM) and provitamin-A. Kernel Fe ranged from 30.0 - 46.13 mg/kg, while kernel Zn ranged from 8.68-39.56 mg/kg. Moderate but positive correlation was observed between the micronutrients. Characterization using 25 Single sequence repeats (SSRs) linked to QTLs for kernel Fe produced 58 alleles. Similarly, 86 alleles were identified from 35 SSRs linked to QTLs for kernel Zn. One unique allele for kernel Fe and three unique alleles for kernel Zn were identified. The mean polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.40 for both kernel Fe and  Zn. Jaccard’s dissimilarity coefficients varied from 0.25 - 0.91 with a mean of 0.58 for kernel-Fe while 0.27- 0.88 with a mean of 0.57 for kernel Zn. Principal coordinate analysis depicted diversity of inbreds. Cluster analysis grouped the inbreds into three major clusters for both kernel Fe and Zn. Potential cross combinations have been proposed to develop micronutrient rich hybrids and novel inbreds with higher Fe and Zn. The information generated here would help the maize biofortification programme to develop nutritionally enriched hybrids

The role of plant growth promoting bacteria on arsenic removal: a review of existing perspectives

Phytobial remediation is an innovative tool that uses plants and microbes to mitigate Arsenic (As) contamination of the environment. Recently, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that assists phytoremediation has been highly touted for both improving plant metal tolerance and promoting plant growth while achieving the goal of large-scale removal of As. This review focuses on the PGPB characteristics influencing plants and the mechanisms in which they function to overcome/lessen As-induced adversities. Several recent examples of mechanisms responsible for increasing the availability of As to plants and coping with As stresses facilitated by PGPB will be reviewed. Although drawbacks to phytoremediation have been reported, encouraging results have been developed with regular monitoring. Introducing PGPB-assisted phytoremediation of As in a field requires an assessment of the environmental effects of PGPB, especially with respect to the impacts on indigenous bacteria

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Biocompatible soft hydrogel lens as topical implants for diabetic retinopathy

AbstractFashioned contact lenses can be converted into novel drug delivery vehicles. Ocular disease like diabetic retinopathy is a major microvascular complication where its early diagnosis and treatment is still a mystery to clinicians. Delivery of pharmaceuticals to the posterior part of eye is quite difficult, with exemption from the injectable formulations. Drug loaded hydrogel like contact lens implants can be utilized in place of commercial contact lens. Such hydrogel lens implants are developed with precise manner in which they are to be inserted as implants in the mice models. The present work is the preliminary outcome of our ongoing research work where the polymerized lens implant can be used as payload carrier for retinopathy. The aim is to propose such appropriate implants suitable for in vivo mice models.</jats:p