Crop Planning using Stochastic Visual Optimization

As the world population increases and arable land decreases, it becomes vital to improve the productivity of the agricultural land available. Given the weather and soil properties, farmers need to take critical decisions such as which seed variety to plant and in what proportion, in order to maximize productivity. These decisions are irreversible and any unusual behavior of external factors, such as weather, can have catastrophic impact on the productivity of crop. A variety which is highly desirable to a farmer might be unavailable or in short supply, therefore, it is very critical to evaluate which variety or varieties are more likely to be chosen by farmers from a growing region in order to meet demand. In this paper, we present our visual analytics tool, ViSeed, showcased on the data given in Syngenta 2016 crop data challenge 1 . This tool helps to predict optimal soybean seed variety or mix of varieties in appropriate proportions which is more likely to be chosen by farmers from a growing region. It also allows to analyse solutions generated from our approach and helps in the decision making process by providing insightful visualizationsComment: 5 page

Enzymatic clarification of carrot juice by using response surface methodology

 Carrot juice was treated with pectinase at various enzyme concentrations (0.01% to 0.1%), process temperatures (350C to 550C) and incubation time (40 to 120 min).  The effect of these enzyme treatments on filterability, clarity, turbidity and viscosity of the juice were studied by employing a second order central composite design.  The coefficient of determination (R2) values for filterability, clarity, turbidity and viscosity were greater than 0.85.  Statistical analysis showed that filterability, clarity, viscosity and turbidity were significantly correlated to enzyme concentration, incubation temperature and incubation time.  Enzyme concentration was the most important factor affecting the characteristics of the carrot juice as it exerted a highly significant influence on all the dependent variables.  An increase in process time and/or concentration of enzyme treatment was associated with an increase in filterability and clarity, and decrease in turbidity and viscosity.  Based on response surface and contour plots, the optimum conditions for clarifying carrot juice were 0.092% enzyme concentration, incubation temperature of 54.20C and incubation time of 119 min. Keywords: carrot juice, enzyme clarification, response surface methodology  

Vitamin deficiency prevalence in primary school children in Punjab, India

Background: Vitamin deficiencies are the conditions which are prevalent in the society and parents are unaware of them due to their asymptomatic nature. Overcoming this deficiency is integral in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal charted out by the United Nations. Treatable and preventable nature of these conditions needs to be emphasized. Aims and objectives of the study were to study the prevalence of clinical features of vitamin deficiencies in primary school children.Methods: This single point cross sectional study was conducted in primary school children in Faridkot and comprised of students in the age group of 5-11 years. A total of 849 students were clinically examined. The clinical features of vitamin deficiencies were recorded. Descriptive analysis was used for interpretation.Results: Overall incidence of vitamin deficiency features was 18.96%. The features of vitamin A, B complex, C, and D deficiency were seen in 7.18%, 18.02%, 3.06% and 8.48% respectively. Some children have more than one deficiency features.Conclusions: The primary school children do suffer from vitamin deficiencies and there should be timely evaluation for these diseases. Larger studies substantiated with blood levels would provide more insight into these conditions

Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1st second and forced expiratory ratio in automobile spray paint workers

Background: Automobile industry is a place where workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and toxic substances. Workers engaged in automobile spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems. This is due to exposure to low molecular weight compounds (isocyanates) in spray paints.Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 male subjects comprising of the study group (n=50) and the control group (n=50), 18-35 years of age, non-smoker and with no pre occupational respiratory illness. The study group included workers working for 6-8 hours a day and exposed to spray paints for ≤5 years and the controls were age and BSA matched healthy office workers of the same locality. A preformed questionnaire was given to subjects and pulmonary functions parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC)) were recorded by computerised spirometer (Medspiror).Results: The two groups did not differ significantly on physical parameters. The pulmonary function parameters of the study group (FVC p=0.036, FEV1/FVC p=0.000) were found to be significantly different when compared to that of controls. As the age, weight, height and BSA increases there was a significant decrease in FEV1 in study group. Duration of exposure (<3 and more than equal to 3) had no statistically significant impact on pulmonary function tests (FVC p=0.139, FEV1 p=0.339, FEV1/FVC p=0.158) in the study  group.Conclusions: Exposure to automobile spray paint impairs lung functions

Effect of obesity on lung volumes among adults

Background: Obesity has long been recognized to have significant effect on respiratory functions. Many studies have reported exponential decrease in pulmonary function test (PFT) with increasing body mass index (BMI), which is a crude indicator of obesity. Also, the relationship between BMI and PFTs varies with age, race, geographical region and the different obesity standards used. To the best of our knowledge, not many studies have been done to examine the relationship between obesity and lung volumes among adults in our region, Jammu. This cross-sectional study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of obesity on lung function test in obese but otherwise healthy adults of Jammu region.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jammu region on subjects selected randomly from different colleges in the age group of 18-40 years. The study involved 300 subjects; divided into three groups of 100 each, based on BMI into normal, overweight and obese groups. Four respiratory parameters viz. FVC (Forced Vital Capacity), FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second), FEV3 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 3 seconds), and MVV (Maximum Voluntary Ventilation) were used to assess their lung functions.Results: All the respiratory parameters exhibited statistically significant decrease in obese groups as compared to normal and overweight groups.Conclusions: The present study suggests that obesity alters the respiratory physiology by producing a restrictive ventilatory pattern

Role of lifestyle and psychological variables in erectile dysfunction: a cross-sectional study

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent yet underestimated disorder among men, associated with a significant burden of illness. The understanding of pathophysiological factors has led to better assessment of the disease yet a lot of patients are left dissatisfied and undertreated. The study was undertaken to elicit the various life style and psychological variables associated with ED.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on cases of ED reporting in urology OPD in 3 months period. A pretested semi structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. ED was addressed in five domains using International index of erectile function (IIEF) scale. Information collected included socio demographic factors, life style variables and psychological factors [perceived stress (PT), self-esteem (SST) and erectile performance anxiety (ET)]. Data collected was analyzed using independent sample t test.Results: A total of 155 cases of ED participated in the study. Their mean age was 33.93±5.05 years (range 25-48).  80.6% were non-smokers, 54.8% were alcoholic and 22.6% patients performed light physical activity. There was no statistically significant association between different life style variables with five domains of International index of erectile function except for the domain of orgasmic function with consumption of drugs (p=0.017) and intercourse satisfaction with physical activity(p=0.045). Barring the domain of overall satisfaction most of the other domains of ED showed a significant association with psychological variables.Conclusions: Contrary to lifestyle factors, psychological factors are significantly related to ED and need to be addressed effectively for improving patient treatment outcome

Comparison of the efficacy, safety, acceptability and fetomaternal outcomes of combination of mifepristone and foley’s catheter with foley’s catheter alone in induction of labour in term pregnancies with previous lower segment caesarean section

Background: Objective of the study was to compare the efficacy, safety, acceptability, fetomaternal outcomes of combination of mifepristone and Foley’s catheter with Foley’s catheter alone in induction of labor in term pregnancies with previous Lower segment caesarean section (LSCS).Methods: This was a prospective study of 36 women induced with mifepristone and foley’s catheter and 36 women induced with foley’s catheter alone at 37 weeks to 41+6 weeks with previous LSCS.Results: Mean bishop score on admission in combined group (2.44) was comparable with that of foley’s alone group (2.91, p=0.888). Mean Bishop score (BS) after foley’s expulsion in group A and group B was 7.46 and 6.33 respectively, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). In group A 69.5% of women delivered vaginally compared to 52.2% in group B which was comparable (p=0.230). Mean induction to delivery interval was significantly short in combination group (15.5±1.3 hours versus 20.8±1.07 hours, p=0.003). 50% women in group A required oxytocin for induction/ augmentation of labour as compared to 77.8% in group B (p=0.02). Failed induction was statistically higher in group B (p<0.05). No difference was found with regards scar dehiscence, scar rupture, Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), wound infection, puerperal pyrexia, Meconium stained liquor (MSL), fetal distress, mean birth weight, 1 and 5 minutes Appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (APGAR) score, neonatal outcome, hospital stay.Conclusions: Priming with mifepristone before insertion of foley’s catheter results in significant change in BS signifying that combination promotes early cervical ripening as compared to foley’s catheter alone. Mifepristone plays significant role in cervical ripening, reduces induction to delivery interval, oxytocin requirement and failed induction

Relationship between intake of artificial sweeteners and body mass index in young non-diabetic adults: a cross-sectional study

Background: Artificial sweeteners have skyrocketed the market in the last decade and there are unlimited products available today that contain them. They are often projected as one of the easy and effortless method of cutting down calories and have gained importance in the community. They are being used as one of the dietary tools to control or prevent weight gain not only in diabetic adults but also in young healthy adults and children. There is a need to examine any possible contribution of these substances on body weight and BMI of an individual.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among randomly selected healthy non-diabetic subjects of both sexes in the age group 18-35 years. Those with history of intake of artificial sweeteners in the last one year (in the form of pellets or diet soda) were considered as study group and equal no of non-users were taken as comparison group for study purpose. A pretested semi structured questionnaire prepared in English language was used to collect information. Variables such as height, weight and body mass index were noted. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 20.0).Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of weight and BMI (p=0.003 and 0.002 respectively). The mean weight and BMI was more in those subjects who had consumed more than one serving of diet can per day. Sweeteners in pellet form failed to show any statistical significance association between frequency of use and BMI.Conclusions: The study suggested of a possible association between the use of artificial sweeteners and BMI. Young adults need to be sensitized about various safe weight management techniques and healthy lifestyle, rather than resorting to methods like intake of artificial sweeteners

Study to determine serum vitamin D levels in patients with congestive heart failure

Background: It was to evaluate the association of serum levels of vitamin D in patients with congestive heart failure.Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of Medicine at Chattrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital among 100 patients, aged 18 years and above diagnosed as congestive heart failure on the basis of clinical and echocardiographic evidence. Clinical manifestations looked for CHF were: Dyspnea, orthopnea, acute pulmonary edema, cerebral symptoms, cheyne-stokes respiration, cyanosis, sinus tachycardia, raised jugular venous pressure, congestive hepatomegaly and pedal edema. In the present study deficiency/ insufficiency of vitamin D was considered when the presence of levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 30 respectively with statistically significant difference. The Mean±SD scores of CPK MB (IU/L) was found to be 33.1±20.8 and 18.6±13.3 among the subjects having vitamin D levels 30 respectively with statistically significant difference.Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that low levels of vitamin D may adversely affect the cardiovascular system