Cassava Leaf Disease Identification and Detection Using Deep Learning Approach

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 60% of the world's total population according to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The economy of the developing countries is solely dependent on agriculture commodities. As the world population is increasing at faster pace, the demand for food is also escalating tremendously. In recent days, agriculture is experiencing an automation revolution. Hence the introduction of disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence plays a major role in increasing agricultural productivity. AI enabled approaches would help in overcoming the traditional challenges faced in agriculture practices, by automating various agriculture related tasks. Nowadays, farmers adopt precision farming which uses AI techniques namely in crop health monitoring, weed detection, plant disease identification and detection, and forecast weather, commodity prices to increase the yield. As there is scarcity of manpower in agriculture sector, AI based equipment like bots and drones are used widely. Crop diseases are a major threat to food security and the manual identification of the diseases with the help of experts will incur more cost and time, especially for larger farms. The machine-vision based techniques provide image based automatic process control, inspection, and robot guidance for pest and disease control. It provides automated process in agriculture, paving way for improved efficiency and profitability. Various factors contribute for plant diseases, which includes soil health, climatic conditions, species and pests. The proposed chapter elaborates on the use of deep learning techniques in the leaf disease detection of Cassava plants. The chapter initially describes the evolution of various neural network techniques used in classification and prediction. It describes the significance of using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) over deep neural networks. The chapter focuses on classification of leaf disease in Cassava plants using images acquired real time and from Kaggle dataset. In the final part of the chapter, the results of the models with original and augmented data were illustrated considering accuracy as performance metric

Innovative Approaches to Emergency Medical Services Fellowship Challenges

Introduction: Since the development of an Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited emergency medical services (EMS) fellowship, there has been little published literature on effective methods of content delivery or training modalities. Here we explore a variety of innovative approaches to the development and revision of the EMS fellowship curriculum.Methods: Three academic, university-based ACGME-accredited EMS fellowship programs each implemented an innovative change to their existing training curricula. These changes included the following: a novel didactic curriculum delivery modality and evaluation; implementation of a distance education program to improve EMS fellows’ rural EMS experiences; and modification of an existing EMS fellowship curriculum to train a non-emergency medicine physician.Results: Changes made to each of the above EMS fellowship programs addressed unique challenges, demonstrating areas of success and promise for more generalized implementation of these curricula. Obstacles remain in tailoring the described curricula to the needs of each unique institution and system.Conclusion: Three separate curricula and program changes were implemented to overcome specific challenges and achieve educational goals. It is our hope that our shared experiences will enable others in addressing common barriers to teaching the EMS fellowship core content and share similar innovative approaches to educational challenges

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in antenatal women and its associated risk factors

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important public health problem in India and its prevalence is steadily increasing. It is one of the common complications during pregnancy affecting both maternal and fetal outcome. The increased prevalence is due to the aging population structure, urbanization, obesity epidemic and physical inactivity. Among the South Asian ethnic groups, Indian women mainly south Indians are developing GDM in highest frequency which emphasizes the significance of universal screening in South Asians. The main objective was to find out the prevalence of Gestational diabetes mellitus according to ADA criteria and to examine its association with a number of risk factors in the pregnant population.Methods: Hospital based analytical cross sectional study was conducted for 1 year among 500 antenatal women. Fasting blood glucose was measured after which they were given 75 g oral glucose and plasma glucose was estimated at 1hour and 2hour. GDM was diagnosed according to ADA criteria. Inclusion criterion was pregnant women attending outpatient department between 24-28 weeks gestation. Exclusion criteria were known diabetic women (pre gestational)/diagnosed having GDM before 24 weeks.Results: Prevalence of GDM was found to be 11.8%. Gestational diabetes mellitus was found to be significantly associated with age, BMI, past history of PCOS, family history of diabetes, excess weight gain in present pregnancy, GDM in previous pregnancy and previous poor fetal outcome.Conclusions: Prevalence of GDM is progressively increasing and it was significantly associated with multiple risk factors. Universal screening should be done for all pregnant women for better maternal and fetal outcom

Medium Domination Decomposition of Graphs

A set of vertices  in a graph  dominates  if every vertex in  is either in  or adjacent to a vertex in . The size of any smallest dominating set is called domination number of . The concept of Medium Domination Number was introduced by Vargor and Dunder which finds the total number of vertices that dominate all pairs of vertices and evaluate the average of this value. The Medium domination Number is a notation which uses neighbourhood of each pair of vertices.  For G = (V, E) and ∀u,v∈ V if u, v are adjacent they dominate each other, then atleast dom (u, v) = 1. The total number of vertices that dominate every pair of vertices is defined as TDV(G)=∑dom(u,v), for every u,v∈V(G).  For any connected, undirected, loopless graph G of order p, the Medium Domination Number MD(G) = . In this paper we have introduced the new concept Medium Domination Decomposition. A decomposition of a graphG is said to be Medium Domination Decomposition (MDD) i

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES, PHENOL AND FLAVONOID CONTENTS OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF LEAVES, BARK AND ROOT FROM THE Abutilon indicum (L.) SWEET

Objective: This study evaluated the antioxidant properties of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Abutilon indicum (L).Methods: The different extracts of A. indicum leaves, bark and roots  were antioxidant potential by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2-Azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS•+) , Hydrogen peroxide scavenging, Superoxide anions scavenging,  Hydroxyl radical scavenging, Ferric reducing antioxidant power, Total antioxidant activity (Phosphomolybdic acid) and total phenol and flavonoid contents.                      Results: The highest total phenol and flavonoid contents in leaves extracts of A. indicum. The total phenol (3.08 ± 0.06) mg/ml and flavonoid (7.16 ± 0.15) mg/ml were found to be higher in ethyl acetate extract of A. indicum and free radical scavenging activities IC50 values were calculated and compare to standard for L- ascorbic acid, (BHT) butylated hydroxytoluene and gallic acid    Conclusion:  The results of the study revealed that the ethyl acetate extract of A. indicum leaves can be used for the biological characterization and importance of the compounds identified and creates a platform to screen many bioactive compounds to treat many diseases.Keywords: Abutilon indicum, Free radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl, 2-azino-bis-3-ethyl benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid,Ferric reducing antioxidant power

Prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in infertile women

Background: Hypothyroidism has a significant effect on fertility causing anovulatory cycles, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia and sex hormone imbalances. To identify potential and overt hypothyroidism, thyroid screening should be done for all infertile women. The objective of the study was to find the prevalence of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism among infertile women, to find the correlation of hypothyroidism with hormonal and metabolic parameters associated with infertility.Methods: Hospital based analytical cross sectional study was conducted for one and half years among 300 infertile women with primary and secondary infertility. Women with primary and secondary infertility. All hypothyroid women on thyroxine supplementation, male factor infertility, female factor infertility like tubal factor, anomalies of the urogenital tract, obvious organic lesions in the pelvis and women unwilling to participate or sign the informed consent.Results: The prevalence of hypothyroidism in infertile women was 27%. Among them, 25% were subclinical hypothyroid and 2.33% overt hypothyroid. Menstrual dysfunction was observed in 52% of subclinical and 51.15% of overt hypothyroid women, predominant type being oligomenorrhea. We found a negative correlation of hypothyroidism with the family history of thyroid disease. 91.4% of hypothyroid infertile women were obese and the association was strongly significant. Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in infertile women was 24.67%. The association of hyperprolactinemia with hypothyroidism was 23%. Raised LDL levels were observed in 80% of subclinical and 100% overt hypothyroidism infertile women.Conclusions: Hypothyroidism alters the Hypothalamo-Pituitary ovarian axis and is one of the important etiological factors of female infertility. Most of the women were asymptomatic. Hence every infertile woman should be screened for thyroid profile to open better prospects of conception

A study on the clinical spectrum and electrocardiographic changes in scorpion sting envenomation

Background: Scorpion stings, though not a big problem in many developed countries, it is a major public health problem in underdeveloped and in some developing countries all over the world. Objectives was to study on the clinical spectrum and electrocardiographic changes in scorpion sting envenomation.Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary care institute after obtaining the IEC clearance and informed consent from the patients for a period of 6 months from January 2018 to June 2018. All the patients admitted to the toxicology ward and general ward with scorpion envenomation during the study period were included in the study. A total number of 53 cases of scorpion envenomation and 20 healthy patients from the outpatient department of General medicine, were taken as controls.Results: Fifty-nine percent of the patients presented with Grade 1 envenomation, seven percent with Grade 2 and thirty four percent with Grade 3 envenomation. Local pain (83%) and tachycardia (19%) were the commonest presenting symptom and sign respectively. Sinus tachycardia (6%) was the commonest ECG abnormality seen in the study. There was statistical significance in the relationship between ECG change and biochemical marker CK-MB.Conclusions: Scorpion envenomation in adults needs to be studied to identify the high-risk groups and to assess the morbidity caused it. There was no mortality due to scorpion sting in the study period and significant correlation between the time delay and severity of envenomation was found which indicates a need for immediate medical care following scorpion sting

A new mathematical modelling using Homotopyperturbation method to solve nonlinear equations in enzymatic glucose fuel cells.

For the first time a mathematical modelling of the enzymatic glucose membraneless fuel cell with direct electron transfer has been reported. The niche of this mathematical modelling is the description of the new Homotopy perturbation method to solve the nonlinear differential equations that describes glucose concentration and hydrogen ions respectively. The analytical results of an enzymatic fuel cell should be used, while developing fuel cell, to estimate its various kinetic parameters to attain the highest power value. Our analytical results are compared with limiting case results and satisfactory agreement is noted. The influence of parameters on the concentrations are discusse

A Comparison of Ultrasound Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Vs Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Pain Relief in Hernioplasty Surgeries: A Study of 70 Cases

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) vs transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) for unilateral inguinal hernioplasty surgery done under spinal anaesthesia for postoperative pain relief. METHODS: Seventy unilateral hernioplasty patients, who meet inclusion criteria were randomized and allocated into two groups in this study.After hernioplasty surgery under spinal anaesthesia, all the patients received either ultrasound guided Quadratus Lumborum Block or Transversus Abdominis Plane block when the spinal level regressed to T8 level, for post operative analgesia .Quadratus Lumborum Block was performed under ultrasound guidance with 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% Bupivacaine in the Quadratus Lumborum Block group (Q). Patients in Transversus Abdominis Plane(T) group received TAP block with 0.5 ml/kg of 0.25% Bupivacaine under sonographic guidance. Total duration for performance of block was noted. Patients in both groups were evaluated for any difference in Demographic data (Age, Weight, height, BMI), hemodynamic parameters, numerical rating pain scale for 24 hrs postoperatively, duration of analgesia, total dosage of rescue analgesic tramadol used and complications. RESULTS: The demographic parameters like age, height, weight, BMI, duration of surgery were similar in both groups. The block performance time was prolonged in GROUP Q (Quadratus Lumborum Block group) as compared to GROUP T (Transversus Abdominis Plane Block group). There was no difference in hemodynamic parameters in both groups before and after performance of block. The duration of analgesia(mean+/-standard deviation)was prolonged in GROUP Q (787.14+/-377.87minutes) compared to GROUP T (445.71+/-264.44 minutes) The number of rescue analgesic requirements and average amount of tramadol, consumption was less in GROUP Q than GROUP T(91.43+/- 61.22 mg in GROUP Q, 145.71+/- 61.8 mg in GROUP T) The mean postoperative Numerical Rating Pain Scores were less in GROUP Q as compared to GROUP T during 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24 hours postoperatively. No complication was noted in GROUP T, in GROUP Q one patient had transient femoral nerve palsy which recovered completely after 12 hours postoperatively CONCLUSION: Quadratus Lumborum block provides prolonged duration of analgesia, reduced Numerical Rating Pain scores and has reduced postoperative analgesic requirements than Transversus Abdominis Plane block in unilateral hernioplasty surgeries. The time taken and ease of block performance was better in Transversus Abdominis Plane block than Quadratus Lumborum block

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of beetroot extract upon iron deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls in selected school at kanyakumari district

Statement of the problem :A study to evaluate the effectiveness of beetroot extract upon iron deficiency anaemia among adolescent girls in selected school at Kanyakumari. Adolescence is a time of intense physical growth. It is also a stage of stress and strain. Most of them are having poor access to proper health care, nutrition and education. Beetroot juice is particularly beneficial as an anemia remedy for children and teenagers. Many studies proved that beet root also contribute to improve the hemoglobin level in the blood. Hence a study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of beet root juice on hemoglobin among adolescent girls. Objectives: To assess the haemoglobin level among study and control group. To determine the effectiveness of beetroot juice on haemoglobinlevel between experimental and control group .To associate the haemoglobin level with selected demographic variables .Methodology: Quasiexperimental study design was adopted and the study conducted in Government Higher Secondary School, Kanyakumari,Tamilnadu. A total of 60 adolescent girls were selected for the study, out of that 30 girls were in experimental and 30 girls were in the control group who fulfilled the inclusive criteria were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The freshly prepared beetroot juice was administered to the samples for 20 days in mid morning. Pre and post assessment was done using the checklist for assessing the signs and symptoms of anemia and cyanmethemoglobin method for checking hemoglobin level.Results:The data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics.Samples in the experimental group showed a highly significant improvement in hemoglobin level following the administration of beetroot juice (p<0.001), in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: By this the anemia can be prevented among the adolescent girls and in future the complications due anemia can be prevented