Rotten-fruit-sorting robotic arm: (Design of low complexity cnn for embedded system)

Industrial Automation has revolutionized the processing industry due to its high accuracy, the time it saves, and its ability to work without tiring. Being the most fundamental part of automation machines, robotic arms are being used as a fundamental component in many types of domestic as well as commercial automation units. In this paper, we proposed a low-complexity convolutional neural network (CNN) model and successfully deployed it on a locally generated robotic arm with the help of a Raspberry Pi 4 module. The designed robotic arm can detect, locate, and classify (based on fresh or rotten) between three species of Mangos (Ataulfo, Alphonso, and Keitt), on a conveyor belt. We generated a dataset of about 6000 images and trained a three-convolutional-layer-based CNN. Training and testing of the network were carried out with MatLab, and the weighted network was deployed to an embedded environment (Raspberry Pi 4 module) for real-time classification. We reported a classification accuracy of 98.08% in the detection of fresh mangos and 95.75% in the detection of rotten mangos. For the designed robotic art, the achieved angle accuracy was 93.94% with a minor error of only 2°. The proposed model can be deployed in many food- or object-sorting industries as an edge computing application of deep learning

Board demographic, structural diversity, and eco-innovation: International evidence

Research question/issue: We examine whether and how board diversity, measured by demographics (i.e., board gender, cultural diversity, tenure, social capital, expertise, and age) and structural diversity (i.e., board independence, size, board seat accumulation-chair, board compensation, and board meeting frequency), influence corporate eco-innovation. Research findings/insights: Utilizing a global sample of publicly listed companies for the period 2004–2019, we find that a one-standard deviation increase in demographic and structural diversity translates into 4.66% and 7.11% higher corporate eco-innovation, respectively. Furthermore, we discover that demographic and structural diversity promotes eco-innovation by offsetting the negative effects of political risk. In an additional analysis, we find evidence that, in the absence of greater external monitoring (institutional investors and analyst following), organizations benefit more from the monitoring role of board diversity. Theoretical/academic implications: By adopting the concept of “bundling the governance mechanisms,” our study adds to the ongoing discourse about the function of board diversity in addressing corporate climate footprints by offering original evidence that board diversity heterogeneity—demographic and structural diversity—matters for corporate eco-innovation. Practitioner/policy implications: Given the increasing pressure on companies to manage their environmental impacts and carbon footprints, our paper has significant ramifications for those involved in promoting eco-innovative business practices, such as policymakers, regulators, and practitioners

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF HEALTHY FOOD KNOWLEDGE ON BEHAVIOR INTENTIONS OF CONSUMER TOWARDS RESTAURANTS

Sustaining customer satisfaction and revisit intentions of the fast food restaurants has become crucial problem for survival in this intense competition. Therefore, this study addressed this problem by conducting this research to investigate the factors effecting customer satisfaction and revisit intentions of the fast food customers in the city of Faisalabad. This study also filled the theoretical gap in the literature by considering Dinex, healthy food knowledge, perceived value’s effect on revisit intentions through mediation of customer satisfaction. For this purpose, quantitative approach was used, and self-administrated questionnaire was provided to the customers of the fast food restaurants in Faisalabad who have at least visited them twice. Sampling technique used for this study was convenient due to the difficulty in finding appropriate sample. 220 of sample size was used after removing inappropriate and unfilled responses. Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed through Smart PLS software. Measurement model ensured the validity and reliability of the constructs. Total seven direct and three indirect hypotheses were proposed in the study. Structural model examined the hypothesis testing and its significance. Findings of the study showed that all direct relationships were positive and significant except effect of healthy food knowledge on revisit intentions. Mediation effects of Dinex, healthy food knowledge, perceived value was significant through customer satisfaction on revisit intentions. Implications of the study includes use of this study for enhancing customer satisfaction and revisit intentions of the customers to gain competitive advantage

Targeting of protein expression in renal disease using siRNA – A review

The kidneys have rarely been used as a target in the systemic delivery of siRNA when compared to other tissues or organs in the body. This review article deals with various modalities adopted to deliver siRNA to the renal system under different normal and pathophysiological states. In this article, the authors have reviewed extensive clinical data that describe the use of siRNA for the treatment of renal diseases. Conventional and 3D modeling utilizes the existing genome-based RNA libraries, which facilitated the identification of molecular pathways involved in renal diseases. Keywords: siRNA, kidney disease, targeting proteins, signal pathway

Nitrous Oxide Influence on Induction of Anaesthesia with Sevoflurane

Objective: To find out if the addition of Nitrous Oxide to Sevoflurane significantly reduces induction time and to study the effect of Nitrous Oxide on the frequency of adverse events during induction. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study Place and Duration of Study: Operation Theatre Complex, PAF Hospital Mushaf Sargodha Pakistan from Jul to Sep 2018. Methodology: One hundred adult indoor patients undergoing elective surgeries were included in the study. Their ages were from 18 to 34yrs, and all fell in ASA I and II category. In Group-A, 43 and Group- B, 57 patients were enrolled. Sevoflurane at a high concentration of 8% was given to all patients for induction. In Group-A, 100% oxygen was used as a vehicle, while in Group-B, 70% Nitrous Oxide and 30% oxygen were used as vehicles. Induction time was measured from switching Sevoflurane to when the patients’ arms fell horizontal. We documented adverse effects, including coughing, laryngospasm,bronchospasm, fall in SpO2 <94%, apnea, excitation (head or limb movements), bradycardia and arrhythmias were documented. Results: Mean induction time was 59.00±13.00s and 58.00±8.00s in Groups A and B, respectively. The difference was statistically insignificant (p-value=0.874). Similarly, there was no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion: We concluded that adding Nitrous Oxide has no clinically significant advantage in the induction of anaesthesia with Sevoflurane in adults

Phytochemical, Antioxidant And Physicochemical Evaluation Of Holoptelea Integrifolia (Roxb.) Seed Oil

Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) from the ulmaceae family, a useful medicinal plant possess number of traditional medicinal uses related to its potential phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity. Folk use various parts of this plant like leaves, barks and seeds to treat different disease conditions. These ailments include inflammation, rheumatism, skin and eye infections and urinary tract disorders like poly urea. The current work was planned to explore the bioactive phytoconstituents present in the seed oil of this plant and its antioxidant activity using a DPPH-Radical Scavenging Assay (DPPH-RSA) . The DPPH-RSA assessed that the seed oil had significant antioxidant activity. Moreover, the detection of phenolic and flavonoid content further highlights the antioxidant potential of the seeds oil. Phytochemical screening was conducted using three spectroscopic techniques i.e., Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID), and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). The FTIR spectra revealed characteristic functional groups, including aliphatic chains, esters, aldehydes, and phenols. In GC-FID analysis, thirteen fatty acids were identified. While the GCMS identified 15 compounds, including alkanes, aldehydes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, and phenolic compounds. Notable bioactive constituents include palmitic acid, octadec-9-enoic acid, and (E)-2-Octenal, known for their medicinal properties. Key physicochemical properties, including iodine value and saponification value, were also analyzed. These results underscore that the seed oil of this plant is a potential candidate for further investigations and can be a rich source of bioactive constituents for the development of ethno medicine

Primary plant nutrients modulate the reactive oxygen species metabolism and mitigate the impact of cold stress in overseeded perennial ryegrass

Overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) turf on dormant bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers. L) in transitional climatic zones (TCZ) experience a severe reduction in its growth due to cold stress. Primary plant nutrients play an important role in the cold stress tolerance of plants. To better understand the cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass under TCZ, a three-factor and five-level central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with a regression model was used to study the interactive effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and their detoxification by the photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The study demonstrated substantial effects of N, P, and K fertilization on ROS production and their detoxification through enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress. Our results demonstrated that the cold stress significantly enhanced malondialdehyde, electrolyte leakage, and hydrogen peroxide contents, while simultaneously decreasing ROS-scavenging enzymes, antioxidants, and photosynthetic pigments in overseeded perennial ryegrass. However, N, P, and K application mitigated cold stress-provoked adversities by enhancing soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, catalase, and proline contents as compared to the control conditions. Moreover, N, P, and, K application enhanced chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids in overseeded perennial ryegrass under cold stress as compared to the control treatments. Collectively, this 2−years study indicated that N, P, and K fertilization mitigated cold stress by activating enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants defense systems, thereby concluding that efficient nutrient management is the key to enhanced cold stress tolerance of overseeded perennial ryegrass in a transitional climate. These findings revealed that turfgrass management will not only rely on breeding new varieties but also on the development of nutrient management strategies for coping cold stress

Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate isolated from kaempferia galanga inhibits inflammation by suppressing interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and angiogenesis by blocking endothelial functions

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate isolated from Kaempferia galanga. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate were assessed using the cotton pellet granuloma assay in rats, whereby the levels of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in the animals' blood. In addition, the levels of interleukin, tumor necrosis factor, and nitric oxide were measured in vitro using the human macrophage cell line (U937). The analgesic effects of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate were assessed by the tail flick assay in rats. The anti-angiogenic effects were evaluated first by the rat aortic ring assay and, subsequently, by assessing the inhibitory effects of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate on vascular endothelial growth factor, proliferation, migration, and tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. RESULTS: Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate strongly inhibited granuloma tissue formation in rats. It prolonged the tail flick time in rats by more than two-fold compared with the control animals. The inhibition of interleukin and tumor necrosis factor by ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate was significant in both in vivo and in vitro models; however, only a moderate inhibition of nitric oxide was observed in macrophages. Furthermore, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate considerably inhibited microvessel sprouting from the rat aorta. These mechanistic studies showed that ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate strongly inhibited the differentiation and migration of endothelial cells, which was further confirmed by the reduced level of vascular endothelial growth factor. CONCLUSION: Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate exhibits significant anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenesis, thus inhibiting the main functions of endothelial cells. Thus, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate could be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory and angiogenesis-related diseases

PROTACs: The Future of Leukemia Therapeutics

The fight to find effective, long-lasting treatments for cancer has led many researchers to consider protein degrading entities. Recent developments in PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) have signified their potential as possible cancer therapies. PROTACs are small molecule, protein degraders that function by hijacking the built-in Ubiquitin-Proteasome pathway. This review mainly focuses on the general design and functioning of PROTACs as well as current advancements in the development of PROTACs as anticancer therapies. Particular emphasis is given to PROTACs designed against various types of Leukemia/Blood malignancies