A ROBUST DEEP LEARNING APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE ACCURACY OF POMEGRANATE FRUIT DISEASE DETECTION UNDER REAL FIELD CONDITION

Pomegranate fruits are infected by various diseases and pests, which negatively affect food security, productivity, and quality. Recent advancements in deep learning with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have significantly improved the accuracy of fruit disease detection and classification. The main objective of this investigation is to find the most suitable deep-learning architecture to enhance fruit disease detection and classification accuracy. The current study proposed an efficient deep learning-based approach to detect the most prominent diseases of pomegranate such as bacterial blight, anthracnose, fruit spot, wilt, and fruit borer. For experimentation, a total of 1493 stagewise diseases development images of fruits and leaves are captured via a camera of an interval of 25 days for a total of six months duration. Additionally, extensive data augmentation was performed to increase the dataset, data diversity and to achieve a more robust model for disease detection. For this, the performance of three CNN-based architectures i.e., ResNet50, ResNet18, and Inception-V3 on a real field environment dataset was measured. Experimental results revealed that the proposed CNN-based ResNet50 architecture has effectively detected and classified five different types of diseases whose symptoms are not well defined and with the capability to deal with complex backgrounds. The optimized ResNet50 model achieved 97.92 % test accuracy over ResNet18 (87.5 %) and Inception-V3 (78.75 %) on learning rate 0.001. The multiclass cross-entropy loss function is applied for determining the error rate. To deal with CNN ‘Black Box’ problem Grad-CAM model can be used in the future. The proposed method will help the agricultural industry in detecting the most prominent diseases of pomegranate, which are likely to cause a decrease in productivity, thereby avoiding economic loss

Response of NPK fertigation on pheno-physiological status of Citrus sinensis Osbeck cv. Mosambi under high density planting

The field experiment was conducted during 2013-14 to study the effects of fertigation on the phenology and physiological status of Citrus sinensis cv. Mosambi. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven fertigation level, viz. T1- 120% of RDF; T2- 100% of RDF; T3- 80% of RDF; T4- 60% of RDF; T5- 40% of RDF; T6- Full dose in basal with drip irrigation and T7- Full dose in basal without drip irrigation and each treatment were replicated three times. Results obtained showed that increase in plant height (36.75 cm), trunk girth (4.67 cm), canopy volume (1.83 m3), leaf area index (5.51) and growth of current season shoot (9.42 cm2) of the plant were more responsive to higher dose of fertigation i.e. T1 followed by T2. The treatment effect was not marked on reproductive growth as expressed in terms of bud emergence, full bloom, fruit set and duration of bud emergence to maturity. The tree physiological parameters viz. total chlorophyll (2.65 mg/g), net photosynthesis rate (6.83 μmol CO2 /m2/sec), stomatal conductance (0.18 mol/m2/sec) and leaf area (31.9 cm2) were also higher under treatment receiving higher dose of fertigation i.e. T1. Therefore, on the basis of results obtained, treatment 120% RDF found superior in maintaining pheno-physiological status of mosambi plant under high density planting

Influence of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and integrated nutrient management (INM) on yield and economics attributes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

The present experiment was conducted to study the response of naphthalene acetic acid NAA and integrated nutrient management on yield and yield attributes as well as and economics of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) with four levels of NAA (0 ppm, 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm) and five levels of vermicompost (VC) along with RDF (V0-100% Recommended dose of fertilizer i.e. 120:60:60 Kg N P K /ha ), V1-100% N through Vermicompost, V2-75% N through VC + 25% (RDF), V3-50% N through VC + 50% (RDF) , V4-25% N through VC + 75% (RDF), having 20 treatment combinations. The results revealed that the combine application of 50 ppm NAA and 100% N through vermicomposti.e. P2V1 performed well in respect of fruit length (8.73 cm), fruit diameter (1.46 cm) and fruit weight (2.91 g) while the application of NAA 50 ppm + 50% N through vermicompost along with 50% RDF i.e. P2V3 gave significantly (P=0.05) maximum number of fruits/plant (73.86) and fruit yield per hectare (121.20 q) with higher gross income (Rs.2,66,640.00/ ha), net profit (Rs.1,98,946.00/ ha) and benefit - cost ratio (2.94). Therefore, it can be concluded that the combine effect of NAA 50 ppm along with 50 % N through vermicompost +50% inorganic fertilizers (RDF) gave better result regarding growth and yield attributes and also generated maximum gross income, net return and B:C ratio while the next best treatment was application of NAA 75 ppm along with 25 % N through vermicompost + 75 % inorganic fertilizers (RDF)

Multilevel SVM and AI based Transformer Fault Diagnosis using the DGA Data

The Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) is utilized as a test for the detection of incipient prob-lems in transformers, and condition monitoring of transformers using software-based diagnosis tools has become crucial. This research uses dissolved gas analysis as an intel-ligent fault classification of a transformer. The Multilayer SVM technique is used to de-termine the classification of faults and the name of the gas. The learned classifier in the multilayer SVM is trained with the training samples and can classify the state as normal or fault state, which contains six fault categories. In this paper, polynomial and Gaussi-an functions are utilized to assess the effectiveness of SVM diagnosis. The results demonstrate that the combination ratios and graphical representation technique is more suitable as a gas signature, and that the SVM with the Gaussian function outperforms the other kernel functions in diagnosis accuracy

Investigating social support in the breast cancer context

The overall aim of this thesis was to examine the role of social support networks and the significant other in breast cancer survivors. This thesis begins with a scoping review of current scientific literature to assess social support in the breast cancer context. The findings from this review showed that studies which have investigated social support networks in women with breast cancer do not often consider whether the actual support needs of the patient are met. In addition, there is little evidence from the support sources about the support that they may attempt to provide. Past research has attempted to measure social support and coping but is limited when attempting to understand interactions between the woman with breast cancer and their significant other as a dyadic process. Furthermore, the review indicated the lack of relevant research based in the UK. In Study 1, the perceptions held regarding the male partner were explored in five in-depth interviews with breast cancer survivors to answer the research question of “What support do male partners provide?”. Data were thematically analysed and findings indicated that male partners were perceived to provide instrumental support, whereas female support sources were perceived to provide more emotional support. In addition, the male partner was not always perceived to be the significant other as previous literature has suggested. This finding led to Studies 2A and 2B which aimed to find out more about different social support sources, the types of support provided and identify the significant other. Studies 2A and 2B mark one of the first examples of using ecomaps in this research area 1) as an elicitation tool in semi-structured interviews to collect data regarding an individual’s social support network and 2) as a method of visually presenting social support networks. Studies 2A and 2B illustrate the variety of sources and support provided. The final study, Study 3, presents three case studies of dyads, consisting of a breast cancer survivor and their nominated significant other, who they perceived to have provided them with the most support along the illness trajectory. This thesis contributes to the research literature in several ways. First, it outlines the research gaps in the current scientific research. Second, it provides a novel methodology for investigating the social support networks of breast cancer survivors through the use of ecomapping. Third, it contributes to the emerging knowledge on dyadic coping. The new knowledge generated is of importance when considering the post-treatment phase of the breast cancer trajectory. Finally the limitations and strengths of this work are discussed

Assessment of genetic variability among different genotypes of Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in India

The field experiment was carried out at the research farm of Horticulture Garden, Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bhagalpur during 2014-15 for assessment of genetic variability among different genotypes of cape gooseberry in India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications having twelve genotypes. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all the traits studies which suggesting sufficient variability for yield and quality parameters. The overall values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were higher than those of genetic coefficient of variation (GCV). Higher magnitude of GCV and PCV were recorded for fruit per plant percent (33.30 and 36.61) followed by fruit diameter, fruit weight and flowers per branch. The maximum GCV (33.30) and PCV (36.61) were recorded in fruits/plant respectively. The high values of GCV are the indication of excess variability among the genotypes and thus the scope for crop improvement depends on the selection of superior parents for crossing to get better parents for hybridization. In present study, the magnitude of heritability ranged from 37% to 98% indicating that these traits are controlled by additive gene action which is very useful in selection. The traits like plant girth, plant height, inter nodal length, appearance of 50% of flowering, bud break to full bloom, number of flowers per branch, number of fruits set per branch, duration of fruit set to maturity, fruit weight, fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant with high GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as percentage of mean, indicating that these characters are under additive gene effects and more reliable for effective selection

Does mobile phone instructional video demonstrating sputum expectoration improve the sputum sample quality and quantity in presumptive pulmonary TB cases? Protocol for a prospective pragmatic non-randomised controlled trial in Karnataka state, India.

INTRODUCTION: Sputum smear microscopy is the cornerstone of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India. Instructions on how to produce a good sputum sample are a part of RNTCP training manuals, but its assessment is not emphasised. Healthcare provider's instruction to expectorate a good sputum sample has limitations. Presumptive TB patients often submit inadequate (in quantity and/or quality) sputum samples, which may result in false-negative results. Objectives of the study are, among the selected RNTCP designated microscopy centres in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India, (a) to assess the effectiveness of mobile phone instructional video demonstrating sputum expectoration on sputum quality and quantity and (b) to explore the mobile phone video implementation challenges as perceived by the healthcare providers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a pragmatic, prospective, non-randomised controlled trial in two pairs of RNTCP Designated Microscopy Centres (located at secondary and primary healthcare facilities) of Dakshina Kannada district, India. Presumptive pulmonary TB patients aged ≥18 years will be included. We will exclude who are severely ill, blind, hearing impaired, patients who have already brought their sputum for examination, and transported sputum. In the intervention group, participants will watch a mobile phone instructional video demonstrating submission of an adequate sputum sample. The control group will follow the usual ongoing procedure for sputum submission. This study would require 406 participants for each group to achieve a power of 90% for detecting a difference of 15% between the two groups. The participant enrolment started in December 2019. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Yenepoya University Ethics Committee, Mangaluru, India, has approved the study protocol (YEC-1/158/2019). It complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, local laws, and the International Council for Harmonization-good clinical practices. Investigators will present the results in scientific forums, publish in a scientific journal, and share with RNTCP officers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2019/06/019887)

Development and molecular characterization of genic molecular markers for grain protein and calcium content in finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.)

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn), holds immense agricultural and economic importance for its high nutraceuticals quality. Finger millets seeds are rich source of calcium and its proteins are good source of essential amino acids. In the present study, we developed 36 EST-SSR primers for the opaque2 modifiers and 20 anchored-SSR primers for calcium transporters and calmodulin for analysis of the genetic diversity of 103 finger millet genotypes for grain protein and calcium contents. Out of the 36 opaque2 modifiers primers, 15 were found polymorphic and were used for the diversity analysis. The highest PIC value was observed with the primer FMO2E33 (0.26), while the lowest was observed FMO2E27 (0.023) with an average value of 0.17. The gene diversity was highest for the primer FMO2E33 (0.33), however it was lowest for FMO2E27 (0.024) at average value of 0.29. The percentage polymorphism shown by opaque2 modifiers primers was 68.23 %. The diversity analysis by calcium transporters and calmodulin based anchored SSR loci revealed that the highest PIC was observed with the primer FMCA8 (0.30) and the lowest was observed for FMCA5 (0.023) with an average value of 0.18. The highest gene diversity was observed for primer FMCA8 (0.37), while lowest for FMCA5 (0.024) at an average of 0.21. The opaque2 modifiers specific EST-SSRs could able to differentiate the finger millet genotypes into high, medium and low protein containing genotypes. However, calcium dependent candidate gene based EST-SSRs could broadly differentiate the genotypes based on the calcium content with a few exceptions. A significant negative correlation between calcium and protein content was observed. The present study resulted in identification of highly polymorphic primers (FMO2E30, FMO2E33, FMO2-18 and FMO2-14) based on the parameters such as percentage of polymorphism, PIC values, gene diversity and number of alleles

'I am on treatment since 5 months but I have not received any money': coverage, delays and implementation challenges of 'Direct Benefit Transfer' for tuberculosis patients - a mixed-methods study from South India.

Background: In March 2018, the Government of India launched a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to provide nutritional support for all tuberculosis (TB) patients in line with END TB strategy. Here, the money (@INR 500 [~8 USD] per month) is deposited electronically into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. To avail the benefit, patients are to be notified in NIKSHAY (web-based notification portal of India's national TB programme) and provide bank account details. Once these details are entered into NIKSHAY, checked and approved by the TB programme officials, it is sent to the public financial management system (PFMS) portal for further processing and payment. Objectives: To assess the coverage and implementation barriers of DBT among TB patients notified during April-June 2018 and residing in Dakshina Kannada, a district in South India. Methods: This was a convergent mixed-methods study involving cohort analysis of patient data from NIKSHAY and thematic analysis of in-depth interviews of providers and patients. Results: Of 417 patients, 208 (49.9%) received approvals for payment by PFMS and 119 (28.7%) got paid by 1 December 2018 (censor date). Reasons for not receiving DBT included (i) not having a bank account especially among migrant labourers in urban areas, (ii) refusal to avail DBT by rich patients and those with confidentiality concerns, (iii) lack of knowledge and (iv) perception that money was too little to meet the needs. The median (IQR) delay from diagnosis to payment was 101 (67-173) days. Delays were related to the complexity of processes requiring multiple layers of approval and paper-based documentation which overburdened the staff, bulk processing once-a-month and technological challenges (poor connectivity and issues related to NIKSHAY and PFMS portals). Conclusion: DBT coverage was low and there were substantial delays. Implementation barriers need to be addressed urgently to improve uptake and efficiency. The TB programme has begun to take action