A Novel Framework For Automatic Detection Of Plant Leaf Disease Using 2d-Deep Convolutional Neural Network Architecture

The economy of a country largely depends on its agricultural productivity. Hence, identification of plant leaf diseases plays a vital role in the field of agriculture. In this research, we propose a novel framework for the automatic detection of plant leaf disease based on Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) architecture. The proposed framework involves steps like image restoration, enhancement, clustering, thresholding and classification. The image restoration is performed using a novel filter called 2D Adaptive Hybrid Bilateral Anisotropic Diffusion Filter (2D–AHBAD). This filter is used for the elimination of various noise such as salt and pepper noise, Gaussian noise, random noise, thermal noise, speckle noise etc. Image enhancement is done using Edge Preservation–Modified Histogram Contrast Brightness Equalization (EP-MHCBE) algorithm. The enhanced images are then segmented using clustering and thresholding algorithms. A new technique called Hybrid Fast Fuzzy C Means Improved Expectation Maximization (HFFCM IEM) Clustering technique was used for the computation of clusters. The generated clusters are then segmented based on the Iterative Mean Shift Thresholding (IMST) algorithm. The segmented images are classified using DCNN architecture. A total of 2000 images are used in this framework out of which 1600 images were utilized for training the DCNN architecture. The remaining 400 images were used for testing. The leaf images are categorized into four categories namely, normal, mild, moderate and severe. It was inferred that the proposed AHBAD image restoration algorithm achieved a high PSNR of 54 and very low MSE of 0.0039. Similarly, the proposed DCNN classification system attained a high classification accuracy of 92.25%

Anticoagulant, fibrinogenolytic and anti-platelet aggregation activities of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet seed radicle aqueous extract

The current study explores the anticoagulant, fibrinogenolytic and anti-platelet aggregation activities of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet seed radicle extract (LPRE). It is firstly reported that LPRE has protein at a concentration of 1.5 mg/ml and further evaluated for protein in gel electrophoresis. The proteolytic activity of LPRE was evaluated using casein and gelatin as substrate. LPRE showed a specific activity of 0.35 U. LPRE increased the plasma clotting time significantly showing its anticoagulant property. LPRE hydrolyzed the A?, B? and ? chains of fibrinogen. Furthermore, LPRE significantly inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by agonist adenosine diphosphate (ADP)

Vegetable Consumption Pattern and Health Consciousness of Urban Terrace Garden Farmers

A study was conducted to analyse the vegetable consumption pattern and health consciousness of urban households practicing terrace gardening at their homes. The survey was conducted among randomly selected 90 households in Pune city i.e., Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri - Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The study revealed that among the urban wellers doing terrace gardening, everyone showed either moderate or high level of health consciousness and no one showed low level. The amount of vegetables consumed per household per day was taken in to consideration while collecting details regarding general consumption pattern of vegetables. As per the study, it was found that, 70 per cent were consuming moderate amount of vegetables on daily basis

Ispaghula Husk-Based Extended Release Tablets of Diclofenac Sodium: Formulation, Evaluation and In vitro Release Studies

Purpose: To formulate extended-release tablets of diclofenac sodium based on ispaghula huskMethods: Tablets with varying proportions of diclofenac sodium and ispaghula husk were formulated by wet granulation technique at a fixed compression force of 10 kN. The formulated tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters as well as by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction (XRD).Results: Content uniformity, weight variation, thickness and friability of the formulated tablets were within acceptable limits. The hardness of the tablet decreased from 5.4 to 4.2 kg/cm2 with increasing quantity of ispaghula husk in the formulation. In contrast, disintegration time increased from 12 to 70 min with increasing amount of husk. Tablets formulated with 1:0.25 and 1:0.5 drug/husk ratio failed to extend drug release whereas tablets prepared with 1:0.75 and 1:1 ratio extended release up to 5 and 6 h, respectively. FTIR, DSC and XRD analysis of tablets revealed the absence of diclofenac–ispaghula interaction and crystalline nature of diclofenac sodium. Drug release data fitted well with Korsmeyar-Peppas and the n value of 0.98 indicate non-Fickian diffusion. The tablets were stable on storage and retained its physicochemical properties within acceptable limits.Conclusion: The results indicate the possibility of formulating extended-release tablets based on ispaghula husk. The tablets were stable during storage and free from drug-excipient interactions. However further studies are required to ascertain the safety of the husk and to optimize the release properties of the tablets.Keywords: Ispaghula husk, Extended release tablet, Diclofenac sodium, Release kinetics

Artificial Intelligence in Maxillofacial Radiology by Leaps and Bounds

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science concerned with building smart software or machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI is capable of mimicking human brain. Recent advances in machine learning have produced algorithms that allow automated and accurate detection, imaging, diagnosis, as well as other specialties of dentistry, which reduces stressful work and manpower. The AI plays a major role in Dental imaging by diagnosing the conditions based on the Radiographic or optical images. AI technology in dentistry could reduce cost, time, human expertise and medical error.AI in everyday life are growing by leaps and bounds. By no means there exists a doubt in the ascendancy of integrating AI into practice

Medicinal Plants Used by Herbal Healers in Narasipura and Manchale Villages of Sagara Taluk, Karnataka, India

The present study was designed to study the Medicinal plants used by herbalhealers in Narasipura and Manchale villages of Sagara Taluk, Karnataka, India. The people, particularly from rural places, depend on herbs for primaryhealth care where ethnomedicinal use of plants has been practiced since timeimmemorial. Sagara taluk is located in the midst of the Western Ghats regionof Shivamogga District, Karnataka State, India. Ethnobotanical field surveyswere conducted from January to March 2012 to document the uses of medicinal plants by herbal healers in villages Narasipura and Manchale ofSagarataluk, Karnataka state, India. A total of 21 plants in Narasipura and 14plants in Manchale were documented. The information about local name,partsused, type of formulation and disorders for which they were used aredocumented

Uric acid as a prognostic marker in heart failure

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a problematic disease in both developed and developing countries worldwide with more than 20 million people affected each year. In developed countries the prevalence is 2%. Recently our understanding of heart failure has evolved to be more complex involving neuroendocrine and immune system activation. Now we had understood that not only the cardiovascular system is affected here, but peripheral tissues and other organs also contribute to symptoms and play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. Numerous studies show increasing evidence of role of uric acid as a marker of metabolic and hemodynamic derangements in heart failure patients. Uric acid can also be used as a predictor of survival in these patients. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To estimate the level of uric acid in heart failure patients and the prognostic importance of uric acid to be assessed. 2. To identify the importance of uric acid as a prognostic marker in heart failure patients. METHODOLOGY: It is a prospective study conducted in 100 patients with heart failure with ejection fraction of < 55%. Significant differences between serum uric acid in different subgroups was observed over a period of one year and role of uric acid as a prognostic marker was evaluated. RESULTS : In my study hyperuricemia was observed in 38% of heart failure patients with EF <55%. It was observed that NYHA class III and IV patients had increased uric acid levels. There was significant negative correlation between low ejection fraction and uric acid. Hyperuricemia was associated with increased mortality rates. CONCLUSION: The results clearly establishes the role of serum uric acid levels as a prognostic marker in heart failure patients. Regardless of whether uric acid levels are ready for clinical use, either as prognostic marker or diagnostic marker to find out the morbidity, complications and subsequent mortality in heart failure patients, with EF < 55% and specifically for NYHA III and IV heart failure with EF < 40%, the therapeutic intervention with uric acid reducers, xanthine oxidase inhibitors for the above ailment should be further explored with large multicentric, cross sectional, double blind control prospective study. As this pathway can be used as a novel therapeutic target, further prospective studies are needed to validate that routine measurements of uric acid and the reduction of uric acid levels in this group of heart failure patients alters the morbidity and mortality rates

PHOSPHORYLATION OF TAU PROTEIN IN BRAIN REGIONS OF CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE - INDUCED RATS: AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF ERYTHROPOIETIN

Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major clinical health problem as it is a systemic disorder that causes widespread organ damageand it is related to significant morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have shown that, cognitive dysfunction increase in prevalence, due toincrease in reactive oxygen species in CKD severity. Tau proteins are proteins that stabilize microtubules. Hyperphosphorylation of tau reduces itsability to bind to microtubule causes dystabilization and production of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and neurodegeneration in the brain. Aberranthyperphosphorylation of tau is critical to the progression of neurodegeneration. Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein has been in clinical use formillions of anemic patients, and some studies show it has a neuroprotective role. Till now studies on the level of tau protein phosphorylation in brainregions of CKD-induced experimental animals and impact of EPO therapy are scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of CKD and EPOtherapy on tau protein phosphorylation in brain regions of experimental rats.Methods: This study was performed on 48 adult male Wistar rats. Two phases were conducted to find out the difference between simultaneous andposttreatment of EPO. Phase I: 24 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (6 animals each): Group 1: Control, Group 2: 0.75% of adeninemixed diet for 4 weeks, Group 3: 0.75% of adenine mixed diet was given for 4 weeks and simultaneous administration of EPO (100 IU/kg btw, ip)thrice weekly. Group 4: EPO alone (100 IU/Kg btw, ip) thrice per week. All the animals were sacrificed uniformly at the end of 4 weeks. In Phase II,24 animals were maintained separately for 40 days experimental period and divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 4 animals were treated as samementioned in Phase I. Group 3: For EPO posttreatment, adenine mixed diet was given for 4 weeks for chronic renal failure (CRF) induction. After the 4week, EPO (100 IU/Kg btw.) was administered daily once for 12 days. At the end of the 40 days, all the animals were sacrificed uniformly. In both thephases after the treatment period, the brain tissue was removed and samples were homogenized. Total tau protein and phosphorylated tau proteinexpressions were analyzed by western blotting method.Results: In results, both the total tau and phosphorylated tau protein levels were significantly increased all the brain regions of CRF-induced groupswhen compared to control. In both simultaneous and posttreatment of EPO, the levels were retrieved.Conclusion: This study proves that EPO supplementation has a promising role in neuroprotection by preventing abnormal phosphorylated tauprotein accumulation. This study also proves the clinical usefulness of EPO as a supplemental therapeutic agent in neurotoxicity.Keywords: Chronic renal failure, Cognitive dysfunction, Hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, Erythropoietin.t

Current Concepts and Trends in Human-Automation Interaction

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.The purpose of this panel was to provide a general overview and discussion of some of the most current and controversial concepts and trends in human-automation interaction. The panel was composed of eight researchers and practitioners. The panelists are well-known experts in the area and offered differing views on a variety of different human-automation topics. The range of concepts and trends discussed in this panel include: general taxonomies regarding stages and levels of automation and function allocation, individualized adaptive automation, automation-induced complacency, economic rationality and the use of automation, the potential utility of false alarms, the influence of different types of false alarms on trust and reliance, and a system-wide theory of trust in multiple automated aids

Temperature influences of the interfacial layer in MOS (Pt/TiO2/Si) structures

In this paper present I-V and C-V electrical characteristics of MOS (Pt/TiO2/Si) were reported. In the I-V characteristics the various electric parameter estimated such as the ideality factor (n), barrier height (FB), leakage current (Ic) and saturation current (Io) were estimated and further analyzed with Cheung functions. These electrical parameters were observed to be varying with heat treatment. The C-V characteristics, flat band voltage (VFB), interface trap density (Dit), effective charge density (Neff) and oxide trapped charge (Qot) were estimated and analyzed. The variation of these values with annealing temperature was correlated with restructuring and rearrangement of TiO2/SiO2 atoms at the metal/silicon interface. The hysteresis loop in counter clock wise voltage between -1 V to 1 V at 1 MHz frequency, after 600 °C heat treatment show the strong accumulation region, this may be due to the reduced interface trapped charge and dangling bon