Head Tracked Multi User Autostereoscopic 3D Display Investigations

The research covered in this thesis encompasses a consideration of 3D television requirements and a survey of stereoscopic and autostereoscopic methods. This confirms that although there is a lot of activity in this area, very little of this work could be considered suitable for television. The principle of operation, design of the components of the optical system and evaluation of two EU-funded (MUTED & HELIUM3D projects) glasses-free (autostereoscopic) displays is described. Four iterations of the display were built in MUTED, with the results of the first used in designing the second, third and fourth versions. The first three versions of the display use two-49 element arrays, one for the left eye and one for the right. A pattern of spots is projected onto the back of the arrays and these are converted into a series of collimated beams that form exit pupils after passing through the LCD. An exit pupil is a region in the viewing field where either a left or a right image is seen across the complete area of the screen; the positions of these are controlled by a multi-user head tracker. A laser projector was used in the first two versions and, although this projector operated on holographic principles in order to obtain the spot pattern required to produce the exit pupils, it should be noted that images seen by the viewers are not produced holographically so the overall display cannot be described as holographic. In the third version, the laser projector is replaced with a conventional LCOS projector to address the stability and brightness issues discovered in the second version. In 2009, true 120Hz displays became available; this led to the development of a fourth version of the MUTED display that uses 120Hz projector and LCD to overcome the problems of projector instability, produces full-resolution images and simplifies the display hardware. HELIUM3D: A multi-user autostereoscopic display based on laser scanning is also described in this thesis. This display also operates by providing head-tracked exit pupils. It incorporates a red, green and blue (RGB) laser illumination source that illuminates a light engine. Light directions are controlled by a spatial light modulator and are directed to the users’ eyes via a front screen assembly incorporating a novel Gabor superlens. In this work is described that covered the development of demonstrators that showed the principle of temporal multiplexing and a version of the final display that had limited functionality; the reason for this was the delivery of components required for a display with full functionality

Evaluation of management of bacterial stalk rot of maize (Dickeya zeae) using some chemicals and bio-agents

A virulent strain (M-13) of Dickeya zeae causing bacterial stalk rot of maize, isolated from Hoshiarpur district of Punjab was tested against different antimicrobial agents. Five antibacterial chemicals viz., stable bleaching powder, streptocycline, cristocycline, blitox, kocide and one bioagent (Pseudomonas fluorescens) were evaluated against D. zeae under in vitro and in vivo condition. The chemicals were tested with different concentrations i.e. 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 and >1000 ppm and bioagent supernatant used as such without any dilutions. All the test chemicals and bioagent (P. fluorescens strains) reduced the log cfu/ml of D. zeae. Amongst chemicals, stable bleaching powder with 100 ppm concentration showed most effective antibacterial activity which reduced the population of D. zeae with 6.35 log cfu/ml and amongst P. fluorescence strains, MPF-5 strain showed effective result with 8.07 log cfu/ml. In field condition bleaching powder also showed good result to reduce the disease severity with increased the crop yield when used as both methods (drenching and dusting). However, post inoculation drenching with 100ppm concentration showed minimum mean of disease severity (7.13%) with high yield (7.4 kg) in all three maize cultivars (Dekalb Double, Punjab Sweet Corn-1 and PMH-1). The increase yield per cent as compared to control was 52.4% in Dekalb Double, 64% in Punjab Sweet Corn-1 and 57.9 % in PMH-1 maize cultivars

Damage assessment and management of fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus using traditional method of artificial light in ber crop

Traditional method of artificial light was evaluated against fruit bat, Pteropus giganteus in ber (Ziziphus jujube) orchards of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2017-18 and 2018-19, since; no study has been done in Punjab to assess ber fruit damage and management of fruit bats. Ber is a tropical and deciduous fruit crop which is damaged by different pests among which fruit bats are important ones. Our results reported P. giganteus damage to ber fruits which was economical and ranged from 9.72-11.6% and per tree from 9.96-13.40 kg having yield of 103.3-117.0 kg. Damage of fruit bats was minimized by using traditional and eco-friendly method of artificial light using LED bulbs having different watts, which requires only one time initial cost. It is concluded that on installation of 16 LED bulbs/acre of 30 watt power at a distance of 50 feet from each other in downward position at height of 6 feet above top of tree canopy in orchard having 72 trees planted at recommended distance of 25×25 feet, we can reduce fruit bat damage to minimum level. This non-lethal and non-polluting method can give huge net economic return of Rs. 10646.0/acre to ber fruit growers which will increase their farm income and also helps in bat conservation.

Physical performance difference in community dwelling older adults with successful ageing, usual ageing and mild cognitive impairment

Physical performance in older adults is known to decline with ageing. However, there is limited information about physical performance difference among older adults with; successful (SA), usual ageing (UA) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in physical performance among older adults in these three categorised groups. This study is part of a larger scale population based longitudinal study on neuroprotective model for healthy longevity among older adults (LRGS TUA). Physical performance was assessed using hand grip (HGT; upper limb strength), 2 minutes step (2MST; endurance), sit to stand (STS; lower limb strength), sit and reach (SRT; lower body flexibility), timed up and go (TUG; mobility and balance), back scratch (BST; upper body flexibility) and gait speed (GS; walking speed) tests. Cognitive status was measured using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) for global function, Digit Span for attention and working memory; Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) for verbal memory. Participants were categorised in three groups; SA, UA and MCI. SA group were those without diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung disease, cancer, heart diseases and stroke, had normal scores in MMSE (score of >22), optimum self-rated health and no functional limitations measured using Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire (IADL). Participants with MCI had subjective information of cognitive impairment from caretakers, minimum or low functional limitation, global function with ≤ 19 score on MMSE and 1 SD from below the normal mean of the group for Digit Span and RAVLT. Older adults with UA had minimal or no functional limitation and average scores of MMSE, Digit Span and RAVLT which were between the scores of SA and MCI group. Data was collected among 1291 participants in Phase three of LRGS TUA study. Data was analysed for differences among the three groups using one way ANOVA test. The results showed that majority of older adults was categorized as UA group (71.14%), followed by SA (15.19% ) and MCI (12.72%). Higher performance in physical performance measures except in SRT were demonstrated in SA group compared to MCI and UA groups. Post hoc Sheffe test showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the SA and UA group for all tests except for HGT and SRT. MCI and UA groups were significantly different (p < 0.05) in STS, TUG and GST tests. The results suggested that UA and MCI groups had reduced physical performance in lower limb muscle strength, mobility, balance and walking speed compared SA group. Promoting optimum physical performance is important among older adults for successful ageing

Gender-specific age-related changes in physical performance, physical activity and anthropometry status among community-dwelling older persons with and without mild cognitive impairment : a prospective study

In this study, we aimed to determine gender specific age-related decline in anthropometry status, physical performance (PP) and physical activity (PA) in older persons with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prospectively over 3 years. Within-group changes across three time points (baseline-Wave 1, 18 months-Wave 2, 36 months-Wave 3) based on gender and cognitive status were determined. Data was collected at Wave 3 of a longitudinal study: “Neuroprotective Model for Health Longevity among Elderly”. Secondary data from Wave 1 and 2 was obtained for analysis. Older persons with MCI were categorised to have subjective memory problems (answered ‘yes’ on item 10 of Geriatric Depression Scale), scored at least 1.5 SD below mean average on Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and Digit Span, no dementia, no problems with activities in daily living, intact global cognition (>19/30: Mini Mental State Examination) and without depression (Geriatric Depression Scale 15-items,≤4). Anthropometry measurements and a battery of PP tests were performed. PA was measured using Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly questionnaire. Data from 779 older persons (67.7 ± 5.3 years) consisting of 372 men (68.0 ± 5.2 years) and 407 women (67.4 ± 5.4) who completed all tests from Wave 1 to Wave 3 were analysed. There was a decline in PP (-0.7% to -14.1% per year), PA levels (-0.7% to -14.1% per year) and anthropometry status (-0.1% to -6.3% per year), except for percentage body fat (+9.9% per year) with advancing age. Within-group changes over the three years showed significant differences (p<0.05) in height and PA in non-MCI and MCI men and lower body flexibility in non-MCI and MCI women. Specifically, tailored physical and nutritional health prevention and promotion strategies for older persons based on gender and cognitive status may be beneficial to support person-centered care

Impact of village level education and training on adoption of control strategies, their sustainability and reduction in crop losses

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of village level education and training on adoption of control strategies, their sustainability and reduction in crop losses in Kapurthala and Jalandhar districts of Punjab, India. Three villages selected in each district were categorized as (i) Maintenance area (ii) Neglected area, and (iii) Survey area. In maintenance area, proper education and training was imparted to farmers along with free distribution of rodenticide baits. Similar activities were done in neglected area but rodenticide baits were not distributed among the farmers. The survey area was kept as reference area where neither education was provided nor were the rodenticide baits distributed. KAP survey of farmers before imparting education in Rabi season (wheat crop period) revealed that the rodent control practices being used by the farmers were quite similar across villages. Farmers were often found adopting incorrect methods of poison bait preparation and application. Survey of farmers during subsequent Kharif season (rice crop period) revealed the sustainability of knowledge already imparted during wheat crop period. Impact assessment revealed higher reduction in rodent infestation, damage and yield loss due to rodents in maintenance and neglected villages compared to survey areas indicating timely education and training of farmers to be the important key factors responsible for the success of a rodent control programme. . Copy Right, IJAR, 2014,. All rights reserved

Prediction of Compressive Strength for Fly Ash-Based Concrete: Critical Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms

In the construction field, compressive strength is one of the most critical parameters of concrete. However, a significant amount of physical effort and natural raw materials are required to produce concrete. In addition, the curing period of concrete for at least 28 days is a must for attaining the required compressive strength. Various types of industrial and agricultural wastes have been used in concrete to reduce cement consumption and problems due to its production. Therefore, considering such constraints, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been widely used in the current scenarios to predict the desired output parameters. In the present study, 12 input parameters have been considered along with 455 data points and nine Machine Learning (ML) models to forecast the compressive strength of Fly Ash (FA) based concrete. The output from the models has been compared to find the best-fit model in terms of numerous analyses such as visual descriptive statistics, errors, R2, Taylor’s diagram, Feature Importance (FI), and scatter plots. Based on the analysis of the current study, Decision Tree (DT) and Gradient Boost (GB) were found to be the best-fit model because of the least errors and higher R2 values as compared to other models

Antimicrobial Effect of Mouthwashes in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of three different mouthwashes in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for prevention of white spot lesions Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment between the ages of 15-25years. Patients were divided into 3groups - Group 1 control group, Group 2 using freshclor for 30 sec twice daily and group 3 using HiOra mouth wash for 30sec twice daily. Samples from tooth surfaces were collected at 1st day, 30th day and 90th day interval and were incubated for 48 hours. Colonies were counted using digital colony counter. Results: Freshclor and HiOra mouthwashes showed the maximum potential for the control of pathogenic organisms, and prevention of gingivitis and bacterial plaque inhibition than patients those were not using mouthwash

Unlocking the Potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Healthcare

This book chapter examines the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare. AI has become increasingly prominent in healthcare, providing the capability to automate tasks, analyze large patient data sets, and deliver quicker and more cost-effective healthcare. We focus on its various applications in healthcare including vital sign monitoring, glycemic control, radiology, and emergency room triage with point of care ultrasound (POCUS). We also address Ai’s ethical, legal, and privacy implications in healthcare such as data protection and safeguarding patient privacy. Finally, we explore the potential of AI in healthcare improvement in the future and investigate the current trends, opportunities, and evolving threats posed by AI in healthcare, as well as its implications for human-AI interfacing and job security. This book chapter provides an essential and comprehensive overview of the potential of AI in healthcare, providing a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and researchers in the field