Journal of Applied and Natural Science
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Performance analysis of support vector machine for early identification of citrus diseases
Get PDFEarly citrus disease detection is necessary for optimum citrus productivity. But detecting a citrus disease at an early stage requires expert views or laboratory tests. But getting an expert view of all time is impossible for rural farmers. The present study aimed to create a low-cost, intelligent, affordable citrus disease classification system. This study offered a Support Vector Machine (SVM) based smart classification method for categorizing various citrus diseases. Citrus photos were subjected to a variety of image processing techniques to categorize the diseases using SVM and the kernel. Prior to classification, the images were segmented and the hue channel threshold value was used to differentiate the diseased area from the remaining portion of the image. The segmented image’s color and grey domains were used to extract 13 different texture and color features. This study outlined three different SVM kernel types- Linear, Gaussian, and Polynomial, and evaluated their accuracy and confusion matrix performances. The Radial Based Function with a polynomial kernel derived from the SVM outperformed the SVM\u27s linear and Gaussian kernel
Molecular docking studies of different phytochemicals obtained from medicinal Plants of Uttarakhand region for identification of potential inhibitors against mucormycosis causing fungal species
Get PDFMucormycosis is an insidious fungal infection caused by members of Mucorales and zygomycotic species. During the last few years, mucormycosis has become the third most common invasive fungal infection in patients with haematological malignancies and organ transplantations. The incidence of mucormycosis is particularly high in patients with immunocompromised health. It has been reported that CotH receptor proteins have a potential role in binding Rhizopus species with the host cells. Further, CotH1, CotH2, and CotH3 are the spore-coating protein of mucormycosis, which are mostly responsible for the invasion of host cells and causing diseases. The present study aimed to predict the structure of CotH1, CotH2, and CotH3 receptors in Rhizpous delemar using homology modelling on SWISS Server and validated the model based on GMQE and QMEAN scores followed by analysis of the predicted model on Ramachandran plot. Further, molecular docking studies of the predominant 46 phytochemicals found in the medicinal plants of Uttarakhand region, India were done against these three receptors. Autodock vina results have shown that the binding energy value of Curcumin was -8.5 Kcal/mol against CotH1, and the binding energy value of Allosecurinin was -7.6 Kcal/mol against CotH2 and binding energy value of Isoquercetin was -7.7 Kcal/mol against CotH3. Evaluation of the ADMET parameters has shown the high efficacy of these compounds. The present Insilico study suggests that Curcumin, Allosecurinine, and Isoquercetin are effective lead molecules against the receptors CotH1, CotH2, and CotH3 in the mucormycosis caused by fungal species R. delemar
Assessing spatial variability of soil and drawing location-specific management zones for coastal saline soils in Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu
Get PDFThe production of crops in saline and alkali-degraded areas is difficult due to the heterogeneous and spatial variation of soil fertility. First, their spatial variability was analyzed and maps of the spatial distribution were created using Geostatistical techniques. The fuzzy k-mean clustering analysis was then used to define Management zones in the coastal saline soils of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. One hundred and fifty geo-referenced soil samples (30 cm depth) were taken and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (ECe) in the saturated paste extract (USSL method), organic carbon (OC) (Walkley-Black chromic acid wet oxidation method), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (Rapid titration method) and available phosphorus and extractable micronutrients (Multinutrients extraction method), revealing significant variation in soil characteristics throughout the coastal saline soils of Ramanathapuram district. The most significant factors, which together accounted for four principal components and 69% of the overall variability, were pH, electrical conductivity (ECe), calcium Carbonate and available zinc. According to Geostatistical analysis, the Exponential (pH, OC (organic carbon), P, Fe, Mn and Zn) and Stable (ECe) was the best fit semivariogram ordinary kriging model with weak to moderate spatial dependence. Fuzzy k-mean clustering was also used to identify zone 1, zone 2 and zone 3. For every soil property, there was a significant difference between MZ1(zone 1), MZ2(zone 2) and MZ3(zone 3). These results also showed that cluster analysis gave farmers a chance to use location-specific nutrient management strategies by minimizing variability within the zone. The management zones can decrease agricultural inputs and environmental pollutants while increasing crop productivity.
Impact of age dominating over the pre-existing comorbidities influencing the D-Dimer levels in SARS-COV-2 infection
Get PDFCOVID-19-related disease severity is more commonly seen in elderly patients with comorbidities, and hypercoagulability has been demonstrated to be involved in the disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate the level of D-Dimer in hospitalized SARS-COV-2 infected patients and to determine the influence of age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), and comorbidities on D-dimer value and correlate it with disease severity. This case-control retrospective study retrieved patient data on demographic characteristics, vital functions, comorbidities, disease severity [National Institutes of Health (NIH) classification], and D-dimer from medical records of Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates. SPSS-Version-28 was used for data analysis; a Chi-Square test was done to compare the distribution of comorbidities and disease severity between demographic categories. An independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were done to compare mean levels of D-Dimer between two or more categories, respectively. The majority of patients were males, ˃40 years of age, overweight/obese, with 30% having one comorbidity and 20% having ≥2 comorbidities. Among the total, three-quarters had moderate, and one-quarter had severe disease conditions, irrespective of gender or BMI, with an increasing trend of severe cases in the older age group and with comorbidities. Increased D-dimer levels were seen in the majority of SARS-COV-2-infected hospitalized patients, with age as the primary determinant, irrespective of absence or presence of comorbidity, though the trend of higher prevalence of elevated D-dimer value in the multiple comorbid groups and more severe condition was observed. Supporting SAR-COV-2 as a coagulopathic condition, D-dimer concentrations can be a helpful marker of disease progression and can be considered to guide the clinical treatment
Effect of pre-harvest fruit bagging on yield, postharvest quality and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. BARI Tomato-2
Get PDFFruit bagging protects fruits from pest infestation and multiple biotic and abiotic stresses during development without reducing yield. It also can potentially improve the quality and market value of fruits. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the effect of pre-harvest fruit bagging on the yield and quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cv. BARI Tomato-2. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications that constituted the various treatments- T0: Control (no bagging), T1: White paper bag (single layer), T2: Brown paper bag (double layer), T3: Non-woven fabric bag, and T4: Jute bag from October 2021 to March 2022. The results showed that the non-woven fabric bag had the highest fruit length (57.79 mm), diameter (57.81 mm), number of fruits plant-1 (55.9), yield (4.06 kg plant-1), vitamin C (24.63mg/ 100g-1), and lycopene content (0.12 mg g-1). The maximum insect incidence (18.41%) was recorded in control and the minimum was counted in T3 (2.17%). The highest total soluble solid (6.73%0Brix) and dry matter (8.63%) were observed in a white paper bag. The highest mean color score (6.08), firmness (26.81%), and shelf life (13 days) found in fabric bags outperformed non-bagged fruits. The fabric bag showed maximum net income (21.12 TK) and the highest benefit: cost ratio (2.36). Thus, the fabric bag was the best for improving the physical and chemical qualities of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) among the various fruit-covering materials
An empirical analysis of Delhi\u27s air quality throughout different COVID-19 pandemic waves
Get PDFDelhi was one of India\u27s COVID-19 hotspots, with significant death rates during the year 2021. This study looked at the link between COVID-19 cases in Delhi, and key meteorological variables. The study found that COVID-19 cases during the second wave (P2-March- May 2021) were much higher than during the first wave (P1-Jan-Feb 2021) in Delhi. During P1 (Jan-Feb 2021) the mean PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and CO concentrations were greater than that of P2 (March-May 2021) while the reverse happened for SO2 and O3. Spearman correlation test indicated that COVID-19 cases maintained a significant positive correlation with the high temperature of P2 (March-May 2021) and high humidity of P1 (Jan-Feb 2021) in line with the accepted notion that COVID-19 transmitted favourably in hot and humid climates. The Multilayer perceptron (MLP) model indicated that COVID-19 spread was supported by air pollutants and climate variables like PM2.5, NO2, RH, and WS in P1(Jan-Feb 2021) and PM2.5 and O3 in P2 (March-May 2021). Owing to chemical coupling, across all six monitoring stations, O3 maintained an inverse relationship with NO2 throughout the COVID-19 phases in Delhi. The city dwellers had health risks also due to PM pollution at varying degrees, indicated by high hazard quotients (HQs), requiring lowering of air pollution concentrations on an urgent basis
Influence of different types of soils on the growth and yield of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.)
Get PDFQuinoa is a resilient high-yielding pseudo cereal, gaining attention because of its high nutritional value, strong growth potential, and tremendous source of essential amino acids, micronutrients, vitamins, phenolic compounds, and minerals. The main aim of this investigation was to find the best suitable soil type for maximizing the growth and yield of Quinoa. The pot study was undertaken at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during the Kharif 2022 season. Eight soil samples (clay loam soils of wetlands of TNAU, sandy loam soils of eastern block of TNAU, sandy loam soils of Mettupalayam, sandy clay loam soils of 36 B eastern block of TNAU, sandy clay loam soils of 37 B eastern block of TNAU, clay loam soils of Ooty, sandy clay loam soils of Govindanaickenpalayam and sandy clay loam soils of Annur) were collected round Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and tested in a complete randomized design with three replications. The pot study results revealed that growth parameters viz. Plant height (81.5 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (164.8), leaf area (317.7 cm2), number of branches plant-1 (38.0) and dry matter production (22.78 g) were significantly higher in the clay loam soils of Ooty than all other soil types. Similarly, yield attributes such as the number of panicles plant-1 (21.7), panicle length (13.08 cm), number of grains panicle-1 (3050) and grain yield plant-1 (9.60 g) of Quinoa were also higher in the same clay loam soils followed by that in sandy clay loam soils of Govindanaickenpalayam. Red soils of Mettupalayam had shown the lowest growth, yield and yield attributes of Quinoa. Based on the above results, it was concluded that the clay loam soil of Ooty was the best suited for cultivating Quinoa crops
Evaluation of water quality of Mundeswari River in eastern India: a water quality index (WQI) based approach
Get PDFThe Mundeswari River is the western distributary of the Damodar River system in eastern India. The water of this river is extensively used for domestic purposes and agricultural irrigation. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial and temporal water quality variation of the Mundeswari River and assess the water quality status of this river using the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI). Water quality was monitored monthly at four selected sampling stations (M1, M2, M3, and M4) during 2020-2022, considering twelve selected water quality indicators. The obtained water quality data were analysed using different statistical techniques. Water quality at different monitoring stations was appraised through the use of CCME-WQI. The results revealed that the overall water quality of most of the monitoring stations based on CCME-WQI values was “marginal.” The highest WQI value (82.01) was observed at M1, and the lowest WQI (41.24) was recorded at M3. One-way ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference in WQI values between sampling sites (P <0.05). The water quality of the M3 sampling station was found to be in degraded condition throughout the study period. Cluster analysis from the perspective of WQI values revealed two distinct clusters of the sampling stations. Substantial seasonal variation in water quality was also observed. This river had putrid water quality during the pre-monsoon period, and relatively better water quality was evident after the monsoon. This study revealed that the water of the Mundeswari River is utterly unsafe for human consumption and it requires significant treatments before it can be safely used for domestic purposes like cooking, washing etc
Potentiality of natural live food organisms in shrimp culture: A review
Get PDFThe aquaculture industry is growing quickly due to increased fish consumption and a decline in wild fish catch. About half of the world\u27s seafood demand for human consumption is now met by farmed seafood. The aquafeed market is expanding along with the aquaculture sector. Some of the elements in shrimp feed are derived from terrestrial plants and low-value forage fishes (fish meal). It is impossible to produce more fish meals since doing so would harm the ocean\u27s environment and sustainability. The reduction in shrimp feed cost can also be done by introducing low-cost, environment-friendly ingredients in shrimp feed formulation. Therefore, new and ecologically friendly shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) feed component sources must be created. Live food organisms are a preferable option for this since they provide a variety of essential amino acids and beneficial triglycerides like fat, vitamins, and colors in their cell metabolites. Microalgae biomasses also represent feasible ingredients for shrimp feed sources. Their distinctive variety of bioactive chemicals can enhance color and pellet quality, act as a bulk element in shrimp feed, and boost the viability of farmed species. Live food organisms have a great economic potential since they have the highest biomass productivity of all photosynthetic organisms. In addition to giving farmers and exporters a better choice for feeding their fish, the availability of on-grown live food would also open up the prospect of improving the performance and quality of the fish and shrimp through bioencapsulation. This review study examines the possibility of generating natural food biomass as a component in shrimp feed.
Formulation of vegan nutritional gummy supplements and their textural-organoleptic analysis
Get PDFGummy supplements are an exceptional medium for delivering pharmaceuticals and nutritional bioactives, especially for children. Interestingly, they are increasingly finding favor among adults as effective bioactive delivery systems. This study aimed to identify and select natural vegan components for creating and developing gummy prototypes. The gelling agent was agar-agar, sourced from red algae, and combined with carrageenan to enhance compressibility. Phycocyanin from Spirulina and anthocyanin from purple cabbage were used as colorants to provide a range of natural hues. The study resulted in five distinct formulations: Blueberry Anthocyanin Vitamin D (BAD), Blueberry Anthocyanin Vitamin C (BAC), Mango Antacid Anthocyanin (MAA), Mango Flavored Phycocyanin (MFP), and Kiwi Flavored Spirulina (KFS) gummies. Notably, the MAA gummy exhibited suboptimal texture quality during preliminary assessments and was consequently excluded from further analysis.Across the formulations, no visible color changes were noted upon room temperature storage for a week. The BAD gummy displayed heightened adhesiveness and springiness in texture, while the KFS gummy demonstrated superior cohesiveness, chewiness, and gumminess in its fresh state.Interestingly, the BAD gummy exhibited the highest adhesion even in the one-week-old samples.The outcome of the 9-point hedonic sensory evaluation unveiled that the cyan shade, derived from the phycocyanin pigment of Spirulina, was the most preferred color among the gummies. Regarding overall likability, the MFP and BAC formulations garnered the highest responses for being \u27liked extremely\u27. The uniqueness of the present work lies in its meticulous exploration and selection of natural vegan ingredients to craft gummy formulations with diverse bioactive and sensory attributes.