13 research outputs found
Revisiting Wiedemann-Franz law through Boltzmann transport equations and ab-initio density functional theory
No full text
Efficacy of bio agents and fungicides against Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) under field condition in Sankhuwasabha District, Nepal
No full textThe field experiment was carried out in five years old Golsai variety of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) at Khandbari-4, Pangma of Sankhuwasabha district between February and April 2022 to evaluate the efficacy of bioagents and fungicides against Colletotrichum blight of large cardamom (A. subulatum). Two bioagents, three fungicides, and control/water were taken as treatments, and the experiment was established in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with an area of 4×3 sqm in each experimental unit having 6 treatments with 4 replications. Treatment wise application of bioagents and fungicides was given by using a high-volume knapsack sprayer with the required concentration. Subsequent sprays were given at seven-day intervals. The result of the study showed that among the tested fungicides, TOPCARE (Azoxystrobin 50% WDG) and bioagent Trichoderma viride significantly reduced blight under field conditions. So, spraying of the fungicide TOPCARE (Azoxystrobin 50% WDG) and bioagent T. viride will be best for controlling Colletotrichum blight on large cardamom in the Sankhuwasabha district
Effect of different organic manures on the growth and yield of Zucchini in Khotang, Nepal
No full textThis experiment was conducted from February 2022 to May 2022 in ward no 1 of Diktel Rupakot Majuwagadi Municipality, Khotang district of Nepal to evaluate the efficacy of different organic manures in the growth and yield of zucchini in Khotang. We aimed to identify the most effective organic manure (goat manure, poultry manure, farm yard manure (FYM), vermicompost experiment, and control), and the research was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments and four replications. The Cheongma variety of zucchini was used as a test crop. The recommended dose of manure (goat manure at 20 t/ha, poultry manure at 15 t/ha, FYM at 20 t/ha, vermicompost at 6 t/ha, and control) was applied to each treatment. There is no significant difference observed between treatments and vegetative parameters but a significant difference was found in yield. Furthermore, results showed that the highest yield was obtained from the field treated with poultry manure (1.84 kg), followed by FYM (1.40 kg) and 1.38 kg on vermicompost, respectively. The minimum yield was recorded at 1.09 kg from control, followed by goat manure (1.29 kg). The study by (Farhan, 2021; Eifediyi, 2010) found that the application of poultry manure and FYM significantly increased fruit yield and our research study also demonstrated the same findings
Automated Detection System for Diabetic Retinopathy Using Two Field Fundus Photography
No full textAbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss, caused by damage to the retina from complications of diabetes. Analysis of the retinal photographs for key characteristics of DR can result in early diagnosis and better management of DR. This paper presents a method for automated analysis and classification of the retina as DR or non-DR using two-field mydriatic fundus photography. The optic disc region is located by multi-level wavelet decomposition and recursive region growing from an automatically identified seed point. Blood vessels are extracted by applying histogram analysis on the two median filtered images. Red lesions are detected using three stage intensity transformation and white lesions from multi-level histogram analysis. The final classification of the retina as DR or non-DR is based on an aggregate of the lesions extracted from each image. The proposed method has been validated against diagnosis by a panel of expert ophthalmologists on images from 368 patients. The observed sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 50% respectively. The results show that automated screening based on two-field photography can be applied in routine screening
Efficacy of various botanical pesticides against leaf eating caterpillar (Artona chorista Jordan) on large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) field of Sankhuwasabha District, Nepal
No full textFour treatments (Dadaguard Plus (0.05%), mugwort (Titepati) Oil (0.05%), azadiractin (Neem) Oil (0.25%), and tobacco extract (1%) of different botanicals and an absolute control) were evaluated in a field experiment against a lepidopteran pest, the leaf eating caterpillar infesting large cardamom, in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with an area of 4.2× 3.88 m2 in each experimental unit having 5 treatments with 4 replications at Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal. Leaf-eating caterpillars cause a white papery thin epidermis-like structure at the primary stage and defoliation of the plant, leaving the midrib of the leaves, symptoms at the severe stage. Treatment-wise application of botanicals was done by using a high-volume knapsack sprayer, and the number of larvae per plant was counted at different time intervals, viz., 3, 5, and 7 days after spraying (DAS), to access the effectiveness of the treatments. The botanical pesticides caused significant differences in their effects against the leaf-eating caterpillar. Among the different botanicals, Dadaguard Plus (0.05 %) was found highly effective in managing the leaf-eating caterpillar in large cardamom, followed by neem oil (0.25%), tobacco extract (1%), titepati oil (0.05%), and untreated control, respectively. Dadaguard could be considered an effective botanical in the successful management of the pest leaf eating caterpillar due to its efficacy.
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles applied as a support for Pd and Au nanocatalysts in cycloisomerization reactions
No full textUltra-small mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been synthesized at room temperature with particle sizes ranging from 28 to 45 nm. These MSNs have been employed as heterogeneous supports for palladium and gold nanocatalysts. The colloidal nature of the MSNs is highly useful for catalytic applications as it allows for better mass transfer properties and a more uniform distribution of the nanocatalysts in solution. The two nanocatalysts were evaluated in the cycloisomerization of alkynoic acids and demonstrated to produce the corresponding alkylidene lactones in good to excellent yields under mild conditions. In addition to their high activity, the catalysts exhibit low degree of metal leaching and straight-forward recycling, which highlight the practical utility of MSNs as supports for nanocatalysts. (C) 2014 Author(s). All article content, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.AuthorCount:8;</p
The associations of knee extensor muscle steadiness with maximal voluntary torque and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis
No full textBackground: Muscle weakness is characteristic of knee osteoarthritis. Muscle steadiness may be an important adjunct to knee muscle strength in improving physical function in knee osteoarthritis. However, the role of muscle steadiness is uncertain. Aims: To determine the associations of knee extensor muscle steadiness with maximal voluntary torque and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Baseline data from 177 patients in a randomized clinical trial were used. Isokinetic knee extension torque was processed into maximal voluntary torque [Nm]. Muscle steadiness was expressed as the coefficient of variance [%] and as peak power frequency [Hz]. Physical function was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the Get-Up-and-Go and Stair-climb tests. Associations were determined using regression analyses and adjusted for confounders. Findings: Lower muscle steadiness (i.e., higher coefficient of variance and peak power frequency) was associated with lower maximal voluntary torque (B = − 7.38, [−10.8, −3.95], R2 = 0.10 and B = −14.71, [−28.29, −1.13], R2 = 0.03, respectively). Higher coefficient of variance was associated with lower self-reported physical function (B = 1.14, [0.11,2.17], R2 = 0.03) and remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Peak power frequency was not associated with physical function. Interpretation: Low muscle steadiness was weakly associated with low muscle strength and poorer self-reported physical function. Muscle steadiness and muscle strength seem to be different attributes of muscle function. There is no convincing evidence that muscle steadiness is an important adjunct in studying physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among dairy parlor workers
No full text2011 Summer.Includes bibliographical references.BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and median mononeuropathy among dairy workers. METHODS Sixty-six dairy parlor workers and 58 non-parlor workers at dairies in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado participated in structured interviews regarding hand symptoms and nerve conduction studies (NCS). A case definition of CTS was based on the presence of characteristic CTS symptoms and an abnormal median mononeuropathy. RESULTS The prevalence of CTS among the dairy parlor workers was 16.9% (n=11) and 3.6% (n=2) among non-parlor workers. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) with an odds ratio of 5.3, CI (1.1-25.5). CONCLUSIONS Dairy parlor workers are exposed to highly repetitive and excessive hand and wrist postures combined with high muscle forces increasing the risk of developing CTS. Work tasks in dairy parlor need additional study to identify engineering as well as administrative controls to reduce CTS risk
The stock status of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus commerson (Lacépède, 1800) in the southern Arabian Gulf: a case study using multiple length-based assessment approaches
No full textThis study evaluates the stock status of Scomberomorus commerson in the southern Arabian Gulf, particularly in Abu Dhabi waters, using length-based models to address data limitations in fisheries assessments. The findings contribute critical insights into management practices using four length-based models, namely, LBI, LBB, LBSPR, and LIME, to analyze length frequency distributions from commercial catches between 2011 and 2023. The results indicate that the stock is overfished, with low proportions of mature and optimal-sized individuals and an excessive harvest of juveniles, as shown by the model estimates of F/M ratios and SPR values below target levels. From 2011 to 2019, the biomass declined sharply, but signs of recovery were evident by 2023 due to management actions, such as a gillnet ban introduced in 2019. The final-year estimates revealed a B/Bmsy ratio of 1.0 and F/M of 1.2, suggesting ongoing but reduced overfishing pressures. These outcomes underscore the importance of ongoing data-limited assessment methods in monitoring exploited stocks, providing evidence that restrictive measures have positively impacted biomass recovery. The convergence of outputs across methods, such as the indication of overfishing in S. commerson stocks, suggests that implementing multiple models enhances the robustness of management recommendations, including the enforcement of minimum size limits or reductions in fishing efforts or restriction of certain fishing methods. Overall, this study highlights the importance of using multiple models and choosing appropriate priors to improve the quality of stock assessments in data-limited fisheries.The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.The authors would like to thank the handling editor and two reviewers for their constructive comments, time, and efforts. We are grateful to the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi for their support in conducting this study. We sincerely thank Eid Jumaa Al Romaithi for his assistance in providing the boat and operators needed for the research. We also extend our thanks to Allah Ditta and Muhammad Maqsood for their help with data collection and to Sai Ravi and Anuja Vijayan for their support in data management
