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Smart Phone based Fundus Imaging for Diabetic Retinopathy Detection
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the consequences of diabetes which if untreated may lead to loss of vision. Generally, for DR detection, retinal images are obtained using a traditional fundus camera. A recent trend in the acquisition of eye fundus images is the usage of smartphones to acquire images. OBJECTIVES: This paper focuses on the study of existing works which incorporated smartphones for obtaining fundus images and various devices available in the market. Also, the common datasets used for carrying out DR detection using smartphone-based fundus images as well as the classification models used for the diagnosis of DR are explored. METHODS: A search of information was carried out on articles based on DR detection from fundus images published in the state-of-the-art literatures. RESULTS: Majority of the works uses SBFI devices like 20D lens, EyeExaminer etc. to obtain fundus image. The common databases used for the study are EyePACS, Messidor, etc. and the classification models mostly rely on deep learning frameworks. CONCLUSION: The use of smartphones for capturing fundus images for DR detection are explored. Smartphone devices, datasets used for the study and currently available classification models for SBFI based DR detection are discussed in detail. This paper portrays various approaches currently being employed in SBFI based DR detection. 2023 A. Benjamin et al. -
Nudges and choice architecture in public policy: A bibliometric analysis
In recent years, nudges and choice architecture have gained significant attention amongst researchers, particularly in the domain of public policymaking. This study contributes to the existing literature on the application of nudges and choice architecture in public policy through a bibliometric analysis. A total of 419 documents from the Web of Science database from 2010 to 2021 were analysed, identifying the most prolific authors, foundational works, and sources, along with primary research themes. The study identifies keywords and themes that shape the current research trends and visualizes the intellectual structure of empirical works. The findings show an increasing focus on this subject area over the past decade, with a growing interest in themes such as dietary habits, healthcare, effectiveness of behavioral interventions, and sustainable choices. The application of nudges and choice architecture in policies related to health, food consumption, and diet management has also become increasingly prevalent as evidenced by the exponential growth in publications on these topics. 2023 Elsevier Inc. -
Enhanced Sensing Performance of an Ammonia Gas Sensor Based on Ag-Decorated ZnO Nanorods / Polyaniline Nanocomposite
The development of low-cost ammonia sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity has gained considerable interest. Though the response of these sensors at room temperature is low and needs enhancement. In the present study high sensitivity ammonia gas sensors based on nanocomposite films of polyaniline (PANI) and with varying ZnO concentrations were synthesized and investigated. With a loading of 10 at% ZnO, the gas sensing response of 59 % was obtained for 120 ppm NH3 gas. The gas response was further enhanced by decorating the ZnO nanorods with different concentrations of silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The Ag-decorated ZnO nanorods were embedded in the PANi matrix using the in-situ oxidative polymerization technique. It was shown that PANi ZnO, p-n junction, and the introduction of porosity in nanocomposite act synergistically in increasing the resistance caused by the deprotonation of PANi by NH3. Among various compositions studied, 2 % loading of Ag in ZnO embedded in PANi matrix, thin films were found to be highly selective and sensitive towards NH3 gas at room temperature with a chemiresistive response of 70 % at 120 ppm and a recovery time of less than 120 s. The selectivity of the nanocomposite was also studied towards various reducing and oxidizing gasses. 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. -
Homosexuality as a Dominant Narrative in Class
[No abstract available] -
A formative measurement model and development of quality of work-life scale based on two-factor theory: evidence from Indian private industries
Purpose: This study examines the quality of work-life (QoWL) as a formative construct and validates the scale in an Indian context. Taking a cue from the two-factor (Herzberg) theory, the study developed and validated a formative assessment model of QoWL in the current scenario. Design/methodology/approach: Cross-sectional data and a self-administered questionnaire were used to analyze the QoWL scale based on a sample of 841 respondents from IT/ITES, BFSI, CPG and manufacturing sectors. Indicators/items of QoWL were considered a first-order reflective construct, and factors of QoWL were considered second-order formative construct in the study. Embedded two-stage approach was used to assess the antecedent construct in the model in which QoWL was measured with seven formative indicators in stage one, and all the constructs of the QoWL are measured with a single item (Global_QWL, i.e. the essence of all constructs) in stage two. Findings: The study found QoWL as a formative construct with seven significant dimensions; namely, hygiene factors included fairness in compensation (FC), job security (JS), interpersonal relationship (IR), health and wellbeing (HWB), where motivational factors had rewards and career growth (RG), work-life balance (WLB) and learning and development (LD). The study also indicated the strong association of a single item (global_QWL) with all constructs of QoWL. The study findings conceptualize a QoWL as a formative construct within the mentioned sector and can be generalized and extended to other sectors of the economy as well. Research limitations/implications: Future researchers can take guidance to deal with the formative construct in the development and validation of scale in various topics in the field of HRM. Future researchers can extend the study across cities and different sectors. Practical implications: In this VUCA world, employees have to be constantly on their toes to ensure their organization remains relevant. In this context, the least organization can do for their employees is to offer a conducive environment and favorable QoWL. This study aims to assist the key decision-makers in applying the QoWL index as a formative construct and aiding them in improving the quality of their decisions. Social implications: Researcher believes that applying the QoWL index as a formative construct can aid decision-makers in improving the quality of their decisions by equipping them with relevant inputs and knowledge. Government can focus on the employees' welfare and introduce the current motivational and hygiene factors in the area of quality of life of the Indians. Originality/value: Formative assessment measurement of QoWL model was validated with the two-factor theory to understand the work environment of India in the private sector across different sectors. The unique finding of the study was a single item (global_QWL) to conclude the QoWL index as a formative construct by redundancy analysis. 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited. -
VERTEX INDUCED k-EDGE COLORING AND VERTEX INCIDENT k-EDGE COLORING OF GRAPHS
Let k ? 2 be a natural number. Then the vertex induced k-edge coloring number ? vik(G) of a simple connected graph G = (V,E) is the highest number of colors needed to color the edges of a graph G such that the edges of the subgraph induced by the closed neighborhood N[v] of the vertex v ? V (G) receives not more than k colors. The vertex incident k-edge coloring number ? vink(G) of a simple connected graph G = (V,E) is the highest number of colors required to color the edges of a graph G such that the edges incident to a vertex v in graph G receives not more than k colors. In this paper, we initiate the study on ? vik(G) and ? vink(G). We also determine the exact values of ? vik(G) and ? vink(G) for k = 2 for some special graphs. 2023 Yarmouk University. All rights reserved. -
The Eff ect of Music and Editing Style on Subjective Perception of Time When Watching Videos An Eye-tracking Study
Arousal, editing style, and eye movements have been implicated in time perception when watching videos. However, little multimodal research has explored how manipulating both the auditory and visual properties of videos aff ects temporal processing. This study investigated how editing density and music-induced arousal aff ect viewers time perception. Thirty-nine participants watched six videos varying in editing density and music while their eye movements were recorded. They estimated the videos duration and reported their subjective experience of time passage and emotional involvement. Fast-paced editing was associated with the feeling of time passing faster, a relationship mediated by fi xation durations. Higharousal background music was also associated with the feeling of time passing faster. The consequences of this study in terms of a possible auditory driving eff ect are explored. The Author/s -
Determinants of Food Security in the Gulf Cooperation Council: A Cointegration Approach with an Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model
This paper examines the dynamics of the food import bill for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during the period 1980 2019 using a co-integration approach of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The study ascertains that the food market in the GCC is highly dependent on imports, which makes it vulnerable to any import disruption. The model confirms that there is a long-term relationship between the food import bill and its dynamics, with an adjustment rate of 37%, indicating that 37% of the deviations from the long-run path are corrected annually. The study demonstrates that in the long run, the food import bill was positively influenced by Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, exports, inflation, global food prices, and regional instability and negatively influenced by the local production index. Population growth has a significant impact only in the short run. The implications of the findings were discussed, and a food security framework for the GCC has been developed. Engineered Science Publisher LLC 2023. -
Artistic Representation of Gender Nonconforming Female Bodies in Social Media: A Study of Select Indian Graphic Artists on Instagram
The study critically examines gender nonconforming female identities via their sex-ualized representations through artistic imagination on Instagram. Instagram representation becomes a political act where this visual subversion allows the queer to reclaim their non-binary identity and thus articulate their choices through their body. The digital graphic art taken under study is select images from the Instagram pages of Indian artists artwhoring, aorists, and sayartic. The research study examines the question of an ideal hegemonic femininity perpetuated by the rhetoric of Indian heteronormative patriarchal assertions. It analyses select images that defy hegemonic femininity and gender binary by embodying an amalgamation of masculinity and femininity and lesbian desire which forms an act of subversion. The methodology of critical discourse analysis is employed to study Instagram art and the critical frameworks of the fantasy female body, and the notion of hetero-patriarchal femininity. In conclusion, the study discusses the treatment of female gender non-conforming bodies, their appearance, lesbian desire, and body image. Such transgressive depiction of bodies successfully situates the female body beyond the dichotomy of masculinity and femininity. 2023 The Author(s). All rights reserved. -
Spanning graph topology of graphs
The collection of subgraphs of a graph G containing G and the null graph K0, which is closed under union and intersection, is said to be a graph topology defined on G. In this paper, we investigate the idea of spanning graph topology of a graph G, where we consider the collection of spanning subgraphs of G satisfying the axioms analogous to the axioms of graph topology. We begin with the basic concepts of spanning graph topological space and later and introduce two spanning subgraph complements to define closed graphs in spanning graph topological spaces. 2023 World Scientific Publishing Company. -
An individualised psychosocial intervention program for persons with MND/ALS and their families in low resource settings
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) leads to significant psychosocial distress for the person with the illness and caregivers. Psychosocial factors influence the management and quality of life to a significant degree. Objective: To develop individualised psychosocial intervention program for people with MND and their families in India. Methods: People with MND and healthcare staff were constructively involved in co-designing the intervention program in four phases adapted from the MRC framework: 1. A detailed need assessment phase where 30 participants shared their perceptions of psychosocial needs 2. Developing the intervention module (synthesis of narrative review, identified needs); 3. Feasibility testing of the intervention program among seven participants; 4. Feedback from participants on the feasibility (acceptance, practicality adaptation). The study adopted an exploratory research design. Results: Intervention program of nine sessions, addressing psychosocial challenges through the different stages of progression of the illness and ways to handle the challenges, specific to the low resource settings, was developed and was found to be feasible. People with MND and families who participated in the feasibility study shared the perceived benefit through feedback interviews. Conclusion: MND has changing needs and challenges. Intervention programme was found to be feasible to be implemented among larger group to establish efficacy. The Author(s) 2022. -
Design and performance analysis of eight channel demultiplexer using 2D photonic crystal with trapezium cavity
In this work, an eight-channel dense wavelength division multiplexing demultiplexer is designed with a 2D photonic crystal triangular lattice. The proposed demultiplexer consists of a centre bus waveguide, an isosceles trapezium resonant cavity, and an eight-circular ring cavity (CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4, CR5, CR6, CR7, and CR8). The point defect resonant cavity consists of seven rods to drop different wavelengths from eight cavities, each of eight drop waveguides. The design is very simple to realise. The finite difference time domain and plane wave expansion method methods were used to analyse the proposed designs band structure and transmission spectrum. The resonant wavelengths are 1.5441 ?m, 1.5443 ?m, 1.544 49 ?m, 1.5447 ?m, 1.5449 ?m, 1.5451 ?m, 1.5453 ?m, and 1.5455 ?m respectively. The proposed device provides a high-quality factor, transmission efficiency, and low crosstalk. The devices footprint is 490.0 ?m2, which can be easily incorporated into photonic integrated circuits. 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd. -
Iron pulsing, a cost effective and affordable seed invigoration technique for iron bio-fortification and nutritional enrichment of rice grains
Rice being a major staple food for millions of people, it has been one of the major targets for bio-fortification and iron bio-fortification in rice has been in prime focus to address global micronutrient malnutrition. Commonly practiced methods for obtaining Fe biofortified rice includes soil amendments and foliar spray with iron salts, breeding and development of transgenic rice varieties with Fe-enriched grain are associated with impediments like high cost, labor intensiveness, sub-optimal outcome and approval for commercialization respectively. Iron pulsing technique has reportedly enhanced the carbon and nitrogen assimilation in rice seedlings, which has been translated in yield. Based on the previous findings, in the present study, we have undermined the efficacy of iron pulsing, in improving the iron content and nutritional status of rice kernel obtained from pulsed plants. The present study documents that kernel of seeds obtained from iron pulsed plants have a higher amounts of iron, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, vitamins, nutrient and anti-oxidants than that of non-treated ones. The iron localization studies revealed that iron was mostly present in the endosperm and embryo. Besides, the ferritin expression levels also validated the fact that, the treated grains have accumulated more iron. Thus, iron-pulsing can serve as a novel and propitious sustainable agricultural innovation for iron bio-fortification and improvisation of the overall nutritional value of the rice grains that is affordable, user and consumer friendly in years to come. 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. -
Two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXenes as a catalyst support for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles via azide-nitroalkene oxidative cycloaddition
Two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides: MXenes have become a prime choice for researchers to exploit their outstanding properties for various applications in different fields majorly including energy, health and environment. Interestingly, there are no reports of utilizing 2D materials especially MXenes as a catalyst support for organic transformations. In the present study, we have utilized 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes as a catalyst support for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles via azide-nitroalkene cycloaddition for the first time. Reusability of Ti3C2Tx MXene catalyst up to five cycles without the loss of catalytic activity with appreciable yields of the product is the noteworthy feature of the present protocol. The synthesized 1,2,3-triazole derivatives possessing long alkyl chain upto fourteen carbon atoms on terminal nitrogen in triazole ring could become a good precursors to give a liquid crystalline properties beyond its biological properties. Nontoxic catalyst, catalyst reusability, broad substrate scope, and good yield are some of the salient features of the present protocol. 2023 Elsevier B.V. -
Viologen appended Schiff base polymer and its symmetrical supercapacitor device performance
A new hyperbranched viologen containing Schiff base polymer (VSBP) is synthesized by condensing TRIPOD and VDA. The polymer is characterized using spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR & 13C NMR) and microscopic (SEM) analyses. The VSBP modified NF electrode renders an effectual electrochemical performance with maximum specific capacitance of 256 F/g at 0.5 A/g. From cyclic stability measurement, 87% capacitance retention is retained at 10 A/g and 95% achieved at 0.5 A/g after 3000 GCD cycles in a three-electrode system. Assembling of VSBP modified NF electrode as a symmetrical supercapacitor device exhibits a high energy density value of 17.02 Wh/kg with a power density of 816 W/kg and acceptable capacitance retention is achieved 90.6% at 1 A/g current density after 5000 cycles. 2023 Elsevier Ltd -
Food and communities in post-COVID-19 cities: Case of India
While Covid-19 pandemic has affected countries across the world, the burden has been shared disproportionately by urban poor from the cities in Global South. In much of Global South, while cities have emerged as growth centers, they are mostly driven by informalities, belying the image of cities, visualized in the mainstream development economics literature as a place of secured formal jobs that free one from the drudgery of rural life. Covid-19 pandemic has exposed these fault-lines in the cities. India serves as a typical case of such urban-centric growth, with informal workers, predominated by disadvantaged social and religious categories, accounting for 81% of workers in urban space. In cities, migrant in general and seasonal migrants increasingly account for bulk of informal workforce. The lockdown imposed in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic left the community of households reliant on informal works for livelihoods, without any rights and entitlements, which affect their access to food. The review of evidence collected in both primary surveys and macro level data points towards sluggishness in recovery of jobs, which coupled with high food inflation, suggests that access to food continues to be an issue in urban governance. The paper calls for a roadmap entailing both short-term and long-term measures to build sustainable urban livelihoods for ensuring food secure urban space in India. 2023 The Author(s) -
Social Media Dependency and Facebook Usage among the Older Adults of Kerala
Social media has become an integral part of modern society, with people of all ages using various platforms to connect, share information, and stay up-to-date on current events. However, there has been a recent trend of increased Facebook usage among older adults, which has raised concerns about social media dependency. The current study explores the trends in social media dependency and Facebook intensity among older adults of Kerala. The present study employed a quantitative research design and the sample consisted of 416 older adults, aged above 60 years. Two scales were used to collect data: the Social Media Dependency Scale (SMDS) and the Facebook Intensity Measure (FBI). Frequency and percentage analysis, Spearman's Rho, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test were carried out using SPSS (Version 23) for deriving results. Those individuals who are more dependent on social media are also more likely to engage in high levels of Facebook activity. A good majority of the participants were found to be using social media and Facebook for more than 3 hours in a day and having more than 400 friends. Social media dependency and Facebook intensity were reported to be high in urban localities, South Kerala having significantly higher rates of social media dependency when compared to North and Central regions. Social media dependency was found to be high among males, whereas no difference was in Facebook intensity among male and females. Implications: Given the importance of social connections for the well-being of older adults, it is critical to understand the impact of social media use on their lives and develop strategies to promote healthy social media behaviour. 2023 Redfame Publishing Inc.. All Rights Reserved. -
Thermorheological effect on RayleighBard magnetoconvection in a biviscous Bingham fluid with rough boundary condition on velocity and Robin boundary condition on temperature
The thermorheological effect on the onset of RayleighBard convection in a biviscous Bingham fluid in the presence of a horizontal magnetic field is investigated considering rough boundary conditions on velocity and Robin boundary conditions on temperature. The viscosity of the electrically conducting fluid is assumed to be sensitive to temperature variation. Linear and global nonlinear stability analyses are performed using the Chebyshev pseudospectral method to determine the existence of instability or otherwise. A general interpretation is made from the results to show the effects of the magnetic field and the variable viscosity on the system's stability. The biviscous Bingham parameter and the Chandrasekhar number are shown to have a delay in the onset of convection, while the effect of temperature sensitivity is to advance the onset. It is found that the results of linear and global nonlinear stability are not in agreement, so the region of subcritical instability exists. Also, the results obtained for RayleighBard convection agree pretty well with those of Platten and Legros and Siddheshwar et al. for the limiting cases. 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. -
Characteristics of chitin extracted from different growth phases of black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, fed with different organic wastes
Insect chitin was isolated from different life stages of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens, such as instar stages, prepupae and pupae, reared separately on fruit and vegetable waste substrates after removal of fat, protein and minerals. Chitin yield was high in prepupae fed with vegetable waste (11.78 0.13%) followed by fruit waste (6.82 0.36%). The extracted chitin was compared with a commercial chitin from shrimp by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The results revealed that both chitins from commercial shrimp source and the H. illucens had similar chemical structures and physicochemical properties indicating the H. illucens chitin samples to be of ?- chitin orientation type. With regards to the H. illucens samples, small physiochemical changes were noticed. Furthermore, the polymers derived from BSF are equivalent to commercial polymers in terms of purity and structural morphology, indicating their utility for industrial and medical applications. Thus, H. illucens prepupae is a promising alternative source of chitin. 2023, African Association of Insect Scientists. -
Mitigation of harmonics for five level multilevel inverter with fuzzy logic controller
Introduction. The advantages of a high-power quality waveform and a high voltage capability of multilevel inverters have made them increasingly popular in recent years. These inverters reduce harmonic distortion and improve the voltage output. Realistically speaking, as the number of voltage levels increases, so does the quality of the multilevel output-voltage waveform. When it comes to industrial power converters, these inverters are by far the most critical. Novelty. Multilevel cascade inverters can be used to convert multiple direct current sources into one direct current. These inverters have been getting a lot of attention recently for high-power applications. A cascade H-bridge multilevel inverter controller is proposed in this paper. A change in the pulse width of selective pulse width modulation modulates the output of the multilevel cascade inverter. Purpose. The total harmonic distortion can be reduced by using filters on controllers like PI and fuzzy logic controllers. Methods. The proposed topology is implemented with MATLAB/Simulink, using gating pulses and pulse width modulation methodology and fuzzy logic controllers. Moreover, the proposed model also has been validated and compared to the hardware system. Results. Total harmonic distortion, number of power switches, output voltage and number of DC sources are analyzed with conventional topologies. Practical value. The proposed topology has been very supportive for implementing photovoltaic based multilevel inverter, which is connected to large demand in grid and industry. M.S. Sujatha, S. Sreelakshmi, E. Parimalasundar, K. Suresh.