Deep learning-based decision support system for weeds detection in wheat fields

<span>In precision farming, identifying weeds is an essential first step in planning an integrated pest management program in cereals. By knowing the species present, we can learn about the types of herbicides to use to control them, especially in non-weeding crops where mechanical methods that are not effective (tillage, hand weeding, and hoeing and mowing). Therefore, using the deep learning based on convolutional neural network (CNN) will help to automatically identify weeds and then an intelligent system comes to achieve a localized spraying of the herbicides avoiding their large-scale use, preserving the environment. In this article we propose a smart system based on object detection models, implemented on a Raspberry, seek to identify the presence of relevant objects (weeds) in an area (wheat crop) in real time and classify those objects for decision support including spot spray with a chosen herbicide in accordance to the weed detected.</span>

Place branding in a bottle: management strategies for unplanned messages

Purpose This paper explores an important yet overlooked concept in place branding literature, unplanned messages. Focusing on unplanned messages, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the concept of spontaneous order in place branding and how to manage the unplanned communication process so as to ensure a high reputational status for a place. Design/methodology/approach This paper builds on past research on place brand communication and proposes a conceptual framework for unplanned messages. Findings Classification schemes for places and place brands are proposed, contributing to place brand management in three aspects: reviewing of decisions and strategies undertaken, assessing current situation and planning way forward when it comes to priorities for place management and development. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that introduces the emergent image and presents a classification scheme for places that contributes to a strategic management program of unplanned messages in place branding.

Improvement Of Caregivers Ability to Care for Patients in Mentari Hati Social Institutions Tasikmalaya

Based on Riskedas data in 2013, the prevalence of mental disorders in Indonesia is about 6% of the population has emotional disorders and 1.7% of serious mental disorders. In West Java the prevalence reaches 1.6%, while in Tasikmalaya City there are 171 sufferers. Mental disorders can be caused by biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors, it can also be caused by inadequate provision of patient care, especially in small towns and villages. Patients with chronic mental disorders need care management that involves various elements in the healing process, such as family, community and caregivers. The role of care giver which is very influential in the patient's healing process, they are in charge of providing emotional support and the necessities of life. The complex problems in patient care caused many of them not to be well cared for. One of the phenomena was found at the Mentari Hati Social Institusion. The caregiver's low educational background, and lack of knowledge in care, are among the factors causing the ineffective treatment provided. For this reason, a mental nursing service management program is needed which is managed in a Community Mental Health Nursing (CMHN) program which aims to empower caregivers by providing consultation and education services, and providing information on mental health principles. The purpose of this community service activity is to improve the care giver's ability to care for mental patients.

Evaluating the Implementation of the Diabetes Self-Management Program in a Rural Population

The evidence-based Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) has been shown to improve a variety of health-related outcomes, but the program has been challenging to implement in rural areas, and rural dissemination has been low. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of implementing the DSMP on self-reported outcomes in a rural region. Through a collaboration with multiple partners, the Living Well program delivered 28 DSMP workshops from 2017 to 2019. Data were collected to determine whether there were post-intervention changes in patient-reported outcomes on measures of diabetes distress, self-management, and patient activation. In addition, secondary analysis of A1C was abstracted from the medical records of participants with type 2 diabetes who completed at least four sessions of a DSMP workshop between 2017 and 2019 and whose medical records had a A1C value in the year before the program and at least one A1C value &gt;3 months after the program. Statistically significant improvements were seen for the Diabetes Distress Scale (P = 0.0017), the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (P &lt;0.0001) and the 10-item Patient Activation Measure (P &lt;0.0001). There was no evidence of change in A1C over time in analyses of all participants (P = 0.5875), but a consistent though nonsignificant (P = 0.1087) decline in A1C was seen for a subset of participants with a baseline A1C ≥8%. This evaluation provides preliminary support for implementing the DSMP as part of a comprehensive treatment and self-management plan for people living with diabetes in rural areas.

A Protocol on Using the RE-AIM Framework in the Process Evaluation of the Primary Health Integrated Care Project for Four Chronic Conditions in Kenya

Background: There has been a rapid increase in morbidity and mortality arising from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program has established a chronic disease management program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Kenya at over 150 health facilities in western Kenya. The primary health integrated care for chronic (PIC4C) disease project seeks to deliver preventive, promotive, and curative care for diabetes, hypertension, cervical and breast cancers at the primary health care level. We apply the RE-AIM framework to conduct a process evaluation of the integrated PIC4C model. This paper describes the protocol we are using in the PIC4C process evaluation planning and activities.Methods and Analysis: This evaluation utilizes clinic reports as well as primary data collected in two waves. Using mixed methods (secondary data, observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions), the process evaluation assesses the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the PIC4C model in Busia and Trans Nzoia Kenya. The evaluation captures the PIC4C process, experiences of implementers and users, and the wishes of those using the PIC4C services. We will analyse our data across the RE-AIM dimensions using descriptive statistics and two-sample t-test to compare the mean scores for baseline and end line. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically.Discussion: The process evaluation of the PIC4C model in Kenya allows implementers and users to reflect and question its implementation, uptake and maintenance. Our experiences thus far suggest practicable strategies to facilitate primary health care can benefit extensively from deliberate process evaluation of the programs undertaken. Furthermore, integrating the RE-AIM framework in the process evaluation of health programs is valuable due to its pragmatic and reporting usefulness.

Kaolin Particle Film Protects Grapevine cv. Cabernet Sauvignon Against Downy Mildew by Forming Particle Film at the Leaf Surface, Directly Acting on Sporangia and Inducing the Defense of the Plant

Downy mildew is a major threat to viticulture, leading to severe yield loss. The use of traditional copper-based fungicides is effective, but has adverse effects on the environment and human health, making it urgent to develop an environmentally friendly disease management program. Multi-functional kaolin particle film (KPF) is promising as an effective and safer treatment strategy, since this material lacks chemically active ingredients. In this study, ability of Kaolin particle film (KPF) pretreatment to protect grapevine leaves from Plasmopara viticola was tested and the mode of action of KPF was analyzed. KPF application reduced the disease severity and the development of intercellular hyphae. Additionally, there was reduced accumulation of H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) with pretreatment. The observation of ultrastructure on the leaf surface showed KPF deposition and stomatal obstruction, indicating that KPF protected plants against disease by preventing the adhesion of pathogens to the leaf surface and blocking invasion through the stomata. KPF pretreatment also activated host defense responses, as evidenced by increased activities of anti-oxidative enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)] and defense-related enzymes [phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinases, and β-1,3-glucanases], increased phytohormone signals [abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA)] and the up-regulation of defense genes related to plant defense. Overall, these results demonstrate that KPF treatment counters grapevine downy mildew by protecting leaves and enhancing plant defense responses.

Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Management: Current State and Future Perspectives

Vine weevil, also known as black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, has been one of the most economically important pest species of global horticultural crops for the past five decades. This period has seen many changes in crop protection practices, including wide-scale adoption of biological controls such as entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi in place of conventional synthetic insecticides. Despite the experimental efficacy of these controls, growers continue to report significant crop losses associated with vine weevil infestation. We argue that simply switching from synthetic insecticides to biological controls, rather than using these controls as part of an integrated management program, is a key factor in the continued importance of this pest. An improved understanding of vine weevil biology and ecology is at the center of the development of truly integrated pest management programs. To this end, we identify opportunities created through recent vine weevil research and highlight key knowledge gaps in which further research may contribute to improved future management approaches.

Field evaluation of WALS truck-mounted A1 super duty mist sprayer® with VectoBac® WDG against Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae) populations in Manatee County, Florida

Aedes aegypti, the Dengue and Zika vector, is a domestic mosquito that is difficult to control. The challenge lies in the mosquito’s preference to lay its eggs in cryptic habitats such as fence post openings, buckets and bird baths, cups. Additionally, current methods of control are labor-intensive. We employed the WALS strategy to evaluate the operational efficacy of applying VectoBac WDG using a truck-mounted mister to control local populations of Ae. aegypti in urban settings with difficult-to-reach larval mosquito habitats. Our study was conducted in Cortez (Manatee County), Florida, USA (27° 27’ N, 82° 40’ W). We selected two study sites, one untreated control (21.9 ha) and one treatment site (23.1 ha) where historical data have shown high populations of Ae. aegypti based on weekly ovitrap surveillance. Weekly BGs and ovitraps (10–15 traps/site) were deployed to monitor adult population dynamics. A total of 50 bioassay jars were placed in the field each afternoon of the Bti application (8 application events) at fixed locations to collect droplets and gauge efficacy. We found significant reduction in female adults (P = 0.0002) and landing rate counts (P = 0.0058) as a result of treatment. Larval bioassays during the eight applications confirmed Bti deposit in a variety of coverage types regardless of placement in the yards. WALS applications with a truck-mounted mister can be effective at reducing disease carrying mosquito populations in residential areas and can be implemented in an integrated vector management program.