Medicon Publications

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a high value and low volume fruit crop that is highly appreciated worldwide for its good taste, aroma as well as health benefits. The present study was conducted to determine if the pre-harvest foliar application of ZnSO₄ and ZnO nanoparticles or their combination influences plant growth, fruit quality, yield as well as fruit and leaves Zn content in strawberry crop variety Camarosa. The study was conducted at Experimental Farm Chhapang, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Khem Singh Gill Akal College of Agriculture, Eternal University, Baru Sahib during 2019-20 and laid out in Randomized Block Design. The treatments consisted of 10 treatment combinations of various concentrations of ZnSO₄ and ZnO nanoparticles along with control replicated thrice. Foliar application was given 45 days after transplanting of crop. The observations were recorded in terms of vegetative, quality and yield parameters along with concentrations of Zn present in leaves and fruits. Results indicated that among different treatments applied the combination comprising of ZnSO₄ @ 0.3%+ ZnO NPs @ 150 ppm recorded best results in terms of all quantitative and qualitative characters. Also same treatment recorded maximum retention of Zn in fruits as well as leaves. In addition the health risk index for Zn content was less than, which proved that the application of ZnSO₄ and ZnO nanoparticles to strawberry does not cause any risk to human health.

Technological advances, sustainable methods, and innovative production and resource management are transforming agriculture. Precision farming, biotechnology, vertical farming, and smart irrigation systems are discussed in this paper. Precision agriculture utilizes GPS, IoT sensors, and data analytics to boost crop yields, cut waste, and improve decision-making. GMOs and CRISPR gene editing are improving agricultural tolerance to pests, diseases, and climate change. Vertical farming and hydroponics reduce land and water use for urban food production. Renewable energy integration, automation, and AI enable cost-effective, scalable, and eco-friendly farming. These inventions aim to solve food security, climate change, and resource shortages, assuring a sustainable agricultural future. Cost, accessibility, and regulatory issues must be addressed to promote their wider use. Innovation is crucial to sustainable agriculture and addressing the needs of a growing global population, as this study shows.
Keywords: Agroforestry; Precision Agriculture; Sustainable Farming; Biotechnology; Organic Farming; Genetic Engineering

This paper discusses the economics of sustainability and consumer opinion associated with fruit wine processing. As sustainability is gaining importance in the food and beverages industry, fruit wine manufacturers face challenges along with opportunities. The study examined how an enterprise could achieve cost savings, increase brand loyalty, and gain market access through sustainable activities such as water saving, organic production, and energy-saving techniques. Consumer attitudes have a significant role to play in successful sustainability practices. This study delves into psychological factors that limit and encourage sustainable wine consumption: environmental issues and health concerns. It investigates the role of sustainability certifications in influencing consumer confidence and purchasing decisions. Notwithstanding stated problems, this research finds successful strategies in sustainable marketing in utilizing consumer psychology for market share gains and premium price justification despite some identified obstacles: early capital expenditure commitments and mistrust with consumers' part. Looking ahead, technical breakthroughs and increasing consumer preferences will continue driving development in the sustainable fruit wine market. Producers that attain effective integration of sustainability with profitability and preserve consumer trust are likely to thrive in the developing fruit wine industry.
Keywords: Sustainable fruit wine production; Economic benefits; Consumer attitudes; Environmental conservation; Organic farming; Consumer psychology

An in vitro experiment was conducted to find out the antagonistic effect of tow bacterial isolates against Pencelium italicum and Pencelium digitatum, on PDA by dual culture technique using Noval ring method (Adetuyi and Cartwright 1985). A mycelial plug of Pencelium, was cut from colony margin by a 0.8 cm in diameter cork borer and placed onto the center of a Petri dish containing PDA medium. A cicular line, made with the edge of sterile 50 mm diameter glass tube dipped in suspension of tested bacteria (10⁸ cfu/ml) and stamped on the medium surrounding the fungal inoculum. The bacterial suspension made according to the methods described by Prakong et al. (2004). Plates were incubated for 7 days at 28°C. Colony diameter of Penclium was measured and compared to control experiment where the bacterial was replaced by sterile distilled water. Four replicates used for each bacteria isolates. The results expressed as mean the percentage inhibition of the growth of the fungus using the following formula: fungal growth in control (mm)-fungal growth in treatment (mm) / fungal growth in control (mm) x 100.

Malnutrition remains a significant global challenge, particularly in developing countries, where it affects millions of people, including children and women. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 820 million people suffer from hunger globally, while millions more face nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, vitamin A, and zinc. Nutri-gardens, also known as nutrition or kitchen gardens, have emerged as a simple yet effective solution to this pervasive problem. By promoting local production of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, nutri-gardens can significantly contribute to combating malnutrition and fostering food security. This essay explores the concept of nutri-gardens, their role in addressing malnutrition, their benefits, and strategies for their promotion, alongside challenges and policy recommendations.

Red seaweed, scientifically classified as Rhodophyta, is a type of macroalgae that primarily inhabits the littoral zone of oceans (Kraft, 1981). It is characterized by its bright pink colour due to the presence of biloprotein pigments such as R-phycoerythrin and R-phycocyanin, and it plays a significant ecological role as a marine habitat. Red seaweeds are commercially harvested for various purposes, including human food, cosmetics, and livestock feed (Makkar et al., 2016).

The behavior of nano-fluids, or fluid suspensions containing nanoparticles in the realm of capillary fluid flow, has garnered tremendous attention recently for applications spanning from household and personal care products to advanced targeted drug therapy and materials fabrication. One concern is how to control the ordering of nano-particle arrays and fabricate those functional devices. Nano-suspension provides us with a path to synthesize and disperse nanoparticles in fluids, however, the fundamental mechanisms about interfaces and wetting kinetics are still unknown when a nanosuspension drop spreads on a solid surface. Herein, results from molecular dynamics simulations will be presented to explore the nanosuspension metal droplet impact process. Furthermore, the results illustrate how the role of impact angle, impact velocity and nanoparticle size affect the spreading kinetics and how this connects dynamic droplet morphology and associated particle positioning on surfaces.
Keywords: Nanosuspension; Droplet Impact; Molecular Dynamics

A numerical study is performed to enhance the performance of electric vehicle batteries of different shapes using different cooling methods. Three cooling approaches were examined: no cooling, water cooling, and the incorporation of nanoparticles in the cooling plate with considering variety of batteries. There are five different setups made for analysis with and without considering flow channels for single and pack up batteries. When the battery pack operated without any cooling mechanism, the maximum temperature (T_max) reached approximately 367 K. This finding underscores the inherent thermal challenges associated with uncooled battery systems, as elevated temperatures can lead to reduced efficiency and accelerated degradation. Implementing a water-cooling system resulted in a notable improvement in thermal performance. The T_max observed with water cooling was reduced around 354 K. The circulating water effectively dissipated heat from the battery pack, mitigating temperature spikes and enhancing overall thermal stability. The introduction of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles into the cooling plate demonstrated the most significant impact on thermal management. The T_max recorded with CuO nanoparticles cooling was substantially lower, measuring around 337 K. The findings of this study have significant implications for the design and optimization of cooling systems for the different battery packs. Efficient thermal management, as demonstrated by water cooling and CuO nanoparticles cooling, can extend the lifespan of batteries, improve overall performance, and contribute to the safety of energy storage systems.
Keywords: Electric vehicle; Battery performance enhancement; Li-ion battery; Pouch and cylindrical; cooling channels; Nanofluids; simulation

We have presented here magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) model based universal NAND and NOR logic gates and studied the proposed universal gates by both experimental and simulation methods. Experimental results substantiates with both the simulated and theoretical results.

We discuss an unsaturated fatty acid with the anticancer effect to start γ-linolenic acid, following a series of linoleic acids like arachidonic acid, an essential fatty acid to the body. On the other hand, heavy water, one of the hydrogen isotopes, relates to the Raman signal with biological materials added to suppress the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids. Specially processed water comes into our theme in connection with heavy water possessing neutron-decay characteristics, and the water changes the hydrogen in heavy water.

The scooter sharing system is a service that enables individuals to rent electric scooters for short term rides. The scooters are mostly electric motor scooters but there are some that are electric kick start. The purpose of this system is to transport people short distances in a safe and efficient way. This research was done to define and analyze the scooter sharing transportation system. System thinking is applied to understand, engineer and innovate the scooter sharing system. The scooter transportation system is defined as an interdependent constituent system that applies systemic tools and diagrams like systemigrams. These tools allow for the system properties to be studied along with the interrelationships. There will be different models of the scooter transportation system examined. The stakeholders will be examined to view the interconnections within the system.

This paper explores the cultural influences on the adoption of organic farming practices in Thailand, highlighting the interplay between traditional agricultural methods, community dynamics, and economic considerations. Despite the government's commitment to promoting organic agriculture through various initiatives, the transition from conventional to organic farming remains slow due to cultural resistance and a lack of clear policy direction. The study examines the significance of social networks, cultural beliefs, and generational differences in shaping farmers' attitudes toward organic practices. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive policy framework that includes financial incentives, training programs, and improved certification processes to facilitate the adoption of organic farming. Additionally, the paper advocates for increased public awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the benefits of organic products, thereby enhancing market demand. By addressing cultural barriers and leveraging positive cultural values, the Thai government can foster a more conducive environment for the growth of organic agriculture, contributing to sustainable development and food security in the country.
Keywords: Organic Agriculture; Cultural Influences; Agricultural Practices; Sustainable Development; Farmer Education

The article considers innovative directions of development of forestry and agricultural machinery with intelligent control systems. Kinematics is considered on the example of a harvester with a multi-link manipulator and walking running equipment. Systems of equations characterizing the spatial position of working and running equipment with a large number of degrees of freedom are presented. The assessment of existing problems and development prospects is given.

Agriculture land in Egypt is paramount to the nation's economy, food security, and social fabric. Egypt's rich history of agriculture, dating back to ancient civilizations along the Nile, has shaped the country's identity and sustenance for millennia. Agriculture has been the lifeblood of Egypt for thousands of years, with the fertile Nile Delta and Nile Valley serving as the cradle of Egyptian civilization. The annual inundation of the Nile River, combined with innovative irrigation techniques developed over centuries, has allowed Egypt to sustain a thriving agricultural sector. Today, agricultural land in Egypt remains a cornerstone of the nation's economy, providing food, raw materials, and employment for millions. Small land holdings play a pivotal role in Egypt's agricultural landscape. These holdings are typically characterized by limited acreage, often less than two hectares, and are predominantly managed by individual families. Small-scale family farms form the backbone of Egypt's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to crop production, livestock rearing, and the livelihoods of rural communities (Muhammad,2018). Fragmented land indicates that it is divided among many legal heirs as it passes from one generation to another. Moreover, non-conducive government policies also lead to such fragmentation. It severely affects agriculture as the mechanization cannot be carried out on small fragmented land.
Due to this numerous adverse challenges are to be expected besides the direct loss of agricultural land due to urban settlement expansion and road network construction. Such effects are caused mainly due to the mechanisms of fragmentation; and division of large patches of agricultural land into smaller and smaller patches. This leads to Smaller land patches, which means higher agrarian costs and the inability to use new agricultural techniques that favor larger patches, added to the increased water requirements, loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and fertilizer leaching Plus the emissions from the urban settlements and the continuous traffic on the road networks, which lead to contamination of the soil and plants surrounding them (Mahmoud, 2014).
In Egypt, small land holdings are integral to achieving food security and economic stability. They facilitate diversified crop cultivation, promote local agricultural production, and empower individuals to contribute to the nation's self-sufficiency in staple crops such as wheat, rice, and vegetables. Lastly, these small-scale farms provide a safety net for millions of Egyptians, offering a source of income and subsistence.
Finally, this paper discussed the challenges of Egyptian land fragmentation and proposed several solutions to mitigate the socio-economic impacts in rural communities.
Keywords: Egypt; Fragmentation; Agricultural land holding; Socio-economic challenges

In this research work four methods are used to calculate the total amount of rainfall for the year 2024. These methods are: The Root Mean Square (RMS) method, The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. The predicted rain amount for the coming year is the average of the four methods.
The prediction of this research work is compared with the average value of the last 32 years of rainfall history. The reason for this average value comparison is that the distribution of the rainfall has been earlier found to have a normal distribution where the most probable value is the mean value for this kind of distribution [5].

As an effective way of large-scale consumption of renewable energy for power generation, off grid hydrogen production and ammonia synthesis systems face multiple challenges in terms of stability and economic operation. The key is how to reasonably allocate the number of electrolytic cells and ammonia load to ensure stable operation of the system throughout the year. In response to these technical difficulties, this article constructs an 8760 hours renewable energy electric hydrogen synthesis ammonia production simulation model that comprehensively considers the abandonment rate and load stability. A reasonable operation planning method for the number of electrolytic cell startups and ammonia load has been proposed. On the premise of ensuring compliance with system constraints, the model can dynamically adjust the number of start-up units, optimize ammonia load, and achieve efficient utilization of wind and solar resources. To verify the actual effectiveness of this method, this article selects a specific case study from Da'an District, Jilin Province for analysis. The results indicate that the planning method proposed in this article not only successfully simulated the production process of ammonia through electric hydrogen synthesis based on 8760 hours of off grid renewable energy, but also significantly improved the rationality of the off-grid system.
Keywords: Renewable energy; Off-grid system; Electric hydrogen production; Synthetic ammonia

The transformative implications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the teaching and learning fraternity has necessitated its integration in the classroom, globally. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the quest for integration in individual school contexts remains an uphill task despite ICT integration being a policy prerogative in a number of countries. This survey has the sole objective of unpacking how the teaching and learning process has been affected due to lack of ICT resources. By use of a simple questionnaire, the researcher made use of semi-structured interviews in order to solicit data from educators in selected South African primary schools. The interviews were transcribed manually and coded. The data analysis process was conducted by use of a thematic mode of analysis. The findings demonstrated that, due to several reasons, many schools do not make use of ICT tools in teaching and learning, as expected, and in most cases, they do not maximise the use of the existing resources, thus affecting the teaching and learning processes. The reasearcher recommends that the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE) seriously take into consideration individual school contexts when allocating ICT resources in order to try and mitigate the challenges. Stepping up monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that currently exist will help identify contextual challenges and help with providing assistance where necessary. Security issues also call for schools to team up with local communities to try and fight the theft and vandalisation of IT resources. All these measures are meant to facilitate the preservation and use of ICT resources in the classroom for the improvement of the learning process.
Keywords: Primary education; ICT integration; information and communication technology; teaching and learning

In the fast-paced landscape of contemporary education, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education stands as a vanguard aimed at equipping students with the skills required for the 21st century. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) alone has proven to miss several components that are critical for children and students to thrive in the 21^st century economy, in terms of application, creation, innovation and ingenuity. As such, STEAM can complete the package of benefits to students by integrating arts principles, which allows them to connect their learning to wonder, critique, inquiry, and innovation. While STEAM education is increasingly recognized as a crucial educational approach, the precise role of research within it and how it can be effectively formalized remains a topic of inquiry. In recent years, there have been emerging methodologies that integrate STEAM in education, and which offer pedagogical alternatives that are more holistic and attractive, and which offer prospects to formalize research in science education. This qualitative systematic review embarks on an exploration of the pivotal role of reading and research within STEAM education, addressing the need to formalize innovation in science education. Data for this systematic review have been sourced from peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and reports that focus on qualitative research within STEM and STEAM education. The systematic review involved data extraction, coding, and thematic analysis using the COSTAQDA cloud-based software.
Keywords: Innovation; Research; STEM; STEAM

Anaemia is an error in the biological system which can lead to mortality if the condition deteriorates. India is one of the world’s leading contributors of anaemia. The major reason for this disease is malnutrition and women of reproductive age (WRA) and children are one of the most vulnerable groups to this condition and maternal anaemia is associated with increased mortality. Here in this work, we have compared two devices Device A (HemoQR) and Device B [Haematology Analyzer-Fully Automated-5 parts (Erba H560)] in hospital camp setup using 280 samples from patients of different age groups using fingertip pricked blood for the test. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy obtained from our study was 92.06 %, 98.67 % and 95.75 % respectively. The results of this study were satisfactory when compared to the criteria of Anemia Mukt Bharat” (AMB) program initiated by the government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare which states a sensitivity and specificity of 80% minimum for an invasive digital hemoglobinometer. The results of this study concludes that HemoQR can be an efficient, economical and smart point of care (POC) haemoglobin (Hb) detection test system using a mobile based application for analysing and collecting the data.

Background: Dengue fever has been known for more than a century in the tropical countries. Dengue fever is now the most common cause of arboviral disease in the world, with an estimated annual occurrence of 100 million cases  and a mortality rate of 25,000 per year. Dengue is diagnosed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and detection of NS1 antigen with corresponding IgM, IgG antibodies by Enzyme immunoassay & Immunochromatographic test. These tests are expensive and may not be available in the periphery. So, the routinely performed hematological parameters and correlation with biochemical parameters will aid in the diagnosis of Dengue Fever.
Objective:  To assess the biochemical markers of renal and liver function, and the hematological markers in dengue fever and to assess correlation of biochemical and hematological parameters with severity of dengue fever.
Methods: This was a record - based study. Data of patients (demographic, clinical details) was collected from hospital information system. Hematological parameters: Hematocrit, total blood count, total WBC count, Total RBC count, Platelet count and Biochemical markers of liver function: Total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, total protein, albumin, A\G ratio, ALT, AST and ALP was retrieved from laboratory information system. The collected data were analyzed for frequency, percentage and mean± SD.
Results: The study was carried out on a total of 170 participants, including 115(68%) male and 55(32%) females. Hematological findings like reduced platelet count and raised leucocytes were seen in majority of the cases. Biochemical findings like raised AST and ALT were seen.
Conclusion:  Thrombocytopenia, raised total leucocyte count, raised AST and ALT will aid in early diagnosis of Dengue infection. Early recognition and prevention rather than treatment of complications is most important for favourable outcome of the disease.
Keywords: Dengue fever; Thrombocytopenia; Hematological and Biochemical parameters

Introduction: The medical tourism growth along with insurance and corporate, which has increased the demand for quality healthcare, made it create national and international accreditation bodies where care quality is brought in a harmonized way. Accreditation also plays a vital role in building service excellence and patient safety through NABH and JCI frameworks.
Aim: This study aims at investigating different accreditation systems and their benefits to the patients in a selected hospital in Bangalore.
Objectives: The study has been enumerated in two primary objectives, and these are: (1) an investigation of the various accreditation systems available for hospital healthcare in Karnataka and (2) assessment of the benefits and patient satisfaction in the chosen hospital.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Data regarding the primary and secondary sources were collected. Primary data were collected from structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with 100 inpatients, whereas the secondary data were derived from literature pertinent to the area of study. This research has been conducted using a simple random sampling technique and analyzed using frequencies and percentages over a period of 3-4 months.
Result: The findings indicate the ways in which Karnataka accreditation systems, particularly NABH and NQAS, can increase patient safety and improve the quality of care. The patients reported high percentages of access, convenience, and continuity of care with excellent communication among staff. The overall patient dissatisfaction was remarkably low except for some of the areas for improvement. The findings indicated that the accredited hospitals have a proportionate increase in the quality of services and patient safety.
Conclusion: This study will, therefore, underpin the significance of accreditation in healthcare and further proposes some future directions for the improvement of patient satisfaction.
Keywords: Hospital Accreditation; Patient Satisfaction; Quality Healthcare; NABH; ISO; NQAS; Medical Tourism

Social jetlag refers to the disruption in natural sleep –wake cycle in scientific term the circadian rhythm. It is commonly due to social or work-related obligations. It can cause acute or chronic effects, which vary from fatigue, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function to increased risk of chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The preventive strategies rest on establishing consistent sleep schedule to avoid or reduce social jetlag and reinforcing the natural sleep-wake cycle.
Keywords: Circadian rhythm; Cardio-metabolic diseases; Night shift

We reported that the multiple bone marrow used to treat and remedy drinking SIGN water led to the reduction of the cancer cells of multiple myeloma from standpoints of the total system in our body. That is why we discuss the SIGN water’s work along the electrical circuit, and we consider the cancer similar to the resistor. The condenser stores electrons and the coil provides them through acupuncture in the body even skin. The infoton in the SIGN water generates magneticity with an electron through coils similar to acupuncture. We propose that magneticity may transfer information with the infoton involving a charge and spin. The essential point is to activate the normal cells around bone marrow due to the infoton resulting in the disappearance of the cancer cells.