Oil Palm Fruits Ripeness Classification Based on the Characteristics of Protein, Lipid, Carotene, and Guanine/Cytosine from the Raman Spectra.

The capacity of palm oil production is directly affected by the ripeness of the fresh fruit bunches (FFB) upon harvesting. Conventional harvesting standards rely on rigid harvesting scheduling as well as the number of fruitlets that have loosened from the bunch. Harvesting is usually done every 10 to 14 days, and an FFB is deemed ready to be harvested if there are around 5 to 10 empty sockets on the fruit bunch. Technology aided by imaging techniques relies heavily on the color of the fruit bunch, which is highly dependent on the surrounding light intensities. In this study, Raman spectroscopy is used for ripeness classification of oil palm fruits, based on the molecular assignments extracted from the Raman bands between 1240 cm-1 and 1360 cm-1. The Raman spectra of 52 oil palm fruit samples which contain the fingerprints of different organic compounds were collected. Signal processing was applied to perform baseline correction and to reduce background noises. Characteristic data of the organic compounds were extracted through deconvolution and curve fitting processes. Subsequently, a correlation study between organic compounds was developed and eight hidden Raman peaks including protein, beta carotene, carotene, lipid, guanine/cytosine, chlorophyll-a, and tryptophan were successfully located. Through ANOVA statistical analysis, a total of six peak intensities from proteins through Amide III (ß-sheet), beta-carotene, carotene, lipid, guanine/cytosine, and carotene and one peak location from lipid were found to be significant. An automated oil palm fruit ripeness classification system deployed with artificial neural network (ANN) using the seven signification features showed an overall performance of 97.9% accuracy. An efficient and accurate ripeness classification model which uses seven significant Raman peak features from the correlation analysis between organic compounds was successfully developed.

Future stem cell analysis: progress and challenges towards state-of-the art approaches in automated cells analysis.

Background and Aims: A microscopic image has been used in cell analysis for cell type identification and classification, cell counting and cell size measurement. Most previous research works are tedious, including detailed understanding and time-consuming. The scientists and researchers are seeking modern and automatic cell analysis approaches in line with the current in-demand technology. Objectives: This article provides a brief overview of a general cell and specific stem cell analysis approaches from the history of cell discovery up to the state-of-the-art approaches. Methodology: A content description of the literature study has been surveyed from specific manuscript databases using three review methods: manuscript identification, screening, and inclusion. This review methodology is based on Prism guidelines in searching for originality and novelty in studies concerning cell analysis. Results: By analysing generic cell and specific stem cell analysis approaches, current technology offers tremendous potential in assisting medical experts in performing cell analysis using a method that is less laborious, cost-effective, and reduces error rates. Conclusion: This review uncovers potential research gaps concerning generic cell and specific stem cell analysis. Thus, it could be a reference for developing automated cells analysis approaches using current technology such as artificial intelligence and deep learning.

Ocular dimensions by three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in emmetropic versus myopic school children.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to investigate eye shapes; however, reports involving children are scarce. This study aimed to determine ocular dimensions, and their correlations with refractive error, using three-dimensional MRI in emmetropic versus myopic children. Methods: Healthy school children aged < 10 years were invited to take part in this cross-sectional study. Refraction and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) were determined using cycloplegic refraction and a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart, respectively. All children underwent MRI using a 3-Tesla whole-body scanner. Quantitative eyeball measurements included the longitudinal axial length (LAL), horizontal width (HW), and vertical height (VH) along the cardinal axes. Correlation analysis was used to determine the association between the level of refractive error and the eyeball dimensions. Results: A total of 70 eyes from 70 children (35 male, 35 female) with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 8.38 (0.49) years were included and analyzed. Mean (SD) refraction (spherical equivalent, SEQ) and BCDVA were -2.55 (1.45) D and -0.01 (0.06) logMAR, respectively. Ocular dimensions were greater in myopes than in emmetropes (all P < 0.05), with no significant differences according to sex. Mean (SD) ocular dimensions were LAL 24.07 (0.91) mm, HW 23.41 (0.82) mm, and VH 23.70 (0.88) mm for myopes, and LAL 22.69 (0.55) mm, HW 22.65 (0.63) mm, and VH 22.94 (0.69) mm for emmetropes. Significant correlations were noted between SEQ and ocular dimensions, with a greater change in LAL (0.46 mm/D, P < 0.001) than in VH (0.27 mm/D, P < 0.001) and HW (0.22 mm/D, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Myopic eyeballs are larger than those with emmetropia. The eyeball elongates as myopia increases, with the greatest change in LAL, the least in HW, and an intermediate change in VH. These changes manifest in both sexes at a young age and low level of myopia. These data may serve as a reference for monitoring the development of refractive error in young Malaysian children of Chinese origin.

Ocular Dimensions, Refractive Error, and Body Stature in Young Chinese Children with Myopia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Purpose: Eyeball shape varies with refraction and body stature. Nevertheless, there are few reports on three-dimensional measurements of eyeball shape in children. The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to investigate the associations between three-dimensional measurements of ocular dimensions, refractive error, and body stature in young Chinese children with myopia in Kuala Lumpur. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five female and 35 male school children aged 8-9 years old were recruited in this study. Cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) and visual acuity (VA) were determined using a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) chart. Body mass index (BMI), body height, and head circumference were ascertained. Three ocular dimensions, that is, longitudinal axial length (LAL), horizontal width (HW), and vertical height (VH), were determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: There were significant differences among the ocular dimensions in the myopic children. Bonferroni-corrected pairwise t-tests showed that LAL was significantly longer (mean difference, 0.318 mm) than VH, which was in turn significantly longer (mean difference, 0.245 mm) than HW. Body height was significantly correlated with LAL (p < 0.001) and SE (p < 0.001), and multivariate linear regression confirmed that longer LAL and more myopic SE were associated with increased body height (p < 0.001 for both) but not BMI (p = 0.894 and p = 0.413) or head circumference (p = 0.305 and p = 0.226). Conclusion: This study confirms previous reports that changes in ocular dimensions are associated with body height in young children. Axial elongation (forming a prolate profile) occurs in myopic children of both genders at a young age.