bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Advanced Technologies for Drones in the Context of Security Issues and Challenges
Authors: Saharan Sameer , Bhandari Ajay Kumar , Yadav Bhuvnesh
Published: February 2024

The use of advanced technologies in drones has revolutionized the field of security, offering new possibilities for surveillance, reconnaissance, and response. However, these advancements also bring forth significant security challenges that need to be addressed. This chapter explores the security challenges associated with advanced drones and the measures taken to mitigate those challenges. The focus is on drone forensics, data privacy and security, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, counterfeit and weaponized drones, lack of authentication and identification, jamming and interference, and the implications of these challenges in security contexts. The chapter also discusses the measures being taken to address these issues, including regulatory frameworks, geofencing, counter-drone technology, technology advancements, collaboration and information sharing, research and development, and international cooperation. It emphasizes addressing the security concerns with drone technology balancing the benefits and ensuring the safe and secure integration of drones into various sectors.
Drone Industry Security Issues and Challenges in the Context of IoD
Authors: Shah Imdad Ali
Published: February 2024

The major commercial sector has been drawn to the internet of drones (IoD) because of its technological breakthroughs, utility functions, and capacities. It is a tiered network primarily intended for unidentified aerial vehicles operating in restricted airspace. The IoD offers generic services for various drone applications, including package delivery, traffic surveillance, search and rescue, and others. Drones have the potential to be used in a variety of ways to enhance cybersecurity. A mix of software and hardware components must work together for a drone to successfully take off, fly, and land. Ground control stations often control drones and have rotors, sensors, and navigation systems. These devices are typically used in environments where flying would be hazardous for humans. Technology and operational procedures are the intended targets of cyber security.
Supporting Novice Programmers via the Lens of Instructional Design
Authors: Almutairy Ghadah Fayez , Johnson Alicia L.
Published: February 2024

As the need for skilled computer programmers increases each year globally, so does the need for learning environments that serve the novice programmer. This literature review aims to contribute to the field of computer science education by highlighting successful practices reported in the literature and describing those practices through the lens of instructional design. As the demand for programmers increases, the success of novice programmers remains stagnant. By reviewing research-based instructional practices through the lens of instructional design, instructional designers, researchers, and CS, instructors can make purposeful design decisions in the future that help to meet the needs of the growing number of novice programmers. This chapter highlights the importance of instructional design theories and learning methods in meeting the diverse needs of computer science learners.
Mindfulness of Digital Detoxification
Authors: Talukder Mohammad Badruddoza , Kumar Sanjeev , Das Iva Rani
Published: February 2024

In this age of advanced technology, the tourism industry is deeply intertwined with mobile devices and online social networks. However, it may harm our mental and physical health if we spend too much time in front of screens and rely too heavily on technology while visiting new places. In this chapter, the authors investigate how a digital detox might improve vacationing behaviors. By disconnecting from their devices and surroundings, tourists attempt to purge their systems of digital toxicity. By doing so, travelers can better disconnect from their digital worlds and experience the locations traveler visits, forging deeper connections with both. It is suggested in this chapter to maintain a regular schedule even while away from home. Some “digital detoxification” methods that can be used in tourism are also discussed here. Stakeholders in the sector are given access to successful digital detox project case studies to aid their efforts. Travelers may benefit from Earth's natural beauty if the healthy lifestyle in tourism encourages sustainable travel experiences in the digital age.
Optimising Corporate Social Responsibility, Communication and the Media for Enhanced Organisational Progress
Authors: Ibrahim Adamkolo Mohammed
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores the challenges and importance of effective communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for organisations. It highlights the evolution of CSR and its trajectory from defensive to transformative approaches. The chapter also discusses the three fundamental philosophies shaping CSR practices: laissez-faire, good citizen, and government and business corporation philosophy. Effective communication of CSR programmes is essential, and organisations must consider factors such as sincerity, stakeholder perceptions, source credibility, appropriate communication channels, and the influence of information technology. To address the challenges, the chapter proposes the PESO integrated media model as a framework for CSR communication, which includes paid, earned, shared, and owned media. The model offers organisations the opportunity to leverage different media channels strategically to effectively communicate their CSR activities, engage stakeholders, and achieve their communication objectives sustainably.
Key Motivations for the New Generation of Transactional Leadership in the Food and Beverage Franchise Business in Thailand
Authors: Punnasuparom Prach , Rodtook Pimonpat , Yaiyong Angkana
Published: February 2024

The study is focus on the new generation of transactional leadership in food and beverage franchise business in Thailand. The study explains with its various competitive advantages, the franchise business is a business model which is consideration demand by perspective entrepreneurs, exclusively the food and beverage partnership businesses in Thailand. While all investments have an element of risk, therefore partnering with franchisor is selling a formula for success. The differences between previous and current leadership styles are stark. By understanding the motivations for transaction leadership will be masters of change and resilience. This study has implications for those in new generation sector in general detailing what motivations drive food & beverage franchise business in Thailand will be the defining key motivations of the new generation of transaction leader.
Synergizing Innovation and Internationalization in Family Firms
Authors: Al Daraai Salim Bakhit
Published: February 2024

This chapter delves into the complex relationship between innovation and internationalization in family firms, highlighting how these factors contribute to sustainable global leadership. It begins by exploring the evolution of family firms in the modern era, emphasizing their ability to adapt and withstand challenges. The article then examines the delicate equilibrium between tradition and modernity that fosters innovation within these firms. The chapter illustrates how internationalization presents opportunities for family firms to expand beyond local markets and establish themselves as global leaders. It emphasizes that transitioning from focusing on local management to embracing global responsibility is crucial for sustainable leadership in this context. Moreover, the chapter discusses modern management strategies that enable family firms to achieve their global aspirations while effectively dealing with the challenges posed by international markets. It concludes by envisioning a future where family firms flourish in a sustainable and interconnected world.
Ethical AI Integration in Marketing Strategies for Sustainable E-Commerce Fashion Designing
Authors: Rana Nirbhay
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores the dynamic interplay between ethical AI integration and marketing strategies in the context of sustainable e-commerce fashion designing. It delves into the principles of ethical AI, its implications, and its alignment with the ethos of sustainable fashion. The chapter underscores the significance of ethical considerations in AI deployment, addressing algorithmic bias, data privacy, and human-AI interaction. It further illustrates how ethical AI enhances sustainable fashion marketing by offering personalized recommendations, virtual try-ons, and transparent supply chains. The collaboration between technology and values is examined through the lens of responsible AI deployment, fostering trust, consumer engagement, and a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry.
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership
Authors: Sayed Zahir , Gerwel Proches Cecile N.
Published: February 2024

The service division of an organisation is vibrant and unique and is always the first point of entry for a customer. As a result, workers in customer service environments must be aware of their emotional cues and know how to handle them without endangering their own behaviour or the organization's reputation. Emotional intelligence can be a powerful and advantageous organizational tool when applied correctly. This study was initiated to comprehend emotional intelligence in the role of leadership, specifically in the customers services domain and was conducted in Durban, South Africa. For this study, a qualitative research approach was applied. The researcher carried out semi-structured interviews, while purposive sampling was adopted using experienced individuals from the customer service industry. The key finding of this study indicated that service workers understand emotional intelligence and importantly highlighted the importance of a leader's emotional intelligence skills and how they affect both the customer and service staff.
Blockchain-Based Technology in Corporate Governance
Authors: Xu Jiaman
Published: February 2024

Blockchain-based technology has been recognized as a potential tool to transform corporate governance. This chapter first discusses the persisting challenges of agency costs, inefficiencies, and the need for improved transparency. It then examines the emergence of blockchain as a potential solution, offering a novel, decentralized approach to corporate governance. The analysis covers the technology's application to share registers, trading, voting, and accounting practices, emphasizing the duality of its promise for increased transparency and emergent privacy concerns. Controversial aspects, such as the threat to existing shareholder activism and the governance of blockchain itself, are critically examined. Solutions like hybrid blockchain models and regulatory nodes are proposed to address these issues. The chapter concludes with a forward-looking perspective on decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) as an innovative alternative to traditional corporate structures, signifying a new paradigm in corporate governance.
Utilizing AI-Based Models to Detect Greenwashing Behavior in Corporations
Authors: Wang Jiaqi
Published: February 2024

In the current societal landscape, consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and are wary of greenwashing tactics when making purchasing decisions. This leads to a rise in the advertising of sustainable products. However, many of these claims about being environmentally friendly are exaggerated. So, it is necessary to develop an effective and understandable scoring framework to detect the corporate greenwashing behaviour to help monitor and push the entity reduce their greenwashing behaviour. Yet there are only several articles trying to use AI-based models to assess the corporate greenwashing and most of their database is not assessable and more importantly the criteria of the AI models to assess greenwashing is not clear enough. To move the field forward, this chapter develops a series of criteria based on the AI model formula which was come up with former scholar to help assess the greenwashing. A literature review and case study method based on Tesla have been used to demo the feasibility of proposed scoring framework.
Immersive Learning in Management Accounting Education
Authors: Le Corre Jean-Yves , Xu Shaozhe
Published: February 2024

Creating authentic learning environments that mimic real-life workplace situations encountered by accounting professionals raises several challenges for educators. This study aims to respond to those challenges by proposing a learning prototype that enlightens the benefits of the classroom-as-organization model instructional model supported by a learning management system combined with a 360° and Virtual reality immersive learning platform. The learning prototype integrates virtual reality digital content at three levels of instructional design to fully replicate a business organization's real-life context. This chapter provides an overview of the course structure and components along with guidelines for instructional design. The prototype represents an attractive alternative to business simulations and 3-D virtual worlds to create technology-enabled immersive learning experiences. Further developments would be necessary to provide instructional design methodologies that can assist educators in creating successful immersive learning experiences for management accounting education.
The Evolution of CSR Information Disclosure From Web 1.0 to Web 2.0
Authors: Du Jiaxu , Wang Kangding
Published: February 2024

This chapter explores the effects of technological advancements on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure. It examines how the evolving use of new technology is reshaping the demand for CSR disclosure from diverse stakeholders and the interconnected dynamics between them. As technology continues to evolve, understanding its far-reaching impact on CSR disclosure is critical for businesses and society as a whole. The evolution of Internet technologies at all stages, from the pre-Internet era to Web 2.0, dramatically affects the way firms interact with stakeholders. This chapter will critically examine the transformative impact of technology in CSR disclosure, as well as how these technologies in turn shape stakeholder engagement. This chapter also provides suggestions for addressing corresponding challenges in the social media era.
Robust Adversarial Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Di
Published: February 2024

Deep reinforcement learning has shown remarkable results across various tasks. However, recent studies highlight the susceptibility of DRL to targeted adversarial disruptions. Furthermore, discrepancies between simulated settings and real-world applications often make it challenging to transfer these DRL policies, particularly in situations where safety is essential. Several solutions have been proposed to address these issues to enhance DRL's robustness. This chapter delves into the significance of adversarial attack and defense strategies in machine learning, emphasizing the unique challenges in adversarial DRL settings. It also presents an overview of recent advancements, DRL foundations, adversarial Markov decision process models, and comparisons among different attacks and defenses. The chapter further evaluates the effectiveness of various attacks and the efficacy of multiple defense mechanisms using simulation data, specifically focusing on policy success rates and average rewards. Potential limitations and prospects for future research are also explored.
Human Action Recognition Based on YOLOv7
Authors: Liang Chenwei , Yan Wei Qi
Published: February 2024

Human action recognition is a fundamental research problem in computer vision. The accuracy of human action recognition has important applications. In this book chapter, the authors use a YOLOv7-based model for human action recognition. To evaluate the performance of the model, the action recognition results of YOLOv7 were compared with those using CNN+LSTM, YOLOv5, and YOLOv4. Furthermore, a small human action dataset suitable for YOLO model training is designed. This data set is composed of images extracted from KTH, Weizmann, MSR data sets. In this book chapter, the authors make use of this data set to verify the experimental results. The final experimental results show that using the YOLOv7 model for human action recognition is very convenient and effective, compared with the previous YOLO model.
Facial Emotion Recognition Using Ensemble Learning
Authors: Xu GuanQun , Yan Wei Qi
Published: February 2024

Facial emotion recognition (FER) is the task of identifying human emotions from facial expressions. The purpose of this book chapter is to improve accuracy of facial emotion recognition using integrated learning of lightweight networks without increasing the complexity or depth of the network. Compared to single lightweight models, it made a significant improvement. For a solution, the authors proposed an ensemble of mini-Xception models, where each expert is trained for a specific emotion and lets confidence score for the vote. Therefore, the expert model will transform the original multiclass task into binary tasks. The authors target the model to differentiate between a specific emotion and all others, facilitating the learning process. The principal innovation lies in our confidence-based voting mechanism, in which the experts “vote” based on their confidence scores rather than binary decisions.
Vehicle Detection and Distance Estimation Using Improved YOLOv7 Model
Authors: Liu Xiaoxu , Yan Wei Qi
Published: February 2024

In this book chapter, the authors propose a low-cost distance estimation approach to develop more accurate predictions from a 3D perspective for vehicle detection and ranging by using inexpensive monocular cameras. This distance estimation model integrates YOLOv7 model with an attention module (CBAM) and transformer, as well as extend the prediction vector as the fundamental architecture to improved high-level semantic understanding and enhanced feature extraction ability. This integration significantly improved detection and ranging performance, offering a more suitable and cost-effective solution for distance estimation.
Ethical Considerations in Emotion Data Collection and IoT Integration
Authors: Dhabliya Dharmesh , Sharma Rahul , Dari Sukhvinder Singh , Sravani Busani , Jain Sanjiv Kumar , Dhabliya Ritika , Pandey Jay Kumar , Gupta Ankur
Published: February 2024

Present research is focused on consideration of emotional data. In order to deal with such objective, EEG technique has been applied. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a technique used to measure and record the electrical activity that takes place on the scalp. This recorded activity has been shown to be indicative of the underlying activity occurring in the superficial layer of the brain. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the quality of the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. The major objective of this experiment was to examine the ability to recognize the emotional states shown by individuals. Despite the previous time-consuming nature and lack of accuracy in prior study, a viable solution has been discovered. It can be concluded that the system has a very limited capacity for both adaptation and expansion. Developing a thorough methodology for assessing electroencephalogram (EEG) data is of paramount significance.
Innovation Ecosystem in Higher Education Towards Sustainable Development
Authors: Dzingirai Mufaro , Murombedzi Tatenda Leeroy , Ndoro Anesu
Published: February 2024

The innovation ecosystem in higher education has attracted much public and scholarly attention. In this sense, universities are now demanded to be part of the innovation ecosystems as they commercialize their outcomes of research, create knowledge-based enterprises, and converge with the captains of industry and commerce. Unfortunately, the innovation ecosystem in higher education towards sustainable development in Africa is under-researched. Hence, this chapter aims to establish the benefits of innovation ecosystems in higher education towards sustainable development focused on Africa. The results from the thematic analysis showed various benefits of innovation ecosystems in higher education towards sustainable development in general and more specifically for Africa, namely encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing research and development, producing enterprising graduates, inculcating entrepreneurial culture, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the reputation of the institution.
Knowledge Management Effect for Innovation in Startups
Authors: Baragde Dileep Baburao
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine how a start-up moves from the early stages, when the idea is conceived, to the success stages, when it starts to be institutionalized, as well as the impact of knowledge management on the entire transformation process. This objective and the study question, “How does knowledge management affect the transition of a start-up from a temporary to a semi-permanent organization?” are relevant. A greater understanding will come from three key fundamental areas that were identified: starting a business, growing a business, and applying knowledge management techniques. A concept is the first step in the start-up creation process, followed by the choice to turn that idea into reality. Based on the information gleaned from the interviews, the next part will go through how each start-up came up with the idea and how the decision progressed, as well as the concept of what a start-up is. Second order themes that are derived from the examination of first order ideas are used to describe this basic category.
Blockchain Technology in Peer-to-Peer Transactions Emphasizing Data Transparency and Security in Banking Services
Authors: Nag Isha , Manohar Sridhar
Published: February 2024

The banking system serves as the central and essential component of a functional economy. A robust banking system is essential for fostering economic growth and facilitating development. However, the systems have certain drawbacks Numerous instances of fraudulent operations were reported, leading to clients experiencing theft and unauthorised access to their properties. With the progression of the digital era, there is an increasing exposure and scrutiny of these centralized systems, thereby leading to a shift in thoughts towards decentralised alternatives. This chapter provides a concise discussion of the necessity of decentralised financing and how it can be accomplished through the utilisation of blockchain technology. Firstly, the study examines the mechanics of decentralised banking systems and their potential to address the limitations of conventional banking systems. Further, a brief of various case studies has been given. Finally, the chapter discusses the transformation of the banking system using blockchain technology.
Traversing Technological Vistas in Decentralized Finance
Authors: Goswami Divya , Verma Balraj
Published: February 2024

Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) represent a novel technology progress that could potentially challenge conventional organizations in terms of management and making choices. This chapter provides an introduction to decentralized finance (DeFi), situates DeFi within the framework of the conventional financial industry, establishes a connection of peer-to-peer transactions, and concludes with a discussion on policy implications. Decentralization has the capacity to weaken conventional mechanisms of accountability and diminish the efficacy of established financial regulations and enforcement. This study presents a thorough analysis of the current status of research on DAOs, highlighting the most important research areas and relevant works in the subject. Furthermore, it examines the performance of prominent decentralized finance in relation to these research areas, providing valuable observations on their real-world implementations and efficacy.
Multinational Enterprises' Digital Transformation, Sustainability, and Purpose
Authors: Aarti  , Gowroju Swathi , Karling Saurabh
Published: February 2024

This study examines the growing problems that multinational corporations (MNEs) are facing as a result of a confluence of pandemics, environmental disasters, and the digital revolution. These problems appear as organizational, market, and geopolitical complexity, which institutional pluralism magnifies. As the nature of productive activity changes, so do the ways in which MNEs structure and manage their operations. Additionally, changing investor and consumer expectations are broadening the definition of value creation and having an effect on company strategies. They contend that these difficulties force MNEs to reevaluate the way in which they formulate, establish, and carry out their corporate purposes. In order to wrap up, they suggest a research agenda that stresses how critical it is for MNEs to take a purpose-driven approach.
Creator Economy in Metaverse Space
Authors: Shalender Kumar , Singla Babita
Published: February 2024

The creator economy is quickly spreading its influence across the industrial sectors thanks to the evolution of the metaverse platforms. This research specifically investigates the use cases of the creator economy and how stakeholders can potentially widen its scope and application areas. The chapter also delves into the details of the challenges the creator economy faces across the spectrum. It offers an adoption framework to help integrate the concept of creator economy in the right spirit and manner. The conclusion section of the research offers important implications for the adoption of the creator economy and how going forward the concept will lead to generate more avenues of growth and profitability across the ecosystems in different industries. The research is significant in the sense that it offers profound insights into the future of the creator economy and how its adoption will boost the overall economic progress of countries across the globe.
Optimizing Omnichannel Strategies for Electronic Goods in the 21st Century
Authors: Krishnan Ravishankar , Perumal Elantheraiyan , Kandasamy Logasakthi , Manoj G.
Published: February 2024

Companies selling electronic items face the challenge of adapting to the rapidly shifting landscape of customer expectations in the digital era. This chapter, presented by the authors, delves deeply into the integration of pioneering metaverse concepts within omnichannel strategies specific to the electronics domain. As a transformative force, the metaverse redefines the traditional paradigms of promotion, sale, and customer experience, answering the burgeoning demand for immersive and personalized shopping journeys. The authors extensively explore the potential and application of groundbreaking technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Emphasis is given to how the metaverse can seamlessly enhance online shopping platforms, in-store interactions, and proactive customer service initiatives. Furthermore, the chapter illuminates the broad-ranging impact of the metaverse on the retail sector, shedding light on intricate facets such as data-driven insights, requisite infrastructure evolution, and paramount privacy considerations.
The Metaverse Economy
Authors: Catherine S. , Rani Meena N. , Suresh N. V.
Published: February 2024

The Metaverse economy represents a paradigm shift in the realm of finance, poised to redefine the concept of money through the utilization of digital currency within virtual environments. Within the metaverse, digital currency facilitates transactions for shopping, gaming, and a diverse array of goods and services. To traverse the virtual realm using a virtual reality headset and controllers purely for recreational purposes, without any predefined objectives. The Metaverse offers unprecedented opportunities for businesses and individuals to engage the exchange, and accumulation. Through immersive experiences, luxury brands and retailers are already capitalizing to cater to evolving consumer preferences, with cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The brand Gucci has initiated the sale of their products within the Metaverse, utilizing digital currency for transactions. As the metaverse continues to evolve through advancements in digital currency and technology, it promises to revolutionize the future of money and commerce.
Healthcare Smart Sensors
Authors: Eswaran Ushaa , Eswaran Vivek , Murali Keerthna , Eswaran Vishal
Published: February 2024

Healthcare smart sensors represent integrated sensing systems capable of capturing, processing, and transmitting vital health parameters in real-time using advanced embedded electronics and connectivity. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts, theoretical advances, types, applications, benefits, challenges, emerging trends, and future outlooks concerning smart sensors in healthcare and biomedicine. Detailed sub-sections analyze wearable, implantable and ambient varieties based on working principles, capabilities, and limitations. Remote patient monitoring, telehealth, elderly care, rehabilitation, and surgical assistance are among the promising application domains explored. Overall, the profound impact of smart sensors in accelerating the digital transformation of healthcare through continuous, real-time monitoring of vital parameters is highlighted alongside an optimistic outlook of further advances improving patient outcomes.
Head Movement Invariant Eye Tracking System
Authors: Ratnayake R. M. T. S. ,  Sooriyaarachchi S. J. , Gamage C. D.
Published: February 2024

The human visual framework, consisting of the eyes, optic nerve, and brain, gives us the sense of sight to capture and interact with our surroundings. The eye, which provides stimulus to generate sight, is a complex organ that collects light and effectively converts it to an electro-chemical impulse inside neurons.Eye trackers are an important input modality for human-computer interfaces with vision-based applications. Eye-tracking systems have been proven to be valuable assistive devices for people with motor disabilities. Despite significant improvements in eye-tracking technology over time, current eye trackers in the market are complex and require intricate calibration procedures. Hence, there is still room for further research to develop an eye-tracking system with simpler calibration procedures.This paper presents the development of a head movement invariant real-time eye-tracking system with simpler calibration procedures that can operate non-intrusively. The complexity of setting up the system is also significantly reduced. Experiments conducted with a sample set of users showed an eye gaze accuracy improvement of over 11% compared to the existing setups commonly available in the market.
A Study on Crenulate - Shaped Bays in Coastline of Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunawardhana T. L. W. , Ilesinghe D. Y. K. S. , Pathirana K. P. P.
Published: February 2024

Various research studies have been reported in the literature investigating the crenulate-shaped bays that are frequently seen in coastlines all over the world and these coastal bays are recognized as the most stable naturally forming beaches under oblique wave attacks mostly due to swell dominant seas. Although many crenulated bays exist in Sri Lanka coastline, no considerable attention has been given so far to investigate their characteristics. The authors have studied the temporal and spatial variations of crenulated bays in many parts of the coastline of Sri Lanka using Google Earth images. Based on the detailed analysis carried out to investigate the shape of the bay profiles using empirical formulations, a hyperbolic tangent formula has been identified as the best fit for crenulated bays in the coastline of Sri Lanka. Considering various coastal sectors and monsoon seasons, different relationships have been derived between the coefficients a and b of the hyperbolic tangent formula. A relationship that has been developed co-relating the coefficient a with few coastal parameters is also discussed. Since many parts of the Sri Lanka coastline are subjected to severe erosion despite the construction of a variety of shore protection structures in traditional ways, a new approach is suggested for carrying out such work where the coastal structures will be aligned in predetermined directions depending on the coastal stretch so that stable crenulated bays will be naturally formed in between these structures, stabilizing the entire coastal stretch. This approach will be very useful in managing coastal erosion problem in the future.
Failure of Gravel Compaction Pile (GCP) Improved Embankment – Case Study
Authors: Nekasiny T. , Priyankara N. H. , Imali N. B. G. , Nilawfer M. S.
Published: February 2024

Due to the scarcity of suitable land, it becomes necessary to utilize marshy lands consisting of soft soil for infrastructure development. Soft soil has a problematic nature due to its high moisture content, high compressibility, high void ratio and very low shear strength. Hence, it is a responsibility of the geotechnical engineers to overcome these issues by adopting suitable ground improvement techniques. Gravel Compaction Pile (GCP) is one of the most popular soft ground improvement techniques used in the field. This technique has been successfully applied during the construction of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway project and the Outer Circular Highway project. However, GCP technique has failed in the Southern Expressway Extension Project from Matara to Beliatta section. Therefore, in this study, the causes of the failure of the GCP improved embankment section were studied based on the field records. The slope stability of the embankment during construction was analysed using Matsuo and Kawamura's method. Back analysis revealed that once shear failure occurred in the subsurface, the shear strength of the soft soil reduces to its residual value and it takes longer time to regain its original strength. Further, it was noted that when the soft soil thickness is greater than 10 - 12 m, it becomes extremely challenging to improve the soft ground without any reinforcement. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to accurately interpret the subsurface characteristics in order to select the most suitable ground improvement technique.
Editorial
Authors: Herath H. M. S. K.
Published: February 2024

No abstract available
Identification of changes in rainfall pattern in paddy growing areas in Sri Lanka: A case study in Anuradhapura district
Authors: Jeewanthi P. W. , Withanage N. S. , Ariyarathne K. W. D. T.
Published: February 2024

It is now widely accepted that the global climate is changing with increasing greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere due to human activities. There is enough evidence for more negative impacts of climate change on world agricultural sector. As an agricultural country, Sri Lanka is also experiencing some inevitable consequences due to changing rainfall onset, distribution and the amount. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is a drought monitoring index which is developed for identifying rainfall anomalies with respect to the past data in the same location for specific time scales. The aim of this study was to identify the changes in rainfall patterns using SPI in Anuradhapura district which is one of the major paddy growing areas in Sri Lanka. Monthly rainfall data were collected from four Meteorological Stations viz, Anuradhapura, Maha Iluppallama, Maradankadawala and Kebithigollewa for the period of 1980-2018. Five months SPI values were computed to represent Yala & Maha cultivation seasons and 12 months SPI values were computed to represent the annual rainfall anomalies. Mann Kendal Test was used to identify the trends in selected SPI time series. The results of the study revealed that, there are significant increasing trends in total annual rainfall in Anuradhapura district indicating low risk of having drought years in future. The significant increasing trend in SPI values in Yala & Maha seasons in both Anuradhapura and Maha Iluppallama stations imply that there is a high chance of receiving enough water for cultivation in both seasons in near future. Further, a significant decrease could be observed in total annual and Yala season’s SPI values in Maradankadawala indicating a high potential of having droughts. However, Kebithigollewa does not show any significant change in total annual, Yala or Maha seasons rainfall patterns. Finally, it can be concluded that, as Anuradhapura, Maha Iluppallama and Kebithigollewa areas are getting slightly wetter, the paddy cultivation in the Western and Southwestern areas of Anuradhapura district would not be severely affected due to changing rainfall patterns. However, as Maradankadawala area is getting slightly dryer with the changing rainfall patterns, strengthening water conservation techniques would be better for paddy cultivation in the Southeastern area of Anuradhapura district in order to adapt to the incoming dry periods.
Investigation of possible vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in prevalent weeds in tea lands of Badulla
Authors: Ranasinghe D. H. Y. A. , Prematilake K. G. , Silva P. D. P. M. D. , Gunasena H. M. P. M.
Published: February 2024

A study was carried out to investigate the possible vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) associations in prevalent weeds in selected tea lands of Badulla. Roots of Ageratum conyzoides, Axonopus compressus, Bidens pilosa, Borreria latifolia, Cleome rutidosperma, Drymaria cordata, Eleusine indica, Erigeron sumatrensis and Oxalis corniculata were collected from Wewessa, Spring Valley and Telbedde estates. Colonization percentages and spore counts were calculated using the Grid and Doncaster’s counting disc methods, respectively. Rhizosphere soil of highly VAM associated weeds were tested for soil phosphorous and all weeds were tested for soil pH. The highest colonization percentage was recorded as 60.39% with A. compressus. The highest spore number was counted as 187 per 5 g soil with B. latifolia. The lowest soil phosphorus level was measured as 4.17 ppm with A. conyzoides. There was a systematic moderate positive correlation between, root colonization percentages and soil pH. In conclusion, there was a close association of VAM with selected nine weed species.
Detection of pathogenic Vibrio spp. in foods: polymerase chain reaction-based screening strategy to rapidly detect pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio vulnificus in bivalve mollusks and preliminary results
Authors: Di Maro Orlandina , Proroga Yolande T.R. , Castellano Silvia , Balestrieri Anna , Capuano Federico , Arletti Enrico , Vietina Michelangelo , Bizzarri Melissa , Murru Nicoletta , Peruzy Maria Francesca , Cristiano Daniela
Published: February 2024

The majority of human diseases attributed to seafood are caused by Vibrio spp. and the most commonly reported species are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio cholerae. The conventional methods for the detection of Vibrio species involve the use of selective media, which are inexpensive and simple but time-consuming. The present work aimed to develop a rapid method based on the use of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and V. cholerae in bivalve mollusks. 30 aliquots of bivalve mollusks (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were experimentally inoculated with two levels of V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and V. cholerae. ISO 21872-1:2017 was used in parallel for qualitative analysis. The limit of detection of 50% was 7.67 CFU/g for V. cholerae, 0.024 CFU/g for V. vulnificus, and 1.36 CFU/g for V. parahaemolyticus. For V. vulnificus and V. cholerae, the real-time PCR protocol was demonstrated to amplify the pathogens in samples seeded with the lowest and highest levels. The molecular method evaluated showed a concordance rate of 100% with the reference microbiological method. V. parahaemolyticus was never detected in samples contaminated with the lowest level, and it was detected in 14 samples (93.33%) seeded with the highest concentration. In conclusion, the multiplex real-time PCR developed proved to be reliable for V. vulnificus and V. cholerae. Results for V. parahaemolyticus are promising, but further analysis is needed. The proposed method could represent a quick monitoring tool and, if used, would allow the implementation of food safety.
Detection and measurement of radioactive substances in water and food: a narrative review
Authors: Asadi Touranlou Fateme , Moghimani Minoo , Marhamati Masoumeh , Rezaei Mitra
Published: February 2024

Contamination of food and water with radioactive substances is a serious health problem. There are several methods to detect and measure radioactive materials, some of which have been developed in recent years. This paper aims to discuss the methods of detecting and measuring radioactive substances in food and water. The principles and the advantages and disadvantages of each method have been discussed. The results showed that some of these methods, such as spectrometry γ-ray high purity germanium, portable radon gas surveyor SILENA, RAD7, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, have a higher sensitivity for detection and measurement. Also, the spectrometry γ-ray high purity germanium method has attracted more attention than other methods because it can measure a wide range of radionuclides with high resolution.
Multistage interference cancellation for cyclic interleaved frequency division multiplexing
Authors: Anuthirsha G. , Stuwart S. Lenty
Published: February 2024

Cyclic interleaved frequency division multiplexing (CIFDM), a variant of IFDM, has recently been proposed. While CIFDM employs cyclic interleaving at the transmitter to make multipath components resolvable at the receiver, the current approach of matched filtering followed by multipath combining does not fully exploit the diversity available. This is primarily because the correlation residues among the codes have a significant impact on multipath resolution. As a solution, we introduce a novel multipath successive interference cancellation (SIC) technique for CIFDM, which replaces the conventional matched filtering approach. We have examined the performance of this proposed CIFDM‐SIC technique and compared it with the conventional CIFDM‐matched filter bank and IFDM schemes. Our simulation results clearly demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme over the existing ones.
Tuberculosis and HIV co-infection among miners at selected mining sites in Migori County, Kenya
Authors: Wandolo Levis , Makalliwa George , Moses Njire M
Published: February 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) disease is caused by acid-fast bacilli called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant TB variants as well as co-infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have complicated treatment for TB. Kenya currently implements TB screening and HIV testing for all patients and their caretakers, regardless of their reason for visiting the hospitals. Drug resistance is tested in all HIV-positive TB suspects to guide the choice of drugs in cases of TB-HIV co-infection and minimise delays in treatment initiation. These services are, however, confined to the health facilities, and all those who do not visit the hospitals are missed. The objective of our study was to evaluate TB missed opportunities among the mining community of Osiri-Matanda gold mines in Nyatike sub-county, Migori County, Kenya. Community health outreaches were conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Demographic information was recorded for all clients consenting to the study. HIV testing was done using the HIV rapid testing kits. Sputum samples were tested in the local laboratory using Ziel-Neelsen (ZN) staining. All TB-positive outcomes were further tested using GeneXpert MTB/RIF to determine whether or not they were resistant to Rifampicin. A total of 297 participants were enrolled in the study. Among these, 49.5% were males and 50.5% were females. The youngest participant was 15 years old, while the oldest was 63 years old. A 15.5% TB prevalence was found after testing, with the age range of 35–44 having the highest prevalence at 39%. 71.7% of TB infections were male, while 28.3% were female. HIV-TB co-infections accounted for 37% of cases. None of the TB cases were RIF-resistant. This data shows that males are more at risk of TB and HIV infections than females. Collaborative health outreaches that include screening and testing for both TB and HIV could help in early detection and minimise missed opportunities.
A model for enhancing the application of value management in construction projects in Kenya
Authors: Maragara Gibson K. , Okaka James O. , Alkizim Ahmad
Published: February 2024

Value management (VM) has been widely used in the construction industry to facilitate projects for decades in many countries around the globe. The concept began in the US, and then other nations such as China, Japan, South Africa, and Nigeria followed and tested its effectiveness by assessing its impacts on costs, quality, and time. A VM application has a low cost and a high benefit process, and thus, if well-practiced and integrated into project management at the beginning of a project, it would lead to its successful completion. It also helps in improving the value of a project by ensuring low costs, high quality, and completion within the stipulated time frame. In Kenya, there remains a gap in that very little information has been documented about VM applications in construction projects. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate and develop a model to enhance the application of value management to construction projects. The study sampled all registered key stakeholders in construction projects within Kenya. The stakeholders are comprised of engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, contractors, and project managers. A stratified sampling strategy was employed, and data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The analysis methods used in this research were both descriptive and inferential in nature. Data summaries in terms of frequencies, means, and standard deviations were obtained under descriptive analysis. The inferential analysis comprised Pearson's correlation and regression analysis, which determined the significant determinants of VM application and were used to establish a predictive model. The study showed that team dynamics, procurement policy, government regulations, and VM knowledge are significant predictors of the level of VM application. A model has been developed that can assist in enhancing the application of value management in construction projects in Kenya.