bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
مشكلة التسول في مدينة العمارة (2022-2023
Authors: عبدالمجيد عبدالوهاب احمد
Published: February 2024

يدرس البحث ظاهرة التسول في مدينة العمارة للمدة الزمنية (2022-2023)  ولتحقيق ذلك تم عمل استمارة استبيان وتوزيعها على عينات عشوائية وبأماكن مختلفة من مدينة العمارة وكانت عدد العينات التي تم جمعها للدراسة (60) عينة كما تم توزيع تلك العينات زمانيا ومكانيا اذ اشتمل التوزيع الزماني على التسول (صباحا وظهرا ومساء وفي جميع الأوقات) اما التوزيع المكاني فقد اختص بـ (الأسواق، المساجد، المطاعم، المحلات، السيارات، المدارس والكليات، المستشفيات، العيادات، المتنزهات وغيرها) كما وزعت  البحث افراد العينة حسب خصائص معينة منها (الجنس، العمر، محل الولادة، السكن، الحالة الاجتماعية، المستوى التعليمي للمتسول، عائل الاسرة، نوع السكن، ملكية السكن، عدد الغرف، عمر الام، عمر الاب)  كما درس البحث عدد من العوامل المؤدية للتسول وهي كل من (الفقر والبطالة، الفساد وتمجيد القيمة، التغير الاجتماعي والتفكك الاسري، الامية والجهل والتخلف، التطبع بعادات التسول، مرض احد الافراد، كثرة الافراد)   وتطرق البحث الى أنواع التسول وهي كل من النوع المحتاج وغير المحتاج وتبين ان للتسول اثارا اجتماعية واخلاقية وتربوية ونفسية  اذ توصل البحث الى تعرض المتسولين لمشاكل عديدة وشكلت نسبتهم ما يقارب من 98% اذ شكلت نسبة من تعرض الى الظرب حوالي  23%  ، وشكلت نسبة من  تعرض الى تحرش جنسي حوالي 40% من العينة ككل اما بالنسبة الى عينة النساء فقط بلغت من تعرض الى تحرش جنسي منهن نسبة 55%  وتوصي  البحث بتفعيل القانون الذي اصدر بتاريخ 1/7/2015 حيث اصدر امر وزاري من وزارة العمل والشؤون الاجتماعية ذي العدد 11 لسنة 2014، باستحداث قسم مكافحة التسول والتشرد وتم استحداث موافقة الأمانة بشمول المتسولين براتب الرعاية الاجتماعية استثناء من الضوابط المعمول بها على ان يتعهد المتسول بعدم وجود أي دخل لدية فضلا عن عدم العودة الى التسول مرة أخرى وبخلافة يتحمل التبعات القانونية وبتدريب مهني للمتسولين لإكسابهم المهارات التي تؤهلهم للحصول على فرص عمل وتفعيل دور المؤسسات الاجتماعية والتكافل الاجتماعي وإنشاء جهات مختصة بهذا الموضوع مثل مؤسسات رعاية الأيتام أو ذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة أو المسنين
وشعريّة الأشياء في مجموعة سيرة مختلفة للشاعر (جاسم حسين الخالدي)
Authors: حسين هادي خضير كبة م,م
Published: February 2024

استطاع النقد الحديث أن يتعمّق في تفاصيل الأشياء وماديّتها، كاشفًا من خلال ذلك التوغل الفجوات التي لم تستطع الاديولوجيا والصور الشعريّة السطحية من ملئها وسد ثغراتها، مما جعل الشعرية الجديدة من قلب الأفكار والمفاهيم القديمة عبر تغيير زاوية رؤيتها للنص الشعري، وذلك عن طريق اكتشاف عمق الأشياء وفضائها المشحون بالخيال، التي كانت عنصرًا رئيسًا في تكوين صوره،

إنَ ولوج الشاعر جاسم حسين الخالدي إلى العالم الشيئي في تجربته الشعرية وتوظيفه للأبعاد المخفية والدلالات العميقة للأشياء واللغة والأمكنة، الذي أبرزها في آفاقها الرحبة عبر تعالقها وترابطها بالمرأة، أنْ يرسم صورة جديدة، شاع بها تواتر الدفعات الشعورية والوجدانية داخل بنية النص الشعري. فجاءت المرأة وعلاقتها بالأشياء في نصوص الشاعر عناصر بنائية تجردت من أبعادها المادية الجامدة إلى أبعاد ومدركات ذهنية وأسطورية تمتد بأطرافها إلى عالم فسيح من الخيال والأفكار.
والطرائف في دولة المماليك
Authors: م.م. شذى غالب حسن م,م
Published: February 2024

تأسست الدولة المملوكية، أو دولة المماليك، في مصر خلال الفترة الأخيرة للعصر العباسي الثالث، وانتشرت لتشمل مناطق الشام والحجاز. استمر حكمها بعد سقوط الدولة الأيوبية في العام 648 هـ (1250 م) وحتى تفككت في معركة الريدانية في عام 923 هـ (1517 م) عندما ضمت الدولة العثمانية مصر وسوريا إلى دولتها. يتقسم المؤرخون دولة المملوكية إلى فرعين أو دولتين، وهما دولة المماليك البحرية ودولة المماليك البرجية. الحكم البحري المماليكي بدأ من سنة 648 هـ الموافقة لسنة 1250 م واستمر حتى سنة 784 هـ الموافقة لسنة 1382 م. كان معظمهم من الترك والمغول. فيما بدأ حكم المماليك البرجية من سنة 784 هـ الموافقة لسنة 1382 م واستمر حتى سنة 923 هـ الموافقة لسنة 1517 م. كانوا من الشركس. الأصول المملوكية هي رقيق محاربين، استقدمهم الخلفاء العباسيين الأوائل من تركستان والقوقاز وغيرها وجعلوهم حراسًا وقادةً لجيوش المسلمين. ازداد نفوذهم حتى أصبحوا يسيطرون على المناصب الرئيسية، مستفيدين من ضعف الخلفاء وتراجع نفوذهم. السلاطين والأمراء المسلمين اتبعوا في العاصمة بغداد، فعند كل منهم جماعة من المماليك الأقوياء والكفوئين عسكريًا. عندما مات آخر سلطان بني أيوب ، الملك الصالح نجم الدين أيوب الذي حكم مصر والشام تحت الراية العباسية، كتمت زوجته شجرة الدر نبأ وفاته حتى حضر ابنه توران شاه من الجزيرة الفراتية إلى القاهرة. حاول توران شاه تعيين مماليكه الذين أصطحبهم معه في مناصب الدولة، لكن المماليك القدماء في مصر قاموا بقتله ونصبوا شجرة الدر سلطانة عليهم في سنة 1250 م، وهي أول امرأة تولت شؤون المسلمين.

ظهرت الدولة المملوكية كحل لمشكلات العالم الإسلامي بعد أن احتلت واستولت المغول على الدول الإسلامية، وتم اغتيال آخر الخلفاء العباسيين، واضطراب الحاكمية في بغداد. وتحول اهتمام المغول إلى شام وصولًا إلى مصر، ولكن السلطان المملوكي قطز أخذ يحارب ويدافع عن الأرض الإسلامية في فلسطين. وفي معركة عين جالوت تمكن المسلمون من هزيمة المغول. ومنذ تولي قطز الحكم، استمرت المماليك في محاربة الصليبيين وتحرير المدن الفلسطينية والسورية. واستمرت الحرب لمائة وأربعة وتسعين عامًا حتى سقوط عكا، وجعل الصليبيين يفرون من المدن الأخرى التي كانت بين أيديهم. وأعيدت الخلافة العباسية في مصر، ولكن كانت مجرد صورة لإضفاء البهجة والسيادة على حكم المماليك.
أحكام التلاوة للمعنى القرآني المد إنموذجاً
Authors: . منصور نعيم علي القرشي م.م
Published: February 2024

كان ومازال القرآن الكريم المعجزة الخالدة التي تحدى الله بها كل الخلق مجتمعين أو متفرقين على الاتيان ببعضه، وقد انتهت كل المحاولات بالفشل، لأن النص القرآني تشكّل بدقة لامتناهية، ووضِع كل حرفٍ وصوتٍ بمكانه الذي لا يصح ان يُستخدم في موضع آخر، فإن دقة نظم القرآن الكريم تجاوزت الجوانب العلمية والبلاغية والاسلوبية من ترتيب الكلمات والسياق والاصوات وصولا إلى أثر احكام التجويد على المعنى، لذا نجد في المصحف الشريف كلمات احتوت على حروف مدية، وأخرى على حروف الادغام، فضلا عن صفات الحروف التي تزيد من دلالات المعاني بتواشجها واتساقها مع بعضها أو غيرها. وقد درست في هذا البحث العلاقة والاثر الحادث من وجود المد في الكلمات القرآنية، أو أثر المد على المعنى القرآني ومناسبته له، وما يحدث لدلالة الكلمات بسبب وجود المد في الكلمة.
الرفد البلاغي في وسائل الإقناع القرآني
Authors: . صالح كاظم صكبان أ.م.د
Published: February 2024

يقوم البحث على دراسة  تكاتف الأساليب البلاغية مع بعضها  في النص القرآني  وذلك من أجل إقناع المخاطب , وهذ التكاتف في الأسلوب البلاغي وضعه الباحث تحت مصطلح الرفد الذي هو المعاونة ,والقوة , وقد وجد الباحث  أنّ القرآن الكريم يسعى إلى الإقناع  وبسط الدلالة التي تعمل على ذلك من خلال الحجج المنطقية التي تخاطب العقل. ووجد أنّ الأساليب البلاغية وسائل فاعلة في تحفيز المتلقي على التنبيه ورسم الصورة التوضيحة لإظهار الحجة بصورة يتقبلها العقل ويجسدها وصولا للقناعة, و النص القرآني بناء متكامل لامجال لفصل بعضه عن بعض
دلالة المؤشرات الاحصائية في ادارة الجودة الشاملة والمستجدات التنموية العصرية دراسة تطبيقية في المؤسسات الصحية لدائرة صحة واسط لعام 2022
Authors: علي اسماعيل الجاف م.م. , . علي ثجيل يوسف م.م , وريا عباس عيسى م.م.
Published: February 2024

تركز الدراسة على معرفة قابليات الموظفين في المؤسسات الصحية على تطبيق إدارة الجودة الشاملة وانعكاسهما على جودة الخدمات الصحية على صعيد المستشفى والمركز الصحي في الرعاية الصحية الاولية والثانوية، تم جمع العينة بالاعتماد على الزيارات الميدانية في مستشفى الزهراء التعليمي ومستشفى الكوت للنسائية والتوليد ومركز صحي المرتضى النموذجي، وتم استخدام ببرنامج مايكروسوفت أكسيل  ٢٠١٩، واستخدام اختبار كاي سكوير في تحليل البيانات وعن طريق الدوال الموجودة ببرنامج الاكسل، حيث ان حجم العينة  (٥٠) موظف من كل مؤسسة صحية وباجمالي (١٥٠) موظف من جميع المؤسسات، تبين من الدراسة عدم توفر مبادئ ادارة الجودة الشاملة في المؤسسات الصحية من وجهة نظر الموظفين، ولا يوجد المام من قبل غالبية الموظفين بإبعاد جودة الخدمات الصحية على مستوى الرعاية الصحية المقدمة، واظهرت الاسئلة الاتية (9،5،4) أن الموظف لم يدرك اهمية ادارة الجودة الشاملة من حيث التطبيق والابعاد الذي تمارسه تلك المعايير والمؤشرات واثرها على الخدمة المقدمة للمرضى في المؤسسات الصحية، ولم يعي الموظف الدور والواجبات المطلوب تحقيقها في الاعتماد المؤسسي وضمان الجودة الشاملة كونه لم يطلع عليها وربما يجيب في حالات عن الاسئلة عبر فهم عام للسؤال دون التركيز مضامين الاسئلة. يعتبر السؤال رقم (١٠) الجوهري في الدراسة حيث لوحظ تضارب مع الاجابة على السؤال رقم (3) وهذا يدل على التحيز بالإجابة وعدم فهم لمفهوم ادارة الجودة الشاملة وتطبيقاتها في المؤسسات الصحية.
Strategies of Justification in the Slip Opinion of a Criminal Case
Authors: كاظم عبد حبيتر فرح , رامية فوادعبد العزيز أ.م.د
Published: February 2024

AbstractJustification covers a variety of actions which need to be reasoned in one way or another. The present study scrutinizes justification as an act of giving explanations for the truth in the slip opinion of a selected criminal case. The study aims at investigating justification in the slip opinion of Thompson vs. Clark Et. Al’s criminal case. It also aims at examining the most frequent type of pragmatic strategies. The study incorporates pragmatic strategies to analyze the data qualitatively and quantitatively to achieve the aim. The first strategy is composed of types of reasoning; meanwhile, the second strategy is composed of the structures of inference. The study hypothesizes that deductive reasoning is the most prominent one and the argument from an established rule is the most common type structure of inference that is generally utilized in the slip opinion. The study concludes that deductive reasoning is employed more than other types in this case, meanwhile, the argument from an established rule is employed more than any other arguments in the judicial decision and this is due to its structure which is very common to be applied.Keywords: justification, reasoning, the structure of inference, slip opinion
What's the Main Difficulty of Chemical Equilibrium Topic?
Authors: Arsyad Muhammad
Published: February 2024

Chemical equilibrium is one of chemistry topics that sometimes reputed as difficult topic by the students. This study is a descriptive research which aimed to find out the difficulty of eleventh grader students to solve the chemical equilibrium questions. The sampels in this research were thirty two students in one class that choosed by simple randomize sampling. The data was collected by instrument which has 7 items in essay test and also questionnaire. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistic method to obtain percentage of the difficulty in each factors. There are four main factors have been analized: understanding the definition and basic concept of equilibrium, calculation of chemical equilibrium, predicting the direction of equilibrium, and basic supporting skills. Inside this main factors there are 12 indicators of difficulty. The result of this research showed that average percentage of difficulty of students to learning of chemical equilibrium categorized as low category. Through these 12 indicators, the most influence factor to the difficulties of chemical equilibrium is determine of dissociation degree and equilibrium constant. It is suggested that instructions and topics which students will learn should be focusing on dissociation degree and equilibrium constant matter
Cybernetics and the Origin of Life; The Origin of Matter and Black Holes
Authors: Soliman Gihan
Published: February 2024

Since abandoning Linnaeus' Kingdom Minerals as a living system, the philosophy of science hasbeen fragmented into specialities and knowledge domains that fail to communicate acrosseffectively. Between the living and the so-called non-living systems, as well as socialorganisations, the value of Cybernetics as a reconciliatory medium tawards a theory of everythinghas never been more significant. Each to their own jargon, biases and conflicting perspectives,cross-disciplinary science communication has become almost futile. Sciences claiming to presentobjective views, such as the famous E=mc^2, present the reality in flat linear formulas, whileliving systems are five dimensional, with spacetime and the position and role of the observer inrealising a three dimensional structure, let alone, the four dimensional interactive designs. Thispaper postulates the origin of life and matter from a Cybernetic perspective, uniting the laws ofphysics, and the Big bang theory with the String Theory. E=mc^2 as popularly presented, doesn'trefer to the role of information in the inter-reversibility of energy and matter. Informationaccording to the theory of information is a message, a sender and a receiver. Overlooking the roleof the observer is overlooking the role of information in system processes, presenting a flatsnapshot of reality. This paper explores the origin of life, conservation of matter, dark matter, andthe fabric of spacetime while postulating a theory of everything from a Cybernetic perspective.
Integrated Information Theory 4.0 is both weakly panpsychist and strongly dualist, but many theories of consciousness are also prone to it
Authors: Yurchenko Sergey B.
Published: February 2024

Since its first formulation the Integrated Information Theory (IIT) has recently been updated to the version 4.0. Unlike the previous versions where the problem of free will was completely neglected, IIT 4.0 claims to suggest a full neuroscientific account of this oldest problem in the philosophy of mind. The aim of this opinion paper is to show that IIT’s account of free will is apparently dualist and reminiscent of the conventional free will in folk psychology, where mental constructs such as beliefs and desires are regarded as actual causes of human actions. On the other hand, these mental constructs can have high predictive power, compared to that provided by neuroscience. Thus, while rejecting ontological dualism, one can accept methodological dualism, compatible with eliminative physicalism, by virtue of its predictive power and descriptive parsimony.
Landslide Regime Shift Detector (LRSD) for Landslide Early Warning Systems
Authors: Nava Lorenzo , Tordesillas Antoinette , Qian Guoqi , Catani Filippo
Published: February 2024

This research presents the development of a Landslide Regime Shift Detector (LRSD) which integrates advanced prediction models to provide insights into regime shifts within substantial landslide bodies. Our primary focus lies in the identification of these shifts, emphasizing that LRSD does not merely detect accelerations but discerns exceptional accelerations, defined in our context as deviations significantly departing from historical relationships between predictions and actual accelerations. The study focuses on slow-moving landslides, employing a Vector Error-Correction Cointegration (VECC) model to predict displacement at several monitoring points, with rainfall as a crucial influencing factor. While the VECC model effectively predicts rainfall-triggered accelerations, certain situations exhibit unexpected acceleration magnitudes, resulting in extreme residuals. To establish the LRSD, 24-hour aggregated residuals between predicted and observed displacements are employed. Kernel density estimation (KDE) is applied to derive cumulative distribution function (CDF) values for the residuals, with a predetermined threshold of 0.999 CDF triggering alerts for each monitoring point independently. A last step, which includes the persistence in time of the threshold exceedance and the number of monitoring points that exceed the threshold at the same time is performed. This is to reduce the effect of noisy displacement time series and to encode the "group dynamics," crucial for identifying pre-failure indications. This approach offers several advantages, including the effective identification of critical time states, adaptability, and transferability. Furthermore, it introduces novel information into local landslide early warning systems (Lo-LEWS), which consists of strong changes in landslide trends and anomalous responses to external triggers, if any. This approach significantly enhances confidence in the resultant alert, particularly when integrated with conventional alert systems, thereby improving the reliability of Lo-LEWS.
Decoding the Dialogue Between Clouds and Land
Authors: SU Tianning , Li Zhanqing
Published: February 2024

New research is challenging established assumptions about how clouds form and interact with Earth’s surface. One result may be better weather forecasts.
Are We Getting Closer to Artificial Consciousness?: A Commentary of Butlin et al. (2023) from A Psychological Research Perspective
Authors: Hao Han
Published: February 2024

Butlin et al. (2023) propose a rubric for evaluating AI systems based on indicator properties derived from existing theories of consciousness, suggesting that while current AIs do not possess consciousness, these indicators are pivotal for future developments towards artificial consciousness. The current paper critiques the approach by Butlin et al., arguing that the complexity of consciousness, characterized by subjective experience poses significant challenges for its operationalization and measurement, thus complicating the replication in AI. The commentary further explores the limitations of current methodologies in artificial consciousness research, pointing to the necessity of out-of-the-box thinking and the integration of individual differences research in cognitive psychology, particularly in the areas of attention, cognitive control, autobiographical memory, and Theory of Mind (ToM), to advance the understanding and development of artificial consciousness.
The impact of “smart words” on impression formation: Evidence from evaluations of employment suitability
Authors: Maciejewski Greg , Scott Graham G.
Published: February 2024

Individuals use others’ language as a cue when making inferences about their characteristics and traits. Here, we investigated whether this applies to the use of “smart words”, or advanced, sophisticated words assumed to make one sound smart. Participants rated employment suitability of fictitious job applicants based on cover letters that included either a small number of smart words (e.g., “quixotic”) or their regular counterparts (e.g., “impractical”). The results showed that smart words had a significant positive impact on all evaluations of applicants’ skills and personal/intellectual attributes (e.g., relevant experience, decisiveness, aptitude for learning). This finding adds to the growing literature on the role of language in impression formation, and suggests that using as few as eight smart words in a cover letter, in place of less sophisticated synonyms, can put the applicant at a considerable advantage when looking for employment.
The adaptive value of languages: Non–linguistic causes of language diversity, Volume II
Authors: Benítez-Burraco Antonio , Moran Steven
Published: February 2024

This is the editorial piece of the Frontiers Research Topic The adaptive value of languages: Non–linguistic causes of language diversity, Vol. II. The contributions to this RT explore the possibility that linguistic and extralinguistic factors are constrained in systematic ways, and ultimately, that the latter contribute to the vast language diversity that we observe today.
Efficacy Simulations: A pattern of inadequate environmental action
Authors: Hagedorn Gregor , Peter Felix
Published: February 2024

This paper examines a behavioral pattern that is solution-oriented but creates an impact that is not adequately addressing the underlying problem. These efficacy simulations refer to behaviors, communication strategies, or messages that create a sense of efficacy without actually generating an impact that is proportional to the problem addressed. Together with other patterns like greenwashing, efficacy simulations contribute to the behavior-impact gap in the context of socio-ecological crises. We explore several types of efficacy simulations and their potential implications for individual and collective behavior change. Efficacy simulations may have valid uses, but come with specific risks and may hinder the societal transformations required to address complex socio-ecological challenges. We give recommendations for communications and especially point out the importance of providing reliable information on high-impact individual as well as collective behaviors and measures for sustainable change. By addressing efficacy simulations, policy-makers and agents of socio-ecological change can develop more effective communication strategies to foster meaningful behavior change and contribute to a sustainable future.
Childhood Family Socioeconomic Status is Linked to Adult Brain Electrophysiology
Authors: Isbell Elif , Rodas De León Nancy E , Richardson Dylan Matthew
Published: February 2024

A large body of research has linked childhood family socioeconomic status (SES) to neurodevelopment in childhood and adolescence. However, it remains unclear to what extent childhood family SES relates to brain functioning in adulthood. To address this gap, the present study investigated the associations between retrospective accounts of objective and subjective childhood family SES and two well-established electrophysiological indices of brain functioning in adulthood—the MMN and P3b event-related potentials (ERP) components. Higher objective childhood family SES, as proxied by parent educational attainment in childhood, was associated with larger (more positive) P3b amplitudes in adulthood. In contrast, there was no association between childhood parent educational attainment and the magnitude of MMN. Adult reports of subjective family SES during childhood were not related to the magnitude of MMN or P3b. These findings suggest that the links between childhood SES and brain functioning may extend into adulthood, especially for brain functions supporting cognitive control. These results also imply that, when using retrospective accounts of childhood family SES with adults, objective indicators may outperform subjective reports of childhood family SES in predicting adult brain functioning. Our findings lay the groundwork for future investigations on how and why childhood family SES relates to brain functioning in adulthood.
A Supervised Learning Approach to Estimating IRT Models in Small Samples
Authors: Belov Dmitry I , Lüdtke Oliver , Ulitzsch Esther
Published: February 2024

Existing estimators of parameters of item response theory (IRT) models exploit the likelihood function. In small samples, however, the IRT likelihood oftentimes contains little informative value, potentially resulting in biased and/or unstable parameter estimates and large standard errors. To facilitate small-sample IRT estimation, we introduce a novel approach that does not rely on the likelihood. Our estimation approach derives features from response data and then maps the features to item parameters using a neural network (NN). We describe and evaluate our approach for the three-parameter logistic model; however, it is applicable to any model with an item characteristic curve. Three types of NNs are developed, supporting to obtain both point estimates and confidence intervals for IRT model parameters. The results of a simulation study demonstrate that these NNs perform better than Bayesian estimation using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods in terms of quality of the point estimates and confidence intervals while also being much faster. These properties facilitate (1) to pretest items in a real-time testing environment, (2) to pretest more items, and (3) to pretest items only in a secured environment to eradicate possible compromise of new items in online testing.
Political Leadership of Women in Nepal: A Critical Observation from the Local Elections 2022
Authors: Sapkota Mahendra
Published: February 2024

Women's representation in political leadership is crucial for liberal democracies. However, the persistent global gender gap in political participation raises important questions. This paper focuses on the state of women's political leadership in Nepal, using the 2022 local elections as a case study. It takes an epistemological critical approach and integrates quantitative and qualitative information from various secondary sources. The study reveals an increase in the number of women in leadership positions after the election, which can be attributed to the constitutional provisions of Nepal that aim to ensure inclusion, representation, and participation. However, these provisions do not guarantee the quality, competence, and empowerment of women in leadership roles, as they still face obstacles such as patriarchal structures, elitist-centric inclusive practices, and a lack of institutional support at the local level. This paper is valuable for those interested in political science, gender studies, or development studies.
Evaluating the Capacity of Existing Stormwater Drainage System in Kapan, Kathmandu via SWMM Mode
Authors: Pokhrel Subidha , Koirala Devendra , Nepal Prashan , Pande Pukar , Shah Ronisa , Khanal Sabina , Ban Jeevan Kumar
Published: February 2024

Overflowing drainage systems in the Nepalese cities are the most significant issue due to unplanned urban expansion and inadequate drainage networks. As the city's drainage networks are not designed to handle the extra runoff from catastrophic flooding incidents, flash floods typically occur during short-duration, and high-intensity rainstorm storms frequently. In the vicinity of Kapan, Kathmandu, and many other Nepalese cities, particularly during the rainy season, roads are seen changing into the streams. This study employs a hydrological analysis model to examine the storm water drainage system existing currently in the Kapan area. Being the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) physically based, deterministic type that simulates the inflows, outflows, and storages of water within a sub-catchment efficiently, it is chosen here mainly to model the catchments specifically. Though it has not been employed frequently in the context of Nepal, despite its popularity in the industrialized countries such as United States of America for the proper management of the storm water, the SWMM is particularly employed here to model the catchments due to its publicly available, easy to obtain, simple data input parameters, and simple processing steps in compared to other relatively more expensive yet sophisticated models. The catchment's overall area of 360.57 hectares was at first separated into the 86 sub catchments using the SWMM based on its surface elevation and existing drainage network, and the attributes of each sub-catchment were then assigned accordingly. After the proper identification of the sub-catchments, the runoff from the relevant sub-catchments was routed to the respective nodes, and finally to the outlet via conduits. In the current study, the drain system (Combined Sewer line) is given along the center of the road network. The storm network are represented by junctions, conduits, and outfalls. The longitudinal and velocity profiles of the drain were obtained. The critical runoff and capacity of existing drains were determined, as well as their validation with discharge derived using the rational technique. With the runoff generated during peak rainfall 45.08 mm/hr., the Kapan area's existing drainage system was found to be insufficient. This study suggests that the SWMM would be the most effective model to be employed for predicting the sudden surface runoff and for prior managing of the storm water, particularly in Kathmandu and other vulnerable parts of main cities in Nepal, where overflow has caused serious problems during rainfall.
Impact of Window-to-Wall Ratio on Lighting Load in Municipality Building-A Case Study of Bharatpur Metropolitan Administration Bloc
Authors: Shrestha Rohit , Uprety Sanjaya
Published: February 2024

Visual comfort is a critical aspect of indoor environments, contributing to occupant satisfaction, well-being, and overall productivity. In the face of rapid urbanization, particularly in regions like the Chitwan District, understanding and enhancing visual comfort in built environments take on heightened significance. The primary focus of this study is to explore how varying Window-Wall Ratios (WWR) affect the energy performance of buildings. The research begins with an in-depth review of existing literature on building energy efficiency, focusing on the significance of WWR in determining natural lighting penetration. Field measurements are collected to establish a baseline understanding of the building's lighting performance. Utilizing advanced simulation tools, the study explores various WWR scenarios to simulate the potential impact on lighting load. The analysis considers both energy efficiency and occupant comfort, aiming to identify an optimal WWR that balances natural lighting benefits with energy conservation goals. The study finds that a 30% WWR represents the ideal balance for effective electricity consumption for lighting. Monthly analysis underscores its significance by revealing diminishing returns beyond this point. Consequently, recommended optimal WWR values stand at 25% for the ground floor and 30% for both the first and top floors. The findings hold significant importance for designers and policymakers in making informed design and policy decisions.
IoT Application in Agriculture: A Spotlight on Indoor Plant Monitoring System-IPMS
Authors: K.C. Saban Kumar , Satyal Sanjivan
Published: February 2024

The incorporation of Internet of Things-IoT technology in agriculture has ushered in a transformative era, shifting from qualitative, experience-based practices to quantitative, datadriven methodologies in recent years. This paper delves into the world of IoT in agriculture, with a particular emphasis on Indoor Plant Monitoring Systems. This study investigated the practical implications of an IoT framework designed for indoor plant monitoring, to bridge the gap by focusing on improving data collection and visualization capabilities. A prototype-based approach was used, which included DHT11 sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring, a soilmoisture sensor, and a watering actuation subsystem. Succulent plants were chosen as resilient samples to test the IoT system's ability to capture and respond to critical parameters because of their capacity to endure changes in environmental conditions and flourish in arid environments. The DHT11 sensor results demonstrated the interconnected dynamics of temperature and humidity, providing the important insights into climate control strategies for optimal plant growth. The data from the soil moisture sensors, combined with manual interventions, demonstrated the IPMS's adaptability in maintaining favorable soil conditions. A point-biserial correlation analysis, in particular, revealed a strong negative correlation (−0.89) between moisture levels and water pump status, confirming the system's efficacy in automated watering. The IPMS demonstrated its effectiveness in leveraging real-time data for informed decison-making, paving the way for future enhancements and comprehensive plant health assessments.
Prediction Stunting Analysis Using Random Forest Algorithm and Random Search Optimization
Authors: Reza Achmad Aria Reza , Muhammad Syaifur Rohman
Published: February 2024

Stunting is a nutritional problem experienced by toddlers, characterized by a height below the average. This condition arises due to various factors, one of which is the nutritional issues faced by toddlers. Stunting cases in Indonesia are relatively high, reaching 21.6% in 2022, indicating a significant prevalence of stunting. The identification of stunting is carried out through a data mining approach, deemed more efficient. However, the classification algorithm in data mining often encounters data imbalance, leading to low accuracy and inaccurate prediction results. To address this, the study employs the Random Forest algorithm with optimization using the random search method. The test results demonstrate that Random Forest achieves a relatively high accuracy of 90.7%. After optimization using random search, accuracy further increases to 96.33%. The combination of the algorithm and optimization proves to be highly effective, resulting in a 5.63% increase in accuracy. These findings hold crucial implications in supporting decisions for preventing stunting in toddlers. This research serves as a valuable source of information for the Health sector in identifying and implementing more effective strategies for stunting prevention. The use of the Random Forest algorithm optimized with random search proves to be an efficient solution in addressing data imbalance
Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Using Learning Media During The Covid-19 Period With The Multi-Attribute Utility Theory
Authors: Irfan Faruqi Nouval , Maita Idria , Ahsyar Tengku Khairil , Fronita Mona
Published: February 2024

Learning activities during the Covid-19 pandemic were carried out online with the aim of taking advantage of technological advances using online learning media. All high schools have implemented online learning, one of which is SMAN 1 Bukit Batu. This aims to ensure that the learning process is carried out remotely without having to meet in person. Online learning has advantages and disadvantages that can affect the achievement of learning objectives, especially in theoretical and practical PKOK subjects. So it is necessary to assess learning theory and practice of PJOK to determine the effectiveness of both. Research the use of 6 criteria and compare theoretical and practical PJOK learning models to determine the best model. The method used is Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) with a quantitative approach where data collection is carried out through surveys. There were 193 respondents, namely all 12th grade students of SMAN 1 Bukit Batu as the population in this study. The results of calculations using the MAUT method on the effectiveness of using online learning media during the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the choice of the Theory subject assessment (0) as the lowest assessment, while the Practice subject (0.32) was the highest assessment. This assessment states that online learning can be said to be effective for practical subjects, while theoretical subjects are more effective if done offline
Electronic Education Payment System Using Design Thinking Method At Mis Muhajirin
Authors: Sahfitri Lala Pricilia , Nasution Muhammad Irwan Padli
Published: February 2024

Electronic Education Payment information system is an education fee payment system using online payment technology. However, the tuition payment system at MIS Muhajirin is still done manually by recording each payment transaction using the SPP card. This is an obstacle because it causes long queues by parents when paying tuition fees and there is also a high possibility of human error. This research aims to produce a web-based online payment information system at MIS Muhajirin, as well as to determine the level of efficiency if implemented at MIS Muhajirin. The method used in this research is the Design Thinking method which consists of 5 stages, namely Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. The results of the research show that the information system developed provides effectiveness for admin staff when managing tuition payments at MIS Muhajirin and provides convenience for parents in terms of paying tuition online and not having to queue at school as before. Thus it can be concluded that this application is quite influential in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the tuition payment system at MIS Muhajirin
Preliminary Indications on an Atmospheric Particulate Matter and Rainwater Chemistry in Colombo, Sri Lanka: A Study During Southwestern Monsoon
Authors: Wijerathna, A.I.S.S.  , Batuwita, P.M.  , Naveendrakumar, G.  , Jayasundara, J.J.M.A.D.
Published: February 2024

The atmospheric cleansing nature of rainfall, specifically in the removal of particulate matter, is a determinant of rainwater quality. This study investigated the relationship between atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) concentration and rainwater quality in Colombo during the southwest monsoon period in 2023. The rainwater samples were collected using a manually prepared high- density polyethylene collector and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), water-soluble cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and NH4+), and anions (Cl-, NO3–, and SO42–). The concentration of atmospheric PM10 was obtained from the ambient air quality monitoring station (AQMS) at Battaramulla. The measured data were analysed using multivariate statistical techniques, including principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis, to identify relationships between the concentration of atmospheric PM10 and rainwater quality. The atmospheric PM10 showed an insignificant positive correlation with southwest monsoon rainfall (r=0.14, p>0.05). The concentration of atmospheric PM10 increased the total concentration of water-soluble ions (r=0.30) and decreased the pH (r=-0.42) and electrical conductivity (r=0.07) of rainwater samples. The concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca2+ displayed moderate positive correlation, while Mg2+, NH4+, Cl-,

NO3- and SO42- showed a weak positive correlation of rainwater samples in the atmospheric PM10.

This study contributes valuable insights into the variations of PM10 in the atmosphere and its potential implications on rainwater quality in southwest monsoon, underscoring the importance of comprehensive analyses for a more nuanced understanding of the intricate relationships between atmospheric components and rainwater chemistry.

 

Keywords: Atmospheric chemistry, Correlation analysis, Particulate matter, Rainwater quality, Southwest monsoon
Total Lipid Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Two Morphologically Distinct Chlorella spp. for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Bandara, S.M.D.C.  , De Costa, D.M.  , Ratnayake, R.R.
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the potential of two morphologically distinct Chlorella spp. to assess the total lipid content and fatty acid composition targeting biodiesel production. Due to their rapid growth, less space requirement, and zero-conflict with current food demand, green microalgae-led biodiesel production has gained a key attention as an alternative, sustainable and eco-friendly substitute for fossil fuels diminishing the increased demand for fossil fuels, fuel prices and excessive release of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The Chlorella spp. were isolated from Beire Lake, Colombo (Wet Zone) and Kiriibban Lake, Monaragala (Dry Zone) of Sri Lanka. They were named as BCS1 and RCS2, respectively. Semi-mass culturing of Chlorella spp. in BG-11 medium (pH=7.5-8.5) was carried out in a greenhouse providing aeration and a 12:12 light: dark photoperiod. After 4 weeks, Chlorella spp. were harvested using aluminium sulphate, employing flocculation method. Harvested biomass was oven-dried and made into a fine powder for analysis. The total lipid content (TLC) of Chlorella spp. was determined using n-hexane as the extraction solvent in a soxhlet extractor maintaining three replicates for each. Extracted lipids were dried in a rotary evaporator and TLC was calculated gravimetrically. The total lipid content of BCS1 and RCS2 was recorded as 15.67% and 18.33%, respectively. After quantification, lipids were resuspended and concentrated in 1 mL of n-hexane to convert into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs)/ biodiesel via a transesterification reaction. The trans-esterified lipids (FAMEs) were analysed via Gas Chromatography. The most dominant FAMEs of BCS1 were palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid [C18:1 cis (n9)], stearic acid (C18:0), lignoceric acid (C24:0), lauric acid (C12:0) and myristic acid (C14:0). The most dominant FAMEs of RCS2 were cis-10-pentadecenoic acid (C15:1), elaidic acid [C18:1 trans (n9)], linolelaidic acid [C18:2 trans (n6)], cis-11-eicosenoic acid [C20:1 (n9)], lignoceric acid (C24:0) and oleic acid [C18:1 cis (n9)]. A well-balanced saturated and unsaturated FAME composition is essential for the optimal biodiesel quality, herein it was found in BCS1 with 41.62% of palmitic acid and 33.38% of oleic acid. Higher percentage of oleic acid exhibits a combination of oxidative stability and low temperature properties determining the suitability of BCS1 as a biodiesel feedstock compared to RCS2. In conclusion, even though RCS2 has a higher total lipid content, BCS1 exhibits more favourable characteristics in its FAME composition as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production.

 

Keywords: Green microalgae, Chlorella spp., Total lipid content, Lipid composition, Biodiesel
Exploring Tourist Flow Patterns through Geotagged Social Media Data: A Case Study from Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarathne, M.P.  , Hewakuruppu, D.T.  , Perera, P.  , Silva, R.M.  , Wickramaarachchi, D.C.
Published: February 2024

Tourism studies often rely on conventional methods such as interviews and site-specific surveys to collect data on tourist behaviour, mobility patterns, and preferences. However, these methods can be expensive, time-consuming, and limited in scope. Additionally, accurately tracing tourist travel paths can be challenging due to recall bias. Recently, user generated content on social media platforms have emerged as an alternative data source in tourism studies. In this study, we used geotagged posts on Flickr to understand the dominant paths taken by inbound tourists in Sri Lanka. The methodology consisted of three steps. First, geotagged photographs were collected from the Flickr API spanning a ten-year period, from 2012 to 2022. These photographs included metadata such as user ID, the timestamp of photo capture, and geo coordinates indicating where the photo was taken. Second, a density-based clustering algorithm was utilized to identify tourist hotspots. Finally, the Markov Chain model was employed to calculate transition probabilities among different attractions, revealing dominant travel routes within the country. Study’s findings indicate that Cultural heritage attractions were the most popular, comprising 55% of all attractions identified by the algorithm, and are particularly popular in districts such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Kandy, and Galle. Nature-based attractions, constituting 37% of the total, were mainly located in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts, as well as Yala National Park in Hambantota District. For coastal tourism, Galle and Matara Districts were the top preferences. The analysis confirms dominant travel patterns between North Central, Central, and Southwest coast regions. Notably, Galle, Kandy, Matale, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, and Colombo attract tourists from a more diverse array of regions compared to other districts in the country, showcasing their significance as tourist hubs. The study findings highlight opportunities in Jaffna for cultural-heritage tourism, the Eastern coast for coastal tourism, and the central highlands for tea tourism. It also emphasizes the need to develop the less-visited natural sites to ease pressure on popular National Parks. This research's significance lies in its contribution to informed decision-making and the sustainable management of tourist destinations. By understanding tourist mobility patterns and identifying popular attractions through social media data, policymakers can effectively manipulate visitor flows and mitigate excessive tourist pressure, while preserving the authenticity and allure of these destinations.

 

Keywords: Sustainable tourism, Geotagged photographs, Social media, Tourist mobility, Flickr
Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Freshwater Fishes in Irrigation Tanks, Anuradhapura
Authors: Gamagedara, H.M.C.D.  , Jayaratne, R.L.  , Edirisinghe, E.M.R.K.B.
Published: February 2024

Sri Lanka is well known for its dense freshwater irrigation tanks, especially in dry zones, which play an important role in sustaining both the environment and human livelihoods by providing essential resources such as drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and nutrition through fish proteins. However, heavy metal contamination poses a significant threat to the sustainability of these valuable freshwater irrigation tanks due to their persistence and non-biodegradability. These heavy metals tend to accumulate in living organisms and biomagnified and have harmful effects on high tropic level organisms like humans who rely on aquatic fish species via food chains. This study was carried out to assess the heavy metal accumulation in muscle and liver parts of freshwater fishes, Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), and striped snakehead; Lula (Channa striata) in Kammalakkulama, Hammillewa, Kirindegama, and Madawalagama tanks in Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. The Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyse the randomly collected fish samples for total Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Mercury (Hg) in the tanks. The results indicated a significant difference (p<0.05) in the detected concentrations of heavy metal levels in tested samples among the four tanks. The highest concentrations of Cd (2.098 mg/kg) and As (0.366 mg/kg) were recorded in the liver of Tilapia in the Kammalakkulama tank. The highest Pb (5.509 mg/kg) and Hg (2.015 mg/kg) concentration was recorded in the Tilapia muscle in the Hammillewa tank and the Lula muscle in the Madawalagama tank respectively exceeding the WHO/FAO standards. The accumulation levels of these heavy metals were higher in the fish liver compared to their muscle in most of the samples. Arsenic (As) showed a significant positive linear relationship (R2=0.531) between their dry body weight and accumulated concentration in the Tilapia muscle. The canonical discriminant analysis showed a significant differentiation among the four tanks concerning heavy metal levels in fish tissues.

 

Keywords: Channa striata, Heavy metals, Irrigation tanks, ICP-MS, Oreochromis sp.
Comparative Analysis of Physiochemical Properties and In Vitro Antioxidant Potency Among Morphotypes of Centella asiatica Grown in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera, K.G.G.T.  , Ranasinghe, R.A.H.B.  , Perera, P.L.R.A.  , Perera, W.P.R.T.  , Premaratne, W.A.P.J.  , Liyanage, J.A.
Published: February 2024

Centella asiatica commonly referred as Gotukola, is recognized for its extensive application in traditional medicine owing to its remarkable health benefits. This study investigated the differences in pH, ash content, moisture content, and in vitro antioxidant potential among three prevalent vine- type morphotypes of C. asiatica: Wel Gotukola, Meerigima Gotukola, and Yodha Gotukola, indigenous to Sri Lanka. C. asiatica plants of the same age (100 days) at their first harvestable matured stage, were randomly collected from domestic gardens in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Three replicates of each morphotype were sampled. Moisture and ash content were analysed using the standard AOAC method, and pH was measured using the potentiometric method. DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity. To thoroughly compare antioxidant potential among morphotypes, the ANOVA test was utilized followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD tests. Following results were obtained for the average moisture content of Wel Gotukola (83.41%±1.16%), Yodha Gotukola (74.33%±2.23%), and Meerigama Gotukola (79.46%±1.89%), alongside average ash content of Wel Gotukola (11.60%±1.02%), Yodha Gotukola (13.12%±2.57%), and Meerigama Gotukola (12.17%±2.01%). Additionally, an average pH of Wel Gotukola (6.00±0.21), Yodha Gotukola (5.75±0.25), and Meerigama Gotukola (5.98±0.14) was observed. The antioxidant activity of C. asiatica extracts exhibited concentration dependent increases in radical scavenging capacity. Notably, the DPPH radical scavenging potency, denoted by the minimum IC50 value, exhibited significant variations across different Gotukola varieties (p<0.05): Wel Gotukola (6.4 ± 0.54 µg/mL), Yodha Gotukola (8.56±0.35 µg/mL), and Meerigama Gotukola (7.0±0.75 µg/mL). Post-hoc Tukey tests showed antioxidant activity was significantly higher in Wel Gotukola compared to that of Meerigama and Yodha Gotukola morphotypes (p<0.05). Furthermore, Wel Gotukola demonstrated the highest average pH, moisture content, and the lowest mineral content. Conversely, Yodha Gotukola exhibited the lowest pH, moisture content, and the highest ash content. These findings underscore the potential of chemical parameters in elucidating the distinctive attributes of the three Gotukola varieties. Specifically, the significantly higher antioxidant potential observed in Wel Gotukola suggests its potential as an optimal candidate for herbal product development. This study imparts valuable insights into optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of formulations based on the specific C. asiatica employed in such endeavours.

 

Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Centella asiatica, Morphotypes, Proximate analysis