Abstract:Providing users with accurate arrival times is key for improving the appeal of public transport. Research presented here incorporates social media data into a new model in order to improve accuracy of bus arrival time prediction. The model is intended to function at a pre-processing stage to handle real world input data in advance of further processing by a Kalman Filtering (KF) model. Arrival time is predicted using a KF model supplemented with information acquired from social networks. Social networks feed road traffic information into the model, based on information provided by people who have witnessed events and then updated their social media accordingly. Different KF models are compared and the best models identified using the road traffic simulator, Simulation in Urban Mobility (SUMO). SUMO simulates real world road traffic using digital maps and realistic traffic models. The combination of SUMO and social media information as inputs into KF models produces more accurate travel time predictions than is possible when using only one source of information. The combination of input data and modelling is done using MATLAB. The KF model predicts arrival time by filtering out disturbance during the journey. This research discusses modelling a road journey using KF and verifying results with a corresponding SUMO simulation. Integrating the SUMO measures with the KF model can be seen as an initial step to verifying our premise that real-time data from social networks can eventually be used to improve the accuracy of the KF prediction. In this research, X is used as an example social network technology. X offers an API to retrieve live real-time road traffic information and offers semantic analysis of X data. In order to acquire optimal estimation, verifying the trustworthiness of social network information is also crucial. Ideas on methods to establish a level of trust in social networks are discussed. This is important, as KF model prediction will suffer if incorrect information from social networks is used.
Abstract:Given the scarcity of water and the concentration of watermelon cultivation in areas with low productivity and high-water requirements, this research aimed to develop an economic plan for watermelon production using linear programming. This study revealed that watermelon production was concentrated in the Makkah region at 70.42%, followed by Riyadh at 13.98%. Watermelon productivity also varied between regions, with most regions exceeding the estimated productivity of the Jazan region, ranging from a minimum of 3.3% for the Najran region to a maximum of 37.1% for the Eastern Province. The total water used for watermelon production amounted to 274.12 million m3, representing 2.58% of the average amount of water used for agricultural purposes, which amounted to 10.62 billion m3 during the period 2019-2023. The proposed plan includes cultivating the same area of 25.53 thousand hectares, of which 21.23 thousand hectares are allocated to the Eastern Province, followed by Riyadh with an area of 3.47 thousand hectares, then Medina, Tabuk, and Hail with areas of 595.1, 154.4, and 81.1 hectares, respectively. The proposed economic orientation requires the use of 213.56 million m3 of water for watermelon production, representing 77.91% of the available water amount of 274.12 million m3. This leaves a water resource surplus of 60.56 million m3, representing 22.09% of the available water amount. Total watermelon production amounts to 701.05 thousand tons. Therefore, production under the proposed economic orientation increases by 90.7 thousand tons compared to its current counterpart, an increase of 14.86%. Finally, this study recommends the need to reconsider the agricultural policy for watermelon production, with the aim of increasing production and rationalizing water consumption.
Abstract:Traditional non-repudiation methods often face challenges such as document tampering and difficulties in verifying user identity. This research addresses these issues by employing RSA encryption and SHA-256 hashing to enhance document security and strengthen non-repudiation mechanisms. The study develops and implements a digital signature architecture that integrates cryptographic techniques to verify both the origin and the integrity of digital documents. System performance was evaluated through experiments measuring its ability to prevent manipulation and authenticate signer identity. The findings demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly improves document security and non-repudiation, effectively safeguarding against unauthorized modifications while providing reliable proof of origin. Furthermore, this work highlights the potential for applying the solution in social networking environments, where secure, authentic, and verifiable interactions are essential to building trust in digital communication.
Abstract:Forest onion (Bawang hutan, local name), Scorodocarpus borneensis Becc is one of the medicinal ingredients considered to have properties that are useful as antioxidants, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, etc. This plant is widely found in the forest areas of Kalimantan, Indonesia. While its cultivation is still very lacking. In this research, the chopped bark of bawang hutan was refluxed with methanol solvent, then the methanol extract was partitioned to ethyl-acetate: water = 1:1. The ethyl acetate phase obtained was fractionated by column chromatography (SiO2; i). n-hexan : ethyl acetate = 20:1~2:1; ii). n-hexane-ethylacetate = 5: 1; and preparative thin layer chromatography (n-hexaneethylacetate = 2:1). Each fraction was tested for antioxidant activity by the free radical scavenging method using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and obtained pure isolates that have antioxidant activity in fraction SbEA 8-5. Based on the interpretation of Ultra-violet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FT-IR) spectra, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) 1D 1H, 13C-NMR, DEPT, and NMR 2D (HMQC, COSY, HMBC), the chemical compound is 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (protocatechuic acid) which has an IC50 of 12.05 ppm.
Abstract:The present investigation aimed to formulate and evaluate a bacterial consortium capable of metabolizing chlorpyrifos under in vivo conditions. This consortium was also assessed for its potential to promote the growth of vegetables such as cauliflower, spinach, and radish. Bacterial consortia capable of degrading chlorpyrifos were isolated from pesticide-contaminated agricultural soil found within and around the National Capital Region (NCR), New Delhi, India. Subsequently, a compatible and efficient bacterial consortium was combined into an optimized formulation for further evaluation. The consortium was tested under controlled pot culture conditions using chlorpyrifoscontaminated soil and water as the growth media. Moreover, the crop seeds were treated using the bacterial formulation before sowing in the experimental setup. Chlorpyrifos residue levels in soil and water were monitored over time using gas chromatography for quantitative analysis. In addition, a phosphate-solubilizing biofertilizer (PSB) was incorporated into the bacterial mixture for its supplementary effect on plant growth. According to the results, 98–99% degradation of chlorpyrifos occurred at the centralized time point of the bacterial consortium within 10 days. This high degradation rate was consistent in both contaminated water and soil environments. Notably, when the PSB was included in the formulation, 98–99% degradation was achieved within just 5 days. Furthermore, shoot height and biomass increased by about 15% to 20% across all three crops tested in the study. These improvements indicate a significant enhancement in plant growth performance with the bacterial treatment. Therefore, this approach demonstrates dual promise: rapid pesticide degradation and enhanced crop yield. It offers a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy to mitigate chlorpyrifos contamination in agricultural systems.
Abstract:This study aims to examine the impact of cattle breeding on the carbon footprint in Karapınar district, a region where animal husbandry is the primary livelihood for most of the local population. The research material consists of numerical data on cattle raised in Karapınar district between 2020 and 2023, obtained from local public institutions and agricultural unions. The calculations were performed using the formulas provided in the IPCC guidelines, according to the Tier 2 method. The carbon footprint values determined were as follows: For enteric fermentation, the annual average was 1,795,316 kg CO₂e/kg of meat, and the daily average was 0.0025 kg CO₂e/kg of meat. For milk, the annual average was 1,063,359 kg CO₂e/L, and the daily average was 0.655 kg CO₂e/L. Similarly, for manure management, the annual average was 1,802,046 kg CO₂e/kg of meat, and the daily average was 0.00225 kg CO₂e/kg of meat. For milk, the annual average was 992,101 kg CO₂e/L, and the daily average was 0.61125 kg CO₂e/L. It is important to note that different Tier methods use varying values, which can lead to divergent results even for the same regions. Suggested strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include: adjusting the roughage-to-concentrate ratio in the diet; using specific probiotics; adding fats to the diet; reducing feeding intervals; ensuring animals consume feed quickly; incorporating antibiotics to increase ruminal propionic acid levels; adding methane inhibitors like nitrates and sulfates to the diet; and promoting farm-based biogas production facilities.
Abstract:Pension is a critical social policy that ensures retirees can maintain a decent standard of living after retirement. This importance is especially evident in developing countries like Liberia. However, the adequacy of pension benefits for retirees, particularly those in the educational sector who have retired from public service, raises concerns. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate teachers' perceptions of pension benefits in Liberia, focusing on their awareness of the pension system and cultural expectations. The study utilized the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software to analyze data collected from 339 teachers through a structured questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. The results confirmed the reliability of the measurement instruments for assessing pension awareness and cultural expectations, with factor analysis validating these constructs. ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in pension perceptions across various age groups and qualifications, while correlation analysis demonstrated strong relationships between education, experience, and views on pensions. Regression analysis indicated that demographic factors significantly predict pension perceptions. The study underscores the need for improved pension awareness programs and policy reforms to better align pension systems with teachers' expectations and cultural norms. This contributes to ongoing discussions about pension reform and financial security for educators in Liberia.
Abstract:This study unfolds Indonesia’s strategic position in the ASEAN paper trade by mapping the competitiveness, market dynamics, and export potential of its paper products (HS 4802). It applies analytical tools including Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Trade Specialization Index (TSI), Export Product Dynamics (EPD), and the X-Model. Utilizing secondary data from 2010 to 2019 sourced from the International Trade Centre (ITC), the findings reveal that: (1) Indonesian paper exhibits a competitive edge with a TSI value of 0.95, indicating its status in the export maturation phase; (2) RCA values across ASEAN countries consistently exceed 1, confirming strong comparative advantages; (3) EPD analysis classifies Indonesian paper as a "Rising Star" in the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Brunei Darussalam, "Falling Star" in Thailand and Singapore, "Lost Opportunity" in Vietnam, and "Retreat" in Malaysia; (4) The XModel analysis affirms high market development potential in select countries, guiding strategic improvement areas. These findings provide a strategic roadmap for policymakers and exporters to enhance Indonesia’s positioning in the evolving paper market landscape across ASEAN.
Abstract:Rainfall and temperature are key components of Earth's climate system, playing a crucial role in shaping climatic dynamics. As such the current study was initiated to examine historical trends and future projections of precipitation and maximum temperature in Sri Lanka from 1922 to 2022. The 100 years of historical climate data were purchase from the department of meteorology, Sri Lanka to analyze and forecast rainfall and maximum temperature variations in Sri Lanka. Trend analysis of historical data reveals a steady increase in maximum temperature, with an average rise of 1.4°C, particularly pronounced since the 1970s, aligning with global warming trends. Rainfall patterns exhibit significant spatial and temporal variability, with a slight overall decline observed across the island. To enhance the spatial representation of climate variables, the Kriging spatial interpolation method was applied, corroborating the trend analysis and providing detailed insights into regional climate variations. The Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was used and forecasting was done for next 20 years (2022–2042). Future projections predict a further increase of 0.47°C in average maximum temperature over the next two decades, alongside a marginal decline in rainfall levels. These findings contribute to understanding climate variability and potential future trends in Sri Lanka. By integrating spatial interpolation techniques with time-series forecasting models, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of both the spatial and temporal dynamics of climate change in the country, supporting future climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Abstract:This work examined response actions of pastoralists to the effects of climate change and diseases/pest outbreaks in Southeast, Nigeria. Not much is known about the double burden facing pastoralists hence, this study. A total of 120 pastoralists were selected purposively from the 5 Southeast States of Aba, Anambra, Ebony, Enugu, and Imo States. The questionnaire was used for the study, complemented with oral discussion with the pastoralists. Percentages were used to analyze data collection from the field. Results showed that the pastoralists were fully aware of the double burden of climate change and pest/disease menace as indicated by 100% response. Climate change affects herbage growth (87.5%), causes nutritional states (95%), leads to loss of milk (89.1%), and leads to disease outbreaks (99.1%). In response, pastoralists move to safer grounds (95%), diversification of herd (87.5%); restocking (81.6%) among others. Diseases lead to the death of animals, loss of meat quality, abattoir, poor nutrition, and results in food insecurity. They avoid disease-affected areas, burn fields, migration of herbs, use of herbs, and handpicking of ticks among others. Conflicts also unit access to water/pasture sources, closure of migratory routes, road blockade, and death of both animals and man. To adopt pastoralists’ move to so for ground, negotiate with action, provide alternative income sources.