Identification of Occupation Clustering in Kandy City, Sri Lanka: An Investigation of Residential Location Pattern by Occupational Status.

Existence of social groups with different socio-economic status is a common character in a city and makes cities to form residentially varied areas within the city which is generally termed as ‘residential differentiation’. Since residential differentiation sometimes becomes a critical issue to be addressed it should be understood as much as possible before planning and organizing the urban space in optimal manner. This study attempts to investigate spatial expression of occupational structure of Kandy city, Sri Lanka. Attention is given for identifying, measuring and mapping the existing location pattern of occupational groups over the urban space of Kandy city. Occupation data in Kandy city collected from national census of population and housing in 2001 were used and Location Quotient technique (LQ) was employed to analyze the data.Results evidently revealed that ‘occupation’ is influential to form a distinct location pattern in the city space. Basic pattern of location of occupation groups identifiable is that higher ranking occupation groups are concentrated in peripheral areas while lower ranking occupation groups are located in city canter areas or proximity areas to the city Center. This has made some particular areas to be specialized for some occupation groups. Working class or labourer category which has the highest proportion is mostly limited to city center and adjoining areas where commercial and other services are dominated. These areas are highly commercial and mix residential areas in the city and are very valuable lands that can be used for the better economic use establishing new projects. This is one of critical issues to be addressed in future development of the city

Photoexcited state dynamics and singlet fission in carotenoids

We describe our dynamical simulations of the excited states of the carotenoid, neurosporene, following its photoexcitation into the 'bright' (nominally $1^1B_u^+$) state. We employ the adaptive tDMRG method on the UV model of $\pi$-conjugated electrons and use the Ehrenfest equations of motion to simulate the coupled nuclei dynamics. To account for the experimental and theoretical uncertainty in the relative energetic ordering of the nominal $1^1B_u^+$ and $2^1A_g^-$ states at the Franck-Condon point, we consider two parameter sets. In both cases there is ultrafast internal conversion from the 'bright' state to a 'dark' singlet triplet-pair state. We make a direct connection from our predictions to experimental observables by calculating the transient absorption. For the case of direct $1^1B_u^+$ to $2^1A_g^-$ internal conversion, we show that the dominant transition at ca. 2 eV, being close to but lower in energy than the $T_1$ to $T_1^*$ transition, can be attributed to the $2^1A_g^-$ component of $S_1$. Moreover, we show that it is the charge-transfer exciton component of the $2^1A_g^-$ state that is responsible for this transition, and not its triplet-pair component. We next discuss the microscopic mechanism of 'bright' to 'dark' state internal conversion, emphasising that this occurs via the exciton components of both states. Finally, we describe a mechanism whereby the strongly bound intrachain triplet-pairs of the 'dark' state may undergo interchain exothermic dissociation. We predict that this is only possible if the molecules are twisted in their ground states. The computational methodology underlying the calculations described here is explained in our companion paper, $\textit{Dynamical simulations of carotenoid photoexcited states using density matrix renormalization group techniques}$, D. Manawadu, D. J. Valentine, and W. Barford, $\textit{J. Chem. Theo. Comp.}$ (2023).Comment: 31 pages, 11 figure

A COMPARISON OF PITCH LENGTH VARIATIONS AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL LENGTH IN CRICKET FAST BOWLING

This study aimed to identify differences between ball release parameters and different pitch length deliveries in cricket fast bowling. A total of 707 fast bowling trials (bouncers, yorkers, stock balls) performed by 21 male fast bowlers were recorded and used to investigate the variations in ball release parameters. Ball release angle (p \u3c 0.05) was significantly different between all three deliveries, while resultant ball release speed and ball release height of the bouncer deliveries were significantly different (p \u3c 0.05) to yorker and stock deliveries. Furthermore, the success rates of bowlers achieving their intended variation highlighted a difficulty in delivering yorker deliveries compared to bouncer and stock deliveries. Results provide a foundation for coaching and future research, in particularly investigating the kinematic and kinetic factors linked with different length fast bowling deliveries

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Polysaccharide Fraction of Green Seaweed Codium fragile Extract (Suringar, 1867)

Marine seaweeds are a renewable source that possess different biological activities. The current study investigated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and selected biological activites of the polysaccharide fraction of methanol crude from Codium fragile (Family: Codiaceae). Dried seaweed was extracted with 70% methanol and the polysaccharide fraction was separated. Total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) contents were determined using standard methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin (protein) denaturation, trypsin (proteinase) inhibitory and membrane stabilisation assays, while antioxidant activity was conducted using DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. TPC, TFC values were 21.01±0.90 μg GE/g, 24.14±4.50 μg QE/g, respectively. Ferric ion reducing power recorded as 10.84±0.58 μg TE/g and IC50 value of DPPH radical scavenging activity was 1685.3±4.4 μg/ml and less effective than Trolox standard (IC50=10.4±0.4 μg/ml). IC50 values of albumin (protein) denaturation was 506.2±1.8 μg/ml and less effective than Aspirin standard (29.3±0.5 μg/ml). Anti-inflammatory potential according to the trypsin (proteinase) inhibitory assay and membrane stabilisation assay were 65.4±0.4 μg/ml and 3027.6±4.7 μg/ml, respectively and these values were less effective than that of diclofenac sodium standard (IC50=14.2±0.5 μg/ml). According to the results, the polysaccharide portion showed a potent anti-inflammatory activity compared to antioxidant properties. Hence further investigations on anti-inflammatory properties and isolation of active compounds are warranted.Keywords: Codium fragile, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Polysaccharide, Green alga

Urban Heat Islands and Vegetation Cover as a Controlling Factor

Cities play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation and enhancingclimate resilience of their slum and vulnerable residents. Climate change adds to existingchallenges faced by cities. Climate change, together with a decrease in absorption capacity ofgreenhouse gasses due reduction in the amount of green cover, parks, trees and agriculturalsurfaces in urban areas, poses serious threats to urban infrastructure, access to basic servicesand quality of life in cities and negatively affect the urban economy. At the same time, rapidurban growth, growing urban poverty and increasing food prices raise concerns about urbanfood security, especially for the poor. Cities are highly vulnerable to disruption in critical(food) supplies and climate change exacerbates this vulnerability.The main objective of this study is to examine the spatial pattern of surface temperature in theKesbewa Urban Council Area and temperature variation with the different UPAF (UrbanPeri-urban and Agriculture and Forestry) regions using space born techniques and groundverifications.GIS and Remote Sensing techniques were the main analytical tools of this study in datacollection as well as data processing and analysis. Landsat ETM+ image from 2003 used toextract the surface temperature layer and model has verified using air temperature datacollected throughout the KUC area for the last five months period using 22 HOBO metersinstalled in different UPAF regions in the city. UPAF regions have identified and demarcatedusing Google image and visually interpreted with the field experiences.The surface temperature model developed using satellite images is positively correlated withthe ground temperature data collected and results revealed that there is a very positiverelationship between the UPAF regions and the surface temperature.

人間中心型自動運転車における協調運転のための適応的マルチモーダルインタフェースに関する研究

早大学位記番号:新7967早稲田大

Sociable Robot ‘Lometh’: Exploring Interactive Regions of a Product-Promoting Robot in a Supermarket

The robot ‘Lometh’ is an information-presenting robot that naturally interacts with people in a supermarket environment. In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the implementation of robotic interfaces to identify effective behaviors of communication robots focusing only on the social and physical factors of the addresser and the hearer. As attention focus and attention target shifting of people differs based on the human visual focus and the spatiality, this study considered four interactive regions, considering the visual focus of attention as well as the interpersonal space between robot and human. The collected primary data revealed that 56% attention shifts occurred in near peripheral field of view regions and 44% attention shifts in far peripheral field of view regions. Using correspondence analysis, we identified that the bodily behaviors of the robot showed the highest success rate in the left near peripheral field of view region. The verbal behaviors of the robot captured human attention best in the right near peripheral field of view region. In this experiment of finding a socially acceptable way to accomplish the attention attracting goals of a communication robot, we observed that the robots’ affective behaviors were successful in shifting human attention towards itself in both left and right far- peripheral field of view regions, so we concluded that for far field of view regions, designing similar interaction interventions can be expected to be successful

Effect of Extraction Techniques on Phytochemicals and Antioxidants Activity of Garcinia quaesita Leaves

Garcinia quaesita is an endemic plant in Sri Lanka with a wide array of domestic and medicinal values, yet very limited studies have been reported. The goal of this study was to investigate the phytochemicals and antioxidants capacity of leaves of G. quaesita under different extraction techniques in order to monitor the effect of extraction techniques on the above parameters. Water was used as the solvent and four extraction methods, namely sonication (EN01, one-hour,RT, 40 kHz), Soxhlet (EN02, six-hours, 105 ºC), maceration with agitation (EN03, six-hours, RT, 1000 rpm), and maceration with agitation upon heating (EN04, six-hours, 60 ºC, 1000 rpm), were applied. Phytochemical screenings and quantification of polyphenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), tannins (TTC), terpenoids (TC), saponins (SC), and alkaloids (AC) were performed using standard methods, whereas antioxidants capacity was assessed using FRAP and DPPH assays. The results revealed that G. quaesita contains a wide range of phytochemicals and the TPC, TTC and SC profiles appeared to be higher in the extraction process of EN04 (60.73 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g, 60.12 ± 0.06 mg TAE/g, and 257.64 ± 0.72 mg SE/g, respectively) whereas those were lower in the technique EN01. In addition, TFC and TC levels were high in EN02 (3.02 ± 0.00 mg QE/g and 17.75 ± 0.04 mM LE/g respectively) and besides, TFC was low in method EN03, whereas TC was low in EN01. Interestingly, AC was found to be higher in EN03 (1.16 ± 0.03 mg AE/g) and lesser in EN02. Total antioxidant capacity ( FRAP value) was calculated to be higher in extraction method EN04 (72.08 ± 0.00 mg Trolox Eq/g) whereas it was lower in extraction method EN01. The method, EN03 gave the lower IC50 value in DPPH radical scavenging assay (10.49 ± 0.12 mg/ml), indicating high scavenging activity. In conclusion, the extraction technique EN04 is well suitable to extract polyphenolics and antioxidants from G. quaesita leaves. Though G. quaesita leaves contain a diverse range of bioactive compounds and antioxidants properties, it is important to choose the correct extraction technique based on the objectives of the desired research work, as the number of phytochemicals extracted, and antioxidant capacity varies depending on the extraction technique used. Full paper submission of ICIET 202

A Multi-Party Conversation-Based Effective Robotic Navigation System for Futuristic Vehicle

In response to the growing need for advanced in-car navigation systems that prioritize user experience and aim to reduce driver cognitive workload, this study addresses the research question of how to enhance the interaction between drivers and navigation systems. The focus is on minimizing distraction while providing personalized and geographically relevant information. The research introduces an innovative in-car robotic navigation system comprising three subsystem models: geofencing,personalization, and conversation. The dynamic geofencing model acquires geographic details related to the user's current location and provides information about required destinations. The personalization model tailors suggestions based on user preferences, while the conversation model, employing two virtual robots, fosters interactive multiparty conversations aligned with the driver's interests. The study's scope is specifically confined to interactive conversations centered on nearby restaurants and the driver's dietary preferences. Evaluation of the system indicates a notable prevalence of neutral expressions amongparticipants during interaction, suggesting that the implemented system successfully mitigates cognitive workload. Participants in the experiments express higher usability and interactivity levels, as evidenced by feedback collected at the study's conclusion, affirming the system's effectiveness in enhancing the user experience while maintaining a driver-friendly environment. Keywords: Human-Robot Interaction, Multiparty Conversation, In-Car Navigatio

Sociable Robot ‘Lometh’: Exploring Interactive Regions of a Product-Promoting Robot in a Supermarket

The robot ‘Lometh’ is an information-presenting robot that naturally interacts with people in a supermarket environment. In recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the implementation of robotic interfaces to identify effective behaviors of communication robots focusing only on the social and physical factors of the addresser and the hearer. As attention focus and attention target shifting of people differs based on the human visual focus and the spatiality, this study considered four interactive regions, considering the visual focus of attention as well as the interpersonal space between robot and human. The collected primary data revealed that 56% attention shifts occurred in near peripheral field of view regions and 44% attention shifts in far peripheral field of view regions. Using correspondence analysis, we identified that the bodily behaviors of the robot showed the highest success rate in the left near peripheral field of view region. The verbal behaviors of the robot captured human attention best in the right near peripheral field of view region. In this experiment of finding a socially acceptable way to accomplish the attention attracting goals of a communication robot, we observed that the robots’ affective behaviors were successful in shifting human attention towards itself in both left and right far- peripheral field of view regions, so we concluded that for far field of view regions, designing similar interaction interventions can be expected to be successful