Detecting ‘poachers’ with drones: Factors influencing the probability of detection with TIR and RGB imaging in miombo woodlands, Tanzania

Conservation biologists increasingly employ drones to reduce poaching of animals. However, there are no published studies on the probability of detecting poachers and the factors influencing detection. In an experimental setting with voluntary subjects, we evaluated the influence of various factors on poacher detection probability: camera (visual spectrum: RGB and thermal infrared: TIR), density of canopy cover, subject distance from the image centreline, subject contrast against the background, altitude of the drone and image analyst. We manually analysed the footage and marked all recorded subject detections. A multilevel model was used to analyse the TIR image data and a general linear model approach was used for the RGB image data. We found that the TIR camera had a higher detection probability than the RGB camera. Detection probability in TIR images was significantly influenced by canopy density, subject distance from the centreline and the analyst. Detection probability in RGB images was significantly influenced by canopy density, subject contrast against the background, altitude and the analyst. Overall, our findings indicate that TIR cameras improve human detection, particularly at cooler times of the day, but this is significantly hampered by thick vegetation cover. The effects of diminished detection with increased distance from the image centreline can be improved by increasing the overlap between images although this requires more flights over a specific area. Analyst experience also contributed to increased detection probability, but this might cease being a problem following the development of automated detection using machine learning

A Survey on Anti-Poaching Strategies

South Africa holds the largest number of the world’s rhinoceros population. Over the years this species has suffered so much at the hands of poachers. Based on statistics at least two rhinos are lost to poaching each day. With this rate of poaching activities, Africa’s rhino could slide over the blink, into extinction. In this paper we therefore review the various anti-poaching strategies that have been implemented over time bringing to light their shortcomings

A Survey on Anti-Poaching Strategies

South Africa holds the largest number of the world’s rhinoceros population. Over the years this species has suffered so much at the hands of poachers. Based on statistics at least two rhinos are lost to poaching each day. With this rate of poaching activities, Africa’s rhino could slide over the blink, into extinction. In this paper we therefore review the various anti-poaching strategies that have been implemented over time bringing to light their shortcomings. Keywords: Poaching, Anti-poaching, Rhinoceros, Extinction, Wildlife

Exploring Sentiment Classification Techniques in News Articles

The emergence of web 2.0 applications has greatly contributed to the increase in volume of information available online today. User generated content can help organizations realize the demands of the public be it in e-commerce, politics or newsrooms. Sentiment analysis plays a pivotal role in the mining of such information thus it is a crucial tool not only in organizations’ decision making process but also to the general users of a particular service. Most research on sentiment analysis focuses on subjective text like in micro-blogging, product and movie reviews. News articles sentiment analysis can be a bit difficult considering the need by journalists to remain neutral. Polarity of sentiments is not explicit therefore classification of people’s sentiments in such a scenario is crucial. In this research we will outline the various methodologies used for polarity detection and analysis in news articles. Keywords: Web 2.0 Applications, User Generated Content, Sentiment Analysis, Subjective Text, Classification, Polarity Detection

IT governance: status and level of implementation in Zimbabwean banks

In this paper, we assess the status and level of IT governance implementation in Zimbabwean banks. Banks were grouped as local and international and then picked randomly in these categories. Organisation annual reports were also reviewed to obtain information on how banks addressed the issue of IT Governance. These documents were downloaded from company websites, obtained from local newspapers and were obtained on demand from company offices. The data from questionnaires and organisation annual reports were quantified, grouped and coded. The data was then computed and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results show that is low IT representation at both board and executive management within local banks as compared to international banks. In local banks, the IT department is viewed as a cost center whilst international banks view IT as a value addition department. IT governance is still at the embryonic stage. This paper recommends that there should be a high representation of IT within banking organisations both in the executive committee and at board level since IT has a significant impact on the bank’s performance. It is important to align their IT and business strategies and ensure that IT supports and extends business goals of the organisation through the involvement of the board of directors and executive members in providing strategic direction for IT early on during the planning process. The involvement of the board of directors and executive management will ensure that IT issues are properly articulated and communicated to operational management for implementation and monitoring