Malaria transmission in the vicinity of impounded water: evidence from the Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia

Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Disease vectors / Habitats / Disease control / Entomology / Epidemiology / Surveys / Dams / Reservoirs / Villages / Case studies / Africa / Ethiopia / Koka Reservoir / Rift Valley / Awash River Basin

Comparing clothing-mounted sensors with wearable sensors for movement analysis and activity classification

Inertial sensors are a useful instrument for long term monitoring in healthcare. In many cases, inertial sensor devices can be worn as an accessory or integrated into smart textiles. In some situations, it may be beneficial to have data from multiple inertial sensors, rather than relying on a single worn sensor, since this may increase the accuracy of the analysis and better tolerate sensor errors. Integrating multiple sensors into clothing improves the feasibility and practicality of wearing multiple devices every day, in approximately the same location, with less likelihood of incorrect sensor orientation. To facilitate this, the current work investigates the consequences of attaching lightweight sensors to loose clothes. The intention of this paper is to discuss how data from these clothing sensors compare with similarly placed body worn sensors, with additional consideration of the resulting effects on activity recognition. This study compares the similarity between the two signals (body worn and clothing), collected from three different clothing types (slacks, pencil skirt and loose frock), across multiple daily activities (walking, running, sitting, and riding a bus) by calculating correlation coefficients for each sensor pair. Even though the two data streams are clearly different from each other, the results indicate that there is good potential of achieving high classification accuracy when using inertial sensors in clothing

Federated learning-based anomaly detection as an enabler for securing network and service management automation in beyond 5G networks

Abstract. Zero-touch network architecture (ZSM) is proposed to cater to unprecedented performance requirements, including network automation. 5G and beyond networks include exceptional latency, reliability, and bandwidth requirements. As a result, network automation is a necessity. ZSM architecture combines closed-loop mechanisms and artificial intelligence (AI) to meet the network automation requirement. Even though AI is prevalent, privacy concerns and resource limitations are growing concerns. However, techniques such as federated learning (FL) can be applied to address such issues. The proposed solution is a hierarchical anomaly detection mechanism based on the ZSM architecture, divided into domains by considering technical or business features. The network flow is categorized as an anomaly or not, and abnormal flows are removed from both stages. Detectors and aggregation servers are placed inside the network based on their purpose. The proposed detector is simulated with the UNSW-NB15 Dataset. The simulation results show accuracy improvement after the 2nd stage, and the detection accuracy varies with training data composition

Performance of compact mobile emissions monitoring system for real-time on-board emissions measurement

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Compact Mobile Emissions Monitoring System (CMEMS) in an engine dynamometer test cell equipped with laboratory grade analyzers, and under real-world testing conditions. The CMEMS was evaluated in the test cell with the engine operating under transient (FTP) and steady state conditions and results were compared with laboratory data.;In response to the Consent Decrees, which were entered into by some of the heavy duty engine manufactures and the United States, several in-use portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) have been developed, and some of them are commercially available. However, most of these systems are based upon an impractical design that requires one or more boxes to be placed in the cab of the test vehicle, with heated analyzers and sample handling systems, an exhaust flow rate measurement system installed on the tailpipe, and heated sample lines. Such systems place a taxing power demand on the engine. They are bulky and heavy, and the deskew times contribute to measurement uncertainties.;In response to the lessons learned from the use of WVU\u27s Mobile Emissions Measuring System (MEMS), WVU has developed compact MEMS, which addresses the concerns associated with currently available PEMS, including the MEMS. The unique feature of the CMEMS is that it is a single unit with all components incorporated in the single 34 x 8 x 8 container, which is mounted on the exhaust stack.;Compared to the MEMS, the Compact Emissions Monitoring System weighs 60lb, which is 70lb less than the MEMS. CMEMS consists of a CO2 analyzer, NOx sensor and the control unit to measure CO2 and NOx emissions from a vehicle. CMEMS uses solid state nondispersive infrared detector BE-150 for measuring CO2 emissions. CMEMS has a built in Data Acquisition System. On the other hand, even though the Engine Control Module (ECM) uses a CAN (Controller Area Network) to serial adaptor, the ECU was not probed with the current set-up of the CMEMS.;The engine was tested over the steady-state cycles, federal heavy-duty certification cycle and simulated on-road cycle. Mass emissions rates measured by CMEMS differed from laboratory generated results by 6.2% for CO2 and by 5.7% for NOx over the steady-state cycle. Over the FTP transient cycle, the differences observed were -8.3% for CO2 and 11.1% for NOx. Significantly lower percentage differences were recorded while testing CMEMS over the on-road cycle: 1.4 and 2.9% for CO2 and NOx emissions respectively. Under real-world conditions, the CMEMS had a maximum error percentage of 7.7% for CO2 and 8% for NOx, in comparison to the MEMS.;CMEMS in its current configuration was unable to maintain the required temperature for the chiller, under real world testing. Lack of ventilation and heat dissipation problems were accountable for temperature problems, hence the erroneous CO2 reading by CMEMS. Further both BE-150 and MEXA-720, the NOx analyzer, were sensitive for vibration. Therefore, rugged road conditions too account for bad NOx and CO2 readings. Compact layout of CMEMS made trouble shoot time consuming when problems occurred.;It should be noted that, to the best authors\u27 knowledge, this is the first attempt to develop an engine emissions measuring system directly attached on the tail pipe of a heavy-duty truck. Further considerations and work will be needed when redesigning the system in order to get better engine emissions data

Indigenous Food Practices of the Dambana Vedda Community in Sri Lanka: Past and Present Scenario

Veddas are considered to be the indigenous community of Sri Lanka. A century ago, the Veddas had scattered across the Eastern Province, North-Central and Uva Provinces. Presently, their main settlement is confined to Dambana in the Badulla district. They inherit unique indigenous knowledge from their ancestors to hunt animals, gather forest goods, collect honey and dig yams to fulfill their food needs as ‘Forest dwellers’. Therefore, they had simple and efficient indigenous techniques for gathering and processing food. The main objective of the present study was to identify and document the past indigenous food practices and current food practices of the Dambana Vedda community. Focus group discussions were carried out with the different age categories of the Vedda community at Dambana to collect information. The indigenous lifestyle of the Vedda community was affected by modernization and civilization. Wild Veddas who lived in the forest have transmitted to village Veddas in colonies with modified food culture. Their indigenous food culture is mixed with the neighboring Sinhalese and Tamil communities. However, with forest reserves restricted, the Veddas are still engaging in a questionable struggle to protect their indigenous tradition and culture. Consequently, they have consumed indigenous foods rarely and novel food varieties become the daily diets of Veddas. Therefore, Veddas have been facing many challenges to protect their unique indigenous food practices for future generations.     DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i02.0

Scandals from an Island: Testing Anglo-American Corporate Governance Frameworks

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an account of banking scandals in relation to corporate governance (CG) failures in an emerging economy, arguing that Anglo-American ideas of CG are misplaced in traditional settings. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders. Observations of annual general meetings (AGMs) and the personal working experience of one of the researchers, along with documentation, provided triangulating data on CG practices. Findings The authors have found that both of the banks studied had adopted CG practices contrary to the expectations of the Sri Lankan CG codes. Key features of CG practices that emerged from their investigations of these two scandals are ineffectual central bank regulations, familial boards of directors, ceremonial board meetings, biased auditing practices and manipulative AGMs, relying on traditional structures of accountability centred around families, kin and social networks. Research limitations/implications The authors argue, drawing on Weber (1958, 1961, 1968, 1978), that the traditionalist culture mediates the process of rationality in bank governance codes and regulatory frameworks Therefore, practices fall far short of expectations. Originality/value The paper builds on the extended critique of shareholder-centric CG models and their transferability to alien contexts. It contributes to the CG studies calling for more appreciation of the need to move beyond the conventional view of CG problems as simply down to conflicts of interests. The authors complement and advance the decoupling debate in CG studies drawing on the Weberian notion of traditionalism

Power smoothing and energy storage sizing of vented oscillating water column wave energy converter arrays

Oscillating water column wave energy converter arrays can be arranged to enhance the energy production and quality of power delivered to the grid. This study investigates four different array configurations of vented oscillating water columns and their effect on power quality and capacity of the energy storage systems required to absorb power fluctuation. Configuring the array of vented oscillating water columns as a nearshore detached breakwater allows combining the benefits of their complementary features. This increases the economic optimization of wave energy converters, paving the path to the energy market. The operations of the integration schemes are evaluated using the results obtained from simulations carried out using MATLAB/Simulink software. Simulation results show that the array of vented oscillating water columns and array of vented oscillating water columns as nearshore detached breakwater configurations increase the quality of power delivered to the grid and reduce the capacity of the energy storage systems required

Fluid Viscosity and Corresponding Effects on Fluid flow, Velocity Magnitude and Electric Field Distribution in Electrohydrodynamic Jetting

The phenomenon of electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jetting is affected by both the flow and electric properties of the dielectric fluid. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach has been used to analyse the resultant effect of fluid viscosity on EHD flows. This study looks at the unique effect of fluid viscosity on the flow profile, velocity magnitude and the electric field distribution. It is very difficult to experimentally study these relationships, but CFD provides insights that can open the world of Electrohydrodynamics to new levels of applications; as this will give an idea of how to manipulate the jet formation. Viscosity has been highlighted as one of the key parameters that aid jet elongation and stability. Therefore, the necessity to study its role. Most studies have been carried out experimentally, but this paper provides computation insights. To solve the multiphase problem, a finite volume method using the Volume of Fluid approach for capturing the shape of the interface was used for the investigation. The leaky dielectric model which describes the process solves the combination of the Charge Transport Model and Navier-Stokes equations simultaneously. The transient liquid-gas interface tracking was achieved using the VOF technique. Among many other features observed, the results showed that it takes more time for the electric field to overcome the opposing surface tension of the solution at higher viscosity than at lower viscosity. Higher electric field magnitudes/strength were observed for the fluid of lower viscosity than that of the higher viscosity. Also, an increase in the viscosity reduces the droplet size/jet diameter

Evaluation of Ambient Air Particulate Matter (PM) Concentration in Urban Context and its Public Perception

Urban air pollution has become a global issue and vehicle emissions, rapid industrialization, and urbanization are known to be the main contributing factors for air pollution. Therefore, air quality monitoring is essential for detecting air pollution levels mainly in urban areas. Among the main air pollutants, particulate matters (PM) play major roles as an urban air pollutant. The objectives of this research study were (a) to evaluate and compare the PM2.5 concentration on ambient air in selected locations in Colombo urban area (b) to calculate air quality index (AQI) to identify the pollutant levels of ambient air in selected study sites and (c) to identify the public perception and awareness regarding the PM-related air pollution. In this research, ambient PM2.5 concentrations were measured by ambient fine dust air sampling techniques in selected locations in Colombo urban area representing commercial, construction, and residential sites. Evaluation and comparison of PM2.5 concentration and questionnaire survey were analysed by using suitable statistical approaches and softwares. The comparisons were made with appropriate WHO standards and its related Sri Lankan standards for air quality guidelines. One sample t-test was used to compare the monitored PM2.5 concentration with the standard PM2.5 concentration. One way ANOVA test and Tukey pair wise comparison test were used to evaluate the significant difference between each category. All the statistical analysis was done by using Minitab 18.0 version. SPSS 16.3 version was used to analyse the survey results. Results of the study indicated that residential areas having significantly low concentrations of PM2.5 concentration while both commercial and construction areas having high concentrations of PM2.5 concentration. The highest PM2.5 concentration were 101.08 μɡ/m3 and it was recorded in Maradana area which came under the commercial category. The lowest PM2.5 concentration was recorded in Kotte representing the residential area. There was no any significant difference of PM2.5 concentration between commercial and construction sites mainly including Borella, Maradana, Peliyagoda and Kelaniya areas. In addition, there was a significant difference between PM2.5 concentrations of selected commercial and residential areas and construction and residential areas. PM2.5 concentrations were varied into the range of 17.23 - 101.08 ɥɡ/m3 in commercial and construction areas and 5.68-26.08 ɥɡ/m3 in residential areas. Calculated AQI by using mean PM 2.5 concentration values in air sampling locations indicated that commercial and construction areas consist with moderate air quality level under the AQI category of 51-100 and residential areas consist with good air quality level under the AQI category of 0-51. Public awareness about the PM-related air pollution is considerably low and majority of the people were mentioned that the air quality is not good in Colombo urban area. Approximately half of the interviewed people were affected to the poor air quality and its related health effects. According to public perception, vehicular emission is the main particulate matter emission source in Colombo area.Keywords: Air quality index, Particulate matter, Urban air pollutio

Australian cardiac rehabilitation exercise parameter characteristics and perceptions of high-intensity interval training: a cross-sectional survey

Purpose: This study explored current demographics, characteristics, costs, evaluation methods, and outcome measures used in Australian cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. It also determined the actual usage and perceptions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods: A cross-sectional observational web-based survey was distributed to 328 Australian CR programs nationally. Results: A total of 261 programs completed the survey (79.6% response rate). Most Australian CR programs were located in a hospital setting (76%), offered exercise sessions once a week (52%) for 6–8 weeks (49%) at moderate intensity (54%) for 46–60 min (62%), and serviced 101–500 clients per annum (38%). HIIT was reported in only 1% of programs, and 27% of respondents believed that it was safe while 42% of respondents were unsure. Lack of staff (25%), monitoring resources (20%), and staff knowledge (18%) were the most commonly reported barriers to the implementation of HIIT. Overall, Australian CR coordinators are unsure of the cost of exercise sessions. Conclusion: There is variability in CR delivery across Australia. Only half of programs reassess outcome measures postintervention, and cost of exercise sessions is unknown. Although HIIT is recommended in international CR guidelines, it is essentially not being used in Australia and clinicians are unsure as to the safety of HIIT. Lack of resources and staff knowledge were perceived as the biggest barriers to HIIT implementation, and there are inconsistent perceptions of prescreening and monitoring requirements. This study highlights the need to educate health professionals about the benefits and safety of HIIT to improve its usage and patient outcomes