9,497,453 publications found
Sort by
EXTENSION CASE STUDY: WHY PADDY FARMERS ARE NOT INCLINED TO USE A DRONE AS PART OF MECHANISATION FOR PADDY CULTIVATION

Drone technology is emerging as a pivotal component in the agricultural sector, particularly in the context of Agricultural Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). Its application, especially in activities such as fertiliser and crop protection chemical spraying in the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) granary areas, can significantly enhance the farmers’ yields. Despite the positive reception of drone technology, there is a growing phenomenon of technology rejection that requires further exploration. This research aims to investigate farmers’ acceptance of drones as a mechanisation tool for paddy cultivation in the Jajahan Bachok, Kelantan granary areas within KADA authority. A structured questionnaire, based on the knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) model, was administered to 82 farmers surrounding Jajahan Bachok through purposive sampling. Data analysis using SPSS version 26.0 involved Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s Correlation, and Reliability tests. The study reveals that paddy farmers exhibit acceptance of drone technology, albeit with a slow adoption rate. The correlations between knowledge, attitude, and practice with drone mechanisation acceptance are significant but negligible at levels of 0.253, 0.866, and 0.69, respectively. This research is vital for both agency and drone vendors to comprehend the factors influencing drone technology acceptance among paddy farmers. Understanding these factors can contribute to enhance the application and adoption rate of drone as next important mechanisation for paddy farming activities among farmers especially in the KADA granary areas. Keywords: Drone, paddy, acceptance, KAP model, KADA.

Just Published
Relevant
Who and what belongs to us? Towards a comprehensive concept of inclusion and planetary citizenship

In this theoretical article, we ask who and what belongs to us. We aim to conceptualise planetary citizenship and identify the scale for experiences of planetary inclusion. As a basis for the planetary approach, we utilise systems thinking and eudaimonic well-being that transcends hedonism and materialism and that focuses on meaningful and purposeful living, personal growth, engagement and positive relationships. Expanding the concept of human participation is necessary as the contemporary lifeworld has gradually stretched beyond the traditional boundaries of local communities and nation-state societies. Furthermore, the lifestyle of people living in high-income industrial countries has also been noted to have serious consequences in wider circles of life. Thus, human–biosphere relationships must be renegotiated to strengthen responsible citizenship and facilitate caring for life on Earth. To promote this ideal, we widen the already validated scale for experiences of social inclusion towards a scale for experiences of planetary inclusion. We introduce the concept of planetary citizenship, which enhances the concept of inclusion. Planetary citizenship refers to a life orientation where the boundary between humans and the rest of nature disappears. It refers to the citizen who is simultaneously a local, global and planetary actor. The attachment to something larger could help planetary citizens grow towards being a person who is aware and reflective and can look at the world from new perspectives. Experiences of planetary inclusion could also help to solve the problems of climate change, depletion of natural resources and biodiversity loss.

Open Access Just Published
Relevant
Experimental investigation and thermodynamic analysis of application of hybrid nanofluid in a parabolic solar trough collector.

In this research, thermal modeling has been done to investigate the effect of nanofluid on the performance of the linear parabolic collector. Therminol vapor/liquid phase fluid (VP-1) has been used as a base fluid; iron oxide nanoparticles have been used to produce mono-nanofluid; and iron oxide multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite has been used as nanoparticles to produce hybrid nanofluid. The fluid flow inside the absorber tube of the collector is assumed to be turbulent. The results show that when hybrid nanofluid and mono-nanofluid are used, the energy and exergy efficiencies of the collector are higher than those for the conditions of using the base fluid, but their amount is slightly lower with the use of hybrid nanofluid than when the working fluid is mono-nanofluid. According to the obtained results, the highest energy efficiency of the linear parabolic collector using nanofluid and mono-nanofluid is 70.2% and 70.4%, respectively, and the highest exergy efficiency is 35.7% and 35.9%, respectively. Despite this, the friction coefficient of mono-nanofluid compared to hybrid nanofluid was obtained on average about 9% higher. The results showed that the criterion for evaluating the performance of the collector (hydrodynamic thermal efficiency) when hybrid nanofluid is used is more than when mono-nanofluid is used.

Just Published
Relevant
Bibliometric analysis of hotspots and trends of global myopia research

AIM: To gain insights into the global research hotspots and trends of myopia. METHODS: Articles were downloaded from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022 from the Science Core Database website and were mainly statistically analyzed by bibliometrics software. RESULTS: A total of 444 institutions in 87 countries published 4124 articles. Between 2013 and 2022, China had the highest number of publications (n=1865) and the highest H-index (61). Sun Yat-sen University had the highest number of publications (n=229) and the highest H-index (33). Ophthalmology is the main category in related journals. Citations from 2020 to 2022 highlight keywords of options and reference, child health (pediatrics), myopic traction mechanism, public health, and machine learning, which represent research frontiers. CONCLUSION: Myopia has become a hot research field. China and Chinese institutions have the strongest academic influence in the field from 2013 to 2022. The main driver of myopic research is still medical or ophthalmologists. This study highlights the importance of public health in addressing the global rise in myopia, especially its impact on children’s health. At present, a unified theoretical system is still needed. Accurate surgical and therapeutic solutions must be proposed for people with different characteristics to manage and intervene refractive errors. In addition, the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) models are also reflected in disease monitoring and prediction.

Just Published
Relevant
Biomimetic grafts from ultrafine fibers for collagenous tissues.

The ligament is the soft tissue that connects bone to bone and, in case of severe injury or rupture, it cannot heal itself mainly because of its poor vascularity and dynamic nature. Tissue engineering carries the potential to restore the injured tissue functions by utilization of scaffolds mimicking the structure of native ligament. Collagen fibrils in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) have a diameter ranging from 20 to 300nm, which defines the physical and mechanical properties of the tissue. Also, the ACL tissue exhibited a bimodal distribution of collagen fibrils. Currently, the ability to fabricate scaffolds replicating this structure is a significant challenge. This work aims at i) measuring the diameter of collagens of bovine ACL tissue, ii) investigating the fabrication of sub-100nm fibers, and iii) fabricating aligned scaffolds with bimodal diameter distribution (with two peaks) resembling the healthy ACL structure. It is hypothesized that such scaffolds can be produced by electrospinning polycaprolactone (PCL) solutions. To test the hypothesis, various PCL solutions were formulated in acetone and formic acid in combination with pyridine, and electrospun to generate sub-100nm fibers. Next, this formulation was adjusted to produce nanofibers with a diameter between 100nm and 200nm. Finally, these solutions were combined in the co-electrospinning process, i.e., two-spinneret electrospinning, to fabricate biomimetic scaffolds with a bimodal distribution. Electrospinning of 8% and 15% PCL solutions, respectively, resulted in the production of fibers with diameters below and above 100nm. The combined scaffold exhibited a bimodal distribution of aligned fibers with peaks around 80 and 180nm, thus mimicking the collagen fibrils of healthy ACL tissue. This research is expected to have a society-wide impact because it aims to enhance the health condition and life quality of a wide range of patients.

Just Published
Relevant
Simulation-guided development of advanced PID control algorithm for skin cooling in radiofrequency lipolysis.

The clinical outcomes of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) lipolysis, a prevalent non-invasive fat reduction procedure, hinge on the delicate balance between effective lipolysis and patient safety, with skin overheating and subsequent tissue damage as primary concerns. This study aimed to investigate a novel bipolar radiofrequency lipolysis technique, safeguarding the skin through an innovative PID temperature control algorithm. Utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics simulation software, a two-dimensional fat and skin tissue model was established, simulating various PID temperature control schemes. The crux of the simulation involved a comparative analysis of different PID temperatures at 45 °C, 50 °C, and 55 °C and constant power strategies, assessing their implications on skin temperature. Concurrently, a custom bipolar radiofrequency lipolysis device was developed, with ex vivo experiments conducted using porcine tissue for empirical validation. The findings indicated that with PID settings of Kp =7, Ki =2, and Kd =0, and skin temperature control at 45 °C or 50 °C, the innovative PID-based epidermal temperature control strategy successfully maintained the epidermal temperature within a safe range. This maintenance was achieved without compromising the effectiveness of RF lipolysis, significantly reducing the risk of thermal damage to the skin layers. Our research confirms the substantial practical utility of this advanced PID-based bipolar RF lipolysis technique in clinical aesthetic procedures, enhancing patient safety during adipose tissue ablation therapies.

Just Published
Relevant