Technological Issues Research Articles

The Role of Law Enforcement in Combating Financial Cybercrime in Tanzania: Examining the Laws and Practice

Financial cybercrime is defined as the use of the internet or computer to commit criminal activity for financial gain. Digital financial services development plays a pivotal role in economic growth despite the rise of financial cybercrime. Not only that but also mobile financial services hold great potential to expand financial access among people. While this progress lingers, some users have engaged themselves in financial cybercrimes for illegal gain. The Cybercrime Act of Tanzania 2015 provided for law enforcement officers including a Police officer with the rank of assistant inspector or an investigator of equivalent rank of inspector and above, a member of the Tanzania National Intelligence Service, Prosecutors and other authorized persons or the officer commanding station (OCS) termed as a law enforcement officer. The report of the Tanzania computer emergence response team beginning from the 9th day of June 2023 to the 15th day of June 2024 shows how financial cybercrime is seriously increasing despite the measurements taken. This paper explores the legal and practical role of law enforcement in combating financial cybercrime examining the adequacy of existing laws, enforcement limitations, and social issues that complicate intervention efforts. Highlighting legal analysis, case studies, and comparative insights, the study discusses potential reforms and offers recommendations for more effective prevention and response mechanisms. This study aims to contribute to an improved understanding of the unique challenges Tanzania faces in combating financial cybercrime that address legal, educational, and technological issues

Blockchain adoption in sustainable supply chains: Opportunities, challenges, and sustainability impacts across sectors

Purpose: This research reviews blockchain technology's integration into modern financial systems, outlining its huge potential to bring about improvement in areas such as transparency, security, and operational efficiency. Based on the challenges of data integrity, fraud prevention, and reduction of intermediaries, the study assesses the transformational role of blockchain in financial institutions. Research Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was taken, where quantitative data from the surveys of 150 financial executives across different types of organizations were combined with qualitative insights from expert interviews. Such statistical analysis, complemented by thematic interpretation, could enable an integrated assessment of blockchain applications and related challenges in the financial sector. Results: The results reveal that blockchain significantly enhances the transparency and security of transactions, hence reducing fraud and manipulation of data. The respondents were very optimistic about the cost reductions due to the elimination of intermediaries. Yet, these are counterbalanced by barriers to wide diffusion, such as scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and technical integration complexities that reduce the full potential of blockchain. Limitations: The limitations of the study are the small sample size, which limits the generalization of findings. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to investigate more comprehensively the impact of blockchain on the financial sectors. Contributions: The research, therefore, contributes to discourses on blockchain as a transformative finance technology, giving insights into useful strategic, policy, and technology issues. Novelty: It also presented both opportunities and challenges in view of realizing blockchain's role in digitizing financial ecosystems.

Transforming Breast Cancer Detection: AI as a Catalyst for Enhanced Clinical Outcomes

A revolutionary development in contemporary healthcare, especially in oncology, is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to breast cancer diagnosis. The use of AI-powered diagnostic tools in breast cancer screening programs is examined in detail in this article, which shows notable gains in workflow efficiency, accuracy, and early detection. Along with quantitative performance indicators and system reliability measures, it examines the technological framework, which includes deep learning architectures and integration workflows. Through a thorough analysis of data processing issues, fixes, and clinical implications, the article shows how AI enhances radiologists' skills without replacing human knowledge. It also discusses future technological advancements and scaling issues, emphasizing the possibility of integrating multi-modal imaging and improving predictive capacities. This approach makes a strong case for wider deployment across healthcare systems and is a blueprint for future AI integration in medical diagnostics.

Research and Investigation of Factors Affecting the Behavior of Mine Pressure During Underground Coal Mining Operation

Coal is one of the essential energy sources, found abundantly within the earth's crust. Most coal mines worldwide, particularly in Afghanistan, are extracted using underground mining method. In order to extract coal mines through underground mining, well-reasoned and technical plans that answer all engineering and safety issues must be arranged. Extraction of coal layers underground causes various convulsions in the roof and floor of coal layers. The number of convulsions and its functioning depends on a series of different geological and technical factors. Therefore, in this research, the effective factors on how mine pressure works during underground coal mining have been researched and investigated using the library method, and later 16 effective factors have been selected for the occurrence of mine pressure. In order to determine the effect of these factors on how mine pressure works, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 32 university professors and professional engineers engaged in engineering in the mining sector. The results of these questionnaires show that all the selected factors have an important effect on the performance of mine pressure, including the type of roof rock, the direction of the sealing systems and the nature of the extraction pits have a great effect on the performance of the mine pressure during the underground extraction of coal mines.

Elasto-plastic solution for undrained cylindrical cavity expansion in refuse soil

To address geotechnical engineering issues such as pile driving, lateral pressure tests, and static cone penetration tests on increasing number of infrastructure projects being constructed on landfills, an elasto-plastic theoretical solution for the undrained cylindrical cavity expansion in refuse soil is proposed in this paper based on an elasto-plastic constitutive model for refuse soil considering the reinforcement effect of fibers, along with a large deformation theory. The correctness of the results is validated through comparison with existing solutions based on the modified Cam-clay model. The results indicate that the response of columnar pore expansion in refuse soil is significantly different from that in ordinary soil. Near the pore, refuse soil does not enter a critical state, only the slurry-like components do. Subsequently, the reinforcement effect of the fiber material begins to manifest. Refuse soils with different fiber contents undergo both elastic and plastic stages before reaching the critical state line of the slurry-like components in the soil. They then move a certain distance along this line to reach a maximum. Given the rarity of engineering construction on similar sites in the past, the unique response of refuse soil during cylindrical cavity expansion should be given special attention.

Investigation of operating environments for operating bodies with low tillage

Abstract The report presents the findings of a feasibility study and provides justification for the Republic of Uzbekistan’s usage of Strip-Till technology. The creating a highly efficient technology issues for bedding fields for planting in one pass, developing a combined aggregate structure that efficiently achieves the procedure, and conducting targeted scientific research to substantiate the parameters of the working parts of the aggregate are considered. The records of investigation on the design of tilling bodies of a combined aggregate with optimal parameters are represented. The theoretical observation to substantiate the parameters of the section of the gangs of the aggregate are presented. A theoretical calculation of the lengthwise spacing across the plate disks of the second row and the spear chisel installed on the beam is given. A program of experimental research has been made to verify the results of theoretical research. The degree of influence of the lengthwise spacing value across the plate disks and the spear chisel on the technological performance indicators of the tilling tools section was determined experimentally. Graphs of variation in the soil loosening gauge and changes in the traction resistance of a tilling tools section depending on the longitudinal spacing across the plate disks and the spear chisel are presented. Concordantly of pilot research events for soil loosening at the level of agrotechnical requirements, the lengthwise spacing value across the plate disks and the spear chisel should not be under 25 cm. Data on the economic efficiency of using an aggregate with experimental tilling tools with well-founded ratings for minimal tillage are presented.

Herbal Cigarette Sales Information System Case Study at Stockis Sin Sriwijaya

There is still space for improvement in the application and usage of technology and information in the sales business, as indicated by the significant percentage of clients who continue to make manual purchases. An example would be the present Sriwijaya Herbal Sin Cigarettes retailer. The Sin Cigarette Herbal Sriwijaya stockist shop employs a traditional sales system where consumers physically visit the shop to make purchases. This research aims to enhance consumer convenience by developing a sales information system for herbal cigarettes, enabling online access to sales. This study employs a descriptive research methodology and a waterfall system development approach. This approach involves sequential steps, including needs analysis, design, code production, testing, and support. Data collection from the users was followed by the design and development stage of the program, employing the PHP programming language for implementation. Subsequently, an evaluation was conducted on the functioning system. The outcome is a sales information system that is anticipated to possess the capability to process data into high-quality information efficiently, seamlessly integrate various components, and serve as a repository for data storage. With the existence of this sales information system for herbal cigarettes, the processing of sales data has been computerized automatically, enabling automated report generation. This study introduces an internet-based sales information system for the Sriwijaya Herbal Cigarette Stockist Shop. It replaces traditional sales procedures, expands market reach, streamlines report generation, provides comprehensive buyer information, and maximizes profitability. The innovation employs the waterfall system development methodology and the PHP programming language to enhance retail operations' effectiveness and efficiency. An inherent constraint of this study is the need for the online-based sales information system to address all challenges the Sriwijaya Herbal Cigarette Stockist Shop faces, including technological infrastructure and user proficiency issues. Reliable internet connectivity is crucial for the system's effectiveness, which may require improvements in certain regions. Additionally, employees and customers may require additional training to use the new systems proficiently, which should be considered in terms of time and resources for this research.

Improving the power production of Mutriku Wave Power Plant throughout tuning the actual generator and damping valve limits

The Mutriku Wave Power Plant (MWPP) has successfully operated since 2011, demonstrating remarkable operational stability with minimal issues of OWC technology in breakwaters. So far, the design, selection, and operation ranges of the generators at MWPP prioritized reliability. However, once the viability of the technology has been demonstrated, it is important to explore ways to increase energy production with the current design of the technology.The objective of the present work is to improve the power production in MWPP throughout the Power take-off (PTO), increasing the operational limits of the generator and of the damping valve, which is located between the air chamber and the turbine. To this aim, new sensors have been installed in the plant, such as an inlet pressure sensor, to characterise the behaviour of the PTO. Investigations into the power produced and the plant availability have concluded that modifying control laws of the current configuration could help to increase power production under generator thermal operation ranges.The numerical results presented in the paper demonstrate that the potential benefit to the overall energy production of the MWPP could be significant, leading to greater advancements in the feasibility of wave energy technologies. The analysis of changes and improvements into the MWPP control strategies will provide further guidance into the development of novel wave energy control systems and components for future testing.

Effects of technological issues on session evaluation in metaverse counseling: The role of psychological symptoms using HLM analysis

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to examine the role of psychological symptoms in the relationship between technological issues and session evaluation within the context of metaverse counseling. Evaluating the effectiveness of sessions within virtual counseling environments and understanding how psychological factors influence clients’ sensitivity to technological issues during these sessions seemed important. Dataset comprising 148 sessions with 25 South Korean clients and 6 counselors was used for analysis. The findings indicated that technological issues negatively influenced each session's evaluation (between session levels), but these issues did not significantly affect the overall session evaluation among clients (between‐client levels). Interestingly, clients with more severe psychological symptoms tended to be less satisfied with each counseling session when faced with more technological difficulties than clients who faced fewer psychological symptoms. The theoretical and practical implications of this study were further discussed, along with suggestions for future research.

Is there a case for or against patents to incentivize green technologies?: A critical evaluation of innovation incentives for the global north and global south

The world society is in urgent need for new ecological problem solutions on a global scale. However, the current system to incentivize invention and innovation for green technologies is only limitedly able to provide effective solutions—particularly in the “global south”. Since patents that exert distortionary effects remain the dominant mechanisms for incentivizing innovation, the debate about alternative incentivization instruments for fostering green invention and innovation has recently been renewed. Yet, some of these instruments run the danger of a so-called “projectitis”, an obsession with static small-scale projects. Instead, this article argues that we need scalable experiments for a better institutional support of systemic invention and innovation activities by improving the global governance regime that moves beyond individual organizations, industries, sectors, states, and geopolitical blocks. From a sustainability nexus perspective, required scalable innovation ecosystems must therefore account for the interconnections between technological, economic, political, social, and environmental issues. A reformed order that combines patents and alternative incentivization instruments may help to redirect resources towards fostering a more systemic, market-based, and consumer-oriented path of legitimate sustainable global development, as proposed by the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs), without leaving particular countries behind, while at the same time maintaining companies’ systemic dynamism in the long run.

Review on Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacovigilance: Opportunities and Challenges

Due to the clever gathering and reporting of individual case safety reports, as well as the increased awareness and involvement of patients and healthcare professionals, the number of suspected adverse event reports in the PV database has grown exponentially. The PV case processing cycle starts with data collection, data entry, initial checking completeness and validity, coding, medical assessment for causality expectedness, severity, and seriousness, subsequently submitting report, quality checking followed by data storage and maintenance. Artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has been very impressive in specialties that rely heavily on the interpretation of medical images. The focus should be a collaborative approach of technical expertise (people) combined with intelligent technology (processes) to augment human talent that meets the objective of the PV system and benefit all stakeholders. AI technology should enhance human intelligence rather than substitute human experts. This review describes the benefits and the outstanding scientific, technological, and policy issues, and the maturity of AI tools for full automation in the context to the Indian health-care system

Analysis of the Implementation for the State-of-art AI Techniques in Self-driving

Analysis of the Implementation for the State-of-art AI Techniques in Self-driving

Cooking pottery as indicator of resilience and change in Early Medieval Cyprus. An archaeometric approach

The early medieval times in Cyprus are signified, conventionally, by the Arab invasions of the mid-seventh century (649/650CE). Past research viewed those events as the catalyst which led to a transformation from a prosperous province to a marginal territory balancing between two antagonising empires. Recently, studies have shifted their focus on reassessing this period’s scant -yet present- material culture. In pottery studies, despite the advances in typological and distribution aspects, few have explored technological issues of early medieval ceramic production through instrumental analysis. This study focuses on the compositional and technological characterisation of cooking vessels through ceramic petrography (TL-OM), found in relevant contexts in Cyprus, representing both wheel-thrown and handmade traditions. Sherds coming from five major early-medieval sites of the island (sites of Kophinou, Kalavasos-Kopetra, Akrotiri, Yeroskipou-Ayioi Pente and Dhiorios), outlined a picture of two parallel trends transversing across sites, i.e., an inter-regional shared sense of shape uniformity smoothening the local variances and a strong regionalism in terms of raw material procurement. Wheel-thrown cookware -found in every site and strongly represented by the Dhiorios workshop- showed the survival of Late Antique shapes well into the Early Middle Ages, in fabrics related mainly to the broader area of Dhiorios. In addition, handmade vessels of a "shared repertoire" showed a variety of local clays for their manufacture. When integrated into their archaeological context in Cyprus, the results support the idea of a ceramic koine persisting through the beginning of the Byzantine Early Middle Ages on an intra and inter-regional level.

Semiconductor Laser Packaging Technology: Thermal Management, Optical Performance Enhancement and Reliability Studies

This review article presents a comprehensive and in-depth discussion of thermal management, optical performance enhancement, and reliability issues in semiconductor laser packaging technology. By synthesising existing literature and research results, the article presents a systematic summary of the research progress and practical applications of semiconductor laser packaging technology in these key areas. In the section on thermal management, the article reviews different heat sink technologies, packaging structures, and solid crystal materials with the aim of improving the thermal stability and long-term reliability of semiconductor la ser devices. In the section on optical performance enhancement, the article outlines beam shaping techniques and packaging technologies. It also addresses reliability issues in packaging, discussing optical mirror damage as well as stress and mechanical damage. The aim of this review is to provide assistance for the further development and application of semiconductor laser packaging technology, with the objective of promoting the rapid and healthy development of the laser industry.

A Scoping Review on Hazard Recognition and Prevention Using Augmented and Virtual Reality

Hazard recognition and prevention techniques utilize augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology for immersive training and identification of potential hazards. Currently, no scoping reviews exist specifically on hazard recognition and prevention using AR and VR, which is crucial for forming evidence-based guidelines. This scoping review aimed to identify the use of AR and VR in hazard recognition and prevention, identify research gaps, and provide future recommendations. This Joanna Brings Institute (JBI) approach was used to investigate hazard recognition and prevention with AR and VR interventions. A total of six reliable databases were included: Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, PubMed, Scopus, and APA PsycNet, focusing on records and publications from the last five years. The review identified 5438 publications, with 22 meeting final inclusion criteria. The major findings include the use of AR and VR for teaching new skills, ensuring health and safety, enhancing realism, developing cognitive skills, improving performance, increasing engagement, and stimulating a sense of presence. Limitations identified include limited or non-diverse sample size, absence of real-world scenarios or contextual learning, inadequate game mechanics, insufficient validation of test results, lack of dynamic game behaviour, insufficient expert inclusion, technology issues, long-term impact assessment, and cost comparisons with traditional approaches. Technological issues have emerged as an additional impediment, limiting the efficacy of AR/VR applications in hazard recognition and prevention. In light of these findings, future research should focus on integrating contextual learning, expert inclusion, sample recruitment, expert validation, long-term impact assessment, and resolving technological challenges to enhance AR/VR applications’ efficacy and real-world viability.

Facilitators and barriers for digital screening and a supportive intervention within antenatal care among danish pregnant women facing intimate partner violence: A qualitative study nested in the STOP study

ObjectiveTo understand barriers and facilitators for participation in digital IPV screening and a digital supportive intervention among pregnant women. MethodsPregnant women attending standard antenatal care in the Region of Southern Denmark were systematically screened for IPV through a digital questionnaire. Those who screened positive were offered 3–6 video consultations with midwives and access to safety planning app. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with pregnant women who screened positive for IPV and participated in a digital supportive intervention. ResultsTwenty pregnant women were interviewed, and the following facilitators for participation were highlighted: The digital systematic screening approach was acceptable and helped acknowledge IPV exposure as women experienced it as more private and allowed for reflection time compared to risk-based, face-to-face screening. Video counselling was highly acceptable, as the digital approach eased conversations on sensitive topics and the flexibility boosted participation. Trust in the healthcare system, having a trained midwife as a counsellor, and familiarity with the digital tool enhanced participation. Barriers included concerns about disclosing IPV, technological issues, and the need for a private space for counselling. Additionally, women who had experienced digital violence were uncomfortable with the digital nature of the intervention. The safety app was perceived as being inefficient as it did not meet the needs of the women. ConclusionSystematic digital screening and supportive video counselling for IPV within antenatal care is well-received among pregnant women as it offers increased privacy and flexibility and facilitating discussions on sensitive topics. To enhance participation, barriers such as confidentiality concerns, technological challenges, and the need for private counselling spaces must be addressed. Incorporating digital tools into antenatal care can supplement other support services and increase the proportion of pregnant women who receive help.

Understanding ChatGPT: A Worldview Study

This study compares the Islamic worldview, which emphasizes religious authority and intuition as sources of knowledge, and the contemporary worldview, which focuses on rationalism and empiricism. From the Islamic perspective, the tradition of khabar shadiq, which is based on revelation and religious authority, serves as the foundation of knowledge, differing from the Western view that relies more on the scientific method and various data sources, including big data. Modern technology, such as ChatGPT, which utilizes big data, raises ethical and epistemological questions in the Islamization of science. ChatGPT itself faces limitations in its knowledge, while big data often encounters issues of inaccuracy and bias. Therefore, serious consideration is needed regarding ethics in developing and using technology like ChatGPT and its alignment with Islamic values in modern technology. This study highlights the importance of considering epistemological and ethical issues in modern technology to ensure a positive contribution to the advancement of Islamic civilization while maintaining the integrity of values from the Islamic worldview perspective.

What Are the Challenges and Opportunities of Integrating AI Into Existing Healthcare Infrastructure?

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare is revolutionizing diagnostics, offering important opportunities while emerging challenges. This essay explores the potential and obstacles of AI-based diagnostics. Key problems include technological and ethical issues such as data privacy, compatibility of devices , and regulatory issues. Ethical considerations also arise around patient privacy, accountability for AI errors, legal frameworks, and algorithm transparency. Despite these challenges, AI showcases substantial opportunities for the improvement of diagnostics and treatment techniques. Its capabilities include earlier disease detection, personalized treatment pathways, and healthcare professional support, particularly in radiology, pathology, and genomics. Additionally, AI can help and reduce the cost of healthcare access by streamlining resources, optimizing staff deployment, and facilitating remote monitoring and telemedicine, especially for developing countries. With the analysis of data from wearable devices and enabling remote consultations, AI helps us in the proactive management of chronic conditions. AI-based diagnostics can help overcome long term healthcare challenges, enhancing precision and treatment efficiency. A balanced approach is essential, addressing ethical, privacy, and legal considerations while emphasizing AI’s role as a support for healthcare professionals. Future research should focus on AI algorithm transparency, ethics, and the expansion of telemedicine, especially in underserved areas.

Thermo-Mechanically Coupled Settlement and Temperature Response of a Composite Foundation in Complex Geological Conditions for Molten Salt Tank in Tower Solar Plants

The degradation of complex geological structures due to thermo-mechanical cycling results in a reduction in bearing capacity, which can readily induce engineering issues such as uneven settlement, cracking, and even the destabilization of the foundations of molten salt storage tanks. This study establishes a foundational model for a molten salt storage tank through the use of COMSOL Multiphysics and conducts a numerical simulation analysis to evaluate the settlement deformation and temperature distribution of the foundation under the influence of thermo-mechanical coupling. Concurrently, the research proposes two distinct design approaches for the tank’s foundational structure. A comparative analysis of the results indicates that the use of a pile raft foundation in conjunction with a traditional foundation mode results in a reduction of settlement at the center of the foundation’s top surface by 380.1 mm, while also decreasing the maximum effective stress in the steel ring wall by 240.7 MPa. The thermal effects impact a depth of 10 m in the foundation soil and an influence radius of 20 m. Additionally, the foundation soil exhibits optimal thermal insulation properties, resulting in minimal energy loss. These findings indicate that the pile raft foundation in conjunction with a traditional foundation mode displays remarkable adaptability to complex geological conditions, with both settlement and temperature distribution of the foundation maintained within acceptable limits.

A Simulation Analysis of the Stability of Tall and Collapse-Prone Stopes: A Case Study of the Dongguashan Copper Mine

This study conducts a simulation analysis of the stability of tall and collapse-prone stopes at the Dongguashan copper mine, using the FLAC3D-3.0 software to investigate the stress distribution and deformation behavior of geological materials under different working conditions, providing an effective means of addressing complex mechanical issues in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, the stability of the tall stopes in the Dongguashan mining area was analyzed through numerical simulations using the FLAC3D finite difference method. First, a three-dimensional numerical model of the tall stopes was established based on the actual conditions of the mining area, simulating the mining conditions and environment. Next, the stress distribution, displacement variation, and potential instability zones under different mining schemes were studied, with a comparative analysis conducted between traditional mining methods and optimized schemes to clarify their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, based on the simulation results, the most suitable mining scheme for the area was identified, aimed at reducing the risk of stope collapse and improving the overall stability and safety of the mine. The findings provide technical support for the design and support of tall stopes in deep deposits and offer important reference points for mine safety management.