Proper Systems Research Articles

A comparative analysis of attitudes toward genome-edited food among Japanese public and scientific community.

Genome editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 have been developed in the last decade and have been applied to new food technologies. Genome-edited food (GEF) is a crucial issue with those new food technologies. Thus, each country has established GEF governance systems to maximize benefits and minimize risks. These emphasize the importance of communicating about GEF to the public. The key concerns are understanding various viewpoints and value perspectives (framings) in science and technology and encouraging and opening communication with the public. Thus, it is essential to understand differences between the public and experts' interests and discuss various framings and effective communication with regard to GEF. Accordingly, this study involved administering a questionnaire to analyze the public's attitudes in Japan and identify gaps between these and expert opinions on GEF. A total of 4000 responses from the public and 398 responses from GEF experts were collected. The study found that the Japanese public has a "wait-and-watch" attitude toward GEF, and the demand for basic information on it is quite high. Moreover, they are apprehensive about proper risk governance systems for GEF. This is despite experts' emphasis on the adequacy of the mechanism, necessity of technology, and trust in the scientific community. Understanding gaps between the public and experts' opinions on and interests in GEF provides essential insight for effective communication and acts as the basis for appropriate governance of emerging science and technology.

Management Strategies of Tropical Savanna Ecosystem for Multiple Benefits of Community Livelihoods in Semiarid Region of Indonesia

Tropical savannas are complex landscapes composed of mainly grasses and a matrix of proportions of discontinuous tree cover. They play an essential role in providing multiple ecosystem services including biodiversity, carbon storage, and socio-economic and cultural values. However, knowledge of sustainable land management practices is still the main challenge, especially to incorporate conservation practices and well-planned fire management. Indonesia is a tropical country with a relatively large area of savannas in the eastern part of the country, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, with the largest savannas lying in the east of Sumba Island. This study explored the level of knowledge, behaviours, and actions in managing savannas in the east of Sumba Island. The study involved key informant interviews and household surveys among the local population in four villages of Kanatang and Kota Waingapu districts. The communities generally utilized the savanna ecosystems for crop cultivation, plantation farming, and livestock production. This utilization poses a great challenge to explore proper strategies for managing the savanna landscapes sustainably and for conservation. The demands on the land are due to land clearing for farming and livestock, low awareness of conservation practices, and regular drought. Learning from this research, management strategies to sustain savanna ecosystems should focus on: 1) improving knowledge and behaviour on sustainable farming and grazing practices, 2) establishing proper fire management systems to sustain the savanna ecosystem functions and services, 3) designing policies or regulations for managing savanna ecosystems, 4) enhancing networks and coordination for collective community actions.

Covariance-analytic performance criteria, Hardy-Schatten norms and Wick-like ordering of cascaded systems

This paper is concerned with robust performance analysis of linear stochastic systems acting as an integral operator on a standard Wiener process at the input and producing a stationary Gaussian random process at the output. We propose a performance criterion which uses the trace of an analytic function of the spectral density of the output process. This class of “covariance-analytic” cost functionals includes the usual mean square and risk-sensitive criteria as particular cases. Due to the “cost-shaping” analytic function, the covariance-analytic performance criterion depends on higher-order Hardy-Schatten norms of the system transfer function. We discuss the links of these norms with the asymptotic behaviour of cumulants of finite-horizon quadratic functionals of the system output and their variational properties pertaining to system robustness to statistically uncertain inputs which differ from the standard Wiener process. In the case of strictly proper finite-dimensional systems, governed in state space by linear stochastic differential equations, we develop a method for recursively computing the Hardy-Schatten norms through a recently proposed technique of rearranging cascaded linear systems, which resembles the Wick ordering of mixed products of noncommuting annihilation and creation operators in quantum mechanics. This computational procedure, which is one of the main results of the paper, involves a recurrence sequence of solutions to algebraic Lyapunov equations and represents the covariance-analytic cost as the squared H2-norm of an auxiliary cascaded system. These results are also compared with an alternative approach, which uses higher-order derivatives of stabilising solutions of parameter-dependent algebraic Riccati equations, and illustrated by a numerical example.

Life cycle assessment of solar PV water pumping system for carbon emissions reduction at a location: a case study

ABSTRACT The design of water supply systems powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed for irrigation and other allied applications at remote rural areas which lack proper on-grid power systems. These systems have been operating successfully for several decades at locations receiving ample solar radiation, assisting in the reduction of carbon emissions. Hybrid life cycle assessment was performed in this study to determine the carbon emissions for a solar PV water pumping system (SPVWPS) in Xilin Gol League, Inner Mongolia. The carbon emission (g/mm3) produced by 1 m3 of water raised by 1 m was used as a reference in this assessment. The present analysis estimates the net CO2 emissions generated during the stages of production, transportation, construction, operation, maintenance, and recycling of SPVWPS. The results from SPVWPS were compared with CO2 emissions from diesel operated pumping systems. It was discovered that the carbon emission intensity produced during the 25-year operation period of SPVWPS was 0.80 g/mm3. The major CO2 emissions of SPVWPS were generated during the manufacturing stage totaled 2.02t, accounting for 55.19% of total emissions. When compared to the mobile diesel-powered water supply project, the CO2 emission intensity from SWPS was found to be about 0.55 times lower by about 1.46 g/mm3. As a result, the rapid development of SPVWPS in rural and pastoral areas represents the realization of rural low-carbon transformation and development, as well as the achievement of China’s “double carbon” reduction targets by 2050.

Shape factor analysis of a magnetohydrodynamics mixed convective Nimonic 80A/water nanofluid flow over a moving wedge in the presence of thermal radiation

One of the most common problems faced in the industries is the lack of proper heat energy and temperature distribution management systems. The study of the effects of thermal radiation and magnetohydrodynamics on a water-based nanofluid flow with various shapes of the nanoparticle Nimonic 80A, over a moving wedge, is yet to be studied by any researcher. Being a superalloy of nickel–iron–chromium, Nimonic 80A is often used in exhaust systems and chemical plants as an anti-corrosive agent. The mathematical model presented in this article was transformed using similarity transformations and solved using MATLAB bvp4c code. All the results and graphs were formulated after a positive outcome of our results with that available in the existing literature. Increases in velocity and temperature were observed with the increase in empirical shape factors of the nanoparticle for various parameters. Local Nusselt number and skin-friction coefficients decreased under the influence of augmenting shape factors of the nanoparticles. The velocity profile decreased at a rate of 1.5% while the temperature profile augmented by 0.24% for an augmenting magnetic parameter from M = 0.6 to 0.8 while the velocity profile increased for an increase in radiation parameter. An increment in the nanoparticle concentration resulted in incrementing streamline values and skin friction coefficient by 0.38% and 6.83%, respectively.

Perception and Attitude Towards Wildlife-Based Tourism: Bangladesh Perspective

This study aims to know the prospect of wildlife tourism and measure visitor satisfaction in this market segment. The world tourism industry is proliferating with many changes, and destinations must cope with all these changes that are determined to tourist satisfaction. Bangladesh is an emerging tourism destination and shows immense prosperity in wildlife tourism. This study adopted a quantitative research approach. A well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data, and 207 questionnaires were selected for further analysis. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. This study shows that tourists are satisfied and interested in wildlife tourism in Bangladesh. The challenge of wildlife tourism today is to develop more marketing strategies to attract more tourists. Wildlife operators must make appropriate connections with other attractions to maximize exposure. Policymakers must consider wildlife conservation and ensure the proper security systems in developing wildlife tourism in Bangladesh.

Determinant Features to Reduce the Infrastructure Gap in Saudi Arabia under a Public–Private Partnership Scheme

Saudi Arabia is forecast to develop a significant number of infrastructure projects, as recorded in its strategy Saudi Vision 2030. To implement this strategy, the country intends to leverage public–private partnerships. This research has various goals. Firstly, it intends to identify the determinant features (DFs) that may facilitate the population of private–public partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through the opinions of PPP experts. Second, it aims to analyse these opinions through a statistical approach. The research used the following methodologies: the development of a survey amongst sectorial experts, with a total of 45 valid responses; a statistical characterisation of the responses; and an exploratory factor analysis to determine the minimum number of factors explaining the proposed objectives. The findings of the research revealed that the five most relevant factors were the availability and effectiveness of a proper regulatory and legal framework; adequate risk allocation and sharing among project stakeholders; a straightforward project brief and client outcomes; the comprehensive and business viability of project feasibility studies; and finally, the assurance that proper project value management systems are in place during different project stages. As its principal contribution, this study finds, based on the experts’ opinions, that KSA should consider the mentioned determinant factors to ensure that PPP plays the expected role in the provision of infrastructure.

Enhancing the efficacy of cisplatin against breast cancer cells using carnosine‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles

The majorities of chemotherapy drugs and drug‐delivery models have significant health concerns and cause undesirable side effects because they lack specificity and proper targeting systems and are too large. It is crucial to prioritize the rational design and synthesis of chemotherapeutics that specifically target their intended sites. This research work aims to create magnetic nanocarriers conjugated with L‐carnosine (CAR) as a cancer‐targeting peptide for the development of targeted anticancer drugs. These nanoparticles are designed to reduce toxicity, allow for sustained release, and increase the circulating time of cisplatin. The nanoparticles were made by coating them with silane and an aldehyde linker, which allowed them to be attached to L‐carnosine peptide. Cisplatin was then attached to the surface of the nanoparticles via chemical bonds. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized using vibrating sample magnetometer, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy and FT‐IR spectrophotometry. In vitro studies demonstrated the cytotoxic and inhibitory effects of cisplatin nanoconjugates on breast cancer cells. Significantly, the nanoconjugates showed higher potency compared to free cisplatin. In continuous study, the optimization of synthesized compounds was performed using the DMol3 module in Materials Studio 2017. Energy calculations and molecular docking analysis using the HEX software revealed that the nanoconjugates showed stronger binding to the minor and major grooves of the DNA receptor. These interactions involved eight hydrogen bonds, exceeding those of other compounds.

Sensitivity analysis and thermodynamic evaluation of a combined cooling, heating and power system utilizing exhaust gases of smelting furnace

Exhaust gases from the smelting furnace have high temperature and mass flow rate, and there is huge potential to use them for energy-related purposes such as electricity generation, cooling and heating. Utilization of the gases for energy-related purposes would lead to fuel savings and emissions reduction. To use this potential, it is necessary to design proper systems and cycles and apply a heat recovery unit. Several technologies are useable for heat recovery depending on the characteristics of exhaust gases, such as their mass flow rate, temperature and compositions. Due to the higher potential of combined heating, cooling and power (CCHP) generation systems compared with the systems with a single output, a CCHP is designed and investigated in the present study by consideration of the specifications of the exhaust gases. The applied system in this study comprises a Supercritical CO2 (SCO2) cycle, heat exchanger and single-stage absorption chiller for simultaneous heating, cooling and power production. Engineering Equation Solver (EES) is employed to model the proposed system by considering the properties of the flows and characteristics of the components. To get deep insight into the effective parameters on the outputs of the designed system, the impact of three factors, namely the mass flow rate of the gases, the effectiveness of heat exchanger and temperature of exhaust gases, are analyzed and investigated by the implementation of sensitivity analysis. As one of the main conclusions, it is found that an increment in the mass flow rate of exhaust gases from 30 kg/s to 70 kg/s causes augmentation in the power generation from 2037 kW to 4754 kW. Furthermore, exergy analysis is carried out, and it is found that an increase in the temperature or mass flow rate of exhaust gases or a decrease in the effectiveness of heat exchangers would lead to decrement in the exergy efficiency of the system. According to the performed sensitivity analysis, the mass flow rate of exhaust gases has the most remarkable influence on the heating and cycle-generated power among the considered factors.

Mathematical modelling of a single tethered aerostat using longitudinal stability derivatives

Lighter-than-air (LTA) aerial vehicles such as airships and aerostats can be found in various strategic and commercial applications, primarily due to their capability to hover and stealth. The mathematical model of these vehicles helps in understanding their complex dynamics and designing and developing proper stabilisation systems for them. Stability derivatives have been used for developing mathematical models for heavier-than-air aerial vehicles since their introduction. This paper presents a methodology to develop a mathematical model of an aerostat based on stability derivatives. One of the major contributions of this study is the estimation of aerostat’s added mass terms expressed as longitudinal stability derivatives due to acceleration of the longitudinal motion variables. A longitudinally decoupled linear mathematical model of a single-tethered aerostat using stability derivatives is investigated in this study. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based analysis of the 3D model of the vehicle is used to obtain the stability derivatives. The methodology presented considers the aerostat and tether models separately before coupling them to create the full model. The stability derivative analysis is carried out using ANSYS Fluent, and the coupled tethered aerostat model is investigated using MATLAB 2020. The negative pitch angle of the aerostat is caused by the selection of the pitching centre as the aerostat centre of volume instead of the tether confluence point. The tension force on the tether, which is proportional to the wind velocity, and aerostat velocity components are found to be stabilised within 200–400 s.

Perceptions of key stakeholders on peer led strength building program for suicide prevention among young adolescents: A qualitative study from Karnataka, India.

Adolescent suicides are a significant public health concern in India and understanding the intersecting perspectives becomes imperative for the prevention of various mental health concerns. Assessing perceptions of various key stakeholders, that is, mental health experts, school and college teachers, and District Mental Health Program staff about peer-led strength building programs for suicide prevention. A cross-sectional qualitative design using two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with mental health experts and teachers and one FGD with DMHP staff was conducted. The sample comprised 45 participants from Bengaluru urban district. The data were analyzed manually by the method of direct content analysis, and themes were determined using existing literature. The teachers and the DMHP highlighted the need for an intensive training program/module that is necessary to be developed in order to train the peer leaders first. The mental health experts opined that creating a network will help in easy identification of the cases and appropriate treatment could be provided without delays. This study indicated that suicide is a preventable public health emergency and inaccessibility to existing as well as proper support systems was perceived as a major concern. Therefore, peer-led programs are beneficial in steering and improving help seeking behavior in suicidal adolescents.

Delay‐difference approximations of PD‐controllers. Improperly‐posed systems in multiple delays case

SummaryIn this paper, we study the behavior of characteristic roots of a class of strictly proper LTI SISO systems that are subject to a PD controller for which the derivative action has been implemented by means of a delay‐difference approximation scheme that uses multiple delays. To such an end, the improperly‐posed case is discussed in depth, that is, the situations where “small delays” induce instability in the closed‐loop system. The effect of adding more delays on the improperly‐posed case is analyzed and a methodology for determining the set of parameters that produces such a situation for a given number of delays is derived. Some illustrative examples complete the presentation.

Analitičko određivanje postupaka struganja sa velikim pomakom primenom konstruktivnog geometrijskog modeliranja

The development of different machining procedures requires the exact mathematical description of those. This is especially important in finishing procedures, where the final geometry and surface characteristics of the parts are produced. In this paper, three high-feed turning procedures are analysed: skiving turning, tangential turning, and rotational turning. All three promise the creation is ground-like surfaces with low roughness characteristics, while reaching high values of productivity. The analytical determination of these procedures is carried out by the application of constructive tool geometric modeling. After the analysis of the kinematic and geometric relations of each procedure, the proper coordinate systems are defined. The transformational equations are determined, which describe the geometric boundary conditions and the movement of the workpiece and the tool. In the next step, the equation of motion is defined for the three studied procedure. Finally, the one variable equation of the cut surface section in the base plane is determined. Experiments were also carried out, which validated the achieved results.

Indigenous Cuisines Identification and Gastronomic Tourism in Nigeria

. In all modes of travel, gastronomy is pivotal in enriching the tourist experience. This study aims to identify indigenous cuisines and gastronomic tourism in Nigeria. A qualitative approach was employed, using a phenomenology study through interviews and samples drawn from purposive populations. Snowball techniques were employed to identify potential interview participants from the selected tourist destination communities of Ikogosi, Ikegun, Ikija, and Agodi. This study developed four significant themes to which participants, including community members and destination managers, responded: identifying indigenous cuisines from the community, variations in food trends, popular cuisines for gastronomy tourism, and the food history associated with the community. The findings from interviews highlighted culinary diversity despite shared ethnic backgrounds. It shows the variant in preparation of Amala using different root tubers, showcasing regional variations, such as Amala lafun in Abeokuta and Amala isu in Ibadan. The research also notes significant differences in soups, stews, and cooking methods, particularly in fishing communities like Ikegun, where seafood and spicy dishes dominate. Traditional foods and cuisines, including Feregede, Otili and Kokondo and medicinal soups such as Marugbo, Tegi, Ogbagba and Isapa, are increasingly disappearing due to modernisation, changing dietary preferences and lack of documentation. This poses a risk to preserving indigenous knowledge, primarily held by older generations. The findings also emphasise the potential for gastronomy tourism, proposing that local cuisines can attract visitors while contributing to economic sustainability. Suggestions for promoting traditional dishes, such as Pounded yam, Amala and Abula, are highlighted as part of a broader strategy for culinary heritage preservation. In conclusion, proper methods for preserving and documenting indigenous cuisines specific to each community should be implemented. Engage the tourism sectors with local hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies to improve authentication and create packages highlighting traditional cuisines and attractions. Establish indigenous food museums, where the history of cuisines is preserved for future generations, and develop robust infrastructural planning for good road networks to access communities and hospitals, potable water, and proper drainage systems to mitigate flooding in vulnerable areas

Positivity and Stability of Caputo Fractional Order Gene Regulatory Networks: The System Comparison Method

As well known, the positivity is an essential topic when studying gene regulatory networks since the variables involved, e.g., the concentrations of mRNA and proteins, can never be negative. However, the positivity of Caputo fractional order models has been a longstanding problem due to the nonlocality of Caputo fractional derivatives (CFD). In this paper, we present the system comparison method to prove the positivity of Caputo fractional order gene regulatory networks (CFOGRNs) only under positive initial conditions. Moreover, it is found that the positivity results can make it feasible to give proper comparison systems for CFOGRNs, in which the upper and lower estimations can be used to guarantee the stability of the objective CFOGRNs. Thus, the system comparison method for the stability of CFOGRNs is also provided here. Compared to the existing Lyapunov direct method, the proposed system comparison method affords an alternative method for stability analysis and different insights in stability conditions. Finally, these theoretical derivations are illustrated and validated by an example with numerical simulations.

Possible formation of H2 hydrates in different nanotubes and surfaces using molecular dynamics simulation.

In this work, we simulated water molecules confined in carbon, boron nitride (BN), and silicon carbide (SiC) nanotubes with similar sizes. We also simulated water molecules confined between parallel graphene, BN, and SiC surfaces in two cases: (a) a similar geometric surface density of water of 0.177/Å2, in which the number of gas molecules was 18% of the total water molecules, and (b) a similar density profile of water of 0.04-0.05 dalton per Å3. To examine H2 hydrate formation, we added guest H2 molecules to the confined water molecules in the nanotube and surface systems. We analyzed the formed shapes, adsorption energies, radial distribution functions (RDFs), and self-diffusion coefficients of the confined molecules in gas hydrate formation. Our results showed that a more ordered heptagonal ice nanotube was formed in the BN nanotube than that in the other systems. After the addition of H2 molecules in the different nanotubes, some of the H2 molecules occupied the wall of the ice nanotube and some of them positioned in the hollow space. Although gas hydrates were created in all surface systems, ordered gas hydrate shapes were formed only in the graphene system. The adsorption energy for guest H2 molecules between the different surfaces was negative, which means that the formation of H2 hydrates between these surfaces is a spontaneous process (unlike that in the nanotube systems). According to RDF results, the BN nanotube and graphene surfaces are proper systems to form more ordered H2 hydrate structures. The confined water molecules have much higher diffusion coefficients in the BN nanotube and graphene surfaces than in the other systems. The F 4 parameter also substantiated hydrate formation in the different nanostructures. In a new configuration of BN and SiC systems with density profiles similar to that of the graphene system, the H2 hydrate was not formed completely as in the case of the graphene system. H2 hydrates formed in the new BN and SiC surfaces were less than those formed in the primary structures (with a geometrical density similar to that of the graphene system) and the graphene system.

Prevalence of Cystircercus Cellulose Infection Among Pigs Slaughtered in Arapai Market- Soroti District

This study was designed to establish the prevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae infection by postmortem examination of pigs slaughtered at Arapai market from May to June 2018. Cysticercus cellulose is a zoonotic infection maintained by a pig-human cycle. Examination involved visual, palpation and incision. Out of 111 pigs examined, 9 were positive for Cysticercus cellulosae, representing a prevalence of 8.1%. A 95% confidence level and P-value < 0.05 was considered significant in all analysis. Odds ratio was used to evaluate association between variables (sex, breed and affected organs). Less males (n=48) than females (n=63) were examined but more males (5) than females (4) were infected with a prevalence of 4.5 %( n=48) and3.6 %( n=63) respectively. According to breed, the local breeds had the highest prevalence of 6.3% (n=80) whereas the crosses had a prevalence of 1.8% (n=31). The tongue and thigh muscles both had a prevalence of 6% and 2.7% respectively. In conclusion the prevalence of 8.1% reveal that the human population in Arapai is at a risk of getting infected and proved an economic threat, therefore I recommend, proper human waste disposal by use of pit latrines, proper management systems, confinement of free-ranging pigs and massive treatment with albendazole and oxfendazole.

Information Infrastructure & Digital Divide: In the context of Indian Universities — The Economical and Financial Context

"Each and every organization, institution needs information and allied objects for the growth and proper development and without a sufficient amount of information it is very difficult to sustain and run an organization. Universities and Higher Educational Institutions work and function based on various academic and administrative units and sections; and in each and every section information is very much crucial and valuable. The development of information related activities is called Information Systems and ‘Information Infrastructure’ is a broad concept which is required for information collection, processing, management and delivery in manual and technological mode. There are different types of sections and sub-sections exit in model Information Infrastructure systems. Each and every universities depend on proper information management systems and there are issues in relation to social, technical, psychological, economical and managerial. In an university system and general organization there are numerous systems and procedures in managing data, information and other documentation. Many institutions keeps information as usual and without any professionalism and that lead to the failure of organizational goal and proper development. Economical and financial issues are alarming in purchasing and maintaining technologies, systems, and Human Resources, etc. And this paper is about the basic of Information Infrastructure with a special focus on economical and financial issues in the context of Digital divide."

Effect of land configuration and fertilizer dosage on growth and yield of African marigold under vertic ustochrept soil regimes

Adopting proper land management systems and nutrient levels could improve growth, yield and quality by rendering better soil physical structure and mineral nutrition under heavy rainfall areas. An experiment was conducted to identify appropriate land configuration and fertilizer dose for African marigold var. Punjab Gainda-1, in split plot design with three land configuration methods viz., flat bed, raised bed and ridge & furrow system as main plots, and three fertilizer doses (RDF/ha) viz., 100%, 80% and 60% as subplots with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) being 10 t FYM + 150:100:100 kg/ha NPK. Results showed that adopting raised bed method of land configuration with the application of 8 t FYM + 120:80:80 kg/ha NPK exhibited enhanced vegetative growth and flower yield (16.26 t/ha) with greater benefit cost ratio (2.88) and, hence, found economically best for commercial production of African marigold.

Ordinal Regression Model of Parking Search Time

Parking search reduces the quality of parking service, as well as traffic network level of service, due to additionally generated traffic. Parking search also entails other negative effects, primarily ecological, social and economic. Even though the importance of this problem has been noted in the past, there is an impression that this issue has not been sufficiently researched and should be additionally analysed in order to properly understand this phenomenon. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the factors affecting parking search time that can be influenced through a set of parking management measures. In this paper, an ordinal regression model was developed to estimate these parameters and it was fitted using empirical data collected by interviewing drivers. Main model results show that parking occupancy has the highest impact upon the value of parking search time, indicating the significance of defining proper policies and measures aimed at reaching targeted parking occupancy. Parking frequency is the second parameter observed to be significant, demonstrating the importance of implementing proper parking information systems.