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Intelligent identification of risks in construction contract clauses based on semantic reasoning
No full textPurpose: The number of construction dispute cases has surged in recent years. The effective exploration and management of risks associated with construction contracts helps to directly enhance the overall project performance. The existing approaches to identify the risks associated with construction project contracts have a heavy reliance on manual review techniques, which are inefficient and highly restricted by personnel experience. The existing intelligent approaches only work for the contract query and storage. Hence, it is necessary to improve the intelligence level for contract risk management. This study aims to propose a novel method for the intelligent identification of risks in construction contract clauses based on natural language processing. Design/methodology/approach: This proposed method can formalize the linguistic logic and semantic information of contract clauses into multiple triples and transform the structural processing results of general clauses in a construction contract into rights and interests rules for risk review. In addition, the core semantic information of special clauses in a construction contract, rights and interests rules are used for semantic conflict detection. Finally, this study achieves the intelligent risk identification of construction contract clauses. Findings: The method is verified by selecting several construction contracts that had been applied in engineering contracting as a corpus. The results showed a high level of accuracy and applicability of the proposed method. Originality/value: This novel method can identify the risks in contract clauses with complex syntactic structures and realize rule extension according to the semantic relation network of the ontology. It can support efficient contract review and assist the decision-making process in contract risk management.</p
Effectiveness and acceptability of interventions offered for those bereaved by parental loss to suicide in childhood: A mixed methods systematic review
No full textObjectives: Identify interventions offered for children bereaved by parental suicide, investigate reported effectiveness and explore the acceptability of identified interventions. Method: Six electronic databases were systematically searched for primary studies investigating intervention effectiveness and acceptability, (August 2011 to June 2023). Eligibility required inclusion of participants bereaved by parental suicide during childhood among sample populations. Methodological quality was evaluated applying JBI critical appraisal tools. Narrative synthesis was conducted using parallel-results convergent design. Results: Of the 22 eligible reports, 19 articles reported on 12 manual-based supports provided during childhood; three papers described users’ experiences of various specified intervention types offered following childhood loss. Twenty-one studies reported on interventions offered for heterogeneous participant groups that included children bereaved by parental suicide. Time from loss to intervention generally included both recent (1 </p
The Future of Sports Gambling in Japan: Legalization and Lessons from the United States
No full textSports betting in Japan is a topical and controversial issue. The current status of sports gambling in Japan is under strict legal control as the Criminal Code prohibits the act of gambling. There is an exception to this rule in Japan where gambling is permitted in koei kyogi (public competitions). These four sports are horse racing, bicycle racing, boat racing and auto racing. However, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics triggered discussion in some quarters about legalizing sports betting. Also contributing to this discussion was the process of legalizing sports gambling in the United States that began in 2018 after the Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v National Collegiate Athletic Association 584 U.S. 453 (2018) that essentially legalized sports betting. This article will examine whether it is possible to legalize sports betting in Japan when taking into account legal, social and cultural factors. It will be argued that these factors will make it difficult to legalize sports betting in Japan, and if Japan does legalize sports gambling, these factors will affect the shape of any subsequent sports betting industry. To gain insight into the challenges Japan will face in legitimising sports gambling, the experiences of the United States in the aftermath of Murphy will be examined.</p
Western Australian Magpies alter the rate, but not the amplitude, of their territorial song in anthropogenic noise
No full textAnthropogenic noise is considered one of the most serious forms of pollution globally and has been shown to have negative effects on the distribution, behaviour, cognition and reproductive success of animal species worldwide. Among the most commonly reported impacts of anthropogenic noise are its effects on acoustic communication. Animals may adjust the rate, amplitude, duration and/or frequency of their acoustic signals to better maintain communication when anthropogenic noise is present. One of the most commonly reported vocal adjustments in noisy conditions, an increase in amplitude known as the Lombard effect, has been reported in almost all animal species tested to date. In this study, we combine behavioural focals and amplitude measurements to investigate whether female Western Australian Magpies Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis alter the rate and amplitude of their territorial song (known as a carol) when unmanipulated levels of anthropogenic noise are present. Magpies reduced the rate at which they carolled when loud anthropogenic noise (>50 dB) was present but, contrary to our prediction, we found no evidence that magpies adjusted the amplitude of their carols under these conditions. Reduced carolling rates during anthropogenic noise may minimize the energetic expense associated with vocalizing when it is likely that such vocalizations will be masked by anthropogenic noise. However, a reduction in carolling rate may negatively affect the sociality and territoriality of magpies, as carols are important for these aspects of life. Our study adds to the growing body of literature documenting changes to the vocal behaviour of wildlife in the presence of anthropogenic noise.</p
Evaluation of combustion characteristics and emission reduction potential of fusel oil–gasoline blends in a turbocharged 1.8 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine
No full textAlternative energy sources are crucial because of rising energy demand and pollution concerns. Fusel oil is a by-product of ethanol distillation from molasses. This study compares the combustion characteristics, performance, and emissions of a 1.8 L turbocharged four-cylinder, direct-injection, spark-ignition engine using fusel–gasoline blends. A steady-state experiment with a constant engine speed of 2000 rpm and a throttle load of 40% was carried out. Four samples were tested: pure gasoline and 10%, 20%, and 30% fusel oil blends, referred to as F0, F10, F20, and F30, respectively. Results showed that fusel oil blends increased brake specific fuel consumption by 5–20% compared to pure gasoline. The combustion behavior, including in-cylinder pressure, rate of heat release, rate of pressure rise, and mass fraction burn, was lower by 2–5% and exhibited an earlier crank angle degree by 2–3 compared to pure gasoline. Due to differences in attributes and oxygen content, the brake thermal efficiency of combustion dropped 13–16% compared to pure gasoline. The blends emitted 120–90 ppm less hydrocarbon and 0.3–0.5% more carbon monoxide than pure gasoline did. In summary, fusel oil can be blended with gasoline, significantly impacting turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine performance.</p
Nematode Detection and Classification Using Machine Learning Techniques: A Review
No full textNematode identification and quantification are critical for understanding their impact on agricultural ecosystems. However, traditional methods rely on specialised expertise in nematology, making the process costly and time-consuming. Recent developments in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision (CV) offer promising alternatives for automating nematode identification and counting at scale. This work reviews the current literature on nematode detection using AI techniques, focusing on their application, performance, and limitations. First, we discuss various image analysis, machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) methods, including You Only Look Once (YOLO) models, and evaluate their effectiveness in detecting and classifying nematodes. Second, we compare and contrast the performance of ML- and DL-based approaches on different nematode datasets. Next, we highlight how these techniques can support sustainable agricultural practices and optimise crop productivity. Finally, we conclude by outlining the key opportunities and challenges in integrating ML and DL methods for precise and efficient nematode management.</p
Do We Need Both Career and Competency Frameworks for Sonographers?
No full textThe sonography profession in Australia and New Zealand faces a chronic shortage of qualified medical sonographers, exacerbated by limited training capacity, an ageing workforce and a lack of career advancement opportunities. This shortage impacts patient care by increasing waiting times and potentially leading to poorer health outcomes. Whilst a competency framework exists, there is no career framework to guide career progression. This paper advocates for the development of a sonographer career framework to assist in addressing these issues. Such a framework would outline clinical and non-clinical career growth and progression opportunities, supporting both individual and organisational development. By incorporating aspects such as supervision, teaching, leadership and research, the framework would provide a structured pathway for career advancement. It would also help standardise terminology and professional titles, ensuring consistency across the profession. The development of this framework could be achieved through consensus, expert opinion or research using a Delphi model. Ultimately, a robust career framework would enhance the sustainability of the sonography workforce, improve job satisfaction and ensure high-quality patient care.</p
Generative AI as a learning assistant in ICT education: Student perspectives and educational implications
No full textThe intelligence that was formed on the Enterprise didn’t just come out of the ship’s systems. It came from us. From our mission records, personal logs, holodeck programs, our fantasies.” This fictitious quote from Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise in the 1990s, though predating the advent of generative AI (GenAI) technologies, reflects a key truth: the efficacy of artificial intelligence is fundamentally tied to the quality of human input and interaction. GenAI tools are most valuable when they augment rather than replace human cognition. Guided by this principle, our study investigates the potential of GenAI tools as an adjunct or assistant to student learning in ICT education at universities. Using structured focus groups conducted across three institutions, we explored student perspectives on GenAI’s utility, challenges, learning outcomes and skills development. Participants generally expressed positive attitudes towards GenAI, recognising its time-saving and problem-solving capabilities, but also highlighted concerns about accuracy, ethical usage, and the necessity for guidance on effective utilisation. The findings of the thematic analysis informed the development of the GROW-AI framework, a holistic strategy for integrating GenAI tools into educational practices, addressing components that included guidelines, resources, oversight, workforce preparation, and awareness. This framework provides actionable insights for institutions seeking to harness the potential of GenAI while mitigating its risks, fostering a balanced approach to AI in education.</p
Coral is king as Queenslanders weigh up cash splash for Reef
No full textA new study has found Queenslanders would hand over their hard-earned if it meant improving coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) – even those who rarely or never visit the world-famous natural wonder. The research, by CQUniversity economists Dr Jeremy De Valck and Professor John Rolfe, surveyed residents from coastal communities along the reef, and south-east Queensland urban dwellers. The research, published in Marine Policy journal, asked more than 900 participants how much they would be willing to pay to support different types of GBR-related policies: restoring coral reefs, restoring seagrass beds, or developing new tourism and recreational facilities. Dr De Valck said the answer came back clear: people strongly favour ecological restoration over recreational development, and value the Reef as more than just a holiday spot. Households were willing to pay between 157 per year over five years if it improved coral reef cover by 1 per cent — around three times more than they would pay for seagrass meadow restoration, and ten times more than for new recreational or tourism amenities.</p
Analyzing the environmental effect and efficiency of additives and nano-additives with biodiesel blends on aero-engine
No full textThe main target of this study is to assess the performance and emissions of the KingTech K180 turbojet engine fueled by using nanoparticles (graphene oxide (GNP) and copper oxide (CuO) as nano-additives into palm methyl ester (PME) blends. The nano-additives GNP and CuO were distributed in 25 and 20 volume percentages of the PME-Jet A1 blend. Characterization via XRD and SEM ensured nanoparticle size, stability, and purity. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) evaluated nanoparticle impact on PME, while surfactant SLS aided blend homogenization. Ultrasonication amalgamated 30 and 15 PPM of GNP and CuO nanoparticles with PME. Engine performance was assessed at varying speeds and power levels at sea level. In light of this, the physiochemical property findings showed that the of B20DEE10 was 26.42 % lower than that of PME30, and the density of B25D5GNP30 was 917.97 kg/m3, greater than the density value for PME30. B25GNP15CuO15 exhibited the highest oxidation initiation temperature (OIT) at 204.13 °C, with B25GNP30 surpassing B25 by 6.13 %. B25GNP30D5 recorded an OIT of 284.51 °C. Notable performance enhancements were observed, with B20D10GNP15CuO15 achieving 20 % greater thrust at 120k RPM compared to PME30 and lower thrust-specific fuel consumption (TSFC) at 100k RPM. In emissions, B25D5GNP30 emitted 12 % less CO than PME30 at low speed, while B20D10GNP15CuO15 produced the least NOx at 25k RPM (4 ppm) compared to PME30. The study underscores GNP nanoparticles’ potential as fuel additives, enhancing physicochemical properties and consequently improving engine performance and emissions.</p