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Development of an improved Jellyfish Search (JS) algorithm for solving the optimal path problem of multi-robot collaborative multi-tasking in complex vertical farms
Get PDFThis paper proposes an improved Jellyfish Search algorithm, namely TLDW-JS, for solving the problem of optimal path planning of multi-robot collaboration in the multi-tasking of complex vertical farming environments. Vertical farming is an efficient way to solve the global food problem, but how to deploy agricultural robots in the environment constitutes a great challenge, which involves energy consumption and task efficiency. The most important improvements introduced by the proposed TLDW-JS algorithm are as follows: the Tent Chaos used to generate a high-quality, diversified initial population, Lévy flight used in the improved JS to strengthen global exploration, and finally, the nonlinear dynamically weighted adjustment with logistic functions to balance exploration and exploitation. A Vertical Farming System Multi-Robot Collaborative Trajectory Planning (VFSMRCTP) model has been developed in accordance with the environmental constraints specific to vertical farms, the task constraints, and the constraints between agricultural robots. The VFSMRCTP model is solved using the TLDW-JS algorithm and a number of comparison algorithms in order to analyze the algorithm’s performance. Comparative experiments demonstrate that TLDW-JS outperforms classic optimization algorithms such as the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Dung Beetle Optimization (DBO), achieving superior path length optimization, reduced energy consumption, and improved convergence speed. The results indicate that TLDW-JS achieved a 34.3% reduction in average path length, obtained one of the top three optimal solutions in 74% of cases, and reached convergence within an average of 55.9 iterations. These results validate the efficiency of TLDW-JS in enhancing energy optimization and demonstrate its potential for enabling automated systems in vertical farming
The aesthetic imagery of traditional garden door and window forms: a case study of the four major traditional gardens of Lingnan
Get PDFTraditional Lingnan gardens, one of the three major types of Chinese garden design, have evolved over nearly a millennium, embodying the distinctive craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibilities of the Lingnan region. The architectural elements of doors and windows in these gardens serve as key expressions of regional cultural identity. This study focuses on four renowned Lingnan gardens (e.g., Yuyin Garden in Guangzhou, Liang Garden in Foshan, Qinghui Garden in Shunde, and Ke Garden in Dongguan) as primary case studies to examine the typologies, decorative characteristics, and aesthetic qualities of their doors and windows. Based on aesthetic imagery, the research elucidates both the functional and structural principles governing these designs, while also exploring their aesthetic resonance with traditional Chinese arts, such as calligraphy, painting, and poetry. By deepening the theoretical understanding of the formal and artistic features of Lingnan garden doors and windows, this study contributes to advancing the scholarly discourse on traditional garden architecture and supports the ongoing cultural preservation of this important heritage
Nurses’ level of knowledge regarding heart failure self-care education principles in a tertiary cardiology centre
No full textIntroduction: Heart failure is a growing global public health concern due to its rising prevalence and association with high morbidity, mortality, and rehospitalisation rates. Effective patient education on heart failure self-care is crucial to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions. Nurses play a vital role in delivering this education, and equipping themselves with adequate knowledge of heart failure self-care principles is essential. This study explored nurses’ knowledge of heart failure self-care education principles and the factors influencing their knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was employed, surveying 78 nurses working in the cardiology department of a Malaysian tertiary cardiology centre. The Nurses’ Knowledge of Heart Failure Educational Principles Survey (NKHFEP) questionnaire was utilised to assess knowledge scores and social demographic factors. Results: The majority of respondents were junior nurses with no prior post-basic cardiac nursing or heart failure certificate courses. The overall mean knowledge score for self-care education was 13.36 ± 2.53, with the lowest scores in exercise and sign/symptom management. Nurses’ mean knowledge scores were significantly influenced by factors such as their work unit assignment, work experience, completion of heart failure specialty training, and their source of knowledge. Conclusion: These findings suggest a need for more comprehensive heart failure specialty courses, with continuous nursing education focusing on exercise and sign/symptom management. Additionally, nurse rotation across different cardiology units could enhance their understanding of heart failure management
Government hospital nurses’ perspectives on patient safety culture
No full textIntroduction: A patient safety culture is essential for healthcare providers to deliver safe, quality patient care. Inadequate levels of patient safety culture are linked to many significant medical errors in hospital settings. This study will determine nurses’ perceptions of patient safety culture in a government hospital. Method: A survey using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture to asses nurses’ patient safety culture perception in a government hospital. Results: The total mean score for patient safety culture was 46.67SD±14.21. The highest score was “Organisational learning—continuous improvement,” and the lowest was “Non-punitive response to errors,” with 78.4% and 11.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The average patient safety culture score was below 50%, which is lower than in other countries. The lowest score in the “Non-punitive response to errors” indicates that hospital management needed to overhaul the error reporting system to foster an efficient, blame-free, and professional environment, thereby reducing nurses’ fear of reporting errors
A comparative analysis of crisis communication strategies: handling faculty academic misconduct and sexual misconduct in Chinese higher education institutions
No full textChinese higher education institutions are facing an increasing threat of campus crises, especially the academic and sexual misconduct of faculty members, which have caused severe impacts on the reputation and development of universities and colleges. Crisis communication strategies are one of the critical measures for universities and colleges to eliminate or mitigate crises and maintain their reputation and growth. However, few studies are exploring the crisis communication strategies employed by Chinese universities and colleges in response to crises. This study employs quantitative content analysis to examine the crisis communication strategies utilized by Chinese higher education institutions in response to faculty academic misconduct and sexual misconduct crises. The study specifically focuses on the institutions’ responses on official platforms. Applying the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and Image Repair Theory (IRT) frameworks, this study examines the official statements released by Chinese colleges and universities in response to allegations made on official platforms such as Sina Weibo, WeChat, and official websites. Crises investigated belong to the preventable crisis type, which is defined by instances of organizational wrongdoing and concerns caused by human actions. The results reveal five commonly employed crisis communication strategies: corrective action, adjusting information, reminder, bolstering, and victimage, with a notable emphasis on adjusting information and corrective action being the most frequently utilized approach for academic and sexual misconduct crises. There are correlations between the type of crisis (academic and sexual misconduct events) and the application of specific crisis communication strategies (denial and excuse). One significant finding is the limited differentiation observed between crisis response strategies for academic and sexual misconduct crises within the Chinese context. IRT and SCCT have partial adaptability in the non-profit field of China’s higher education, among which IRT exhibits wider applicability than SSCT. This study contributes to crisis management teams and policymakers recognizing and adapting strategies based on academic and sexual misconduct events, promoting more effective crisis management and prevention measures
Sustainable resilience in flood-prone rice farming: adaptive strategies and risk-sharing around Tempe Lake, Indonesia
No full textRecurrent flooding near Tempe Lake, Indonesia, exacerbated by climate change, presents significant challenges for rice-farming communities, threatening their livelihoods and food security. This study explores the adaptive strategies employed by farmers to mitigate flood-related risks and evaluates the role of institutional frameworks in risk-sharing mechanisms. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analysed primary survey data from 140 rice farmers and conducted interviews with irrigation pump operators. The study viewed 30 years of historical flood records to identify environmental patterns affecting agricultural practices. The findings indicate that farmers employ various adaptation strategies to enhance resilience, including irrigation technologies, risk-sharing agreements, and livelihood diversification. Informal co-operative structures play a crucial role, with landowners covering 50% of production costs and farmers receiving 60% of profits after deducting operational expenses. However, flood-related income disruptions and shifting environmental conditions threaten long-term sustainability. This study emphasizes the need to formalize risk-sharing agreements, promote flood-resistant crop adoption, and improve water management infrastructure to address these challenges. Additionally, policies should support the development of community-led co-operative models and flexible contract structures, as well as training and access credit to ensure fair compensation for climate-induced losses. Integrating institutional support, technological advancements, and community-driven adaptation strategies can enhance economic stability, strengthen food security, and ensure the long-term viability of rice farming in flood-prone regions
Ilmu pertanian bentuk jiwa, bukan sekadar kerjaya - Wan Irfan Hakim
No full textBINTULU, 31 Oktober – “Ilmu pertanian membentuk saya menjadi insan yang lebih menghargai rezeki,” kata Wan Irfan Hakim Wan Ismail, penerima Pingat Emas Kokurikulum dan Pembangunan Pelajar Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad (Kategori Diploma) pada Majlis Konvokesyen Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) ke-49 Sidang 1, di Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS), hari ini
Size-tailored polyvinylpyrrolidone–Au nanoparticles on Ni–fumarate metal-organic frameworks for dual dopamine and paracetamol sensing: a density-functional theory–assisted study
No full textHerein, the application of nickel–fumarate metal-organic frameworks (Ni-fum MOFs) adorned with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as a promising platform for the sensitive detection of dopamine (DA) and paracetamol (PA) in aqueous solutions is explored. The AuNPs are incorporated into the Ni–fumarate MOF composite, resulting in a novel composite biosensor, PVP–Au/Ni–fum MOF. The enhanced signal transmission capacity for DA and PA is also attributed to the strong interface between Ni–fum MOFs and AuNPs. Interestingly, this unique interface exhibits distinct catalytic properties for the redox reactions of DA and PA, thereby widening the oxidation potential discrepancy between them. The Au/Ni–fum MOF electrode displays well-resolved cyclic voltammetry peak potentials of 95.2 mV for DA and 207.5 mV for PA, with respective limit of detections of 0.0078 and 0.01 μM, respectively. In parallel, density-functional theory is employed to investigate the adsorption behavior of DA and PA on these composite materials. These results indicate enhanced adsorption energies and shorter bond lengths for the simultaneous detection of DA and PA on these composite surfaces, pointing toward the potential for dual analyte sensing. This research advances the development of advanced sensors, offering improved selectivity and sensitivity, and underscores the utility of MOFs in electrochemical sensor applications