Browsing by Author "De Silva, R"

Now showing 1 - 18 of 18

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Ai based greenhouse farming support system with robotic monitoring
(IEEE, 2020-11-16) Fernando, S; Nethmi, R; Silva, A; Perera, A; De Silva, R; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W
Greenhouses plays a major role in today's agriculture since farmers can grow plants under controlled climatic conditions and can optimize production. The greenhouses are usually built in areas where the climatic conditions for the growth of plants are not optimal so requires some artificial setups to bring about productivity. Automating process of a greenhouse requires monitoring and controlling of the climatic parameters. This paper is an attempt to minimize the cost of maintaining greenhouse environments using new technologies. The end goal of this research an automated system to optimally monitor and control the environmental factors inside greenhouse by monitoring temperature, soil moisture, humidity and pH through a cloud connected mobile robot which can detect unhealthy plants using image processing and machine learning. The mobile robot navigates through a predefined map of greenhouse. Database server has created to store gathered real-time data. And the necessary accurate data represent by using proper application for analyzing.
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Autonomous cloud robotic system for smart agriculture
(IEEE, 2019-07-03) Dharmasena, T; De Silva, R; Abhayasingha, N; Abeygunawardhana, P. W. K
Agriculture sector occupies 25.9% of the world employment. The demand for food production is rapidly increasing with the increase of world population. Developing the existing agricultural infrastructure by incorporating modern technologies will help to match this increasing demand. This paper proposes a automated system to optimally control the climate and irrigation in a greenhouse by monitoring temperature, soil moisture, humidity and pH through a cloud connected mobile robot which can detect the unhealthy plants using image processing. A fuzzy controller will control the heating and cooling system, irrigation system and humidifiers installed in the greenhouse based on the sensor readings. The mobile robot navigates through a predefined map of the greenhouse and collect soil samples to perform measurements while onboard sensors will collect the ambient climate data. A camera mounted on the mobile robot will capture the plant and detect unhealthy crops based on the colour and the texture of the leaves.
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Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Primary Caregivers of Children with Invisible Disabilities in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2022-09-15) Mohamed, W; De Silva, R
Children with invisible disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, speech impairments, and learning difficulties require special support and a diligent caregiving environment to thrive. Primary caregivers have to take on additional roles to provide extra support for children with invisible disabilities while accommodating their professional and personal lives through the process. This research analyzed depression, anxiety, and stress between primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and primary caregivers of typically-developing children in Sri Lanka. Data was gathered through an online survey. The sample consisted of 75 primary caregivers between the ages of 23 years to 56 years, which included 38 primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and 37 primary caregivers of typicallydeveloping children. The DASS-21 (Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995) was administered to measure depression, anxiety, and stress. The Independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean difference between the two groups of caregivers. The findings did not reveal a significant difference in the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress between primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities and primary caregivers of typicallydeveloping children. However, regression analysis revealed that parental age had a significant impact on the levels of anxiety among caregivers of children with invisible disabilities. This implies that experience gained with age may reduce anxiety in primary caregivers of children with invisible disabilities
Open Access
Detecting a decline in serial homicide: Have we banished the devil from the details?
(Cogent, 2019-01-01) Yaksic, E; Allely, C; De Silva, R; Smith-Inglis, M; Konikoff, D; Konikoff, K; Gordon, D; Denisov, E; Keatley, D. A
The current research provides perspective regarding the true prevalence of serial murderers in modern society and addresses the conflict between the evidenced decline in serial homicide and the viewpoint that the phenomenon is increasing. The likelihood that serial murderers are responsible for most unresolved homicides and missing persons is examined in the context of a declining prevalence. A mixed methods approach was used, consisting of a review of a sample of unresolved homicides, a comparative analysis of the frequency of known serial homicide series and unresolved serial homicide series, and semi-structured interviews of experts. In failing to become serial killers, aspiring and probable serial killers and spree killers have impacted the rate of serial murder by not reaching their potential. The past decade contained almost half the cases (13%) that existed at the 1980s peak of serial homicide (27%). Only 282 (1.3%) strangled females made up the 22,444 unresolved homicides reviewed. Most expert respondents thought it unreasonable that any meaningful proportion of missing persons cases are victims of serial homicide. Technology, shifts in offending behavior, proactive law enforcement action, and vigilance of society have transformed serial killing and aids in viewing offenders as people impacted by societal shifts and cultural norms. The absence of narrative details inhibited some aspects of the review. An exhaustive list
Open Access
Examining the influence of global smoking prevalence on stroke mortality: insights from 27 countries across income strata
(Springer link, 2024-03-19) Abeysekera, I; De Silva, R; Silva, D; Piumika, L; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L
Background This study investigates the influence of Global Smoking Prevalence (GSP) on Stroke Death Rates (SDR) across 27 countries categorized into High-Income Countries (HIC), Upper Middle-Income Countries (UMIC), Lower Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), and Low-Income Countries (LIC). Methods Analysing data from two distinct periods (1990–1999 and 2010–2019), countries exhibiting an increased SDR were selected. The study uses a polynomial regression model, treating income groups as cross-sectional and years as time series data. Results Results from the regression model reveal that 17 countries observed a significant impact of GSP on SDR, with only Turkey, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste resulting in negative values. However, the study emphasises that out of all 27 countries, the highest occurrence of the impact of GSP on SDR has been reported in the LMIC stratum for the period under review. Conclusion It is evident that GSP affects the risk of incidence of stroke death, specifically in the LMIC stratum. Furthermore, it has been identified that GSP is a major preventable risk factor affecting global mortality. To mitigate the risk of stroke death attributable to smoking prevalence, necessary preventive steps should be adopted to encourage smoking cessation, and essential policies should be implemented to reduce the burden of SDR.
Open Access
Exploration of Gender Identity as Experienced by the Transgender Community of Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT, 2024-12-04) Edirisooriya, C; De Silva, R; De Silva, Raneesha
Amidst the socioeconomic advancements, the transgender community continues to endure marginalization, stigma, and discrimination. This persistent social reality underscores the urgent need to delve into the coping strategies employed by transgenders in navigating identity-related challenges and to assess the available psychosocial support systems. This study investigates perceptions of gender identity within the community and broader society, and the lived experiences of transgender individuals and their coping mechanisms. Employing a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten transgender individuals, analyzing the data through thematic analysis. The data was obtained from a larger study that explored the Post-COVID Minority Distress and Resilience in Sri Lanka’s LGBTQIA+ Community. Findings illuminate the challenges faced, ranging from familial rejection to societal discrimination, including encounters with legal authorities. The perception of gender identity among transgender individuals is influenced by factors, including individual personality traits, available support networks, cultural context, awareness levels, and interactions within the community. While there has been a positive shift in societal attitudes in recent years, significant barriers persist, hindering full acceptance and integration of transgender identities. Despite the lack of formalized psychosocial support mechanisms, transgender individuals employ diverse coping strategies, including engagement with music, relaxation techniques, following religious practices, and withdrawing from social interactions to manage distress. In conclusion, while the existing community organizations offer vital support, the study findings underscore the need for comprehensive interventions spanning individual-level psychological support and systemic changes at the policy and legal levels. By addressing these multifaceted challenges and bolstering support structures, a more inclusive society can be fostered that affirms and supports the diverse identities within the transgender community.
Open Access
Exploring the Similarities and Differences in Offender Characteristics Across Aspiring, Probable, and Successful Serial Homicide Offenders: The Importance of an Inclusive …
(SocArXiv, 2019-01) Yaksic, E; Konikoff, D; Gordon, D; Mooney, R; Allely, C; De Silva, R; Matykiewicz, B; Smith-Inglis, M; Giannangelo, S. J; Daniels, S; Sarteschi, C. M
The current study examines potential serial homicide offenders (SHOs), a previously unacknowledged offender group comprised of aspiring and probable SHOs, and compares them to successful SHOs. Data on 17 aspiring, 46 probable, and 16 successful SHOs were collected. The study results indicate that potential serial killers share more in common with successful SHOs than they do with one-off homicide offenders. While there is overlap among these groups, there is insufficient evidence to suggest discreet transitions among categories or that being a potential SHO is the final step on a pathway towards becoming a successful SHO. Potential SHOs cannot reliably be thought of as prospective SHOs if all things were equal. An as yet identified factor, such as resiliency, still separates potential SHOs from successful SHOs. Early identification and timely intervention is important to interrupt impending murders by potential SHOs and halt them at this pivotal point in their developmental trajectory.
Open Access
Global nexus of smoking prevalence, healthcare quality and respiratory cancer mortality: a cross-continental study
(Springer Nature, 2025-10-06) Piumika, L; Silva, D; De Silva, R; Jayathilaka, R; Wickramaarachchi, C; Rajamanthri, L
Background Smoking causes Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung Cancer (TBLC) mortality, depicting a strong correlation,while the quality of healthcare access in countries considerably impacts health outcomes. This study evaluates the differential effect in the interplay between Smoking Prevalence (SP) and health care, employing the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index towards the TBLC mortality rates across diverse continents and globally. Methods The data covering a 30-year period for 204 countries globally was categorised based on the level of SP (Low, Moderate, High, Critical) and the quality of healthcare access (Poor, Limited, Adequate, Optimal). A two-way ANOVA was utilised to analyse the patterns and variations in TBLC mortality rates across these categories, exploring the interactions between SP and the HAQ Index. Results Distinct patterns were observed in each continent, highlighting the complex interactions between the HAQ Index and SP, which lead to varying health outcomes. The results indicate that regions with an optimal HAQ Index and low SP have lower TBLC death rates, whereas those with a poor HAQ Index and critical SP exhibit higher death rates. Conclusion The findings emphasise the need to address both smoking prevalence and healthcare facilities globally. By improving healthcare access and reducing smoking rates, governments can significantly lower TBLC mortality rates. This study underlines the importance of integrating public health policies that limit smoking prevalence with enhancements in healthcare systems to promote better health and well-being.
Embargo
A heuristic study of the similarities and differences in offender characteristics across potential and successful serial sexual homicide offenders
(researchgate.net, 2021-08) Yaksic, E; Harrison, M; Konikoff, D; Mooney, R; Allely, C; De Silva, R; Matykiewicz, B; Inglis, M; Giannangelo, S. J; Daniels, S; Sarteschi, C. M
This heuristic study examined potential serial sexual homicide offenders (SSHOs), an unacknowledged offender group comprised of aspiring and probable SSHOs, and compared them with successful SSHOs. Data were collected on six aspiring SSHOs who each failed a single homicide attempt, 16 probable SSHOs who committed 17 homicides in separate events, and 13 successful SSHOs who killed 90 victims in separate events. The study results indicate that while potential SSHOs share more in common with successful SSHOs than they do with single-victim nonsexual homicide offenders, and that there is an overlap between potential SSHOs and successful SSHOs, there is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that there are discreet transitions among categories. While few potential SSHOs strive to become successful SSHOs, this may be due to weak or nonexistent emotional triggers. Being a potential SSHO does not appear to be a predictable first step on a pathway towards becoming a successful SSHO, as potential SSHOs cannot reliably be thought of as prospective SSHOs if all things were equal. The present study could not foresee all potential SSHOs becoming successful ones. An as yet unidentified number of factors still appear to separate potential SSHOs from successful SSHOs.
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How much damage do serial homicide offenders wrought while the innocent rot in prison? A tabulation of preventable deaths as outcomes of sentinel events
(Routledge, 2021-01-02) Yaksic, E; Allred, T. B; Drakulic, C; Mooney, R; De Silva, R; Geyer, P; Wills, A; Comerford, C; Ranger, R
The criminal justice system has allowed serial homicide offenders (SHOs) to commit additional homicides by failing to identify them after their initial homicide. Recidivism has been possible in instances where the SHO benefited from the wrongful incarceration of an innocent person for one of their homicides. Data from the National Registry of Exonerations was utilized to tabulate the full extent of these sentinel events, defined as the number of deaths that could have been prevented. Additional research was conducted to identify where victims fell in the offender’s killing sequence. This ancillary data revealed the number of victims whose deaths could have been prevented had the offender been apprehended earlier in their series of homicides. Sixty-two SHOs were responsible for 249 deaths, 114 of which were committed after an innocent person was incarcerated for the SHO’s initial homicide. To prevent further loss of life, law enforcement must: act upon accurate information; lower the SHO evidentiary threshold; prevent personal bias from influencing investigative steps; obtain training in the behavior of SHOs; admit mistakes; and re-examine convictions if wrongdoing is suspected.
Open Access
Impact of global smoking prevalence on mortality: a study across income groups
(Springer link, 2024-07-04) De Silva, R; Silva, D; Piumika, L; Abeysekera, I; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L; Wickramaarachchi, C
Background Smoking significantly contributes to the mortality rates worldwide, particularly in non-communicable and preventable diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, respiratory conditions, stroke, and lung cancer. This study aims to analyse the impact of smoking on global deaths, and its association with mortality across the main income groups. Methods The comprehensive analysis spans 199 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. The study categorises countries into four income groups: high income, upper middle income, lower middle income, and low income. Results The findings underscore the profound impact of global tobacco smoking on mortality. Notably, cardiovascular disease mortality is notably affected in both upper-middle-income and high-income groups. Chronic respiratory disease mortality rates show a significant impact across all income groups. Moreover, stroke-related mortality is observed in the lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income groups. These results highlight the pervasive influence of smoking prevalence on global mortality, affecting individuals across various socioeconomic levels. Conclusion The study underscores the critical implications of smoking on mortality rates, particularly in high-income countries. It emphasises the urgency of targeted interventions in these regions to address the specific challenges posed by tobacco smoking on public health. Policy recommendations include implementing prohibitive measures extending to indoor public areas such as workplaces and public transportation services. Furthermore, allocating funds for research on tobacco and health, is imperative to ensure policymakers are consistently informed about emerging facts and trends in this complex domain.
Open Access
Impact of global smoking prevalence on mortality: a study across income groups
(BMC Public Health volume, 2024-07-04) De Silva, R; Silva, D; Piumika, L; Abeysekera, I; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L; Wickramaarachchi, C
Background Smoking significantly contributes to the mortality rates worldwide, particularly in non-communicable and preventable diseases such as cardiovascular ailments, respiratory conditions, stroke, and lung cancer. This study aims to analyse the impact of smoking on global deaths, and its association with mortality across the main income groups. Methods The comprehensive analysis spans 199 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. The study categorises countries into four income groups: high income, upper middle income, lower middle income, and low income. Results The findings underscore the profound impact of global tobacco smoking on mortality. Notably, cardiovascular disease mortality is notably affected in both upper-middle-income and high-income groups. Chronic respiratory disease mortality rates show a significant impact across all income groups. Moreover, stroke-related mortality is observed in the lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income groups. These results highlight the pervasive influence of smoking prevalence on global mortality, affecting individuals across various socioeconomic levels. Conclusion The study underscores the critical implications of smoking on mortality rates, particularly in high-income countries. It emphasises the urgency of targeted interventions in these regions to address the specific challenges posed by tobacco smoking on public health. Policy recommendations include implementing prohibitive measures extending to indoor public areas such as workplaces and public transportation services. Furthermore, allocating funds for research on tobacco and health, is imperative to ensure policymakers are consistently informed about emerging facts and trends in this complex domain.
Embargo
Intelligent disease detection system for greenhouse with a robotic monitoring system
(IEEE, 2020-12-10) Fernando, S; Nethmi, R; Silva, A; Perera, A; De Silva, R; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W
Greenhouse farming plays a significant role in the agricultural industry because of its controlled climatic features. Recent examinations have stated that the mean creation of the yields under greenhouses is lessening due to disease events in the plants. These foods have become an imposing undertaking because these plants are being assaulted by different bacterial diseases, micro-organisms, and pests. The chemicals are applied to the plants intermittently without thinking about the necessity of each plant. Several problems have occurred in the greenhouse environment due to these causes. Therefore, there is a huge necessity for a system to detect diseases at an early stage. This research focused on designing a system to detect disease, which causes yellowish in greenhouse plants. Plant yellowing can be considered a significant problem of plants that grow under greenhouse-controlled environments. Through this research is focused on the most important and one of the most attention-grabbing crop tomato. There are specific diseases that cause yellowish the tomato plant, and they have been identified. The techniques utilized for early recognition of infection are image processing, machine learning, and deep learning.
Open Access
A Meta-Analysis of Childhood Maltreatment in Relation to Psychopathic Traits
(PsyArXiv, 2021-12-17) de Ruiter, C; Burghart, M; De Silva, R; Garcia, S. G; Mian, U; Walshe, E; Zouharova, V
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a mix of traits belonging to four facets: affective (e.g., callous/lack of empathy), interpersonal (e.g., grandiosity), behavioral instability (e.g., impulsivity, poor behavioral controls), and social deviance (e.g., juvenile delinquency, criminal versatility). Several scholars have argued that early childhood maltreatment impacts the development of psychopathy, although views regarding its role in the four facets differ. We conducted a meta-analysis including 47 studies comprising a total of 349 effect sizes and 12,737 participants, to investigate the association between the four psychopathy facets and four types of child maltreatment: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse. We found support for a moderate link between overall psychopathy and childhood physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, as well as overall childhood maltreatment. The link between psychopathy and childhood sexual abuse was small, but still significant. These associations were stronger for the behavioral and antisocial facets than for the affective and interpersonal facets of psychopathy, but nearly all associations were significant. Our findings are consistent with recently developed theories on the role of complex trauma in the development of severe personality disorders. Trauma-focused preventive and therapeutic interventions can provide further tests of the trauma-psychopathy hypothesis.
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Modeling Vision Utility for Side-by-Side Navigation of Robot-Human Pairs
(IEEE, 2019-10-17) Jayawardena, C; Kehelella, P; De Silva, R
Side-by-side robot navigation has significant direct benefits; especially when robotic wheelchairs are used. In addition to navigation issues faced by any mobile robot, side-by-side navigation has some other challenges as well. Maintaining side-by-side formation, avoiding collisions with minimal disturbance to the side-by-side formation, and maintaining the optimal social relationship are some of those challenges. This paper presents a novel decision making model for human-robot side by side navigation. The development of the model was based on observations of real-world human behaviour and data collections done through a user study. The developed model was calibrated and tested using a simulator as-well-as a laboratory experiment.
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Singlish Sentiment Analysis Based Rating For Public Transportation
(IEEE, 2021-01-27) Sharounthan, B; Nawinna, D. P; De Silva, R
As the primary transportation mode in Sri Lanka, Public transportation is tightly attached with the daily life of the people. The important factor in transportation is providing a door to door mobility. This paper presents a study focused on measuring the service quality of public transportation based on the comments and feedbacks provided by the passengers with the aim of producing a better service for users. Comments were gained from social media and were used to produce a comprehensive rating mechanism to rate the transportation service providers. This tool was developed using natural language processing techniques using the data from the Sri Lankan context. With the popularity of Social Media in Sri Lanka, many people use Singlish (Sinhala written using English scripts) for online communication. The rating engine presented in this paper is capable of performing Sentiment analysis on comments given in Singlish Language in the Transportation domain.
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Toward minority resilience – an integrated qualitative analysis with trans and gender non-conforming interviewees in Sri Lanka
(Emerald Publishing, 2025-04-08) De Silva, R; Henrich, S; de Silva, B.G. R; Maycock, M; Edirisooriya, C; Nagahawatta, K; Medawatta, W
Purpose – This study aims to explore minority resilience of trans and gender non-confirming individuals within a non-Western, collectivist society in Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 15 interviews were analyzed with the multi-method qualitative text and discourse analysis framework; by incorporating the depth of discourse analysis with the breadth of thematic analysis. Findings – Four narratives emerged (jealousy and competition; authentic expression; othered or shunned; and conditional acceptance), located at the convergence of the two interview foci, “group membership” and “level of support”. Study findings strengthen the Transgender Resilience Intervention Model with evidence from a non-Western context, highlighting unique findings from Sri Lanka. Research limitations/implications – The sample size, focus on one nationality, exclusion of minors and recruitment of participants with access to digital devices may limit generalizability of study findings. Some responses on autobiographical data required prompting by the researcher, and retrospective recollections may not be reliable. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first studies in South Asia to explore minority resilience with trans and gender non-conforming individuals. The findings add to the growing body of South Asian scholarship and further expand the predominantly Global North literature by providing a collectivist perspective.
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VEHlA: Safety enhancement of non-premium vehicle assisting system for personal vehicle users
(IEEE, 2021-01-20) Manamperi, V; Liyaarachchi, K; Samaranayake, S; Fernando, V; Abeygunawardhana, P. K. W; De Silva, R
“Vehia” is a personal vehicle driving assistant which renders a massive support to the driver while drive the vehicle. As it is already known that, humans have great relationship with the automobiles since the innovation of the first wheel in stone age era. As a result of the development of the technology many vehicle manufacturing industries were established. In current society, there are many modern cars with tremendous features in it like, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Tesla etc. Those cars are highly technical and even higher in price. Majority of the people are not affordable on buying those vehicles since the middle range vehicles are not capable of much features like, visualizing performance, driver safety etc. “Vehia” is a device with a multi-informative display which can easily connect to the vehicle that supports the driver in many ways. This device is basically reducing the discrimination of high-tech cars and the middle range cars. So, it provisions utmost same feeling which can gain by an advanced high price car to the driver via a middle range vehicle. This device increases the driver safety by various features like giving alerts and consists with a smartphone based mobile application to interconnect with the mechanics in case of troubleshooting.