Early stress detection in crops is a necessity today to improve efficiency and reduce waste of time, money, and effort. However, most modern techniques, such as hyperspectral imaging and AI-based systems, are too costly and complex for medium and small-scale farmers to implement. This paper showcases CropSentry, a low-cost, ground-based multi-robot system that uses multimodal leaf sensing to continuously monitor crop health by tracking stress levels. The system comprises two autonomous bots that continuously detect leaf color and environmental data row by row. The observations are spatially mapped and sent over to the master bot, which uses color-coded row segments to generate a real-time web-based dashboard displaying crop health. After 63 observations were collected during the experiments, the results showed an overall crop health classification accuracy of 84.12
This paper focuses on the opposition and unity of two ideologies, individualism and collectivism, in Arthur C. Clarke’s science fiction novel The City and the Stars. Written in late 1900s, this work was largely influenced by the global political environment of the time, especially the backdrop of ideological contradictions. In this fictional work, Clarke expresses his vision of a dynamic equilibrium between those two ideologies through several iconic characters. Instead of being an ardent supporter of either ideology, Clarke suggests, through his depiction of different characters representing each ideology, that a blend of the two – continuously evolving – represents the ideal scenario. Specifically, the main representative characters are: Alvin, the protagonist, who symbolizes the individualism, while the high-tech city of Diasper, its ruler the Central Computer, and its residents represent collectivism. By analyzing the impact of those ideologies on characters’ identities and actions, it becomes clear in several key moments that individualism and collectivism each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Initially, the confrontations and conflicts between these two, ideologies – whether direct or indirect, physical or spiritual – are multifaceted. However, as the plots unfolds, the tendency of cooperation and fusion shows its potential. By the end, Alvin’s absolute individualism is partially mitigated, and the collectivist ideals represented by Diaspar are also blurred. Thus, the novel can be interpreted as a work that primarily highlights compensation and cooptation between these two ideologies.
Because seafaring is so demanding, work-life balance has become a major concern in the maritime industry. Seafarers work in remote locations with little communication, endure erratic work schedules, and spend long stretches of time apart from their families. Through an analysis of observations made during a four-week internship at the maritime recruitment firm Star Sea Management, this study investigates the work-life balance issues faced by seafarers. The study identifies long contracts, physical exhaustion, emotional isolation, and stress related to documentation as the main causes of work-life imbalance using qualitative techniques like observation, documentation review, and informal interviews. The study highlights the crucial role recruitment agencies and shipping companies play in shaping seafarer welfare and provides targeted recommendations to improve the overall well-being of maritime professionals.
The advent of the Third Nuclear Age has transformed the global security environment, as this era is marked by the integration of emerging and disruptive technologies into the military and nuclear policies of major and regional powers. It weakens the traditional deterrence postures and adds to the complex global security environment. The challenges of these technologies are staggering in South Asia, where two nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, are engaged in an enduring rivalry. Moreover, India’s acquisition of strategic non-nuclear weapons (SNNWs) such as offensive cyber capabilities, anti-satellite capabilities (ASAT), and hypersonic missiles has blurred the lines between conventional and nuclear strikes. Since India has been heavily developing and deploying SNNWs, their implications for Pakistan’s security and regional strategic stability are profound, as they shorten response time and raise the probability of miscalculations. In this context, the recent escalation-cum-retaliation mini-war has been briefly assessed in this study through the lens of SNNWs. Lastly, this paper attempts to analyse the types of SNNWs, India’s advancements in this domain, and their impact on the existing deterrence framework in South Asia. This paper hypothesises that India’s acquisition of SNNWs can have profound implications for Pakistan’s security and would undermine strategic stability in South Asia. It also provides valuable policy inputs to Pakistani policymakers and stakeholders to sustain a credible deterrence posture amid India’s technological developments.
Chia Swee Hong discusses how care homes can implement activities focusing on smell and taste.
