International Symposium on ICT for Environmental Sustainability (ICTES 2014)
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Item Novel Approach for Analyzing Brahmi Scripts(Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014-06) Bandara, D.; Warnajith, N.; Minato, A.; Ozawa, S.Writing is one of the most important inventions of humankind. There are few main languages in the ancient world. Among these ancient languages Sanskrit was used in the Indo region. Brahmi script is one of the most important ancient letters in South Asia. It became the matrix of Debanagari character used for Sanskrit and Hindi. The people of Sri Lanka are fortunate that some of the writing of their ancestors is preserved on various inscriptions found throughout the country. These inscriptions have been discovered under the drip ledges of caves, rocks, pillars and slabs. Inscribed gold, silver and copper plates have been discovered as well. On the decipherment of these inscriptions, historical, linguistic and paleographical conclusions could be arrived at. The source data of this study is already published as gray scale images of early Brahmi script. These images are taken from the paper copies of inscriptions called as estampages (rubbed copy). Up to the present, reading and analyzing these inscriptions are done manually. The aim of this study was to develop algorithms based on image data of these estampages and implement a digital data repository. The process of this study can be divided into several stages as follows: (1). Producing precise alphabet fonts of early Brahmi scripts from photographic data, (2). Development of a precise method of identification of ancient letters with the aid of the alphabet fonts, which leads to automatic reading of ancient inscriptions by computers, (3). Database implementation for the analysis, (4). Development of web based interface for scholars over KISSEL network to share the knowledge and experience among the KISSEL users.Item Use of Kissel Server as a Platform for the Expansion of Research on the Water Quality of Asian Water Bodies(Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014-06) Dahanayaka, D.D.G.L.; Tonooka, H.; Wijeyaratne, M.J.S.; Minato, A.; Ozawa, S.Monitoring of all relevant aspects of water bodies is highly important for their sustainable use. To achieve this all research findings should be easy accessible and presenting those in a user friendly manner will be highly advantageous. Therefore, development of a database on the coastal water bodies of Sri Lanka on KISSEL server system was initiated, for the benefit of all interest groups including the general public. Presently it contains water quality data of lagoons and estuaries for over two decades. This was extended from a local scale to a regional scale. In this extension, algorithm improvement or tuning based on in-situ data sets was carried out for optimization. The aim was to expand the databases on water bodies using satellite analysis within selected Asian countries. It was initiated through KISSEL server system to benefit pollution monitoring and sustainable use of water bodies. Water bodies of Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines were selected considering their economic and ecological importance. In-situ research parallel to satellite overpass were conducted on the following water bodies. Local Universities and/or Research Institutes collaborated with the collection of field data and will involve in future continuous monitoring programs and KISSEL related activities.Item Inexpensive Sensor Network Solution for Environment Monitoring(Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014-06) Warnajith, K.N.S.; Lakesh, S.H.P.K.; Minato, A.; Ozawa, S.Sensor Networks are designed for specific applications which range from small-size healthcare systems to large scale environmental monitoring systems. The design of sustainable sensor networks is a very challenging issue. With the aid of rapid development of the modern technology, commercial equipments for monitoring environment factors have been introduced so frequently. However, the cost of these equipments becomes the main problem when developing a sensor network. Also, energy consumption of these equipment is another problem. In this paper, these factors were considered and a sensor network implementation which uses small low cost Linux board (Raspberry Pi) and low cost sensors was introduced. A small microcontroller was used as the interface between the sensor and the Linux Board and the functionality of this microcontroller was also discussed. This was tested for recording CO2 content, temperature and spectrum data. A practical method for continuous power supply for the developed system was also described and application in large scale environment was also proposed.Item Eutrophication Trends in Bolgoda North Lake, Sri Lanka(Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014-06) Perera, B.D.C.; Wijeyaratne, M.J.S.; Dahanayaka, D.D.G.L.; Tonooka, H.; Minato, A.; Ozawa, S.Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in the Bolgoda North Lake (06.400 – 06. 480 N; 079. 550 -079. 580 E), which is a shallow brackish water body situated in the western coastal region of Sri Lanka, was determined through correlating Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) optical sensor data with in-situ data measured from April 2013 to October 2013 in 05 sampling sites. ASTER band ratio of B1/B2 which gave the highest correlation with in-situ Chl-a data was used to generate 15 m resolution Chl-a distribution maps. Chl-a distribution maps generated using ASTER data indicated that most areas of Bolgoda North Lake were eutrophic. Some regions of the Weras Ganga which flows into the Lake showed very high Chl-a concentrations during April indicating hypereutrophic conditions while in June, September and October these areas indicated eutrophic conditions. Observations on land use pattern revealed that industrial zones border these areas. High Chl-a concentrations were also observed in the areas bordered by the lands with low income houses from which household waste as well as sewage are discharged directly to the lake. Chl-a distribution maps developed for 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011 revealed that eutrophication of the Bolgoda North Lake has gradually increased in the recent past. This may possibly be due to the increase in the industrial effluents as a result of industrial development in the area and also due to increased population of low income groups that live in some areas bordering the lake.Item ICT for Sustainable Growth in the World(Department of Zoology, University of Kelaniya, Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2014-06) Dassanayake, G.; Warnajith, N.; Minato, A.; Itaba, M.; Ozawa, S.Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including satellites, mobile phones or the Internet, play a key role in addressing the major challenges related with climate change and sustainable development. ICTs can play a significant role to improve the carbon footprint of cities by moving to a more intelligent use of energy. Climate change has risen rapidly up the agenda of international organizations, governments, communities, universities and industry sectors in the past decade, reflecting the growing impact of climatic manifestations at multiple levels with the potential to become a major disruptive factor in the achievement of economic growth and development over the next fifty years, climate change is playing an increasing role in processes of policy design, strategy implementation, livelihood maintenance and business practices around the world. This paper aims to raise awareness of the need to design and implement strategies for the ICT sector to better prepare for, respond and adjust to the impacts of short-term and long-term climatic manifestations. It gives an overview of the importance of adaptation for the ICT sector and of the challenges and opportunities resulting from this adaptation. It also describes the ICT sector's current response to climate change and gives a list of suggested adaptation actions. ICTs are fundamental for monitoring climate change, mitigating and adapting to its effects and assisting in the transition towards a green economy. By raising awareness of the role of ICTs, it is promoting transformative solutions that can ensure a sustainable future for all.