Cybercrime poses a growing threat to individuals, businesses, and governments in the digital age. This research aims to conduct a comprehensive study of the legal frameworks developed by international organizations to combat cybercrime, providing a comparative analysis of their approaches and highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, utilizing a doctrinal approach to examine primary and secondary legal sources for data analysis. The results reveal the ongoing efforts of the United Nations and other international bodies to establish a unified approach to combating cybercrime through conventions on Cybercrime. The research emphasizes the importance of harmonizing laws, fostering international cooperation, and adapting to evolving cyber threats while maintaining a balance between security and individual rights. Recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing public-private partnerships, and investing in capacity building and technical assistance for developing countries. The study concludes by highlighting the critical importance of comprehensive and harmonized cybercrime legislation in the global fight against cybercrime and calls for continued efforts to address the challenges posed by this ever-evolving threat.
Soil salinization is a difficult challenge for agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid coastal regions. This study investigates the spatial variability of soil electrical conductivity (EC) and its relationship with key cations and anions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl⁻, CO32⁻, HCO3⁻, SO42⁻) along the southeastern coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran. Using a combination of field-based soil sampling, laboratory analyses, and Landsat 8 spectral data, linear Multiple Linear Regression and Partial Least Squares Regression (MLR, PLSR) and nonlinear Artifician Neural Network and Support Vector Machine (ANN, SVM) modeling approaches were employed to estimate and map soil EC. Results identified Na+ and Cl⁻ as the primary contributors to salinity (r = 0.78 and r = 0.88, respectively), with NaCl salts dominating the region’s soil salinity dynamics. Secondary contributions from Potassium Chloride KCl and Magnesium Chloride MgCl2 were also observed. Coastal landforms such as lagoon relicts and coastal plains exhibited the highest salinity levels, attributed to geomorphic processes and anthropogenic activities. Among the predictive models, the SVM algorithm outperformed others, achieving higher R2 values and lower RMSE (RMSETest = 27.35 and RMSETrain = 24.62, respectively), underscoring its effectiveness in capturing complex soil-environment interactions. This study highlights the utility of digital soil mapping (DSM) for assessing soil salinity and provides actionable insights for sustainable land management, particularly in mitigating salinity and enhancing agricultural practices in vulnerable coastal systems.
The cultivation of red chili in East Java, Indonesia, has significant economic and social impacts, necessitating proactive supply chain measures. This research aimed to identify priority risk agents, develop effective risk mitigation, and enhance supply chain resilience using the SCOR model, House of Risk, Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM), and synthesis analysis. Examining 238 respondents—including farmers, collectors, wholesalers, retailers, home-agroindustries, and experts—the findings highlight farmers’ critical role in supply chain resilience despite risks from crop failures, weather fluctuations, and pest infestations. Simultaneous planting led to market oversupply and price drops, but accurate pricing information facilitated quick market adaptation. Wholesalers influenced pricing dynamics and income levels, impacting farmers directly. To improve resilience, three main strategies were developed through ten key elements: proactive strategies (real-time SCM tracking, Weather Early Warning Systems, risk management team formation, and training), resistance strategies (partnerships, chili stock reserves, storage and drying technologies, GAP implementation, post-harvest management, agricultural insurance, and Fair Profit Sharing Agreements), and recovery and growth strategies (flexible distribution channels and customizable distribution centers). Furthermore, the study delves into the mediating and moderating effects between variables within the model. This research not only addresses a knowledge gap but also provides stakeholders with evidence to consider new strategies to enhance red chili supply resilience.
Open-source software (OSS) has emerged as a transformative tool whose implementation has the potential to modernise many libraries around the world in the digital age. OSS is a type of software which permits its users to inspect, share, modify, and enhance through its freely accessed source code. The accessibility and openness of the source code permits users to manipulate, change, and improve the way in which a piece of software, program, or application works. OSS solutions therefore provide cost-effective alternatives that enable libraries to enhance their technological infrastructure without being constrained by proprietary systems. Hence, many countries have initiated and formulated policies and legislative frameworks to support the implementation and use of OSS library solutions such as DSpace, Alfresco, and Greenstone. The purpose of the study reported on was to investigate the leveraging of OSS to modernise public libraries in South Africa. Content analysis was adopted as the research methodology for this qualitative study, which was based on a literature review integrating insights from the researchers’ experiences with the use of OSS in libraries The findings of the study reveal that the use of OSS has the potential to modernise public libraries, especially those located outside cities or urban areas. These libraries are often less well equipped with the necessary technology infrastructure to meet the demands of the digital age, such as online books and open access materials. The study culminated in an OSS framework that may be implemented to modernise public libraries. This framework may help public libraries to integrate OSS solutions and further allow users access to digital services.
This paper investigates the potential of a concept for the commercial utilization of surplus intermittent wind-generated electricity for municipal district heating based on the development of an electric-driven heat storage. The article is divided into three sections: (1) A review of energy storage systems; (2) Results and calculations after a market analysis based on electricity consumption statistics covering the years 2005–2013; and (3) Technology research and the development of an innovative thermal energy storage (TES) system. The review of energy storage systems introduces the basic principles and state-of-the-art technologies of TES. The market analysis describes the occurrence of excess wind power in Germany, particularly the emergence of failed work and negative electricity rates due to surplus wind power generation. Based on the review, an innovative concept for a prototype of a large-scale underwater sensible heat storage system, which is combined with a latent heat storage system, was developed. The trapezoidal prism-shaped storage system developed possesses a high efficiency factor of 0.98 due to its insulation, large volume, and high rate of energy conversion. Approximate calculations showed that the system would be capable of supplying about 40,000 people with hot water and energy for space heating, which is equivalent to the population of a medium-sized city. Alternatively, around 210,000 inhabitants could be supplied with hot water only. While the consumer´s costs for hot water generation and space heating would be lowered by approximately 20.0–73.4%, the thermal energy storage would generate an estimated annual profit of 3.9 million euros or more (excluding initial costs and maintenance costs).
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