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OBJECTIVE Route planning is key support, which can be provided by navigation tools for the blind and visually impaired (BVI) persons. No comprehensive analysis has been reported in the literature on this topic. The main objective of this study is to examine route planning approaches used by indoor navigation tools for BVI persons with respect to the route determination criteria, how user context is integrated, algorithms adopted, and the representation of the environment for route planning. METHODS A systematic review was conducted covering the period 1982-July 2018 and thirteen databases. RESULTS From the 1709 articles that resulted from the initial search, 131 were selected for the study. Route length was the sole factor used to determine the best route in the majority of the studies. Routes with less obstacles, less turns, more landmarks and close to walls were selected by the other studies. User variations were considered in few studies. Unique needs of the BVI persons were addressed by few novel algorithms which had integrated multiple parameters and BVI-friendly route modelling. CONCLUSION Differences between the navigation capabilities of the sighted and the BVI community were not a major concern when deciding the optimum routes in the majority of BVI indoor navigation tools. How to trade-off between factors affecting optimum routes, and how to model suitable routes in complex buildings needs to be studied further, looking from the user perspective.Implications for rehabilitationNavigation differences between sighted and blind and vision-impaired (BVI) communities are not concerned frequently when planning routes in indoor navigation tools of BVI persons.Selecting routes avoiding areas difficult to traverse, close to walls, having landmarks, and less turns are some approaches used to address the unique needs of the BVI community.Assisting for recovery from veering and real-time obstacle detouring are useful features offered by these tools.Identifying and prioritizing different factors contributing to better routes, concerning user variations, and adopting multi-objective route optimization will help to develop improved route planning methodologies for BVI indoor navigation tool.

In this study, two types of modified cassava starch samples (MCS and MWS) prepared from commercially available native cassava starch (NCS) and native cassava starch extracted using the wet method (NWS) were investigated for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. MCS and MWS samples were synthesized under acidic conditions using Pluronic 123 as the structure-directing agent and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the chemical modifying agent. Modified starch samples were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and a nitrogen (N2) gas adsorption–desorption analyser. MCS and MWS showed enhanced thermal stabilities upon acid hydrolysis and chemical modification. The effects of contact time and initial Pb(II) concentration were studied through batch adsorption experiments. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption data were analysed and compared by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. The coefficient correlation (R2) was employed as a measure of the fit. The Langmuir model fitted well with equilibrium adsorption data, giving a maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity of 370.37 and 294.12 mg/g for MWS and MCS, respectively. Modified samples exhibited a higher desorption efficiency of over 97%. This study demonstrated that modified starch could be utilized for Pb(II) removal from industrial wastewater.

In this study a landmarks based navigation model considering local context is designed and a prototype is implemented. A route planning model where both the distance of a route and the strength of landmarks along the route are considered when deciding the optimum route to follow is developed. The Dijkstra algorithm is used as the basis and if the route is having more strength related to landmarks, it is prioritize while comparing with the distance. The route’s strength is defined based on number of landmarks visible along it and their salience. The horizontal spread, the height and the visibility of landmarks at different time of the day and the social/cultural significance are considered as attributes which give strength to a landmark. To utilize the mobile screen in effective manner, a map generalization is used to show the optimum path. With landmarks the map becomes congested and difficult to read on mobile screen. Therefore the path is reduced to a linear map which shows the path reducing curves while emphasizing the turns. Douglas–Peucker algorithm is used to derive the linear path. The linear map, which is a schematic representation of the actual map, reduces the path between junctions to straight lines and thereby uses less screen area. The implementation is done using mobile web approach and web services to reduce the platform dependency. OpenStreetMap is used as the main data source with sample local landmarks. All technologies used are free and open source. The application is still being verified and tested in Sri Lanka.

Application of social influence toward E-commerce has brought a significant benefit for the stakeholders. Consequently, it has enhanced the consumer satisfaction as well as spread of experiences. However, even with the collaboration of social influence there are some visible short comings potentially appearing in such systems. In fact, the contribution of social influence is still in an evolving state. The reliability of products is such recognized key issue that still appears in exiting social E-commerce systems. In this context we introduce a social influence model combined with a built in social network which further improves the customer reliability and satisfaction on available products. Thus, it can propagate reliable knowledge among community and optimize product recommendation process. The implemented model considers the personal preferences of respective consumers, their social influences in social network and external social influences to the system for the execution. Furthermore, it operates as a multi-agent system. The model has been validated by two sample data sets of consumers and products. As the results, majority have picked products suggested by combining external influences, internal social influences, and personal preferences. Therefore it has concluded that recommendation of products considering above three combinations is more effective.

Way finding abilities of vision impaired (VI) people cannot be expected to be as same as that of people who use the vision as the primary sense so the route determination methods in travel aids for VI people needs to adopted accordingly. This study proposes an indoor route determination model which considers the built environment and user context as the priority factors instead of the distance. It will identify how the elements of a built environment affect the determination of a suitable path which maximizes safety and convenience in an unfamiliar environment and how this path does varies with the individual characteristics of VI people.

Flood is a major natural hazard occur recurrently in Sri Lanka. Allocating victims to camps and provide medical facilities are two main activities at the immediate response phase of a flood and use of manual methods delayed this process. This project developed a geo-enabled application to support immediate response planning, mainly focusing on allocation victims to IDP camps, provide medical facilities, and supporting access avoiding already blocked roads based on administrative divisions of the affected area. Capacities and facilities in camps and hospitals are matched against the needs of the victims. It identifies the blocked roads, alternative routes to reach resource centers, camps and hospitals and provide navigation guidance. The tool can be used after a flood disaster, assuming basic demographic data and the current flood affected area data are available. The tool is developed as a plug-in for QGIS, a free and open source desktop Geographic Information System software. The tool is verified with sample data related to "Kaluthara" area. It is intended to integrate with InaSAFE disaster response support tool at a later stage.

A framework to support creation of location based services (LBS) applications using map services is designed and implemented. It provides a means to develop interoperable LBS applications which are independent of service provider, device or data providers. Application developers can use the framework to utilize multiple map servers following Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS) standards in creating the LBS applications. Mobile phone users can access the applications created by the framework through mobile Internet. A cascading map server and a application database is used at the application server. The LBS applications developed by the framework can provide directory assistance services on wide spectrum of mobile phones ranging from mid-range to smart phones. Thus many LBSs which have hitherto been denied to mid-range phones are made possible, exploiting their available resources. The results of a sample implementation of the framework, issues and suggestions for improvement of the design are also presented.

Managing data related to Tsunami damage, and providing sufficient detailed information to interested parties in the reconstruction and recovery process is a challenge faced by the National Data Center, Sri Lanka. The paper proposes a Web-based GIS system to assist the post - Tsunami recovery process. The data components needed to provide timely information for decision makers were identified from the ambiguous subject domain of the massive-scaled disaster. It facilitates the user to access interactive maps and query information through the maps via a standard Web browser. All tools used are free and open source software which makes the system affordable to a developing country such as Sri Lanka. The Hambantota district was selected for a pilot-scale implementation of the proposed system.

Electronic patient records improve the quality of patient care in psychiatry units. Many patients with long term illnesses have multiple patient encounters with psychiatric services. Although manual data gathering is available at present, data retrieval is time consuming as files have to be manually searched. Storage of past data is hampered by lack of space. We describe the first electronic patient record system developed for use in a psychiatry unit in Sri Lanka. The system facilitates an electronic storage of data and easy retrieval of information. The system identifies a patient by a unique number and allows different episodes of in-patient and out-patient care to be linked together. The systems' value is enhanced by the generation of reports to assist and improve health administration. Clinical care is enhanced by the ability to view the longitudinal history of a patient. Discharge reports, reports of out-patient attendance and reports of analysis of data are generated by the system. The follow up report identifies outpatients who default treatment enabling community follow up. This would help improve compliance and reduce relapses. This is not currently done as it is not feasible to identify all those who default using a manual record keeping system. Analysis of patients based on different criteria such as diagnosis and treatment will assist in identifying trends and provide a database for research. The system was developed using MySQL database and is hosted on Apache server. As this uses only open source software this can be deployed in both Linux and Windows environment allowing easy and low cost deployment. The system is web based and can be connected to a network expanding the access capabilities. Key Words: Psychiatry; web based system; open source; report generation; electronic patient records; Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Bio-Medical Informatics 2010;1(4):214-22 DOI: 10.4038/sljbmi.v1i4.2250