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A comprehensive review on hydrogen production, storage, and applications
No full textThe transformation from combustion-based to renewable energy technologies is of paramount importance due to the rapid depletion of fossil fuels and the dramatic increase in atmospheric CO2 levels resulting from growing global energy demands. To achieve the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, the full implementation of clean and sustainable energy sources is essential. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for zero or low-carbon fuels with high energy density that can produce electricity and heat, power vehicles, and support global trade. This review presents the global motivation to reduce carbon dioxide by utilizing hydrogen technology, which is key to meeting future energy demands. It discusses the basic properties of hydrogen and its application in both prototype and large-scale efficient technologies. Hydrogen is a clean fuel and a versatile energy carrier; when used in fuel cells or combustion devices, the final product is water vapor. Hydrogen gas production methods are reviewed across renewable and non-renewable sources, with reaction processes categorized as green, blue, grey, black, pink, and turquoise, depending on the reaction pathway and CO2 emissions management. This review covers the applications of hydrogen technology in petroleum refining, chemical and metrological production, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), backup power generation, and its use in transportation, space, and aeronautics. It assesses physical and material-based hydrogen storage methods, evaluating their feasibility, performance, and safety, and comparing HFCEVs with battery and gasoline vehicles from environmental and economic perspectives. Finally, the prospects and challenges associated with hydrogen production, handling, storage, transportation, and safety are also discussed
Grievances and discriminations against women under the MMDA: dowry, Kaikuli and Mahr
Get PDFThe Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) has faced criticism for its
perceived inadequacy in safeguarding the property rights of women. Along this
way, the practice of dowry/kaikuli can lead to financial hardships and contravene
Islamic principles. Consequently, there is a growing call for amendments to the
MMDA that promote gender equality and adhere to Islamic values, aimed at
addressing concerns and refining the legal framework governing Muslim marriages
and divorces. This study delves into the challenges experienced by Muslim women
in Sri Lanka, with a specific focus on their financial and property rights concerning
dowry, kaikuli, and mahr during marriages, as well as issues of alimony and
maintenance in divorce proceedings, and the joint-owned matrimonial properties.
The main objective is to investigate the legal frameworks and societal norms
regulating these domains and assess their impact on women's rights within the
ambit of the MMDA. Employing a combination of doctrinal analysis and a
descriptive-analytical approach, this research endeavours to identify potential
avenues for legal and social reform
The appointment of women Quazi in Sri Lankan Muslim minority context: an analysis
Get PDFஇலங்கை முஸ்லிம் தனியார் சட்டச் சீர்திருத்தம் தொடர்பான
வாதப்பிரதிவாதங்கள் தொடர்ந்தும் இடம்பெற்று வருகின்றன. 1951ஆம்
ஆண்டின் முஸ்லிம் விவாக, விவாகரத்துச் சட்ட ஏற்பாடுகளில் சில பால்நிலை
சமத்துவமின்மைக்கு வழிகோலியுள்ளதாக பரவலாக விமர்சிக்கப்படுகிறது.
இவற்றுள் காழி நீதிமன்றங்களின் பெண்கள் நீதிபதிகளாக நியமிக்கப்பட
முடியாத நிலை உள்ளமையும் ஒன்றாகும். அந்தவகையில்; பெண் காழி
நியமனம் தொடர்பான இஸ்லாமிய நோக்கை விளக்கி இலங்கையில் அதன்
நடைமுறைச் சாத்தியத்தைப் பரசிலிப்பதை இவ்வாய்வு தனது முதன்மை
நோக்காகக் கொண்டுள்ளது. இவ்வாய்;வுக்காக இரண்டாம் நிலைத் தரவுகளே
பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளன. தகைமையை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டே காழி
நியமனங்கள் இடம்பெற வேண்டும் எனும் கருத்தையே இஸ்லாமிய
மூலாதாரங்கள் வலியுறுத்துகின்றன. அந்தவகையில் இந்நியமனங்களில்
பால்நிலை வேறுபாடு தொடர்பான திட்டவட்டமான எவ்வித வழிகாட்டல்களையும்
அவை குறிப்பிடவில்லை. ஆகவே, இஸ்லாமிய சட்டத்துறையில் குறிப்பாக
நீதிப்பரிபாலணத்துறையில் ஒப்பீட்டளவில் ஆண்களுக்கு நிகராக அல்லது
அவர்களை விடத் தேர்ச்சி பெற்ற பெண்கள் நேரடியாக காழிகளாக அல்லது
காழியின் ஆலோசகர்களாக நியமிக்கப்படலாம் என்பதையே இவ்வாய்வு தனது
பிரதான கண்டறிதலாகக் பரிந்துரைக்கிறது. பால்நிலை சமத்துவம், முஸ்லிம்
பெண்களின் பல்துறைசார் வகிபாகங்கள், சிறுபான்மைச் சூழலில் இஸ்லாமிய
~ரீஆவின் நடைமுறை மற்றும் சட்டச் சீர்திருத்தங்கள் தொடர்பான
ஆய்வுகளுக்கு இதனை வாசிப்பாகக் கொள்ள முடியும்
Exploration of leaf photosynthetic traits in selected lowland elite rice varieties
Get PDFPhotosynthesis serves as the primary source of dry matter production,
determining biomass and grain yield in rice. The objectives of this research
were to compare leaf photosynthetic traits among six elite rice varieties
released by the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka and to identify the
best-performing variety. A pot experiment was conducted with six rice
varieties grown in soil media, arranged in a completely randomized block
design, and replicated five times in a plant net house facility. The collected
data included chlorophyll content, quantum yield efficiencies, stomatal
conductance, and relative water content in rice leaves. The results revealed
significant variation in chlorophyll content, with the highest value observed
in BW 367 (37.0) and the lowest recorded in BG-310 (29.1) compared to the
control variety AT-362. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of 0.74 were
recorded in BW-360, while the lowest was found in BG-360 (0.67) compared
to the control variety AT-362 (0.73). In the 11th week after planting, stomatal
conductance showed significance, exhibited highest value was observed in
BW-367 (570.38), and the lowest in BG-403 (189.99). Comparing relative
water content among the six varieties revealed significant differences
between treatments (P < 0.05), with the highest value measured in BG-360
(89.66%) and the lowest in BG 379-2 (62.66%). According to these findings,
BG 360 and BW 367 exhibited superior performance compared to the control
variety AT-362 under net house conditions
Green guard: a deep learning-based android application for detecting plant diseases
Get PDFPurpose: This research aims to expedite the diagnosis of plant diseases to avert
agricultural losses. Considering that plant diseases account for up to 40% of global
food crop losses, this study employs advanced deep-learning techniques for rapid and
efficient diagnosis. This proactive strategy enhances agricultural output and
sustainability.
Design/methodology/approach: The study classified leaf images as healthy or
diseased using a CNN. Several pre-processing methods improve model correctness
and durability. Real agricultural photos were added to the training dataset to increase
the data collection. Hyperparameter adjustment and deep learning architecture
evaluation optimized model performance. The model was eventually incorporated into
a simple IoT smartphone app for real-time disease detection and reporting.
Findings: The research created an accurate CNN picture classification model. In
particular, the model obtained up to 95% accuracy on a smaller sample of 300
authentic leaf photos and 92% accuracy on an improved dataset of 2800 images. When
taught with additional data, the deep learning model may reliably identify plant
illnesses, making it a reliable early disease detection tool.
Practical implications: This model may be integrated into an IoT smartphone app to
help farmers and agricultural specialists monitor and manage diseases in real-time.
The method quickly and accurately identifies plant diseases, reducing crop losses,
improving food security, and benefiting farmers, particularly in agriculturally
dependent countries.
Originality value: Deep learning and IoT-based plant disease monitoring
technologies are novel in agricultural technology, and this study advances the field.
This method integrates accurate deep-learning models with real-world crop disease
control applications
The impact of renewable energy on gross domestic product in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: To investigate the influence of renewable energy consumption on Sri
Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2000 to 2023, focusing on whether
renewable energy contributes significantly to economic growth.
Methodology: This study employs time-series econometric analysis. Key methods
include the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test for checking the stationarity of
variables and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression for examining the
relationship between GDP and energy sources (renewable, coal, and oil
consumption). Diagnostic tests, such as residual analysis, heteroskedasticity tests,
serial correlation tests and CUSUM of square are applied to ensure the robustness of
the model.
Findings: The analysis reveals that renewable energy consumption has a positive and
statistically significant impact on Sri Lanka's GDP, indicating its potential as a driver
of economic growth. In contrast, while oil and coal consumption also show positive
associations with GDP, they are less impactful compared to renewables, underlining
the strategic importance of renewable energy.
Implications: The findings suggest that Sri Lanka’s policymakers should prioritize
renewable energy initiatives, which can foster sustainable economic growth while
reducing dependency on oil and coal. Strategic investments in renewable energy
infrastructure can not only boost GDP but also help achieve environmental
sustainability goals.
Theoretical Contributions: This research contributes to the literature by evidencing
the specific impact of renewable energy on GDP within a developing country. It adds
to energy-economics theory by quantifying renewable energy's role in economic
models, emphasizing its unique benefits over non-renewable sources.
Originality: This study is among the few to comprehensively assess the influence of
renewable energy on Sri Lanka’s GDP over an extensive period, distinguishing it
from similar studies by focusing specifically on renewable sources and their
comparative economic impact
Impact of accounting software on business performance of listed companies in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: Adoption of Accounting Software becomes key factor in determining the
survival and success of an organization. The objective of this paper is to investigate
the impact of Accounting Software on Business Performance of Listed Companies in
Sri Lanka
Design/methodology/approach: This study employed a quantitative research
approach, distributing 70 questionnaires and receiving 34 responses. Using a random
probability sampling method, the target population consisted of accountants or users
of accounting software in Sri Lankan listed companies. Data analysis included five
statistical methods: Descriptive Analysis, Normality Analysis, Reliability Analysis,
Exploratory Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression.
Findings: The result indicates the Efficiency has significant impacts on business
performance. Meanwhile, the other four characteristics which are Reliability, User
Friendly, Data Quality and Accuracy are not found to have a significant impact on
business performance. Overall, the results indicate that accounting software has an
impact on business performance.
Practical implications: This study is significant to the firm’s owners and manager in
understanding the importance of using Accounting Information System (AIS) derived
from Accounting Software to achieve the business performance. The findings of this
paper will help the accounting software developers to develop a new software that
fulfill the needs of user’s and also it will benefit the firms that acquire appropriate
accounting software.
Originality value: This study offers original insights into how accounting software
influences business performance in Sri Lanka’s listed companies. The findings
provide valuable insights for business owners and software developers, guiding future
enhancements
GAP analysis between current good manufacturing practices and post-corrective action at a dairy processing plant
Get PDFThe Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in the dairy industry is the
foundation to control the food safety hazards associated with the industry,
which in turn ensure public health. The objective of this study is to determine
whether microbiological risks were present in the factory and products before
the pre-project, analyze GMP gaps using SLS 143 and close those. In the
microbiological risk assessment (Escherichia coli, yeast & molds, coliform,
and total plate count) for swab and product samples, 7 out of 16 test results
were found to be satisfactory and 9 were unsatisfactory in the pre-project. A
GMP checklist based on SLS 143 was then used to conduct an independent
audit, which revealed flaws in primary production (40%), design and
facilities (45%), control of operation (25%), maintenance and sanitation
(44%), personal hygiene (40%), transportation (20%), product information
and consumer awareness (40%), and training (50%) among other areas.
Overall, the audit results revealed that 40% of them did not comply with SLS
143, while 60% of them did. Root cause analysis was conducted for the nonconformances, using the fishbone diagram, brainstorming diagram, 5Y
technique, flow diagram, and mind map. Corrective action was taken for 32%
of the gaps that were discovered. These actions included developing an
appropriate waste management procedure, enforcing personal hygiene
protocol and providing adequate training on food safety practices, etc. The
results of the microbiological tests that were conducted to reevaluate the
microbial hazards were all satisfactory. Moreover, chi-square analysis
verified a significant difference (χ2=12.522, df=1, p<0.001) between the
microbiology results obtained before and after the project. Research
effectively addressed deficiencies discovered in a dairy plant with GMP
implementation and certification. The industry must consistently uphold
GMP standards to ensure dairy product safety and suitability
Exploring the impact of emerging trends in corporate governance and risk management practices and resilience: evidence from listed companies in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between emerging trend in
corporate governance and risk management practices in Sri Lankan companies,
focusing on how governance frameworks influence risk management effectiveness
and overall organizational stability.
Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a quantitative approach. Primary
data is collected through a survey of executive officers and corporate managers from
listed companies, with a non-contrived study setting. As a cross-sectional study, data
is gathered at a single point in time, and quantitative data are used to test the research
hypotheses.
Findings: The study reveals that corporate governance mechanisms significantly
impact risk management practices. Specifically, board attributes demonstrate a
significant and positive association with effective risk management, indicating that
well-structured boards contribute to stronger risk oversight and control. Similarly, the
audit committee's influence on risk management practices is both significant and
positive, highlighting the committee's essential role in enhancing risk governance.
Conversely, the ownership structure shows a negative but insignificant relationship
with risk management practices, suggesting that ownership patterns may not
meaningfully affect risk management effectiveness in this context
Practical implications: Enhancing board structures and fostering effective audit
committees can significantly improve risk management practices among listed
companies in Sri Lanka, promoting financial stability and accountability. Given the
minimal impact of ownership structure, regulatory efforts may be more effective if
focused on strengthening governance frameworks rather than altering ownership
patterns.
Originality value: This study provides unique insights into the distinct roles of board
attributes, audit committees, and ownership structure in shaping risk management
practices within the Sri Lankan corporate landscap
Post-trade liberalization: the role of FDI and tourism in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: This paper has sought to quantify the contribution of foreign direct
investment (FDI) and tourism receipts (TR) to Sri Lanka's gross domestic product
(GDP) and account for their contribution to economic growth after trade
liberalization.
Methodology: The paper uses annual time series data from 1978 to 2023. All the
econometric estimations in this paper are made using EViews 12. Unit root tests are
implied to check the stationarity of variables. Then, a co-integration analysis was tried
to see the long-run relationship among the variables. Granger causality tests were
conducted to observe the direction of causality.
Findings: The empirical estimation results indicate that the estimated TR-FDI and
GDP have a statistically significant and robust long-run relationship. This means that
FDI and tourism are significant contributors to economic growth in Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the Granger causality test supports the bidirectional causality between
variables, clearly showing how the variables have mutually affected and depended on
one another since the trade liberalization.
Implications: This suggests the strategic relevance of FDI and tourism to economic
growth in Sri Lanka. Thus, policymakers must invest more in investment promotion
policies, which may attract more FDI inflows, develop tourism-related infrastructure,
and develop effective marketing strategies to ensure further sustainable economic
development.
Originality: The present study contributes to the literature based on an empirical
analysis, focusing on the impact of FDI and tourism on Sri Lanka's GDP in a post
war context. Such a contribution serves as valuable insights for policy-makers,
researchers, and practitioners who aim to understand the dynamics of economic
growth in developing countries