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How the milk chemical composition and fatty acid profile are influenced by physiological factorsin Najdi dairy sheep
Get PDFSheep milk production is a complex process that is influenced by various factors. This study aims to investigate how the litter size (single vs. twins), birth type (male vs. female), age of the ewes and body weight affect the milk composition and fatty acid profile of milk fat. Milk samples were collected from 119 Najdi ewes that were the subject of this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MASS) was used to quantify the fatty acids (FAs). The results showed that the twins birth type (female/female) has a significant influence (P < 0.05) on the concentration of linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), behenic acid (C22:0) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (SFA), docosahexaenoic acid (C22:4; DHA), and odd-chain fatty acids (OCFA), such as C15:0-antiso and C19:1-cis 10, increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing age and body weight of the ewes, while the ALA and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a positive association between the age and the OCFA, ALA and small-chain fatty acids (C6:0 and C8:0). In addition, the type of birth showed a positive association with the fat, lactose and palmitoleic acid C16:1 cis9. Conversely, there is a negative association between the UFA, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and PUFA. In addition, the body weight (BW) and litter size were negatively associated with the protein, SFA and medium-chain fatty acids (C10:0, C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0). The physiological factors generally suggested that the milk quality and essential FA, such as ALA, were influenced by the type of the lamb’s birth and the age of the ewes
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No full textHerbal soaps are popular products at a
homemade scale worldwide, but innovative and
commercialized local formulations are rare. Sri
Lanka has a rich herbal diversity, and several
plant extracts have been scientifically proven to
show bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial, and antifungal properties. An
instance of this is a herbal soap formulation that
is useful for treating microbiological infections
and regular use. The current study aimed to
develop a novel herbal soap enriched with extracts
of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), citronella oil
(Cymbopogon nardus) and black tea (Camellia
sinensis),
evaluate
the
physico-chemical
properties, and gauging consumer preference for
the finished prototype while advancing the
technology of the current saponification process.
The soap base was produced by saponifying
coconut oil with NaOH at 40°C, subsequently
value added by incorporating 8% aloe vera gel,
4% citronella oil, and 4% black tea extract, and allowed to age for 72 hours at 32°C. The physico
chemical properties were determined as follows:
density was 0.95 mg/ml, NaOH ratio was 4.16,
free alkali content was 0.028% (0.007 mol/dm³),
and Total Fatty Matter (TFM) was 79.6%. These
metrics comply with the SLS 34:2009 standards
and align with previous research findings, thereby
classifying the product as Grade 1. Consumer
assessment considered colour, aroma, texture,
washing quality, and overall acceptability,
revealing a brownish-golden hue, pleasant
fragrance, a soft, consistent texture and gentle
hand impact. Consumer preference was assessed
across diverse socio-economic groups, revealing
a high overall acceptability rating of 8.65 out of
10. The study advances soap technology,
emphasizing compatibility with existing standards
and consumer satisfaction
Corporate governance practice and sustainability reporting disclosure in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of this study is to examine what information is voluntarily disclosed
in sustainability reporting and to what extent corporate governance characteristics
influence the sustainability reporting disclosure of companies listed in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach: This study made use of a mixed research
methodology. The first stage of this study examined the corporate governance practice
and sustainability reporting disclosures of listed companies using qualitative content
analysis. The next stage quantified both the scores of corporate governance practice
and sustainability reporting disclosures. A measuring instrument comprising 26
checklists was used to measure the disclosures.
Findings: The study found that most companies voluntarily disclose information
regarding sustainability, and corporate governance practice, impacts sustainability
reporting disclosure in companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka.
Practical implications: This study will benefit policymakers, organizations, and those
interested in improving disclosures, not only in sustainability reporting but also in
generating reports to inform stakeholders
Originality value: Research on corporate governance practices and sustainability
reporting disclosure in Sri Lanka is highly original and has the potential to make
significant contributions to both academic literature and practical policy. The research
could influence both corporate strategies and regulatory approaches, enhancing
transparency and contributing to long-term sustainable economic development in Sri
Lanka
Novel platinum-free counter-electrode with PEDOT: PSS-treated graphite/activated carbon for efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Get PDFDeveloping an e cient material as a counter electrode (CE) with excellent catalytic activity, intrinsic
stability, and low cost is essential for the commercial application of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Photovoltaic properties DSSCs fabricated with low-cost and platinum-free CEs based on different
mixtures of carbon allotropes graphite (GR), activated carbon (AC) and PEDOT: PSS lms. The DSSCs
assembled with PEDOT: PSS/GR/AC showed an impressive photovoltaic conversion e ciency of 4.60%,
compared to 4.06% for DSSCs with GR/AC CE or 1.66% for PEDOT: PSS alone or 6.56 % for Pt under the
illumination 100 mW cm− 2 (AM 1.5 G) due to the superior electrocatalytic activity and the conductivity of
AC and PEDOT: PSS. The fabricated carbon counter electrodes were extensively characterized by using
scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry
(CV), Tafel measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CV, EIS and Tafel
measurements indicated that the PEDOT: PSS/Graphite/AC composite lm has low charge-transfer
resistance on the electrolyte/CE interface and high catalytic activity for the reduction of triiodide to
iodide than the GR/AC CEs. It is potentially feasible that such a carbon conguration can be used as a
counter electrode, replacing the more expensive Pt in DSSCs
Impact of accounting information systems on financial decision making improvement
Get PDFPurpose: This study investigates the impact of Accounting Information Systems
(AIS) on decision-making and financial processes, with a focus on financial reporting,
budgeting, and internal controls. It aims to evaluate how AIS influences key areas
such as cash flow management, investment decisions, cost control, and risk
management, while addressing implementation challenges like data security, system
integration, and user training.
Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a structured survey
administered to 100 finance and accounting professionals from diverse organizations
that have implemented AIS. Data were collected through a detailed questionnaire and
analyzed using SPSS software. The analysis included descriptive statistics,
correlation analysis, and regression techniques to test the hypothesis of a positive
correlation between AIS adoption and enhanced financial performance.
Findings: The results indicate that AIS significantly improves the reliability,
relevance, and transparency of financial information, contributing to more effective
and timely decision-making. The study also identifies critical success factors, such as
robust training programs for users and ensuring seamless integration of AIS with
other organizational systems.
Practical implications: Organizations adopting AIS are likely to experience better
financial performance, improved operational efficiency, and a competitive advantage
in strategic decision-making. Addressing challenges like data security and user
readiness is crucial for maximizing AIS benefits
Originality value: This research provides empirical evidence of the positive
correlation between AIS adoption and financial performance enhancements in Sri
Lanka's organizational context. It also highlights implementation best practices to
ensure successful AIS adoption and sustained benefit
Optimising multi-document summarisation for efficient digital library document retrieval
Get PDFFinding pertinent material fast is becoming more and more challenging for researchers
and students as a result of the research publications' rapid development into digital
libraries. The problem is exacerbated by subscription-based platforms, which frequently
offer restricted access to entire publications, forcing consumers to make their decisions
only on abstracts. To address these challenges, this study explores multi-document
summarization techniques aimed at improving document retrieval and relevance
assessment. We evaluate Maximal Marginal Relevance (MMR), Centroid, and
PageRank algorithms, assessing their performance on datasets such as Multi-XScience
and a manually curated set using ROUGE metrics. The findings demonstrate that MMR
has the best recall-to-precision ratio, making it an excellent choice for summarizing a
variety of scientific document sets. Centroid is appropriate in situations when speed is
of the essence since, although being marginally less accurate, it drastically cuts down
on processing time. Even if it is less useful in this situation, PageRank nonetheless
offers insightful information for ranking-based strategies. To facilitate more effective
navigation of large datasets and enable users to make well-informed decisions, this
study highlights the significance of incorporating these summarizing techniques into
digital library systems. The findings optimize the trade-off between computing speed
and summary quality, which advances current attempts to improve scientific knowledge
retrieval
Digital money: navigating the landscape of opportunities and challenges
Get PDFThe invention of these cryptocurrencies, along with the related central bank digital currencies (CBDCs),
will change the world's scenario. A comprehensive examination of the history, impact on financial services,
applications, societal implications, and prospects of the digital money ecosystem. This review adopts a
systematic and rigorous approach to synthesizing current knowledge to identify gaps for future research,
drawing from a multidisciplinary collection of scholarly sources that include academic journals, industry
reports, and relevant publications. The impetus to technological advancements and probable changes in the
prospects of increased financial inclusion and economic development, among others, are some of the reasons
behind the promotion of digital money, which the findings suggested. Conversely, it seriously challenges
traditional banking practices, monetary policy implementation, and regulatory frameworks. Use cases span
various applications such as e-commerce, micro-payments, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart contract
applications to decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations. Implications to society with the adoption of digital
money include changing dynamics of consumer behaviour and ethics and issues related to sustainability in
sustainable economic development. These results imply the necessity for policy, business, and stakeholders'
collaboration to traverse a digital money landscape where complexity must be managed to foster innovation
but not risks. With insights from this review, stakeholders will engage in the responsible integration of digital
money with the global financial ecosystem to foster three dimensions: financial inclusion, economic growth,
and social advancement
Social networking usage and conspiracy beliefs among undergraduates in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFConspiracy beliefs, fuelled by misinformation, have become increasingly prominent in
the digital era, particularly through social media platforms. This study investigates the
association between social networking usage and conspiracy beliefs among
undergraduate students in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross
sectional correlational design was used, with data collected from 452 undergraduates
(aged 18 to 26) from various state and private universities in the district. The survey
was conducted between May 2023 and January 2024. Ethical approval was obtained
from the Ethics Review Committee at KIU. Participants completed two self-report
instruments through an online survey platform: The Social Networking Usage
Questionnaire (SNUQ) and the Generic Conspiracist Belief Scale (GCBS). The SNUQ,
specifically developed for this study, assessed the frequency, intensity, and patterns of
social media use, including engagement. Participants rated their responses on a 5-point
Likert scale (1 = Never, 5 = Very Often). Results indicated a mean score of 1.39 for
social networking usage, indicating moderate usage, with males reporting slightly
higher usage than females. The GCBS, a validated scale, measured the degree of belief
in conspiracy theories across domains such as politics, science, health, and paranormal
phenomena, using a similar Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree),
resulting in a mean score of 3.11., reflecting a moderate endorsement. Notable
variations in conspiracy beliefs were identified based on demographic factors, including
age, gender, academic field, and residential area, with younger participants (aged 18 to
23) and those from urban areas exhibiting higher endorsement levels. A correlation
analysis found a significant negative relationship between social networking usage and
conspiracy beliefs (r = -0.457, p < 0.01), indicating that increased social networking
usage was associated with lower endorsement of conspiracy theories. Demographic
factors also showed varying degrees of association with conspiracy beliefs. The findings
underscore the influence of social media on shaping Conspiracy beliefs among
undergraduates, highlighting the necessity of addressing misinformation and promoting
critical thinking among the younger generation in the digital era. Future research is
recommended to explore further the mechanisms underlying this association and to
develop targeted interventions aiming at mitigating the spread of conspiracy theories
through social media
Socio-economic status of small and medium-scale poultry farmers in mutur ds division of Trincomalee
Get PDFPoultry farming is an important source of income for most rural villagers.
However, current farming practices are mostly unregulated in Eastern Sri
Lanka. Before developing and implementing state development programs, a
study of the socio-economic situation of small and medium-sized poultry
producers is necessary. The research was conducted in Mutur DS
Department, Trincomalee District from 08/10/2023 to 12/10/2023. The
poultry producers were selected methodically at random. The main purpose
of poultry farming is to increase the productivity of the chicken industry to
increase family income in rural and peri-urban areas. Backyard farmers in
this area grew food primarily for their families and for economic reasons.
The 55 farmers were interviewed using a systematic questionnaire. The
study's data were coded, entered into a computer, and statistically analyzed
using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS), version 25. The
independent variable in the study is monthly income while the dependent
variables are education, age, occupation, experience, etc. Household size,
costs and scale of farming. There is a significant difference (p = 0.037)
between the monthly income and cost of poultry farming and the level of
management, with most of them being Muslims and a larger proportion up
to O/L. In addition, most farms are medium-sized farms with evenly
distributed poultry farming. 25% of farms were run by men while 75% of
farms were run by women and since then women in this region have become
interested in poultry farming. The results of this study can be a baseline for
future development plans
Wildlife and environmental monitoring in paddy fields using IOT & machine learning
Get PDFAccurate environmental monitoring is essential for optimizing crop management in
precision agriculture, particularly in sensitive areas such as paddy fields. This thesis
introduces an IoT-based Wild Animal Monitoring System, specifically designed for
paddy fields. The system integrates multiple sensors, including a microphone, DHT11
temperature/humidity sensor, motion sensor, and a buzzer for real-time alerts. These
components provide insights into environmental conditions and potential wildlife
threats to crops. By analyzing sensor data, the system detects wildlife movement,
allowing for timely interventions that protect crops and boost agricultural productivity.
The system’s combination of motion sensors, microphones, and temperature/humidity
sensors offers a comprehensive approach to wildlife detection and management in
paddy fields. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the system in detecting wildlife
presence and enhancing crop protection efforts. The machine learning models employed
for processing the audio signals include Support Vector Machines (SVM), which
achieved 80% accuracy, and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), which attained 79%
accuracy. While SVM demonstrated a slight advantage in accuracy, KNN remains an
effective alternative due to its simplicity and efficiency in specific scenarios. Real
world testing validates the system’s practicality, providing continuous monitoring and
real-time alerts to help farmers respond quickly to wildlife threats in paddy fields.
Despite its effectiveness, the system faces challenges, including false positives,
environmental noise interference, and dependence on stable power and communication
infrastructure. Future research will focus on expanding the system’s capabilities to
detect a wider range of wildlife, improving machine learning models, and incorporating
advanced noise-filtering techniques and additional sensors. Integrating renewable
energy sources and developing resilient communication methods will enhance
reliability in diverse agricultural environments. This system represents significant
progress toward sustainable crop management and wildlife conservation in precision
agriculture