6507 research outputs found
Sort by
Thermal performance comparison between bias acoustic liner and acoustic liner for aircraft anti-icing
No full textAcoustic liner is essential to reduce noise pollution in the aircraft engine. There
is a suggestion to reduce more noise by installing the acoustic liner on the nacelle lip-skin.
However, there are thermal issues including a low temperature of the acoustic liner surface and
its poor heat transfer mechanism increase of ice thickness on the nacelle surface. This phenomenon leads to the higher engine power to increase the acoustic liner surface tempera-ture.
Thus, aircraft manufacturers proposed to install the bias acoustic liner instead of the acoustic
liner on the nacelle lip-skin integrated with an anti-icing system to improve the thermal characteristics of the acoustic liner. Therefore, the present work studies the thermal performance
comparison between bias acoustic liner and acoustic liner on the nacelle lip-skin integrated with
an aircraft anti-icing system. The simulation study is conducted using the CFD ANSYS Fluent
in four different real flight conditions including taxi, climb, hold, and descent. The numbers of
both acoustic liners and bias acoustic liners are varied from 1 to 6. The results show that the
local dimensionless temperature of nacelle lip-skin with the bias acoustic liner at wrap locations
is between 39 % and 100 % higher than that of the nacelle lip-skin with the acoustic liner alone.
Further, the average dimensionless temperature of the nacelle lip-skin called the ratio between
the average temperature of the nacelle lip skin with respect to ambient and the temperature of
the hot air with respect to ambient are analyzed. The maximum average dimensionless temperature of nacelle lip-skin increases to 31.36 %, 26.35 %, 30.43 %, and 13.8 % for the climb,
descent, hold, and taxi conditions, respectively, when considering bias acoustic liner instead of
acoustic liner. The hold condition shows the highest average Nusselt number with the increasing number of bias acoustic liners, followed by descent, taxi, and climb conditions. In conclusion, the bias acoustic liner enhances the thermal performance of the nacelle lip-skin anti-icing
system
Ergonomics for sustainable agriculture and food security
No full textAgricultural development is essential to minimize poverty, enhance broader prosperity, and supply food to an increased population in the future. Labor-intensive agriculture is common in low and middle-income countries. Small and medium-scale farm operations are predominant in those countries and the diffusion of technologies is slower when compared to countries with higher income levels. Farmworks usually involve a higher level of physical activities and manual labor, which push farmworkers to a posture with a high risk of causing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The workforce is the most valuable asset of any production operation. Therefore, serious attention should be given to working conditions for improving productivity and output quality. The MSDs can cause severe long-term negative consequences such as reduced workers’ productivity, a decline in farm income, other health problems such as depression or stress, and poor quality of life. Such negative consequences lead to less productive farming activities, impacting food security. Several ergonomic interventions in the agriculture and livestock production sector indicate improvements in productivity and performance by sustaining workers’ health. Ergonomic interventions create a common environment wherein farmers and their employers collaborate; this would benefit employees from enhanced safety, health, comfort, improved user-friendliness of tools, equipment, and software, and improved quality of work life, whereas employers can benefit from reduced costs and improved productivity. Sustainable agriculture requires a healthy workforce with sustainable human well-being, which is a vital part of a profitable and sustainable agricultural industry. The sustainability of farm workers’ well-being requires significant input from ergonomics. Plenty of research is conducted on agriculture ergonomics to address the health, well-being, and effectiveness of farm workers. However, more research on the micro-ergonomics level may be needed when considering the workforce’s contribution to agriculture and agriculture’s contribution to the country’s economy and food security
A low-cost, activated carbon-coated, stainless-steel counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells
Get PDFA low-cost, activated carbon (AC) and sugar-coated
stainless-steel counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells
was successfully fabricated and characterized. For performance
comparison, a similar electrode was fabricated using a FTO glass
as the substrate. The photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized
solar cells made with these two counter electrodes were compared
with solar cells made with a Pt counter electrode. The optimized,
activated carbon-coated, stainless-steel-based dye-sensitized
solar cells showed an energy conversion efficiency of 8.21%
while similarly optimized solar cells made with activated carbon
coated FTO counter electrode showed an efficiency of 7.50%.
The efficiency of corresponding solar cells made with Pt counter
electrode was 9.22%. The high solar cell efficiency of 89% of
that of Pt based cells can be attributed to the high electro-catalytic
activity and enhanced effective surface area of activated carbon/
sugar composite and good electrical conductivity of stainless steel
as demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,
cyclic voltammetry, Tafel plot analysis and SEM imaging
Non-toxic Bi2S3 quantum dot-sensitized TiO2 electrodes for cost-efficient solar power conversion
Get PDFInorganic light harvesting materials are revolutionizing the current research scope of Quantum
dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) day by day. However, it is challenging due to the issues in
toxicity and stability of existing light-harvesting materials. Herein, we present highly stable non
toxic bismuth trisulfide (Bi2S3) QDSSCs with iodide/triiodide redox couple electrolyte. The solar
cell is configured as FTO/TiO2 P90/TiO2 P25/Bi2S3/(I-/I-3) electrolyte/Pt. Bi2S3 Quantum Dots
(QDs) were fabricated onto the FTO/TiO2 P90/TiO2 P25 electrode at room temperature using the
Dip-Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption Reaction (Dip-SILAR) which is an easy and efficient
technique. Electron microscopic studies confirmed the homogeneous formation of the quantum
dots on the photoanode which have a range of sizes between 50 nm and 80 nm. QDSSCs with an
active cell area of 0.16 cm2 were characterized under an illumination of 100 mW cm-2 with 1.5
AM spectral filter and the results depicted that the best cell was able to achieve a power
conversion efficiency of 0.26% with an open circuit voltage of 482.9 mV and short circuit
current density of 1.05 mA cm-2. In order to enhance the stability of the solar cells,
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) based gel polymer electrolyte has been used. The high cost of
conventional light harvesting materials may be considerably reduced by one-step fabrication of
Bi2S3 using the SILAR technique
Households’ perception of the Aswesuma cash transfer program: a study based on Ankumbura area, Poojapittiya Divisional Secretariat
Get PDFPurpose: Many low- and middle-income countries implement a poverty alleviation
programme to eradicate poverty and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
by 2030. cash transfer program, considered safety nets for the low-income population.
The Aswesuma cash transfer initiative, launched as a social protection mechanism,
aims to alleviate poverty and improve living standards through direct cash transfers
to low income families. This study mainly aims to assess households’ perception of
the Aswesuma cash transfer program in the Ankumbura area, Poojapitiya Divisional
Secretariat.
Design/methodology/approach: This study selected 100 samples from the
Aswesuma beneficiaries of Ankumbura area using a simple random sampling
method. The primary data were collected through a questionnaire and interview
period from July 2023 to July 2024. This study applied the arithmetic mean method
Likert scale (5) such as 5-strogly agree, 4-agree, 3-nututal, 2-disagree and 1-strogly
disagree to identify awareness among Aswesuma recipients, used factors such as rural
development, Community development, financial stability, Health condition,
Samurdhi beneficiary, school attendance of children, Investment in livelihood
activities and data is collected through Likert scale data collection and descriptive
method to analyze trends for utilization of amount of Aswesuma, investment in
livelihood activities, changes in living standard of family of Aswesuma recipients,
education expenditure, health expenditure, housing improvements, Samurdhi
beneficiary analyzed mixed methods with SPSS – 23 and Excel tools
Findings: This study found that most of the Aswesuma recipients utilized the cash
for more consumption, less investment in livelihood (91%) and poor financial
security, not that much change in education and health expenditure, poor housing
condition. More than half of the Samurdhi beneficiary received the Aswesuma Cash
transfer. Likert scale of Arithmetic means, more than 50 % of the Recipients revealed, that
they disagree with livelihood activities, rural infrastructure development, community
development and not enough cash transfer amount for households’ investment in
livelihood and activities of saving group of Samurdhi
Practical implications: In this study suggest that the increasing the cash transfer
amount for Aswesuma recipients and encourage to invest in income generating
sources. This Aswesuma program did not have any infrastructure development
phenomena. Policymakers can consider poor people to implementing a conditional
cash transfer system rather the unconditional Aswesuma cash transfer for human
development index (HDI), and also beneficiaries should be regular monitoring and
evaluation to measure the success of the poverty alleviation program.
Originality value: This study contributes to monitoring and evaluating of newly
implementing Aswesuma cash transfer for each type of category for poor people in
the particular time period
Work-life balance and organizational citizenship behavior: a special reference of the state banking staff in the Ampara district, Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: Work-life balance has emerged as one of the key concepts in human
resource management, and employees at all levels of employment place a high
importance on it. Consequently, this study explores how work-life balance impacts
organizational citizenship behavior.
Design/methodology/approach: The research included 130 state banking staff in
Ampara district as the sample and a random sampling method was used for data
collection. A standard questionnaire was used to collect the data from these banking
staff.
Findings: The study findings showed that work-life balance had a strong positive
correlation (r = 0.754) with organizational citizen behavior. The research findings
provide a thoughtful understanding of the significance of work-life balance and
organizational citizenship behavior. As a result, the proper balance between personal
and professional life will lead to organizational citizenship behavior among
employees.
Practical implications: Nevertheless, future researchers can reinvent this study with
a greater sample size, and other private and state banks. In addition, the study's
recommendations could help to strengthen the work-life balance among state bank
employees in Sri Lanka.
Originality value: This study provides value for the existing body of knowledge on
work-life balance and organizational citizenship behavior of this sample area and the
understanding of the importance of Work-life balance for banking staff to increase
their organizational citizenship behavior to increase the performance and productivity
of the banks
Study of financial literacy on sustainable business performance of SMEs in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose – the main objective of this study is to investigate a significantly the
empirical impact of the financial literacy on the sustainable business performance.
This paper also aims to theoretically and empirically assess a comprehensive FL and
sustainable business performance. the model incorporates FL that considered as
exogenous variables consist of Financial Knowledge, Financial Skills, Financial
Attitude and Financial Behavior and endogenous variable is Sustainable Business
Performance.
Design /Methodology- A structured questionnaire was issued to collect the data which
was collected from 459 owner managers from eastern province, Sri Lanka were
analyzed using a structural equation modeling. The owner managers provide data
reflecting the degree to which they work with FL to impact sustainable business
performance.
Finding – generally the all four variables: Financial Knowledge, Financial Skills,
Financial Attitude and Financial Behavior were statistically supported with the
Sustainable Business Performance in Sri Lankan context.
Implication – The owner-managers are provided with an approach to assess the
combined effects of FL on Sustainable Business Performance. Financial Knowledge
and Attitudes are identified as necessary foundation to reach Sustainable Business
Performance.
Originality / value – a comprehensive FL model proposed and empirically assessed.
the result of the study supports the proposition that FL practices are good business
practice to improve Sustainable Business Performanc
Amendments made in the Muslim marriage and divorce act and the use age of word "sect" in the relevant act
Get PDFIt is widely acknowledged that Sri Lankan Muslims have historically enjoyed
certain privileges within the legal framework of Sri Lanka. While the early
Sinhalese rulers permitted the observance of local Muslim religious laws and
customs, they were not formally codified. However, during the Dutch colonial
period, Governor Iman Willem Falck, in collaboration with representatives of the
Muslim community in Colombo, introduced a distinctive legal code known as the
"Shonaher Laws related to Moors and other Muslims." This code was based on the
principles of the "Islamic Shari’ah" madhab, which was prevalent in Batavia
(modern-day city of Jakarta, Indonesia). Subsequently, in 1806, the British
Governor translated this code into English and compiled it as the 'Muhammadan
Code', which eventually became law. The enactment of the Muslim Marriage and
Divorce Act No. 13 of 1951 marked a significant development in this legal
trajectory. While Islamic jurisprudence recognizes 'shari’ah' as the substantive law
for Muslims, it is notable that the provisions of the Act mentioned above, which
governs Muslim affairs in Sri Lanka, diverge from various 'Shari’ah' legal
principles in several respects. Several noteworthy observations emerge concerning
the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act. Firstly, it is pertinent to acknowledge that
the majority of Muslims residing in Sri Lanka adhere to the 'Shafi'i' Mazhab, or
School of Thought, within Islamic jurisprudence. This adherence shapes their legal
interpretation and application within the Sri Lankan context
The cross-border impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on interconnectedness among financial markets, oil and cryptocurrencies in asia pacific
Get PDFPurpose: This study examines how the Russia-Ukraine war impacted the
interconnectedness of stock markets, cryptocurrencies, and oil return volatility among
Asia Pacific economies including Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South
Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Design/methodology/approach: Daily market price data from January 1, 2011, to
December 31, 2023, will be analyzed. The sample is divided into pre-pandemic
(2011-2019), COVID-19 (2020-2021), and Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022-2023)
periods. The methodology employs Diebold and Yilmaz's (2012) connectedness
approach of Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregression (TVP-VAR), refined by
Antonakakis et al. (2020) for dynamic estimation of evolving interdependencies.
Findings: The study demonstrated increased volatility spillovers between developed
and emerging markets, growing integration of cryptocurrencies with traditional
assets, and amplified impact of oil price fluctuations. The research revealed dynamic,
time-varying relationships among markets, highlighting the complex nature of cross
border financial interactions in the region.
Practical implications: The findings can help with regulation by developing
strategies to manage volatility transmission and risk across borders during political
crises in Asia-Pacific.
Originality value: This research will make an important contribution by examining
how different financial assets are impacted by geopolitical instability, especially in
the Asia-Pacific region. It brings together the effects on stocks, cryptocurrency, and
energy futures to fill an important gap in the literature. This gives a full picture of
how political tensions affect many financial areas in this region
Assessing factors affecting chick quality in broiler parent stock farms in the western province of Sri Lanka: a comparison parameter between nest eggs and floor eggs
Get PDFPoultry, as one of the most significant livestock subsectors, provides
affordable, high-quality animal protein in the form of eggs and meat. This
study aimed to investigate the differences in hatchability, fertility, and chick
quality between nest eggs and floor eggs in the Ross 308 broiler breed at
Marist Brothers Poultry broiler farm. The experiment, conducted at a
hatchery, employed a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). A total of 640
eggs and each group consisted of 320 nest eggs and 320 floor eggs from Ross
308 male x Ross 308 female breeders (39 weeks of age) were collected for
the experiment. Criteria for assessing egg quality included measuring the
shape index and initial egg weight. Chick quality parameters were evaluated
using the Pasgar score method. Data analysis was performed using the
independent sample t test. The results revealed significant differences
(p<0.05) in hatchability, fertility, and initial weight between the two types of
eggs. Nest eggs exhibited higher fertility (89%), hatchability (86%), and
chick quality than floor eggs. However, no significant differences (p>0.05)
were observed in the egg shape index and Pasgar score between the two egg
types. Additionally, specific Pasgar score components, including reflex, leg,
and beak, showed no significant differences (p>0.05) and the navel and belly
were significantly different between nest eggs and floor eggs. In conclusion,
nest eggs exhibit higher hatchability, fertility, and chick quality rates
compared to floor eggs. The aforementioned numerical statistics were
identified as the most successful output of the research