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Adapting of information on rubber farming by rubber smallholders: a case study in Moneragala district
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to assess the
utilization of information on rubber farming by
Rubber Smallholders (RSs) and the sample was
389 RSs using stratified random sampling
technique. The level of Utilization of Information
on Rubber Farming (UIRF) was measured by
developed score. The Logistic regression of
analysis was employed in understanding the
relationship between UIRF scores and socioeconomic variables of RSs by the STATA version
19. The most prominent sources of information on
rubber farming were rubber smallholders (71%),
rubber extension officials (11%), social media
(5%) and extension programmes (4%), while
radio (0.5%) and television (0.5%) were the
lowest used sources. Most of the RSs had a low
utilization category (54%), while 13 % had a high
utilization category. The mean UIRF score was 38
% (ranged from 05 % to 71%). The most preferred
information sources by RSs were extension
programmes (90%), RSs (85%), rubber traders
(85%) and social media (70%). The most needed
information by RSs is on rubber market prices
(100%), followed by fertilizer application (92%),
tapping (90 %), management of Tapping Panel
Dryness (90%), disease management (85%) and
sheet rubber making (80%). The perceived issues
of accessing information by RSs highlighted that
inadequate extension personnel (92 %), gets
unreliable information (79 %), poor mechanism of
distribution of Rubber Puwath (79 %) and lack of
social media interventions (88%). RSs’ age, level
of education, rubber land extent, membership of
the Thurusaviya rubber society and full-time
farmer were significantly and positively
correlated to UIRF. Both approaches of ICT
based cyber extension and establishing para
extension service are proposed strategies to
improving the information accessibility of
smallholder rubber sector
Comparative assessment of the efficiency and accuracy of the kirkwood-buff force field in protein molecular dynamics simulations: an in-silico investigation
Get PDFThis research compares the accuracy and efficiency of the Kirkwood-Buff force field
(KBFF), a less common force field in applications, with the widely used CHARMM36
force field. The study focuses on the stability variations of human uracil DNA
glycosylase (hUNG) enzyme in its wild form and when complexed with toxic metal
ions Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II). Four systems were considered, including the free
enzyme and the enzyme complexed with each mentioned toxic ion. Utilizing the
CavityPlus server, the binding pockets for the metal ions were identified, and molecular
dynamics simulations were conducted for 100 ns with repetition using both KBFF and
CHARMM36 force fields. The enzyme stability in each system was analyzed using root
mean square deviation and radius of gyration methods. Results revealed that
irrespective of the force field, Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions consistently stabilized the
hUNG enzyme compared to the free enzyme. These findings highlight the efficiency of
both force fields in capturing the stabilizing interactions between toxic metal ions and
the enzyme, showcasing the reliability of KBFF in biomolecular simulations.
Consequently, this study suggests that KBFF can be considered an efficient and
accurate force field for investigating the dynamics of biomolecular systems
Brand image and smartphone purchase intention in Malaysia: the mediating role of perceived value and perceived quality
Get PDFPurpose: The primary goal of this study is to determine the relationships between
brand image, perceived value, and perceived quality purchase intention about
smartphones. It also investigates how perceived value and perceived quality
affect the brand image in a model of smartphone purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach: A structural equation model was built and
evaluated on 204 respondents from Kuala Lumpur using a self-administrated
questionnaire, applying the theory of stimulus organism and response.
Findings: The results imply that perceived quality is not a mediator in the
association between brand image and smartphone purchase intention. Purchase
intention is significantly influenced by brand image and perceived value, whereas
perceived value acts as a mediator in the interaction between brand image and
purchase intention. The results also indicate that there is little influence of
perceived quality on the intention to buy.
Practical implications: Smartphone firms should develop a stronger brand
image to increase consumer perceived value. Brand image and perceived value
consequently boost smartphone purchase intention.
Research limitations: This study applied a cross-sectional study; a mixed
method would provide more evidence and impact of all these variables on
smartphone purchases decision.
Originality value: This study contributes to the literature by revealing the
relationship between brand image, perceived value, perceived quality, and
purchase intention integrated into one model
Application of garch models to estimate and predict financial volatility of daily stock returns in yahoo finance
Get PDFInvestors and policymakers need to be aware of fluctuations in stock
returns to manage portfolio adjustments and risk management decisions. Therefore, it
is crucial to capture volatility, which is a measure of how strongly the price of a security
clusters around the mean. The study used information from Yahoo Finance, a leading
website of financial data and had applied the proposed methodology to one stock from
each of the eleven industries in which they had separately represented the data. This
project offers an approach to determine the best forecasting GARCH model among
GARCH, EGARCH and GJR-GARCH that may be used to predict financial volatility of
stocks. The study also used the Generalized Error Distribution, Students t Distribution,
and Skewed Student t Distribution as error distributions in addition to the normal
distribution. The identified models and error distributions that provided the significant
parameters, were further forecasted using rolling window forecast and by relying on
Root Mean Square error the best model had been selected
Fictive kinship and the survival of a new way of life among Sinhalese IDPs in Sri Lanka (a social anthropological study of displaced people due to civil war in Sri Lanka)
Get PDFSri Lanka's 26-year-long protracted civil war triggered a variety
of social and economic issues in the Sri Lankan context. As a consequence,
people who were residing in the North and Eastern provinces were largely
displaced and it directly resulted in a huge amount of internal and external
migrations. However, displacement has changed relationship patterns among
Sinhala communities as well as some relationships, such as fictive kinship,
have an effect on how Sinhala people survive new lifestyles. This study is
concerned with the post-war survival of the new way of life for the war-affected
Sinhalese IDPs and how fictional relationships have affected that. The
objectives of this study were to identify reasons which Sinhalese IDPs tend
toward fictive kinship, to explore the impact of fictive kinship on the survival of
a new lifestyle for Sinhalese IDPs, and to identify trends related to the fictive
kinship of Sinhalese IDPs. The research method was the case study and data
was obtained through in-depth interviews. The research area was
Galkandegama village at Rambawa Divisional Secretariat in Anuradhapura
district in Sri Lanka and the research sample was purposely selected by pre-observations among displaced families. The findings show that the reduction
of blood relationships, although there are blood relatives, they were unable to
assist them due to various financial difficulties are the primary factors
influencing Sinhala people to trend toward fictive kinship. Therefore, fictive
kinship has positive effects on Sinhala people who were resettled. Fictive
kinship had positive effects on the resettled Sinhala community in that it helped
them meet their basic needs and obtain new homes and permanent
residences and to have psychological support in adoption to the new lifestyle
as well. The new trend of this is the expansion of these fictive relationships
among resettled people into blood relationships through marriage
Technology acceptance model in Mobile Banking - review
Get PDFPurpose: Mobile phones and the Internet are two technological breakthroughs
that have had a considerable impact on the industry in recent decades. With the
increasing rise of mobile phones, mobile services have emerged as a possible
alternative for several industries, including banking. The growing need for self-service, product, and service personalization has spurred the expansion of the
mobile banking industry. Technological improvements have resulted in a variety
of valuable mobile banking features, including real-time customer service,
adaptable interfaces, and prompt transactions. Bank customers can now make
banking transactions from anywhere in the world in fractions of seconds. The
purpose of this literature review is to emphasize the importance of the Technology
Acceptance Model (TAM) in mobile banking.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used several databases and relevant
key phrases to identify published articles related to the Technology Acceptance
Model in Mobile Banking. Empirical research and studies based on the
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was conducted to evaluate mobile
banking and technology acceptance.
Findings: According to academic literature, the TAM model's primary
constructs, such as perceived utility, perceived ease of use, quality, credibility,
compatibility, and attitude toward using mobile banking, were applied to various
technologies and confirmed their strength and significance in the context of
mobile banking.
Practical Implications: The findings of this study provide valuable insights into
the adoption and usage of mobile banking by bank customers. The practical
implications include the development of mobile banking features, adaptable
interfaces, and real-time customer service that caters to customers' needs and
preferences.
Research Limitations: This study is limited to a literature review approach, and
the results are based on existing published research. Future research could include
empirical studies to further validate the findings of this literature review.
Originality/Value: This literature review highlights the significance of the
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in the context of mobile Banking, and its
practical implications for the banking industry. The study provides valuable
insights into mobile banking adoption and usage, which could benefit researchers,
practitioners, and policymakers
Comparative evaluation of performance of calves born through sex-sorted semen and conventional semen in Sri Lanka
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to compare the performance of sex sorted semen born calves with
that of the conventional semen born calves in four veterinary ranges in Sri Lanka. A total of ten
Jersey female calves born through sex sorted semen and ten Jersey female calves born through
conventional semen were selected. The mean birth weight of calves born through sex sorted
semen technology was 35.3 ± 3.6 kg and the conventional calves born was 31.6 ± 2.4 kg
respectively. The mean weight gain per day of a sex semen born calf and a conventional semen
born calf were 0.47 ± 0.1 kg/day and 0.45 ± 0.08 kg/day respectively. The mean birth weight
of sex semen born calves was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the mean birth weight
of conventional semen born claves. No significant difference (p > 0.05) observed between mean
weight gain per day of two groups of calves. Comparatively high mean birth weight of sex
semen born claves may be due to high genetic merit of proven bull used in sex semen
processing. Exposing to same management practices may be the cause of same weight gain per
day in two groups of calves
Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) judgments and characteristics of qadi - a judicial approach
Get PDFThe principles of Islamic jurisprudence and its teachings on justice
ensure human interests. Acting as a Qadi in Islamic judicial administration is a
crucial thing. However, it is questionable how far Qadis know their standards.
Therefore it is necessary to examine the basic characteristics of Qadi judges in
Islamic judicial practice. This study aims to identify the characteristics of the Qadis
in the judgments given by the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), in the areas of criminal
law, civil law, family law, personal morality, sociology, and Emphasizing the
importance of justice in the Islamic judiciary branch. The qualitative method was
employed by a literature review and bibliographic data analysis methods including
secondary sources such as books, research articles, internet resources, Qur'an, and
Hadith sources. Further, the research findings are presented in a descriptive method
through sub-headings. According to the results, a Qadi should possess special
qualities such as having knowledge of jurisprudence, fair treatment, being strict in
implementing the law, protecting the rights of individuals, knowing other religious
laws, Stabilizing bonds in family relations, logical clarity of ideas, giving a period of
time, establishing social harmony, and protecting the human dignity. The researchers
expect that this study will help the students of Islamic law, to know the quality of the
Qadi judge in the field of Islamic jurisprudence, to understand the importance of
justice in Islam, and to develop policies associated with the Islamic judiciary in the
future
The impact of alkali concentration on the chemical extraction of cellulose from ananas comosus leaf
Get PDFLeaf of Ananas comosus or Pineapple is a prominent waste of pineapple processing
plants. Its fibers primarily consist of carbohydrate polymers, including cellulose,
hemicellulose, and lignin. Utilizing advanced processing techniques for pineapple
leaves enhances cellulose production. This study explores the effects of different alkali
concentrations on the properties of derived Alkali Treated Fibers (ATF) for cellulose
production. Optimizing conditions for pineapple leaf cellulose extraction is crucial,
highlighting its potential in eco-friendly packaging, bio-based composites, and textiles
for various industries. The alkali treatment was carried out using different NaOH
concentrations ranging from 0M, 0.1M, 1M, 2M, 3M, 4M, and 5M. Non-cellulosic
components can be removed using this alkali treatment. However, Cellulose can be
divided into hemicellulose when the reaction exceeds the optimum concentration. The
resulting ATF were characterized by their moisture content, production yield, chemical
composition, and functional groups. According to the experimental results, the moisture
content and yield percentage of the ATF significantly decreased as the concentration
was increased from 0M to 5M. Based on the chemical composition analysis, the 1M
concentration resulted in 80.51% optimum cellulose content while obtaining the
minimum content of hemicellulose and lignin. Also, elevated concentrations can cause
cellulose chain breakage and degradation, reducing the yield. Moreover, FTIR (Fourier
Transform Infrared) analysis revealed the effective removal of non-cellulosic
components like lignin and hemicellulose by increasing the NaOH concentration. On
the other hand, increasing the NaOH effect on the breakdown of the cellulose into
hemicellulose forms. The overall findings suggest the importance of carefully altering
the alkali concentration to achieve optimal cellulose production while minimizing
degradation
Bismuth trisulfide (Bi2S3) quantum dots for cost-efficient solar energy conversion
No full textQuantum dots are paving new paths in the field of photovoltaics. Due to their excellent size
dependent properties, they have become dominant light-harvesting materials in photovoltaic
applications. In most cases, the incorporation of heavy metal quantum dots (QDs) such as CdS
and PbS has given higher efficiencies in Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells (QDSSCs). The
application of QDs in the fabrication of QDSSCs is often challenging due to the high toxicity
of such heavy metal halides and the greater expense due to the scarcity of such elements. In
this study, non-toxic and cost-effective QDSSCs have been fabricated with Bi2S3 QDs. The
fabrication of Bi2S3 on the photoanode was accomplished using the Dip Successive Ionic Layer
Adsorption and Reaction (Dip-SILAR) technique. The device configuration of the QDSSCs is
FTO/TiO2/Bi2S3/(I-/I-3) electrolyte/Pt with an active cell area of 0.16 cm2. To fabricate the best
QDSSC, the number of SILAR cycles were varied during the quantum dot formation. The
highest efficiency recorded was 0.26%, with an open circuit voltage of 482.9 mV and a short
circuit current density of 1.05 mA cm-2 under solar radiation 100 mW cm-2 with an AM 1.5
filter. Electrical and optical measurements related to the performance of electrodes and
QDSSCs were conducted using standard techniques. The stability of the best solar cell was
further studied with liquid and gel forms of the iodide/triiodide electrolytes separately. A
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based gel electrolyte enhances the stability of the Bi2S3 QDSSC.
The power conversion efficiency of the fabricated QDSSC is lower than that of the
conventional dye-sensitized solar cells. However, the fabrication cost of Bi2S3 QDs is 100 times
cheaper than that of inorganic dyes