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Understanding solid waste generation in a sociological perspective
Get PDFOver the past few decades, there has been a global trend
of sociologists paying special attention to environmental issues. The main
objective of this study is to analyze the social aspects of solid waste
generation, covering the existing research gaps in the field of research
beyond the Anuradhapura District and the North Central Province. The sub
objectives were identifying the social definitions on solid waste,
understanding the relationship between gender and solid waste generation
and identifying the correlation between sociocultural value factors with solid
waste generation using survey data collected from three Wards of
Anuradhapura Municipal counsel in the Anuradhapura District. Under the
Survey method, observations and in-depth interviews were used as key data
collection tools in this study. According to the study it was identified that the
solid waste generation influenced in order to gender and socio-cultural
aspects. Socialization plays a major role in definite the Solid Waste and
regarding the knowledge on solid waste among the society. Reuse and
reducing the solid waste have become a role of the women in the Sri Lankan
context. Women play a major role in waste generation as they have the
power to control the waste generation and the waste management. It can be
concluded that apart from the science and scientific theories, the knowledge
regarding both solid wastes generation and defining the solid waste come
through the social education and social knowledge. The cognition of ordinary
people and their local knowledge are as important as theoretical approaches
and scientific teachings
Synthesis and Characterization of Prussian blue nanoparticles for low-cost electrochromic windows
No full textElectrochromism is the ability of certain materials to change the colour and opacity in response
to an applied electric potential. Electrochromic materials and devices have gained more
attention due to their extraordinary properties such as low energy consumption, low fabrication
cost and flexibility etc. Prussian blue (PB) is one of the best candidates for electrochromic (EC)
devices. It belongs to a category of metal-organic coordinated compounds that exhibits
electrochromic properties. In the present study, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) were
synthesized using low-cost method. In order to change the optical properties, PBNPs were
doped with Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions separately. TiO2 nanoparticle is the one of the
most popular EC materials in electrochromic window application. In this study, TiO2/ PBNPs
based electrochromic windows (ECWs) were fabricated and characterized.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) based quasi-solid-state electrolyte was used as an electrolyte for
all the ECWs. In order to enhance the performance of the device, amount of K+ ions and PVP
in the electrolyte were optimized. All optical and electrical characterizations were done under
the same conditions. Electrochromic window fabricated with K+ - doped PBNPs/TiO2 shows a
better light absorption of 74.1% around 681.9 nm wave length. And PBNPs/TiO2 based
electrochromic window requires a small electric potential of 2 V with a very small current of
0.03 mA. The best device shows a better response (forward and reverse) within 22 s
The propensity of students to use English in their studies: a study based on the undergraduates in faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic language at South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
Get PDFEnglish language plays a major role in higher education. This
study was conducted among the students studying in the third year at the
Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language at the South Eastern University
of Sri Lanka. The objective of this research was finding about how to use the
English Language in their studies and how to address its shortcomings. The
data was collect from online survey and analyze the data using frequency
analysis method. When this study reviewed those responses, this study found
out those students whose mother tongue Tamil natives were proficient in
English, but their English-speaking skills needed to be further improved. It is
revealed that there is a certain deficient atmosphere in improving the English
language in the faculty. Students have a variety of practical options when it
comes to solving those problems. Conducting all academic activities in the
English medium etc. It seems that the implementation of those proposals will
benefit not only the students whose mother tongue is Tamil but also the students
who are studying in other mediums. It will also determine the quality of the
degree that they are going to receive as a whole
Investigation of the impact of co2 supply on the growth rate and the yield of Oscillatoria sp. During mass culturing
Get PDFCyanobacteria have received renewed attention for their potential role in establishing
sustainable answers to global issues. Producing biodiesel from cyanobacteria is a
scientifically and economically viable alternative solution to the prevailing fossil fuel
crisis. Cultivating cyanobacteria on a large scale is an essential prerequisite to
optimizing biodiesel production. However, inconsistent results of large-scale cultivation
have consistently impeded the process. Moreover, the reduced growth affected by
contaminants, make the process more challengeable, discouraging cultivators to
continue the process. Therefore, establishing a comprehensive approach that
encompasses growth optimization and the strategies to overcome challenges associated
with mass cultivation is a current necessitate. Hence, this study was carried out as a
preliminary step of large scale cyanobacteria cultivation, with the aims of maximizing
biomass production of selected cyanobacteria by optimizing their growth, in terms of
growth rate and productivity and devising an innovative method for mitigating
contaminants. Pure culture of Oscillatoria sp. which was isolated from freshwater
reservoirs in the Dry zone of Sri Lanka was chosen for the study. The same amount of
inoculum of Oscillatoria sp. was cultured in two sets of 50 L, cleaned, and UV
sterilized fish tanks (Tank set 1 and Tank set 2) with 40 L of 1/5th strength of BG 11
culture medium with pH of 8.3, under greenhouse conditions. Both sets of tanks were
provided with similar growth conditions (light intensity and temperature) and the
normal air was continuously aerated at the same rate throughout the day. Only tank set
1 was further facilitated with CO2 bubbling and it was daily provided with 3 bubbles of
CO2 (0.15 ml) other than normal aeration. Cultures of the two sets of tanks were daily
monitored for possible contaminations using microscopic observations. The Optical
Density of cultures was measured at regular intervals, at the wavelengths of 565 nm,
680 nm, 750 nm, and 770 nm. The growth curve of each set of cultures was plotted
using the Optical Density values at 680 nm and their mean growth rates were
statistically compared (p=0.05). Cultures were harvested at their maximum growth (5th
week of their growth) and the obtained amounts of dry biomass were compared. The
mean growth rates of tank set 1 and tank set 2 were 0.074/day and 0.001/day
respectively, while the mean harvested dry biomasses of tank set 01 and tank set 02
were 11.67 g and 10.20 g respectively. Consequently, the introduction of CO2 bubbling
has resulted in a substantial enhancement of the growth rate of the Oscillatoria culture
in tank set 01 with an improved biomass productivity. Moreover, possible contaminants
especially, the zooplanktonic growth was significantly controlled in tank set 01
compared to tank set 02. Thus, the current study demonstrated that the controlled,
minute supply of CO2 together with conventional aeration proves to be more effective
in large scale cyanobacteria cultivation, allowing optimized growth in terms of growth
rate and productivity with minimal contaminants
Dramatic aesthetic techniques of quranic stories: a case study of the story of prophet Yusuf
Get PDFStory is a literary prose that narrates events; either real or fictional. It is a vehicle of messages
and lessons for people to learn from. Recently, different types of stories have been transformed into a
performance as a drama by bringing to life actions played by the characters in the stories on stage or
cinema or film for people to have a practical or illustrative feel of such stories. Quranic stories are not
exceptional in this regard. Among the Quranic stories that have witnessed this modern development is
story of Prophet Yusuf. It is, therefore, the interest of this paper to investigate the dramatic aesthetic
techniques in the narration of story of the Prophet Yusuf. The study adopts descriptive and analytical
method of research to provide answers to some emerging questions such as; what is a story and what
is perception on stories in the Qur’an? What is drama and what are its elements? To what extent the
Quranic storiesin conformity with the theory of modern drama. To what extent does the story of Prophet
Yusuf contains dramatic elements and techniques? The findings reveal among other things, that despite
that Qur’an is a book of religion, it comprises many literary and linguistic genres that are worth of
scholarly inquiries
தமிழகத்தில் தோன்றிய பக்தி இயக்கத்தின் செல்வாக்கால் இலங்கையின் சமூகப் பண்பாட்டில் ஏற்பட்ட மாற்றங்கள்
No full textபல்லவர்கள் கி.பி. ஆறாம் நூற்றாண்டுக்குப் பின் தொண்டை
மண்டலத்தில் காஞ்சியை தலைநகராகக் கொண்டு தமிழ்நாட்டின் எல்லைக்குள்
ஆதிக்கம் செலுத்தும் ஒரு அரசாக எழுச்சியடையத் தொடங்கியிருந்தனர். பல்லவரது
ஆட்சிக்கு முன்னர் பெருமளவு பௌத்த, சமண மதங்களே செல்வாக்குடையவையாகக்
காணப்பட்டிருந்தன. இந்நிலையில் பல்லவர்கள் காலத்தில் ஆழ்வார்களாலும்,
நாயன்மார்களாலும் தமிழகத்தில் பௌத்த, சமண மதங்களுக்கு எதிரான பக்த இயக்கம் தோற்றுவிக்கப்பட்டது. இது சைவத்தையும், தமிழையும் முதன்மையாகக்
கொண்டு எழுச்சியடைந்ததனால் பௌத்தமும் சமணமும் நலிவடைந்து சைவ, வைணவ
சமயங்கள் மறுமலர்ச்சியடைந்தன. இதுவரை
காலமும் தமிழகத்தில் மண், சுதை போன்ற அழியக்கூடிய பொருட்களைக் கொண்டே
கோயில்கள் அமைக்கப்பட்டன. பல்லவர் காலத்திலிருந்து தான் முதன்முதலில அழியாத பொருட்களைக் கொண்டு கோயில்கள் அமைக்கும் மரபு தோற்றம் பெற்றது.
அதன் செல்வாக்கினால் இலங்கையிலும் பல்லவர் கலைமரபு சார்ந்த ஆலயங்கள்
சமகாலத்தில் கட்டப்பட்டன. இவைதவிர தமிழகத்திலும், இலங்கையிலும் பிராமணர்கள்
ஆலயங்களில் பூசை செய்யும் மரபு அறிமுகமாகியமை, கடல்சார் வணிகத்தில் வணிக
கணங்களின் செல்வாக்கு, பல்லவர்காலக் கலைகளின் அறிமுகம் போன்றவை தமிழக பக்தி இயக்கத்தின் தோற்றத் தால் இலங்கையின் அரசியல், பொருளாதார, சமூக மற்றும்
பண்பாடுகளில ஏற்பட்டுக் கொண்ட மாற்றங்களாக திகழ்கின்றன. அந்தவகையில
பல்வர்கால தமிழகத்துடன் இலங்கை கொண்டிருந்த தொடர்பினால் இலங்கையின் சமூக
பண்பாட்டு அம்சங்களில் ஏற்பட்டுக் கொண்ட மாற்றங்களை இலக்கிய தொல்லியல சான்றுகளின் துணையுடன் எடுத்துக்காட்டுவது இவ் ஆய்வின் முக்கிய
நோக்கமாகவுள்ளது. இவ்வாய்வுக்காக இரண்டாம் நிலைத் தரவுகள் என்ற வகையில
இவ்வாய்வுத் தலைப்புடன் தொடர்புடைய நூல்கள், ஆய்வுக்கட்டுரைகள், சஞ்சிகைகள்,
இணையத்தளக் கட்டுரைகள் போன்றவை பயன்படுத்தப்பட்டு வரலாற்று விபரண ஆய்வு
அணுகுமுறை அடிப்படையில் இவ்வாய்வு முன்னெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது
Antibacterial activity of thymoquinone derivative
Get PDFNatural products such as terpenoidal compounds have been extremely tested against pathogenic bacteria. Researches are frequently carried out to find out new natural, semisynthetic and synthetic antibacterial agents due to problems of resistance. Thymoquinone derivative was obtained in our previous study and the current research is a continuation. The antibacterial activity of a monoterpenoid; thymoquinone derivative, 5-isopropyl-2-methyloxepine-1-one (1) has been evaluated for the first time by following the Agar cup bioassay method employed. The bacterial strains used in this study were Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Compound 1 showed moderate activity against Gram-positive organism; B. subtilis and good activity against Gram-negative species; E. coli with zones of inhibition (ZOI) 10.0 ± 0.2 mm and 11.0 ± 0.2 mm against E. coli and B. subtilis, respectively, and in comparison with antibiotic, imipenem. The zones of inhibition were calculated as the mean of the triplicate. The antibacterial activity of thymoquinone derivative 1 could be explained by the presence of unsaturated lactone
Determination of the effect of essential oil extract from clove (syzygium aromaticum) leaves and buds on the thermal stability of the coconut oil
Get PDFCoconut oil is used in deep fat frying to make delicious foods. The oxidation
process during deep fat frying produces chemical compounds that affect oil
flavor, nutrition, rancidity, shelf life of fried food and oil, reusability, and
most significantly, human health. In this study different ingredients were
used to reduce oxidation in oil. Four treatments: pure coconut oil, coconut
oil + vit. E, coconut oil + clove buds, and coconut oil + clove leaves. Each
treatment was deep-fried and then kept refrigerated, room temperature with
lid, and room temperature without lid conditions. Free fatty acid (FFA),
Peroxide Value (PV), Iodine Value (IV) and Saponification Value (SV) were
tested in both before deep-fry and after 30 days of storage conditions. Initial
values of FFA, PV, IV and SV were acceptable and 0.78 %, 1.6 meq/kg, 8.2
g/100g and 249.22 mg KOH/g respectively. In the comparison of oxidation,
coconut oil at room temperature without a lid was high (5.87±0.29% (FFA),
7.85±0.91 meq/kg (PV), 6.13±0.31g/100g (IV), 451.56±0.26 KOH/g (SV))
and coconut oil + clove bud oil under refrigeration was low (1.19±0.14%
(FFA), 3.99±0.02meq/kg (PV), 8.04±0.45 g/100g (IV) and 281.29±0.02
KOH/g (SV)). From the findings, addition of clove buds’ oil to coconut oil
affected the oxidative stability during deep fat frying
Semi-automated domestic scale soap manufacturing unit
Get PDFThe global soap market was around USD 43 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to
USD 67 billion by 2033. Soap prices have been increasing over the years for many
reasons, and the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka has also worsened the situation. In
this regard, the current project aims to develop a user-friendly semi-automated batch
soap manufacturing unit for domestic-scale users to produce soap bars at a lower cost.
This also helps in decentralizing the soap manufacturing process. Mixing, heating and
moulding are the basic unit operations involved in the unit. A stainless-steel container,
which can stand at a higher temperature, was used as the main reactor. Four heat
elements (PTC heaters) were attached to the main reactor for heating purposes. A
stainless-steel agitator was used to mix the reactants. A motor (RS 775) was used to
agitate the reactants, which can speed up to 1200 rpm. Load cells (HX 711) were used
to weigh the reactants and products in the main reactor. Small storage tanks were used
to store all the reactants. NaCl, H3PO4, fragrance and colouring agents were introduced
to the reactor using solenoid valves, while mini pump motors (solar pump) were used to
pump H2O and coconut oil to the reactor. A screwdriver was used to introduce NaOH
powder to the reactor. A brush DC motor (DC 775) was used to rotate the screwdriver.
All the instruments were calibrated prior to use in the unit. The entire setup was
powered by SMPS unit (12V,10A). Arduino boards (UNO and Nano), relay modules,
display models, I2C bus modules, keypads, and thermocouples were used to semi
automate the operations of the unit. Most of the time, due to the presence of impurities
as well as machinery and human errors, the actual mixing ratios of the reactants differ
from the stoichiometric ratios. In this experiment, after a few trial-and-error studies, it
was found that mixing 50 mL of coconut oil with 15 mL of H2O and 15 g of NaOH is
the best combination to produce the soap bar. These promising results encourage the
commercialization of the unit. Further studies are planned to improve the quality of the
produced soap from the setup
Exploring Instagram stories through the classic model of digital storytelling
Get PDFDigital storytelling has taken on new avatars with the immense growth of Web 2.0 technologies, such
as social media. From the classical digital storytelling model, the new ways of storytelling now enable
the embedding of various media elements into the digital story. Hence, the definition and interpretation
of digital stories in various digital media vary. Digital storytelling can be interpreted as Web 2.0 media
storytelling and gets more exciting and vital as the usage of digital stories in such media grows
exponentially. Thus, this paper presents a pilot study exploring how digital storytelling manifests on
Instagram stories, the widely used social media tool. This pilot study used the relevance sampling
technique to sample 100 digital Instagram stories from nine Instagram accounts. The sample stories
were analysed through qualitative content analysis (QCA) using Atlas.ti to determine how strongly
digital stories posted in Instagram’s “Stories” feature align with the classic digital storytelling model
by Joe Lambert. The outcome of this exploratory pilot study shows a significant alignment of digital
stories from Instagram with the classic model defined by Joe Lambert in his book, Digital Storytelling
Cookbook. Hence, the findings could justify using Instagram stories as digital stories for academic
and industrial drives