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The enhancement of fintech on Islamic Banking and financial sector in Sri Lanka: a literature review
Get PDFFinTech, a prominent technology that is quickly becoming integrated into
modern banking industry, In Sri Lanka, the majority of banks have begun to
incorporate FinTech into their current banking practices. Islamic banking and finance
started as a different financial system was established in Sri Lanka. The Islamic
banking sector is effectively growing, along with other conventional banks. Islamic
banking has recently experienced enormous expansion, which has greatly benefited
the partnership banking business. Numerous conventional banks offer separate
windows to start their operations in Islamic financing. Islamic banks and windows are
using more financial technology in conjunction with these initiatives for regular
transactions. The growth of Islamic banking has accelerated the development of
FinTech. Islamic banks are making a lot of technological advancements in order to
improve their banking services and draw in new clients. Three Islamic windows and
one full-fledged Islamic bank in Sri Lanka are examined in this study. These banks'
information suggests that FinTech adoption in their banks is still in its early stages. In
Sri Lanka's banking sector, it should develop and grow
Investigating molecular mechanism of sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor-3 activation in neuroinflammation
Get PDFNeuroinflammation, characterized by inflammatory responses within the brain and
spinal cord, plays a pivotal role in various neurological diseases, including
neurodegenerative conditions, psychiatric disorders, pain syndromes, stroke, and
traumatic brain injuries. This inflammatory process is primarily driven by cells such as
astrocytes, microglia, immune cells, and the blood-brain barrier. The interplay between
various receptors and signalling pathways is of great interest in understanding the
underlying mechanisms of neuroinflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate
the potential interaction between Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor-3 (S1PR3), a G
protein-coupled receptor, and Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition
receptor, within C6 glioma cells (Rattus norvegicus) under conditions of
neuroinflammation and the presence of S1PR3 receptors. Our experimental approach
involved several key steps.C6 glioma cells were cultured, and changes in cell growth
and morphology were meticulously observed. Subsequently, these cells were utilized
for RNA extraction assays. To verify the expression of S1PR3 and TLR4 in the cultured
C6 glioma cells, fluorescence imaging was performed, revealing the presence of S1PR3
in modified cells under the U-FBNA filter. In future work, these validated cells can
serve as a valuable platform for exploring the actions of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate
receptors in the context of neuroinflammation. The expression levels of the receptors
and relevant cytokines will be analysed using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain
Reaction.This study contributes to our understanding of the molecular and cellular
mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation, with a particular focus on the potential
interplay between S1PR3 and TLR4 in C6 glioma cells, offering insights into their roles
in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases
The psycho-social impacts on seeking for public schools' students towards private tuition classes
Get PDFPrivate classes are a common phenomenon in the world. In Sri
Lanka, the government has been introducing free education since 1931 and
continuously providing free education to students from school to university,
but the number of students seeking private classes is increasing. Most of the
studies conclude that private classes do not have a significant influence on
the attainment of higher education, and some scholars argue that private
classes are a burden to students. On the other hand, some ideas are being
put forward that private education leads students to better results. Beyond
that, conditions are increasing for students to move to private classes. Based
on these factors, students seek private classes. This study aims to identify
that the influential Psychosocial factors of the student’s curiosity to seeking
private tuition class. For this purpose, quantitative and qualitative methods
were used, under the Kalmunai Education Zone, Maruthamunai was
selected as a sample. In the purposive sampling technique, data collected
from students who following higher studies in Arts, Science, and
Mathematics in two National Schools in the Maruthamunai. Questioner
method and unstructured interviews were used as data collecting
techniques. Data were analyzed through content analysis and MS Excel
software. The results showed that Psychosocial factors such as the
attractiveness of friends, relations and neighbors, private educational
institutions, the educational ambitions are playing as a major impact on
student’s curiosity to seeking private tuition class. Therefore, based on the
impact of such factors on the interest in private classes, there should be a
focus on conducting policy classes related to private classes in the future
Determination of total tannin content of Amurthashtaka Kwatha and its eight raw plant materials using a titrimetric method
Get PDFMedicinal plants have been considered as a promising drug for the management of
diverse health implication due to its pharmacological effects. Amurthashtaka kwatha
(AK) is an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation used in the treatment of fever associated
with inflammation. Tannins are polyphenols commonly found in many plants product
of secondary metabolism. This study aims to determine total tannin content
quantitatively in AK and its eight raw plant materials using a titrimetric method. Plant
parts of Azadirachta indica (bark), Cyperus rotundus (rhizome), Holarrhena
antidysenterica (seeds), Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora (rhizome), Santalum album
(heartwood), Tinospora cordifolia (stem), Trichosanthes cucumerina (whole plant) and
Zingiber officinale (rhizome) were purchased from the three different Ayurvedic shops
and two natural habitats. According to the place of collection, five samples of AK were
prepared from the authenticated eight different plant materials as per the guidelines of
Ayurveda pharmacopeia of Sri Lanka. Total tannin content was estimated by titrimetric
method as recommended by the API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) from
individual raw powders and AK. The tannin contents of five different samples of bark
of Azadirachta indica have exhibited the range of 9.28±0.28 - 17.74±0.28%. The range
of rhizome of Cyperus rotundus samples were 2.49±0.48 - 4.85±0.14%. The percentage
tannin contents of seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica samples were given the range of
6.10±0.14 - 11.36± 0.28 %. The range 12.89±0.24 - 14.69±0.28% has been recorded for
the rhizome of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora samples. The ranges for the heartwood of
Santalum album, stem of Tinospora cordifolia, whole plant of Trichosanthes
cucumerina and rhizome of Zingiber officinale were 5.27±0.28- 7.21±0.14%,
5.82±0.24- 8.18±0.37%, 7.34±0.14- 8.31±0.24% and 8.18±0.14-8.59±0.37%
respectively, while the powders of AK samples were given tannin percentage rage as
8.31±0.24- 9.01±0.28%. According to the findings, the Amurthashtaka kwatha and its
raw plant materials are rich sources for tannins. This phytochemical could make various
pharmacological activities and useful in food and medicine applications
Modeling and forecasting volatility of gold price using arima – ann hybrid model and gold market behavior during world crises
Get PDFGold is one of the most valuable metals in the world with numerous
applications, including jewelry and electronic devices. Countries often utilize gold as
an economic health indicator, and financial institutes use gold as a hedge against
loans. Additionally, gold is a popular investment asset for diversifying portfolios. Thus,
gold price predictions are crucial to making proper future decisions. Understanding the
reasons why the price of gold fluctuates is one of the challenging tasks. In earlier
research, gold price forecasting had been done using statistical methods. But with the
recent developments in machine learning methods, it is now possible to combine
conventional statistical models with machine learning to produce a hybrid model that
makes better predictions. In the first part of the work, a novel hybrid model was
proposed, by using Autoregressive Moving Average (ARIMA), Long-short Term
Memory (LSTM), and Prophet. It is also essential to develop models that can predict
gold prices during a crisis because, during these times, models will deviate from their
typical historical patterns. Hence, another attempt has been made to examine the
influence of crude oil, and silver, on gold prices during the 2008 financial crisis and the
COVID-19 period, and predict gold prices using regression Analysis, co-integration,
Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). It was found that there are short-term
causalities between gold and the previous month's crude oil and silver. Therefore,
having a joint impact on the current gold price during the crisis periods. Using the
models proposed in this paper, better gold price predictions can be made in the future,
even during financial crises. Better forecasting leads to better risk management,
investment decisions, hedging, economic analysis, and strategic trading giving the
opportunity to earn profits
Shelf-life Evaluation Using Accelerated Stability Testing (AST) and Transit Trial Testing in Selected Confectionery Products
Get PDFThe shelf life of confectionery products can be
changed commonly during storage and
transportation. In this study, accelerated shelf life
estimation (AST) and transit trial (TT) in selected
confectionery products (hard candy, center filled
chewing gum and jelly) were focused and the
properties of confectionery samples were
compared with the commercial products. Test
sample and control sample were stored in climate
chamber at 35/40ºC and 50/80% RH and test
reference sample and control reference samples
stored at finished good ware house <30 ºC. The
samples were evaluated once a week along 21
days period. For TT, the samples were
transported to the distance and returned back
(850Km). Product’s physical and packaging
properties were evaluated by visual methods and
moreover, organoleptic parameters were checked
according to 5-point hedonic scale. The data were
analyzed using analysis of variances (ANOVA)
followed by Friedman Test at 0.05 significance
level. Comparative test was done by test sample
comparing with the other three of samples.
According to the results, all of the quality
properties were decreased with the storage
period. Hard candy and center filled chewing gum
specifically showed the textural changes but jelly
samples had no changes in AST. Moreover, hard
candy and jelly samples showed no significant
differences in TT but chewing gum samples were
showed somewhat differences. The overall
qualities of the sample showed the more or less
exact quality properties with the commercial
products
Building entrepreneurial emotions on start-up process behavior: results from B-school students
Get PDFAim: The paper purpose is to assess the impact of Entrepreneurial Emotions on
the Start-Up Process Behavior among B-School Students.
Data Sources: The study exercised primary and secondary data to attain the
framed objectives of the study. The primary data is obtained from the B-School
students in Chennai city. The secondary information is a literature survey and
conceptual theory of the positive emotions, negative emotions, and start-up
process behavior; it has been collected from the earlier research publications
related to the mentioned areas.
Sampling: The samples are drawn from the B-School students in Chennai city.
Overall, 400 questionnaires were issued, out of which 351 questionnaires were
appropriately filled and returned by the B-School students. The filled
questionnaires were scrutinized finalized for the final study. The sample size of
the study is 351. The study adopted a simple stratified random sampling
technique.
Findings: The study found that positive emotions towards entrepreneurship could
promote a B-School student to take imminent actions in beginning a business.
Also, the study originated that the negative emotions in starting a business, the
lower the student behave towards starting a business
Implications: The study's outcome is helpful to the B-School students who want
to become entrepreneurs. They are allotting more time and effort to obtain
possible business start-up possibilities. The study can be related to people who
can use expected emotions efficiently, who are more likely to hold the self-belief
that they can precede entrepreneurs
Analyzing cocoa export from Sri Lanka using a time series model
Get PDFThe fundamental and indispensable component in the manufacturing of chocolate is
known across the world as cocoa. Cocoa is a Pharmaceutical and chemical product,
however, are additional significant cocoa-related products. These items have a
significant global demand for cocoa, which has been identified as a high value export
commodity in the export market. Sri Lanka has the necessary elements to cultivate
cocoa. Then becoming a leader in the cocoa export market is a very simple task for us.
This study examined the changes in Sri Lanka's cocoa export volume over 52-years
from 1971 to 2021, and it provided the best statistical model for examining the changes.
Time series analysis, a fundamental statistical concept, was employed in this study.
EViews and MINITAB analytic software were used for the data analysis. Both ADF
and KPSS unit root tests were used to check the stationarity of data set. Also used best
model selection methods to select the best model among the fitted models. The
EGARCH(0,2) model was identified as the most suitable and accurate statistical model
for the examination of the amount of cocoa exported throughout the mentioned 52 years
period. The use of this model will help export agriculture department officials as well
as economic experts to develop and analyze the future of cocoa exports
Preparation and characterization of coconut shell activated carbon black for electrophotography toner application
Get PDFCoconut shells (CS) are one of the main domestic wastes that are abundantly used as a precursor
to producing activated carbon black (ACB) for various purposes. This study investigated a lowtemperature
chemical activation method (LTCA) using NaOH to prepare ACB from CS to
apply as the black colourant in toner production. Initially, the cleaned CSs were subjected to a
pyrolysis process at 550 °C for 4 hrs, and the resulting coconut charcoal was activated using
NaOH at 120 °C. The porosity of the resulting ACB was investigated at different charcoal and
NaOH solution volume ratios. The chemical characteristics, surface morphology, surface area
and crystallinity of the ACB, and mineralogy of initial coconut ash were examined using
Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analyses. The current study found that the weight percentage
of ash in a CS is 0.6% and consists of SiO2, MgO, CaCO3, MnO, TiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3,
P2O5, and fixed carbon. The PXRD shows the increase of graphitic nature with increasing
NaOH volume. The FT-IR proves that ACB consists of carbonyl groups, carboxylic groups,
aromatic C=C bonds and aromatic C-H out-of-plane deform bonds as the main functional
groups, indicating the formation of aromatic compounds. The SEM images indicate that
increasing NaOH volume causes irregular-shaped micropores with large diameters compared
to the low NaOH volume exhibiting spherical micropores. Therefore, it concludes that LTCA
with less NaOH volume causes the slow removal of C as CO3
2- from the ACB and increases the
surface area. In the future, these ACBs will be used to produce toners to identify the eligibility
as the colourant for electrophotography toners
Involvement of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in takaful in Sri Lanka: an extension of theory of planned behaviour
No full textPurpose
This study aims to investigate the factors affecting micro, small and medium entrepreneurs’ (MSMEs) behavioural intention to participate in takaful schemes in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopted a quantitative approach using primary data from a questionnaire. Out of 470 questionnaires, 432 were collected (91.91%) from MSMEs in Kalmunai business region in Sri Lanka. The data obtained were analysed using partial least square-structural equation modelling.
Findings
This study revealed that the extension model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) can be effectively applied to behavioural intentions towards a takaful scheme by MSMEs. Out of eight hypotheses, seven were significant, including: attitude towards behavioural intention; subjective norm; perceived behavioural control; knowledge; religiosity; income; trust in takaful as a significant influence. However, awareness of intention was not found to be significant.
Practical implications
This study suggests advantages for takaful providers in Sri Lanka, especially marketing departments, for enhancing sale of products, refurbishing marketing strategies and understanding the purchasing motivation of business entrepreneurs. This study guides takaful companies as to where they should concentrate to enhance market penetration.
Originality/value
Previous studies have concentrated on only three factors which comprise TPB. This paper’s main contribution is on the uniqueness of the Muslim minority context in a pluralistic context, providing a marketing model for takaful operators based on the different relevant dimensions