Best Management Practices in Sri Lanka: Manufacturing Sector

This paper describes and analyzes the best management practices of a few selected firms in Sri Lanka's manufacturing sector, and compares these practices with those found in subsidiaries of major multinational corporations operating in Sri Lanka

The distribution of candida species and their antibodies in pregnant women and their newborn : a clinical and experimental study

Imperial Users onl

Innovative Application of AI/SOAR as Organization Development Intervention (ODI) on Organizational Operation and Service Quality Improvement in a Catholic School: A Case Study of Assumption College Sriracha

This study introduces and tests an innovative application of Appreciative Inquiry (AI)/SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and measurable Results) as Organization Development Intervention (ODI) on organizational operation and service quality improvement in a Catholic school. The processes of pre-ODI, ODI, and post-ODI were conducted by SERVQUAL (Service Quality Framework) survey research at Assumption College Sriracha (ACS). The school’s stakeholders, including administrators, teachers, students, and parents, participated in the OD workshops and Affirmative Topic Choice (ATC) selection process. The results showed the improvement of service quality and stakeholders’ satisfaction with the school’s development. The success of AI/SOAR as Organization Development Intervention was found to be the significant factor of improving the school education. The researcher recommends that the originated school development plan through AI/SOAR as ODI be applied at other schools worldwide which have similar contextual characteristics to ACS

Educational Reinforcements of and Challenges to Gender Norms in Urban Sri Lanka

Background: In 2013, over half of surveyed Sri Lankan men and women expressed gender-inequitable attitudes equating masculinity with violence, and femininity with obedience to men. Gender-inequitable attitudes have been shown to be linked to gender-based violence (GBV) in multiple contexts. The goal of this research was to identify points of intervention at which programmes and policies could cultivate gender-equitable attitudes among youth in Sri Lanka, with a goal of reducing GBV in adulthood. Methods: Over 9 months, the lead author interviewed 18 young adults (ages 18-30) in urban Sri Lanka to understand how their experiences influenced their gender identity, as well as their perceptions of gender norms. Their responses were analysed using a directed content analysis approach to explore which factors have most influenced the processes of gender norm learning, acceptance, or rejection throughout Sri Lankan young adults’ lives. Themes of Interest: Single gender schooling reinforces gender-inequitable norms Girls are groomed for domestic chores, while boys are taught skills for employment and to excel in science Single-gender schools carry prestige and strong alumni networks that for some outweigh the negative gender stereotypes Femininity and Masculinity are performed very differently in schools: Boys are encouraged to play sports and display their physical strength Girls are encouraged to read and study but be prepared to put their academic goals on hold after marriage Schools are lacking strong sexual education and gender curricula: Even in schools with curricula, teachers opt out because of discomfort discussing sex Students are not prepared to negotiate consensual relationships or to identify gender-based violence Conclusion: Educational settings in urban Sri Lanka contribute to and reinforce inequitable gender norms among adolescents and young adults. Some points of intervention are: Increasing interaction between single-gender school students of different genders, Challenging gender stereotypes perpetuated by students and alumni Developing and implementing strong sexual education curricula

Investigating Complex Organic Species on Mineral Surfaces

Characterisation of outcrop and reservoir rock by a wide range of analytical techniques is presented, with the aim to understand mineral-organic interfaces. It is demonstrated that despite silicate rock being dominated by silicates, the exposed surfaces of the rock is not reflected in the bulk composition. This leads to a range of mineral surfaces and functional groups at the surface that drive adsorption and subsequently wettability on real rock. The second part of this thesis considers exposing model minerals to crude oil. It is found that different species from crude oil adsorb onto certain minerals to a varying extent. Key findings show that asphaltenes contribute to larger organic species adsorbed. However, this is not the case for muscovite mica, where the contact angle determining layer can be removed and identified by high resolution mass spectrometry. Finally, to facilitate the detailed understanding of complex systems, a model system investigated. Adsorption of stearic acid on the calcite surface in toluene was investigated via depletion isotherms, neutron reflectometry, sum-frequency generation and X-ray reflectometry. Stearic acid is shown to adsorb from toluene and can be removed and reapplied. However, in the presence of excess water, stearic acid can be removed from the surface to form calcium stearate.EPSRC (1800592

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Properties of Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Plant Leaf Extracts

Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. is an indigenous medicinal plant distributed in south and southeast Asian countries. The ethnopharmacological studies revealed that the parts of the plant areused in traditional medicine to treat various diseases and functional disorders. The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of F. indica 80% ethanol and ethanol: ethyl acetate (60:40) non-heated and heat-treated leaf extracts. The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, ferric reducing power and free radical scavenging activity of both non-heated and heat-treated extracts were screened using Folin-Ciocalteu method, Aluminium chloride colorimetric method, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay respectively. The cytotoxic effects of heat-treated ethanol: ethyl acetate (60:40) extract against Escherichia coli cells was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetarazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay. The non-heated 80% ethanol extract showed the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content as 253.13±9.52 mg Gallic acid Equivalent (GAE)/g and 13.62±0.36 mg Rutin (RE)/g respectively. Moreover, the heated 80% ethanol extract showed the highest ferric reducing antioxidant power than other extracts, which was 270.75±20.81 mg Ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g). The highest radical scavenging activity was observed in the non-heated 80% ethanol extract with an IC50 of 205.80±2.45 μg/mL. There was no significant difference in DPPH scavenging activity between non-heated and heat-treated extracts. The ethanol: ethyl acetate (60:40) extract did not show any significant cytotoxic activity where a concentration higher than 1 mg/mL must be used to reach 50% cell viability. According to these results, it is evident that there is higher antioxidant activity in 80% ethanol extract. Preliminary study on cytotoxic activity showed lower cytotoxicity, therefore, more comprehensive studies should be carried out using other extracts. Further research is also necessary to isolate bioactive compounds which could be used as a potential source of biomolecule for the pharmaceutical and food industry.Keywords: Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr., Antioxidant activity, Cytotoxicity, IC50 value

Gender and Transformative Justice in Sri Lanka

The idea of ‘transformative justice’ has emerged from criticisms that conventional transitional justice mechanisms have led to static institutions and the prioritisation of elite interests instead of tangible remedies for the people who are most in need – including women.1 This working paper focuses on Sri Lanka’s reconciliation and reform processes, and the crucial task of bringing genuine transformation to the women affected by the country’s near three decade war and recurring conflicts. The authors urge decision-makers to ensure full inclusion of women and include gendered experiences in planned reform processes, aiming at genuine transformation of societal circumstances so that conflict-affected women can achieve empowerment, dignity and equality