Analysis of water absorbency into knitted spacer structures

The absorbency properties of knitted structures are very important in designing garments that both remove liquid sweat from the skin and provide tactile and sensorial comfort to the wearer. Water absorbency by knitted spacer structures was experimentally investigated using a gravimetric absorbency tester to record absorbency rate, total absorbency, and time taken to saturate the structure. The geometry of spacer structures was analyzed and a model created to define the capillary characteristic in the spacer yarn. Absorbency into the spacer structures was modeled using the fabric parameters, the capillary radius, and the properties of water. Experimental and theoretical results were compared to validate the models

Effect of Commercial Level Modified Atmospheric Storage for Paddy (Oryza sativa)

Studies conducted in developing countries have shown that nearly 10% to 15% of paddy is lost during postproduction operations due to improper post-harvest techniques. These studies also found; major component of these losses occurred during storage due to practices. Hermetically sealed storage can be used as an alternative method for commercial scale paddy storage with a view to cut down post-harvest losses. Very less research studies have been conducted in this important area. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect and impacts of commercial scale modified atmospheric storage conditions for altering of physical properties and quality parameters of paddy under tropical climatic conditions prevailing in Sri-Lanka. In the study storing paddy under commercial level modified atmospheric storage conditions for 9 months and compared quality changes of paddy such as physical properties, milling characteristics and other quality parameters compared against, paddy stored in conventional warehouse. Moreover, oxygen level, temperature inside the modified atmospheric storage and warehouse were also measured. It was observed modified atmospheric storage took 6 weeks to reduce oxygen level from 20.5% to 3.2%. Temperature fluctuation inside the modified atmospheric storage was very low in comparison with warehouse storage. Moisture content of initial warehouse samples and modified atmospheric storage were not significantly different. Modified atmospheric storage paddy samples reported similar initial values in terms of quality parameters such as impurities percentage, immature seed (Bol) percentage and damaged seed percentage even after 9 months of storage. Whereas those values were significant changed in warehouse samples. Weight/mass loss of grain during storage period was significantly low in cocoon (modified) samples. Bulk density and paddy kernel hardness values were significantly reduced in both storage methods against its initial values. Rice kernel whiteness was preserved by modified atmospheric storage in comparison to conventional storage. Germination percentage of paddy was significantly reduced from its initial value in both storage methods. Paddy kernel resistance against milling stress increased during modified atmospheric storage. It can be concluded that modified atmospheric storage has more advantages in comparison to conventional warehouse storage for large quantity commercial grain storage. However, modified atmospheric storage condition must be maintained throughout storage period to gain those advantages

Cultural values and demographic correlates of citizenship performance

This study examines the impact of cultural values on citizenship performance (CP) in the context of a developing country. Although differences in CP across cultures have been examined, the situation in developing countries is often not clear. Using a sample of 362 Sri Lankan employees, it is found that gender and education have significant impact on CP. While collectivism, future orientation, and uncertainty avoidance are found to be positively related to CP, power distance and masculinity values are negatively correlated with CP. It is also evident that the same cultural value orientation can have both positive and negative impacts on CP, depending on the particular aspect of CP. The findings reveal that developing countries are not totally different from developed countries as far as the impact of cultural values on CP is concerned. The study contributes to the advancement of CP theories of individual differences and cultural values and relevant knowledge pertaining to developing countries. Implications of findings are discussed and suggestions are offered for further research

Complex and diverse roles performed by non-executive directors in the context of the implementation of the non-regulatory codes of corporate governance: evidence from small and medium firms in the UK

This study aims to address two interrelated issues. (1) What is the role of nonexecutive directors (NEDs) of public companies listed in the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in the UK? (2) Whether AIM listed companies accept the principles and provisions of the Combined Code of Corporate Governance (CCCG)? And, if so, to what extent? The findings indicate that the nature of task of NEDs of AMI listed firms is characterised by multiplicity of tasks and task variation by the type of chair. This study contributes to fill the knowledge gap in the literature with regard to the role of NEDs of SMEs in general and AIM listed companies in the UK in particular

Actual and preferred HRM practices in domestic and foreign invested firms

This study examines differences between actual and preferred HRM policies and practices in domestic firms (DF) and MNC subsidiaries (MNCs) in Sri Lanka. The paper argues the existence of within-country differences in HRM practices between MNCs and DF. The analysis and findings are based on 487 responses from employees and HR executives of eight manufacturing sector companies. Results indicate that differences exist between MNCs and DF in not only actual HR practices, but also in preferred HRM practices. Within-culture diversity of both employees\u27 preferences for and actual HRM practices between DF and MNCs was evident. The findings contribute to cross-cultural and international HRM knowledge and practices

Generation of strongly regular graphs from quaternary complex Hadamard matrices

A strongly regular graph with parameters (v, k, μ, λ) is a regular graph G with v vertices and k degree in which every two adjacent vertices have λ common neighbors and every two non-adjacent vertices have μ common neighbors. In this paper, we propose an algorithm which can be used to construct strongly regular graphs using quaternary complex Hadamard matrices. The order of the strongly regular graph generated by a quaternary complex Hadamard matrix of order n is 2n. The proposed algorithm has been illustrated by generating a strongly regular graph of order 4 using quaternary complex Hadamard matrix of order 2. Further, higher order strongly regular graphs were tested using Java program. This algorithm could be used to construct strongly regular graphs of order 22n; n∈Z^+

Transport parameters of charge carriers in PEO-LiTf-based, plasticized, composite, and plasticized-composite electrolytes intended for Li-ion batteries

Solid polymer electrolytes are a key component in many electrochemical devices such as dye-sensitized solar cells, batteries, and supercapacitors. In this study, three electrolytes based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) host polymer, ethylene carbonate (EC) plasticizer, and Al2O3 filler were investigated. The polymer electrolytes (PEO)9(EC)9(LiCF3SO3)2, (PEO)9(LiCF3SO3)2(Al2O3)0.75, and (PEO)9(EC)9(LiCF3SO3)2(Al2O3)0.75 were characterized by analyzing DC conductivity, the frequency dependence of AC conductivity, and complex dielectric function. The conductivities of the plasticized, composite, and plasticized-composite electrolytes at 26 \ub0C increase from 6.25, 0.009, and 2.96 mS cm-1 to 21.5, 0.12, and 11.4 mS cm-1, respectively, when the temperature increased to 70 \ub0C. For the in-depth analysis of electrolytes, dielectric analysis was used to determine the charge carrier density (n), mobility (μ), and diffusion coefficient (D) using a newly developed method. Further, the investigation extended to study the temperature dependence of n, D, and μ. The study reveals that EC can increase the ionic conductivity by increasing n, and conversely, filler contributes by increasing μ, respectively. At 26 \ub0C, (PEO)9(EC)9(LiCF3SO3)2(Al2O3)0.75 shows D, μ, and n of 3.8 710-11 m2 s-1, 1.5 710-9 m2 V-1 s-1, and 1.3 71027 m-3, respectively. The values obtained for D, μ, and n parameters of the plasticized electrolytes agree with those available for similar electrolytes, while the composite electrolyte showed considerably lower values for n. The complex impedance analysis can be used to determine transport parameters of all the types (plasticized, composite, and plasticized composite) of polymer electrolytes

Conducting polymer blends (polyaniline/polypyrrole) as counter electrode materials in dye sensitized solar cells

Dye sensitized solar cells have attracted lot of research interest in recent years due to their low production cost, higher transparency, easy fabrication and tunable optical properties. Generally, Platinum is used as the catalytic active counter electrode material in the cell which has achieved about 14.1% efficiency. Platinum is an expensive and rare metal and is susceptible to corrosion in long term applications. Therefore lot of research interest is focused on finding low cost, earth abundant alternatives as the counter electrode materials. Due to the low cost, higher conductivity, higher stability, easy preparation and easy fabrication, conducting polymers have become an advanced alternative. Generally, product performance of polymers has improved by blending two or more polymers. Conductivity, stability, structures and performances of pure polyaniline and pure polypyrrole are highly investigated. Among all counter electrode fabricated with conducting polymers, polyaniline has shown the highest power conversion efficiency in dye sensitized solar cells. Performance changes of dye sensitized solar cells have been discussed here by fabricating the counter electrode with polymer blends with different mass ratios of polyaniline and polypyyrole. Out of all the blends tested, polymer blend with 1:1 mass ratio of polyaniline:polypyrrole showed the lowest charge transfer resistance and highest efficiency in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells