The National Aquatic Resources Agency of Sri Lanka

A general discussion on the establishment of the National Aquatic Resource Agency, its functions and activities, is presented under the following major headings: objects and functions; the institutional framework: policy-making and interaction and coordination, and implementation; the Agency; and the activities of the Agency

Mobile Smartphone Applications for Healthcare Practitioners

Mobile Smartphone Applications (apps) have emerged in the last decade as a potentially beneficial tool for doctors. This thesis employs a novel investigative approach based on Realist Evaluation to investigate their prevalence, the outcomes of their use, and uncovers the key causal mechanisms and contexts that influence their use. The first part of the thesis sets the scene for the investigation by explaining the need for this research in an environment where much has been claimed for and against app use, but with a limited evidence base on which to base such claims. A scoping study is used to assess the nature of the extant literature and identify key questions that need to be addressed about app use. The next stage sets the scene for the realist empirical portion of the thesis, by explaining the need to take a theory-based perspective of the issues. The rationale for employing a realist methodology is described in terms of the need to examine causal explanations and contextual elements, with reference to the methodological implications for the rest of the enquiry. The elicitation of initial programme theory is then undertaken to provide a theoretical starting point for the thesis. The final part of the thesis describes an interview study and a mixed-methods study, which in turn develop and then test theories relating to the decision to use an app. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the key findings, presenting an outline theoretical model as well as recommendations designed to enhance the development, implementation and safe use of apps

Increase the Turbidity Removal Efficiency in Raw Water Using Different Coagulation Process in Drinking Water Treatment: A Case Study in Water Treatment Plant of Kandana

Coagulation process is a most important part in the water treatment process. However, in the process of water treatment in water treatment plant Kandana, there is a problem on coagulation under higher and lower levels of turbidity using only Alum (Al2(SO4)3.14 H2O). This research study was conducted to improve coagulation process to increase the turbidity removal efficiency under higher (>80) and lower (<8) turbidity conditions. Therefore, the objectives of the study are, to study the proper coagulation process for low and very high turbidity levels in source water under the efficiency of Alum with anionic polymers (Polyacrylamide) and to study the efficiency of Alum with pre-lime (Calcium hydroxide) usage in the coagulation process. Water samples were collected from the intake when the turbidity level was high and low and sample size was 50 L per once. The average optimum Alum dose of the low turbidity levels was determined by conducting jar tests. Optimum Alum dose of the low turbidities was used to determine the optimum lime dose and the effective polymer adding method and the optimum polymer dose for the low turbidities. Chemical and physical parameters were tested for raw water samples and settled water samples. Above same procedure was conducted for the high turbidity samples. As conclusions, there was not a considerable difference of final turbidity among the addition of Alum only, addition of pre-lime with Alum and addition of polymer with Alum for low turbidity raw water. Therefore, adding polymer and pre-lime with Alum have not given an efficiency for the low turbidity raw water. According to the results of high turbidity raw waters there was a considerable difference of final turbidity among the addition of Alum only, addition of pre-lime and Alum and addition of polymer and Alum. Adding polymer and pre-lime with Alum is effective for high turbidity raw water. Adding polymers with Alum more effective than the adding pre-lime with Alum for high turbidity raw water. There was a considerable pH deference by lime and polymer coagulation in high turbidity raw water.Keywords: Turbidity, Raw water, Coagulation, Treatment, Jar tes

Practical Significance Of Key Data Quality Research Areas

The body of knowledge on data and information quality is highly diversified, primarily due to the cross-disciplinary nature of data quality problems, coupled with a strong focus on fitness for use principle in developing data quality solutions. As a result, research and practice in data and information quality is characterized by methodological as well as topical diversity. Although research pluralism is highly warranted, there is evidence that substantial developments in the past have been isolationist. As a first step towards bridging gaps between various communities involved in data quality research and practice, we undertook a literature review of data quality research published in a range of Information System (IS) and Computer Science (CS) publication outlets and identified the key themes of research from last 20 years. In this paper, we utilize the above results to explore the impact of these themes within the data quality professional community. To that end, we developed an initial model of data quality factors (based on the identified key research themes), and conducted a survey of data quality practitioners to test the model. Our study found that the effective implementation of data quality assessment practices, data quality frameworks, and data constraints and rules, has a significant impact on overall data quality levels in organizations, whereas focus on other factors do not appear to significantly affect data quality. Results from this study can assist organizations in prioritising their data quality initiatives to focus on the factors that have the potential to contribute most significantly to overall data and information quality

Post-Implementation Benefits and Challenges of the Balanced Scorecard: Evidence from the Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Sector

The aim of this paper is to evaluate post implementation benefits and challenges of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) in the Finance and Accounting Outsourcing (FAO) sector in Sri Lanka. The generic idea of the BSC presented by Norton and Kaplan in the year 1992, may not be universally appropriate to all companies, and as a result there may be challenges faced throughout and after the implementation process of this tool. Hence, this study will focus on specifically examining the benefits and challenges faced by FAO companies in the post-implementation stage and discharge strategies to overcome the identified challenges. The FAO sector is selected since there is a noticeable number of entities that seem to be facing difficulties in the post implementation stage of BSC resulting in either discontinuation of it or using haphazard practices. This study followed a quantitative approach and data were collected through questionnaires and document reviews. The study found that all respondents unanimously agreed on certain benefits, prevalent challenges and strategies to overcome identified challenges, for the success of the BSC. It was noted that while the BSC proves to deliver many benefits through its use, it may only be gained through careful implementation of the same. Also, it is important to consider many challenges prior to, during and after the course of the implementation and ensure that these are overcome through carefully devised strategies. Keywords: Balanced Scorecard, Benefits, Challenges, Strategies, Finance and Accounting Outsourcing, Sri Lanka DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-22-10 Publication date: November 30th 201

Healthy Workplace Guide: Ten Steps to Implementing A Workplace Health Program

To assist businesses to improve the health of their employees, the Heart Foundation, Cancer Council NSW and Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Research Group (PANORG) from the School of Public Health at The University of Sydney, collaborated to develop this practical ten step guide. The guide provides easy to follow steps on creating a workplace that supports employees in leading healthy lifestyles, including how to get started, construct, implement and evaluate a workplace health program