Elements influencing the success of Human Resource Information System

Purpose: Due to the upgrade of technology, it has swapped the methods of controlling human beings in companies. In this context, finding the elements influencing the success of the HRIS in ABC manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd was the current research motive. Research methodology: The study design was deductive and quantitative. Moreover, primary data with Scale questionnaire was utilized for data gathering. 30 executives were selected in ABC manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd have directly dealt with the HRI System. Further, data analysis did through regression analysis. Results: The results confirmed that the success of HRIS was significantly impacted by the internal environmental elements and the external environmental elements. Also, found that internal environmental factors have the highest influence on the success of HRIS compared with the rest. Limitations: The respondents chosen for the study were 30 in one single company. Instead, the researcher selected two determinants only. Contribution: The researcher is motivated through this study because electronic, personal applications are now highly concern in local companies. The research findings can apply to organizations in third-world profiles to boost their HRI systems' efficacy. Keywords: Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Internal environmental elements, External environmental element

A Profile of Biomass Stove Use in Sri Lanka

A large body of evidence has confirmed that the indoor air pollution (IAP) from biomass fuel use is a major cause of premature deaths, and acute and chronic diseases. Over 78% of Sri Lankans use biomass fuel for cooking, the major source of IAP in developing countries. We conducted a review of the available literature and data sources to profile biomass fuel use in Sri Lanka. We also produced two maps (population density and biomass use; and cooking fuel sources by district) to illustrate the problem in a geographical context. The biomass use in Sri Lanka is limited to wood while coal, charcoal, and cow dung are not used. Government data sources indicate poor residents in rural areas are more likely to use biomass fuel. Respiratory diseases, which may have been caused by cooking emissions, are one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and death. The World Health Organization estimated that the number of deaths attributable to IAP in Sri Lanka in 2004 was 4300. Small scale studies have been conducted in-country in an attempt to associate biomass fuel use with cataracts, low birth weight, respiratory diseases and lung cancer. However, the IAP issue has not been broadly researched and is not prominent in Sri Lankan public health policies and programs to date. Our profile of Sri Lanka calls for further analytical studies and new innovative initiatives to inform public health policy, advocacy and program interventions to address the IAP problem of Sri Lanka

Prevalence and Determinants of Selected Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A cross-sectional study among Adults in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of selected risk factors of CVDs and their associations with socio-demographics and anthropometrics factors among adults in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged between 30-60 years. Participants were selected using a three staged random sampling method. The WHO STEPS wise approach was used to collect data. Results: There were 366 participants with a male to female ratio of 1:2.1. The mean age was 45.2 years (SD=8.8). Approximately two-thirds (63.4%) of the participants were physically inactive. Prevalence of high blood pressure, high blood glucose level, high total cholesterol level, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and high triglycerides were 27.0%, 22.1%, 39.9%, 37.7%, 29.0%, and 37.7% respectively. The mean values of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and triglyceride level were significantly higher among men, whereas mean values of HDL, LDL, waist circumference and BMI were higher in women. Mean SBP, DBP and prevalence of blood pressure increased with age. Mean waist circumference, BMI, total cholesterol, and triglyceride level increased with the years of education. Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD risk factors was considerably high in this population. Therefore, it is essential to plan public health interventions considering the population characteristics associated with CVD risk factors.   Keywords: Adults, Cardiovascular disease, Risk factors, Sri Lanka, WHO STEP wise approac

Identify Potentiality of Establishing an Ecotourism Region by Linking Horton Plains, Babarakanda and Lanka Water Falls

Tourism is one of the biggest service industry with different aspects in the world. Ecotourismis present tendency with the concept of sustainability. It is a purposeful travel to natural areasto understand the culture and natural history of the environment taking care not to alter theintegrity of the ecosystem while producing economic opportunities that make conservation ofnatural resources beneficial to local people.This study conducted to identify potentiality of creating ecotourism region by connectingHorton plains, Babarakanda and Lanka waterfalls. As sub objectives identify resourcesneeded to establish ecotourism region and ways of tourism service can improve in this region.In each district, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya two G.N divisions were selected as study areanamely Kalupahana, Weerakoongama and Loinan, Pattipola respectively. To tackle downabove objectives questionnaire survey was carried out for both villagers and local as well asforeign tourists. Sample size was 50 for villagers than 50 and 20 for local and foreign touristsrespectively. Chi square test and weighted overlay technique in ArcGIS used to analysecollected data. According to Pearson’s chi square test following relationships were identified:development in tourism have a relationship with economic development and regionaldevelopment in the area. As well to enhance opportunities of employment and income waysand also for develop infrastructures in study area with 0.001, 0.036, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.002significance levels respectively under the 95% confidence level. Roadmap, vegetation covermap and tourist site map were used to generate suitable ecotourism regions map. It revealedNorth, West and Southwest of study area were more suitable as ecotourism region because ofmany small waterfalls with large waterfalls such as Babarakanda and Lanka waterfallsbesides its vegetation cover and Horton plain’s biodiversity.77% of tourism attraction siteslocated this region while remaining locations scattered around the lower suitable areas. Studyarea support for tourist activities such as hiking, plant investigation, mountain climbing etc.Interconnectivity between tourist hot spots must develop and same time improvement ofinfrastructures and services must provide in order to have a productive ecotourism region.

Rapid in situ evolution of nodulating strains for Biserrula pelecinus L. through lateral transfer of a symbiosis island from the original mesorhizobial inoculant

Diverse rhizobia able to nodulate Biserrula pelecinus evolved following in situ transfer of nodA and nifH from an inoculant to soil bacteria. Transfer of these chromosomal genes and the presence of an identical integrase gene adjacent to a Phe tRNA gene in both the inoculant and recipients indicate that there was lateral transfer of a symbiosis island

NITROGEN STATUS AND ITS SUPPLYING CAPACITY OF TROPICAL SOILS

Total Nitrogen content in tropical soils is generally low compared to the mosttemperate soils. About 98% total nitrogen is associated with soil organic matterwhich in turn subjects to mineralization and hence releases mineral nitrogen to thesoil. Thereby most tropical soils nitrogen supplying capacity or nitrogenmineralization potential is relatively low and declines rapidly during croppingseason unless nitrogen sources are incorporated frequently. This investigationconducted to find out the nitrogen status, distribution of different nitrogenfractions and the mineralization potential of some selected agriculturallyimportant soils of Sri Lanka.Sixteen soils collected from various locations representing different soil typeswere analysed for total nitrogen. Eight soils from sixteen soils were fractionatedand ana lysed for different nitrogen forms viz; available N, ammonia-N, aminosugar-N, amino acid-N, acid hydrolyzable unknown N and acid insoluble-N afteracid hydrolysis. In a laboratory incubation experiment, those eight soils weresubjected to follow the nitrogen mineralization potential and to determine themineralization rates according to the method described by Stanford and Smith(1972). The nitrogen mineralization data during 315 days of inclubation wereused in Stanford and Smith's first order decay model to calculate nitrogenmineralization rate(k) and nitrogen mineralization potential (No).Total nitrogen contents in the studied soils varied from 89.36 (Aralaganwila) to365 mg/l00 g soil (NuwaraEliya). Soil organic matter contents also gave similarvariation and showed close relationship with total soil nitrogen. The distributionof different forms of soil nitrogen also varied among the soils studied. A majorpart of organic nitrogen in Sri Lankan soils was found to be associated with aminoacid-N fraction followed by the ammonia-N fraction. This was consistent withthe other studies conducted in elsewhere (Stevenson, 1957; 1982)Nitrogen mineralization rate was ranged from 0.0069 to 0.026 N mg/lOO soil perday. Highest mineralization rate was given by two paddy soils (Kiribathkumburaand Pilimathalawa). Nitrogen mineralizations potential or nitrogen supplyingpower also varied from 5.33 to 38.52 N mg/lOO g soil. High mineralizationpotential was also recorded in paddy soils. This may be attributed to the highorganic matter contents in those soils. Further these different nitrogen supplyingpowers of soils reflect their inherit characteristics or potential in supplyingavailable nitrogen for plant usage. One should give serious consideration to thoseparameters of soil nitrogen when nitrogen fertilizer recommendation practices areconducted for crops to attain optimum yield.

Acoustics in architecture: an examination of its role as an element contributing to the qualitative attributes of space

Architecture is inherently an art form of the body and all our senses. U creates a meaningful framework for the activities of the man by controlling and regulating the interrelationship between the man and his living environment. Since architecture should be an occasion of making a place by adding continuous articulation of human habitat, the reproduction of freestanding buildings will become an environmental destruction. So, an architect, beyond the authentic artist, must engage to make concrete the ideal view of life. Architecture, as meaningful buildings, should communicate its meaning through the organization of elements, which are considered as timeless and fundamental vocabulary in architecture. However, the required state of mind or the mood in architectural spaces could be generated through various combinations and relationships of so called spatial volumes In consideration of acoustics as an aesthetic element, the architect has before him the aesthetic problem of unfamiliar forms because, in architecture, beauty and familiarity are closely linked in a manner more binding than in other arts. However, in designing an acoustically favorable space, architect should recognize and use acoustic character as the basics of his idea. Although he has new materials, there is no other process of making it beautiful than the old process used by long ago by Greek Architects of contemplative design - emphasizing the essential character, economizing effects and adding ornaments. So, it is obvious that, the factors making for good or bad acoustics are not all new: some of them were most fundamental to buildings in old period and have been recognized in the past by acute designers such as the builders of Greek Theatres. When attention has been paid to special acoustic requirements, certain standard types of architecture have arisen such as classic theatres, the Leipzig concert hall, the Italian opera house, and the English House of Commons. These types have given satisfaction for generation So, the great history of architecture has to be touched to see the good performance of great architecture. They have been created through symbolic and emotional ideas of their traditions and the culture. Since the aesthetic experience is a matter of all our senses beyond the visual expression, the "aural environment" will be significant as an inherent attribute contributing to articulate human habitat in three-dimensional spatial volumes in architecture