Food Security in Urban Households: The Role of Women in an Asian Context

Assuring food security is one of the challenges in low and middle-income countries with their rapid urbanization. The role of women has been identified as a key to food security in rural societies, however, yet to make conclusions in an urban setting. Hence this study tries to analyse the role of women in urban households while addressing the context-specific social and cultural differences of women’s role in Asia. The study uses data from Sri Lanka Household Income and Expenditure Survey-2016 and estimates the impact of women's role using the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method. The relative status of food security of each household is measured using the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). The study finds a higher level of food security is associated with a higher level of female education. Similarly, households are more food secure when women are more responsible for household income. Further, it reveals that the economic burden on women being the single income earner has not affected on changing the level of food security in their households

Cosmopolitanism Orientation and Fashion Consciousness of Educated Young Consumers of Fashion Related Products in Sri Lanka

Cosmopolitanism has become an integral part of social systems. Fashion consciousness is also a central aspect of the self of the fashion consumer. Thus, cosmopolitanism orientation may be one of the main determinants of fashion consciousness in the world at large regardless the geographical proximity. Most of the studies centred on cosmopolitanism, fashion consciousness, and fashion related products are based upon developed countries reflecting the seldom of developing country-based research. Addressing such gaps in the literature this scrutiny firstly aims to assess the degree of cosmopolitanism orientation in Sri Lankan young consumers, secondly to examine whether or not cosmopolitism orientation varies across the different ethnic groups, and thirdly to examine whether cosmopolitanism orientation discriminates the high from moderate, and moderate from low degree of fashion consciousness of Sri Lankan young educated consumers by performing Multiple Discriminant Analysis. A survey was carried out taking university students as the proxy for Sri Lankan younger generation. 663 usable questionnaires were used for the analysis. The result uncovers that Sri Lankan educated young consumers possess moderate degree of cosmopolitanism orientation and that Sinhalese are more open to Western Values than Tamil and Muslim Community. The results of Multiple Discriminant Analysis divulge that cosmopolitanism orientation discriminates the high from moderate, and moderate from low degree of fashion consciousness though the discriminating power is weak. Finally the paper makes important implications and suggestions for practitioners as well as for academics in the field of fashion and fashion related products.KeywordsCosmopolitanism Orientation, Fashion Consciousness, Fashion Products

Tsunami and its impact on fisheries industry in Harnbantota district of Sri Lanka

December 26,2004 the earth quake occurred close by the Sumathra Islands created a tsumani situationat north, east and south region of Sri Lanka and caused heavy damages killing over 30,000 people,destroying over 100,000 homes and weakening the livelihood of the victims. Also, the natural ecosystems,and coastal infrastructure were destroyed to a great extent. Twenty percent of the coastal populationaffected in Harnbantota district and more than seventy percent were affected in north and eastregions. Fisheries industry experiences a large amount of losses among the affected economic sectorsand industries. Not only the livelihood of the people who are directly involved in fishing but also thelivelihood of the people in related industries, were impacted by the disaster. In general, death,displacements, and damages to the fishing boats and fishing harbors are the results of the Tsunamiwhich pave the way to an economic and social crisis in the country. As it discloses the significantdirect impact to fisheries industries and to the nation at large, the purpose of this study is to asses thedamage and inquire the needs for those who engaged in fisheries and related industries in Hambantotadistrict. Godawaya village in Hambantota district is selected for the study as it is one of the villagesinvolving in different sub sectors of the fisheries industry and it has been seriously affected by Tsunami.Fifty families, which involved in fisheries industry, are directly interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Observation method is also used to gather some of the sensitive data which can not becollected through a questionnaire. The descriptive statistical tools are used for analysis.The study has found that sixty four percent of the people lost more than fifty percent of their propertieswhich have been used in fisheries industry, still their core competency remains with the same industryas per their education level and the experience. Conducting short term business and psychologicalcounseling and training programmes, facilitating through low-interest loan schemes, providingtechnological and marketing supports, developing a multiple village production cluster approach andconducting intensive vocational skill transferring programmes are recommended as short and mediumterm strategies. Establishing Godawaya village, with necessary infrastructure facilities, as an economichub due its uniqueness in location is the main long term strategy.

Ice-nucleating particle emissions from biomass combustion and the potential importance of soot aerosol

Ice-nucleating particles (INPs) are required for initial ice crystal formation in clouds at temperatures warmer than about -36°C and thus play a crucial role in cloud and precipitation formation. Biomass burning has been found to be a source of INPs in previous studies and is also a major contributor to atmospheric black carbon (BC) concentrations. This study focuses on isolating the BC contribution to the INP population associated with biomass combustion. Emissions of condensation mode INPs from a number of globally relevant biomass fuels were measured at -30°C and above water saturation as fires progressed from ignition to extinguishment in a laboratory setting. Number emissions of INPs were found to be highest during intense flaming combustion (modified combustion efficiency\u3e0.95). Overall, combustion emissions from 13 of 22 different biomass fuel types produced measurable INP concentrations for at least one replicate experiment. On average, all burns that produced measureable INPs had higher combustion efficiency, which is associated with higher BC emissions, than those that did not produce measureable INPs. Across all burns that produced measureable INPs, concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 10 cm-3, and the median emission factor was about 2 × 107 INPs per kilogram of fuel burned. For a subset of the burns, the contribution of refractory black carbon (rBC) to INP concentrations was determined by removing rBC via laser-induced incandescence. Reductions in INPs of 0-70% were observed, indicating an important contribution of rBC particles to INP concentrations for some burns, especially marsh grasses

X-ray absorption spectroscopy systematics at the tungsten L-edge

A series of mononuclear six-coordinate tungsten compounds spanning formal oxidation states from 0 to +VI, largely in a ligand environment of inert chloride and/or phosphine, has been interrogated by tungsten L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The L-edge spectra of this compound set, comprised of [W<sup>0</sup>(PMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>], [W<sup>II</sup>Cl<sub>2</sub>(PMePh<sub>2</sub>)<sub>4</sub>], [W<sup>III</sup>Cl<sub>2</sub>(dppe)<sub>2</sub>][PF<sub>6</sub>] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [W<sup>IV</sup>Cl<sub>4</sub>(PMePh<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], [W<sup>V</sup>(NPh)Cl<sub>3</sub>(PMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>], and [W<sup>VI</sup>Cl<sub>6</sub>] correlate with formal oxidation state and have usefulness as references for the interpretation of the L-edge spectra of tungsten compounds with redox-active ligands and ambiguous electronic structure descriptions. The utility of these spectra arises from the combined correlation of the estimated branching ratio (EBR) of the L<sub>3,2</sub>-edges and the L<sub>1</sub> rising-edge energy with metal Z<sub>eff</sub>, thereby permitting an assessment of effective metal oxidation state. An application of these reference spectra is illustrated by their use as backdrop for the L-edge X-ray absorption spectra of [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>2</sub>] and [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CN)<sub>2</sub>]<sup>2–</sup> (mdt<sup>2–</sup> = 1,2-dimethylethene-1,2-dithiolate), which shows that both compounds are effectively W<sup>IV</sup> species. Use of metal L-edge XAS to assess a compound of uncertain formulation requires: 1) Placement of that data within the context of spectra offered by unambiguous calibrant compounds, preferably with the same coordination number and similar metal ligand distances. Such spectra assist in defining upper and/or lower limits for metal Z<sub>eff</sub> in the species of interest; 2) Evaluation of that data in conjunction with information from other physical methods, especially ligand K-edge XAS; 3) Increased care in interpretation if strong π-acceptor ligands, particularly CO, or π-donor ligands are present. The electron-withdrawing/donating nature of these ligand types, combined with relatively short metal-ligand distances, exaggerate the difference between formal oxidation state and metal Z<sub>eff</sub> or, as in the case of [W<sup>IV</sup>(mdt)<sub>2</sub>(CO)<sub>2</sub>], add other subtlety by modulating the redox level of other ligands in the coordination sphere

Li1.5La1.5MO6 (M = W6+, Te6+) as a new series of lithium-rich double perovskites for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Solid-state batteries are a proposed route to safely achieving high energy densities, yet this architecture faces challenges arising from interfacial issues between the electrode and solid electrolyte. Here we develop a novel family of double perovskites, Li1.5La1.5MO6 (M = W6+, Te6+), where an uncommon lithium-ion distribution enables macroscopic ion diffusion and tailored design of the composition allows us to switch functionality to either a negative electrode or a solid electrolyte. Introduction of tungsten allows reversible lithium-ion intercalation below 1 V, enabling application as an anode (initial specific capacity >200 mAh g-1 with remarkably low volume change of ∼0.2%). By contrast, substitution of tungsten with tellurium induces redox stability, directing the functionality of the perovskite towards a solid-state electrolyte with electrochemical stability up to 5 V and a low activation energy barrier (<0.2 eV) for microscopic lithium-ion diffusion. Characterisation across multiple length- and time-scales allows interrogation of the structure-property relationships in these materials and preliminary examination of a solid-state cell employing both compositions suggests lattice-matching avenues show promise for all-solid-state batteries

Network Structures in the International Clothing Industry

Abstract: The structure and operation of supply networks have received considerable attention from both the business community and academic researchers in the last two decades as the pace of globalisation has accelerated. Supply networks in the international clothing industry have developed and evolved significantly over that period. This paper reviews different ways to categorise supply networks and notes their limitations in providing insights on the structure and operation of networks in the contemporary global clothing industry. Leading retailers and major clothing brand owners influence strongly how such networks operate. Given the limitations of existing generic classifications, a new classification of clothing supply networks is presented based on extensive empirical evidence from the Sri Lankan clothing industry. The relevance of the findings for network design and management are noted. This study of supply networks in the international clothing industry provides much potential for further research, particularly in globally dispersed industries

Tsunami and its impact on fisheries industry in Harnbantota district of Sri Lanka

December 26,2004 the earth quake occurred close by the Sumathra Islands created a tsumani situationat north, east and south region of Sri Lanka and caused heavy damages killing over 30,000 people,destroying over 100,000 homes and weakening the livelihood of the victims. Also, the natural ecosystems,and coastal infrastructure were destroyed to a great extent. Twenty percent of the coastal populationaffected in Harnbantota district and more than seventy percent were affected in north and eastregions. Fisheries industry experiences a large amount of losses among the affected economic sectorsand industries. Not only the livelihood of the people who are directly involved in fishing but also thelivelihood of the people in related industries, were impacted by the disaster. In general, death,displacements, and damages to the fishing boats and fishing harbors are the results of the Tsunamiwhich pave the way to an economic and social crisis in the country. As it discloses the significantdirect impact to fisheries industries and to the nation at large, the purpose of this study is to asses thedamage and inquire the needs for those who engaged in fisheries and related industries in Hambantotadistrict. Godawaya village in Hambantota district is selected for the study as it is one of the villagesinvolving in different sub sectors of the fisheries industry and it has been seriously affected by Tsunami.Fifty families, which involved in fisheries industry, are directly interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Observation method is also used to gather some of the sensitive data which can not becollected through a questionnaire. The descriptive statistical tools are used for analysis.The study has found that sixty four percent of the people lost more than fifty percent of their propertieswhich have been used in fisheries industry, still their core competency remains with the same industryas per their education level and the experience. Conducting short term business and psychologicalcounseling and training programmes, facilitating through low-interest loan schemes, providingtechnological and marketing supports, developing a multiple village production cluster approach andconducting intensive vocational skill transferring programmes are recommended as short and mediumterm strategies. Establishing Godawaya village, with necessary infrastructure facilities, as an economichub due its uniqueness in location is the main long term strategy.