Employability of Management Graduates of State Universities in Sri Lanka: Problems and Prospects

Employability must have to be attained in the journey to success in one’s career life. Graduates must be equipped with employability skills, knowledge, and personal attributes as the government of Sri Lanka allocates substantial resources for higher education. However, after graduation, a considerable number of graduates in the field of social sciences including management fail to find suitable employment, hence, are forced to accept lower-paying jobs that are not commensurate with their qualifications and some graduates are unemployed or underemployed. In this context, this study examines the level of employment and employability of management graduates of state universities in Sri Lanka, identifies problems and difficulties faced by management graduates in finding suitable jobs in the industry, and proposes policy measures for improving the employability of management undergraduates of state universities in Sri Lanka. Quantitative research methods were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Among 10,033 Management Graduates from 09 state universities, a sample of 1333 students was selected based on a stratified random sample method. A postal survey with a structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statics were used to analyze the data. The employability level of Management Graduates is higher than the average level. Nearly, 90% of them are employed or self-employed, but most of them are seeking a new job. The degree,personality, work experience, English proficiency and professional qualifications are the most important reasons for getting their current job. Age and lack of experience are the major constraints faced by graduates in finding a suitable job. The study proposes policy measures to enhance the level of employment and the employability of Management Graduates. Keywords: Employability, Employment Level, Management Graduates, State Universities, Sri Lank

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinol Coated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles

Background: Garcinol is a secondary metabolite derived from the plants of Clusiaceae Family. It has shown a broad range of bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are known to have a significant photocatalytic activity and are widely used in medicine. In this study, garcinol was used to modify the surface of TiO2NPs to enhance the antibacterial activity.Objectives: To synthesize, characterize and determine antimicrobial activity of garcinol coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles G-TiO2NPs.Methods: Garcinol was isolated from the dried fruit rinds of Garcinia quaesita. TiO2NPs were coated by garcinol and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Diffused Reflectance Spectroscopy. Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) was tested against five microbial species including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25623), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853),Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and clinical isolates of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), using broth micro-dilution assay. Time-kill kinetic study was performed to determine the inhibition percentage of Staphylococcus aureus over time.Results: SEM images confirmed the spherical shape of G-TiO2NPs, diameter ranging from 20 - 200 nm. XRD data revealed the anatase phase and rutile phase of TiO2NPs. Formation of G-TiO2NPs caused a red shift of the absorption wavelength. G-TiO2NPs and TiO2NPs showed a MIC range of 250-500 μg/ml and 500-1000 μg/ml against the tested microbial species, respectively. In the time-kill kinetic studies, inhibition percentage (IP) of microbial growth was determined at 60 minute time intervals. TiO2NPs and G-TiO2NPs demonstrated inhibition over 50% at 3 hours.Conclusions: G-TiO2NPs presented a significant enhancement in antimicrobial activity against S. aureus compared to TiO2NPs. Surface modification of TiO2NPs with garcinol has created a synergistic antimicrobial effect against S. aureus.Acknowledgement: University Grant ASP/01/RE/SCI/2017/1

Sri Lankan graphite making the space elevator possible

A metal catalyst free, low cost process of manufacturing carbon nanotubes (CNT) using Sri Lankan graphite as anode and cathode, in the absence of external cooling, in an inert gas atmosphere is presented in this paper. The CNT yield has been analyzed using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy

1-(4-Methoxy­phen­yl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine

The synthesis of the title compound, C16H15N3O, is regiospecific and single-crystal X-ray diffraction provides the only means of unambiguous structural analysis, with the benzene ring bonded to the imine C atom. The phenyl ring and the essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation 0.0354 Å) methoxy­benzene group are rotated by 29.41 (5) and 37.01 (5)°, respectively, from the central pyrazole ring. An inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond links symmetry-related mol­ecules into a C(5) chain, which runs parallel to the b axis

In vitro study of larvacidal effect of Chrysomya bezziana between atsiri oil (Piper betle leaf) from Sri Lanka and Bogor

Treatment of myiasis caused by the larvae of Chrysomya bezziana resulted variation results. The aim of the experiment are to compare larvacidal effect of atsiri oil of Piper betle leaf originated from Sri Lanka and Bogor agains Chrysomya bezziana larvae and to identify atsiri oil using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).  Silica gel plate GF254 with toluena and ethyl ecetate as diluents was used in TLC. L1 and L2 of Chrysomya bezziana larvae were used for in vitro assay using agar plate contained atsiri oil of three concentrations ie. 2, 3 and 4%. Asuntol 1% and aquadest sterile were used as positive and negative control, respectively. Ten larvae were used in five replicates. The larvae were observed every 30 minutes for four hours. Larval mortality were counted and probit analysed using POLO-PC software, therefore the lethal concentration (LC50 and LC95) and lethal time (LT50 and LT95) were defined. The results showed there was a difference on migration distance between atsiri oil from Sri Lanka and Bogor on nRf 79-88 analysed using TLC. In vitro assay showed that both lethal concentration and lethal time of atsiri oil from Sri Lanka was higher than from Bogor. This results indicated that larvacidal effect of atsiri oil from Bogor was stronger than atsiri oil from Sri Lanka in in vitro both on L1 and L2. Key Words: Piper Bitle Leaf, Atsiri Oil, Chrysomya bezziana, Sri Lanka, Bogo

Structural properties of Silicon-Germanium and Germanium-Silicon Core-Shell Nanowires

Core-shell nanowires made of Si and Ge can be grown experimentally with excellent control for different sizes of both core and shell. We have studied the structural properties of Si/Ge and Ge/Si core-shell nanowires aligned along the [110] direction, with diameters up to 10.2 nm and varying core to shell ratios, using linear scaling Density Functional Theory (DFT). We show that Vegard's law, which is often used to predict the axial lattice constant, can lead to an error of up to 1%, underlining the need for a detailed ab initio atomistic treatment of the nanowire structure. We analyse the character of the intrinsic strain distribution and show that, regardless of the composition or bond direction, the Si core or shell always expands. In contrast, the strain patterns in the Ge shell or core are highly sensitive to the location, composition and bond direction. The highest strains are found at heterojunction interfaces and the surfaces of the nanowires. This detailed understanding of the atomistic structure and strain paves the way for studies of the electronic properties of core-shell nanowires and investigations of doping and structure defects

SEED PROPAGATION OF RATH HADUN (Pferocarpus santalinus Linn.) AS EFFECTD BY METHOD OF SOAKING AND SCARIFICATION

Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.) is an evergreen tree species grownunder semi dry climates in well drained lateric soils. The reddish and fragrant heartwoodhas a range of medicinal, pharmaceutical, industrial and timber and economically placedin the same category as tusk and amber. The Red heartwood contains a range ofconstituents including santalin (Santalic Acid), Santaol, Pterocarpin, Homo-Petrocarpinand reported to have anticoagulant, anti inflammatory, anti expectorant, anti pyretic, antibacterial and anti tumor properties. Expensive natural fabric paint produced from thepowdered Red heartwood is used in wood carving of prestigious nature. The naturalhabitat of Red Sandalwood is India which is extensively exploited to the point of nearextinction, thus placing it in the red list of endangered species under IUCN guidelinesThere is only a limited number of Red sandalwood trees in Sri Lanka, which werebrought from India. Therefore, conservation and multiplication of Red sandal wood is oftimely importance. Even though a single tree of Red Sandalwood produces severalthousands of seeds, there is no single seedling under the tree. The local requirement ofRed Sanders is met partly by Indian suppliers while substitutes with similar medicinalproperties (Rath Kehiriya) are also being used.Two separate pot experiments(Complete Randomized Design with three replicates) wereconducted to study the seed germination as affected by method of soaking andscarification. Fully matured brown coloured fresh seeds were used for the experimentsand viability of the seeds used for the experiment was 70 to 72 %. Three differentsoaking methods (i.e. 24 hours dipping in normal water, 24 hour soaking in runningwater, alternatively soaked in running water for 12 hrs. followed by 12 hours of dryingfor 14 days) and again differentiated with scarification and without scarification wereused as treatments. Total germination percentage was counted up to 14 daysResults revealed that Seed germination was significantly higher (P>0.05) in scarifiedseeds (48.8%) when compared to those without scarification (6.1%). With regards to thesoaking method, highest germination percentage (3 1%) was observed in the treatment,12 hrs of alternate soaking and drying in running water for 14 days, which was notsignificantly different from the treatment that seeds were soaked in running water for 24hrs. Therefore it can be concluded that germination of Red Sandalwood seeds could besubstantially enhanced by scarification of the seed coat and seeds soaked in runningwater for 24 hrs. as well as 12 hrs of alternate soaking and drying for 14 days.

(2-Amino­phen­yl)[(5S)-5-hydr­oxy-3,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]methanone

In the mol­ecule of the title compound, C12H15N3O2, the pyrazole ring is oriented at a dihedral angle of 49.64 (6)° with respect to the benzene ring. Intra­molecular O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O inter­actions result in the formation of a trifurcated hydrogen bond. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular N—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, forming a network structure

Impact of the scattering physics on the power factor of complex thermoelectric materials

We assess the impact of the scattering physics assumptions on the thermoelectric properties of five Co-based p-type half-Heusler alloys by considering full energy-dependent scattering times vs the commonly employed constant scattering time. For this, we employ density functional theory band structures and a full numerical scheme that uses Fermi's golden rule to extract the momentum relaxation times of each state at every energy, momentum, and band. We consider electron-phonon scattering (acoustic and optical), as well as ionized impurity scattering, and evaluate the qualitative and quantitative differences in the power factors of the materials compared to the case where the constant scattering time is employed. We show that the thermoelectric power factors extracted from the two different methods differ in terms of (i) their ranking between materials, (ii) the carrier density where the peak power factor appears, and (iii) their trends with temperature. We further show that the constant relaxation time approximation smoothens out the richness in the band structure features, thus limiting the possibilities of exploring this richness for material design and optimization. These details are more properly captured under full energy/momentum-dependent scattering time considerations. Finally, by mapping the conductivities extracted within the two schemes, we provide appropriate density-dependent constant relaxation times that could be employed as a fast first-order approximation for extracting charge transport properties in the half-Heuslers we consider

Gapless spinons and a field-induced soliton gap in the hyper-honeycomb Cu oxalate framework compound [(C2_{2}H5_{5})3_{3}NH]2_{2}Cu2_{2}(C2_{2}O4_{4})3_{3}

We report a detailed study of the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility of single crystals of a spin liquid candidate: the hyper-honeycomb Cu oxalate framework compound [(C$_2$H$_5$)$_3$NH]$_2$Cu$_2$(C$_2$O$_4$)$_3$. The specific heat shows no anomaly associated with a magnetic transition at low temperatures down to $T\sim$ 180 mK in zero magnetic field. We observe a large linear-in-$T$ contribution to the specific heat $\gamma T$, $\gamma = 98(1)$ mK/mol K$^{2}$, at low temperatures, indicative of the presence of fermionic excitations despite the Mott insulating state. The low-$T$ specific heat is strongly suppressed by applied magnetic fields $H$, which induce an energy gap, $\Delta (H)$, in the spin-excitation spectrum. We use the four-component relativistic density-functional theory (DFT) to calculate the magnetic interactions, including the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya antisymmetric exchange, which causes an effective staggered field acting on one copper sublattice. The magnitude and field dependence of the field-induced gap, $\Delta (H) \propto H^{2/3}$, are accurately predicted by the soliton mass calculated from the sine-Gordon model of weakly coupled antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains with all parameters determined by our DFT calculations. Thus our experiment and calculations are entirely consistent with a model of [(C$_2$H$_5$)$_3$NH]$_2$Cu$_2$(C$_2$O$_4$)$_3$ in which anisotropic magnetic exchange interactions due to Jahn-Teller distortion cause one copper sublattice to dimerize, leaving a second sublattice of weakly coupled antiferromagnetic chains. We also show that this model quantitatively accounts for the measured temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility. Thus [(C$_2$H$_5$)$_3$NH]$_2$Cu$_2$(C$_2$O$_4$)$_3$ is a canonical example of a one-dimensional spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet and not a resonating-valence-bond quantum spin liquid, as previously proposed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure