Ousl Journal最新文献

{"title":"The Efficacy of Different Mulching Materials in Influencing Growth, Yield, Soil and Quality Parameters of Ginger Cultivated in Low Country Intermediate Zone (IL1) of Sri Lanka","authors":"R. Kumara, C. Silva","doi":"10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7473","url":null,"abstract":"Even though mulching is a well-known fact among cultivators they are seemingly unaware of its contribution to growth and yield of Ginger and its ability to cope with temperature and water stress. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the Intercropping and Betel Research Station, Narammala to investigate the effect of different mulching materials on growth, yield, quality parameters of Ginger and the soil parameters in the Low country intermediate zone (IL1) of Sri Lanka. The study was also extended to find out the best mulching material for Ginger under certain field conditions. The findings are expected to contribute to eliminate the uncertainty faced by farmers when selecting suitable mulch for Ginger. The mulches tested were straw, gliricidia leaves, coconut leaves, coir dust and polythene. A control treatment was used without the use of mulch. Experiment was carried out as a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Plant and soil parameters were measured at monthly intervals. All the treatments showed better performances than the control treatment which did not use mulch. The maximum number of sprouted plants was obtained in plots mulched with gliricidia. Further, the significantly highest plant height and number of pseudostems per clump were observed in gliricidia mulched plants. Fresh weight and dry weight of rhizomes too followed the similar pattern of measured growth parameters. Plots that did not used mulch recorded the lowest growth rate and yield of Ginger. Soil moisture conservation was significantly higher in the treatments with mulch than the control treatment. Polythene mulch was more effective for conserving of soil moisture than other mulches. However, all the soil parameters significantly contributed to the highest yield of Ginger in Gliricidia mulch treatment. The pungency level of Ginger was significantly higher in the control treatment. In this study gliricidia mulch positively contributed to increase the yield of Ginger (43.66% per hectare) more than the average yield denoted by DEA. Keeping the above facts in view, gliricidia proved to be the best mulch for Ginger cultivation in the low country intermediate zone (IL1) of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the results of this study will help the farmers to use the correct mulch to get significantly higher yield.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"268 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116245829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Commuter Travel Pattern to OUSL Nawala: A Case Study","authors":"L. M. Prathapasinghe, D. B. Maddumaarachchi, G. Damayanthi, K. Weerasekera","doi":"10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7475","url":null,"abstract":"This study intends to analyse the inflow pattern of commuters of OUSL Colombo Regional Center and Main University Nawala with their travel origins, and study their travel-mode patterns and travel nature. The study followed road side interviews, which was the most suitable method to be adopted for such study purpose. This was identified by an extensive literature survey. Pilot studies were conducted during midweek and weekends to identify the volume of walkers and motorists coming through the four gates of the university to get an idea on size of survey teams to conduct interviews and to decide how to locate survey teams around the entry gates during the main surveys. Main surveys were carried out on a Saturday (weekend) and a Wednesday (midweek), from 8:00 to 18:00 hours covering a 10-hour survey duration. According to the questionnaire, the walkers and motorists coming to OUSL through all four gates were interviewed and contacted more than 1000 respondents. This survey has captured around 58% of total arrivals during the weekend and 56% during midweek. It was observed that a total of 51% of university community came through Nugegoda. Most of them came from Kotte Divisional Secretaries division (zone no 7). It was observed that from the total arrivals, 82 % (weekend) and 66% (midweek) came from zone 7. Out of the community coming to the University for Study Purposes during weekends, 51% were males and 48% females; during midweek, 54% were males and 46% females. Around 74% of community coming to OUSL use buses, while 9% come by trains. As the final outcome of this study, a shuttle service of buses was designed to provide a better service to OUSL visitors during the rush hours (ie. 8:00 am to 10:00 pm). Shuttle services are proposed from some main towns. Through the study it was found that presently no adequate number of passengers use trains.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130532867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Life Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Who are Undergoing Haemodialysis at Two Selected Teaching Hospitals in Sri Lanka","authors":"M. Premadasa, H. Hulangamuwa, W. Wijesooriya, T. Amarasekara","doi":"10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7430","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has shown a rising trend in Sri Lanka. Haemodialysis (HD) is a method of managing patients with CKD. Improving and maintaining Quality of Life (QOL) is an essential goal of nursing care for patients with CKD. However, there is a paucity of data on QOL among patients with CKD who are undergoing HD in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the QOL among patients with CKD who are undergoing HD at haemodialysis units in selected teaching hospitals in Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with purposively selected participants (n=250) at haemodialysis units in the above settings. Data was obtained through two pre-tested questionnaires, Socio-demographic questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF, and they were analysed using descriptive statistics. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics review committee, KAATSU International University (KIU), Sri Lanka. Findings revealed that the majority of participants were male 184 (73.6%), and belonged to the 30-64 age group. Nearly half of them (48.4%) have undergone HD treatment for periods ranging from 3 months to1 year duration, and 54% of them have been admitted three times per week for HD. Data revealed that the Environmental domain has the highest mean value (59.2±16.6), and social relationship domain has the least (49.5±22.5). Physical health and psychological domains were 51.9 (15.6), and 52.3 (19.9) mean values, respectively. Most of the participants (69.2%) were observed having poor overall QOL. Statistically, significant p values were as follows: Participants’ education level (p=0.000), average monthly income (p=0.002) and the frequency of dialysis towards QOL (p=0.000). Health education programs should be organised to enhance QOL among patients with CKD and undergoing HD.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"94 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125238924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perceptions of Buddhism among Professionals in Nepal","authors":"Mahendra Kumar Shakya","doi":"10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7476","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/ouslj.v14i2.7476","url":null,"abstract":"Prince Siddhartha, who later became the Buddha, was born in the city of Lumbini in Nepal circa 623 BC. His spiritual guidance inspires millions of followers and practitioners globally. The teachings of the Buddha, who throughout his life preached about integrity and morality, could be valuable in promoting ethics and integrity and could also play an influencing role in the current drive of the Nepalese government to create a prosperous nation. Thus, understanding the perceptions of the development professionals and the intellectuals of Nepal towards this system of philosophy would be critical to understand not only the current status of Buddhist teachings in Nepal but also how this system of thought could be diverted for the purposes of nation-building. To understand the existing knowledge and perceptions of the professionals, an exploratory survey was carried out in October 2018 with questionnaires developed using Google Forms. The link was shared among 250 professionals and the first 100 responses received online were tabulated and analyzed. The study found that more than two-thirds of the respondents do not have even a basic knowledge about the Buddha's teachings and practices, which would comprise the teaching disseminated through the texts such as The Dhammapada, Jataka Stories, and the philosophical foundations of the Four Nobel Truths, the Nobble Eightfold Path, and Meditation. Some of these professionals illustrated the importance of including the teachings of the Buddha in the school curriculum and offering meditation as an extracurricular activity.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"225 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115424719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Analysis of Action Research Studies Conducted by Teachers in Sri Lankan Schools","authors":"G. Lekamge, J. Thilakeratne","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7459","url":null,"abstract":"Action research is becoming popular in the school system as a viable mean for empowering teachers. It provides teachers the opportunity to improve their reflective practice and to implement solutions to problems they face in the teaching-learning process. Considering the potential benefits of action research to teachers, students and school community at large, the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka had launched a project aimed at empowering teachers with required skills and motivating them to conduct action research studies. About 84 teachers who had sent their research proposals in response to an open invitation sent by the Ministry of Education in early 2017 were called for a series of workshops through which their original proposals were fine-tuned and knowledge and skills on action research were enhanced. This paper analyses the nature of problems considered by teachers for their action research studies, the innovative strategies adopted for the intervention process and the observations and reflections made during the intervention process on the changes experienced by participants. As the analysis reveals, teachers are capable in applying innovative strategies as solutions to the problems in their teaching-learning process. Further, it is evident that many students who had problems in coping with day-to-day activities in their classrooms benefitted through the interventions. It is recommended that school authorities should develop a supportive environment within their schools to motivate teachers towards action research studies as they provide on-the-spot solutions to the problems in the teaching-learning process.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132436581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Directives in Sinhala: Children’s Speech and Adult Child-Directed Speech","authors":"L. Abesooriya, Kaushalya Perera","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7453","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7453","url":null,"abstract":"Directives is an important area of study in child language development and language socialization since it illustrates children’s ability to affect the behavior of others around them by using language. However, we have no account of directives by children in Sinhala. A study of Sinhala directives by children is important given that research on diverse languages contribute to significant changes in our knowledge of both the typology and the linguistic resources used for directives in general. The main aim of this study is to record the forms of directives used by children speaking Sinhala as a first language. Sinhala, the dominant language of Sri Lanka, is little studied in terms of pragmatics. Therefore, a secondary purpose of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of Sinhala pragmatics. Using recorded data and observation from children and their caregivers, this paper studies the use of Sinhala directives by middle class children and their adult caretakers in Sri Lanka. The study shows that children from 2-4 years of age are able to use directives appropriate to their pragmatic function. It also shows surprising findings on children’s use of (im)polite language, an area that needs more research.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129037483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Counterproductive Work Behaviour among Local Government Employees in Edo State, Nigeria","authors":"Alasa Paul Kadiri, E. Umemezia","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7460","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7460","url":null,"abstract":"There is a growing concern about the pervasiveness of counterproductive work behaviours among employees in many organisations. In spite of its damaging consequences and negative impacts on organisational wellbeing, counterproductive work behaviours usually go unnoticed or unreported perhaps due to its illegal nature. This study examined the forms and level of prevalence of counterproductive work behaviours among local government employees in Edo State, Nigeria. It also ascertained the relationship between psychological contract breach and counterproductive work behaviours. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were gathered through the use of a questionnaire which was administered on 319 sample respondents, out of which 282 questionnaires were retrieved and found usable, representing a response rate of 88.4%. The data obtained were analysed using statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation and ANOVA analysis. The results of the study revealed that the forms of counterproductive work behaviour investigated (i.e. sabotage, withdrawal, theft and abuse) are exhibited at a moderate level among local government employees. The results also indicated that psychological contract breach has a significant influence on counterproductive work behaviours that is organisational and interpersonal in nature. It was recommended that the local governments should fulfil their part of the psychological contract. The study also recommends that the local government should organise regular enlightenment programmes, and formulate appropriate HR policies that would help reduce the level of counterproductive work behaviours among employees.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129185698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Complexity and Fear of Teaching the “Other”: The Role of Teachers in a Larger Process of Social Cohesion and Peace","authors":"Sreemali Herath","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7447","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7447","url":null,"abstract":"Based on a narrative case study conducted in two in-service teacher preparation programs for English language teachers in Sri Lanka, this paper explores the role of English language teachers in promoting so-cial cohesion and peace. Set against Sri Lanka’s National Policy on Social Cohesion and Peace (2008), which recognizes teacher agency and teacher education in actively working towards bridging the es-tranged Sri Lankan communities, this paper critically analyzes what it takes for teacher education to prepare prospective teachers to be cultural brokers who are willing and able take an active role in pro-moting social cohesion and peace. The paper argues that national and program level policies and curricula changes are insufficient if micro level and more personal efforts are not made to assist new teachers to develop more inclusive mindsets. Conceptually this paper is grounded on transformative approaches to pedagogy that highlight the agency of teachers and the need for teacher preparation programs to support new teachers to shape and craft their emergent transformative practices. Such approaches to teacher education identify teachers as transformative intellectuals whose role is recognized as being in tune with their social, political and historical realities. This perspective aligns with an approach in which the teacher’s role extends beyond the mere transmission of knowledge and skills in the classroom to a broader, more inclusive vision of the whole socio-educational process. The paper argues how national policies, curricula interventions, and the creation of a multicultural teacher community by diversifying the pool of prospective teachers to provide greater opportunities for inter-cultural interactions are insufficient if personal efforts are not made by teacher education programs and teacher educators to ensure that the program provides prospective teachers the theoretical lenses to make sense of their experiences with those who are different from them. Instead, mere cultural immersion lacking active measures that provide teachers with attitudes and skills to embrace diversity, results in the recreation of the existing status quo and promoting further mis-trust among communities.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"122 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116518717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge and Practices among Female Nurses on Insertion and Care of Indwelling Urinary Catheter to Female Patients in a Selected Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka","authors":"P. Rohan, T. Amarasekara","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7461","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7461","url":null,"abstract":"Globally, catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. By following proper guidelines and recommended practice regarding insertion and care of indwelling urinary catheter, one could prevent and reduce CAUTI. Knowledge and practices among nurses regarding the insertion and care of indwelling urinary catheter in female patients are highly essential to minimize complications related to indwelling urinary catheter among female patients. There are limited data available on this phenomenon in Sri Lanka. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge and practices among nurses regarding the insertion and care of indwelling urinary catheter in female patients at a selected teaching hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted among conveniently selected 122 nurses from a teaching hospital. A pre-tested (n=10), a semi-structured questionnaire, was used to collect data. Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics review committees of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Findings revealed that only 36% of the participants had a satisfactory level of knowledge on indwelling urinary catheter insertion. Most of the participants (79.5%) had a satisfactory level of practices regarding indwelling urinary catheter insertion. Majority of the participants (82%) had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding indwelling urinary catheter care. Most of the participants (78.7%) had a satisfactory level of practices regarding indwelling urinary catheter care. In conclusion, the majority of the participants had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding indwelling urinary catheter insertion and care. There is a need for education on indwelling urinary catheterization and care for nurses in Sri Lanka.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"91 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132563316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Super Absorbent Polymers (Saps) on Irrigation Interval and Growth of Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum L.) in Nursery Management","authors":"K. Rasanjali, C. S. De Silva, K. Priyadarshani","doi":"10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4038/OUSLJ.V14I1.7458","url":null,"abstract":"Drought stress is one of the most adverse limitations of local black pepper production in Dry and Intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. Application of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) is hypothesized to result in the optimised use of water resources in these regions. A study was undertaken to examine the effect of different levels of irrigation intervals and different level of SAPs and then to find out the best treatment combination for growth of black pepper plants under nursery management. The experiment was conducted at Intercropping and Betel Research Station, Narammala. GK49 was the selected variety and Zeba (commercial name) was the selected SAP type. The experiment was carried out following a factorial layout based on Complete Random Design (CRD) with three replicates. The factors were three levels of irrigation intervals as 4, 8 and 10 days (T1 to T3) and four levels of SAPs as no Zeba, 1g, 1.5g and 2g of Zeba (L1 to L4). Plant growth parameters were measured at two weeks interval and all the parameters were analysed by anova using SAS software. Statistical analysis had shown that there were significant effects (P<0.05) of main factors and their interactions on plant parameters. Plant parameters were decreased with decreased Zeba amount and increased irrigation interval. In this study 2g of Zeba with 4 and 8 days irrigation interval (L4T1, L4T2) and 1.5g of Zeba with 4 days of irrigation interval (L3T1) treatments were the better treatments. However, considering the cost effectiveness 2g of Zeba with 8 days irrigation interval (L4T2) treatment is recommended as the best treatment for increasing plant performances and decreasing water stress conditions to the plant. Therefore, the results of this study showed that SAPs can store and absorb a considerable amount of water and reduce unfavourable effects of water shortage on black pepper plants in nursery management.","PeriodicalId":105560,"journal":{"name":"Ousl Journal","volume":"106 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134508428","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}