bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Chinese “Streetscape” Investigations on the performative destiny of a social and linguistic space
Authors: Trisciuoglio Marco , Madaro Federico
Published: August 2023

In Europe the street is traditionally the place of self-representation: the “Strada Nuova” in Genova has been designed in 1550 to allow noble families to build their own palaces in a competition of beauty, richness and power. In the American tradition the street became overall a place dominated by its market role (Venturi on Las Vegas, 1972). In China streets are the real public space for people’s daily life and its essential activities (trading, eating, playing, discussing): their role in urban life is so strong that sometime a street can appear even where the planning didn’t establish that.

The western main urban public/social space is the square, but for the eastern countries - especially China- the streets represent the most representative urban public space that can be used together without the class differences.However, from the ancient cities to today’s high-density cities, the Chinese streets, because of their social role, have experienced also a very important connection with shop signs, posters, notices of all kinds, flags and signs, luminous writings. All these objects are a kind of ornament of daily-life as well as a real interesting documentary material, useful to understand permanencies and variations in the use of the cities during their transition from the former order to the new one.

The paper introduces the framework and the contents of a multidisciplinary research project at work, between urban morphology and Chinese language and culture. (max. 1500 characters, spaces included)
Estetica della Terra Forma Quali strumenti per l’immaginazione Terrestre? La lezione di Bruno Latour
Authors: Morawski Tommaso
Published: August 2023

Landing on Earth. This now famous formula, which appears in the title of the exhibition/catalogue Critical Zones. The Science and Politics of Landing on Earth, curated by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel, sums up Latour’s ecological-political project and his attempt to respond to the Anthropocene’s need to bring us back to Earth, to this unstable soil that reacts to our actions and from which the project of Modernity had progressively distanced us. For Latour, climate change and the definition of anthropos as a geological force impose the search for a new habitable territory: the Earth we thought we knew, but which now presents itself as a new terra incognita. However, because of the uncertainty about the shape of the Earth, the need to develop new tools to orient ourselves and describe the situation in which we find ourselves becomes more and more urgent. If what is at stake after the disorientation (spatial, temporal, identity) caused by Gaia’s intrusion is the re-politicization of belonging to the land, what are the cartographic representations that will be able to effectively describe our co-belonging to the space we inhabit, helping to make visible the different chains of agency? What are the tools we can use to learn to see things differently and thus become more “sensitive and responsive” to the fragile shells of this metastable world where life forms other than our own intersect their paths? What kind of map is an earthly map?
Introduction
Authors: Mascherini Marina
Published: August 2023

This monographic section of volume 25 of Itinera stems largely from the discussions that took place during the two study days I organised on 13th and 14th. May 2021 at the Stensen Institute in Florence, entitled Ricerche in corso. These were planned on the occasion of the Moral Philosophy Seminars, held at the University of Florence, with the collaboration of Professor Maddalena Mazzocut-Mis and Professor Bruno Accarino, who were foundamental importance for these event, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

With the aim of continuing and enriching the debate of both days, this section not only brings together some of the contributions presented by the speakers, but it also aims to further involve other authors in the field of teratology, an area of study, which can seem somewhat impenetrable.The original title of the seminar “The Anatomical Monster” (the subtitle of which reads: “Figures of Irregularity, Mechanisms of Exclusion and Biological Naturalism”) evidently referred to the theme of so-called “monstrous births”.

The attempt was to make evident certain themes that run through the various contributions; starting from the definition of abnormal and pathological as deviations from the norm, we move on to delineate the field of unforeseen variations - anomalies, alterations, and abnormalities. We continue to the visual representation of monstrosity, its aesthetic form and its capacity to reveal exaggerated figures that break the monotony of “normality” by virtue of unexpected juxtapositions. This includes the monsters that populated Cabinets of Curiosities as much as circuses, later housed in the collections and on the anatomical tables of 18th- and 19th-century naturalists; the analysis of the present perception of the monster, aimed at its ambiguity, considered as a union of contrasting features that stand out against a horizon that leads back to otherness and difference. The result is a varied and polymorphous collection, within which the investigation of the prodigious, the marvellous and the monstrous loom transversally from every single essay.
La «scripta» du Chansonnier du roi (BnF, fr. 844): nouvelles données pour l’étude de la genèse du recueil et de ses sources
Authors: Saviotti Federico
Published: August 2023

La compilazione dello «Chansonnier du Roi» (Paris, BnF, fr. 844), testimone tra i più importanti della lirica antico-francese, viene in genere localizzata in Artois sulla base di una serie di argomenti di ordine contenutistico, stemmatico e storico-artistico nel complesso discutibili. Lo studio esaustivo della scripta dei copisti responsabili della sua trascrizione fornisce elementi utili per smentire tale ipotesi ed approfondire la conoscenza delle fonti della silloge.
EFFECTIVENESS OF 25G COMPARED TO 27G QUINCKE SPINAL NEEDLE IN REGARD OF POST-DURAL PUNCTURE HEADACHE IN OBSTETRICS PATIENTS UNDERGOING SPINAL ANESTHESIA
Authors: KHALID M , ASHFAQ MA , OBAID A , JAVED HM , IQBAL A , BUTT MR
Published: August 2023

Post-Dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a distressing complication that can occur following a dural puncture during spinal anesthesia. It is believed to arise from cerebrospinal fluid leakage and subsequent reflex cerebral vasodilation. Notably, PDPH occurs more frequently in young parturient women undergoing Caesarean sections. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of PDPH in patients undergoing elective Caesarean delivery, comparing the use of 25G and 27G Quincke spinal needles during spinal anesthesia. A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital's anesthesiology department in Gujrat from March 2022 to March 2023. A total of 140 parturient women with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I to II, who underwent Caesarean sections, were included in the study. Exclusion criteria encompassed patients with infection at the injection site, severe hypervolemia, coagulopathy, increased intracranial pressure, severe aortic and mitral stenosis, severe preeclampsia, placenta previa grade–IV, placenta accreta, and twin pregnancy. The participants were divided into groups (Group I and Group II), each comprising 70 individuals. Spinal anesthesia was administered in the sitting posture using 25G Quincke spinal needles for Group I and 27G Quincke spinal needles for Group II. The puncture sites were the L3-4 or L4-5 intervertebral spaces. The incidence of PDPH was evaluated at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours following the surgical procedure. Quantitative data, such as age, were presented as mean ± SD, while qualitative data were reported as frequency and percentages. Statistical significance was defined as a P-value < 0.05. The age range of the patients included in the study was 18 to 40 years. The mean age of patients in Group I was 26.12 ± 5.82 years, while in Group II, it was 26.34 ± 5.30 years. Eleven patients (15.71%) in Group I experienced PDPH, unlike three (4.28%) in Group II. The difference in PDPH incidence between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.031). Our findings indicate that using a 27G Quincke spinal needle for spinal anesthesia during Caesarean sections confers a distinct advantage in reducing PDPH occurrence compared to the 25G Quincke spinal needle. The results strongly support the superiority of the 27G Quincke spinal needle in minimizing the occurrence of PDPH.
Salivary Soluble CD40 Ligand Levels and Their Relationship to Periodontal Markers in Patients with Periodontitis and/or Obesity: An Observational Case-Control Study
Authors: Hasan Muthana Sameer , Salman Suzan Ali
Published: August 2023

Background: sCD40L, a co-stimulatory molecule that activates T-helper cells, is one of many mediators that regulate the inflammatory conditions of periodontitis and obesity. Additionally, the association of this biomarker with periodontitis and obesity has not been robustly investigated. Objective: Evaluation of salivary levels of sCD40L in periodontitis and obese patients in comparison to healthy controls and their association with different periodontal parameters. Methods: 110 subjects were enrolled in this study. Salivary samples were obtained prior to the clinical examination. They were divided into four groups: the first group (20 subjects) was the control group; the second group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2); the third group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with periodontitis; and the fourth group (30 subjects) consisted of subjects with periodontitis and obesity. A periodontal examination was performed to report plaque index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Obesity was assessed using the body mass index (BMI). Results: Both periodontitis and obese patients demonstrated elevated salivary sCD40L levels compared to healthy subjects. sCD40L was positively correlated with PLI in periodontitis patients and with PPD in obese periodontitis patients. Conclusions: A significant association between sCD40L, periodontitis, and obesity was reported, implicating sCD40L's role in the pathogenesis of these conditions.
On the Fuzzy Semi-Unital Rings and Their Algebraic Properties
Authors:   Deanship of the Preparatory Year, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia, Alfahal Abuobida M. Ahmed ,   Deanship the Preparatory Year, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS, Mathematics Department, Beijing, China,   Deanship of the Preparatory Year, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia, Abdulfatah Raja Abdullah , Xu Lee , Alhasan Yaser Ahmad
Published: August 2023

Fuzzy rings are considered as generalizations of classical rings, where they are defined by using the fuzzical membership function. This paper is dedicated to defining and study fuzzy semi-unital ring of order n in a similar way to the same classical type of rings, where many elementary properties will be discussed in terms of theorems with many related examples that clarify the validity of this work.
Social and Economic Effects of the Cultivation of Solanum Virginianum; A Case Study in Anamaduwa DS Division, Sri Lanka
Authors:   University of Colombo Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences, Siriwardena B. P , Vidanapathirana N. P ,   University of Colombo Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences, Ketipearachchi K. G ,   University of Colombo Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences, Rajasekara L. R. W. D. M ,   University of Colombo Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences
Published: August 2023

Solanum virginianum is a plant which belongs to the Solanaceae family that is used for medicinal purposes. This plant is rather widespread in Sri Lanka and the advantages of farming these plants might either be for economic or for social purposes. In none of the research that has been undertaken so far has the significance of these socioeconomic outcomes been highlighted. Consequently, this study's objective is to investigate the economic and social implications of farmers' cultivation of Solanum virginianum. For the study, seventy (70) farmers who cultivate Solanum virginianum were selected from the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariats Division in Sri Lanka's Northwestern Province. Using a stratified random sampling technique, all respondents in the sample were requested to complete a pretested, standardized questionnaire form. Qualitative data was gathered by using a a fivepoint Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Most farmers are male, between the ages of 41 and 50, and they possess a high school diploma. In addition, many of them are married. Farmers in the region rely not just on the production of Solanum virginianum, but also on a variety of other crops, and many farmers in the sample have extremely low incomes. The study determined that when economic and sociological elements were integrated, the dependent variables did not produce statistically significant outcomes. In addition, the between-subject effects of economic and social factors seen during Solanum virginianum production were not statistically significant. Therefore, the authorized individuals should be concerned with these effects to increase the cultivation of Solanum virginianum for the Sri Lankan medicinal industry. Keywords: Cultivation; Economical; Farmers; Social; Solanum virginianum
Perceptions of People with Mental Disorders about Their Mental Health Condition; An Exploratory Study
Authors:   Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka, Wimaladhamma Ven. Koonkandawala
Published: August 2023

This exploratory study was conducted to explore how people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders perceive their mental health condition, and their descriptions of lived experience of it. It also explored how their mental health condition might influence how they perceive themselves, their relationships, and how they engage the world around them through their activities. Sixteen participants (16) with a diagnosis of a mental disorder were the sample. The participants of the study were taking medication for the diagnosed mental disorder from a period of a minimum of six (06) months up to fortyseven (47) years. The data were collected at the Psychiatric Clinic, the General Hospital (Teaching), Kandy. The data were interpreted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). It was identified that all the participants defined and understood mental health and mental illness through their lived experiences of mental illness. It was also identified that most of the participants experience some element of unhappiness or dissatisfaction because of their mental illness. However, the participants' positive self-esteem has played an important role in adjusting to the identity with the mental illness. The participants also valued the physical and psychological support they receive from their family members and others when they deal with their mental illness. Emotional support was highly valued by almost all the participants. It is expected that the generated knowledge of this research would help mental health professionals to work with families to construct an enabling view of the person with the illness and move away from treating them as helpless and irresponsible. Keywords: Self-Perception; Self-Identity; Self-esteem; Mental Health; Mental Illness
Modeling Weekly Covid Data in Europe and Sri Lanka: Time Series Approach
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Jayakody J. A. P. A
Published: August 2023

Novel Corona Virus, commonly known as COVID-19 has become a global threat affecting more than 200 countries up to date. Still a vaccine that can assure of hundred percent prevention has not been discovered. All the countries are currently following WHO guidelines such as lockdowns and social distancing. This study was conducted to develop ARIMA models for COVID-19 data in Europe and Sri Lanka and validate the models. For both these regions, number of COVID-19 cases were collected considering for a period of one year in which the first real wave happened. ACF and PACF plots were used to identify the stationarity, and out of the results possible ARIMA models were developed for the two regions separately. For Europe, the best fitted model was ARIMA (0, 2, 1) and for Sri Lanka, the best fitted model was ARIMA (1,1,0). The models were evaluated using AIC criteria. The errors of the models were found to be white noise. The forecasted values that were obtained from the model showed an increase of cases in Europe and a constant flow in Sri Lanka. Keywords: ARIMA Models, Covid-19, Forecasting
Educational Technology Implications for Enhancing Reading Comprehension
Authors:   Department of Education, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India, Sunitha S , Jayanthy A .Catherin ,   Department of Educaiton, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India
Published: August 2023

Reading comprehension has always been a requirement for success in many facets of the educational system and in the majority of adult spheres of participation, since writing systems have been invented. In both the educational and therapeutic fields, the greater accessibility of technologies and web-based resources can be a truly valuable assistance for creating training exercises that can also be completed remotely. Studies that have looked at the effectiveness of technology for children with reading comprehension issues can be found in recent literature. The current study presents information on a technological tool for improving reading comprehension on 40 secondary school pupils. The students were trained to read, to spell with proper stress, idioms and phrases and also comprehension for understanding. These all were taught with the help of technology. The findings have both clinical and educational implications as they suggest the possibility to promote reading comprehension with a suitable technology. Keywords: Reading comprehension, Educational technology
Online vs Face to Face: Perspective of Undergraduates on Learning English Literature at a Private University
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Rajapakse R.W.D.N.K
Published: August 2023

Since 2020, with the spread of the pandemic, the face-to-face teaching mode transformed into online mode with no other alternative. With regard to the tertiary level, all courses which were offered physically had to be adopted to the novel approach making both teaching and learning challenging. The present study examines learners’ viewpoint and what they have experienced so far in learning literature online during the pandemic. Consequently, the study provides an insight into the prevalent teaching mode and explores effective strategies followed using the appropriate pedagogical online tools or platforms, when adopting the literary content for diverse learning styles, and student engagement synchronously and asynchronously. The study involves undergraduates at a private university following their Bachelor of Education in English. These students enrolled to a physical learning mode though the pandemic has made them into learning online. Thus, the study compares their views on learning physically and online. Due to the closure of the university, both qualitative and quantitative data are gathered via an online questionnaire with the due consent of the participants. The findings indicate learning literature online is more effective compared to the traditional face to face learning mode. The results indicate that online learning enhances leaners’ study skills, stimulates, and facilitates their interest in learning, which transforms learning into a collaborative experience. Keywords: Online; perspective; undergraduate; literature; pandemic
Students’ Positioning in the Classroom: A Case of Undergraduates Learning English as a Second Language in Sri Lanka
Authors:   The Open University, Sri Lanka, Ekanayake K.K.T.N , Dineeka P.A.C ,   The Open University, Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the impact of positioning of ESL learners in learning English using first year undergraduates at University of Kelaniya. The Positioning Theory introduced by Davies and Harré (1990) provides the basis for the study. This study focuses on investigating how second language learners position themselves in framing the identities when interacting with their teacher and classmates, and the impact of using different seating arrangements (as a type of positioning) in providing language learning opportunities. Participants of this study were 2 lecturers of English and 35 first year undergraduates of Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya. Data for the study were collected from a background information questionnaire, classroom observations, and a focus group interview respectively. The findings of the study showed that students positioned themselves in different ways and it was observed that a least number of students make use of the opportunities in the language classroom. Hence, this study provides insights on the effective use of positioning of students in language classroom specifically in which the role of positioning by the teacher should be diverse, interactive, motivating and learner friendly in the ESL classroom. Keywords: Positioning; ESL classroom; Undergraduates
Study on the factors that influence parental attitude and involvement in children's home learning: An exploratory study
Authors: Wijesingha A.W.K.G , Ranasuriya L.H.D.L
Published: August 2023

Due to the sudden closure of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic, parents were required to promote home learning in order to support their children's online learning. As a result, the quality of online learning activities provided to primary school students is dependent on parental participation. Thus, this research focuses on studying the extent to which parental factors influence the management of home learning for students. The study adopted a descriptive research design and used a purposive sampling technique to select the respondents. The data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and semistructured interviews were distributed among the sample of students (n = 30) and parents (n = 20) whose children are studying in primary classes at a school in the district of Rathnapura, Sri Lanka. In the questionnaires, participants were asked to rate how much they agreed with the statements on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’. The quantitative data was statistically analyzed using charts and graphs, while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. This study found that parents' awareness, education level, and socioeconomic background have a significant impact on children’s home learning. The findings suggest that seminars, training programs, and workshops for parents would help enhance the knowledge and skills related to home learning. Keywords: Covid-19, Home learning, Online, Parents, Determinant factors
Common Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes of Pregnancies Diagnosed with Endometriosis
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Epaarachchi E. A. K , De Silva B. S. S ,   The Open University of Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

Endometriosis is a progressive stirring disease marked by the appearance of endometrial glands and stroma exterior of the uterus. It affects 8%–10% of reproductive-age women, and is linked to develop primary or secondary infertility in 30% of these women.The main objective of this systematic review was to critically analyse the current related literature to explore the maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies diagnosed with endometriosis. Pregnant women with endometriosis are more likely to develop negative pregnancy outcomes and complicated neonatal outcomes, and therefore they may benefit from extra screening and early detection. Related literature within 5years (2016 - 2021) was searched from databases like CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PUBMED, Additionally, a few numbers of studies prior to 2016 were taken due to the availability of related information.A total number of 23 articles related to the search criteria was found and out of that, eight articles were selected due to their extreme relevancy. After critically analysing the eight studies authors explored that pregnant women diagnosed with endometriosis are at elevated risk to develop Placenta previa, hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, emergency caesareans and preeclampsia as common maternal outcomes and premature birth, Low birth weight and still birth as common neonatal outcomes. In conclusion, women with endometriosis are at elevated risk of developing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in their pregnancies. Keywords: Endometriosis, Maternal outcomes, Neonatal outcomes, adverse effects
To Leave or not to Leave: Attitudes of the Undergraduates towards Speaking in an Online ESL Classroom
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Peiris Ashani Erandi
Published: August 2023

Covid 19 pandemic has affected all sectors in Sri Lanka including education. Online delivery mode was integrated into tertiary education in most of the universities to meet the new challenges. Facilitators of the English as a second language (ESL) classes use effective strategies and platforms to improve English language(L2) proficiency of the students. Improving speaking of the learners in such online ESL classes is challenging. ESL facilitator commonly experienced that some students leave the meeting when they are assigned to do a group activity or a speaking activity. Hence, it is vital to study the attitudes of the students towards speaking in an online class to help them improve speaking. A questionnaire was distributed among the first year, first and second semester students in a non-state university, and one hundred twenty-eight responses were collected. The results of the quantitative data were analysed using the percentages of the responses. As revealed, the main reason to avoid ESL lectures is irregular power cuts. On the other hand, the learners have not clearly identified the importance of L2 speaking. The majority use L2 only for oral exams/ assignments, and some prefer the recording. The decision to leave the online lecture when there are speaking activities is rooted mainly from psychological factors, and then secondly from linguistics factors. With proper guidance the students may change their attitudes towards L2 speaking, and their decision to leave the online lecture would be less. Keywords: Leave, online ESL lectures, Speaking, attitude, factors
Impact of Health Beliefs on Covid-19 Related Preventative Health Behaviours and Coping Behaviours
Authors:   University of West London, Weerasinghe W. A. Sakuni , Akuretiya Sachini ,   University of West London
Published: August 2023

Non-adherence to health regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic has been associated with health beliefs. Thus the present study studies the impact of these health beliefs on preventative health behaviours and coping behaviours. The research followed an ex-post facto survey design and convenience sampling was used to recruit a sample of 100 Sri Lankans with chronic illnesses. Data collection was carried out online using Google forms. The multiple regression analyses reveals that the Health Belief Model was a significantly useful predictor explaining 53% of the variation in preventative health behaviours. The findings reveal no significant predictive relationships between the health beliefs of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived benefits with preventative health behaviours. Perceived barriers are found to significantly and negatively predict preventative health behaviours. Perceived selfefficacy and cues to action are found to significantly and positively predict preventative health behaviours. Educational level and marital status moderate the relationship between self-efficacy, cues to action and preventative health behaviours. In fact, selfefficacy is positively and significantly correlated with adaptive coping but not significantly correlated with maladaptive coping behaviour. Overall, the findings highlight the utility of reducing barriers, enhancing self-efficacy, and promoting health literacy through education and provision of social support, especially spousal support, to foster adherence to preventative health behaviours. Keywords: Health Beliefs; Preventative Health Behaviour; Coping Behaviour; Covid-19
Necrotizing Fasciitis: Following Uncontrolled Blood Glucose Level: A case report
Authors:   Post Basic College of Nursing, Colombo.10., Siriwardhana S.W.P , Subasinghe S.M.N ,   Post Basic College of Nursing, Colombo.10., Dasanayake C.D.K ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection that primarily involves the fascia and subcutaneous tissues. Diabetes mellitus, advanced age, and immune suppression are some of the predisposing causes of necrotizing fasciitis. A 56-year-old lady presented with fever, diarrhea, and left lower limb knee joint pain, swelling, and high random blood glucose level, which was 564mg/dl on admission. She was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus twenty-five years ago and regular treatments were taken for twenty years then defaulted for three years. Two years back again she started to take the treatments from a local hospital. Pain over the left knee joint gradually increased within two days and suddenly she got a septic shock while her blood investigations were showing changes of sepsis while blood pressure became lower. Knee joint exploration was done on the fifth day of hospital admission and altogether three wound toilets were completed within 10 days and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Hence the patient clinically improved, and blood investigations became normal. Necrotizing fasciitis spreads rapidly in the body if not diagnosed and treated immediately. Early diagnosis is a golden fact for optimizing the disease condition as necrotizing fasciitis is a fatal disease condition. Strong antibiotics coverage, surgical interventions, proper wound care, and controlling blood glucose level lead to successful recovery from necrotizing fasciitis while reducing mortality and morbidity. In nursing management, nurses can collaborate with wound management, nutritional support, and psychosocial support, as well as encourage mobilizing and educating the patient regarding diabetes mellitus and its complications. Keywords: Signs and symptoms, Diagnosis, antibiotics, surgical intervention, wound care, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
Convergence of Gradient Methods with Deterministic and Bounded Noise
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Abeynanda Hansi , Lanel G. H. Jayantha ,   University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we analyse the effects of noise on the gradient methods for solving a convex unconstraint optimization problem. Assuming that the objective function is with Lipschitz continuous gradients, we analyse the convergence properties of the gradient method when the noise is deterministic and bounded. Our theoretical results show that the gradient algorithm converges to the related optimality within some tolerance, where the tolerance depends on the underlying noise, step size, and the gradient Lipschitz continuity constant of the underlying objective function. Moreover, we consider an application of distributed optimization, where the objective function is a sum of two strongly convex functions. Then the related convergences are discussed based on dual decomposition together with gradient methods, where the associated noise is considered as a consequence of quantization errors. Finally, the theoretical results are verified using numerical experiments. Keywords: The gradient method; deterministic and bounded noise; distributed optimization; dual decomposition
Case Study on the Patient with Ovarian Cancer: Palliative Nursing Management
Authors:   University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka, Alahakoon Nirmala , Meegoda Lalitha ,   University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

This case study is on a 59 year old female patient who was admitted to the medical ward due to severe abdominal pain. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with Carcinoma in the Ovary. She underwent – Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), bilateral Salpingooophorectomy (BSO) and Omentectomy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments followed the surgery. She had been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus & Hypertension too. This patient mainly showed significant pain, abdominal distension, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Apart from the other physical symptoms, she showed psychological and spiritual problems too. During the assessment her eyes were full of tears. She was highly worried about her health condition & worried about her elder son who is unable come the see her because he lives abroad. The sensitive aspect of this patient was her psychological status. More attention must be paid to alleviate anxiety and depression. The holistic approach is very important in caring for a patient on palliative care. There was a problem found with her caregiver at home. Because she lives with her husband and her younger son is at home. A Caregiver plays a major role in caring for this palliative patient. Therefore, it is essential to assess the caregiver condition for preventing caregiver burden. In providing nursing care for this patient to relieve pain and other physical problems they used pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Though her pain & other physical problems were relieved by the day her psychological status was deteriorating. This may have caused depression and anxiety. It is suggested to take care of the patient's mental health and to implement appropriate psychological strategies, nursing interventions, and precautionary measures to minimize the level of psychological distress and to increase patient’s quality of life. Keywords: Ovarian cancers, Anxiety, Depression, Spiritual needs
A Fly in the Ointment; Undue Liability on E-commerce Platforms
Authors:   Asia Pacific Institute of Technology, Rajaguru Krishanthi
Published: August 2023

Trade is now largely internet-centric, meaning internet is the medium through which most commercial transactions take place in today’s (information) economy. E-commerce has not only provided a greater market, but it also has changed the way businesses operate. This is indeed a platform economy. E-commerce is considered one of the main drivers of recent economic and social developments globally. In Sri Lanka e-commerce is emerging and in its infancy. The industry is currently expected to be operating within the margin of the law and selfregulated. In the absence of a separate law for e-commerce, e-commerce platforms (ecommerce marketplaces) meaning digital storefronts that connect sellers and customers to transact online, are exposed to a higher risk of being unreasonably penalized by applying the existing laws without mitigation. On the other hand, the platform users are left in a desperate situation with no remedy for harm caused. This article explores the responses of advanced jurisdictions such as China, the EU and the USA which are giant e-commerce markets, regarding platform liability. This study concludes that facilitating a business-enabled environment with holistic and innovative strategies that are aligned with social and economic status of the country with a businessfriendly legal landscape that matches the reality of the industry is imperative. Keywords: E-commerce, platform liability; platform law; policy consideration; law reforms.
Promoting Sri Lanka as a Seat of International Arbitration: Lessons to be Learnt from International Jurisdictions
Authors:   Staffordshire University, United Kingdom, Perera M.D. Chavindri Chiranga
Published: August 2023

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to a range of mechanisms available for the resolution of disputes such as Negotiation, Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration, which are settlement-oriented processes, adopted in place of Litigation through Courts that are adversarial in character. Among the said alternative processes, Arbitration is popularly preferred across the globe for the resolution of commercial disputes for the numerous benefits it has to offer. This ease of facilitating international commercial contracts and dispute resolution pertaining thereto, offered by the arbitral process has made it a decisive factor for a country to sustain good international trade and commercial relations. Accordingly, Sri Lanka brought about several mechanisms over the years, procedurally and otherwise, to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive seat of arbitration. Nevertheless, despite the statutory framework, infrastructure, facilities and Arbitration-friendly atmosphere sought to be instituted, the findings from this study identified that Sri Lanka has not performed to its expectations of functioning as a hub of arbitration in South Asia. This study identifies certain loopholes through lessons learnt from other popular arbitration seats. It is recommended to improve and revamp the statutory framework providing for arbitration in Sri Lanka to overcome several anomalies discussed therein, in addition to meeting the gaps in terms of infrastructure and other facilities, to relieve the prospects of effective arbitration promoting cross-border investments in this era of advanced technology and globalization. Keywords: Commercial Disputes; ADR; Arbitration in Sri Lanka; Arbitration Seats; Issues and Reforms for the current system.
The Effect of Text Difficulty on Types of Miscues among Proficient, Average and Below Average Readers
Authors:   Thrive Institute, Sri Lanka, Gramberg Vanessa Therese Van , Vithanage Dilhara ,   Teesside University, UK
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to understand the differences in the type of miscues among proficient, average and below average readers as text difficulty increases. It was hypothesised that the percentage of semantic and syntactic cues made by proficient in comparison to average and below average readers will increase as the text difficulty increases. The lack of available literature with regard to reading errors facilitated the designing of this study which could serve as a base to design remedial instruction and intervention tools. A quasi-experimental design was used to investigate this relationship. A sample of hundred and three students (N=103) were recorded while reading four levels of passages with increasing difficulty and miscues were analysed according to the three cueing system. The first level passage was a tested grade appropriate passage which was used to determine if the reader was proficient, average or below average based on their accuracy scores. Results revealed that there was no significant difference across the three cueing system and reading ability. However, it was observed that readers rely on the grapho phonics cueing system when encountered with a difficult word. The findings of this study can be used to design reading instruction and remedial systems. Keywords: Miscue; Grapho-phonics; Semantics; Syntactic
Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Emergency Contraceptive Pills among SLIIT Undergraduates in Sri Lanka- Preliminary Findings of a Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors:   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Palanikumar S , Rathnayake R.M.A.P.M ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Wijedasa H ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka, Dassanayaka C. D. K ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka, Anthony K ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka, Guruge M.L ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka, Edirisinghe N.P ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

The chance of unwanted pregnancies is higher for young people in the reproductive age. The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is a hormonal form of birth control recommended for unprotected sexual activities when standard contraceptive methods are not utilized. As a result, it is crucial to research this topic since unsafe abortions in Sri Lanka result in increased maternal mortality rates. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraceptive pills of undergraduates at the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences at Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the first, second, and third-year undergraduates who followed their course in English at the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, SLIIT. Study participants were chosen by a stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires distributed via Microsoft forms. Data was presented using descriptive statistics by frequencies and percentages. The analysis included 84 participants, mostly third-year students (56%) and females (79.8%). Most of the students, (73.8%), agreed with the idea that ECP should be easily accessible. A higher number of students, (76.2%), mentioned that they would recommend ECP to a friend or a relative if needed, while (23.8%) mentioned that they would not recommend it. In conclusion, the knowledge of ECP among the participants was satisfactory, and the attitudes toward ECPs were positive. Keywords: Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP); Knowledge; Attitudes
Psychosocial Impact of a Young Adult Undergone a Permanent Colostomy Caused by a Perineal Injury following a Road Traffic Accident: A Case Report
Authors:   Post Basic College of Nursing, Colombo., Karunasingha U.D.A.D , Rajapaksha R.W.M.K.G.H.N ,   Post Basic College of Nursing, Colombo, Dasanayake C.D.K ,   Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT),Sri Lanka
Published: August 2023

Many traumatic injuries to the perineal area cause to live with colostomies throughout the lifetime of a person. Living with a permanent colostomy brings severe changes to the patient’s life in terms of physical, social, spiritual, sexual, and psychosocial health. The aim of the present study was to explain the importance of understanding the psychosocial aspects of a young adult during a hospital stay with a permanent colostomy. This is a qualitative case study based on interpretive phenomenology. Interviews and direct observations were conducted as the data collection methods to obtain in-depth information regarding the case study topic and gathered data through patient direct observation. The study was about a 28-year-old male engineer who met with a road traffic accident that severely damaged his perineal area and finally undergone a permanent colostomy due to loss of anal sphincter muscles and anal opening. The data analysis was performed by the method of content analysis. This incident was a huge psychological disaster for him to accept the reality and adjust his permanent colostomy. Young people may have profoundly negative impacts on permanent colostomies. Adaptation is a long-term process that requires effective communication, acceptance and understanding. Nurses should be vigilant to do careful assessment on psychosocial needs of patients with permanent colostomies in order to improve the quality of their lives. Therefore, it is suggested that the nurses should acquire specialized knowledge, skills, and training on stoma care in order to provide personalized holistic care to the patients who have undergone permanent colostomies. Keywords: Permanent colostomy, perineal injury, quality of life, traumatic event, body image
An Analytical Study of the Factors Influencing the English Speaking Proficiency of Prospective English Medium Teachers
Authors:   Pasdunrata National College of Education, Sri Lanka, Amaratunga Uditha
Published: August 2023

National Colleges of Education (NCOEs) conduct Pre-service Teacher Education courses in English medium to cater to the demand of English medium teachers to implement bilingual / bi-medium education in government schools. Although English speaking proficiency is very important to English medium teachers, it has been revealed that the majority of the prospective teachers who follow the Information Communication Technology (ICT) course in NCOEs do not have the required level of English speaking proficiency. This paper discusses the nature of the English speaking deficiencies of prospective English medium teachers of ICT and the major factors that affect their English speaking proficiency. This analysis was done as part of an ongoing study conducted using the Mixed Methods approach. Quantitative and qualitative data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews and documentary analysis from a sample of prospective teachers of ICT, English medium lecturers who teach in the ICT course in three NCOES, Directors of Education at the Ministry of Education and Senior Lecturers at the National Institute of Education. Findings revealed that the prospective English medium teachers’ English speaking proficiency is lower than that of the other language skills due to several psychological, linguistic and socio-cultural factors. Therefore, effective strategies should be introduced to improve the Teacher Education Programme of the NCOEs to enhance the development of English speaking proficiency of prospective English medium teachers. Keywords: English speaking proficiency, English medium instruction, Prospective English medium teachers, National Colleges of Education
Towards a Tailor-Made Legal Structure for Social Enterprises in Sri Lanka
Authors:   University of Peradeniya, Jayathilaka K.M.M.M
Published: August 2023

Social enterprises provide effective solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems using business methods and the power of the marketplace. Social enterprises straddle the legal divide between for-profits and nonprofits, as they seek to generate wealth while making a strong social impact. Therefore, many countries around the globe have introduced specific legal forms for social entrepreneurs to house their entities and thereby enabling them to fully realise their aspiration of ‘do well by doing good’. This research tests whether there is sufficient demand and the appropriate contextual setting in Sri Lanka to justify the introduction of a tailor-made legal form for social enterprises. This research serves the twofold objective of identifying difficulties encountered by social enterprises when operating within the parameters prescribed by existing for-profit and non-profit legal structures and proposing methods to overcome these barriers to establish a thriving social enterprise sector. To that end, primary sources such as statutes and secondary sources such as Hansard reports, consultation papers on amendments to statutes, research papers and journal articles were used. To discover, from a pragmatic perspective, challenges faced by social enterprises in the current legal landscape and solutions to create a favourable legal environment, semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs, experts in the field of social entrepreneurship, corporate lawyers and relevant government officers/agencies were conducted based on purposive sampling. Research findings reveal that introduction of a specific legal format for social enterprises is the panacea for all barriers, in particular inability to manage unique governance needs, limited access to finance, lack of recognition, legitimacy and deprivation of identity etc. that hinder this sector from reaching new heights. Keywords: Social enterprise; legal form; Sri Lanka