bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
КЛАСТЕРНЕ УПРАВЛІННЯ ЯК ФАКТОР РОЗВИТКУ ТУРИЗМУ В РЕГІОНІ
Authors: Ольшанська Олександра Володимирівна , Бушуєв Павло Валерійович 
Published: June 2022

Статтю присвячено дослідженню сучасних аспектів управління кластерами в контексті розвитку регіонального туризму. Доведено, що в умовах динамічного та постійного вдосконалення всіх галузей економіки потужним стимулом до розвитку інфраструктури та підвищення рівня конкурентоспроможності економічної діяльності, як на загальноекономічному рівні, так і на рівні окремого регіону, може стати процес формування туристичного кластера. Зазначено, що привабливість сфери туризму наразі залишається ключовим ядром для ефективного функціонування території кожного конкретного регіону та країни в цілому, а також для залучення вітчизняних та зарубіжних інвестицій. Метою статті є дослідження питань кластерного управління як фактора розвитку туризму в регіоні. Для досягнення поставлених наукових завдань використано виключно загальнонаукові методи, зокрема, аналіз і синтез, метод абстрагування і конкретизації, а також монографічний метод, що дозволило отримати відповідні висновки. За результатами дослідження запропоновано визначення туристичного кластера як рекреаційної зони, що включає діяльність компаній, об'єднаних на добровільній основі. При цьому встановлено, що під час створення кластерів потрібно враховувати фактори інфраструктури, а також оцінити природні та кліматичні фактори. Узагальнено етапи формування туристичного кластера, зокрема, представлено п’ять етапів: І етап – визначення географічного розташування кластера, ІІ етап – визначення рівня розвитку туризму в регіоні, ІІІ етап – державне та юридичне регулювання управління кластером, IV етап – визначення специфіки кластера, V етап – удосконалення інфраструктури. Доведено, що створення туристичних кластерів надає поштовх розвитку економічно слабких регіонів, залучаючи до них потік туристів, які через витрачені ними на території кластера кошти тим самим сприяють зміцненню економіки регіону. У статті зазначається, що для залучення інвестицій у туристичну галузь регіону необхідно ініціювати функціонування організаційно-економічних процесів, що активізуватиме приплив капіталу до туристичної інфраструктури кожного конкретного туристичного кластера. Встановлено, що туристичні кластери є якісним чинником розвитку регіональної економіки та ефективного партнерства державних структур та бізнес-підприємництва загалом. За результатами проведеного дослідження встановлено, що кластерне управління є фундаментом для співпраці представників бізнес-сектору та держави, що надає можливість збільшення результативності взаємодії державного сектору, підприємницької діяльності, торговельних об'єднань, дослідницьких, освітніх організацій тощо. Крім того, одним із завдань для тих регіонів, які запланували створення туристичних кластерів, є необхідність багатократного збільшення обсягів інвестування в туристичний бізнес та спрямування цільового капіталу, насамперед, на створення та функціонування інфраструктури загального призначення, що буде використана як туристами, так і населенням регіону.
Pathogenetic therapy of patients with acne, taking into account the metabolic activity of peripheral blood cells
Authors: Svirid S.G. , Shupenko M.M. , Sologub L.V. , Svirid–­Dzyadikevich О.S. 
Published: June 2022

Objective — to increase the effectiveness of treatment of patients with acne, taking into account the features of the metabolic activity of leukocytes and peripheral blood platelets through the use of pathogenetic therapy.
Materials and methods. 112 patients with acne (65 women and 47 men) aged 16 to 39 years were monitored. The duration of the disease ranged from 6 months to 18 years. 67 (59.8 %) patients were diagnosed with a mild severity of dermatosis, and 45 (40.2 %) — with moderate one. Determination of phospholipids and glycogen content in neutrophils, monocytes and platelets of peripheral blood was performed in 89 observed patients (48 — with mild and 41 — with moderate severity of dermatosis).
Results and discussion. In patients with acne there is a probable decrease in the level of phospholipids in peripheral blood neutrophils, which is more pronounced in the moderate severity of the pathological process. The obtained data indicate a violation of the structural integrity and inhibition of the energy potential of granulocytes. The content of phospholipids in peripheral blood monocytes was also likely to decrease, more significantly at moderate severity of acne. However, the vector of changes in glycogen levels in these cells had the opposite direction. The results led us to the adjuvant use of platelet­enriched autoplasma which has a wide range of modulating effects.
Conclusions. It has been found that in patients with acne, there are various vector changes in the metabolic activity of peripheral blood monocytes which are manifested by a decrease in phospholipids caused by an increase in glycogen content, which characterizes the development of intracellular imbalance. The metabolic activity of the platelet pool of peripheral blood in acne remains intact, but there is a redistribution of the number of hemoelements with different saturation of phospholipids and glycogen. The complex therapy of patients with acne using autoplasma enriched with platelets against the background of standardized drugs can significantly improve both short­term and long­term treatment results due to significant correction of the metabolic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes.
Medicinal Aromatic Plant Cultivation for the Bioeconomy: Eliciting Willingness from Rural Communities
Authors: Munugoda K.D.  , Talagala T.S.  , Subasinghe S.M.C.U.P  , Hettiarachchi D.S.  , Cooray A.T.  , Hapugoda M.D.  
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic created numerous issues, particularly in Southeast Asia, and the recovery needs strong actions with new economic paths. The Sri Lankan government is also trying to help those who have lost their sources of income. Involving with the trade of medical and aromatic plants (MAPs) bearing unique medical properties will be important in that aspect. Extracted and isolated some secondary metabolites from plants developed life-saving medicine, flavonoids, repellents, cosmetics, and scents with enormous economic potential. India, China, and other Asian countries dominate the global MAP trade. However, Sri Lanka is yet to enter the global MAP market by utilising its abundant plant life. Determining rural communities’ willingness to participate in such programmes is crucial. The same authors identified 127 lesser-known potential MAPs as insect repellents by interviewing traditional ayurveda practitioners and subject experts. The current study investigated the willingness of the rural sector in six districts in Sri Lanka (Matara, Rathnapura, Kurunegala, Badulla, Hambanthota, and Batticaloa) using a structured questionnaire survey for 480 households. Cinnamomum verum, Citrus aurantifolia, C. sinensis, C. reticulata, Aegle marmelos, and Ocimum tenuiflorum Sub-type Rama were the most abundant top five plant species. The questionnaire also sought information on respondents' demographics, the availability of agronomic plants, MAPs, in their homegardens and their willingness to cultivate and supply medicinal plants. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine the effects of the respondent’s district, gender, age, education, total family revenue, availability of agronomic crops, land space available for the cultivation of MAPs, number of non-income-generating family members, members contribute to agriculture, external employees recruited as labourers. Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated that the model reasonably fits with the data (p=0.77). In this case, district (p<0.05) and gender (p<0.05) were statistically significant while the other variables were not. Compared to Badulla District, the odds of willingness to grow and supply MAPs are approximately five times greater in Batticaloa District, four times greater in Hambantota, Kurunegala, and Matara districts and three times greater in Rathnapura District. Subsequently, the odds of the willingness of males to grow and supply MAPs was greater than females. Finally, it can be concluded that encouraging MAPs cultivation in rural areas will benefit post-pandemic populations while facilitating global trade, which is expected to reach USD 5 trillion by 2050.
Keywords: Medicinal aromatic plants, Bioeconomy, Post-pandemic economic future, Rural economy, Indigenous knowledge
Can Increase in Productive Efficiency Mitigate Climate Impact on Agriculture in the South Asian Region?
Authors: Samaraweera K.M.K.H.  , Somarathna A.D.K.S.S  , Edirisinghe J.C.  
Published: June 2022

South Asia is still a predominantly agrarian society, where a majority of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Rural poverty is higher than urban poverty, reflecting the heavy dependence on natural resources that are directly influenced by changes in weather and climate. The majority of South Asian agriculture is still based on a rain-fed system and is directly affected by climate change. The impacts of climate change on food production and food security in South Asia will vary by country, with many countries experience a decline in productivity. This paper examines the impact of climate change on agricultural production and the role of efficiency increment as an adaptation strategy for climate change in South Asia. First, a stochastic production frontier was estimated for South Asian agriculture. Then the climate change impact on agricultural production was predicted for 2050 using the estimated frontier. Finally, this paper assessed whether improvements in technical efficiency can offset the effect of climate change in this region. For this, a true random effect stochastic frontier with an exponentially distributed time varying inefficiency model was estimated. For this analysis, secondary data from the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) were used. Output of gross production values were calculated using agricultural land use, pesticide use, total labour use, total fertilizer use data with climate normals pertaining to eight countries in the south Asian region were collected from 1991 to 2017. The results indicate that with the expected climate change by 2050, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan will have a positive impact on their agricultural production while Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka will have a negative impact on their production. Overall technical efficiency of agricultural production in South Asia is 75.12% while individual countries show varying levels of technical efficiency, viz., Bangladesh 69.41% Bhutan 85.64%, India 71.83%, Maldives 44.91%, Nepal 82.78%, Pakistan 85.68%, and Sri Lanka 75.89% of efficiency. Prediction using the estimated model and efficiencies show that the negative impacts of climate change could be mitigated if these countries try to increase their levels of productive efficiencies such as following dissemination of technology, crop protection, training and development strategies, crop insurances to increase agriculture production.
Keywords: Panel data, South Asia, Stochastic frontier analysis, Technical efficiency, True random effect
Towards a Resilient Ecotourism Destination: Assessment of the Ella Urban Development Plan 2021-2030
Authors: Weerasinghe M.A.M.T.  
Published: June 2022

Ella, with its environmental and ecological attributes and highest room occupancy rate (75.24%), attracted 120,000 (6%) of the total tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2019, also projects 2 million visits by 2030. Due to topographical features and climate change implications, Ella is prone to natural disasters, especially the main access road of Ella-Wellawaya and surrounding areas of Ella town. 99% of occupants in Ella are self-employed in the tourism industry. The Ella urban development plan 2021-2030 (the plan) was formulated with the goal of developing the area as the most attractive and safest tourism destination in the hills. Tourism resilience improves capacities to recover the tourism sector from disasters and reduces tourism-induced stress on the society and environment through integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. In this context, the objective of the study was to assess the extent to which the Plan considered DRR strategies towards a disaster resilient tourism industry. A qualitative methodology was adopted where hazard identification and vulnerability reduction, being key elements in DRR, were chosen to assess components of the Plan-Scope (1), Background Study (2), Need of the Plan (3), Goal and Objectives (4), SWOT Analysis (5), and the Plan (6). Relevant secondary data were obtained from official sources and reviewed journal articles. Despite Ella being identified as a multi-hazard area by the Disaster Management Centre, hazard identification of the plan was limited to landslides; not considering high winds, cyclones, and lightning in 2, 5 components. Being the main objective, consideration towards reducing ecological vulnerability was visible in all components. The unauthorized constructions in protected areas, which may have an underlying relationship with economical vulnerability, were neither identified nor, vulnerability reduction measures proposed. Social vulnerability reduction measures were also absent despite 18% of female-headed households and 17% of female involvement in the tourism industry in various capacities. The tourism infrastructure and beautification projects were prioritized over projects aimed at physical vulnerability reduction of existing tourism infrastructure and stakeholders. It was found that the resilience of the tourism industry to natural disasters was compromised as DRR in the aspect of hazard identification, and reduction of social, physical, and economical vulnerability were inadequate. Therefore, the study recommends amending the Plan, or to pass a separate by-law by the local government authority to integrate comprehensive hazard identification, and integrate intervention for reduction of social, economic, and physical vulnerabilities for a resilient tourism destination, while conserving the natural environment in Ella.
Keywords: Resilient ecotourism, Ella tourism destination, Urban development plan, Conservation of nature
An Assessment of User Preferences on Artificial Pathway Lighting in Urban Parks with Special Reference to the Greater Colombo Region
Authors: Wickremasinghe L.L.S.  , Hettiarachchi A.A.  
Published: June 2022

Being a globally immerging concept, urban parks play a critical role in converting cities to liveable spaces, where artificial lighting directly affects the users’ night-time experience. Therefore, addressing user needs and preferences helps achieve a successful lighting design. This study was conducted at four popular urban parks in Colombo: Viharamahadevi Park, Independence Square, Urban Wetland Park and Diyatha Uyana, where the urban park users’ subjective responses towards three lighting parameters: brightness, Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT), and luminaires of the existing pathway lighting design, selected based on the appropriateness in terms of pathway lighting, and the practicality of assessing them within the chosen urban parks, were evaluated. The reasons for the said preferences were investigated under three overarching themes: perceived safety, perceived quality of light, and restorative experience. Data collection was done through a mixed methods approach under two main steps, namely the literature review survey and the case study survey. A sample of 10 participants (5 males and 5 females) were selected at each location through convenience sampling. Questionnaires were given to the users to rate their preference towards the existing pathway lighting conditions on a scale from 1 (very unsatisfied) to 5 (very satisfied). The user responses were analysed together with existing brightness levels measured using a digital lux meter, in-situ observations and photographic analysis of user behavioural patterns at case study locations, so as to further strengthen the outcomes. Aligned with literature, the user preferences were found to be directly associated with their perception of the lit environment. The results revealed that the majority of the users opted for change in the current lighting design, although they were both negatively and positively affected by it, indicating that the user needs and requirements are not effectively addressed in this regard.
Keywords: User preference, Artificial lighting, Pathway lighting, Urban parks
Intercropping Immature Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) with Banana, Ginger and Turmeric in Galle District, Sri Lanka
Authors: Dissanayake S.M.  , Palihakkara I.R.  , Premathilaka K.G.  
Published: June 2022

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is identified as the world’s leading edible oil producing plant and is well established as a perennial plantation crop in tropical countries. Oil palm in Sri Lanka has spread over 10,000 ha in the wet zone of the island. In immature plantations, land productivity can be sustainably increased with some selected intercrops. At the initial stage of the plantations (age up to 3-5 years), there is an ample amount of free space available inside the plantations. This study attempts to determine the suitability of different intercrops during the immature phase of the oil palm. A field experiment is being conducted at Thalgaswella estate (WL2a) in Galle District, Sri Lanka. The objectives of the study are to evaluate and recommend suitable immature oil palm based intercropping system/s. The experiment was designed with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments, including three replicates and a control. Banana, ginger and turmeric were selected as intercrops. Growth parameters of intercrops (Plant height, length, width of D-leaf and yield of intercrops) girth, length and number of leaflets of 17th frond in oil palms were taken at two months intervals. In addition to this, chlorophyll content of D-leaf was also measured in both intercrops and oil palm trees. Soil chemical parameters were measured annually for two years as of now. Results were statistically analysed with SAS software. Results revealed that intercropped banana, turmeric and ginger had given the yields of 7.61 Mt/ha, 4.92 Mt/ha and 4.53 Mt/ha respectively. When comparing these yields with mono-crop; banana, turmeric and ginger intercrop yields as percentages of 16.9%, 24.6% and 30.2% respectively. Therefore, it is obvious that monocrop yields are much better than to that of these crops under immature oil palm. Results of this study could be used to make appropriate policies to increase the unit land productivity and sustainable use of lands in immature oil palm plantations in low country wet zone (WL2a) of Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Inter-cropping, Oil palm, Policies, Mono-crop, Land productivity, Sustainable
Land Use and Land Cover Change in Kolonnawa Marsh, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake R.M.U.B.  , Chandrathilake G.G.T.  , Jayawardana D.T.  , Gunathilake B.M.  , Tanaka N.  
Published: June 2022

Kolonnawa Marsh (KM) is one of important urban wetland ecosystem in Colombo, Sri Lanka and plays important roles by providing invaluable ecosystem services. KM belongs to the Colombo marsh complex that consists of Heen marsh, Kotte marsh and Parliament lake which surrounded by highly populated and industrialized sites. Owing to the continuous exploitation, reclamation for home states and industries in recent decades, this urban wetland has experienced significant changes. In order toreveal the dynamic changes of the KM at landscape level, the land cover change (LC) since 2000 to 2021 was investigated, using land use maps of 2000 and 2016 from Survey Department of Sri Lanka and Google earth satellite images in 2021. The analysis was conducted using ArcGIS 10.7. The results reviled that in the KM extent has decreased by 34.66 ha from the year 2000 to 30.09 ha in 2016 (reduction percentage 13.2%), while 30.09 ha in 2016 to 28.62 ha in 2021 (reduction percentage 1.47%). Water covered area, marshy area and area covered with woody perennials have been identified as major habitat types in KM. The ratio between water covered areas into marshy land area was reported as 3:6 in 2000 while 1:2 and 1:4 in 2016 and 2021 respectively. Further to that, 18.47 ha of marshy land area has been converted to area dominated with woody perennial in 2021. Therefore, it can be concluded that extent of the KM is decreasing over the study period while transforming to terrestrial ecosystem. Hence, immediate interventions are needed to preserve this valuable freshwater ecosystem.
Keywords: Urban wetland, Remote sensing, Kolonnawa Marsh, Land cover
Textile Dye Decolorization Ability of Decaying Hardwood Associated Fungi
Authors: Senanayake G.  , Perera P.  , Attanayake R.N.  
Published: June 2022

Random disposal of synthetic textile dyes has created severe damage to the environment. These dye effluents, even at very low concentrations, can be toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic to various organisms. Complex chemical structures enable the textile dyes to remain stable and inert towards degradation in soil and water. Therefore, textile dye decolorization has gained special attention in the recent past. Biological means of dye decolorization have become one of the attractive decolorization methods. Fungi show a great potency in decolorizing a wide variety of dyes by secreting highly oxidative and nonspecific ligninolytic enzymes such as laccases. The main aim of the current study was to evaluate the dye decolorization abilities of selected fungal isolates associated with decaying hardwoods in Sri Lanka. A total of 10 wood decay fungal isolates were screened for the laccase production and lignin degradation using guaiacol and lignin powder amended media respectively. Phlebiopsis flavidoalba, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, P. pseudomagnoliae and two Schizophyllum commune strains showed both laccase production as well as lignin degradation abilities. Although unable to produce laccases, Fusarium pseudensiforme and Aspergillus fischeri showed lignin degradation ability. Azo Disperse Rubine Red, Indigo Carmine Blue and Disperse Black were selected as textile dyes. Three replicates from each isolate were incubated for 21 days in potato dextrose broth amended with each dye in two concentrations, and percentage reduction in absorbance at 610 nm (for the Indigo Carmine Blue dye) and 400 nm (for Azo Disperse Rubine Red and Disperse Black) were estimated. Dye introduced potato dextrose broth, without fungal isolates were used as controls. P. flavidoalba was the best in decolorizing Azo Disperse Rubine Red (25 mg/L) and Disperse Black (50 mg/L) dyes showing the reduction of absorbance values by 89% and 81% respectively. For the Indigo Carmine Blue dye, F. pseudensiforme showed the highest percent decolorization of 85% at 0.1 ml/L concentration. This is the first report of these organism's ability to decolorize industrial dyes. Based on the results it was evident that some of the hardwood decay fungi have industrial dye decolorization abilities where they can be effectively utilized in dye decolorization and in future bioremediation research as well.
Keywords: Dye decolorization, Laccase, Wood decay, Fungi, Lignin
Acknowledgement: Authors acknowledge the TWAS Research Grant 18-020 RG/BIO/AS_I, NSF Sri Lanka RG/2019//BT/03 and ICGEB/CRP/LKA/18-3