http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/131 Annual Research sessions held in the year 2020 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:39:36 GMT 2026-04-08T16:39:36Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/2387 IMPACT OF CONSUMER ETHNOCENTRISM ON WILLINGNESS TO BUY DOMESTIC SKINCARE PRODUCTS IN SRI LANKA Maduwanthi, K.G.A.N.; Nismi, M.N.M. Globalization has brought a variety of foreign products to the Sri Lankan cosmetics market and the competition between domestic and foreign entities has intensified. Therefore, local marketers focus on consumer ethnocentrism as a strong weapon to influence the purchase decisions of consumers and to face intense competition in the cosmetic industry. This study attempted to address the gap of insufficient studies to measure the ethnocentric tendencies using a valid extended scale which can tackle the intensely competitive nature in the Sri Lankan skin care product market. Thus, multi dimensional CEESCALE was applied instead of CETSCALE to measure consumer ethnocentrism in the Sri Lankan context. The five dimensions of CEESCALE (pro-sociality, cognition, insecurity, reflexiveness and habituation) were used as independent variables in order to identify the impact of consumer ethnocentrism on willingness to buy domestic skincare products. The survey method was employed as the main research method and the sample comprised of 170 Sri Lankan female consumers. Ethnocentric pro sociality, ethnocentric insecurity, ethnocentric reflexiveness and ethnocentric habituation showed a significant impact on willingness to buy domestic skincare products while ethnocentric cognition showed no significant impact in the Sri Lankan context. The study also revealed significant differences among income groups and education levels regarding the willingness to buy domestic skincare products. Thu, 26 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/susl/2387 2020-11-26T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/394 10th ANNUAL RESEARCH SESSION SABARAGAMUWA UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA 16th DECEMBER 2020 Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/394 2020-12-16T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/393 A Microelectrode Study on the Interfacial Kinetics of Fuel Cell Reactions Gunasekara, Iromie; Mukerjee, Sanjeev Alkaline anion membrane exchange (AAEM) fuel cell technology is a low-cost alternative to the depleting sources of fossil fuels. AAEM fuel cells operating at elevated pH values show improved electrode kinetics on non-precious metal catalysts, better water management and improved fuel crossover effects. However, the state of art AAEM fuel cells show low performance which is attributed to carbonate ion poisoning. In this study we have analyzed the effect of carbonate ions of the membrane, on the anode- membrane interfacial kinetics and on the transport of electroactive species through the membrane. A solid-state electrochemical cell employing a 100μm Pt microelectrode, Pt counter electrode and a dynamic hydrogen reference electrode was constructed in a controlled atmosphere to mimic the fuel cell anode-membrane interface. Two types of hydroxide-conducting membranes which mainly differed by the thickness, Tokuyama A201 and A901 were analyzed. The hydroxide ions in the membrane were exchanged with carbonate ions, and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) were carried out. Carbonate ions have a negative effect on the electrode reactions, lowering the pH of the anode reactions as well as by imposing blocking effect on molecule diffusion through the membrane. Both HOR and MOR reactions showed slow kinetics in the presence of carbonate ions. Carbonate ions strongly adsorb on to the electrode surface decreasing the hydroxide ions required for the reaction. Hydrogen diffusion through the membrane is not significantly affected by the presence of carbonate ions due the smaller size of the hydrogen molecule. However, hydrogen concentration in the membrane was drastically decreased. While methanol solubility in the membrane is minimally affected, the diffusion of bulky methanol molecules is greatly hindered by the carbonate ions. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/393 2020-12-16T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/392 Conjugate Shear Fractures in Galgoda Charnockite, Balangoda Ranaweera, L.V; Wanniarachchi, D.N.S Conjugate Shear fractures are pair of fractures which were developed during brittle failure of rocks. Presence of shear fractures signs faulting or relative movement of rocks in a particular area. This study aimed at investigating the shear fractures present in the Charnockite at Galgoda, Balangoda in order to understand the sense of slip and brittle deformation history in the area. Orientation data of fractures (n=136) and slickenside striations were collected using geological compass. Samples were collected from selected locations for laboratory studies. Fracture orientation data were plotted and analyzed using Rock Ware Stereo Stat software. Poles plot for shear fracture planes were contoured and best fit great circles were constructed. Principal compressive stresses (1, 2, 3) were then calculated using the software. A thin film of fault gouge is present in the shear fractures. Slickenside striations are distinct in some planes while slickenside striations in some planes with moderate plunge seem to have overprinted. Steps are also visible in some planes. A vertical to near vertical shear fracture is present where slickenside striations are parallel to the strike of the shear plane. These, slickenside striations show moderate to horizontal plunge with NW, W-NNW and NNW-N trends. Orientation of shear fractures shows four directions showing presence of two generations of conjugate fault systems. The principal stress directions of one conjugate fault system are 1(089°/63°), 2 (282°/26°) and 3 (189°/06°). The principal stress directions of the other conjugate fault system are 1(170°/74°) and 2 (329°/15°) and 3 (060°/06°). Because the 1 direction is nearly vertical, the sense of slip on both conjugate faults is dominantly vertical. The sense of shear in vertical to near vertical shear fractures could indicate strike-slip on tensile fracture. Thus, the Galgoda Charnockite shows at least two generations of normal faulting and a subsequent strike-slip suggesting change of the stress regime acting on these rocks. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repo.lib.sab.ac.lk:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/392 2020-12-16T00:00:00Z