Proceeding Articles

Grit, Growth mindset, and Academic Self-efficacy in relation to Academic Performance among Nursing Undergraduates at a Defence University, Sri Lanka

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Grit, Growth mindset, and Academic Self-efficacy in relation to Academic Performance among Nursing Undergraduates at a Defence University, Sri Lanka Weerathunga, WRU; Gunathilaka, AGRR; Yogendra, L; Jayathilaka, KDCD; Dharmadasa, PKDTN; Sudusinghe, WS; Gamage, CKW Introduction: Non-cognitive traits such as grit, growth mindset, and academic self-efficacy are increasingly recognised as determinants of persistence and achievement in higher education. Despite their relevance to motivation and self-regulation, empirical evidence within Sri Lankan nursing education remains limited. This study examined interrelationships among these constructs and their associations with academic performance. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among BSc nursing undergraduates at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University using total population sampling. Grit, growth mindset, and academic self-efficacy were measured using validated instruments: the 12-item Grit Scale, 3-item Growth Mindset Scale, and 40-item Academic Self-Efficacy Scale. Socio-demographic data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire, and academic performance was assessed using the last semester Grade Point Average (SGPA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficients in SPSS version 26.0, with significance of p < 0.05. Results: Of the 375 eligible nursing undergraduates, 326 participated (response rate: 86.9%); participants were predominantly female across all academic years. Mean (±SD) scores were 3.23 ± 0.38 for grit, 3.26 ± 1.03 for growth mindset, and 104.86 ± 16.44 for academic self-efficacy. Grit correlated positively with growth mindset (r = 0.428, p < 0.001) and SGPA (r = 0.152, p = 0.024). Growth mindset was not significantly associated with SGPA (r = 0.063, p = 0.353). Academic self-efficacy correlated negatively with grit (r = −0.510, p < 0.001), growth mindset (r = −0.378, p < 0.001), and SGPA (r = −0.292, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Grit showed a small yet statistically significant positive association with academic performance, whereas growth mindset showed no direct relationship. The inverse associations between academic self-efficacy, SGPA, and the other non-cognitive traits suggest contextual or educational influences. Integrating motivational and self-reflective strategies into nursing curricula may strengthen students’ resilience and academic engagement.

A Comparative Study on Differences between Anglo–American Catalogue Rules (AACR II) and Resource Description and Access (RDA)

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A Comparative Study on Differences between Anglo–American Catalogue Rules (AACR II) and Resource Description and Access (RDA) Thilanka, MGA Anglo–American Catalogue Rules II in 2008 and Resource Description and Access are basically used to catalogue. This study investigates differences between AACR II and RDA. Resource Description and Access is a new standard for describing and accessing knowledge. AACR depends on the ISBD standard, and RDA was based on Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD). According to this study, it can be identified differences of the catalogue rules such as parallel titles, statement of responsibility, publication information and dates, relationship designators, capitalization, treatment of typos or errors found on the resource, square brackets, and fictitious entities and non-human entities can be creators or contributors. As well, the fundamentals of AACR II and RDA are different. Mainly, AACR II is a printed source; rules are created for both content and display and designed for card catalogues. RDA is an online source and web-based one; rules are created only for the content and designed for a digital world. Therefore, Librarians have been focusing attention on RDA rules rather than AACR II to develop a future virtual library concept concerning web-based description and access to the digital world.

Identification of Chemical Constituents in “Wathupalu” (Mikania cordata) Plant Extracts in Wound Healing Using Scratch Assay

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Identification of Chemical Constituents in “Wathupalu” (Mikania cordata) Plant Extracts in Wound Healing Using Scratch Assay Bandara, PGKA; Wijayarathna, CD; Goonasekara2, CL; Kuruppu, AI Mikania cordata (Burm.) Robinson is a fast-growing herbaceous vine that belongs to the family Asteraceae. Traditional medicine uses freshly ground M. cordata leaves for cuts and wounds. This study aimed to evaluate the wound healing potential of M. cordata leaves and identify the potential chemical constituent/s responsible for this effect. Leaf extracts were prepared separately by sonicating dried and powdered leaves in distilled water, ethanol, methanol, and dichloromethane (DCM). The Vero cell line was used to examine the wound healing potential. Cells were treated with a series of concentrations of different M. cordata extracts to determine the toxicity using an MTT assay. More than 70% of viability was found in all extracts within the concentration range of 10 - 1000 µg/mL and cell viability exceeded 100% in some concentrations (Ethanol 500 µg/mL) indicating a cell proliferation effect. Therefore, the scratch assay was performed for 100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL concentrations to examine the wound healing ability of the extracts while monitoring scratch closure for 24 and 48 hours. Aqueous, ethanol, methanol and DCM extracts of M. cordata showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) wound healing properties at 24 hours and the level of significance decreased at 48 hours for all four concentrations tested. The cells treated with 100 µg/mL of ethanol extract for 24 hours showed the highest percentage of wound closure (82%) compared to the untreated cells (P ≤ 0.001). This indicated the presence of compound/s responsible for wound healing in all 4 extracts. A Single spot (Rf – 0.27) was observed in thin layer chromatography (TLC) for the aqueous extract dissolved in DCM. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analysis of this compound showed the possibility of an alcohol group, methyl groups and alkyl stretches. Ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy suggested the compound to be an alkaloid with unsaturated C stretches

Optimization of the Performances of P 47 Series Fast Attack Craft in Sri Lanka Navy Using AI-Driven Hydrodynamics Analysis

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Optimization of the Performances of P 47 Series Fast Attack Craft in Sri Lanka Navy Using AI-Driven Hydrodynamics Analysis Ekanayake, KREMSB; Tissarachch, TADBP; De Silva, NVL; Ariyarathne, RDMHM; Athukorala, LAKR The P 47 series Fast Attack Craft (FAC) of the Sri Lanka Navy has been designed to achieve a design speed of 40 knots. Presently, the P 47 series consists of 05 No’s of FACs namely P 471, P 472, P 473, P 474 and P475 which have the capability of reaching the maximum speed of 40 knots during post-slipping trials on completion of Routine Under Water Maintenance (RUWM) or Hull Cleaning design. However, after one to two months of operation, the maximum achievable speed of the craft is reduced to 25 – 28 knots gradually. This significant performance drop of P 47 series FAC has affected its speed, acceleration, and manoeuvrability. Consequently, this reduction compromises the operational efficacy of the vessels and creates considerable barriers to naval operations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the primary causes of these problems and also to propose suitable solutions. A comprehensive analysis using NavCad software and Savitsky method was employed to simulate/model the craft’s hydrodynamic behaviour under various load conditions with LCG shifts and adjustments to weight distribution and experimental trials were carried out to validate the theoretical models. This investigation provides empirical evidence and practical solutions for a long-lasting issue of performance reduction in P 47 series FAC in the Sri Lanka Navy while filling the gap of available literature. The research findings enhance the understanding of planning hull dynamics while providing actionable insights for naval architects, engineers and decision-makers. Further, this study provides directions to explore further optimization techniques and real-world applications in future