Water management challenges

Water resource management, Irrigation management, Water use, Environmental effects, Water demand, Water supply, Water rights, Water allocation, Pricing, Water policy, Research policy, Sri Lanka

Management of neonatal central nervous system viral infections: Knowledge gaps and research priorities

Congenital CMV, enteroviruses, human parechovirus and herpes simplex virus are all common causes of severe central nervous system (CNS) infection in neonates. The introduction of screening (i.e. newborn hearing screening programme), integration of molecular syndromic testing (i.e. multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays) and increase in sexually transmitted infections (i.e. anogenital herpes) have contributed to increases in each of these infections over the last decade. However, therapeutic options are highly limited in part due to the lack of epidemiological data informing trials. This review will describe our current understanding of the clinical burden and epidemiology of these severe neonatal CNS infections, outline the novel antiviral and vaccines in the pipeline and suggest future research studies which could help develop new therapeutics

Analysis of the effectiveness of sanitizers for a low moisture footwear sanitization unit

Footwear sanitization is critically considered in food industries as control of the cross contamination of pathogens for the safety and quality of the production. Since poor maintenance of footbaths type of footwear sanitization systems can further enhance cross contaminations, importance of low moisture systems in footwear sanitization is acclaimed. This study examines the efficacy of the decontamination of E. coli, with IPA/ethanol, QAC/ethanol, IPA/QAC/ethanol, IPA/QAC/water chemical treatments for boots and slippers. Cleaned footwears were treated with E. coli sample and sanitizer was treated by spraying. Swab tests were done before and after applying treatments. Using dilution series, CFU was counted after incubating the selected diluent on the petri plates. Log value of the reduction of E. coli was graphically represented, and further statistical analysis was done by Tukey’s test with a post hoc test. Results revealed that IPA/QAC/water treatment was the best as it significantly contribute (Tukey’s test, P ≤ 0.05) in log reduction/CFUs of microorganism. Overall study depicts IPA/QAC/water combination is efficient and effective as sanitizer combination for a low moisture footwear sanitization system

USE OF GEO·INFORMATION FOR LAND USE PLANNING IN UPPER MAHAWELI CATCHMENT IN SRI LANKA

This p:lpcr pre~clIls the results 01" study which attempted In evaluate the demand lor Gcoinlorm.niou or the key dccixion positions involved with sub-district level planning andtlcci"ion llIaking in comp.u'ixon with the cx ixting supply of spatial infoun.uinn in the Lipper,Vl:ih:tIW!1 w.ucrshcd Catcluncnr in Sri Lanka.'Ill<' m.un objective 01 the paper W;I" to examine the user satisraction with respect to thl{;"(' IIliprrn:ltioli 01 st'iec:tl'(IIll:Ippin).! ;Ipplic;tllons for l.md lISCand land potl'llii;d .md how~\l c.ucr io the demand (II key dCClSI(li1posiuou» Ill' the sectors,Th.: major rindln!~ ()Irhi'; study shows rh.u as Iar as the demand or (fen inform.uion iconcernedIill'It.' arc :: number or govertllllL'nl institut ions and donor funded projectsIIll'olved In sector xpcc ilic LInd use pi:ll1nillt: :11I<1 decision making aciivirics at suh-regionallevel. Also. it \\,:IS (Ollllli thai there W:IS:111 increasing demand for accurate. reliable :Indmore up-to-dare. .lcuulcd information specially addressed to their specific sectordl'VCl( ipmcn r.\\': Il'rc Hll' ~lIppb' llf C;l'() inlornuuion was concerned there were Ii Itccn of slIch:~iJl)li,':(:i()m. whuh c.ucr il') the user demand. SOllie of the products :IIT widely used In;'H'j,.'('; planning cduc.uion ;llId :11: purposes whih: some arc xpccially entered to tit""!I',:l'il'll: Sl:l'tm development. Where suppliers arc concerned it was nut only Surveyrkp:lrilllCllt whuh provide standardiscd maps. Seven detailed applic.uions of maps in thestudy which entered to specific sector dcvclopmcut in rcl.uinn to land US" planning \\':1"tound.in terms of effectiveness and user satisf;lction it was round that there were gaps inuiforru.u ion. the scale it has been provided. actual demand and availnhility for planning;lIld decision making in ;111 till' sectors.Filially. till' factors or instruments for better matching the demand for Gco informationwit h the cxisting supply of information was identified.The results of this study arc useful to all the users and suppliers of Gco information whoarc engaged in mapping. planning. monitoring & implementation and policy formulationin relation to sector specific land use planning and decision making

Current Education Offerings on Occupational Therapy: Addressing Feeding, Eating, and Swallowing Across the Lifespan

Occupational therapists play a vital role in the care of individuals with feeding, eating, and swallowing (FES) disorders across the lifespan. Although there are certain standards created by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy (ACOTE) for understanding of assessment and management practices specific to FES, there are inconsistencies in how occupational therapy programs in the United States address FES disorders within their curriculum. This cross-sectional exploratory survey study received responses from 54 Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) programs and 63 entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) programs. Survey questions included quantitative and qualitative information on general information regarding FES content taught within the program. Survey results indicated only 4.8% of programs had a course dedicated to FES disorders and an average of 6.37 hours were dedicated to FES across the lifespan. Chi-squared tests for independence demonstrated a significant difference between pediatric educational hours over adult occupational therapy educational hours in FES (p\u3c0.001). There was no significant difference however between the number of hours dedicated to FES between MSOT and OTD programs (p= 0.146). The results question the adequacy of educational hours dedicated to FES management across the lifespan. In order for occupational therapy practitioners to bring their inherent value in contributing holistically to assessment and management of FES disorders, therapists must have knowledge and confidence in their skills. Ensuring that entry-level occupational therapists are adequately prepared to evaluate and treat individuals with FES disorders is imperative for the profession to remain liable and competent in the field of FES. While occupational therapy education programs are meeting the ACOTE dysphagia standard, the question remains if the number of hours programs are dedicating is enough to ensure entry level competency, as well as enough to compete with speech and language pathologists

Review of IIMI's experience in strengthening national capacity for irrigation management and research. Parts 1 and II

Irrigation management / Research / Institution building / Training / Sri Lanka / Bangladesh / India / Indonesia / Morocco / Nepal / Niger / Nigeria / Pakistan / Philippines / Sudan

Factors associated with social participation amongst elders in rural Sri Lanka: a cross-sectional mixed methods analysis

Background: Populations of low and middle-income countries are ageing rapidly; there is a need for policies that support an increase in the duration of old age lived in good health. There is growing evidence that social participation protects against morbidity and mortality, but few studies explore patterns of social participation. Analysis of baseline quantitative and qualitative data from a trial of the impact of Elders’ Clubs on health and wellbeing in the hill country of Sri Lanka provided an opportunity to better understand the extent of, and influences on, social participation among elders. Methods: We analysed data from 1028 baseline survey respondents and from 12 focus group discussions. Participants were consenting elders, aged over 60 years, living in Tamil tea plantation communities or Sinhala villages in 40 randomly selected local government divisions. We assessed participation in organised social activities using self-reported attendance during the previous year. Multivariable regression analyses were used to explore associations with community and individual factors. The quantitative findings were complemented by thematic analysis of focus group discussion transcripts. Results: Social participation in these poor, geographically isolated communities was low: 63% reported ‘no’ or ‘very low’ engagement with organised activities. Plantation community elders reported significantly less participation than village elders. Attendance at religious activities was common and valued. Individual factors with significant positive association with social participation in multivariable analyses were being younger, male, Sinhala, married, employed, and satisfied with one’s health. Domestic work and cultural constraints often prevented older women from attending organised activities. Conclusions: Elders likely to benefit most from greater social contact are those most likely to face barriers, including older women, the oldest old, those living alone and those in poor health. Understanding these barriers can inform strategies to overcome them. This might include opportunities for both informal and formal social contact close to elders’ homes, consulting elders, providing childcare, improving physical access, advocating with elders’ families and religious leaders, and encouraging mutual support and inter-generational activities. Influences on social participation are interrelated and vary with the history, culture and community environment. Further study is required in other low and middle-income country contexts

Non-equivalence in old- and new-flagellum daughter cells of a proliferative division in Trypanosoma brucei

Differentiation of Trypanosoma brucei, a flagellated protozoan parasite, between life cycle stages typically occurs through an asymmetric cell division process, producing two morphologically distinct daughter cells. Conversely, proliferative cell divisions produce two daughter cells, which look similar but are not identical. To examine in detail differences between the daughter cells of a proliferative division of procyclic T. brucei we used the recently identified constituents of the flagella connector. These segregate asymmetrically during cytokinesis allowing the new-flagellum and the old-flagellum daughters to be distinguished. We discovered that there are distinct morphological differences between the two daughters, with the new-flagellum daughter in particular re-modelling rapidly and extensively in early G1. This re-modelling process involves an increase in cell body, flagellum, and flagellum attachment zone length and is accompanied by architectural changes to the anterior cell end. The old-flagellum daughter undergoes a different G1 re-modelling, however, despite this there was no difference in G1 duration of their respective cell cycles. This work demonstrates that two daughters of a proliferative division of T. brucei are non-equivalent and enables more refined morphological analysis of mutant phenotypes. We suggest all proliferative divisions in T. brucei and related organisms will involve non-equivalence

Stannylated Vinylic Addition Polynorbornene: Probing a Reagent for Friendly Tin-Mediated Radical Processes

Producción CientíficaVinylic addition polynorbornenes (VA-PNB) with stannyl functional groups have been prepared and used in tin- mediated radical dehalogenation reactions. The aliphatic and robust scaffold of VA-PNB is well suited for a support in radical processes. VA-PNB-(CH2)nSnHBu2 can be used as a stoichiomet- ric reagent and VA-PNB-(CH2)nSnBu2Cl as a catalyst in the pres- ence of a hydride donor for the reduction of RBr. The mixture KF (aq.)/polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) is the most convenient hydride source to generate VA-PNB-(CH2)nSnHBu2 in situ. Although quite popular in this context, boron hydrides, being a source of radicals themselves, are not adequate to correctly evaluate the performance of the anchored organotin group. VA- PNB-(CH2)4SnBu2Cl can be recycled and, even if it loses activity upon reuse, it is still useful after ten cycles. The stannylated VA- PNB can be separated from the products by simple filtration, and it leads to very low tin contamination (at least 250 times lower than that with use of conventional separation methods).MINECO-SGPI CTQ2013-48406-PMINECO-SGPI CTQ2016-80913-