Balanced Abstract Web-MVC Style: An Abstract MVC Implementation for Web-based Applications

The features and the capabilities of web applicationsare growing rapidly, and the complexities and difficulties ofweb applications engineering are also growing in parallel. Ifthe architectural formalism of these advanced web applicationsis well realized, the complexities could be understood, thus thedifficulties could be reduced. Model-View-Controller (MVC)has been recognized as a well-formed architectural style, andhas been widely used in web applications engineering invarious forms of implementations. These MVCimplementations are heavily dependent on specific set oftechnologies and/or some other facts; hence, they do notprovide an abstract realization to be used in a wider range ofweb application engineering. We propose an implementation ofMVC in more abstract form, which – we think – will increasethe realization of the advanced web applications, thus lower theengineering complexities and difficulties of web applications.We believe that this implementation is more applicable in awider range of environments and technologies, and will upturnthe architectural properties like performance andmodifiability. Based on this implementation we introduce anMVC based architectural style for web applications. In future,we expect to improve this further towards supporting RichInternet Applications

Diversity of underutilized vegetables and fruit in Sri Lanka: Prioritization for collection, conservation, genetic improvement, and promotion

Despite their crucial role in combating hunger, malnutrition, and poverty, many plant species cultivated as fruits, vegetables, roots, and tuber crops remain neglected and underutilized worldwide, and Sri Lanka is no exception. Integrating these crops into farming systems has the potential to create nutrient-dense, climate-resilient, and sustainable agricultural practices. The study titled "Diversity of underutilized vegetables and fruit in Sri Lanka: prioritization for collection, conservation, genetic improvement, and promotion" highlights the significance of underutilized vegetables and fruits in Sri Lanka's agricultural biodiversity. These often-overlooked crops possess unique nutritional and agronomic traits that could benefit both farmers and consumers. However, they have been overshadowed by more commonly cultivated species and varieties. To safeguard the genetic diversity and potential contributions of these underutilized crops to food security and nutrition, the study emphasizes the need for prioritizing their collection and conservation. Preserving their genetic resources enables researchers and farmers to access a broader range of traits, enhancing resilience to environmental challenges. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of genetic improvement efforts to boost the productivity and adaptability of underutilized vegetables and fruits. Breeding programs focused on priority species can lead to the development of new cultivars with desirable traits, such as increased yield, disease resistance, and improved nutritional content. Moreover, promoting underutilized crops is essential to raise awareness among consumers, retailers, and policymakers about their nutritional benefits and economic potential. By creating market demand and integrating these crops into agricultural systems, their sustainable cultivation and utilization become more viable. In summary, recognizing and prioritizing the diversity of underutilized vegetables and fruits in Sri Lanka is crucial. Through strategic collection, conservation, genetic improvement, and promotion efforts, these crops can significantly contribute to enhancing food security, preserving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices in the country

The Sinhala version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale: validation and establishment of the factor structure in pain patients and healthy adults

Objective: This study was conducted to translate the Pain Catastrophizing Scale into and adapt it to the Sinhala language and to examine its psychometric properties and factor structure in pain patients and healthy adults in Sri Lanka.\ud \ud Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted, recruiting pain patients from multiple clinics and healthy adults from the community as convenience samples.\ud \ud Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Sinhala speakers was carried out using recommended methods. The adaptation's psychometric properties and factor structure were tested in 149 pain patients and 172 healthy adults. Temporal stability was tested in a sample of 104 young adults. Pain intensity of patients was assessed using a visual analog scale, and personality traits of all participants were assessed with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire.\ud \ud Results: Factor analysis revealed that the three-factor structure of the original version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale was the best fit to the data from participant samples. Cronbach's alpha values of the three components and total scores for patients and healthy adults ranged from 0.72 to 0.87. Pain catastrophizing exhibited moderate positive correlations with neuroticism in patients and healthy adults and with pain intensities in patients. A high intraclass correlation coefficient of agreement (0.81) revealed an acceptable temporal stability in young adults.\ud \ud Conclusions: The results suggest that the Sinhala version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale retains the original three-factor structure. It is a stable, valid and sufficiently reliable tool to assess pain catastrophizing in Sinhala-speaking individuals in Sri Lanka