Trace elements in glucometabolic disorders: an update

Many trace elements, among which metals, are indispensable for proper functioning of a myriad of biochemical reactions, more particularly as enzyme cofactors. This is particularly true for the vast set of processes involved in regulation of glucose homeostasis, being it in glucose metabolism itself or in hormonal control, especially insulin. The role and importance of trace elements such as chromium, zinc, selenium, lithium and vanadium are much less evident and subjected to chronic debate. This review updates our actual knowledge concerning these five trace elements. A careful survey of the literature shows that while theoretical postulates from some key roles of these elements had led to real hopes for therapy of insulin resistance and diabetes, the limited experience based on available data indicates that beneficial effects and use of most of them are subjected to caution, given the narrow window between safe and unsafe doses. Clear therapeutic benefit in these pathologies is presently doubtful but some data indicate that these metals may have a clinical interest in patients presenting deficiencies in individual metal levels. The same holds true for an association of some trace elements such as chromium or zinc with oral antidiabetics. However, this area is essentially unexplored in adequate clinical trials, which are worth being performed

Application of mathamatical modelling in investigating coastal phenomena

With the evolvement of Information Technology, the simulation of physical theories on real matter in order to envisage the behavior of man-made structures and its impact on earth resources have “spread its wings” from scaled models to highly sophisticated virtual reality computer models where all elements can be viewed in 2D/3D in graphic user interfaces. Particularly the study in Coastal wave mechanics and simulation of such uncertainty with man-made structures, have proven the value of technology and it has been much effective with cost and time. With the current research that had been carried so far, commercially used in-house wave models were studied and a whole new design and analysis of a computer simulated numerical model for Sediment Transport Modelling was carried out. Case study on Hambanthota describes the coastal processes that has been undertaken in order to investigate the wave climate, wave induced currents and sediment movement for the proposed fishery harbour at Hambathota in Sri Lanka. Various components of an available wave modelling suite (“Halcrow”) were applied to evaluate the nearshore wave climate for design purposes, for optimization of the harbour configuration, for examination of wave penetration and for the input to the beach evolution model. The wave modelling shows that there is no significance wave penetration for the proposed fishery harbour. In addition, Wave-induced current modelling and investigation of beach evolution of the existing bay has been undertaken. The proceedings of a final year project discussed on environmental impact on ecological and social environment with several proposed alternatives for a fishery harbour in Negombo Lagoon were considered for a case study using a commercial wave model to examine the significance impact of the wave climate for the nearshore region and structures proposed to be located in Negombo Bay. Several components of “Halcrow” wave model are used in order to validate the first alternative and modifications required are suggested herewith. Most important of all, a sophisticated numerical model is designed and analyzed with the use of paradigms of software engineering for the simulation of Alongshore Abstract Sediment Transport. Equations by Kamphuis (1992) based on empirical co-relations and dimensional analysis of properties have been used and followed through the whole design. Theories and equations integrated from research carried out by Dr. Saman Samarawickrama were used in deriving solutions for the numerical model of which the design is based on many GIS (Geographical Information System) functionalities.With the evolvement of Information Technology, the simulation of physical theories on real matter in order to envisage the behavior of man-made structures and its impact on earth resources have “spread its wings” from scaled models to highly sophisticated virtual reality computer models where all elements can be viewed in 2D/3D in graphic user interfaces. Particularly the study in Coastal wave mechanics and simulation of such uncertainty with man-made structures, have proven the value of technology and it has been much effective with cost and time. With the current research that had been carried so far, commercially used in-house wave models were studied and a whole new design and analysis of a computer simulated numerical model for Sediment Transport Modelling was carried out. Case study on Hambanthota describes the coastal processes that has been undertaken in order to investigate the wave climate, wave induced currents and sediment movement for the proposed fishery harbour at Hambathota in Sri Lanka. Various components of an available wave modelling suite (“Halcrow”) were applied to evaluate the nearshore wave climate for design purposes, for optimization of the harbour configuration, for examination of wave penetration and for the input to the beach evolution model. The wave modelling shows that there is no significance wave penetration for the proposed fishery harbour. In addition, Wave-induced current modelling and investigation of beach evolution of the existing bay has been undertaken. The proceedings of a final year project discussed on environmental impact on ecological and social environment with several proposed alternatives for a fishery harbour in Negombo Lagoon were considered for a case study using a commercial wave model to examine the significance impact of the wave climate for the nearshore region and structures proposed to be located in Negombo Bay. Several components of “Halcrow” wave model are used in order to validate the first alternative and modifications required are suggested herewith. Most important of all, a sophisticated numerical model is designed and analyzed with the use of paradigms of software engineering for the simulation of Alongshore Abstract Sediment Transport. Equations by Kamphuis (1992) based on empirical co-relations and dimensional analysis of properties have been used and followed through the whole design. Theories and equations integrated from research carried out by Dr. Saman Samarawickrama were used in deriving solutions for the numerical model of which the design is based on many GIS (Geographical Information System) functionalities

Application of GIS in 3G modelling

The research primarily was based on application of principles of GIS (Geographical Information System) technology in the field of Geotechnical Engineering. With the objectives being laid towards a model to be applied in Geotechnical Engineering, the authors were able to make plans in phases while solving the requirements in steps, until the whole idea was finalised towards the end of the research. With this project, the objectives, feasibility and foundation of a large-scale implementation were established with an introduction to a new concept - 3G Modelling