Development of an efficient biodegradation system for solid waste composting using indigenous microorganisms

This thesis describes a study conducted to produce compost using vegetable market garbage, as the main ingredient .The main objective was to reduce the time of production and to produce good quality compost by inoculation and aeration. Low cost windrow method was used under indoor environmental conditions where six different types of treatment were studied, each lasting eight weeks. The experimental heap was 1.5m X 1.5m x 1m (length X width X height) and a hollow triangular wooden frame 1.5 m X 0.3m X 0.3m (length X width X height) was used to facilitate aeration. Initial weight of the feedstock was 250 kg and the heap was turned once a week. The first trial was carried out using 80% market garbage, 10% cow dung, 5% sawdust and 5% coir dust. For subsequent experiments' the composition used was 50% market garbage, 10% cowdung 10% saw dust 5% coir dust and 25 % air-dried grass clippings. Mature compost 2.5 % and 5 % were used as inoculum in the third and fourth runs respectively. The fifth run was conducted without turning the heap and the sixth one without the frame for aeration and also without turning the heap. Physical chemical and biological changes were determined during the composting process to evaluate the effectiveness of the process. Enzymatic activity of microorganisms, which were active during the compo sting process, was also studied. Seed germination in the final compost was tested by introducing Raphanus sp seeds. The results indicated that a weight reduction of 50% occurred and the high temperature recorded during the initial stages helped to reduce pathogen and weeds. Diverse and dense indigenous beneficial microorganisms were present and macro organisms played an important role in reducing the particle size. Turning the windrows for aeration and addition of matured compost was found to accelerate the rate of compo sting. Use of 5% mature compost gave a higher rate of composting than 2.5%. From determinations of temperature, C/N ratio CO2 production, pH bulk density and seed germination it was concluded that when the process is properly controlled good quality compost can be obtained in about eight weeks

Transformation of flood risk management with evolutionary resilience

The occurrence of flood disasters has become a vicious problem in many urban regions. Operationalization of flood resilience has become a significant concern with the increase of urban development and climate change. The objective of this paper is at first to analyze how flood resilience has been framed over the past period of time. Second, this paper has focused to identify the practical difficulties related to the available flood risk assessment and management frameworks for operationalization of flood resilience. The results show that the flood risk and resilience has been framed differently throughout the time, in diverse perspectives but still remains as contested concepts. Evolutionary resilience has been reframed the flood risk management system as an integrated and adaptive system with the recognition of the uncertainties due to the dynamics of socio-spatial interdependencies of flood risk. Therefore, the integration and the adaptive capacity of spatial planning has become a crucial aspect for operationalizing flood resilience which is governed through the knowledge base of the dominant discourses of stakeholders and the way of power and the resource exercised in the context

Compost from market garbage using locally acclimatized organisms.

Nearly 80% of Sri Lankan garbage is biodegradable organic material. Today organic wastes are increasingly being converted into compost. Therefore it is necessary to look into the possibilities of improving compost quality and reducing the time taken for producing stable compost. This study was conducted using market garbage as the major ingredient of the composting process. The objective of this study is to reduce the production time of compost with the use of inoculants and aeration. Vegetable garbage, air-dried grass clippings, saw dust, cow dung & coir dust were used as the raw organic materials. The windrow method was used to prepare compost under indoor environmental conditions. A hollow triangular wooden frame was used in the pile to facilitate aeration. Mature compost was used as the inoculant to accelerate the composting process. The initial total weight of garbage was 250 Kg and after two months became 125 Kg. During the composting period compost pile was mixed once a week and the samples were tested in the laboratory. Physical & chemical changes of composting process were studied to evaluate the increasing efficiency due to inoculation & aeration. The periodic changes of temperature, pH, percentage of organic matter, carbon dioxide production rate, bulk density, weed seed germination were monitored during the composting process. The C/N ratio was measured to evaluate the degree of maturity of the compost. After two months of composting process, presence of pathogenic organisms (coliforms & ascaris egg mortality) and the maturity of the compost were determined. The study conducted up to now indicates that this process will give considerable information, which will help to reduce the environmental problem otherwise created by this market garbag

Association of Male Gender and Younger Age at Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes with more Atherogenic Lipid Profile

Background – Recognition of cardiovascular (CVD) risk profile and its patterns at the time of diagnosis of diabetes would enable adoption of most appropriate primary prevention strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality from vascular disease. We aimed to study the prevalence and pattern of modifiable CVD risk factors in patients at the time of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Methods- In this  single center, cross sectional study,  412 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes were studied on prevalence of low density lipoproteins (LDL), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) . Prevalence of each risk factor was determined according to the American diabetes association criteria. Associations of each risk factor (dependent variable) with gender, age at onset of diabetes, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) (independent variables) were studied using logistic regression.Results – Males accounted for 71% of sample and Mean (SD) age 49(11) years. The most prevalent lipid abnormality was LDL > 100 mg (81%) and low HDL and raised TG were detected in 17.1%, 18.5%. SBP> 140 mm Hg and DBP > 90 mm Hg were prevalent in 15% and 12%. Male gender (OR 7.98 – 95% CI 4.39 -14-49) and younger age at onset of diabetes (OR 0.95 95% CI 0.93 -0.98) were significantly associated with lower HDL. The younger age was significantly associated with adverse TG levels (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.93-0.95) . Significant associations were detected with SBP and DBP with age (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.13) and OR 1.062 95% CI 1.006 - 1.121).Discussion – Adverse LDL levels are present in 8 out of 10 patients at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. Modifiable CVD risk factors vary according to the age at onset of diabetes with more atherogenic dyslipidemia prevalent in younger and elevated blood pressure in older patients.

Managing of urban flood risk in Colombo with spatial planning

Land and water are inseparably linked with each other. External pressures on either water or the land result in chains of impacts on both. Uncontrolled urban growth leads intensive urban growth into natural floodplains. As a result, flood risk and vulnerabilities in many of urban areas are on the rise. The technical measures as well as other planning operations on a continuous basis, which remains unchanged urban flood risk. Presently, it has been recognized that a new approach should be designed to cope up with both flood hazard and vulnerabilities would provide long lasting solution. The importance of spatial planning for an effective flood risk management strategy highlights the multifunctional and integrated benefits of spaces. Currently, many developed countries have already adopted risk based management approach over the traditional flood protection strategies. City of Colombo located adjacent to the downstream of Kelani River is highly vulnerable to floods. It has been regularly flooded in recent decades and brings many hardships to both community and economy despite the available flood protection measures. This present research analyses literature on flood risk management and interface between flood risk management and spatial planning and it discusses the salient characteristics of risk based planning interventions

Cardiovascular risk assessment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: comparison of the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension risk prediction charts versus UK Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine

Herath M Meththananda Herath, Thilak Priyantha Weerarathna, Dilini Umesha Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka Introduction: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and assessment of their cardiac risk is important for preventive strategies. Purpose: The Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka has recommended World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) charts for cardiac risk assessment in individuals with T2DM. However, the most suitable cardiac risk assessment tool for Sri Lankans with T2DM has not been studied. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of two cardiac risk assessments tools; WHO/ISH charts and UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine. Methods: Cardiac risk assessments were done in 2,432 patients with T2DM attending a diabetes clinic in Southern Sri Lanka using the two risk assessment tools. Validity of two assessment tools was further assessed by their ability to recognize individuals with raised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and raised diastolic blood pressure in a cohort of newly diagnosed T2DM patients (n=332). Results: WHO/ISH charts identified 78.4% of subjects as low cardiac risk whereas the UKPDS risk engine categorized 52.3% as low cardiac risk (P<0.001). In the risk categories of 10%–<20%, the UKPDS risk engine identified higher proportions of patients (28%) compared to WHO/ISH charts (7%). Approximately 6% of subjects were classified as low cardiac risk (<10%) by WHO/ISH when UKPDS recognized them as cardiac risk of >20%. Agreement between the two tools was poor (κ value =0.144, P<0.01). Approximately 82% of individuals categorized as low cardiac risk by WHO/ISH had higher LDL cholesterol than the therapeutic target of 100 mg/dL. Conclusion: There is a significant discrepancy between the two assessment tools with WHO/ISH risk chart recognizing higher proportions of patients having low cardiac risk than the UKPDS risk engine. Risk assessment by both assessment tools demonstrated poor sensitivity in identifying those with treatable levels of LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure. Keywords: cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, risk assessment, WHO/ISH risk prediction charts, UKPDS risk engin

Integrated spatial approach for disaster mitigation in Sri Lanka with an emphasis on landslides

Today’s society becomes more vulnerable to disasters. In addition the global environmental changes have been threatened with the increase occurrence of disasters such as floods, landslides and droughts. There are many reasons for the increase the level of vulnerability of today society' than the past. Due to growth of population, environmental degradation, lack of planning and integration of programs on disaster preparedness. Landslide is the most pressing environmental problem in the central & southern part of Sri Lanka. It has estimated that there are about 12,500 square kilometers in the island prone to landslides (NBRO, 2008). The central part country of Sri Lanka which is hilly, featured by triangular mountainous area. This part of the country is the most fragile region which comprise of sources of water supply to major and minor rivers. During the last three decades extensive losses of lives and properties have been reported during periods of continuous rains. They are not only cause in number of deaths and destructions of properties but also undermine the decade’s long development gained by the country.Senate Research Gran

Attainment of recommended therapeutic targets of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus screened at a diabetes clinic in Sri Lanka

Thilak Priyantha Weerarathna,1 Herath Mudiyanselage Meththananda Herath,1 Gayani Liyanage,1 Miyuru Kavinda Weerarathna,2 Vidarsha Senadheera2 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka Introduction: Implementation of effective measures to control rising burden of cardiovascular diseases among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires information on the adequacy of control and identification of specific groups with suboptimal control of blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure. Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with T2DM referred from primary care to a diabetes center was carried out to estimate the proportion of patients achieving the recommended therapeutic targets of four major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors: glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c <7%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <100 mg/dL, systolic blood pressure (SBP) <130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <80 mmHg and their associations with age, gender, duration of diabetes and body mass index were studied. Results: Mean (SD) age and the duration of the sample of 2422 (65% males) were 52 (11) and 9 (3), respectively. Percentages with optimal HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SBP and DBP were 25.2%, 24.3%, 32% and 56.7%, respectively. Only 2% had achieved optimal control of all four risk factors. Significantly higher percentages of males were having optimal HbA1C, SBP and DBP, and regression analysis revealed that male gender was significantly associated with optimal control of SBP. Conclusion: Control of cardiovascular risk diseases factors among patients with T2DM managed in the primary care settings needs further improvements in target achievement in all four modifiable risk factors. Keywords: suboptimal control, therapeutic targets, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Sri Lank