Investigation of the agricultural resources in Sri Lanka

The author has identified the following significant results. Several in-house capabilities were developed. The facilities to prepare color composites of excellent quality were developed, using bulk B/W 70 mm transparencies or 1:1,000,000 positive transparencies. These color composites were studied through optical devices on light tables. A zoom transfer scope was also added, enabling direct transfer of LANDSAT composite data on to base maps

The effect of an infra-acetabular screw for anatomically shaped three-dimensional plate or standard plate designs in acetabulum fractures: a biomechanical analysis

Background Various plate shapes and implant configurations are used for stabilization of acetabulum fractures via anterior approaches. Little is known about the biomechanical stability of a two-dimensionally shaped “conventional” plate (“J-Plate”—JP) in comparison to three-dimensionally shaped plate configurations (3DP). In addition, the augmentary effect of an infra-acetabular lag-screw (IACS) fixation for anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse acetabulum fractures has not been clarified in comparison of JP and 3DP constructs. This study analyzed the difference between the biomechanical stability of JP compared to 3DP and the role of an IACS in a standardized acetabular fracture model in a single-leg stance loading configuration. Methods In an artificial bone substitute pelvis model (Synbone© Malans, Switzerland), a typical and standardized fracture pattern (anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse) was created with osteotomy jigs. After anatomic reduction the stabilization was performed using JP or 3DP. Eight pelvises per group were axially loaded in a single-leg stance model up to 400 N. After the load cycle, an additional infra-acetabular screw was placed and the measurement repeated. Fragment displacement was recorded by an optical tracking system (Optitrack Prime 13®, Corvallis, USA). Results In the pure placement, 3DP provided significantly superior stability when compared to JP. Augmentation of JP by IACS increased the stability significantly, up to the level of 3DP alone, whereas augmentation of the 3DP did not result in further increase of overall stability. Conclusion The anatomically shaped plate alone provides a superior biomechanical stability in fixation of an anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse fracture model. In a JP fixation the augmentation by IACS provides similar strength as the anatomically shaped 3DP. By use of the anatomically shaped 3DP the need of a clinically risky application of IACS might be avoidable

Range Extension and Vocalisation of Endangered Shrub Frog, Pseudophilautus zorro (Amphibia: Rachophoridae) in Sri Lanka

Gannoruwa shrub frog, Pseudophilautus zorro, is an endemic species known only from four locations in and around Kandy, Gannoruwa forest, home gardens in Triverton estate, Hanthana and Udawaththakele forest reserves. Despite their cryptic nature calling males are conspicuous once identified their vocalisation. Hence, we describe their vocalisation and acoustic characters. We recorded P. zorro from Hanthana (80.6141° E, 7.2497° N; 700 m a.s.l.) and measured six common call characters of 92 calls from four males. We identified four call types based on wave form structure and spectrogram. Type 1 calls were the most frequently emitted call type (93% of 518 calls recorded) having the average call duration 5.1±1.2 mili-seconds. Vocalising frequency of the species ranged between 3,100 Hz and 3,600 Hz. During our field excursions in 2014-2017, we heard similar vocalisation in two sites well away from its known range, Katugasthota (80.6199° E, 7.3302° N; 470 m a.s.l) and Ovilikanda (80.5926° E, 7.4538° E; 470 m a.s.l). We confirm the identity as P. zorro using the morphological characters. Again, on 18th September, 2014 we sighted the species during an excursion to Kukulamalpotha (80.7819° E, 7.5527° N; 460 m a.s.l) in Knuckles reserve. Since the site was very far from the known range of P. zorro, we obtained toe tips from two individuals and confirm their identity genetically by having 0% uncorrected pairwise genetic distance for 16S gene fragment (~510 bp). With three new found locations their Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy has been increased by 14 times (from 20 km2 to 291 km2) and by 2 times (from 16 km2 to 28 km2) respectively. New found populations considerably expanded the species-range and the knowledge of their vocalisation can further use to explore new populations. This study confirms that P. zorro is not restricted as previously thought.Keywords: New population, Bioacoustics, Shrub frogs, Extent of occurrenc

Airports at Risk: The Impact of Information Sources on Security Decisions

Security decisions in high risk organizations such as airports involve obtaining ongoing and frequent information about potential threats. Utilizing questionnaire survey data from a sample of airport employees in European Airports across the continent, we analyzed how both formal and informal sources of security information affect employee's decisions to comply with the security rules and directives. This led us to trace information network flows to assess its impact on the degree employees making security decisions comply or deviate with the prescribed security rules. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that security information obtained through formal and informal networks differentially determine if employee will comply or not with the rules. Information sources emanating from the informal network tends to encourage employees to be more flexible in their security decisions while formal sources lead to be more rigid with complying with rules and protocols. These results suggest that alongside the formal administrative structure of airports, there exists a diverse and pervasiveness set of informal communications networks that are a potent factor in determining airport security levels

AWARENESS OF USAGE OF SUNSCREENS AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN KANDY, SRI LANKA

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the awareness of usage of sunscreens among school children in Kandy, Sri Lanka.Methods: School children (138) who do outdoor sports were recruited from six schools. Knowledge and attitudes towards the usage and application of sunscreens were assessed using a researcher administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses were done using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS version-16).Results: Among the school children who do outdoor sports, 71 (51.4%) of participants used sunscreens and 67 (48.6%) of participants did not use sunscreens.Conclusion: According to the results most of the school children have a lack of knowledge, attitudes and practice towards the usage of sunscreens

Gene expression analysis of isolated salmonid GALT leucocytes in response to PAMPs and recombinant cytokines

Ahmed Attaya’s PhD project was funded by the Newton Fund, the British Council, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Hurghada, Egypt. This research was also supported financially by a grant (BB/M013022/1) from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). TEM was performed in the Microscopy and Histology Core Facility at the University of Aberdeen. Thanks to Yehfang Hu (SFIRC) for help with the flow cytometry analysis.Peer reviewedPostprin

Group B streptococcal infective endocarditis in a young non-pregnant female with rheumatic heart disease - A Case Report

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a rare cause of infective endocarditis in adults associated with a high mortality rate due to the frequent occurrence of local and systemic complications. Here we report a case of infective endocarditis (IE) in a young non-pregnant female with a history of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) who presented with a short history of fever, shortness of breath and constitutional symptoms. GBS was isolated from a single blood culture along with echocardiographic findings of a cardiac vegetation and ophthalmologic findings of a Roth spot. Based on the Modified Duke Criteria, a definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis was made. She was treated with a prolonged course of intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone, with gentamicin being added to the regimen, following which she made a complete recovery.</p

BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF "VERMIWASH", NATURAL PLANT GROWTH SUPPLEMENT FOR TEA, COCONUT AND HORTICULTURAL CROPS

Earthworms have been well exploited in agriculture worldwide inmaximizing crop production for many years. Amongst vermin-technology(Vermitech) practices, Vermiwash (Vw) has shown its field efficacy withmany crops. Vw is the wash of earthworm's celomic fluid and calcareouslayer and the watery extract of the bedding materials, which is known tocontain ample amounts of soluble macro and micronutrients, natural growthhormones, beneficial microbes, vitamins and amino acids etc. andnematicidal properties. However, the attributes to beneficial agronomicvalues of Vw have not yet been scientifically validated fully although thispractice is extensively being expanded in India and Sri Lanka. Therefore, thepresent study investigated the biological and chemical properties of elevensources of Vw resulted from different earthworm species and raw materials indifferent farms in Sri Lanka. Vw was tested as a source for hydroponics forlettuce in comparison with the Albert solution. The efficacy of regular foliarand soil applications of Vw on bush bean (Variety: Top crop), tomato(Variety: Thilina), nursery tea (cultivar: TRI 4071) and coconut (Variety:DxT) was also evaluated in comparison with vermicompost and conventionalchemical inputs in a series of bioassays.The results of analyses revealed varying levels of biological and chemicalproperties of the test samples but within the optimal range for plant growth.Vw exhibited significantly lower levels of N, P, K but was rich in Ca, Mg,Zn, Fe and Mn; pH and CEC were also in the required ranges. Vwsignificantly (p=0.05) influenced the soil microbial biomass althoughindividual microorganisms were not identified; microbial biomass of Vw andcontrol were estimated as 4.95 and 3.20 x 10-3 mg C02/day/25g soilrespectively. Vw proved as a better alternate source to Albert solution forlettuce growth under hydroponic culture. The root length, root and shootbiomass and total leaf area of bush bean were significantly (p=0.05) affectedby Vw application compared to that of vermin-compost and synthetic fertilizer treatments. In nursery tea, Vw application lead to comparativelygreater callusing of tea cuttings but the increase in root formation and shootgrowth was not significant. Vw application boosted growth of coconutseedlings. However, no positive responses were seen with tomato.The data suggested the potential exploitation of Vw in home gardening,indoor and container planting, biodynamic and organic farming etc. as afarmer friendly, culturally sensitive and economically viable natural product.Further work on attributes to plant growth such as determination of growthhormones, different doses and mass production of uniform quality Vw usingdifferent earthworm species and raw materials etc. would strengthen itssustainable use as an alternative growth supplement