Evaluation of the use of web technology by government of Sri Lanka to ensure food security for its citizens

Web technology is one of the key areas in information and communication technology to be used as a powerful tool in ensuring food security which is one of the main issues in Sri Lanka. Web technology involves in communicating and sharing resources in network of computers all over the world. Main focus of food security is to ensure that all people have fair access to sufficient and quality food without endangering the future supply of the same food. In this context, web sites play a vital and major role in achieving food security in Sri Lanka. In this case study, websites pertaining to Sri Lankan government and link with food security were analyzed to find out their impact in achieving the goals of food security using web technologies and how they are being involved in ensuring food security in Sri Lanka. The other objective of this study is to make the Sri Lankan government aware of present situation of those websites in addressing food security related issues and how modern web technologies could be effectively and efficiently used to address those issues. So, the relevant websites were checked against several criteria and scores were used to assess their capabilities to address the concerns of food security. It was found that the amount of emphasis given by these websites to address the issues of food security is not satisfactory. Further, it showed that if these web sites could be improved further, they would generate a powerful impact on ensuring food security in Sri Lanka.Comment: International Conference of Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka 2015 (ICSUSL 2015

Iron Abundance Diagnostics in High-Redshift QSOs

The abundance of alpha-process elements such as magnesium and carbon relative to iron measured from the broad emission lines of QSOs can serve as a diagnostic of the star formation and chemical enrichment histories of their host galaxies. We investigate the relationship between Fe/Mg and Fe/C abundance ratios and the resulting Fe II / Mg II 2800A and Fe II / 1900A-blend flux ratios, both of which have been measured in QSOs out to redshifts of approximately six. Using a galactic chemical evolution model based on a starburst in a giant elliptical galaxy, we find that these flux ratios are good tracers of the chemical enrichment of the nuclei. However, the values of these ratios measured in objects at redshifts of approximately six suggest that iron enrichment has occurred more rapidly in these objects than predicted by the assumed elliptical starburst model, under currently favored cosmologies.Comment: 2 pages, to appear in proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 222, The Interplay Among Black Holes, Stars and ISM in Galacti Nucle

Evaluation of the spatial and temporal trends of dengue outbreaks in Kolonnawa Urban Council, Western province, Sri Lanka.

Dengue which is renowned as world's fastest growing vector borne disease, has become one of the major health issues in Sri Lanka gaining a growing concern due to recent outbreaks throughout the country. Timely implementation of ideal precautionary and control measures is often respected as the prime solution for controlling and reducing potential risks posed by dengue outbreaks. Recent localized trends in spatial and temporal distribution patterns of dengue play a critical role in drafting and implementing management/action plans for effective management of dengue epidemic at regional scale. Thus, a statistic and geo informatics based analysis of the recent trends in dengue distribution was carried out to identify the trends in spatial and temporal distribution patterns of Dengue in Kolonnawa Urban Council (KUC) area (6.9283° N, 79.8950° E). Monthly records of dengue cases in 2013 and 2014 in each Grama Niladari (GN) Division (13) of KUC area were obtained from the Public Health Division of KUC. The collected data from each GN Division were then subjected to a graphical analysis (scatter plot analysis) in MINITAB (version 14.12.0) to identify the temporal patterns in dengue cases. Spatial maps of the recorded dengue case distribution in each GN Division for each month and for the whole study period were prepared using Arc GIS 10.1. The spatial and temporal variation of dengue outbreak distribution within the KUC at GND level were analyzed to identify the recent trends in dengue distribution. Significant temporal variation in dengue outbreak distribution were recognized in all GN Divisions, which is mainly influenced by the rainfall pattern, and Government and community based dengue controlling practices. Sedawatta Meethotamulla, Dahampura, Kolonnawa, Salamulla and Wellampitiya localities indicate relatively high susceptibility to dengue outbreaks while localities such as Wadulla and Gajabapura indicate less susceptibilities. The land use types, management actions taken by the Government and other relevant entities, public awareness and community participation act as the key factors that govern the trends in spatial distribution of dengue outbreaks. Thus the evaluation of the trends in temporal and spatial distribution of dengue outbreaks at the localized level, could be recommended for the government sector and other relevant entities in developing and implementing action plans to control the rise of dengue and also to evaluate the effectiveness of already implemented practices for reducing and controlling dengue outbreaks at regional scale

Signature of a polyamorphic transition in the THz spectrum of vitreous GeO2

The THz spectrum of density fluctuations, $S(Q, \omega)$, of vitreous GeO$_2$ at ambient temperature was measured by inelastic x-ray scattering from ambient pressure up to pressures well beyond that of the known $\alpha$-quartz to rutile polyamorphic (PA) transition. We observe significant differences in the spectral shape measured below and above the PA transition, in particular, in the 30-80 meV range. Guided by first-principle lattice dynamics calculations, we interpret the changes in the phonon dispersion as the evolution from a quartz-like to a rutile-like coordination. Notably, such a crossover is accompanied by a cusp-like behavior in the pressure dependence of the elastic response of the system. Overall, the presented results highlight the complex fingerprint of PA phenomena on the high-frequency phonon dispersion.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure

Chemical Abundances in AGN Environment: X-Ray/UV Campaign on the MRK 279 Outflow

We present the first reliable determination of chemical abundances in an AGN outflow. The abundances are extracted from the deep and simultaneous FUSE and HST/STIS observations of Mrk 279. This data set is exceptional for its high signal-to-noise, unblended doublet troughs and little Galactic absorption contamination. These attributes allow us to solve for the velocity-dependent covering fraction, and therefore obtain reliable column densities for many ionic species. For the first time we have enough such column densities to simultaneously determine the ionization equilibrium and abundances in the flow. Our analysis uses the full spectral information embedded in these high-resolution data. Slicing a given trough into many independent outflow elements yields the extra constraints needed for a physically meaningful abundances determination. We find that relative to solar the abundances in the Mrk 279 outflow are (linear scaling): carbon 2.2+/-0.7, nitrogen 3.5+/-1.1 and oxygen 1.6+/-0.8. Our UV-based photoionization and abundances results are in good agreement with the independent analysis of the simultaneous Mrk 279 X-ray spectra. This is the best agreement between the UV and X-ray analyses of the same outflow to date.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, accepted on 29 Nov 2006 for publication in the ApJ (submission date: 27 Jul 2006

Heart rate variability and target organ damage in hypertensive patients

Background: We evaluated the association between linear standard Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures and vascular, renal and cardiac target organ damage (TOD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed including 200 patients registered in the Regione Campania network (aged 62.4 ± 12, male 64%). HRV analysis was performed by 24-h holter ECG. Renal damage was assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), vascular damage by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and cardiac damage by left ventricular mass index. Results: Significantly lower values of the ratio of low to high frequency power (LF/HF) were found in the patients with moderate or severe eGFR (p-value < 0.001). Similarly, depressed values of indexes of the overall autonomic modulation on heart were found in patients with plaque compared to those with a normal IMT (p-value <0.05). These associations remained significant after adjustment for other factors known to contribute to the development of target organ damage, such as age. Moreover, depressed LF/HF was found also in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy but this association was not significant after adjustment for other factors. Conclusions: Depressed HRV appeared to be associated with vascular and renal TOD, suggesting the involvement of autonomic imbalance in the TOD. However, as the mechanisms by which abnormal autonomic balance may lead to TOD, and, particularly, to renal organ damage are not clearly known, further prospective studies with longitudinal design are needed to determine the association between HRV and the development of TOD

Point process time–frequency analysis of dynamic respiratory patterns during meditation practice

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is largely mediated by the autonomic nervous system through its modulating influence on the heart beats. We propose a robust algorithm for quantifying instantaneous RSA as applied to heart beat intervals and respiratory recordings under dynamic breathing patterns. The blood volume pressure-derived heart beat series (pulse intervals, PIs) are modeled as an inverse Gaussian point process, with the instantaneous mean PI modeled as a bivariate regression incorporating both past PIs and respiration values observed at the beats. A point process maximum likelihood algorithm is used to estimate the model parameters, and instantaneous RSA is estimated via a frequency domain transfer function evaluated at instantaneous respiratory frequency where high coherence between respiration and PIs is observed. The model is statistically validated using Kolmogorov–Smirnov goodness-of-fit analysis, as well as independence tests. The algorithm is applied to subjects engaged in meditative practice, with distinctive dynamics in the respiration patterns elicited as a result. The presented analysis confirms the ability of the algorithm to track important changes in cardiorespiratory interactions elicited during meditation, otherwise not evidenced in control resting states, reporting statistically significant increase in RSA gain as measured by our paradigm.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-HL084502)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant R01-DA015644)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant DP1-OD003646)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant K01-AT00694-01

Protocol for establishing a child and adolescent twin register for mental health research and capacity building in Sri Lanka and other low and middle-income countries in South Asia.

INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, 10%-20% of children and adolescents experience mental health conditions. However, most such disorders remain undiagnosed until adolescence or adulthood. Little is known about the factors that influence mental health in children and adolescents, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where environmental threats, such as poverty and war, may affect optimal neurodevelopment. Cohort studies provide important information on risks and resilience across the life course by enabling tracking of the effects of early life environment on health during childhood and beyond. Large birth cohort studies, including twin cohorts that can be aetiologically informative, have been conducted within high-income countries but are not generalisable to LMIC. There are limited longitudinal birth cohort studies in LMIC. METHODS: We sought to enhance the volume of impactful research in Sri Lanka by establishing a Centre of Excellence for cohort studies. The aim is to establish a register of infant, child and adolescent twins, including mothers pregnant with twins, starting in the districts of Colombo (Western Province) and Vavuniya (Northern Province). We will gain consent from twins or parents for future research projects. This register will provide the platform to investigate the aetiology of mental illness and the impact of challenges to early brain development on future mental health. Using this register, we will be able to conduct research that will (1) expand existing research capacity on child and adolescent mental health and twin methods; (2) further consolidate existing partnerships and (3) establish new collaborations. The initiative is underpinned by three pillars: high-quality research, ethics, and patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Review Committee of Sri Lanka Medical Association and Keele University's Ethical Review Panel. In addition to journal publications, a range of PPIE activities have been conducted. We would like to acknowledge the other members of the SEARCH Group

Imaging the Impact of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on the Structure of the Developing Human Brain

Prenatal alcohol exposure has numerous effects on the developing brain, including damage to selective brain structure. We review structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of brain abnormalities in subjects prenatally exposed to alcohol. The most common findings include reduced brain volume and malformations of the corpus callosum. Advanced methods have been able to detect shape, thickness and displacement changes throughout multiple brain regions. The teratogenic effects of alcohol appear to be widespread, affecting almost the entire brain. The only region that appears to be relatively spared is the occipital lobe. More recent studies have linked cognition to the underlying brain structure in alcohol-exposed subjects, and several report patterns in the severity of brain damage as it relates to facial dysmorphology or to extent of alcohol exposure. Future studies exploring relationships between brain structure, cognitive measures, dysmorphology, age, and other variables will be valuable for further comprehending the vast effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and for evaluating possible interventions