The Indo-China Balance of Power in South Asian Region: A Sri Lankan Perspective

China and India are two states with which Sri Lanka has maintained close relations in the past. These two states have given a lot of support to Sri Lanka in many crisis situations that Sri Lanka has faced in international politics. China is one of the main countries that have helped Sri Lanka from the past until recently. Also, in view of the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka after Covid-19, India has also given special support to Sri Lanka. Thus, it can be stated that China and India are keen to provide support to Sri Lanka in a very competitive manner. As a result of all these factors, India and China, the two most powerful nations in Asia, are in a furious power struggle over Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. That is, the South Asian region is facing a problem of balance of power. The primary goal of this research is to examine Sri Lanka's role in the rivalry in South Asia between China and India. The research objective is ‘what policy Sri Lanka should adhere to when managing its relations with India and China?’. This study's methodology, which is qualitative in nature, depends only on secondary data to gather information. Content analysis was used for data analysis. According to this study, for Sri Lanka, India and China are equally important and China has provided a lot of assistance to Sri Lanka financially. However, in view of the current economic crisis Sri Lanka is facing, China's response to Sri Lanka has become sluggish. Nevertheless, Indian engagement has recently become increasingly crucial for Sri Lanka due to the terrible economic crisis the country is experiencing in the wake of Covid-19. Sri Lanka should, however, maintain a neutral stance in its interactions with the two adversarial nations, India and China.  DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i02.1

Impact of water saving irrigation systems on water use, growth and yield of irrigated lowland rice

To meet the growing demand for food and other needs from an increasing population, the rice production in Sri Lanka, which was 3.87 million tonnes in 2008, has to be increased to 4.2 million tonnes by the year 2020. This requirement could be achieved by increasing productivity and/or by increasing the cultivated extent. In 2008, about 77 % and 68 % of the total paddy land extent was cultivated with either partial or full irrigation during the maha and yala seasons, respectively. A considerable extent of paddy land was either not cultivated or cultivated for other crops due to the scarcity of water in the dry and intermediate zones. Furthermore, with increased competition for water for domestic and industrial needs and climate change, there will be further reductions in the availability of water for rice cultivation. Conserving irrigation water would increase the cultivated extent of land while reducing the probability of ate season water-stress in the cultivated rice crop. We studied the impact of different soil water regimes on water use, nutrient uptake, growth and grain yield of 3 – 3� age lowland rice at the Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda, Ibbagamuwa. There was no significant difference in the grain yield in rice when grown under either saturated or flooded conditions, but the yield decreased significantly with alternate wetting and drying. However, under saturated conditions, the irrigation water requirement was significantly lower than the flooded condition. The lowest irrigation water requirement was recorded with saturated to dry conditions. The irrigation water requirement under flooded conditions, when compared with the saturated condition, increased by 39 % during the yala season. During the maha season, even though the total irrigation requirement was lower, when compared to saturated conditions, four times more irrigation water was required under flooded conditions. There was a significant increase in plant dry matter production and leaf N (nitrogen) under saturated conditions, when compared with conventional flooded conditions. These findings suggest that when soil water is maintained at a saturated level in lowland rice, a considerable amount of irrigation water could be saved without sacrificing grain yield.Length: pp.57-64RiceIrrigated farmingWater conservationIrrigation systems

Effect of different growth regulators on in vitro micro-propagation of Kufri Frysona

In the present investigation, experiment was conducted for in vitro micro-propagation with different concentration of growth regulators in different explants Sprouts and Shoot tips of potato cultivar Kufri Frysona. The maximum survival percentage (40) of sprouts and (100%) of shoot tips were obtained when the explants were surface sterilized with 0.2% bavistin & 0.4% streptocyclin (45minutes) and 0.1% mercuric chloride (60seconds). Sterilized explants were inoculated on MS basal supplemented with various growth regulators and established successfully. The maximum shoot induction (62.5±1.44%) in 11.3±0.33 days and (74.0 ± 2.13 %) in 10.0 ± 0.50 days were reported on medium PM1 (BAP 0.25 mg/l) in sprouts and shoot tip explants respectively. The sprouted explants were further sub-cultured on MS media supplemented with various growth regulator alone and in combination for in vitro multiplication. In Kufri Frysona (11.2) shoots were obtained on MS medium fortified with 0.25mg/l BAP + 0.01mg/l IAA on 42th day of subculture. In vitro rooting was observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA in Kufri Frysona after 10 days. Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened in green house using different types of potting mixture and finally transferred to field. The protocol will be very useful for large-scale production of disease free planting material of potato (S. tuberosum) in future

Investigation of Optimum pH and Temperature for In-Vitro Crystallization of Urinary Cystine

Cystinuria contributes in formation of urinary stones. But, it has been reported that cystinuria is diagnosed when someone experiences with cystine stones. Therefore, early diagnosis of this condition is important. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the optimum pH and temperature for crystallization of urine cystine in-vitro. Cystinuria solutions were prepared with the concentrations of 40, 60, 70, 75, 80, 90, 100 and 120 mg/dL. The pH of each solution was changed with the addition of acetic acid. Then solutions were exposed to temperature +4°C and 37°C, for 15, 30 and 45min. The sediments were observed microscopically for cystine crystals formation. Then acetone was added to cystinuria with the ratio of cystinuria:acetone, 8:1, 4:1, 2:1 and 1.1 and pH was altered with acetic acid and were subjected to +4 °C and 37 °C, for 15, 30 and 45 minutes and sediment was observed for cystine crystals under the microscope. Cystine crystallization had been occurred in the cystinuria of ≥100 mg/dL at pH 5 at 37 ° C and +4 °C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid whereas with the addition of acetone at cystinuria of ≥75mg/dL at pH 5 in both 37°C and at +4°C, 30min after the addition of acetic acid. The number of cystine crystals per High Power Field (HPF) was highest where cystinuria:acetone was 8:1.  The optimum conditions for cystine crystallization is at pH 5, 37 °C and +4 °C, 30min after acidifying with acetic acid at the minimum concentration of 100 mg/dL  of cystinuria. With the addition of acetone, at the ratio of cystinuria:acetone 8:1 with minimum concentration of cystinuria of 75 mg/dL.   KEYWORDS: Cystine, Crystallization, Acetic acid, Acetone, Temperature, p

Media properties of different vermicompost and coir dust mixtures

In recent years, the demand for coir dust has increased as it is widely used as a growth medium in soilless culture. Since it is low in nutrients, when mixed with vermicompost, will provide a better growthmedium for plant establishment. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the properties ofdifferent verrnicornpost and coir dust mixtures. Tomato was used as the test plant and four differentmedia compositions were tested with and without nutrient supplement. Media properties includingchemical (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg levels, pH and Electrical conductivity [ECl) and physical properties(Bulk density, Field capacity and drying pattern) were measured in the time period.Nutrient levels, pH, EC, bulk density, and drying rates were found to be decreased and only fieldcapacity increased with increasing the proportion of coir dust. According to the result obtained,vermicompost alone can be used as a plant growth medium. But poor porosity and aeration ofvermicompost limit the root growth and lowered the water holding capacity. Therefore, medium with75% verrnicompost and 25% coil' dust is more suitable than vennicompost alone. Medium with 50%verrnicornpost and 50% coir dust has better physical properties, but nutrient level is not sufficient tosupport plant growth. Therefore nutrient supplement is needed to use it as growing medium.

Occurrence of Urinary Crystals among Urinary Tract Infections Suspected Paediatric Patients, Sri Lanka

Crystalluria has become one of the most vital biomarkers in urinalysis in detecting several disease conditions. It has been reported that urinary tract infections (UTI) may be the presenting sign of Urolithiasis in children. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and estimate the different types of crystals in the urine samples collected from UTI suspected children who admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children, Sri Lanka. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 400 children belong to age<12 years suspected with UTI. The participants included 242 males and 158 females. The urine samples were collected prior to start antibiotics. Each sample was examined macroscopically and centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 5 minutes. The urine sediment was examined under the light microscope and different crystal types were identified and counted at x40 magnification. Out of 400 samples 82 samples (82/400) were positive for crystalluria. The crystal types present were uric acid, calcium oxalate, triple phosphate, ammonium biuate and ammonium urate. None of the samples showed abnormal crystal types. The distribution of each crystal type was as follow; uric acid 25/82, calcium oxalate 34/82, triple phosphate 12/82, ammonium biuate 7/82 and ammonium urate 4/82. The quantity of crystals per mL of urine was ranged as follow; uric acid 850-130,000, calcium oxalate 350- >250,000, triple phosphate 650-6,000, ammonium biurate and ammonium urate were presented in clumps. KEYWORDS: Crystalluria, Uric Acid, Calcium Oxalate, Triple Phosphate, Ammonium Biurate, Ammonium Urate, Urolithiasis, Urinary Tract Infections

Regulation of Plant Growth and Development: A Review From a Chromatin Remodeling Perspective

In eukaryotes, genetic material is packaged into a dynamic but stable nucleoprotein structure called chromatin. Post-translational modification of chromatin domains affects the expression of underlying genes and subsequently the identity of cells by conveying epigenetic information from mother to daughter cells. SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers are ATP-dependent complexes that modulate core histone protein polypeptides, incorporate variant histone species and modify nucleotides in DNA strands within the nucleosome. The present review discusses the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler family, its classification and recent advancements. We also address the involvement of SWI/SNF remodelers in regulating vital plant growth and development processes such as meristem establishment and maintenance, cell differentiation, organ initiation, flower morphogenesis and flowering time regulation. Moreover, the role of chromatin remodelers in key phytohormone signaling pathways is also reviewed. The information provided in this review may prompt further debate and investigations aimed at understanding plant-specific epigenetic regulation mediated by chromatin remodeling under continuously varying plant growth conditions and global climate change

Exploring Variability of Trichodesmium Photophysiology Using Multi-Excitation Wavelength Fast Repetition Rate Fluorometry

Fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRf) allows for rapid non-destructive assessment of phytoplankton photophysiology in situ yet has rarely been applied to Trichodesmium. This gap reflects long-standing concerns that Trichodesmium (and other cyanobacteria) contain pigments that are less effective at absorbing blue light which is often used as the sole excitation source in FRR fluorometers—potentially leading to underestimation of key fluorescence parameters. In this study, we use a multi-excitation FRR fluorometer (equipped with blue, green, and orange LEDs) to investigate photophysiological variability in Trichodesmium assemblages from two sites. Using a multi-LED measurement protocol (447+519+634 nm combined), we assessed maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), functional absorption cross section of PSII (σPSII), and electron transport rates (ETRs) for Trichodesmium assemblages in both the Northwest Pacific (NWP) and North Indian Ocean in the vicinity of Sri Lanka (NIO-SL). Evaluating fluorometer performance, we showed that use of a multi-LED measuring protocol yields a significant increase of Fv/Fm for Trichodesmium compared to blue-only excitation. We found distinct photophysiological differences for Trichodesmium at both locations with higher average Fv/Fm as well as lower σPSII and non-photochemical quenching (NPQNSV) observed in the NWP compared to the NIO-SL (Kruskal–Wallis t-test df = 1, p < 0.05). Fluorescence light response curves (FLCs) further revealed differences in ETR response with a lower initial slope (αETR) and higher maximum electron turnover rate ((Formula presented.)) observed for Trichodesmium in the NWP compared to the NIO-SL, translating to a higher averaged light saturation EK (= (Formula presented.) /αETR) for cells at this location. Spatial variations in physiological parameters were both observed between and within regions, likely linked to nutrient supply and physiological stress. Finally, we applied an algorithm to estimate primary productivity of Trichodesmium using FRRf-derived fluorescence parameters, yielding an estimated carbon-fixation rate ranging from 7.8 to 21.1 mgC mg Chl-a–1 h–1 across this dataset. Overall, our findings demonstrate that capacity of multi-excitation FRRf to advance the application of Chl-a fluorescence techniques in phytoplankton assemblages dominated by cyanobacteria and reveals novel insight into environmental regulation of photoacclimation in natural Trichodesmium population

Development of a quality indicator set to measure and improve quality of ICU care in low- and middle-income countries

PURPOSE: To develop a set of actionable quality indicators for critical care suitable for use in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: A list of 84 candidate indicators compiled from a previous literature review and stakeholder recommendations were categorised into three domains (foundation, process, and quality impact). An expert panel (EP) representing stakeholders from critical care and allied specialties in multiple low-, middle-, and high-income countries was convened. In rounds one and two of the Delphi exercise, the EP appraised (Likert scale 1–5) each indicator for validity, feasibility; in round three sensitivity to change, and reliability were additionally appraised. Potential barriers and facilitators to implementation of the quality indicators were also reported in this round. Median score and interquartile range (IQR) were used to determine consensus; indicators with consensus disagreement (median < 4, IQR ≤ 1) were removed, and indicators with consensus agreement (median ≥ 4, IQR ≤ 1) or no consensus were retained. In round four, indicators were prioritised based on their ability to impact cost of care to the provider and recipient, staff well-being, patient safety, and patient-centred outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-one experts from 30 countries (n = 45, 63%, representing critical care) selected 57 indicators to assess quality of care in intensive care unit (ICU) in LMICs: 16 foundation, 27 process, and 14 quality impact indicators after round three. Round 4 resulted in 14 prioritised indicators. Fifty-seven respondents reported barriers and facilitators, of which electronic registry-embedded data collection was the biggest perceived facilitator to implementation (n = 54/57, 95%) Concerns over burden of data collection (n = 53/57, 93%) and variations in definition (n = 45/57, 79%) were perceived as the greatest barrier to implementation. CONCLUSION: This consensus exercise provides a common set of indicators to support benchmarking and quality improvement programs for critical care populations in LMICs