Identification of Important Physical Properties and Amylose Content in Commercially Available Improved and Traditional Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka

Commercially available, fourteen different rice varieties (improved and traditional) in Sri Lanka were subjected to determine amylose content and important physical properties. Under physical properties, milling parameters (such as brown rice content, husk content and total milling recovery), hardness and dimensions (length, width & thickness) including water absorption capacity (by dipping at 70°C for four hours) were measured. Amylose content of each rice variety was determined by measuring the optical density of amylose-iodine complex using spectrophotometer, while amylopectin content was obtained using the relationship equation. Results revealed, brown rice content, husk content, total milling recovery, hardness and water absorption capacities of these rice varieties were within the range of 76-78%, 20-23%, 69-72% & 28-30% respectively. Statistical analysis also indicated, those physical properties of fourteen rice varieties were significantly different to each other (p0.05)

Idiopathic pancreatitis is a consequence of an altering spectrum of bile nucleation time

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The pathogenesis of idiopathic pancreatitis (IP) remains poorly understood. Our hypothesis is that IP is a sequel of micro-crystallization of hepatic bile.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective case control study compared 55 patients; symptomatic cholelithiasis - 30 (14 male, median age 36 years; mean BMI - 25.1 kg/m²), gallstone pancreatitis - 9 (3 male, median age 35 years; mean BMI - 24.86 kg/m²) and IP - 16 (9 male, median age 34 years; mean BMI -23.34 kg/m²) with 30 controls (15 male, median age 38 years; mean BMI = 24.5 kg/m²) undergoing laparotomy for conditions not related to the gall bladder and bile duct. Ultrafiltered bile from the common hepatic duct in patients and controls was incubated in anaerobic conditions and examined by polarized light microscopy to assess bile nucleation time (NT). In the analysis, the mean NT of patients with gallstones and gallstone pancreatitis was taken as a cumulative mean NT for those with established gallstone disease (EGD).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients were similar to controls. Mean NT in all groups of patients was significantly shorter than controls (EGD cumulative mean NT, 1.73 +/- 0.2 days vs. controls, 12.74 +/- 0.4 days, P = 0.001 and IP patients mean NT, 3.1 +/- 0.24 days vs. controls, 12.74 +/- 0.4 days, P = 0.001). However, NT in those with IP was longer compared with those with EGD (mean NT in IP, 3.1 +/- 0.24 days vs. cumulative mean in EGD: 1.73 +/- 0.2 days, P = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nucleation time of bile in patients with IP is abnormal and is intermediate to nucleation time of lithogenic bile at one end of the spectrum of lithogenicity and non-lithogenic bile, at the other end.</p

Prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in two districts of Sri Lanka: a hospital based survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is being increasingly diagnosed in Asia. However there are few epidemiological data from the region.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To determine prevalence and clinical characteristics of IBD, a hospital-based survey was performed in the Colombo and Gampaha districts (combined population 4.5 million) in Sri Lanka. Patients with established ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), who were permanent residents of these adjoining districts, were recruited from hospital registries and out-patient clinics. Clinical information was obtained from medical records and patient interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 295 cases of IBD (UC = 240, CD = 55), of which 34 (UC = 30, CD = 4) were newly diagnosed during the study year. The prevalence rate for UC was 5.3/100,000 (95% CI 5.0-5.6/100,000), and CD was 1.2/100,000 (95% CI 1.0-1.4/100,000). The incidence rates were 0.69/100,000 (95% CI 0.44-0.94/100,000) for UC and 0.09/100,000 (95% CI 0.002-0.18/100,000) for CD. Female:male ratios were 1.5 for UC and 1.0 for CD. Mean age at diagnosis was (males and females) 36.6 and 38.1y for UC and 33.4 and 36.2y for CD. Among UC patients, 51.1% had proctitis and at presentation 58.4% had mild disease. 80% of CD patients had only large bowel involvement. Few patients had undergone surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The prevalence of IBD in this population was low compared to Western populations, but similar to some in Asia. There was a female preponderance for UC. UC was mainly mild, distal or left-sided, while CD mainly involved the large bowel.</p

Endoscopic observations around the gastroesophageal junction in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease in South Asia

Abstract Introduction We studied the inter-relationships of endoscopic findings around the gastroesophageal junction in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Methods Data were collected with regard to hiatus hernia (HH), columnar-lined esophagus (CLE), reflux esophagitis (RE) and gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV), prospectively from 1,150 patients who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Results The frequency of HH, CLE and RE was 14.3% (n=165), 9.5% (n=109) and 13.3% (n=153), respectively. In the CLE group, 48 were histologically proven to have Barrett&apos;s esophagus. Of all RE patients, 94.8% had mild esophagitis (LA-A and B) and this was associated with younger age, male gender, presence of HH, and grade 3 or 4 gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV). Grades 3 and 4 GEFV were associated with HH, CLE, and RE. Conclusions Substantial proportion of patients with symptoms of GERD has abnormal endoscopic findings around the gastroesophageal junction

An Examination of the relationship between climate, culture and built form with special reference to hot-humid climate

It is the need for protection form climate that compelled man to build shelter. Since t h e m , his endless thirst for comfort evolved this basic skeleton into new forms thus creating architecture. Human comfort is identified as physical comfort and psychological comfort. These two are closely linked with each other. Physical comfort facilitates psychological comfort. Therefore achieving physical comfort has a close relationship with climatic response of a built environment, which is manifested by climate responsive design strategies. Strategy is the art of planning the way to achieve some thing or to be successful in a particular field. The term strategy is used to mean a list of actions taken by a designer, in order to transform an initial brief into a final design. In any field, not only in architecture, people have advocated strategic methods to achieve best results there fore climate responsive design strategies in architecture are list of methods or combination of design decisions that one can intend to use to achieve best results in the field or architecture, if a specific climatic condition. The unique climatic conditions and comfort-needs, along with other sociocultural factors create unique forms and unique places throughout t h e world. "Climate is clearly one of the prime factors in culture, and the refore built form. It is the mainspring for all the sensual qualities that add up to a vital tropical architecture." Tan Hock Beng (1994: 13) Climate is t h e most important factor that brings unique characteristics to different regions of the planet earth. For example Alaska is different form Africa due to its unique climate. There fore the culture is also should be unique in those unique places, which generate unique built form. Climate responsive design strategies should contribute immensely to enhance the culture of those places. Therefore the essay would be an attempt to combine the qualitative aspect ( Uniqueness of place) along with the quantitative aspects (climate) of architecture

Conjugated Polymers and DNA for Photovoltaic and Photonic Applications

One of the most promising avenues towards improving the efficiency of organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells is the design and synthesis of novel donor materials. A series of synthesized alternating copolymers are described, containing 2-decylseleno(3,2-c)thiophene as the donor and fluorene, benzene or benzothiadiazole as the acceptor. The benzothiadiazole-containing copolymer shows the best spectral overlap with the solar spectrum among the three synthesized. Furthermore, the copolymers show deeper HOMO values compared to the homopolymer poly[2-decylseleno(3,2-c)thiophene]. The power conversion efficiency predictions made using Schaber\u27s model reveals that these copolymers are good donor materials for fullerene-based BHJ solar cells. ^ An organic-processable copper phthalocyanine-surfactant complex was prepared as a donor material for BHJ solar cells. The fullerene-based solar cells made using this complex as the donor were compared to those made with poly(3-hexylthiophene) a.k.a P3HT as the donor. Even though the efficiencies of the copper phthalocyanine solar cells were low compared to the P3HT solar cells, this approach provides a facile way to make small molecular solar cells. ^ On a different note, DNA\u27s complex with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA) bromide was utilized for photonic and environmental applications. The studies on hemicyanine dye (Hemi-22) loaded thin films of DNA-CTMA and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) showed that Hemi22 demonstrates high photostability and reduced aggregate formation in DNA-CTMA compared to PMMA. An efficient cascade Förster resonance energy transfer was also realized in a solid-state matrix of DNA-CTMA using a three-dye system, without any necessity for covalent attachments. The improved energy transfer efficiency can be attributed to the ability of DNA to interact with the encapsulated dyes, and to provide the required proximity and orientation. ^ In addition to photonic applications of DNA-CTMA, its environmental applications were explored by preparing a DNA-magnetite hybrid with DNA-CTMA and oleic acid coated magnetite nanoparticles. This hybrid was fabricated into uniform and high surface area nanofibers, which were used to remove organic and inorganic toxicants from aqueous media. The superparamagnetic behavior of the hybrid nanofibers enabled fast and easy separation under an external magnetic field.

Asymmetric information between buyers and sellers in the residential property market: A hedonic property valuation approach

Information asymmetry could result in sub-optimal decision making. Information asymmetry can therefore undermine the efficiency of economic activities by influencing and reducing social welfare. To overcome these inefficiencies most of the economic analyses have assumed the provision of perfect information. This is not a practical assumption and results become only partially correct. This PhD thesis analyses the effect of information asymmetry on housing market. This study examines the impact of announcements of the Western Brisbane Transport Network on nearby property prices. Negative impacts related to transport corridors are analysed including noise and air pollution and impacts on visual amenity. Also undertaken is a spatial analysis of house prices which measures the magnitude of negative impacts of corridor expansions. The study shows that buyers who were aware of the road corridor expansions experience a higher utility compared to those who were not

Conjugated Polymers and DNA for Photovoltaic and Photonic Applications

One of the most promising avenues towards improving the efficiency of organic bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells is the design and synthesis of novel donor materials. A series of synthesized alternating copolymers are described, containing 2-decylseleno(3,2-c)thiophene as the donor and fluorene, benzene or benzothiadiazole as the acceptor. The benzothiadiazole-containing copolymer shows the best spectral overlap with the solar spectrum among the three synthesized. Furthermore, the copolymers show deeper HOMO values compared to the homopolymer poly[2-decylseleno(3,2-c)thiophene]. The power conversion efficiency predictions made using Schaber\u27s model reveals that these copolymers are good donor materials for fullerene-based BHJ solar cells. ^ An organic-processable copper phthalocyanine-surfactant complex was prepared as a donor material for BHJ solar cells. The fullerene-based solar cells made using this complex as the donor were compared to those made with poly(3-hexylthiophene) a.k.a P3HT as the donor. Even though the efficiencies of the copper phthalocyanine solar cells were low compared to the P3HT solar cells, this approach provides a facile way to make small molecular solar cells. ^ On a different note, DNA\u27s complex with the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium (CTMA) bromide was utilized for photonic and environmental applications. The studies on hemicyanine dye (Hemi-22) loaded thin films of DNA-CTMA and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) showed that Hemi22 demonstrates high photostability and reduced aggregate formation in DNA-CTMA compared to PMMA. An efficient cascade Förster resonance energy transfer was also realized in a solid-state matrix of DNA-CTMA using a three-dye system, without any necessity for covalent attachments. The improved energy transfer efficiency can be attributed to the ability of DNA to interact with the encapsulated dyes, and to provide the required proximity and orientation. ^ In addition to photonic applications of DNA-CTMA, its environmental applications were explored by preparing a DNA-magnetite hybrid with DNA-CTMA and oleic acid coated magnetite nanoparticles. This hybrid was fabricated into uniform and high surface area nanofibers, which were used to remove organic and inorganic toxicants from aqueous media. The superparamagnetic behavior of the hybrid nanofibers enabled fast and easy separation under an external magnetic field.

An auto irrigation system for home gardens in Sri Lanka

A subsurface pot irrigation system and a subsurface irrigation system with specially designed clay emitters were designed and tested to investigate the efficiency of the auto-irrigation systems for home gardens crop cultivation. The yield and development of curry chilies cultivated under the designed subsurface irrigation systems were compared with the yield and development of curry chilies under manual irrigation during three seasons; January - April, May - August and September - December. The yield obtained from the crop grown under designed irrigation systems is two times higher than the yield of crop grown under manual irrigation during dry seasons. The use of water under subsurface irrigation system with clay emitters was considerably less when compared with the subsurface pot irrigation. Both designed irrigation systems automatically control the water intake of soil when the soil is wet

The impact of mining and smelting activities on property values: a study of Mount Isa city, Queensland, Australia

Free to read Much publicity has been given to the problem of high levels of environmental contaminants, most notably high blood lead concentration levels among children in the city of Mount Isa because of mining and smelting activities. The health impacts from mining-related pollutants are now well documented. This includes published research being discussed in an editorial of the Medical Journal of Australia (see Munksgaard et al. 2010). On the other hand, negative impacts on property prices, although mentioned, have not been examined to date. This study rectifies this research gap. This study uses a hedonic property price approach to examine the impact of mining- and smelting-related pollution on nearby property prices. The hypothesis is that those properties closer to the lead and copper smelters have lower property (house) prices than those farther away. The results of the study show that the marginal willingness to pay to be farther from the pollution source is AUS $13 947 per kilometre within the 4 km radius selected. The study has several policy implications, which are discussed briefly. We used ordinary least squares, geographically weighted regression, spatial error and spatial autoregressive or spatial lag models for this analysis