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An Investigation into the Effect of the Shell on SALM Processed Parts
Shell Assisted Layer Manufacturing (SALM) is a novel process for rapid prototyping/
tooling/ manufacture (RP/RT/RM) which is presently undergoing feasibility studies. SALM is
based on layered manufacturing technology (LMT). Initially it develops the shell (boundaries)
of a selected layer using a technique similar to fused deposition modelling (FDM). The
developed shell is filled with a UV curable resin and is exposed to UV radiation for curing.
This procedure is repeated until the complete part is built. This paper compares and contrasts
properties of parts made using two options available with the SALM technique: building the
part using a soluble shell (FDM support structure material, finally dissolved to recover the
part); or using a polymer material such as ABS that is bonded with the resin whilst making
the part.Mechanical Engineerin
The impact of inappropriate soil management on river water quality: a case study in the Kurundu Oya Sub-catchment of the Upper Mahaweli Catchment, Sri Lanka
The results of many studies have revealed that intensive farming on steep slopes, coupled with over application of fertilizers and accumulation of nutrients in downstream water bodies due to soil erosion, have contributed to environmental hazards in the Upper Mahaweli Catchment Area (UMCA) of Sri Lanka. The encroachment of riparian zones for exotic vegetable cultivation has aggravated this situation. In view of this, a study was conducted in the Kurundu Oya catchment, a micro-catchment of the UMCA, to investigate the soil management practices within the farming systems and their impacts on river water quality. Three villages were selected along the Kurundu Oya: Mahakudugala, Kumbalgamuwa and Batagolla. The study consisted of a survey of 150 households in 2007 and 2008, to gather information on the characteristics of householders and on soil management practices. A soil survey was carried out to analyze the soil fertility of farmlands. Water quality parameters were measured periodically in different sections of a selected stream. The results revealed that nearly 50 % of the riparian zones in the upper catchment of the Kurundu Oya stream are encroached to cultivate potato and other exotic vegetables. In addition, it was observed that over application of fertilizers on the vegetable plots was causing nutrient accumulation and the plots also recorded high levels of phosphorous (P) (above 75 ppm). Results of the water quality analysis showed that nitrate and available P levels were within the standard limits, but nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) levels were close to the upper level of the standard limit. Therefore, in order to minimize water pollution, it is strongly recommended that fertilizer application is based on soil tests. In addition, encroachment of sensitive lands has to be addressed. Priority should be given to strengthening institutional capacity in order to facilitate the implementation of existing environmental legislation.Length: pp.49-60Soil managementSoil degradationCatchment areasErosionSedimentationWater pollutionFertilizer applicationNitrogenVegetable growing
Nonlinear c-axis transport in Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_(8+d) from two-barrier tunneling
Motivated by the peculiar features observed through intrinsic tunneling
spectroscopy of BiSrCaCuO mesas in the normal state,
we have extended the normal state two-barrier model for the c-axis transport
[M. Giura et al., Phys. Rev. B {\bf 68}, 134505 (2003)] to the analysis of
curves. We have found that the purely normal-state model reproduces all
the following experimental features: (a) the parabolic -dependence of
in the high- region (above the conventional pseudogap temperature),
(b) the emergence and the nearly voltage-independent position of the "humps"
from this parabolic behavior lowering the temperature, and (c) the crossing of
the absolute curves at a characteristic voltage . Our
findings indicate that conventional tunneling can be at the origin of most of
the uncommon features of the c axis transport in
BiSrCaCuO. We have compared our calculations to
experimental data taken in severely underdoped and slightly underdoped
BiSrCaCuO small mesas. We have found good agreement
between the data and the calculations, without any shift of the calculated
dI/dV on the vertical scale. In particular, in the normal state (above
) simple tunneling reproduces the experimental dI/dV quantitatively.
Below quantitative discrepancies are limited to a simple rescaling of
the voltage in the theoretical curves by a factor 2. The need for such
modifications remains an open question, that might be connected to a change of
the charge of a fraction of the carriers across the pseudogap opening.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure
Household water security through stored rainwater and consumer acceptability: a case study of the Anuradhapura District
Rainwater harvesting has increased in popularity in Sri Lanka over the past two decades due to the number of water supply projects funded by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The stored rainwater can provide accessible, reliable, timely and adequate supplies of water to households but there are uncertainties as to safety, in terms of water quality, and consumer acceptability. A study was, therefore, conducted in the Anuradhapura District, in the dry zone, to assess consumer acceptability of stored rainwater for household purposes and to conduct rainwater quality tests in a laboratory. The majority of households in Anuradhapura meet their drinking water requirements from protected wells (59.6 %). Prior to the project, people greatly preferred open wells as a source of domestic water, followed by tubewells, because they believed that water in open wells is of good quality and drinkable. However, stored rainwater has become the priority source now, especially through roof rainwater harvesting (RRWH), which is used during the dry periods. The study revealed that more than 85 % of households use stored rainwater for drinking although some have concerns over the quality and only drink it after boiling. The easy accessibility of water and the assurance by the project team that it is of good quality are the main reasons that people are willing to drink it. The acceptability of stored rainwater for consumption was very high in water-scarce areas and with the increasing distance to the nearest and alternative sources of good-quality water. Of those who felt that they had adequate water, 84 % of the sample households found it adequate in the wet season but only 21 % in the dry season. Water quality analysis revealed that the chemical and physical quality of stored rainwater is within the acceptable range with respect to Sri Lankan Standards, SLS: 614, for potable water quality (SLIS 1983). Other domestic water sources exceeded standards for electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, hardness, ammonium nitrogen, fluorides and total iron. However, stored rainwater was of lower biological quality than other domestic water sources.Length: pp.87-97Domestic waterWater securityWater harvestingWater qualityRural areasCase studies
Role of Charm Factory in Extracting CKM-Phase Information via B --> DK
In this paper we study the impact of data that can be obtained from a Charm
Factory on the determination of the CKM parameter gamma from decays of the form
B -> D0 K where the D0 decays to specific inclusive and exclusive final states.
In particular, for each exclusive final state , the charm factory can
determine the strong phase difference between D0-> f and D0-bar -> f by
exploiting correlations in psi(3770)-> D0 D0-bar. This provides crucial input
to the determination of gamma via the interference of B+- -> K+- D0 -> f with
B+- -> K+- D0-bar -> f. We discuss how the method may be generalized to
inclusive final states and illustrate with a toy model how such methods may
offer one of the best means to determine gamma with 10^8-10^9 B-mesons.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, Version 2: Fixed typos; add reference; Version
3: fixed latex glitc
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
Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of five selected marine sponges against denaturation of protein-A pilot study
Background: Marine sponges are well renowned for producing bioactive secondary metabolites with drug leads. Screening of anti-inflammatory compounds from marine sponges is highly appreciated in the field of marine pharmacognosy due to their effectiveness and specificity over the most of synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In vitro models to test anti-inflammatory activity are considered obligatory prior to pre-clinical studies.
Objective: To evaluate in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of crude extracts of five marine sponge samples (N=5), collected from Dehiwala, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Methodology: Identification of sponge species were based on morphology, spicule and skeleton analysis, using light microscopy. Each sponge crude extract (SCE) was tested for selected zoo- chemicals and against the denaturation of albumin to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. Diclofenac sodium was used as the reference drug.
Results: Sponge samples were identified as 1) Stylissa sp, 2) Stylissa carteri, 3) Axinella sp., 4) Phakellia sp. and 5) Family Axinellidae. Zoo-chemical analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, and sterols in sponge extracts in varying degree. Heat induced egg albumin denaturation was inhibited by 4 SCEs specifying marked anti-inflammatory activity. Accordingly, the 3 sponge crude extracts were more potent (IC50 = 22.74 for Sp. 02, 3.98 for Sp. 03 and 63.665\u3bcgmL -1for Sp. 05) than the of standard reference drug, Diclofinac sodium (IC50=147.02 \u3bcg/mL). Conclusions: Thus, the present study for the first time investigated in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of crude extract of 5 selected marine sponge species from Sri Lanka, out of which 3 were more potent than the reference diclofenac sodium. Therefore, isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds which are responsible for anti- inflammatory activity will lead to discover novel marine derived anti-inflammatory drugs in the future
Potential population growth of Melanaphis sacchari (Zethner) reared on sugarcane and sweet sorghum.
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