Balancing Competing Interests between Natural and Human Environment in the Sphere of Development; A Sri Lankan Perspective

Balancing interests of the nature and human beings have become one of the mostcomplex problems in the world today. Particularly, making use of a viable chance fordevelopment in any sense is not ignored, in the light of economic needs of a „developingsociety.‟ Sri Lanka too is placed in this category as she looks for economic developmentafter a lengthy civil war. Despite the other regions of the country, rebuilding thedisturbed environment in the North- East region is of the utmost concern of theauthorities in the present. However, it is observed that basic environmental theories areignored in preparing developmental plans in both regions.Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mechanism which is introduced forassessing individual projects is healthy; however, it has not been given the chance toassess the impact of the approval of projects as a whole. Therefore cumulative aspectsof series of projects are ignored by the process as Strategic Environmental Assessment‟(SEA) is not mandatory in Sri Lanka.This study attempts to find out the rationale of incorporating „StrategicEnvironmental Assessment‟ (SEA) to all developmental plans as a mandatory provisionin environmental management.This is a comparative study with international law and two other selectedjurisdictions (the USA and UK). It is based on secondary data; therefore, text books onenvironmental law, case law, journal articles, e-based documents and internet are useddepending on the relevance of each case.The jurisdictions that are selected have incorporated SEA as a necessary policyin their master plans in various contexts of development. It has helped them to revisittheir developmental activities in a way to assess the cumulative aspects of series ofprojects in different fields that affects the safety of the environment.Hence, it is recommended that the SEA should be a mandatory policy inenvironmental law of Sri Lanka as it provides a more balanced approach towards theassessment of cumulative effects in view of different dimensions of sustainability.Key words: Environment, SEA, EIA, Sustainable developmen

Distribution and Abundance of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) off Sri Lanka during the Southwest Monsoon 2018

Blue whales Balaenoptera musculus are the most abundant and widely distributed cetacean species in Sri Lankan waters. A vessel-based opportunistic line transect survey focusing on marine mammals was conducted in Sri Lankan waters between 24 June to 12 July 2018, while an ecosystem survey was performed by the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. The entire transect length was 2090 km within an area of 3895 km2. Overall, 72% (n = 57) of blue whale observations were group assemblages ranging between 1 and 5 individuals out of a total of 79 sightings. The largest aggregations of blue whales were recorded at the intersection of the submarine canyon off the coastline of Mirissa and busy shipping lanes between Dondra Head and Galle, where previous ship strikes were recorded. Overall, the average observed group size was 2.64 (CV, 12.34%; 95% CI, 2.07–3.38), the average group density was 0.0029 km−2 (CV, 35.96%; 95% CI, 0.00145–0.00610), and the total blue whale abundance within the survey area was 513 individuals (CV, 38.02%; 95% CI, 243–1083). These survey results fill vital knowledge gaps regarding the abundance and distribution of blue whales in Sri Lanka, which is essential for the establishment of management and conservation strategies.publishedVersio

スリランカにおけるアズキ近縁野生種の分布調査

To clarify the distribution pattern and ecology of the Asian Vigna species in Sri Lanka, a survey of herbarium specimens and field trips were conducted from 24th January to 11th Ferbruary, 2000. A total of 29 herbarium specimens were examined at the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. At least 3 species are present among the specimens preserved under the name V. trilobata. V. trinervia and V. dalzelliana were re-identified from 4 specimens preserved as V. radiata. Therefore, much higher species diversity in the subgenus Ceratotropis was revealed in Sri Lankan flora than previously realised. Based on the information on the collection sites noted on specimens, 3 field trips were conducted. V. trilobata, V. stipulacea and an unidentified Ceratotropis species (Vigna sp.) were found in the Yala National Park (Southern Province). V. trinervia was found in the central highland area. The same unidentified Ceratotropis species that was found in Yala was also found in Polonnaruwa city, North Central Province. A total of 15 samples, 7 of Vigna trilobata, 2 of V. stipulacea, 2 of Vigna sp., and 4 of V. trinervia, were collected. In addition to seed samples, nodule samples and herbarium specimens were also collected. The information and samples collected in this survey will be used for the collaborative in-situ conservation project between Sri Lanka and Japan

Pathological Angiogenesis Requires Syndecan-4 for Efficient VEGFA-Induced VE-Cadherin Internalization

Objective: VEGFA (Vascular endothelial growth factor A) and its receptor VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) drive angiogenesis in several pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, and cancer. Studies suggest roles for HSPGs (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) in this process, although the nature of this involvement remains elusive. Here, we set to establish the role of the HSPG SDC4 (syndecan-4) in pathological angiogenesis. Approach and Results: We report that angiogenesis is impaired in mice null for SDC4 in models of neovascular eye disease and tumor development. Our work demonstrates that SDC4 is the only SDC whose gene expression is upregulated during pathological angiogenesis and is selectively enriched on immature vessels in retinas from diabetic retinopathy patients. Combining in vivo and tissue culture models, we identified SDC4 as a downstream mediator of functional angiogenic responses to VEGFA. We found that SDC4 resides at endothelial cell junctions, interacts with vascular endothelial cadherin, and is required for its internalization in response to VEGFA. Finally, we show that pathological angiogenic responses are inhibited in a model of wet age-related macular degeneration by targeting SDC4. Conclusions: We show that SDC4 is a downstream mediator of VEGFA-induced vascular endothelial cadherin internalization during pathological angiogenesis and a potential target for antiangiogenic therapies

Pathological Angiogenesis Requires Syndecan-4 for Efficient VEGFA-Induced VE-Cadherin Internalization.

Objective: VEGFA (Vascular endothelial growth factor A) and its receptor VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) drive angiogenesis in several pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, and cancer. Studies suggest roles for HSPGs (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) in this process, although the nature of this involvement remains elusive. Here, we set to establish the role of the HSPG SDC4 (syndecan-4) in pathological angiogenesis. / Approach and Results: We report that angiogenesis is impaired in mice null for SDC4 in models of neovascular eye disease and tumor development. Our work demonstrates that SDC4 is the only SDC whose gene expression is upregulated during pathological angiogenesis and is selectively enriched on immature vessels in retinas from diabetic retinopathy patients. Combining in vivo and tissue culture models, we identified SDC4 as a downstream mediator of functional angiogenic responses to VEGFA. We found that SDC4 resides at endothelial cell junctions, interacts with vascular endothelial cadherin, and is required for its internalization in response to VEGFA. Finally, we show that pathological angiogenic responses are inhibited in a model of wet age-related macular degeneration by targeting SDC4. / Conclusions: We show that SDC4 is a downstream mediator of VEGFA-induced vascular endothelial cadherin internalization during pathological angiogenesis and a potential target for antiangiogenic therapies

Eco-geographic survey of wild species of Vigna in Sri Lanka

The ceo-geographic survey of plant genetic resources is essential for effective in situ and ex situconservation of plant genetic resources. Results of eco-geographic survey could be used to predictnew areas for survey and to assist in the formulation of collection and conservation priorities. An ecogeographicsurvey was conducted in Sri Lanka during August 2005 to February 2006 in some protectedareas and other target areas of Sri Lanka to locate wild species of Vigna, map their localities, identifythreatened areas and find out suitable locations for in-situ conservation.Habitats and taxonomic characteristics data were recorded. Locations of wild spices of Vigna werenoted by using Global Positioning System (GPS). The distribution of six wild species of Vigna occurringin Sri Lanka is depicted in the maps. GPS data were analyzed by Flora map distribution modelling andprobable localities of Vigna wild species were mapped. Six species of Vigna recorded by the surveyare distributed from 0 MSL to 1630 m MSL. However, V stipulacea, V trilobata and V aridicolawere found only lower latitudes (0 to 130 m MSL) and V dalzilliana and V trinervia are limited tohigher elevation (790m to 1630m MSL). Vigna radiata var. sublobata was found only in one locationDambana in Badulla district. V stipulacea, and V trilobata are mostly found near sea shore and Varidicola is found in inland dry areas. Difference in leaf shape of V trilobata is observed in differentpopulations. The probable areas that were identified using flora map modelling are located in Puttalam,Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Kurunagala and Batticola districts. Surveys in these areas are needed toidentify new populations ofwild Vigna species.

スリランカにおける豆類遺伝資源の探索収集

Exploration mission for landraces of legumes was conducted in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Plant Genetic Resource Centre of Sri Lanka from February 2 to March 2, 1995. This mission was part of a project funded by Japan International Cooperation Ahency (JICA). The mission explored the north-central dry zone, southern dry zone, upland intermediate zone and south-western wet zone of the country. A total of 146 seed samples which belong to 13 species of legume and 14 from other families were collected (Table 1). Most samples of legumes were Vigna unguiculata. Farmers distinguished two different types among the samples of this species, "yard long bean" of long round seeds and "cowpea" of angular seeds. They were called "m (e) a" and "cowpea", respectively. Immature pods of all these samples were used as vegetable. Samples of yard long bean varied in both seed coat color and pigmentation of immature pod. We could find kidney bean only in the areas at an altitude of more than 650m, while Vigna unguiculata samples were exclusive below 390m. From this observation, there seemed to be elevational differentiation in distribution of legumes for pod vegetables

Uptake of a dashboard designed to give realtime feedback to a sentinel network about key data required for influenza vaccine effectiveness studies

Dashboards are technologies that bringing together a range of data sources for observational or analytical purposes. We have created a customised dashboard that includes all the key data elements required for monitoring flu vaccine effectiveness (FVE). This delivers a unique dashboard for each primary care provider (general practice) providing data to the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC), one of the oldest European surveillance systems. These FVE studies use a test negative case control (TNCC) design. TNCC requires knowledge of practice denominator; vaccine exposure, and results of influenza virology swabs carried out to identify in an influenza-like-illness (ILI), a clinical diagnosis, really is influenza. The dashboard displays the denominator uploaded each week into the surveillance system, compared with the nationally known practice size (providing face-validity for the denominator); it identifies those exposed to the vaccine (by age group and risk category) and virology specimens taken and missed opportunities for surveillance (again by category). All sentinel practices can access in near real time (4 working days in areas) their rates of vaccine exposure and swabs conducted. Initial feedback is positive; 80%(32/40) practices responded positively

The Quasielastic 3He(e,e'p)d Reaction at Q^2 = 1.5 GeV^2 for Recoil Momenta up to 1 GeV/c

We have studied the quasielastic 3He(e,e'p)d reaction in perpendicular coplanar kinematics, with the energy and momentum transferred by the electron fixed at 840 MeV and 1502 MeV/c, respectively. The 3He(e,e'p)d cross section was measured for missing momenta up to 1000 MeV/c, while the A_TL asymmetry was extracted for missing momenta up to 660 MeV/c. For missing momenta up to 150 MeV/c, the measured cross section is described well by calculations that use a variational ground-state wave function of the 3He nucleus derived from a potential that includes three-body forces. For missing momenta from 150 to 750 MeV/c, strong final-state interaction effects are observed. Near 1000 MeV/c, the experimental cross section is more than an order of magnitude larger than predicted by available theories. The A_TL asymmetry displays characteristic features of broken factorization, and is described reasonably well by available models.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letters, v3: changed conten

Measurement of the 3He(e,e'p)pn reaction at high missing energies and momenta

Results of the Jefferson Lab Hall A quasielastic 3He(e,e'p)pn measurements are presented. These measurements were performed at fixed transferred momentum and energy, q = 1502 MeV/c and omega = 840 MeV, respectively, for missing momenta p_m up to 1 GeV/c and missing energies in the continuum region, up to pion threshold; this kinematic coverage is much more extensive than that of any previous experiment. The cross section data are presented along with the effective momentum density distribution and compared to theoretical models.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, updated to reflect published paper: minor text changes from previous version along with updated and added reference