First direct 7^{7}Be electron capture QQ-value measurement towards high-precision BSM neutrino physics searches

We report the first direct measurement of the nuclear electron capture (EC) decay $Q$-value of $^{7}$Be $\rightarrow$ $^{7}$Li via high-precision Penning trap mass spectrometry (PTMS). This was performed using the LEBIT Penning trap located at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory/Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (NSCL/FRIB) using the newly commissioned Batch-Mode Ion-Source (BMIS) to deliver the unstable $^{7}$Be$^{+}$ samples. With a measured value of $Q_{EC}$ = 861.963(23) keV this result is also three times more precise than any previous determination of this quantity. This improved precision, and accuracy of the $^7$Be EC decay $Q$-value is critical for ongoing experiments that measure the recoiling nucleus in this system as a signature to search for beyond Standard Model (BSM) neutrino physics using $^7$Be-doped superconducting sensors

Factors associated with the level of inhibitory control in elderly people living in elderly care institutions in Galle District, Sri Lanka

Objectives: The proportion of elderly people living in institutions has increased in Sri Lanka duringthe recent decades as a result of population aging and ongoing sociocultural changes. Cognitivefunctions that are important for goal directed behavior will be increasingly important for independentliving. Inhibitory control of irrelevant information (IC) is such cognitive process vital for this. Hencethis study was conducted to assess the level of inhibitory control and associated factors among elderlypeople living in elderly care institutions in Galle District.Methods: Study was conducted in 190 elderly people living in institutions who are physicallyindependent with Barthel’s index score of more than 90. IC was assessed via computerized stroopinhibitory task. Number of errors was calculated to assess the level of inhibitory control. Groupdifferences were assessed through independent sample t test and significant level was kept at p<0.05.Results: The sample comprised of 69.5% (n=132) females with a mean age of 71.78 years (+6.5). Meannumber of errors of the stroop tasks was 8.88 (+3.99). The number of errors in the stroop inhibitory taskwas significantly lower among females (n=132, p<0.01) who have had above secondary education(n=33, p<0.05), who engaged in group (n=153, p<0.05) and leisure time activities (n=173, p<0.05) andwho were younger than 70 years of age (n=78, p<0.01).Conclusions: IC was significantly associated with age, educational status, gender, engagement in groupand leisure time activities among the study sample

BREEDING STATUS OF THE PAINTED STORK Mycteria leucocephala IN THE KUMANA-VILLU OF THE YALA EAST NATIONAL PARK

Painted stork is a Near Threatened species that uses wetlands as their feedingand breeding grounds. The breeding colony of painted storks at Kumana villuis one of the oldest known colonies in the island. Mangrove vegetationlocated in the middle of the villu provides ideal conditions for nesting notonly for painted storks, but also for Black headed Ibises, Spoonbills, herons,egrets and even for the globally threatened Spot billed Pelicans.A survey was done in the month of July to assess breeding status of thePained Storks in this villu. The survey was land based where three mangrovevegetation patches (5000m2) were surveyed using a spotting scope (NikonFieldscope). First, all trees in each patches that contain painted stork nestswere identified. Then number of nests on each tree, number of adults,hatchlings and fledglings on nests were recorded.A total of 222 nests of painted storks were recorded. This comprised of 217active nests of which 74 contained hatchlings while 133 nests containedfledglings. Average number of nests per tree was 3.13 while the number ofnests per tree ranged from 1 to 10. Average hatchling size was 1.81 whileaverage fledgling size was 1.78 where 61.35% nests contained 2 hatchlingsor fledglings while 29.95% nests contained only one hatchling or fledgling.The nest height ranged from 1 to 10m with average nest height being 3.0m.According to the available literature the breeding season of painted storks isfrom December to May. However, during this survey it was discovered that98% of the nests were active as late as July indicating that there can be greatdeal of variation in the breeding strategies of painted storks. Furthermore,based on our studies we have estimated that there can be approximatelythousand breeding pairs of painted storks in Kumana villu, making this oneof the most important breeding sites for this species. Therefore this siteshould be continuously monitored in order to better understand the breedingbehavior of painted storks

Fabrication of Nd3+ and Yb3+ doped NIR emitting nano fluorescent probe: A candidate for bioimaging applications

The intentional design of rare earth doped luminescent architecture exhibits unique optical properties and it can be considered as a promising and potential probe for optical imaging applications. Calcium fluoride (CaF2) nanoparticles doped with optimum concentration of Nd3+ and Yb3+ as sensitizer and activator, respectively, were synthesized by wet precipitation method and characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence. In spite of the fact that the energy transfer takes place from Nd3+ to Yb3+, the luminescence intensity was found to be weak due to the lattice defects generated from the doping of trivalent cations (Nd3+ and Yb3+) for divalent host cations (Ca2+). These defect centres were tailored via charge compensation approach by co-doping Na+ ion and by optimizing its concentration and heat treatment duration. CaF2 doped with 5 mol% Nd3+, 3 mol% Yb3+ and 4 mol% Na+ after heat treatment for 2 h exhibited significantly enhanced emission intensity and life time. The ex vivo fluorescence imaging experiment was done at various thickness of chicken breast tissue. The maximum theoretical depth penetration of the NIR light was calculated and the value is 14 mm. The fabricated phosphor can serve as contrast agent for deep tissue near infrared (NIR) light imaging

Cognitive Performance in Midlife Type 2 Diabetes: Results form the ENBIND Study

Aims: To establish the impact of uncomplicated type 2 diabetes on cognitive and neuropsychological performance in midlife. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of middle-aged adults with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes and a cohort of healthy control participants. General cognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and neuropsychological assessment was undertaken using a detailed neuropsychological assessment battery. Results: A total of 152 participants (102 with type 2 diabetes and 50 controls) were recruited (mean age 52 ± 8 years, 51% women). Participants with midlife type 2 diabetes were more than twice as likely to make an error on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test [incidence rate ratio 2.44 (95% CI 1.54 to 3.87); P \u3c 0.001]. Further, type 2 diabetes was also associated with significantly lower memory composite score [β: −0.20 (95% CI −0.39 to −0.01); P = 0.04] and paired associates learning score [β: = −1.97 (95% CI −3.51, −0.43); P = 0.01] on the neuropsychological assessment battery following adjustment for age, sex, BMI, educational attainment and hypercholesterolaemia. Conclusions: Even in midlife, type 2 diabetes was associated with small but statistically significant cognitive decrements. These statistically significant decrements, whilst not clinically significant in terms of objective cognitive impairment, may have important implications in selecting out individuals most at risk of later cognitive decline for potential preventative interventions in midlife

AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN A TEA PLANTATION ECOSYSTEM IN THE UP-COUNTRY OF SRI LANKA

A survey on birds was conducted at Mattakelle Tea Estate with the objective of assessing the significance of a given tea plantation ecosystem in maintaining avifaunal diversity. Seven different habitats were identified in the ecosystem namely home garden, seasonal stream, small scale reservoir, Eucalyptus forest, wetland, tea field and secondary forest. The monitoring was conducted from January to June 2010 using line transect method. 28 counts were made for each habitat. Besides, activities of birds, feeding habits and food recourses were observed.61 species of birds including  9 species of endemics and 10 species of migrants were recorded. One globally threatened species Kashmir Flycatcher (Ficedula subrubra) and 12 nationally threatened species were observed. Among the habitats, the highest species count of 62% was recorded in  home garden habitat where Shannon index (H’) = 3.03 and Evenness (J) =0.46. Species diversity and the evenness of the secondary forest were comparable to tea field indicating H’= 2.86 and J=0.43; H’ =2.77 and J= 0.46 respectively.  The avifaunal diversity was relatively low in the rest.The study revealed that each of the habitats provided unique niches and supported maintenance of natural diversity. Vegetation structure and the complexity of the ecosystem in tea plantations play a vital role in sustaining  avifaunal diversity. Several conservation measures such as increasing plant diversity, introduction of shade trees, conduct of good agricultural practices and prevention from setting fire are recommended to protect and conserve avifaunal diversity

Environmental contamination of pathogenic and intermediate pathogenic <em>Leptospira</em> spp in two divisional secretariats of Kandy district

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Analysis of Severity and Anatomical Distribution of Diabetic Foot Ulcers; A Single Unit Experience

Diabetes is the commonest cause of foot ulceration in developing countries leading to severe morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study was to assess anatomical distribution of diabetic foot lesions, categorize it according to Wagner wound grading, find any association between smoking packs years and the severity of the foot lesions. Also to assess the relationship between the bony deformities and anatomical distribution of the ulcers. This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in a casualty surgical unit in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 4 months. 91 diabetic patients with a diabetes related foot lesion were enrolled after simple randomization. Pretested interviewer administered questionnaire was used to gather data. Variety of soft tissue and bony changes of diabetic foot were assessed. Lesions were classified according to Wagner classification. Data was analysed using Epidata software. From the 91 participants, 55 (61 %) were males and 36 (39%) females. Mean age was at 60. 12 ± 10. 19 years. Median diabetes duration was 10 years (Interquartile range = 4.25 – 16.75). Wagner grade 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were17.7%, 40.65%, 28.8%, 13.3% and 0% respectively. Commonest ulcer location was margins of foot (31.87%). There was no statistically significant association between the pack years of cigarette smoking males and severity of foot lesions (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = - 0.037, p = 0.82). Patients with claw and hammer toe deformities had their ulcers located in fingertips and toes (p = 0.0185). But there was no statistically significant association with flat foot deformity and ulcer distribution on any particular anatomical area in the foot (p = 0.0511). In conclusion there is a statistically significant association between toe deformities and ulcer occurrence in finger tips. No significant correlation between severity of smoking and severity of foot lesions among males is present.  KEYWORDS: Diabetic ulcers, Diabetic foot lesions, Wagner classification, Dlcer distributio