scholarly journals Safe water for all: A nature-based approach for cyanotoxin elimination from potable water

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (7A) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Soldatou ◽  
Anjali Jaykumar ◽  
Abeysiri H.A.S.N ◽  
Pathmalal M. Manage ◽  
Ondřej Mašek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Coconut Shells

Cyanobacterial blooms are a serious threat to public health and water quality due to the production of cyanotoxins as a result of nutrient pollution from industry, agriculture, domestic waste as well as global warming. The microcystins (MCs) are the most abundant cyanotoxins consisting of >200 analogues causing both acute and chronic toxicity, sometimes resulting in death. In Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka, reports of kidney disease are constantly increasing. Although no direct link between metal and pesticide contamination in water and kidney disease has been found, high concentration of cyanobacteria cells in drinking water wells implies that the nephrotoxic effects of cyanotoxins might play a key factor in the reports of Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we propose a nature-based approach for water treatment which will study the hypotheses that cyanotoxins can cause CKDu. Sri Lankan bacterial isolates (Alcaligens sp., Roseateles sp., Bacillus sp., and Micrococcus sp.) known to degrade microcystins, were used to form biofilm on biochar from Sri Lankan crop residues, such as coconut shells. The immobilisation of the microbes was assessed via a high-throughput colourimetric assay, followed by monitoring the biodegradation rate of microcystins when added to the immobilised cultures. Biodegradation products were analysed and identified through molecular networking and quantified via LC-MS/MS. Ultimately, this project will provide safe water in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 as well contributing in sustainable goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption).

scholarly journals Identification of Novel Rodent-Borne Orthohantaviruses in an Endemic Area of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1984
Author(s):  
Devinda S. Muthusinghe ◽  
Kenta Shimizu ◽  
Sithumini M. W. Lokupathirage ◽  
Zhouoxing Wei ◽  
Yomani D. Sarathkumara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Endemic Area ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Sri Lankan

We reported the genetic evidence of circulating hantaviruses from small mammals captured in a chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) hotspot area of Sri Lanka. The high seroprevalence of anti-hantavirus antibodies against Thailand orthohantavirus (THAIV) has been reported among CKDu patients and rodents in Sri Lankan CKDu hotspots. We captured 116 small mammals from CKDu endemic regions in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka. Seven animals (five out of 11 Mus booduga and two out of 99 Rattus rattus) were PCR-positive for the hantavirus. A rat-borne sequence was grouped with a THAIV-like Anjozorobe virus. In contrast, Mus-borne sequences belonged to the THAIV lineage, suggesting a novel orthohantavirus species according to the phylogenetic analyses and whole-genome comparisons. Our genetic evidence indicates the presence of two THAIV-related viruses circulating in this CKDu endemic area, suggesting a basis for further investigations to identify the infectious virus in patients with CKDu and the CKDu induction mechanism of these viruses.

scholarly journals Prospective Biopsy-Based Study of CKD of Unknown Etiology in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchi Anand ◽  
Maria E. Montez-Rath ◽  
Dinuka Adasooriya ◽  
Neelakanthi Ratnatunga ◽  
Neeraja Kambham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Kidney Biopsy ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Urine Dipstick ◽  
A Prospective Study

Background and objectivesA kidney disease of unknown cause is common in Sri Lanka’s lowland (dry) region. Detailed clinical characterizations of patients with biopsy-proven disease are limited, and there is no current consensus on criteria for a noninvasive diagnosis.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsWe designed a prospective study in a major Sri Lankan hospital servicing endemic areas to ascertain pathologic and clinical characteristics of and assess risk factors for primary tubulointerstitial kidney disease. We used logistic regression to determine whether common clinical characteristics could be used to predict the presence of primary tubulointerstitial kidney disease on kidney biopsy.ResultsFrom 600 new patients presenting to a tertiary nephrology clinic over the course of 1 year, 87 underwent kidney biopsy, and 43 (49%) had a biopsy diagnosis of primary tubulointerstitial kidney disease. On detailed biopsy review, 13 (30%) had evidence of moderate to severe active kidney disease, and six (15%) had evidence of moderate to severe chronic tubulointerstitial kidney disease. Patients with tubulointerstitial kidney disease were exclusively born in endemic provinces; 91% spent a majority of their lifespan there. They were more likely men and farmers (risk ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 2.9), and they were more likely to have used tobacco (risk ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.3) and well water (risk ratio, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.0). Three clinical characteristics—age, urine dipstick for protein, and serum albumin—could predict likelihood of tubulointerstitial kidney disease on biopsy (model sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 84%). Patients referred for kidney biopsy despite comorbid diabetes or hypertension did not experience lower odds of tubulointerstitial kidney disease.ConclusionsA primary tubulointerstitial kidney disease occurs commonly in specific regions of Sri Lanka with characteristic environmental and lifestyle exposures.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Young Customers’ Saving Intention: An Integrative Review in Sri Lankan Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Dharmarathna W.M.K.T ◽  
Kumari D.A.T.
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Vision Statements ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
The Impact

Savings in banks or any other financial institution will be a key factor in raising the capital of any economy in the world. It will boost the economic growth when there is a higher savings portfolio in an economy. As a developing country, Sri Lanka looks forward to expanding the economy through the financial system to invest in development programs to mitigate financial shortages. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka is the principal financial institution that controls and oversees the entire financial system of the country through a variety of banking and financial institutions. The Sri Lankan financial system can be categorized as the banking sector, the non-bank finance and leasing sector, key traders, the micro-credit sector and the money brokerage industry. The banking industry in the financial system plays a major role in attracting client’s savings into the economy. Savings can be regarded as income for one person as well as an investment for future benefits. In this paper concentrating mainly on the savings intention of young people or clients in the Licensed Specialized Banks and affecting the factors concerning their intention to save. This study will pay attention on the impact of factors on savings intention of young customers in the given population to identify which factors have more or less effects on each factor. Identifying the impact of each is important to generalize the results of research virtually into the actual working environment. This will be useful for policy-makers, decision-makers or banking strategists to implement new plans and even alter their vision statements.

The Role of Music and Allied Arts in Public Writings on Cultural Diversity: “People of Sri Lanka”

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Gisa Jähnichen
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Culturally Different ◽  
The World ◽  
Official Languages ◽  
The Way

The Sri Lankan Ministry of National Coexistence, Dialogue, and Official Languages published the work “People of Sri Lanka” in 2017. In this comprehensive publication, 21 invited Sri Lankan scholars introduced 19 different people’s groups to public readers in English, mainly targeted at a growing number of foreign visitors in need of understanding the cultural diversity Sri Lanka has to offer. This paper will observe the presentation of these different groups of people, the role music and allied arts play in this context. Considering the non-scholarly design of the publication, a discussion of the role of music and allied arts has to be supplemented through additional analyses based on sources mentioned by the 21 participating scholars and their fragmented application of available knowledge. In result, this paper might help improve the way facts about groups of people, the way of grouping people, and the way of presenting these groupings are displayed to the world beyond South Asia. This fieldwork and literature guided investigation should also lead to suggestions for ethical principles in teaching and presenting of culturally different music practices within Sri Lanka, thus adding an example for other case studies.

Blood Pressure values of Sri Lankan Tamils in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-71
Author(s):  
Balasubramaniam M ◽  
◽  
Sivapalan K ◽  
Tharsha J ◽  
Sivatharushan V ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Sri Lankan Tamils

scholarly journals Method for designing the optimal sealing depth in methane drainage boreholes to realize efficient drainage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minghao Yi ◽  
Liang Wang ◽  
Congmeng Hao ◽  
Qingquan Liu ◽  
Zhenyang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Drainage System ◽  
Surrounding Rock ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Failure Characteristics ◽  
Coal Mine Methane ◽  
Methane Drainage ◽  
Sealing Material ◽  
Sealing Performance ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Quantitative Analysis Method

AbstractThe purpose of underground methane drainage technology is to prevent methane disasters and enable the efficient use of coal mine methane (CMM), and the sealing depth is a key factor that affects the performance of underground methane drainage. In this work, the layouts of in-seam and crossing boreholes are considered to analyze the stress distribution and failure characteristics of roadway surrounding rock through a numerical simulation and field stress investigation to determine a reasonable sealing depth. The results show that the depths of the plastic and elastic zones in two experimental coal mines are 16 and 20 m respectively. Borehole sealing minimizes the air leakage through the fractures around the roadway when the sealing material covers the failure and plastic zones, and the field test results for CMM drainage at different sealing depths indicate that the CMM drainage efficiency increases with increasing sealing depth but does not change once the sealing depth exceeds the plastic zone. Moreover, sealing in the high-permeability roadway surrounding rock does not have a strong influence on the borehole sealing performance. Considering these findings, a new CMM drainage system for key sealing in the low-permeability zone was developed that is effective for improving the CMM drainage efficiency and prolonging the high-concentration CMM drainage period. The proposed approach offers a valuable quantitative analysis method for selecting the optimum sealing parameters for underground methane drainage, thereby improving considerably the drainage and utilization rates of CMM.

scholarly journals Postharvest Burning of Crop Residues in Home Stoves in a Rural Site of Daejeon, Korea: Its Impact to Atmospheric Carbonaceous Aerosol

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Jin Sang Jung ◽  
Ji Hwan Kang
Keyword(s):  
Urban Area ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosol ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Crop Residue Burning ◽  
The Impact

To investigate the impact of burning postharvest crop residues in home stoves, PM2.5 samples (particulate matter with a diameter of <2.5 μm) were collected every 3 h at a rural site in Daejeon, Korea during the postharvest season in 2014. A high concentration of levoglucosan was observed with a peak value of 3.8 µg/m3 during the sampling period. The average mannosan/levoglucosan ratio (0.18) at the rural site during a severe BB episode (levoglucosan > 1 μg/m3) was similar to burnings of pepper stems (0.19) and bean stems (0.18) whereas the average OC/levoglucosan ratio (9.9) was similar to burning of pepper stems (10.0), implying that the severe BB episode was mainly attributed to burning of pepper stems. A very strong correlation was observed between levoglucosan and organic carbon (OC) (R2 = 0.81) during the entire sampling period, suggesting that the emission of organic aerosols at the rural site was strongly associated with the burning of crop residues in home stoves. The average mannosan/levoglucosan ratio (0.17 ± 0.06) in the rural area was similar to that in a nearby urban area in Daejeon (0.16 ± 0.04). It was concluded that crop residue burning in a home stove for space heating is one of the important sources of carbonaceous aerosols not only in a rural area but also in the urban area of Daejeon, Korea during the postharvest season.

scholarly journals Sri Lanka: Physical Reconstruction and Economic Development as Conflict Prevention Factors

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (69) ◽  
pp. 55-76
Author(s):  
Boženko Đevoić
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Power Sharing ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Conflict Prevention ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Postconflict Reconstruction ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Government

ABSTRACT This article gives an overview of the 26 year long ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and examines physical reconstruction and economic development as measures of conflict prevention and postconflict reconstruction. During the years of conflict, the Sri Lankan government performed some conflict prevention measures, but most of them caused counter effects, such as the attempt to provide “demilitarization”, which actually increased militarization on both sides, and “political power sharing” that was never honestly executed. Efforts in post-conflict physical reconstruction and economic development, especially after 2009, demonstrate their positive capacity as well as their conflict sensitivity. Although the Sri Lankan government initially had to be forced by international donors to include conflict sensitivity in its projects, more recently this has changed. The government now practices more conflict sensitivity in its planning and execution of physical reconstruction and economic development projects without external pressure.

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