University of Peradeniya

About: University of Peradeniya is a education organization based out in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 5970 authors who have published 7388 publications receiving 197002 citations.

Beyond Goods and Services: Competition Policy, Investment, Mutual Recognition, Movement of Persons, and Broader Cooperation Provisions of Recent FTAs Involving ASEAN Countries

Abstract: We discuss recent bilateral, regional, and country trade, partnership, and economic agreements involving both ASEAN as a single entity and individual ASEAN countries (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia) focusing on their reach beyond conventional trade in goods and services issues. What emerges is of a picture of ill-defined general commitments and precise undertaking, which vary from element to element and country pair to country pair. These agreements are recent, but they are numerous and more are under negotiation. We separately synthesize and evaluate provisions in five areas: competition policy, investment, mutual recognition, movement of persons, and broader cooperation.

Biosorption of cadmium(II) and copper(II) ions from aqueous solution by core of Artocarpus odoratissimus.

Abstract: This research is on the evaluation of biosorption capability of the core of Artocarpus odoratissimus (Tarap), grown in Brunei Darussalam, towards Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions present in synthetic solutions, and to characterize the surface of Tarap particles. Thermogravimetric analysis and surface titrations were conducted to characterize the surface of dried Tarap core particles. Atomic absorption spectroscopic measurements were conducted to determine the extent of removal of Cd(II) and Cu(II) under different experimental conditions. Mass reductions associated with many exothermic reaction peaks were observed beyond 200°C up to 650°C indicating the combustion of organic matter in Tarap. Dried particles of core of Tarap bear a negative surface charge promoting strong interaction towards positively charged ions, such as Cu(II) and Cd(II). Biosorption of the two metal ions on Tarap, which is relatively high beyond pH = 4, occurs within a short period of exposure time. The extent of biosorption is enhanced by acid treatment of the biosorbent, and further it does not significantly depend on the presence of nonreacting ions up to an ionic strength of 2.0 M. Strong attraction between each metal ion and the biosorbent is attributed to the negative surface charge on the biosorbent within a broad pH range. Acid treatment of the biosorbent improves sorption characteristics, suggesting that ion exchange plays an important role in the metal ion—biosorbent interaction process.

Coconut fat and serum lipoproteins: effects of partial replacement with unsaturated fats.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of reducing saturated fat in the diet, or partly replacing it with unsaturated fat, on the serum lipoprotein profile of human subjects. The study had two intervention periods, 8 weeks (phase 1) and 52 weeks (phase 2). In phase 1, total fat was reduced from 31 to 25 % energy (polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA):saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio increased from 0.2 to 0.4) by reducing the quantity of coconut fat (CF) in the diet from 17.8 to 9.3 % energy intake. In phase 2, subjects were randomised to groups A and B. In group A total fat was reduced from 25 to 20 % energy (PUFA:SFA ratio increased from 0.4 to 0.7) by reducing the quantity of CF in the diet from 9.3 to 4.7 % total energy intake. In group B, the saturated fat content in the diet was similar to group A. In addition a test fat (a mixture of soyabean oil and sesame oil, PUFA:monosaturated fatty acids ratio 2) contributed 3.3 % total energy intake and total fat contributed 24 % energy intake (PUFA:SFA ratio increased from 0.7 to 1.1). At the end of phase 1, there was a 7.7 % reduction in cholesterol (95 % CI -3.6, -12.2) and 10.8 % reduction in LDL (95 % CI -4.9, -16.5) and no significant change in HDL and triacylglycerol. At the end of phase 2, the reduction in cholesterol in both groups was only about 4 % (95 % CI -12, 3.2) partly due the concomitant rise in HDL. The reduction in LDL at 52 weeks was significantly higher in group B (group A mean reduction 11 %, 95 % CI -20.1, -2.0 and group B mean reduction 16.2 % 95 % CI -23.5, -8.9). In phase 2, triacylglycerol levels showed a mean reduction of 6.5 % in group 2A and a mean increase of 8.2 % in group 2B. The reduction of saturated fat in the diet is associated with a lipoprotein profile that would be expected to reduce cardiovascular risk. The reduction of dietary saturated fat with partial replacement of unsaturated fat brings about changes in total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol that are associated with a lower cardiovascular risk.