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.

A community-based cluster randomised trial of safe storage to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka: study protocol.

Abstract: Background The WHO recognises pesticide poisoning to be the single most important means of suicide globally. Pesticide self-poisoning is a major public health and clinical problem in rural Asia, where it has led to case fatality ratios 20-30 times higher than self-poisoning in the developed world. One approach to reducing access to pesticides is for households to store pesticides in lockable "safe-storage" containers. However, before this approach can be promoted, evidence is required on its effectiveness and safety.

Student self-assessment of essential skills in dental surgery.

Abstract: Objective: To assess whether student self-assessments of essential skills in dental surgery are reliable indicators of the strengths and weaknesses of the clinical aspects of the dental school curriculum. This was done as part of an ongoing evaluation of the curriculum of the Faculty of Dental Sciences of the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Design: Cross-sectional surveys of 5 different classes of students using a pre-tested questionnaire. Setting: The Faculty of Dental Sciences of the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, which is the only dental school in the island. Materials & Methods: A questionnaire was developed specifically for the purpose of eliciting student self-confidence in 46 essential skills on a three point scale. It was administered to 5 different classes of students, immediately or soon after their respective Final BDS examinations. The 5 classes had followed similar curricular formats. The surveys were conducted on a voluntary and anonymous basis. Results: Results show a remarkable consistency in the self-ratings done by the five different classes of students who followed the same curriculum during five different time periods. Students were least confident in the skills related to the management of medical emergencies and of oral manifestations of systemic diseases while they were most confident in skills related to the care of Periodontal disease and Caries. Conclusion: Student self-assessments of skills is a useful tool for evaluating the clinical training provided in the dental school curriculum. Students were most confident in managing problems that they most frequently encountered in the dental school. The areas in which they were least confident require curricular reform.

Laboratory simulation of seamless tube piercing and rolling using dynamic recrystallization schedules

Abstract: A seamless tube mill rolling process was simulated with the aim of designing alloys and schedules for the production of as-hot-rolled yield strength levels which are currently attained only by quenching and tempering. Tests were performed on four candidate Ti-V-N steels with two levels each of carbon (0.10 and 0.18 wt pct) and vanadium (0.10 and 0.16 wt pct). Two different types of schedule were used: (1) a high-temperature schedule, corresponding to the production of large tube diameters, which utilizes the principles of recrystallization-controlled rolling (RCR) and (2) a second (for small tubes), which relies ondynamic recrystallization-controlled rolling (DRCR). The DRCR schedule, together with the higher cooling rate achievable on the smaller tube sizes, produces a much finer ferrite grain size than the RCR schedule. However, this is largely offset by increased strengthening in the RCR structurevia precipitation hardening. As-hot-rolled yield strengths in the range of 483 to 715 MPa (70 to 104 ksi) can be achieved using either type of schedule.

Taruga (Anura: Rhacophoridae), a new genus of foam-nesting tree frogs endemic to Sri Lanka

Abstract: Phylogenetic relationships among foam-nesting clades of Old World tree frogs are analyzed using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data, with particular focus on Sri Lankan members of the genus Polypedates . A distinctive, highly supported endemic Sri Lankan clade is identified, and recognized as a new genus, Taruga. This clade, which had previously been assigned to the genus Polypedates , includes P. eques , P. fastigo and P. longinasus. A combination of characters distinguishes adult Taruga from Polypedates : Taruga possess a dorsolateral glandular fold that extends from the posterior margin of the upper eyelid to the mid-flank (vs. a supratympanic fold that curves over the dorsal margin of the tympanic membrane in Polypedates ); a prominent calcar at the distal end of the tibia (absent in most Polypedates ); a more acutely pointed snout; and 6–10 prominent conical tubercles surrounding the cloaca (absent in Polypedates ). Tadpoles of Taruga eques and Polypedates cruciger are distinguished by several characters, including features of the buccal cavity and the form of the vent tube. Taruga is the sister group of the remaining Polypedates sensu stricto. Key words : Polypedates ; Rhacophorinae; systematics; tadpole morphology; molecular phylogenetics DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i2.2995 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 75-94, 2010

Interface interactions between insecticide carbofuran and tea waste biochars produced at different pyrolysis temperatures

Abstract: Biochars showed a potential as adsorbents for organic contaminants, however, have not been tested for carbofuran, which has been detected frequently in water. This study provides evidences for the ...