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.

Seedling survival and growth of four Shorea species in a Sri Lankan rainforest

Abstract: In this study four species of the genus Shorea section Doom were investigated. All occur together as canopy trees in the Sinaraja rainforest of south-west Sri Lanka. Partitioning of the regeneration niche can be one explanation for the co-existence of ecologically similar canopy tree species within a forest. Seedlings were planted in plots located in five zones that represent a range of forest groundstorey microenvironments found adjacent to and across canopy openings of three sites – valley, midslope, ridgetop. Experiments were designed to monitor survival and growth of planted seedlings for two years. At the end of two years percentage survival was calculated, height increment recorded and destructive samples taken to measure dry mass gain of root, stem and leaves. Comparisons were made of establishment and growth performance of seedlings planted in the different plots and sites. Results demonstrated clear differences in survival and growth among species. These differences appeared related to availability of soil moisture and groundstorey radiation regimes. Disturbance patterns that determine species co-existence are suggested.

Efficiency enhancement by mixed cation effect in dye-sensitized solar cells with PAN based gel polymer electrolyte

Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells based on nano-porous TiO2 photo-anode and quasi-solid polymer (or gel) electrolytes are emerging as low cost alternatives to conventional inorganic photovoltaic devices. Although many attempts have been made in order to improve the relatively low power conversion efficiencies of these solar cells, to our knowledge there are very few reports aimed at using a binary system of two different iodide salts toward efficiency enhancement in these cells. In this paper we report for the first time in detail, the effect of using a binary iodide salt mixture with different size cations on the efficiency enhancement in dye sensitized solar cells with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) based gel polymer electrolyte and suggest a possible mechanism for this enhancement, based on short circuit photocurrent which is directly related to the iodide ion concentration [I-]. The gel electrolyte was made of PAN, ethelene carbonate (EC), Propylene carbonate (PC), salt mixture and I-2. The binary iodide salt mixture consists of potassium iodide (KI) and Tetra propyl ammonium iodide (Pr4NI). Although the gel electrolyte with 100% (w/w) KI exhibited the highest overall ionic conductivity at room temperature, it showed the lowest iodide ion (I-) contribution to conductivity. On the other hand, the electrolyte with 100% (w/w) Pr4NI exhibited the lowest overall ionic conductivity but had the highest iodide ion(I-) contribution. The dye-sensitized solar cells of configuration Glass/FTO/TiO2/N-719 Dye/electrolyte/Pt/FTO/glass were fabricated using the gel electrolytes of different salt ratios and with nanoporous TiO2 electrode sensitized with Ruthenium dye (N719). With identical electrolyte compositions, the solar cell with 100% (w/w) KI showed an efficiency of 4.98% and the cell with 100% (w/w) Pr4NI showed an efficiency of 4.47%. However, the cell with the mixed iodide system, 16.6% (w/w) KI + 83.4%(w/w) Pr4NI showed the highest efficiency of 5.36% with maximum short circuit current density (J(SC)) of 13.79 mA cm(-2), open circuit voltage (V-OC) of 679.10 mV and a fill factor of 57.25%. The variation of efficiency (eta) with iodide ion concentration [I-] follows the same trend as the J(SC) which appears to be governed by the iodide ion conductivity of the gel electrolyte. The dependence of the short circuit photocurrent and the open circuit photovoltage on the cation type generally agrees with reported data for related systems. However, the occurrence of a maximum in the solar cell efficiency and short circuit photocurrent at 16.6% (w/w)10 + 83.4% (w/w) Pr4NI salt composition is an important finding. The efficiency enhancement of about 8% achieved by employing the binary iodide mixture in the gel electrolyte instead of a single iodide salt, could be utilized for achieving efficiency enhancement in many dye sensitized solar cell systems based on polymeric, gel or solvent electrolytes.

Enhancing pharmacists' role in developing countries to overcome the challenge of antimicrobial resistance: a narrative review.

Abstract: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge and developing countries are more vulnerable to the adverse health impacts of AMR. Health care workers including pharmacists can play a key role to support the appropriate use of antimicrobials in developing countries and reduce AMR. The aim of this review is to investigate the role of pharmacists in the appropriate use of antibiotics and to identify how the pharmacists’ role can be enhanced to combat AMR in developing countries. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles published between 2000 and the end of August 2017 that involved studies on the role of pharmacists in developing countries, the expanded services of pharmacists in patient care in developed countries and pharmacists’ contributions in antimicrobial use in both developed and developing nations. In developing countries pharmacists role in patient care are relatively limited. However, in developed nations, the pharmacists’ role has expanded to provide multifaceted services in patient care resulting in improved health outcomes from clinical services and reduced health care costs. Success stories of pharmacist-led programs in combating AMR demonstrates that appropriately trained pharmacists can be part of the solution to overcome the global challenge of AMR. Pharmacists can provide education to patients enabling them to use antibiotics appropriately. They can also provide guidance to their healthcare colleagues on appropriate antibiotic prescribing. This review highlights that appropriately trained pharmacists integrated into the health care system can make a significant impact in minimising inappropriate antibiotic use in developing countries. Strengthening and enhancing the pharmacists’ role in developing countries has the potential to positively impact the global issue of AMR.

Exploring the spatial variability of soil properties in an Alfisol soil catena

Abstract: Detailed digital soil maps showing the spatial heterogeneity of soil properties consistent with the landscape are required for site-specific management of plant nutrients, land use planning and process-based environmental modeling. We characterized the short-scale spatial heterogeneity of soil properties in an Alfisol catena in a tropical landscape of Sri Lanka. The impact of different land-uses (paddy, vegetable and un-cultivated) was examined to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the variability of soil properties at the catenary level. Conditioned Latin hypercube sampling was used to collect 58 geo-referenced topsoil samples (0–30 cm) from the study area. Soil samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and texture. The spatial correlation between soil properties was analyzed by computing cross-variograms and subsequent fitting of theoretical model. Spatial distribution maps were developed using ordinary kriging. The range of soil properties, pH: 4.3–7.9; EC: 0.01–0.18 dS m− 1; OC: 0.1–1.37%; CEC: 0.44–11.51 cmol (+) kg− 1; clay: 1.5–25% and sand: 59.1–84.4% and their coefficient of variations indicated a large variability in the study area. Electrical conductivity and pH showed a strong spatial correlation which was reflected by the cross-variogram close to the hull of the perfect correlation. Moreover, cross-variograms calculated for EC and Clay, CEC and OC, CEC and clay and CEC and pH indicated weak positive spatial correlation between these properties. Relative nugget effect (RNE) calculated from variograms showed strongly structured spatial variability for pH, EC and sand content (RNE < 25%) while CEC, organic carbon and clay content showed moderately structured spatial variability (25% < RNE < 75%). Spatial dependencies for examined soil properties ranged from 48 to 984 m. The mixed effects model fitting followed by Tukey's post-hoc test showed significant effect of land use on the spatial variability of EC. Our study revealed a structured variability of topsoil properties in the selected tropical Alfisol catena. Except for EC, observed variability was not modified by the land uses. Investigated soil properties showed distinct spatial structures at different scales and magnitudes of strength. Our results will be useful for digital soil mapping, site specific management of soil properties, developing appropriate land use plans and quantifying anthropogenic impacts on the soil system.