UoP Staff Publications

Permanent URI for this community

https://ir.lib.pdn.ac.lk/handle/20.500.14444/60

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 64

A Comparison of learning strategies, orientations and conceptions of learning of first-year medical students in a traditional and an innovative curriculum
(2007) Marambe, Kosala Nimalani; Athuraliya, T Nimmi; Vermunt, Jan D; Boshuizen, Henny Petronella
Introduction: Students adapt their learning strategies, orientations and conceptions to differences in the learning environment. The new curriculum of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, which commenced in 2005, puts greater emphasis on student-centred learning. The aim of this study was to compare the learning strategies, orientations and conceptions measured by means of a validated Sri Lankan version of the Inventory of Learning Styles (ILS) at the end of the first academic year for a traditional curriculum student group and a new curriculum student group. Materials and Methods: The Adyayana Rata Prakasha Malawa (ARPM) 130-item Sinhala version of the ILS was administered to students of the traditional curriculum and the new curriculum at the end of their first academic year respectively. Mean scale scores of the 2 groups were compared using independent sample t-test. Results: Students of the new curriculum reported the use of critical processing, concrete processing and memorising and rehearsing strategies significantly more than those in the traditional curriculum group. With respect to learning orientations, personal interest scores were significantly higher for the new curriculum students while reporting of ambiguity was significantly lower among them. Conclusion: The results favour the assumption that changes made to the organisation of subject content and instructional and assessment methods have a positive impact on students’ use of learning strategies and motivation
A comparison of the requirements of university library quality assurance system with internationally recognised ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9001:2008 quality management systems
(University Librarians' Association of Sri Lanka, 2011) Dissanayake, Harshani N.K.
Providing a quality service has become a must in the library and information science sector today. The readers expect an effective and efficient library service from the library staff. Therefore providing a customer oriented service has become a challenge to the librarians and information professionals. The University Grants Commission has initiated a Quality Assurance System for all the faculties and the academic libraries of the Universities under the World Bank project, Improving Relevance and Quality of Undergraduate Education (IRQUE). The quality management systems (QMS) ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 9001:2008 are internationally recognized Quality Management Systems. They have been successfully implemented in some Sri Lankan libraries to provide an effective service to the library users. A comparison of the requirements of the University Library Quality Assurance System and the two international standards is carried out in this study.
A Histopathological study of cutananeous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka
(2010) Herath, C. H. P.; Ratnatunga, N. V. I.; Waduge, R.; Ratnayake, P.; Ratnatunga, C. N.; Ramadasa, S.
Abstract Introduction Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Sri Lanka. The immunopathogenesis of these lesions in Sri Lankans has not been documented. Objectives To classify skin lesions into histological groups, to assess parasitic load, density of each inflammatory cell type and necrosis and to characterise the lymphocytic reaction in cutaneous leishmaniasis in comparison to leprosy. Methods Skin biopsies from 31 patients with demons- trable amastigotes in smears or tissue sections were studied. The lesions were classified by two independent observers into four distinct histological groups based on different cell types in the inflammatory infiltrate and formation of granulomata. Parasitic load and the presence of necrosis were recorded. Immunohis- tochemical staining for CD45RO and CD20 for counting T and B cells respectively was done. Results Histological groups of cutaneous leishmaniasis ranging from group I-IV were similar to that of the spectrum in leprosy ranging from lepromatous to tuberculoid leprosy. The histological groups from I-IV showed a significant inverse relationship with the mean parasitic index. Necrosis was not a prominent feature. The mean percentage of T cells in the histological spectrum from group I-IV in leishmaniasis was similar to the spectrum from lepromatous to tuberculoid leprosy. Mean per- centage of T cells were 20.1% in group I, 20.5% in group II, 33.8% in group III and 47.8% in group IV. Lepromatous, borderline tuberculoid and tuberculoid leprosy had 21.3%, 33.4% and 48.0% T cells respectively. Conclusion Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a spectral disease similar to leprosy. The mean percentage T cells from group I-IV were similar to those in the spectrum of leprosy and mean percentage B cells varied in a narrow range
A Phenetic analysis of Cllectotrichum Gloesporioides Isolates from Selected Host Plants
(University of Peradeniya, 2009) Gunawardhana, P. L. T.; Senevirathna, A. M. W. K.; Adikaram, N. K. B.; Yakandawala, D. M. D.
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a ubiquitous fungus which infects a wide variety of plants in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions. This fungus accounts for substantial economic losses through out the world via both preharvest and postharvest diseases. A phenetic analysis of C. gloeosporioides isolated from Capsicum frutescens, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Ficus religiosa and Hevea brasiliensis was carried out to identify sub-specific populations. A total of 40 isolates from these six host species were used. The overall similarity among different isolates of C. gloeosporioides was determined using culture, conidial and appressorial characteristics. According to the resulting phenogram, fungal isolates had divided into two distinct groups at the initial stage separating C. papaya isolates from the rest of the isolates. The subsequent branching has lead to separation of C. gloeosporioides isolates of different hosts into distinct groups. A high degree of similarity was observed among the isolates obtained from C. frutescens, H. brasiliensis and F. religiosa. Similarly, isolates of P. americana and M. indica appear to be morphologically more similar to each other. Further, the study confirms the cross infection potential of some C. gloeosporioides isolates and the presence of host specific populations.
A preliminary study on bioactivities of Agave Vera - Cruz leaf extract
(University of Peradeniya, 2011-11-24) Karunaratne, K. U; Ranawana, K. B; Wickramasinghe, A
Agave vera-cruz is a perennial plant with large, spine-tipped leaves and short thick stems. It belongs to the family Agavaceae. It appears to be well established in Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts. Fibre obtained from this plant is used to make ropes, baskets and cloths. Freshly ground leaves of Agave vera-cruz are currently used as a piscicidal agent in fishing by remote farmers in the Knuckles region. The present study is an attempt to evaluate bioactive properties of Agave vera-cruz. Antioxidant, cytotoxic and phytotoxic properties were investigated. Plant materials were collected from Wattappola in Paranapattiya area. Freeze- dried plant materials were ground into a powder and extracted into methanol (MeOH). Concentrated crude extract was subjected to bioassay. Phytotoxic activity against Lactuca sativa, cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Fractionation involved the use of VLC chromatography using Merck 9385 (40-63 Jim) silica gel, gravity column chromatography using 7734 Merck silica gel (63-200 ,urn) and analytical thin layer chromatography. LD50 value for cytotoxic bioassay was 675 ppm for the MeOH extract. IC50 value for the DPPH radical assay was 62.0 ppm. IC50 value for shoot inhibition was 1000 ppm and that for root inhibition was 1800 ppm. These results show that there are some allelopathic compounds present in Agave vera-cruz.
A preliminary study on bioactivities of Agave Vera - cruz leaf extract
(University of Peradeniya, 2024-11-24) Karunaratne, K. U; Ranawana, K. B; Wickramasinghe, A
Agave vera-cruz is a perennial plant with large, spine-tipped leaves and short thick stems. It belongs to the family Agavaceae. It appears to be well established in Badulla, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts. Fibre obtained from this plant is used to make ropes, baskets and cloths. Freshly ground leaves of Agave vera-cruz are currently used as a piscicidal agent in fishing by remote farmers in the Knuckles region. The present study is an attempt to evaluate bioactive properties of Agave vera-cruz. Antioxidant, cytotoxic and phytotoxic properties were investigated. Plant materials were collected from Wattappola in Paranapattiya area. Freeze- dried plant materials were ground into a powder and extracted into methanol (MeOH). Concentrated crude extract was subjected to bioassay. Phytotoxic activity against Lactuca sativa, cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina and antioxidant activity were evaluated. Fractionation involved the use of VLC chromatography using Merck 9385 (40-63 Jim) silica gel, gravity column chromatography using 7734 Merck silica gel (63-200 ,urn) and analytical thin layer chromatography. LD50 value for cytotoxic bioassay was 675 ppm for the MeOH extract. IC50 value for the DPPH radical assay was 62.0 ppm. IC50 value for shoot inhibition was 1000 ppm and that for root inhibition was 1800 ppm. These results show that there are some allelopathic compounds present in Agave vera-cruz.
A preliminary study on the Hypoglycaemic effect of Averrhoa Carambola (Star Fruit) in rats
(University of Peradeniya, 2024-11-24) Gunasekara, L .C. A; Fernando, P. H. P; Sivakanesan, R
Diabetes mellitus (OM) is one of the five leading causes of death in the world. As estimated in 2008, around 24% of the Sri Lankan population suffer from this deadly disease. Maintenance of normoglycaemia is the key issue in managing these patients, and this is achieved by administering exogenous insulin or other hypoglycaemic agents. Averrhoa carambola (star fruit) leaves have been a part of traditional medicine used in Ayurvedic preparations to treat OM in Sri Lanka. Researchers have investigated the hypoglycaemic effects of several insoluble fiber-rich fractions (FRFs) including insoluble dietary fiber, alcohol-insoluble solid and water insoluble solid from the pomace of Acarambola. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of Acarambola fruit pulp on blood glucose level of healthy rats. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 150-350 g and ten healthy female Sprague Dawley rats of the same age and weight were used in the study. The animals were caged individually at the Animal House, Faculty of Medicine and were provided with 25 g of broiler starter feed per day with ad libitum water. They were allowed to get accustomed to the experimental set up for a period of two weeks and were divided equally into the test groups (male and female), and control groups (male and female). A carambola fruit pulp was prepared by homogenising ripe fruit with a little added water in a warring blender and the resultant pulp was stored at -20°C. The animals in the test groups were then fed with the A carambola fruit pulp at a rate of 1600 mg/kg body weight for 63 days and the fasting blood glucose levels were measured each week, using an enzymatic assay method using glucose oxidase enzyme. Results were compared between A. carambola fruit pulp treated group (1600 mg/kg BW) and control group which received only the basal diet using analyses of variance and Dunnet's t-test. Treatment with A carambola fruit pulp significantly (p = 0.033) decreased blood glucose levels (mean 131.0 ~ 10.2 mg/dl) after a treatment period of 8 weeks and elevated body weight in healthy male Sprague Dawley rats compared to that of normal rats (blood glucose levels mean 153.4 ~ 11.2 mgidl). However, although there was a decrease in blood glucose level of the test group after three weeks of treatment the difference was not statistically Significant up to 7 weeks. Treatment with A carambola fruit pulp non-significantly decreased the blood glucose levels in healthy female rats after treating for 8 weeks, compared to that of control rats which could be due to hormonal changes in the female animals. This study demonstrates that the A carambola fruit pulp has a hypoglycaemic effect on mammalian systems, which need to be investigated further.
Adrenaline toxicity following accidental administration of the 1:1000 solution during dental procedures; four case reports
(2012) Fernando, Dinesh M. G.; Dayaratne, K. M. P. L.
Four patients aged between 35 and 50 years attended the out patients department of a dental hospital for tooth extraction. Following administration of, what was thought to be the local anesthetic, Lignocaine, to the gum and sub mucosa, they all collapsed. What had, in fact, been injected was 1:1000 adrenaline. We would like to report the symptoms, signs and investigation findings that followed. Significantly elevated Troponin T, CPK (total), CPK (MB) and ECG changes were seen. Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies showed a myopathic pattern and reduction in motor and sensory conduction respectively. These patients were followed up for a period of five years. Long term effects such as tremor, muscle weakness, easy fatigability and shortness of breath on exertion, which is not reported in the literature, were reported by all patients.
Allelopathic activity studies of Sri Lankan flora and chemical investigation of endophytic fungi and terrestrial STREPTOMYCES species
(University of Peradeniya, 2011) Piyasena, K. G. N. P.
he first part of the present investigation is focused on the search for the allelopathic active compounds from Sri Lankan plants, with the hope of using them as herbicides. In order to trace allelopathic activity, seed germination inhibition bioassay was employed, using lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-gall) seeds. Out of 60 plant extracts tested, 14 plant extracts significantly reduced radicle growth of lettuce seeds and bamyard grass seeds. Considering preliminary activity results, the ariel parts of Mikania scandens and the bark of Canarium zeylanicum were selected for further chemical and biological investigation, with the aim of isolating allelochemicals, which are responsible for the above activity. Activity guided fractionation of the M. scandens extract led to the isolation of highly active compound mikanolide which showed lettuce seed inhibition activity at MIC 25.0 pg/mL. Activity guided fractionation of the C. zeylanicum bark extract led to the isolation of two compounds 13- hydroxy-12-methoxy-8, 1 1,13-podocarpatrien-3-one and 38-OAc,28-COOH acetyl aleuritolic acid. As M_ scandens is a highly abundant invasive plant in Sri Lanka, either this plant in crude form or as mikanolide in pure form could be developed as an environmental friendly herbicides in Sri Lanka. The second part of the present study was focused on chemical investigation of endophytic microorganisms, especially fungi and terrestrial Streptomyces, with the aim of isolating biologically active compounds. In this process, isolated fungi were cultivated, extracted, and tested for biological activities. According to the chemical and biological screening nine endophytic fungal strains and three terrestrial Streptomyces strains were selected for further chemical investigation. From these strains, seventy compounds were isolated using chromatographic techniques. Of them seven compounds were found to be new. They are hydroxy-2-isocyanatebenzoic acid, 2-isocyanate-3-methoxy-benzoic acid, 5,6-dimethyl-2, 3- dihydro-phthalazine-1,4-dione, tectariamide, 1,3,5,7-tetraaza-tricyclo[6.6.1.0*4,15*]pentade ca- 2,4 (15),5,7-tetraene, 2-phenyl-2H-pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine and N-(chloro-1, 3, 4, 5, 6- pentahydroxyl-hexyl)acetamide. Structural elucidation of the new compounds and other isolates were carried out with the help spectroscopic analysis, x-ray analysis, comparison with literature data and the help of AntiBase data base. Antibacterial activity of above compounds was tested against five control strains FE. coli (ATCC25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC27853), Enterococci faecalis (ATCC 29212), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC6051), Streptomyces viridochromogenes (Ti 57) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC29213) using a disk diffusion method (40 yg/disk). Of them, cercosporamide, beauvericin and altertoxin I showed the highest activity against Bacillus subtilis and E. coli. Antifungal activity of isolates were tested against strains of human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans and plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum, using disk diffusion method. Glaucanic acid and beauvericin showed the highest activity against Candida albicans. Algaecide activity of isolates was tested against strains of three microalgae; Chlorellavulgaris, Chlorella sorokiniana, and Scenedesmus subspicatus were used in this study. Of them, only julichrome Q3,3 showed activity against Chlorella vulgaris.
An eager embrace: emergency rule and authoritarianism in republican Sri Lanka
(Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2015) Udagama, Deepika
Much of Sri Lanka’s post-independence period has seen governance under states of emergency. The invocation of the Public Security Ordinance (PSO)1 by successive governments was a common feature of political life and, indeed, an integral aspect of the political culture of the republic. Several generations of Sri Lankans have grown up and have been socialised into political and public life in an environment fashioned by states of exception replete with attendant symbols and imagery. Images of police with automatic weapons, military check-points, barbed wire, lengthy periods of detention (often administrative detention) mainly of the political ‘other’, the trauma of political violence and the ever- present sense of fear became the ‘normal’. The state of exception has become the norm in Sri Lanka from the 1970s onwards. The permanency of the state of exception was further consolidated when the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) was converted into a permanent law in 1982.2 Although not an emergency regulation, the PTA conferred extraordinary powers on the executive branch (e.g. powers of arrest and detention) to deal with what it recognised as acts of terrorism. That in combination with the ever-present emergency powers, which were sanctioned by the Constitution, provided a formidable legal framework to entrench the state of exception. The omnipotence of the executive presidency created by the second republican constitution (1978) amplified the potency of those exceptional powers. Sri Lanka had become the quintessential ‘National Security State’, the vestiges of which have not been shaken off even five
Application of ICT in Augmenting Library Services
(2012) Wijetunge, Pradeepa
Assessing knowledge management maturity level of a University Library: a case study
(2012) Wijetunge, Pradeepa
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study carried out to assess the Knowledge Management Maturity in a university library of Sri Lanka using Kruger’s (2008) Knowledge Management Maturity (KMM) Model. Using an adaptation of Kruger’s model, KMM of the library was assessed. It was established that overall levels of maturity of different aspects vary. Analysis of the scores by managerial level indicated that there are variations in the perceptions across management levels. As a whole, according to Kruger’s classification, case study library has entered phase two but is not yet ready to reach phase three. Based on the findings, a number of recommendations were made to improve the KMM level. Keywords: Knowledge Management, Knowledge Management Maturity, Knowledge Management Maturity Models, Knowledge Management Maturity Assessment, University Library, Sri Lanka.
Assessing library collection: a case study at University of Peradeniya
(University Librarians' Association of Sri Lanka, 2009) Gunasekera, Chamani
In Feb, 2008 management of the Main Library, University of Peradeniya (UP) decided to carry out a collection assessment project to gain information on its collection at subject level. Particularly in a university library, collection assessment is necessary to evaluate whether the collection is able to support the institution's curriculums and fulfill the teaching, learning and research needs of the staff and students of the university. The results of the assessment could be used to compile a collection development policy in the library and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the collection. In this study physical stock counting method which comes under the collection –centered approach was chosen to evaluate the monograph portion according to subjects. The paper describes the process, methods used and results obtained from the assessment. Finally it briefs some suggestions to be used in future collection assessment projects to gain comprehensive information on the collection.
Association of Reproductive and Menstrual Factors in Relation to Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Breast CancerAbc jhdfvjkdfnb
(South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 2024) wefrree,f.e.r.; hhh,r,t,y,
hdfbsdjhfbdjfgsdg
Attitudes of Sri Lankan medical students toward learning communication skills
(2012) Marambe, Kosala N.; Edussuriya, D. H.; Dayaratne, K. M. P. L.
ABSTRACT Introduction: The General Medical Council of the UK, advocates that by the end of their undergraduate course, medical students should be proficient in communicating with patients. However, the attitude of some medical students toward formal training in communication skills seems lukewarm. Although several studies on assessing attitudes of medical students on learning communication skills have been carried out in Europe and America, Asian studies are very few and literature in the Sri Lankan context is lacking. To explore the attitudes of first to fourth year medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya (FOMUP), Sri Lanka on learning communication skills and to identify possible factors that may influence student attitudes. Methods: A total of 675 students from year 1 to 4 of the FOMUP were asked to complete a modified version of the Communication Skills Attitude Scale. Items of its positive attitude scale (PAS) were analyzed together while negative items were considered individually. Results: Response rates ranged from 70% to 98% for the various year groups. There were no significant differences between the PAS for males and females and for those exposed to formal training and those who were not. The junior students scored significantly higher on the PAS than seniors. Most students of all the groups disagreed with the item “I don’t see why I should learn communication skills”. Approximately one-quarter of the students of each group endorsed the statement “Nobody is going to fail their medical degree for having poor communication skills”. Out of the students who have undergone formal communication training, almost one-third agreed that they find it difficult to take communication skills learning seriously. Discussion: Although medical students seem to have realized the importance of communication skills training for the practice of medicine, a significant minority have reservations on attending such sessions. Sri Lanka faculty will need to make a concerted effort to change this attitude through improving teaching and assessment strategies
Awareness and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among residents of Kandy
(Taylor and Francis, 2015) Navaratna, Samidi; Kanda, Koji; Dharmaratne, Samath D.; Tennakoon, Sampath; Jayasinghe, Ananda; Jayasekera, Niroshan; Nagano, Katsutoshi; Obayashi, Yoshihide; Arai, Asuna; Tamashiro, Hiko
Currently, interventions for HIV/AIDS control in Sri Lanka are only carried out among the most-at-risk populations. This study was conducted to identify the level of awareness and stigma-related attitudes among the general population of Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 869 residents of 18-64 years of age in Kandy, Sri Lanka. A self-administered questionnaire was utilised to obtain information about stigma, discrimination and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis were applied to find possible associations between HIV-related variables and socio-demographic indicators. Response rate was 82.0%. Overall, 93.5% of the participants have heard of HIV/AIDS but the knowledge on HIV/AIDS was low with an average score of 51.7%, no statistically significant difference between genders (p = 0.352). Only 58.1% were aware that a condom was an effective tool for its prevention. There were many misconceptions related to epidemiology of HIV/AIDS. The participants showed more positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) for all questionnaire items except for those listed under shame and blame. Positive attitudes towards PLHIV were observed to be greater among those with a better HIV/AIDS-related knowledge score. There was no significant association between the attitudes towards PLHIV and socio-demographic characteristics such as ethnicity and religion. There is a greater need of making attempts towards educating the public regarding HIV/AIDS to eliminate misconceptions prevalent in the society. Stigma-related attitudes are mainly due to shame and blame associated with the disease. As the attitudes towards PLHIV were more positive among those with a better HIV/AIDS-related knowledge score, targeted HIV/AIDS-related health education interventions maybe recommended in this regard.
Bibliometric phenomenon of Tamil publications in Sri Lanka in 2005
(University Librarians' Association of Sri Lanka, 2007) Maheswaran, R.
Bibliometric analyses have been carried out in various fields. There has been no Bibliometric Study done on Tamil literature. This study evaluates the usefulness of bibliometric application for the analysis of Sri Lankan Tamil Publications in the year 2005 only. This paper discusses the necessity of preparing a detailed bibliometric analysis of Sri Lankan Publications or analysis of same nature and prepares comprehensive complete bibliographical accounts of Sri Lankan Tamil Publications. It tries to provide an account on authors, publishers, geographical area of publishers and editor in Tamil literatry field. This study also evaluates the length, size, prtce and pagination of published Tamil publications in Sri Lanka. This study will urge the Tamils scholars and researchers or Post graduate students to start analyse of Bibliometric study on Tamil literature in Sri Lanka. A total number of 65 authors have produced 77 Tamil publications which have been taken for this analysis. Out of 91 publications, 15% are edited publications. Most of the publications 40% is published in Colombo and the Traditional Tamil cities - Jaffna and Batticalo contributed 1 1% and 9% to the publishing field respectively. Most of the Muslim origin publications were published in the Eastern Provincial Region amounting to 15% and the Upcountry area contributed to the Tamil Publication with 16%. 15% of the publications are brought about by the authors. Only 08% publications were published by departmental or government funds. Two private publishers published 04% of the publications each. Out of 91 publications printed in year 2005, 6 % were published in length size of 21 cm and 29% in 22 cm. There are 14 editors in 2005 and all editors edited only one publication each.40 of publication in Tamil literature 18 % in religious and 10 in social science.
Biology of plumeria leaf rust disease caused by coleosporium plumeriae
(University of Peradeniya, 2006) Weeraratne, T. P.; Adikaram, N. K. B.
The leaf rust disease in Plumeria first appeared in Sri Lanka some time in the year 2002 and is now widespread. The disease is found in both Plumeria rubra and P. obtusa (Apocynaceae) and the infected leaves show numerous tiny, raised, orange, rusty pustules on the abaxial surface of the leaf. The adaxial surface opposite to infected sites is chlorotic reducing the available photosynthetic area of the leaf. Symptoms were absent in the stem or flowers. The causal agent was identified as Coleosporium plumeriae. This is the first report of Plumeria leaf rust in Sri Lanka. Microscopic studies indicated the presence of uredia, formed from the transversing mycelium and emerged through ruptured lower epidermis. No other fruiting structures, telium, aecium or spermatium were encountered at any stage of the disease in Plumeria or in Pinus, which was previously reported as a secondary host of C. plumeriae. Two other fungi, Absidia sp. and Verticillium sp., were found to colonize the rust areas of more mature leaves in succession, Absidia sp. appearing first. These two fungi grew as mycoparasites on C. plumeriae and had no direct contact with the leaf tissue. However, colonization by these two fungi resulted in necrosis around the rust infections inflicting damage to leaves. Young leaves down to about the third from the apical bud are resistant to rust infection. Young leaves contain more latex compared to mature leaves and the latex shows inhibitory action against germination of uredospores. Latex was found to possess chitinase activity on a gel diffusion assay. Latex may therefore be playing a role in the resistance of young leaves against rust infection.
Bridging the digital divide: libraries in developing countries
(University Librarians' Association of Sri Lanka, 2003) Perera, Sriyani
In this paper it discusses briefly on the situation of digital divide in general with special reference to libraries in the developing countries. It continues to describe how a situation called digital divide came into existence and became a global phenomenon and outlines the possible reasons for emergence of such a situation.It discusses on various issues those emerging along the entire spectrum of digital divide.To delineate various aspects of bridging the digital divide,the author uses the experience,information and data that was gathered during her recent educational visit to various institutes in India and uses the contexts in Sri Lanka and India as examples to explain how bridging of the digital divide could be dealt with in libraries in the developing countries.Special reference is being made on the role of library networks in bridging the divide with examples.
Care of the collection in University of Peradeniya library: strategic planning for the preventive conservation
(University Librarians' Association of Sri Lanka, 2008) Alahakoon, Champa N.K.
This paper discusses some problems which prevail with regard to preventive conservation of rare materials presently available in the university library. It reveals the problems that have arisen due to deteriorating factors and negligent areas of the library, such as lack of awareness of the importance of the documents and materials; lack of positive thinking on preventive conservation; shortage of trained staff, equipment and chemicals; and lack of funds. It points out the importance and need of preservation of different kinds of material including wooden objects and paintings and the factors that need to be addressed with regard to preventive conservation. Lastly it highlights strategic planning for preventive conservation which needs to be implemented.

Browse

Browsing UoP Staff Publications by Title

Results Per Page

Sort Options