iPURSE 2016
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- ItemAssociation between socio-economic status and demographical factors with health related quality of life in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis attending the Rheumatology clinic of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2016-11-05) Jayawardena, D.B.N.; Hewage, D.C.Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent symmetric inflammation of multiple peripheral joints resulting in a considerable impact on patient’s quality of life. The present study was planned to identify the factors which can affect the health related quality of life among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are attending the rheumatology clinic of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital. Data were analyzed through SPSS 16.0. Chi square was used to assess the significant association of factors with quality of life and the significant level was kept at p <0.05 A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 rheumatoid arthritis patients with the mean age of 58 (SD±10.51) and with a male to female ratio of 1:10. Data related to demographic and socio-economic factors were collected through an interviewer administered questionnaire. SF-36 scale (Short Form Health Survey) was used to assess the health related quality of life According to the analytical results, monthly income (P=0.007), places where medication was taken (P=0.037), number of children (P=0.005), type of water source used (P=0.050), distance to the water source from the house (P=0.008) and availability of a relative to help with the day to day work (P=0.042) showed statistically significant association with health related quality of life among the study participants. Demographic factors like age, gender, civil status, ethnicity, religion, and socio- economic factors like educational level, occupation, monthly cost for medications, current residence, type of the family, availability of a stair cases in the house, type of toilet used, distance to the toilet, involvement in the cooking and cleaning activities, mode of washing clothes, availability of a supportive device to walk, distance to the hospital, , availability of a person to come to the hospital and availability of an extra funding system other than salary didn’t show significant association with health related quality of life of the study participants ( P>0.05). The results showed that demographic and socioeconomic factors have a significant impact on the health related quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- ItemLine X tester analysis for root characteristics in selected hybrid rice combinations(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2016-11-05) Priyantha, W.S.; Sumanasinghe, V.A.; Dissanayake, D.M.O.K.B.Twenty five F1 hybrid rice combinations were produced using five Cytoplasmic Male Sterile (CMS) Testers (IR68902A, IR70369A, IR68902A and IR78354A) and, five Restorers (Lines) R147(IR72998-93-3-3-2R), R156(IR73885-1-4-3-2-1-10R), R317(IR183325-66-2-1- NPT), 160(IR75282-58-1-2-3), SN10-2071 following the line x tester mating design. The 25 cross combinations and the ten parents were tested for root traits which have a strong bearing on the final yield in Maha 2014/2015 and Yala 2015 seasons at the Rice Research and Development Institute, Batalagoda, Ibbagamuwa, Sri Lanka. The objective was to study the influence of hybrid combinations on root volume and root dry weight, through Line x Tester analysis. Analysis of variance for root volume/plant (RV/P) indicated that all the genotypes: parents, lines and crosses were significantly different at 1% probability level. Parents, crosses and lines were significantly different among themselves at 1% probability level for root dry weight per plant (RDW/P) as well. However, testers showed significant differences only at 5% probability level for root dry weight. Three way interaction (Line x Tester x Season) was also found to be significant for root volume and root dry weight at 1% and 5% probability level, respectively. According to the response curve analysis, in both Yala and Maha seasons, the Tester 30 (IR 78359A) had the highest average performance. Tester 29 (IR 78359)/ Line 3 (IR183325-66-2-1(NPT)) was the best specific hybrid combination for the root volume in both seasons. In the Maha season, performances of different testers with different lines appeared highly unpredictable with respect to root dry weight per plant. However, cross combination [IR68902A/IR75282-58-1-2-3(R160)] was the specific combination which produced high root dry weight per plant. The combination Bg CMS 4A/ line 3 [IR 183325-66-2-19NPT)] was identified as the best combination in Yala season with respect to root dry weight per plant.
- ItemDoes restoration promote recruitment of woody species in pine plantations in Lower Hantana, Sri Lanka?(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2016-11-05) Jayawardhane, J.; Gunaratne, A.M.T.A.Thinning and enrichment planting to convert poorly managed monoculture exotic plantations to mixed species plantations plays a crucial role in the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the woody seedling recruitment in a restored Pinus caribaea Morelet stand (RP) and an unrestored pine stand (UP) in lower Hantana, Sri Lanka. The density, richness and diversity of seedlings of woody species were determined in RP and UP stands. Fifteen plots (5*5 m²) were established randomly per site and three subplots (1*1 m² ) were laid inside each plot. Seedlings (<50 cm of height) of woody species that emerged in subplots (1*1 m²) were tagged and identified. A total of 840 seedlings of woody species belonging to 14 plant families and 32 species were recorded from both sites (570 seedlings belonging to 14 families and 24 species from the RP; 240 seedlings belonging to 12 families and 16 species from the UP). The mean density of seedlings was higher in the RP (3.6 seedlings m⁻²) than the UP (3.0 seedlings m⁻²) and species richness was higher in the RP (24) than the UP (16) stands. Moreover, species diversity was higher in the RP than the UP. Seedlings of pioneer species dominated both sites, with nearly equal percentages. A higher percentage of native species was recorded in both sites (RP=.66%, UP =55%) than endemic and exotic species. Artocarpus nobilis Thw. the only endemic species recorded during the study emerged from the RP. Our study concludes that the plant diversity in the RP is greater than the UP, probably resulting from the alteration of microclimatic conditions due to restoration effort.
- ItemConservational significance of Dunumadalawa forest reserve in central Sri Lanka based on the endemism of its avifauna(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2016-11-05) Hettiarachchi, T.; Wijesundara, C.S.Dunumadalawa (7⁰17'00"N, 80⁰38'49"E; 548-972 m above sea level) is a semi isolated wet-zone forest reserve located on a hill ridge in Kandy. It spans across 480 ha and consists of secondary growth forest. No previous studies have been undertaken on the avifaunal diversity in this forest. Hence the present study was conducted to determine the status of the endemic bird fauna to provide pertinent information to justify the conservational importance of this forest. Field sampling was done from January to September 2015. Data were collected using line transects integrated with a point count method during the day time (peak observation hours 0600-0900 h and 1500-1800 h), and one night sampling session was conducted. Sites were specified by systematic random sampling, assigning GPS points. Sampling stations were separated by a minimum distance of about 200 m; about 15 minutes were spent at each point. Direct identification was done using 8×40 binoculars. Calls were recorded where necessary. The radial distance (m) to each bird contact from the observation point was estimated to determine the density of species using Distance software. As a control, the same procedure was conducted in nearby home gardens (50 m towards north eastward) which represent more disturbed habitat. The present study verified that the diversity of avifauna in Dunumadalawa is comparatively higher (Shannon Index H’=3.56 and Simpson’s Index 1-D=0.959) than the nearby home gardens (H’=2.98, 1-D=0.923) (t test for Shannon Index revealed that the two sites are significantly different p=<0.001; t=4.09; df=17), consisting of 12 species out of 33 endemic bird species in Sri Lanka (36.36%) and 22 endemic subspecies out of 68 (32.35%). The Yellow-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon flavifrons) (65 individuals), Brown-capped Babbler (Pellorneum fuscocapillus) (35), Crimson-fronted Barbet (Psilopogon rubricapillus) (29), Sri Lanka Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus melanurus) (14) and Sri Lanka Wood-Pigeon (Columba torringtoniae) (9) were the most abundant endemic species. Including them, the forest hosts nine restricted range species out of 27 (33.33%).The additional four are Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii), Sri Lanka Hanging-Parrot (Loriculus beryllinus), Layard’s Parakeet (Psittacula calthrapae), and Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros gingalensis). These results highlight the relatively high endemism of avifauna in Dunumadalawa, which is a forest fragment that serves as a habitat island surrounded by highly urbanised human settlements. The forest has a high conservational significance given the presence of a considerable number of endemic species, all of which are restricted range species. Therefore we recommend that the findings from this study to be used to conduct a thorough conservation assessment to plan relevant conservation programmes.
- ItemAwareness, need and demand for replacement of missing teeth among partially dentate patients attending a university dental hospital(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2016-11-05) Perera, E.J.C.; Jayasinghe, R.M.; Jayasinghe, J.A.V.P.; Thilakumara, I.P.; Rasnayaka, R.M.S.G.K.; Shiraz, M.H.M.; Ranabahu, R.R.I.K.; Kularatna, S.Different authors have suggested different methods to evaluate the need for prosthetic management of partially dentate patients. One of the methods for evaluating such includes assessing patients’ demand for treatment and objective oral status of patients. Therefore, our objective was to assess the awareness, need and demand for replacement of missing teeth according to age, gender, ethnicity, educational level, socio- economic status and edentulous space of the patient. This cross-sectional study (420 patients) was carried out using an interviewer administered questionnaire which assessed the awareness about partially dentate status, attitude and awareness about treatment options available for tooth replacement and the reason for selecting a particular option. According to the findings that 76.2% of the study group was of the opinion that missing teeth should be replaced by prosthetic means. However, there were no differences with respect to age, gender, ethnicity and educational level. Although 77.9% and 32.9% were aware of removable prostheses and implants respectively, only 25.2%% knew about tooth supported bridges as an option for replacement of missing teeth. The opinion of patients regarding the need for regular dental visits was statistically significant according to gender and education level. Demand and need for prosthetic management were similar with Kennedy class III. In conclusion, awareness about reasons for replacement of missing teeth was low in the study group. The awareness about tooth supported bridges and dental implants were low among partially dentate individuals. The significant association between awareness about treatment options and demand highlights the need for improving public education programmes. Both the demand and need for replacement of missing teeth were high in Kennedy class III partially dentate individuals.