Investigation of Pozzolanic Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash for Commercial Applications.

The ideal climatic and environmental conditions for sugarcane cultivation are present all year round in the tropical island of Sri Lanka. Given the annual sugar consumption of the nation, a significant amount of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), a by-product with no intended commercial use but potential environmental and health risks, is produced. Numerous studies have been conducted recently to assess the viability of using SCBA as a pozzolanic material in structural applications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the microstructure of SCBA samples from three sugar manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka to identify the pozzolanic capacities. Several quantitative and qualitative characterization techniques have been utilized for the investigations. While maintaining the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) 618 specification as the standard for pozzolanic properties, a comparative investigation of the attributes of samples from each location was conducted. Beyond that, the relationship between the SCBA generation process parameters and their impact on the properties of SCBA have been identified. Finally, the SCBA source of the Pelwatte unit has been identified as the ideal source for the pozzolanic material from the three locations, considering quality and the extent of additional treatments required before use. Other prospective areas of research on SCBA and its potential applications have been recognized.

Brief report: Parental attitudes and knowledge on routine childhood immunization: an experience from Central Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVES: A lack of correct awareness about immunization among parents put them at risk of falling prey to the anti-vaccine movement. This risk is present even in countries with a high vaccine uptake. This study was done with the objective of assessing the awareness of parents childhood vaccination. RESULTS: In this study conducted among 141 parents accompanying children to a routine clinic we found that 53.2% of the participants had average or above average knowledge. Level of knowledge was associated with the level of education (OR: 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-5.4) and the sex of the parent (OR: 3.4, 95% CI 1.2-9.3). While our sample size is small, we recommend educational programmes for parents to strengthen their knowledge on vaccination to safeguard the continuity of a successful control of vaccine preventable diseases.

Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia.

The evolution of novel traits ("key innovations") allows some lineages to move into new environments or adapt to changing climates, whereas other lineages may track suitable habitat or go extinct. We test whether, and how, trait shifts are linked to environmental change using Triodiinae, C4 grasses that form the dominant understory over about 30% of Australia. Using phylogenetic and relaxed molecular clock estimates, we assess the Australian biogeographic origins of Triodiinae and reconstruct the evolution of stomatal and vascular bundle positioning. Triodiinae diversified from the mid-Miocene, coincident with the aridification of Australia. Subsequent niche shifts have been mostly from the Eremaean biome to the savannah, coincident with the expansion of the latter. Biome shifts are correlated with changes in leaf anatomy and radiations within Triodiinae are largely regional. Symplectrodia and Monodia are nested within Triodia. Rather than enabling biome shifts, convergent changes in leaf anatomy have probably occurred after taxa moved into the savannah biome-they are likely to have been subsequent adaptions rather than key innovations. Our study highlights the importance of testing the timing and origin of traits assumed to be phenotypic innovations that enabled ecological shifts.