Influence of Supplemental Enzymes, Yeast Culture and Effective Micro-organism Culture on Gut Micro-flora and Nutrient Digestion at Different Parts of the Rabbit Digestive Tract

Samarasinghe, K.,Shanmuganathan, T.,Silva, K.F.S.T.,Wenk, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.6

An experiment of 10 weeks duration was carried out to study the influence of supplemental effective microorganism (EM) culture, yeast culture and enzymes on nutrient digestibility and gut microflora in rabbit gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Twenty four eight to nine weeks old, New Zealand White rabbits were allotted to four dietary treatments; a basal (control) feed, basal feed supplemented with either EM (1%), yeast culture or enzymes (400 ppm). Nutrient flow in digesta and their digestibility at ileum, caecum, colon and in the total tract as well as gut microflora distribution were studied. Feed dry matter was diluted from 92% to about 14% up to the ileum and about 95% of this water was reabsorbed by the colonic rectal segment followed by caecum (25%). EM and yeast improved protein digestibility at a lower rate than enzymes. Ileal, caecal, colonic and total tract digestibility of crude protein with enzymes were higher by 10.8, 9.4, 11.3 and 10.7%, respectively, as compared to the control. Yeast and enzymes increased crude fiber digestibility at ileum, caecum, colon and in the total tract by 8.5, 9.6, 9.0 and 8.3%, respectively, while EM improved them at a lower rate. Irrespective of treatments, total tract digestibility of crude protein (0.698-0.773) and fiber (0.169-0.183) were greater (p<0.05) than the ileal digestibility. Even though a post-caecal protein digestibility was observed, fiber digestion seemed to be completed in the caecum especially with yeast and enzymes. High precaecal digestibility of crude fiber (97%) and protein (95%) were observed even without additives probably due to caecotrophy. EM and yeast culture promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria especially in the caecum but they did not influence gut yeast and mould. Present findings reveal that even though rabbits digest nutrients efficiently through hind gut fermentation, they can be further enhanced by EM, yeast and enzymes. Of the three additives tested, enzymes found to be the best.

When migrant women return: Gender role re-configurations in Sri Lankan households

Vidyamali Samarasinghe 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2020 Asian Journal of Women's Studies(AJWS) Vol.26 No.1

The earnings of Sri Lankan migrant women who work abroad as housemaids account for a significant proportion of overseas remittances to Sri Lanka. Literature on the “maid trade” of Sri Lanka shows that migrant women, 70% of whom are mothers, become primary wage earners for their left behind households. Central to this study is a focus on how the gendered construction of “breadwinner” and “mothering” plays out when left behind families are dependent on these women’s earnings for survival. Based on ethnographic data, it demonstrates that this results not in a reversal but in a reconfiguration of gendered roles in households.

Supplemental Enzymes, Yeast Culture and Effective Micro-organism Cultureto Enhance the Performance of Rabbits Fed Diets Containing High Levels of Rice Bran

Shanmuganathan, T.,Samarasinghe, K.,Wenk, C. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2004 Animal Bioscience Vol.17 No.5

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of exogenous enzymes (cellulases and proteases), yeast culture and effective micro-organism (EM) culture on feed digestibility and the performance of rabbits fed rice bran rich diets over a period of ten weeks. Twenty four, 8 to 9 weeks old male and female New Zealand White rabbits were allotted to 4 dietary treatments; a basal (control) feed containing 43% rice bran, basal feed supplemented with either enzymes, yeast culture or EM. Individual feed intake, body weight gain, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and feed cost were studied. Sex of the rabbits had no significant (p<0.05) influence on the parameters studied. The control group showed the lowest daily feed intake (104.8 g), body weight gain (12.8 g) and the highest feed/gain ratio (8.20 g/g). The highest daily feed intake (114.3 g), body weight gain (20.42 g) and the lowest feed/gain ratio (5.60) were observed with enzymes. Compared to the control, yeast significantly (p<0.05) improved the feed intake, body weight gain and feed/gain ratio by 4.9, 34.4 and 22.0%, respectively, while EM improved (p<0.05) them by 4.0, 32.6 and 21.6%, respectively. All the additives improved (p<0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber and energy by 4.9-8.7, 3.6-10.7, 5.9-8.3 and 4.3-6.4%, respectively. Higher weights of pancreas (by 38.5-56.4%) and caecum (by 13.1-26.8%, compared to the control) were recorded with all additives but liver weight was increased only by yeast (24.5%) and enzymes (26.7%). Significantly (p<0.05) higher carcass recovery percentages were observed with enzymes (60.55), yeast (60.47) and EM (56.60) as compared to the control (48.52). Enzymes, yeast and EM reduced (p<0.05) the feed cost per kg live weight by 23.8, 15.9 and 15.5%, respectively. Results revealed that enzymes, yeast culture and EM can be used to improve the feeding value of agro-industrial by-products for rabbits in Sri Lanka and thereby to reduce the feed cost. Under the present feeding system, enzyme supplement was the best.

An Assessment of Level of Informatization of Rural Areas of Sri Lanka

Thushara Abeysooriya,Kithsiri Samarasinghe APEC국제교육협력원 2009 국제교육협력연구지 Vol.2 No.1

This is a study done to assess the level of Informatization, simple definition of utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in the rural areas of Sri Lanka. The level of Informatization is measured as an index value. In the Asia Pacific region different types of Informatization Indices are calculated in different countries. In this study authors have defined a mechanism to calculate the Informatization Index for Sri Lanka, by considering the number of indices related to Informatization. This Informatization Index is calculated using 48 measures categorized under 11 sub components of ICT. Also a hypotheses testing based on an identified analysis framework is conducted in this study. According to the results obtained from this study, it was observed that in rural areas high utilization is there for utilization of Radio, Television, and Telephone. Mobile phone and Computer utilization is at a medium level. Level of utilization of ICT also varies with the demographic factors also.

A simplified design approach for high-speed wind tunnels. Part I: Table of inclination

Ali Arshad,Supun Samarasinghe,F. A. M. Akeel,Aleksandrs Urbahs 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.6

This study aims to develop a simplified approach for the design of high-speed wind tunnels, operating within the range of Mach 1-4. The study is conducted in two stages;design stage-I consists of the basic parts of a high-speed wind tunnel, i.e. test section and nozzle throat sizes along with the calculations of the minimum pressure ratios necessary for the starting and running of the wind tunnel. Design stage-II is the aerodynamic design of the inlet nozzle contour with the focus on the divergent nozzle section only. In this stage, the fundamental method of characteristics (MOC) is employed by using region-to-region solution approach. Due to the long and complicated procedure of classical MOC, a simpler approach of “table of inclination” is proposed. This inclination table approach is simple in use, highly precise, and efficient which reduces more than 75 % of the calculation time of the MOC. Validation of the nozzle contour design is performed with the Area-Mach ratio relation followed by the results verification obtained from the MATLAB programming. The contour design results of the study are highly accurate (less than 1 % error) which manifests the future possible significance of the inclination table approach for supersonic wind tunnel designs.

Enhancing the CO₂ separation performance of polymer membranes via the incorporation of amine-functionalized HKUST-1 nanocrystals

Chuah, Chong Yang,Li, Wen,Samarasinghe, S.A.S.C.,Sethunga, G.S.M.D.P.,Bae, Tae-Hyun Elsevier 2019 Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol.290 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>HKUST-1 nanocrystals with large accessible surface areas and high porosity were functionalized with amine groups and incorporated into polymer matrices to form mixed-matrix membranes for application in CO<SUB>2</SUB> capture. This gas permeation study reveals that pristine HKUST-1 nanocrystals are able to increase the gas permeabilities of polymer membranes with no noticeable effect on CO<SUB>2</SUB>/N<SUB>2</SUB> selectivity as a result of their high porosity and large pore dimensions. Contrarily, 20 wt% amine-functionalized HKUST-1 can improve the CO<SUB>2</SUB>/N<SUB>2</SUB> selectivity of polymer membranes by as much as 38%. As shown in a detailed analysis of the diffusivity-solubility, the amine-functionalized HKUST-1 suppressed N<SUB>2</SUB> solubility and diffusivity but enhanced CO<SUB>2</SUB> diffusivity. This resulted in an increased CO<SUB>2</SUB>/N<SUB>2</SUB> perm-selectivity. Meanwhile, the pristine HKUST-1 nanocrystals increased the diffusivity and solubility of both species in a non-selective manner. These results indicate the feasibility of tuning the CO<SUB>2</SUB> separation performance of mixed-matrix membranes by introducing amine functionality into the filler.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> HKUST-1 and amine-functionalized HKUST-1 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized. </LI> <LI> HKUST-1 nanocrystals improved CO<SUB>2</SUB> permeability with no effect on CO<SUB>2</SUB> selectivity. </LI> <LI> Amine-functionalized HKUST-1 enhanced CO<SUB>2</SUB>/N<SUB>2</SUB> selectivity and CO<SUB>2</SUB> permeability. </LI> <LI> Amine-functionalized HKUST-1 suppressed N<SUB>2</SUB> solubility and diffusivity substantially. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia with B-cell lymphoid blast crisis at presentation

Prasad Iyer,Peter Carey,Nick Bown,Sujith Samarasinghe 대한혈액학회 2013 Blood Research Vol.48 No.2

Enhancing CO2/CH4 separation performance and mechanical strength of mixed-matrix membrane via combined use of graphene oxide and ZIF-8

Wen Li,S.A.S.C. Samarasinghe,배태현 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.67 No.-

High-performance mixed-matrix membranes that comprise both zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and graphene oxide (GO) were synthesized with a solution casting technique to realize excellent CO2/CH4 separation. The incorporation of ZIF-8 nanocrystals alone in ODPA-TMPDA polyimide can be used to significantly enhance CO2 permeability compared with that of pure ODPA-TMPDA. Meanwhile, the addition of a GO nanostack alone in ODPA-TMPDA contributes to improved CO2/CH4 selectivity. Hence, a composite membrane that contains both fillers displays significant enhancements in CO2 permeability (up to 60%) and CO2/CH4 selectivity (up to 28%) compared with those of pure polymeric membrane. Furthermore, in contrast to the ZIF-8 mixed-matrix membrane, which showed decreased mechanical stability, it was found that the incorporation of GO could improve the mechanical strength of mixed-matrix membranes. Overall, the synergistic effects of the use of both fillers together are successfully demonstrated in this paper. Such significant improvements in the mixed-matrix membrane’s CO2/CH4 separation performance and mechanical strength suggest a feasible and effective approach for potential biogas upgrading and natural gas purification.

Pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia with B-cell lymphoid blast crisis at presentation

Prasad Iyer,Peter Carey,Nick Bown,Sujith Samarasinghe 대한혈액학회 2013 Blood Research Vol.48 No.2

Algae-based antioxidant containing selenium yeast (Economase®) enhanced the growth performance, oxidative stability, and meat quality of broiler chickens

Nambapana Maleeka N.,Wickramasuriya Samiru Sudharaka,Macelline Shemil Priyan,Samarasinghe K.,Vidanarachchi Janak K. 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.4

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EconomasE®) on the growth performance, visceral organ weight, meat quality, and oxidative stability of broiler chickens. Methods: Nine hundred sixty, day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb, 43.97±0.55 g) were divided into three dietary treatments and allocated into 12 deep litter pens in a completely randomized design giving 4 replicate cages for each treatment. Three dietary treatments were: i) control (CON, basal diet with sufficient nutrient), ii) vitamin E (VitE, basal diet supplemented with 100 IU VitE), and iii) Algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EcoE, basal diet supplemented with 0.2% algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast: EconomasE®). Maize soybean meal based basal diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrition requirement for broiler chickens. Chickens were fed ad-libitum experimental diets during the 42 days experiment period. On days 21 and 42, body weight and feed intake were measured to calculate the feed conversion ratio of the chickens. Intestine and visceral organs were measured together with meat quality and oxidative stability on days 14 and 42. Results: Chickens fed with EcoE showed improved (p<0.05) growth performance, meat quality, and higher (p<0.05) oxidative stability compared to the chicken fed on CON. Moreover, broiler chickens fed with EcoE showed similar (p<0.05) growth performance with better (p<0.05) meat quality and higher oxidative stability compared to the broiler chickens fed VitE (p<0.05). Conclusion: The algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast can be supplemented into commercial broiler diets as a substitution of VitE while maintaining growth performance with enhancing meat quality and oxidative stability of the broiler chickens. Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EconomasE®) on the growth performance, visceral organ weight, meat quality, and oxidative stability of broiler chickens.Methods: Nine hundred sixty, day-old male broiler chickens (Cobb, 43.97±0.55 g) were divided into three dietary treatments and allocated into 12 deep litter pens in a completely randomized design giving 4 replicate cages for each treatment. Three dietary treatments were: i) control (CON, basal diet with sufficient nutrient), ii) vitamin E (VitE, basal diet supplemented with 100 IU VitE), and iii) Algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast (EcoE, basal diet supplemented with 0.2% algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast: EconomasE®). Maize soybean meal based basal diets were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrition requirement for broiler chickens. Chickens were fed ad-libitum experimental diets during the 42 days experiment period. On days 21 and 42, body weight and feed intake were measured to calculate the feed conversion ratio of the chickens. Intestine and visceral organs were measured together with meat quality and oxidative stability on days 14 and 42.Results: Chickens fed with EcoE showed improved (p<0.05) growth performance, meat quality, and higher (p<0.05) oxidative stability compared to the chicken fed on CON. Moreover, broiler chickens fed with EcoE showed similar (p<0.05) growth performance with better (p<0.05) meat quality and higher oxidative stability compared to the broiler chickens fed VitE (p<0.05).Conclusion: The algae-based antioxidant containing Se yeast can be supplemented into commercial broiler diets as a substitution of VitE while maintaining growth performance with enhancing meat quality and oxidative stability of the broiler chickens.