Staff Development Center Research Forum

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    Awareness of Sexual Education to Conceived Women and all through Enriching Dramatic Dance of ‘Sabaragamu Dola Upatha’ by Charmer
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Salgamuwa, D.W.
    ‘Sabaragamuwa Dola Upatha’ which is cited as an inspiring dramatic shanthikarma has been conducted in the Sabaramuwa Province of Sri Lanka for centuries. This provides counseling and awareness on issues and complications related to Sexual Education and pregnancy. Therefore, a valuable question arises is whether the society is aware about this Shanthikarma? Is this important to modern society? If so why is this so important? Therefore, this research attempts to provide an in-depth analysis of this cultural event that could make an impact to reduce mother and baby mortality ratio and raise sexual and academic education in society. According to the World Bank report 2014 and the UNDP report, Sri Lankan mortality ratio is high. Sexual education is not given due emphasis in the National curriculum of Sri Lanka. Though this Shanthikarma is limited only to the Sabaragamuwa Province, it is essential to expand it to all communities. The objectives of this research are to find how important the Sabaragamu Dola Upatha is to the present society to reduce the questions on sexual education. To achieve these objectives, primary data will be collected through questionnaires and secondary data will be collected through books, newspapers, Publications and ancient writings. Two hundred (200) questionnaires will be given randomly to selected groups like aged group interviews where live in Sabaragmu Province, professionals, students, husbands and youth. Outcome of this research will ensure the importance to expand this dramatic dance in island wide and make awareness among all. Counseling through a dramatic dance would be a better way to cogent and convince on sexual education simply through a Charmer.
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    Sri Lankan University Students’ Smartphone usage to enhance Their Educational and Skill Development and the Features (Apps) Used by them
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayawardhana, K.G.L.A.N.S.
    A smartphone (or smart phone) is a mobile phone with more advanced computing capability and connectivity than basic feature phones. By now, smart phone has become indispensable tool for university students as it facilitates and assists their learning process and the day to day life as well. The development of mobile wireless technologies has generated a considerable amount of excitement among university students and academics because it results in shifting the academic environment from traditional settings to mobile learning (m-learning) settings. So the researcher is going to conduct a research on “Sri Lankan University Students’ Smartphone usage to enhance Their Educational and Skill Development and the Features (Apps) Used by them” based on five research questions as How Smart Phone usage facilitate Sri Lankan University Students’ day to day life? To which extent Sri Lankan University Students use Smart Phones to enhance their Educational development? What are the features (apps) use to enhance their Educational development? To which extent Sri Lankan University Students use Smart Phones to enhance their skill development? & what are the apps use to enhance their skill development? And the objectives of the study is to find out how Smart Phone usage facilitate Sri Lankan University Students’ day to day life , to find out to which extent Sri Lankan University Students use Smart Phones to enhance their Educational Development, to find out what are the features (apps) use to enhance their Educational development, to find out which extent Sri Lankan University Students use Smart Phones to enhance their skill development, & to find out what are the apps use to enhance their skill development. To achieve these objectives, primary data will be collected through Questionnaires and the secondary data will be collected through books, newspapers, web sources and Publications. Three hundred (300) questionnaires will be given to randomly selected group (20 university students from each fifteen (15) State Universities in Sri Lanka (Eastern University of Sri Lanka, University of Colombo, University of Kelaniya, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, University of Moratuwa, University of Rajarata, University of Ruhuna, Open University of Sri Lanka, University of Visual and Performing Arts, Sabaragamuwa University, Wayamba University, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, University of Uva Wellassa, and University of Jaffna.)
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    Measurement Assisted Robotic Assembly of Fuselage Skin Panels
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayaweera, N.
    Geometrically complex structural components are extensively used in the assembly of airframe structures. Currently the application of robotics to the assembly of such structures has been limited and the assembly of aero-structure components is primarily a skilled manual process. The use of manual handling represents a significant health and safety risk and an increased likelihood of damaging components during the assembly process. The compliance of components is significant and the resulting geometric and positional uncertainty within the assembly is such that conventional robotic pick and place approaches cannot be used as it is impossible to pre-define and fix the exact position of parts within the assembly. Using product specific fixtures and templates can solve this problem, but this significantly increases cost and reduces flexibility. This paper addresses the above problems by using a novel combination of standard low cost industrial robots, low cost sensors and a mathematical ‘best-fit’ algorithm. During the assembly process the location of existing part-to-part holes and edges are measured to provide alignment points for individual components within the structure and the data obtained is processed through a ‘best-fit’ mathematical algorithm to calculate the relative component positions required for an optimal assembly. The developed methodology has been evaluated and demonstrated using real airframe components and results are presented. The assembly experiments presented have confirmed that it is possible to assemble aero-structure components within aerospace production specifications.
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    Internet-mediated Market Orientation towards Customer Perceived Value: Empirical Evidence from Hotel Industry in Sri Lanka
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Gamage, T.C.; Ahsan, F.J.
    Market orientation (MO) has long been stressed as an essential concept in the marketing discipline. Despite the emerging role of the Internet as a crucial topic in the marketing discipline, the nature of MO on the Internet remains an area of ambiguity. Drawing upon the MO theory and the consumption-values theory, this paper proposes a framework which addresses the mechanism underlying the relationship between MO and customer perceived value (CPV) on the Internet with a use of a mediator variable called information-based value creation (IVC). Adopting the pragmatism research paradigm and mixed method research design, face-to-face questionnaire survey is used as the main research strategy. Semistructured interviews are initially used to validate the measurement scales and at the end, to help explain the quantitative findings. Data stemmed from 116 manager- customer dyads are used to assess the proposed framework in hotel industry in Sri Lanka using the Partial Least Squares path modeling. The results indicate that the proposed framework explains 96.6% of the variance in IVC and 92.2% of the variance in CPV, providing strong evidence of its explanatory power. Moreover, the results demonstrate that IVC has a complementary mediating effect on the relationship between MO and CPV indicating that besides influencing CPV indirectly via IVC, MO also impacts CPV directly on the Internet. The significance of this study stems from theory and methodological triangulation. The findings may help hotels to deliver superior value to their customers through proper integration of the Internet into MO process.
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    Bile Reflux and Quality of Life after Retro gastric Retro colic Gastrojejunostomy in Whipple Procedure
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Siriwardhana, R.
    Introduction: Whipple surgery is a complex procedure done for pancreatic cancer. Main problem in long term survivors is delayed gastric emptying and bile reflux which is to cause chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, reflux oesophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus As our preferred technique we have adapted a technique of performing retro colic posterior gastrojejunostomy over the last 2 years. In this technique the small bowel loop is anastomosed to the posterior wall of the stomach. Then the distal stomach with the gastro jejunostomy is pulled through a window in the transverse mesocolon and anchored. This study was designed to assess the macro and microscopic outcome. Methods: All patients who had undergone Whipple procedure from June 2012 to June 2014 will be included. Patients with recurrence, ones who had chemotherapy within last three months, and ones who have undergone the surgery within the last 3 months will be excluded. Informed written consent will be obtained All will undergo endoscopy observing the appearance of gastric mucosa and severity of bile reflux objectively. Five punch-biopsy specimens will be taken from the stomach in accordance to the recommended biopsy sites. Specimens will be fixed and stained in H & E and modified Giemsa stains. Bile reflux index (BRI) will be calculated using a standard formula. Severity of dyspeptic symptoms will be calculated with the “Nepean Dyspepsia Index- Short form (NDI-SF)” Questionnaire. Based on the findings we will be able to objectively evaluate the clinical and histological outcome of the procedure.
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    Genetic modifier of Hereditary Hemochromatosis gene (HFE) in transfusion dependent thalassemia: phenotype genotype relationship in a Sri Lankan population
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Padeniya, A.G.P.M.
    Background and Purpose: Iron overload is a major complication in patients with transfusion dependant thalassaemia and co- existence of Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) aggravates this complication. Two common missence mutations in the HFE gene 845G>A (p.C282Y) and c.187C>G (p.H63D) are associated with HH. The aim of this study was to genotype c.845G>A and c.187C>G mutations in regularly transfused β thalassaemia patients and to correlate the association between these mutations with their serum ferritin levels. Method: 125 patients with β thalassaemia who were on regular blood transfusions referred to ward 2, 3, 4 and 9, Lady Ridgway Hospital, Colombo and who were at Thalassaemia center, Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura were recruited to the study. HFE gene was tested for c.845G>A and c.187C>G mutations by Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction. Serum ferritin level was measured using electrochemiluminescense method. The C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation level (ESR), and Serum Glutamine Aspartate Transaminase (SGPT) levels were done to exclude coexisting inflammatory states and liver disease. The results were analyzed using Student’s t-test. Results: None had the p.C282Y variant. 23 were heterozygous for the p.H63D variant. Allele frequencies of the two variants; p.C282Y and p.H63D, were 0% and 9.2% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.865) between the mean ferritin level of carriers and wild type of the p.H63D variant; the levels were 4987ng/ml and 4571ng/ml respectively. CRP, ESR and SGPT were elevated in 9 (7.2%; c.187CC 4, c.187CG 5), 65(52%; c.187CC 50, c.187CG 15), 82(65.6%; c.187CC 64, c.187CG 18) respectively. The confounding effect of inflammation and liver disease on the serum ferritin level could not be analyzed due to small sample size. Conclusions: In Sri Lankan patients with transfusion dependant thalassaemia the p.C282Y mutation is rare and cannot be considered as a risk factor for iron over load. The p.H63D mutation may be a potential risk factor for iron overload; this needs to be verified using larger cohort studies.
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    Development and Standardization of Dichotic Speech Tests in Sinhala
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayasena, B.
    Dichotic speech tests involve simultaneous presentation of auditory stimuli to both ears, with the stimulus presented to each ear being different. The stimuli utilized in dichotic speech tasks include digits, nonsense syllables, spondee words and sentences. Listeners may be required to repeat information being presented to both ears (binaural integration) or repeat the auditory message presented to one ear while ignoring the message presented to the other ear (binaural separation). Binaural integration and binaural separation are auditory processes that holds great importance in everyday listening conditions, especially for understanding spoken messages in noisy environments. These two processes are found to be dysfunctional in individuals having difficulties in processing auditory information in the central nervous system, namely Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD).Most often, CAPD coexist with learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. CAPD are multiple in nature and often require a collection of tests to assess the dysfunctional auditory processes. In Sri Lanka, children with CAPD are most often missed or misdiagnosed as having peripheral hearing loss due to the scarcity of standardized assessment tools. The proposed study is aimed at developing a Dichotic Digit Test, a Dichotic Nonsense Syllable Test and a Synthetic Sentence Identification test with Contralateral Competing Message (SSI-CCM) to diagnose binaural integration and binaural separation deficits. It also aims at establishing norms for the above tests for children between 7- 12 years of age. The study will be beneficial to clinical audiologists in terms of access to valid and reliable assessment tools that would effectively diagnose those with deficits in auditory performance with competing acoustic signals. It will also help teachers, speech language therapists and other involved professionals in designing appropriate deficit-specific management strategies for affected individuals.
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    Lexico-Syntactic Retrival and Cohesive Speech in Sinhala-English Speaking Bilingual Aphasics
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Atapattu-Bakmeewewa, A.D.S.
    Introduction: The asymmetrical effects on the languages of an aphasic bilingual and the subsequent patterns of recovery have continually questioned the underlying representation and control of language. The linguistic environment within which a word is recalled is thought a key determiner. Discourse analysis provides an unprecedented opportunity for a realistic assessment of word recall performance. Need: The akin and atypical lexico-syntactic features of Sinhala and English may indicate novel and distinctive patterns of bilingual aphasic language errors. Aim: To compare and contrast unit retrieval skills in naming and connected speech tasks in Sinhala speaking monolinguals and Sinhala-English speaking Bilingual, healthy controls and Persons with Aphasia (PwA). Methodology: The first phase of the four-phased study involves the preparation and translation of three, originally English, test material, the development of a Language Proficiency Questionnaire (LPQ) and pictorial stimuli for connected speech sample elicitation. A pilot trial is conducted in phase two and primary testing, in phase three. Based on phase-specific objectives of the study, monolingual (Sinhala) and bilingual (Sinhala- English) PwA and healthy controls are recruited. Participants will be sampled purposively and selected through stringent eligibility criteria. Accessible information guidelines of the British Stoke Association are employed. The main test protocol includes a naming task, narrative discourse, procedural discourse and a conversational speech. The fourth and final phase would further analyze the findings in phase three. Analysis: Micro and macro-structural analysis of the speech samples; across groups and languages, for error patterns through various levels of language production, utilization of linguistic cues and methods of self-correction. Anticipated Implications: Findings are expected to challenge the wide spread practice of utilizing clinical data and material developed for other languages. Instead, it aims to highlight the need for tailor made assessment and treatment protocols, unique to the Sri Lankan clinical context.
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    Validation of the Sinhala translation of ‘Low Anterior Resection Syndrome’ (LARS) Questioner
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Chandrasinghe, P.C.
    Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) is a collection of troublesome symptoms that patients experience after surgical removal of the rectum for rectal cancer. The LARS questioner is a self-administered tool that has been widely used and validated in different settings after being translated to several languages. The study aims to validate the Sinhala translation of the said questionnaire. This will be a validation study conducted at the Professorial Surgical Unit of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital. English version of the LARS questionaire will be translated to Sinhala and backward translated by independent translators and assessed by an expert panel. Questioner will be given to patients who have undergone low anterior resection between years 2000 and 2015 as a self-administered questionnaire after obtaining written informed consent. Data analysis is based on the LARS scoring protocol for each question. Principal component analysis will be used to identify the underlying themes measured or captured by the questionnaire. The validity and reliability will be assessed by Cronabach's alpha, interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A reliability of more than 0.7 is generally considered adequate prior to using a validated psychometric tool.
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    Tamil Borrowings in Sinhala: a Linguistic Approach
    (Staff Development Center, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Weerawardhana, V.
    Background: Sinhala is an Indo - Aryan Language. Tamil is a Dravidian Language. Although these two languages belong to separate linguistic families they have interrelationships. The main reason for this situation is clear. Sinhala is an Indo- Aryan Language separated from the other members of her family by the Dravidian language belt. That means Geographically Sinhala language is used amidst Dravidian languages. Therefore these two languages have co-existed for centuries. As a result of this, number of language borrowings can be identified in both languages. This language contact has made changes in the structure of Sinhala language. Sometimes, these changes misled even Linguists: Few decades ago Sinhala was named as a Dravidian language because of structural changes. Therefore Tamil borrowings in Sinhala should be identified in a Linguistic background. Methodology: In this research, Results of Tamil language contact to Sinhala Language was analyzed linguistically. Morphological, syntactical and Lexical theories are applied to analyze borrowings. Finally, results show how Tamil borrowings have made changes in the major components of Sinhala Language. Results: No new phonemes have been added to the phonemic component of Sinhala language due to Tamil contact. Few changes can be seen in Sinhala Language regarding morphological component. Sinhala imperative suffixes are inspired by Tamil suffixes of that sort. As well several post positions in Sinhala also have a Tamil origin. Very few syntactical changes can be also be identified. . One such evidence is ''relative participles." In most of Indo Aryan Languages including Sinhala, usage of relative pronouns in complex sentences is a distinguish feature. On contrary, In Dravidian languages relative participles are used instead of relative pronouns. In modern Sinhala relative participles are a major syntactic category. This has happened due to Tamil contact. As well most of compound verbs in Sinhala have a Tamil origin. At the same time ancient Sinhala numeric compound pattern has also been changed by the inspiration of Tamil numeral compounds. The most prominent area of Tamil borrowing is the Lexicon. Today number of Tamil words can be seen in Sinhala Lexicon. Tamil words in Sinhala Language can be categorized as loan words, loan blends or loan shifts. Implications: The study provides a foundation for studies on Tamil language inspiration. to Sinhala language. Identifying structural changes due to borrowings will help to analyze genetical features of the language.