Volume 23 Number 2 2020

Approaches Used to Recognise and Decipher Ancient Inscriptions: A Review

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Approaches Used to Recognise and Decipher Ancient Inscriptions: A Review Heenkenda, H.M.S.C.R.; Fernando, T.G.I. Inscriptions play a vital role in historical studies. In order to boost tourism and academic necessities, archaeological experts, epigraphers and researchers recognised and deciphered a great number of inscriptions using numerous approaches. Due to the technological revolution and inefficiencies of manual methods, humans tend to use automated systems. Hence, computational archaeology plays an important role in the current era. Even though different types of research are conducted in this domain, it still poses a big challenge and needs more accurate and efficient methods. This paper presents a review of manual and computational approaches used to recognise and decipher ancient inscriptions.

Development of Syzygium caryophyllatum Fruit Pulp Incorporated Rice Flakes

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Development of Syzygium caryophyllatum Fruit Pulp Incorporated Rice Flakes Kasunmala, I.G.G.; Navaratne, S.B.; Wickramasinghe, I. Nutritional quality of rice flakes was enhanced by incorporating Syzygium caryophyllatum fruit pulp while binding it with rice flour by Neolitsea cassia mucilage. Four rice flakes formulations were prepared by altering two variables namely adding with and without leavening agent (Sodium bicarbonate) into the dough and extruded dough flaxes subjected to with and without roller milling manually. According to the results, physical properties, sensorial properties and texture profile analysis of rice flakes prepared from four treatment combinations were significantly difference to each other (p<0.05) except nutritional and antioxidant activities. SC fruit pulp added rice flakes with the leavening agent and subjected to roller milling (F4) was selected as the best rice flake formulation in terms of physical, sensorial and textural properties. Further, TPC, DPPH radical scavenging activity % and FRAP value of this (F4) formulation were 7.86 GAE/100 g, 37.21 and 36.32 TE/100 g respectively.

Development of an Economical, Linear CCD Based Spectrometer

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Development of an Economical, Linear CCD Based Spectrometer Senarathna, R.M.D.M.; Niroshan, P.U.; Dilrukshi, J.A.C.; Jayawardhana, S. Spectrometry provides vital information about the composition of electromagnetic radiation by measuring wavelengths of light over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this work, design and construction of an economical linear CCD spectrometer and a computer application is presented. A sample of the light source travelling through an optical fiber enters the device and the spectrum produced by a diffraction grating is projected on a linear CCD detector. The data is sampled using a 10- bit ADC to the microcontroller memory and finally transferred to the computer via a full speed USB connection. In the computer, the data is digitally processed and displayed through a graphical user interface with several useful functionalities. The device is sensitive to electromagnetic waves of wavelengths ranging from 400 to 800 nm, which is decided by the sensitivity of the silicon CCD detector. The device performs in par with commercially available handheld spectrometers and is equipped with wavelength and amplitude calibration capabilities.

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Isolation of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Isolation of Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganisms Walpola, B.C.; Hettiarachchi, R.H.A.N. Phosphate solubilising bacteria possess the ability to solubilise insoluble phosphate to soluble forms enhancing the nutrient status of the soil. This process not only compensates increasing cost of phosphatic fertilisers but also minimises the negative environmental impacts associated with the application of inorganic fertilisers. Phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) were screened based on the size of a halo/ clear zone around the colony (NBRIP agar plate assay) and by measuring solubilise phosphorous content (colorimetric method). The aim of this work was to assess the comparative reliability of quantitative and qualitative methods of isolation of phosphate solubilising bacteria. Bacterial strains which showed very poor performance in qualitative method were proven to be good phosphates solubilisers in quantitative method and vice versa. Therefore no positive relationship among the values obtained from qualitative and quantitative methods could be observed. Furthermore qualitative method did not reflect the real ability of the phosphate solubilising bacteria to solubilise insoluble phosphates. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that isolation of efficient phosphate solubilising bacteria through quantitative method could give better results than that of qualitative method.