Exploring the Interaction between Physical, Psychosocial, and Neck Pain Symptoms in Construction Workers.

Objective: Construction workers are significantly vulnerable to musculoskeletal disorders, yet the number of studies conducted in developing nations-where these workers significantly contribute to the economy-remains insufficient. This study aims at exploring the interaction between physical and psychosocial exposure to the onset of neck pain or symptoms amongst construction workers in a developing country.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 235 respondents from various construction projects participated in this study.

Pulmonary haemorrhage as a frequent cause of death among patients with severe complicated Leptospirosis in Southern Sri Lanka.

Background: Leptospirosis is a tropical disease associated with life threatening complications. Identifying clinical and investigation-based parameters that predict mortality and morbidity is vital to provide optimal supportive care.

Methods: We conducted an observational study in an endemic setting, in the southern Sri Lanka.

Quantitative prediction of toxin-producing Aphanizomenon cyanobacteria in freshwaters using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.

This study aimed to develop an empirical model to predict the spatial distribution of Aphanizomenon using the Ridiyagama reservoir in Sri Lanka with a dual-model strategy. In December 2020, a bloom was detected with a high density of Aphanizomenon and chlorophyll-a concentration. We generated a set of algorithms using in situ chlorophyll-a data with surface reflectance of Sentinel-2 bands on the same day using linear regression analysis.

Application of antibiotic-derived fluorescent probes to bacterial studies.

Fluorescent probes are extensively applied as useful tools for imaging and determining dynamic processes in bacterial cells. In particular, antibiotic-derived fluorescent probes which can visualize the presence or the localization of antibiotics within bacteria through the monitoring of changes in fluorescence signal, are particularly useful. They form an emerging set of tools for studying the mode of action of their parent antibiotics and examining bacterial resistance and persistence, with the long-term goal of developing fresh approaches to the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Flow-cytometry detection of fluorescent magnetic nanoparticle clusters increases sensitivity of dengue immunoassay.

We report a flow-cytometry based method capable of detecting a range of analytes by monitoring the analyte-induced clustering of magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles with flow cytometry. Using the dengue viral antigen (NS1) as an example, antibodies were conjugated to magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles in a sandwich immunoassay format. These nanoparticles formed clusters when NS1 was present in a sample and the cluster formation was directly proportional to the concentration of antigen.

Assessing the performance of a riparian vegetation model in a river with a low slope and fine sediment.

Riparian ecosystems are threatened worldwide, necessitating conservation strategies. Numerical models tailored for specific geographic areas have been developed as management support tools. However, few models are suitable for multiple river conditions, and developing these models or evaluating their suitability has become an emerging topic.

THE INFLUENCE OF LATERALITY ON DIFFERENT PATTERNS OF ASYMMETRICAL FOOT PRESSURE AND MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING A GAIT CYCLE IN MANUAL PUSHING.

This study investigated laterality of manual pushing during a gait cycle by measuring pushing force, muscular activation and foot pressure. Subjects were 17 healthy young adult males; (11 right-handed [RH], and 6 left-handed [LH]). They pushed a force plate while walking on a treadmill at 1.

THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TRUNK INCLINATIONS ON BILATERAL TRUNK MUSCULAR ACTIVITIES, CENTRE OF PRESSURE AND FORCE EXERTIONS IN STATIC PUSHING POSTURES.

In order to reconcile contradictory results from previous studies on manual pushing, a study was conducted to examine the effect of trunk inclination on muscular activities, centre of pressure (COP) and force exertion during static pushing. Ten subjects pushed at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees body inclinations in parallel and staggered feet stances. Wall and ground force plates measured pushing force, wall COP, vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and ground COP.

Evaluation of direct versus multi-layer passivation and capture chemistries for nanoparticle-based biosensor applications.

Nanoparticles used in biosensor applications often fail when deployed directly in complex biological fluids. This is due to surface fouling and interference from the large concentration of non-specific binders (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and saccharides) in the matrix. We systematically investigate four orthogonal approaches for decorating nanoparticle surfaces with affinity probes and evaluate their performance in buffer and serum.