Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicholas A. Buckley, Mohamed Fahim, Jacques Raubenheimer, Indika B. Gawarammana, Michael Eddleston, Michael S. Roberts, Andrew H. Dawson
Summary: The study found that the case fatality rate of pesticide self-poisoning in rural areas of Sri Lanka is decreasing, mainly due to the banning of certain pesticides. There is also a slight decrease in case fatality rate for non-banned pesticides, indicating improvements in medical management.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. M. C. K. Jayawardana, W. D. T. M. Gunawardana, E. P. N. Udayakumara, S. Fernando
Summary: Monitoring pesticide pollution in aquatic systems is complex and expensive. A biomonitoring approach called SPEAR (Species at Risk, pesticides) was used in two tropical river catchments in Sri Lanka to assess its responsiveness to pesticide effects. The study found that the SPEAR (pesticides) index and family richness of macroinvertebrates responded positively to pesticide toxicity and channel quality. Catchment-scale agricultural activities negatively affected the SPEAR (pesticides) index, while riparian forest cover improved both indices.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Piumee Bandara, Andrew Page, Lalith Senarathna, Judi Kidger, Gene Feder, David Gunnell, Thilini Rajapakse, Duleeka Knipe
Summary: This large case-control study examined the association between domestic violence (DV) and self-poisoning in Sri Lanka. The results showed that exposure to at least one type of DV within the previous 12 months was strongly associated with self-poisoning for both men and women. Women were most strongly associated with physical violence, while emotional abuse showed the highest risk for men. The study also found that 38% of self-poisoning cases in women and 22% in men could be attributed to DV.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Business
Thanya Weerasinghe, Nuwan Gunarathne, Dileepa N. Samudrage
Summary: This study aims to assess the extent of SDG disclosures in annual reports of companies in Sri Lanka and identify the reasons affecting such disclosures. The results show that SDG 9 and SDG 17 are the most disclosed SDGs, but the overall level of disclosure remains low. Interviews suggest that companies primarily use SDG disclosures to enhance their legitimacy rather than actively adjusting their operations to integrate SDGs.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Benjamin Hofmann, Karin Ingold, Christian Stamm, Priska Ammann, Rik I. L. Eggen, Robert Finger, Samuel Fuhrimann, Judit Lienert, Jennifer Mark, Chloe McCallum, Nicole Probst-Hensch, Ueli Reber, Lucius Tamm, Milena Wiget, Mirko S. Winkler, Lucca Zachmann, Sabine Hoffmann
Summary: The article criticizes the calls for more and better research to support sustainability, arguing that these calls are based on an incomplete understanding of scientific evidence use. The authors identify a variety of barriers to the transformative impact of evidence, which arise from diverse actor motivations at different stages of evidence use. They focus on the sustainability challenge of reducing environmental and human health risks of agricultural pesticides, and propose context-specific measures to increase evidence use for sustainable transformation.
Article
Economics
Muhammadu Theseem Musthafa, Thanh Le, Sandy Suardi
Summary: This paper examines the impact of monetary policy shocks on Sri Lanka's economy during and after the ethnic conflict, focusing on the strength of the credit and exchange rate channels. Using a VAR model for the period of 2003-2019, the study finds that monetary policy shocks have a significant and persistent effect on key macroeconomic variables, although some puzzling results emerge. Furthermore, the effects of these shocks are more pronounced and lasting in the post-conflict period, and a tight monetary policy effectively controls inflation during this period. The interest rate and exchange rate channels play a dominant role in the post-conflict period, while the credit channel shows some lagged response.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Mahinda Senevi Gunaratne, R. B. Radin Firdaus, Shamila Indika Rathnasooriya
Summary: This study examines the impact of climate change on global food security and highlights the importance of food sovereignty in addressing these issues, particularly in Sri Lanka. It argues that promoting food sovereignty could be crucial in alleviating the adverse effects of climate change on poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in developing nations.
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sivappirakasam Kamalakkannan, Amila Abeynayaka, Asela K. Kulatunga, Rajeev Kumar Singh, Miwa Tatsuno, Premakumara Jagath Dickella Gamaralalage
Summary: The global demand for plastic is expected to double in the next 20 years, and the increasing demand for Single-Use Plastic Products (SUPPs) has become one of the main environmental problems in many developing countries, including Sri Lanka. This study aims to quantify and compare the environmental impacts of SUPPs in Sri Lanka using life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques, to provide a basis for policy decision making.
Article
Economics
Asanka Wijesinghe, Thilani Kaushalya
Summary: Using the stochastic cost frontier, this study estimated the determinants of cost inefficiency of total caloric and cereal and pulses-based caloric consumption at the household level in Sri Lanka. The results suggest that a high reliance on imported food can help improve cost efficiency for food-poor and urban households.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND POLICY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thanne Walawwe Gedera Fathima Mafaziya Nijamdeen, Hajaniaina A. Ratsimbazafy, Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara, Thenne Walawe Gedhara Fathima Ashara Nijamdeen, Thajudeen Thahira, Sofia Peruzzo, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, Jean Huge
Summary: Understanding the collaboration among stakeholders is important for supporting mangrove management in Sri Lanka. Our study used social network analysis and content analysis to identify the collaboration between stakeholders and their perceptions regarding mangrove co-management. Results showed differences between coastal provinces in mangrove management networks. Inefficient communication, policy inconsistencies, and insufficient funding were identified as challenges to effective mangrove management.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nuwan Gunarathne, Uthpala Sankalpani
Summary: For developing countries, cleaner production is crucial for aligning with sustainable development goals. This study focuses on how cleaner production is diffused in developing countries, using Sri Lanka as a case study. The findings show hierarchical diffusion of cleaner production in Sri Lanka, with supply-side propagators playing a key role in popularizing and advocating for its adoption.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake, U. L. H. P. Perera
Summary: This paper proposes the objective of formulating a national policy and contingency plan to enhance maritime safety in Sri Lanka, given the risk of future maritime environmental disasters based on recent naval accidents. The proposed integrated coastal zone management framework establishes a permanent coordination and management system for environmental assessment and sustainability. The article describes the requirements for coastal zone management, reasons for failures during recent naval accidents, drawbacks of implementing the framework, and ways to overcome these challenges.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Economics
Sanjeev Gupta, Joao Tovar Jalles
Summary: This study empirically assesses the impact of tax reforms on income distribution in developing countries, using a new narrative database of reforms in 45 emerging and low-income countries. The results show that personal income tax reforms and strengthening of revenue administration can lower the Gini coefficient and increase the bottom income share, except in sub-Saharan Africa. To reduce inequality at a faster pace, it is more effective to implement tax reforms during slower economic growth. Furthermore, the impact of tax reforms on inequality is greater in countries with smaller government spending and a simplified tax system.
ECONOMIC MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Business
Eric Evans Osei Opoku, Alex O. Acheampong, Janet Dzator, Nana Kwabena Kufuor
Summary: This study examines the impact of environmental degradation on foreign direct investment (FDI) using comprehensive panel data from 103 developing countries. The results show that while CO2 emissions reduce FDI, other environmental degradation variables stimulate FDI. Furthermore, the effect of environmental degradation on FDI flows varies across income levels and regions.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Development Studies
Kesavarajah Mayandy, Paul Middleditch
Summary: This paper examines the impact of monetary policy on the trade-off between inflation and output variability in Sri Lanka, drawing lessons for early-stage monetary policy in developing economies. It suggests that newly established central banks in developing countries should focus on inflation variability, especially when the impact of demand and supply shocks is less persistent.
REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Social Issues
Simon Michael Taylor, Kalervo N. Gulson, Duncan McDuie-Ra
Summary: This article explores the history of the Mahalanobis Distance Function and its transition from colonial India to contemporary artificial intelligence technologies. The function was initially created to address the issues of caste and ethnic classification in colonial India but has since become a technical standard and racialized technique in machine learning applications.
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY & HUMAN VALUES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Kate M. Chitty, Rachael C. Cvejic, Teresa Heintze, Preeyaporn Srasuebkul, Kirsten Morley, Andrew Dawson, Gregory Carter, Michael Dinh, Nicholas A. Buckley, Julian N. Trollor
Summary: This study investigated the association between problematic alcohol and/or drug use and the incidence of self-harm and suicidal ideation. The results showed that individuals with problematic alcohol use and drug use were more likely to have subsequent episodes of self-harm and suicidal ideation within a year. Problematic alcohol users were also more likely to be assigned to the most urgent triage categories.
CRISIS-THE JOURNAL OF CRISIS INTERVENTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Eileen Deuster, John A. Tomenson, Fahim Mohamed, Indika Gawarammana, Nicholas A. Buckley, Martin F. Wilks, Michael Eddleston
Summary: This study validated the relationship between reported dose and blood paraquat concentration, and investigated whether vomiting occurred within 30 minutes and its association with outcomes in patients with paraquat poisoning. The results showed a linear trend between reported dose and plasma paraquat concentration. Vomiting within 30 minutes was associated with a higher risk of death and larger paraquat ingestions. Overall, there was no evidence of benefit resulting from the use of emetics in the current production standard for paraquat SL formulation.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jonathan Brett, Malcolm B. Gillies, Nicholas A. Buckley, Sallie-Anne Pearson, Helga Zoega
Summary: This study uses data from the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre, and coronial records to examine trends in antipsychotic use and harms in Australia. The results indicate increasing use and associated poisonings for quetiapine and olanzapine. The study also identifies different patterns of antipsychotic use among the population.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Angela L. L. Chiew, Geoffrey K. K. Isbister, Paul Stathakis, Katherine Z. Z. Isoardi, Colin Page, Kirsty Ress, Betty S. H. Chan, Nicholas A. A. Buckley
Summary: The concentrations of APAP metabolites can predict the onset of hepatotoxicity in patients with acute APAP poisoning. Patients who developed hepatotoxicity had higher concentrations of CYP pathway metabolites and lower concentrations of sulfation metabolites. APAP metabolites may have potential roles in identifying and treating patients with APAP poisoning.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Andrea L. Schaffer, Natasa Gisev, Fiona M. Blyth, Nicholas A. Buckley, David Currow, Timothy A. Dobbins, Andrew Wilson, Louisa Degenhardt, Sallie-Anne Pearson
Summary: We analyzed opioid prescribing patterns among medical practitioners in New South Wales, Australia from 2013 to 2018. Our findings revealed substantial variations in opioid prescribing, which were clustered into four general patterns. Some prescribing patterns were concerning and may potentially harm patients. These findings provide insights for targeted interventions to address potentially harmful practices.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Varan Perananthan, Thilini Wijerathna, Fahim Mohamed, Indika Bandara Gawarammana, Andrew Dawson, Nicholas A. Buckley
Summary: This study evaluated the increase in plasma intestinal fatty acid binding protein concentration after ingestion of various poisons, providing a foundation for further exploration of enterocyte damage in toxicology.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annabelle S. Chidiac, Nicholas A. Buckley, Firouzeh Noghrehchi, Rose Cairns
Summary: Paracetamol overdose is a common and potentially life-threatening condition, with hepatotoxicity being the major concern. This review provides a comprehensive summary of paracetamol overdose, including its mechanisms, risk factors, and treatment. The epidemiology of paracetamol overdose worldwide is also discussed.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG METABOLISM & TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Lisa Schoelin, K. S. Kylie Lee, Leslie London, Melissa Pearson, Fredrick Otieno, Manjula Weerasinghe, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston, Jane Brandt Sorensen
Summary: This article investigates the role of alcohol in pesticide self-harm and suicide. The study finds that alcohol plays an important role in pesticide self-harm and suicide, but there is limited research in this area.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Psychiatry
Lisa Scholin, K. S. Kylie Lee, Leslie London, Melissa Pearson, Fredrick Otieno, Manjula Weerasinghe, Flemming Konradsen, Michael Eddleston, Jane Brandt Sorensen
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Juliana de Oliveira Costa, Jialing Lin, Sallie-Anne Pearson, Nicholas A. Buckley, Andrea L. Schaffer, Michael O. Falster
Summary: This study in Australia examined persistence and adherence to cardiovascular medications. Findings showed that many people discontinued treatment within 90 days, with half discontinuing within the first year. Although many achieved high adherence within the first year, adherence rates were even higher when measured from first to last dispensing. Persistence was low at 3 years. Age and cardiovascular multimedicine use were factors associated with higher persistence and adherence.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
May C. van Schalkwyk, Jeff Collin, Michael Eddleston, Mark Petticrew, Melissa Pearson, Lisa Scholin, Nason Maani, Flemming Konradsen, David Gunnell, Duleeka Knipe
Summary: Suicide is preventable, but effective strategies are lacking in many settings. The influence of commercial actors on suicide prevention has been overlooked. Shifting focus to the underlying causes and understanding the impact of commercial determinants on suicide can bring transformative potential. A proposed framework aims to guide research and address the inequitable distribution of commercial determinants of suicide.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jane Brandt Sorensen, K. S. Kylie Lee, Andrew Dawson, Angela Dawson, Lalith Senarathna, P. H. G. Janaka Pushpakumara, Thilini Rajapakse, Flemming Konradsen, Nick Glozier, Katherine M. Conigrave, Prabash Siriwardhana, David Hansen, Alexandra Buhl, Chamill Priyadhasana, Kamal Senawirathna, Malith Herath, Sudesh Mantillake, Priyantha Fonseka, Melissa Pearson
Summary: Risky alcohol use is a major global and Sri Lankan public health concern. This study introduces a complex community-based intervention utilizing arts-based research to reduce alcohol consumption and evaluates its scalability. The intervention design incorporates behavior change theories and targets individuals and communities through multifaceted arts-based interventions. Modifications were made to the study due to COVID-19 and the financial crisis, with ethical approval obtained. Findings will be disseminated through various channels.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2023)
Article
Cultural Studies
Duncan McDuie-Ra
Summary: This article explores two contrasting post-Soviet memoryscapes, Bishkek and Sukhumi, through skate videos, and makes three arguments about them. Firstly, skaters see these memoryscapes as ludic spaces rather than contested public memories. Secondly, these memoryscapes are part of the global circulation of skate culture, detached from their intended meanings. Thirdly, the friction between ludic approaches and the power of memory unravels the singular focus on spots, even for skaters with limited knowledge of the context.
Article
Cultural Studies
Duncan McDuie-Ra
Summary: This article explores the central role of China's cities in skateboarding videos, which have become the most popular form of capturing, circulating, and consuming skateboarding. China's urban growth has resulted in a plethora of skate spots, defined as assemblages of objects and surfaces that allow for skateboarding maneuvers. Skateboarding videos serve as a visual archive of skate culture, which has transformed from a quintessential Californian pastime to a global subculture and industry. By examining skate videos, the author argues that China's cities are imbued with a mythical character due to the abundant and rapidly produced skate spots. These videos also offer a unique and widely shared urban knowledge, reshaping the perception of China's cities. The search for spots in China's urban landscapes reflects urban development priorities, privileging the recent and disregarding the past. Moreover, skateboarding in China's cities creates spaces for inter-cultural encounters between skateboarders, authorities, the public, and other skateboarders. The article concludes by discussing the significance of skate videos as alternative visual archives of urban China for foreign audiences and local skate communities.