DSpace Community:http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/1772026-05-04T20:28:01Z2026-05-04T20:28:01ZPreliminarieshttp://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/79202026-04-23T13:24:45Z2025-10-30T00:00:00ZTitle: Preliminaries2025-10-30T00:00:00ZAssessing urban heat island dynamics in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka using landsat-8/9 and GIS (2019–2025)Fernando, U. S. D.Zainudeen, U. L.http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/79192026-04-23T13:21:06Z2025-10-30T00:00:00ZTitle: Assessing urban heat island dynamics in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka using landsat-8/9 and GIS (2019–2025)
Authors: Fernando, U. S. D.; Zainudeen, U. L.
Abstract: This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in
the Southeastern region of Sri Lanka, from 2019 to 2025, utilizing Landsat-8/9 satellite
imagery and ArcGIS Pro analysis. Despite minimal land use changes, results indicate a
significant rise in Land Surface Temperature (LST) from 36.31 °C in 2019 to 37.54 °C in
2025, with Urban Heat Island Intensity (UHII) increasing from 0.009172 to 0.01159.
Supervised classification revealed a decline in vegetation cover (NDVI from +0.81 to -0.13)
and an increase in urban (9% to 16%) and bare land (2% to 15%) areas, correlating with
elevated LST and UHII, particularly during dry seasons. Albedo measurements using a lux
meter showed low reflectivity (0.055-0.278) for urban surfaces like roads and concrete,
enhancing heat retention, while paddy fields (0.07-0.11) contributed to temperature rises
under reduced moisture. It indicates Sammanthurai has low albedo surface and it causes to
rice temperature of the area. Weather data from 2024 highlighted a peak temperature of 38.7
°C, with a weak positive correlation (slope 0.02) between solar radiation (224.64 W/m²) and
temperature, exacerbating UHI effects. Comparative analysis with Kitulgala’s wetter,
forested region (207.065 W/m², 24-31 °C) underscores the role of vegetation and climate in
mitigating heat. The study, achieving 91% classification accuracy (Kappa 0.88541),
emphasizes climatic factors and land management as key drivers of UHI in semi-rural,
agrarian landscapes.2025-10-30T00:00:00ZA custom Python script for automated tracking of locomotor activity in amphibian larvaeRajapaksha, H. T. D.Dissanayake, B. M.Wickramasinghec, W. A. G. K.Pathirana, N. U. K.http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/79182026-04-23T13:17:57Z2025-10-30T00:00:00ZTitle: A custom Python script for automated tracking of locomotor activity in amphibian larvae
Authors: Rajapaksha, H. T. D.; Dissanayake, B. M.; Wickramasinghec, W. A. G. K.; Pathirana, N. U. K.
Abstract: Automated behavioural tracking tools are increasingly valuable for reducing observer bias,
improving reproducibility, and enabling high-throughput data collection in animal behaviour
research. Recent developments in open-source and customizable tracking platforms have
enhanced accessibility and analytical efficiency across species, while modern programming
tools like R and Python enable affordable and precise behavioural quantification, particularly
valuable for research in resource-limited settings. Existing commercial and open-source
packages provide useful frameworks, yet they are often constrained by limited flexibility,
high costs, or inadequate adaptability to species-specific behaviours, particularly in non-
model organisms such as amphibian larvae. To address this gap, we developed a custom
Python-based tracking script capable of quantifying locomotor activity from standard video
recordings The tool automates the detection and tracking of individual larvae, extracting
continuous X–Y positional data and generating visual outputs such as trajectory plots and
heat maps to represent spatial activity patterns. Output files are produced in Excel-
compatible format, allowing seamless integration with statistical workflows. Behavioral
trials were conducted to evaluate both short-term repeatability and developmental
consistency of locomotor traits in tadpoles, demonstrating the script’s ability to capture fine-
scale variation in activity levels over time. Preliminary validation against manual scoring
confirmed high accuracy and reliability, highlighting its potential as a robust alternative to
observer-based measurements. Importantly, the script’s open and adaptable structure allows
researchers to modify tracking parameters according to study needs, extending its
applicability beyond amphibians to other small aquatic organisms. This custom tool
therefore offers a flexible, low-cost, and reproducible approach for behavioural ecologists
and conservation biologists investigating movement and activity in larval stages. By
facilitating detailed and standardized quantification of locomotion, it contributes to
advancing questions in developmental biology, personality research, and ecological
assessments of amphibian populations—areas of growing significance in light of global
amphibian declines.2025-10-30T00:00:00ZSolid state double-layer capacitor with efficient natural graphite and coconut shell charcoal composite electrodesAfrija, M. M. F.Zainudeen, U. L.Najitha, A. R.http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/handle/123456789/79172026-04-23T13:13:40Z2025-10-30T00:00:00ZTitle: Solid state double-layer capacitor with efficient natural graphite and coconut shell charcoal composite electrodes
Authors: Afrija, M. M. F.; Zainudeen, U. L.; Najitha, A. R.
Abstract: The growing demand for electronic devices has significantly increased the need for efficient
and sustainable power sources. Supercapacitors, including electrochemical double layer
capacitors (EDLCs) and pseudocapacitors, have gained more attention due to their high
power density, longer lifespan, and energy densities surpassing conventional capacitors.
EDLCs are widely used in backup power systems owing to their durability and rapid charge-
discharge capabilities. Various carbon-based materials are commonly employed as
electrodes in EDLC fabrication. This study focuses on the development of an EDLC utilizing
a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) composed of polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene
(PVdF-HFP), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), and zinc acetate [Zn
(CH3COO)2]. The GPE was synthesized via solvent casting, while electrodes were
fabricated using a composite of coconut shell charcoal powder, natural graphite, and PVdF
binder. Optimization of the electrode composition was achieved by varying the ratios of
coconut shell charcoal and natural graphite, aiming to maximize specific capacitance. The
optimal electrode composition was found to be 10 wt. % PVdF, 40 wt. % of natural graphite,
and 50 wt. % of coconut shell charcoal. The optimized EDLC exhibited a highest single
electrode specific capacitance of 1.82 μF/g[at the scan rate of 0.1v/s], determined through
equivalent circuit analysis using NOVA 1.11 software. Electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and charge-discharge testing were conducted
to evaluate the performance of the EDLC, while EIS and DC polarization tests assessed the
ionic conductivity of the GPE. The temperature-dependent conductivity variation confirmed
that the GPE functions as a purely ionic conductor. This research contributes to the
development of sustainable, cost-effective energy storage devices by utilizing natural and
renewable carbon materials, supporting advances in eco-friendly supercapacitor
technologies.2025-10-30T00:00:00Z