The Effect of Web Reinforcement on the Shear Capacity of Brick Aggregate Concrete Beams

Shear capacity of reinforced brick aggregate concrete beams without any web reinforcement and with varying ratio of web reinforcement was studied in this investigation. Deflections of beams and cracks during the progress of loading were recorded. Brick aggregate concrete beams with web reinforcement and two layers of tensile reinforcement were found to have increased cracking shear stress by a considerable amount. Equations for cracking and ultimate shear stresses were suggested within the scope of this study. The experimental values of ultimate shear strength of beams were compared with the values obtained by equations proposed by ACI and other researchers. The equations proposed herein were found to represent the test results better than those of other researchers while remaining on the conservative side. It is hoped that the equations developed herein will provide a rational and basic point of departure from the prevailing concept and will help towards the formulation of a suitable code to provide web reinforcement for brick aggregate concrete beams

Identification, GC-MS analysis and antibacterial activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Trigonella foenum-graecum leaf

The present study was designed to identify the endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum (local name: Fenugreek or Methi) from Bangladesh, followed by a GC-MS analysis of fungal culture filtrates to explore major components present in the ethyl acetate extract and finally to assess their putative antibacterial activity. Two pure fungal extracts, entitled TFLE-1 and TFLE-2 were isolated from the leaf of T. foenum-graecum followed by extraction with ethyl acetate. The fungal strains, TFLE-1 and TFLE-2 were identified as Fusarium lichenicola and Trichoderma euskadiense respectively as per microscopic and molecular identification. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of a total of 47 bioactive compounds among which 2-((4-methylpentan-2-yloxy)carbonyl)benzoic acid (15.33%), pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl) (12.42%), benzeneethanamine, 4-benzyloxy-2-fluoro-beta-hydroxy-5-methoxy (3.45%) for TFLE-1 and pentatriacontane (8.61%), diethyl trisulfide (2.90%) and benzene,3-heptynyl (2.78%) for TFLE-2 were the major ones. On antibacterial activity, by disc-diffusion method, the fungal strain T. euskadiense (code: TFLE-2) showed prominent antibacterial activity against both gram (+) and gram (-) multiple-resistant bacteria while compared to the standard drug kanamycin; values were found statistically significant (p?0.05). The findings of the study indicated presence of potentially bioactive endophytic fungal extracts obtained from the leaves of T. foenum-graecum cultivated in Bangladesh

Genetic diversity analysis of some Bangladeshi aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) using simple sequence repeat markers (SSRM)

In order to germplasm management, conservation, parental identification and proper utilization of aromatic rice germplasm of Bangladesh genetic diversity assessment and molecular characterization is necessary. We used ten microsatellite markers across twenty aromatic rice landraces along with four improved varieties to discriminate and characterize among them. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with an average of 4.30 alleles across 10 loci. A total of 43 polymorphic alleles were detected. The values of Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.217 to 0.835 (average 0.495) which indicate high genetic diversity among the studied aromatic rice genotypes. It was concluded by the PIC value of RM5339 that it might be the finest marker for diversity estimation and characterize of these aromatic rice genotypes, followed by RM334, RM414 and RM28502 markers. The UPGMA cluster dendrogram constructed in this study identified seven clusters with a correlation coefficient 0.874. Molecular characterization of aromatic rice landraces of Bangladesh exhibited large variations among the genotypes. Five rice genotypes namely BRRI dhan38, BRRI dhan50, Bashmoti safed, Malaysira, Khas-kani showed highest genetic dissimilarity among the studied rice genotypes. The findings of this study would be useful for background selection in backcross breeding programs for aromatic rice improvement as well as identification of genetically distant and genetically close accessions for maintenance and conservation

Valorization of food waste into hydrogen energy through supercritical water gasification: Generation potential and techno-econo-environmental feasibility assessment

Food waste (FW) is a significant portion of the solid waste produced by cities, and it has become a global problem due to the poor management of food distribution and consumption. The improper disposal of FW in landfills precipitates pervasive global environmental predicamentsHowever, effective management strategies have the potential to convert this large amount of garbage into a very effective renewable energy source, particularly through the generation of environmentally friendly hydrogen. This study examines the capacity for energy generation and the practicality of hydrogen production in Bangladesh using supercritical water gasification technology. The findings indicate that approximately 489 MW of electricity can be extracted from approximately 23 million tons (Mt) of FW in 2023, with a projected escalation to around 2042 MW by 2042, coinciding with an anticipated surge in FW generation to approximately 110 Mt. Moreover, the study delves into the economic feasibility of these gasification endeavors, employing diverse metrics encompassing total life cycle cost, net present value, investment payback duration, levelized cost of energy, and internal rate of return. Technoeconomic analyses divulge an investment with a net present value of 11,669.4 M$M$, an 11-year payback period, and an internal rate of return of 14 %. In addition, the research assesses the technological, economic, and environmental viability inherent in the establishment of gasification-based electricity-generating facilities in Bangladesh\u27s preeminent eight cities by 2023. This examination postulates that a transition from coal-based power plants to those powered by food waste would precipitate an annual reduction of 3.59 Mt in carbon dioxide emissions

Introduction of Medical Imaging Modalities

The diagnosis and treatment of various diseases had been expedited with the help of medical imaging. Different medical imaging modalities, including X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Imaging, Ultrasound, Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), and Emerging Technologies for in vivo imaging modalities is presented in this chapter, in addition to these modalities, some advanced techniques such as contrast-enhanced MRI, MR approaches for osteoarthritis, Cardiovascular Imaging, and Medical Imaging data mining and search. Despite its important role and potential effectiveness as a diagnostic tool, reading and interpreting medical images by radiologists is often tedious and difficult due to the large heterogeneity of diseases and the limitation of image quality or resolution. Besides the introduction and discussion of the basic principles, typical clinical applications, advantages, and limitations of each modality used in current clinical practice, this chapter also highlights the importance of emerging technologies in medical imaging and the role of data mining and search aiming to support translational clinical research, improve patient care, and increase the efficiency of the healthcare system.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, 1 table; Acceptance of the chapter for the Springer book "Data-driven approaches to medical imaging

Effect of Milk and Hydro-priming on Seed Germination Characteristics of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

To meet the demand for an appropriate soaking duration and priming type, there is a need to embrace cheap, fast, natural, accessible, and adaptable physiological techniques as soaking of seeds in water and fresh cow milk. Fresh cow milk contains hormones that relieve seeds from photo, thermo, physiological and mechanical dormancy. In light of this, this study was conducted to assess the effect of hydration and fresh cow milk on different seed quality attributes like germination percentage, mean germination time, the uncertainty of germination process, and synchrony of germination process of bitter gourd seeds. The study involved two factors namely hydropriming and different concentrations of fresh cow milk (viz. 60%, 80% and 100%), and the other factor was seed soaking duration with 4 levels (i. e., 0, 12, 18 and 24 hours). The experiment was conducted in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replicates. Results revealed that the percentage germination value of seeds soaked in all concentrations of fresh cow milk was better than hydropriming. A significant germination percentage value of 96% and 93% were recorded for seeds treated for 18 hours in 80% and 100% concentrations of fresh cow milk respectively. Maximum uncertainty of the germination process and minimum synchrony of germination the process was recorded in untreated seed

Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis of Wall-Beam Structures

This thesis is submitted to the Department of Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, May 1997.Cataloged from PDF Version of Thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 248-257).The composite action between masonry wall and its supporting beam concentrates the vertical loading applied on the top of wall close to the beam supports. This produces bending moments much less than would be expected when the full load is acting directly on the beam. The study of this composite action is of economic importance since if the concept is utilised, a rational design of the beam will be achieved. This thesis presents a comprehensive material model and its incorporation into non-linear finite element computer model for the analysis of wall-beam structures made with brickwork of solid brick subjected to uniformly distributed load. The program is incremental in nature and capable of reproducing the non-linear behaviour caused by material non-linearity and progressive local cracking and crushing. The program is thus capable of modelling the behaviour of wall-beam structures subjected to non-linear load from first crack to final failure. The material model used in this program is derived from tests on representative samples of brick, mortar and small samples of brickwork. In the finite element model brick, mortar, concrete and steel are treated as separate materials along with the simulation of actual directional effects of mortar joints. A series of failure criteria have been adopted to model the different modes of failure experienced in the constituent materials. Due to the crack sensitive nature of the problem, particular emphasis has been given to the modelling of cracking and the post-cracking behaviour of the materials, especially the manner in which the local stresses in the fractured region are redistributed. The results of finite element model have been verified by comparison with experiments on brick masonry wall-beam structures subjected to uniformly distributed load applied at the top and extending over the full length and thickness of the wall. Comparison with published literature reveals that the present method can provide a more comprehensive prediction of behaviour of the wall-beam structure up to failure load. Sensitivity analyses of the various parameters defining the material model and the boundary conditions have been canied out. With the important parameters thus obtained, the finite element model has been used to carry out a comprehensive parametric study of the behaviour of storey height wall-beams subjected to uniformly distributed load. Based on the findings of this study, design recommendations have been proposed. As the computer program developed can handle general cases with arbitrary geometry, loading and boundary conditions, recommendations for investigations of various other wall-beam structures have been made.Dr. Md. Monjur HossainDoctor of Philosoph

Meaning of New Means

This paper aims to explore the economic impact of mobile banking on rural Bangladesh. It also tries to detect the rural people’s perception about this new financial phenomenon. To meet the goals this study involves both quantitative and qualitative investigation. To get the quantitative data a survey was conducted by a set questionnaire where 300 people from three villages participated. In the qualitative part, semi-structured in-depth interviews of 60 mobile bank users were conducted. Applying grounded theory and hermeneutics approaches, this study finds that since the service of mobile banking is easy and fast, rural people adopted it quickly and it affects positively in the socio-economic development in rural Bangladesh. Its impact on employment creation, business, savings behavior, remittance, expenditure, and agriculture is found good. However, it is also found that the mobile banking services are helping the criminals to do illegal economic activities such as forgery.</p

In Vitro Evaluation of Different Approaches and Dissolution Enhancement Technique of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen Solid Dispersion (SD) was prepared by simple Physical Mixing (PM) and Kneading Method (KM). In these two cases, four polymers named poloxamer 407, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, croscarmellose sodium and pregelatinized starch were used to enhance the dissolution profile of Ibuprofen. In both methods, the ratio of drug and carrier were 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 of which the ratio of 1:3 in KM gave comparatively better result than PM method. In vitro dissolution study was performed in distilled water in 50 rpm and at 37 ± 0.5°C. In case of pure Ibuprofen, dissolution rate was only 26% after 60 minutes (mins) of dissolution. While in KM, Ibuprofen pregelatinized starch formulation at 1:3 ratio showed better dissolution rate. After 60 mins, dissolution rate of Ibuprofen was 72%. The SD formulations of Ibuprofen-pregelatinized starch and Ibuprofen-Na-CMC of physical mixing and kneading techniques (1:3 ratio) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).&#x0D; Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 64(2): 169-175, 2016 (July)</jats:p