Temperature Dependence of a Sub-wavelength Compact Graphene Plasmon-Slot Modulator

We investigate a plasmonic electro-optic modulator with an extinction ratio exceeding 1 dB/um by engineering the optical mode to be in-plane with the graphene layer, and show how lowering the operating temperature enables steeper switching. We show how cooling Graphene enables steeping thus improving dynamic energy consumption. Further, we show that multi-layer Graphene integrated with a plasmonic slot waveguide allows for in-plane electric field components, and 3-dB device lengths as short as several hundred nanometers only. Compact modulators approaching electronic length-scales pave a way for ultra-dense photonic integrated circuits with smallest footprint

Challenges in prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the Sudan

No Abstract

Evaluation of growth and production of the threatened giant river catfish, Sperata seenghala (Sykes) in polyculture with indigenous major carps

The giant river catfish locally named guizza, Sperata seenghala has significant cultural and economic importance but the fish is now considered as critically endangered due to environmental and manmade interventions in aquatic ecosystem. In order to conserve and rehabilitate this species, an experiment on polyculture of guizza with indigenous major carps was conducted in earthen ponds. Three treatments differing in species ratios and combinations of fish were employed with two replicates each. Treatment-1 (T1) was stocked with catla (Catla catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), treatment-2 (T2) with catla, rohu and guizza (S. seenghala), while treatment-3 (T3) with catla, rohu, mrigal and guizza. Guizza of T2 was introduced instead of mrigal in T1 and 50% of mrigal was replaced with guizza in T3. The stocking density of fish fingerlings in all the treatments was 7500 individual/ha. Fishes in the experimental ponds were fed with supplementary diet comprising of rice bran (50%), mustard oil cake (30%), fish meal (19%) and vitamin-mineral premix (1%). Physicochemical parameters and plankton populations were within the appropriate levels for aquaculture. Mean growth and survival of catla and rohu were significantly higher in T2 than in T3 and T1. Guizza in T2 showed higher performances than in T3, while those for mrigal were higher in T3 than T1 (p < 0.05). The total gross and net productions of fishes were higher in T3 than in T2 and T1 (p < 0.05). This trial is a successful attempt to culture the threatened guizza with major carps in earthen ponds, the findings of which would immensely be helpful towards the development of aquaculture and conservation of this important fish in captive condition.Key words: Riverine catfish, Sperata seenghala, polyculture, earthen ponds

Diagnostic value of delayed washout rate of contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography in adrenal incidentalomas

Introduction: Most adrenal incidentalomas are benign non-hyperfunctioning adenomas which can be categorized as lipid-rich or lipid-poor. An adrenal CT post-contrast delayed washout study may differentiate adenomas from other adrenal neoplasms.Aim of the work: To evaluate the role of MDCT in detecting adrenal incidentalomas with assessment of the diagnostic value of 15-min delayed washout rate in the differentiation of these incidentally detected adrenal lesions.Materials and methods: Sixty-four patients with adrenal incidentaloma were enrolled in this study that was carried out in the period from January 2010 to January 2013. The mean attenuation values of adrenal masses were measured in the pre-contrast, post-contrast venous and delayed enhanced phases in addition to estimation of 15-min delayed washout rate. The relative percentage washout (RPW) and absolute percentage washout (APW) values were calculated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of different MDCT phases at optimal cut-off values for diagnosis of adrenal incidentalomas.Results: The detected incidentalomas included 46 adenomas and 18 non-adenomas. The accuracy of the RPW at a washout threshold of P40% was 98.9%, and the accuracy of APW at a washout threshold of P60% was 99%. Conclusion: The 15-min delayed washout MDCT could be a valuable diagnostic tool in adrenal incidentalomas. At APW P60% and RPW P40%, it is significantly accurate in differentiating adrenal adenomatous lesions.KEYWORDS Washout; Multi-detector computed tomography; Adrenal incidentaloma

Relationship between Anthropometric Indices and Dyslipidemia among Sudanese Women in Khartoum State

Background: Several studies were undertaken in both developed and developing countries to investigate the relationship between lipid abnormalities and anthropometric indices. In Sudan, however, no data are available, particularly among Sudanese women.Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between dyslipidemia and anthropometric indices among a group of Sudanese women living in Khartoum state.Methods: A total sample of two hundred and four women aged 25 to 69 years old participated in this study. Anthropometric measures and blood chemistries were obtained. The relationship between obesity indices and lipid profile were investigated.Results: Body Mass Index (BMI) was strongly correlated with cholesterol (TC) (R=.434 P=.000), low-density lipoprotein (R=.423, P=.000), triglycerides (R=.258, P=.000), TC: HDL (R=.455, P=.000) and high-density lipoprotein (R=-.383, P=.000). Regarding the relationship between central obesity and lipid profile, significant correlation was detected between waist circumference and total cholesterol. Waist to height ratio was also significantly correlated with total cholesterol, lowdensitylipoprotein, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and TC: HDL, while no correlation was detected between waist to hip ratio, height and lipid profile.BMI was the strongest predictor and important indicator of dyslipidemia among Sudanese women even after inclusion of all the variables in the study. Regarding age, except for triglycerides age was strongly associated with dyslipidemia among Sudanese women (p <0.05).Conclusions: The study concluded that anthropometric measurement (BMI, WC, WHtR) were strongly correlated with dyslipidemia among Sudanese women, while no correlation was found between WHpR and lipid abnormalities

Feasibility study of cassava meal in broiler diets by partial replacing energy source (corn) in regard to gross response and carcass traits

Day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were used to investigate the growth responses and meat yield traits by nourishing them under four dietary treatment group in inclusion of cassava meal with partial substitution of valuable energy source (maize or corn). A total of 260 birds were assigned randomly into four dietary treatments [T1 (0%); T2 (10%); T3 (20%), and T4 (30%)]; each replicated 5 times, 13 birds/replicate in a completely randomized design. Birds were reared with ad libitum feeding, similar housing, and environmental management condition from d1-35 days. Growth responses of broilers in terms of feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability and meat yield traits were assessed in this study. Except for first week, the feed intake of birds on cassava treated diets up to 21 and 35 days was significantly (p<0.001) higher than the non-cassava or control diet (T1). Feed intake of broilers on cassava treated diet (T4 ) had the highest (2795.8 g/b) while the birds of control (T1) diet group consumed the lowest feed (2771.9 g/b) at 35 day. Live weight decreased (p<0.001) with the inclusion of cassava meal diets up to 21 day only; and live weights up to 7 and 35 days were identical between treatment. FCR up to 21 day was improved (p<0.001) on control diet (T1) and deteriorated on cassava treated diets. FCR values up to 7 and 35 days were unaffected by all the treatment groups. Neither the livability nor the meat yield traits (thigh, breast, drumstick, shank, neck, giblet, wing and dressing yield) of broiler chickens was influenced by the dietary treatments regardless of feeding broiler chickens with cassava or non-cassava diets in this study. It may be deduced based on the present findings that, cassava tuber meal might be a potential ingredient to replace the costly maize up to 300 g kg-1 without affecting growth performance of the broiler chickens. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v3i2.17846 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 3 (2): 59-65, December, 201

Role of Environmental Sustainability, Psychological and Managerial Supports for Determining Bankers Green Banking Usage Behavior: An Integrated Framework '

PURPOSE: Green banking, an ethical banking concept, concentrates on environmental protection and encourages social and environmental sustainability, perceived cognitive efforts, and subjective norms ensuring ecologically responsive banking services. Consequently, although there have been considerable green banking attempts in Bangladesh, it is yet unknown how environmental sustainability, perceived cognitive effort, and subjective norms affect usage behavior. The present research aims to uncover this gap, extending the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to examine the determinants of the bankers’ green banking usage behavior during COVID-19. METHODS: Data were collected from 366 bankers in Bangladesh using a purposive sampling technique and analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM) using SMART PLS 3 software. FINDINGS: The study found management support (0.291, t-statistics = 1.978, p 0.000), environmental sustainability (β = 0.278, t-statistics = 2.752, p < 0.001), perceived cognitive efforts (β = 0.401, t-statistics = 3.549, p < 0.000), and subjective norms (β = 0.309, t-statistics = 4.352, p < 0.000) influence bankers’ attitudes. Whereas environmental sustainability (β = 0.503, t-statistics = 3.726, p < 0.001), perceived cognitive efforts (β = 0.103, t-statistics = 2.020, p < 0.002), subjective norms (β = 0.281, t-statistics = 4.607, p < 0.000), and attitudes (= 0.602, t-statistics = 5.523, p 0.015) influence bankers’ green banking usage behavior. Finally, the mediating role of management supports, environmental sustainability, cognitive efforts and subjective norms on green banking usage behavior through attitudes was significant. CONTRIBUTION/CONCLUSION: The study contributed to existing literature validating the proposed holistic framework applying TRA and three contemporary dimensions explaining bankers’ behavior toward green banking practice. Finally, the implementers should focus on green banking practices as green banking is one of the key strategies to protect the environment, assure social justice, and create economic success