Adaptive corrosion protection system for smart-grid applications

Being one of the popular methods over decades, the utilization of the cathodic protection system is proven to be cost-effective in some cases but demands constant observation and monitoring of the corrosion status. Therefore, adaptive corrosion protection system (ACPS) performs better since It always monitors the corrosion status at user-defined intervals and the ACPS adapts the changes of the target metal structure to provide protection against corrosion. In this project, my role is to understand the theoretical concept and a practical case study of the protection system behaviour including the analysis and improvement of the experimental performances. The project works are evolved around three different sections of the ACPS which are firmware, interface and hardware. The optimum goal is to validate the protection system to be more robust, energy efficient and compatible for any kind of future integration

Genetic variability, correlation and path co-efficients analyses of selected maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes

Twenty-five maize genotypes were evaluated at the experimental farm of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, during November 2016 to April 2017 to study the genetic variability, correlations, path co-efficient analysis for yield contributing characters. Analysis of variance for sixteen yield contributing and qualitative traits showed highly significant variations among the genotypes. Genetic analysis of the yield contributing traits showed higher phenotypic co-efficient of variation than genotypic co-efficient of variation indicating more environmental influence on the studied traits. Traits under study showed moderate to high heritability. Days to anthesis showed negative significant association with grain yield. Days to maturity exhibited highest correlation (r = 0.989) with grain yield followed by shoot lodging. Path co-efficient analysis exhibited that the husk girth had a maximum positive direct effect on grain yield followed by % moisture and kernels row ear-1. This experiment revealed that selection based on husk girth, ear length and kernel numbers row-1 would increase more grain for yield improvement. Yield was significantly associated with ear height (cm), ear girth (cm), husk girth (cm), kernels numbers row-1, number of kernels ear-1, 1000 seed weight (g) and negatively associated with plant height (cm) and days to maturity (days). Therefore, the research findings would be useful for proper identification and selection of traits for future breeding programs for improved grain yield of maize. Keywords: Maize (Zea mays L.), genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, yield associated traits, correlation, path co-efficient. [Fundam Appl Agric 2018; 3(1.000): 382-389

The symmetric and asymmetric effects of climate change on rice productivity in Malaysia

The current study aims to examine the symmetric and asymmetric effects of climate change (CC) on rice productivity (RP) in Malaysia. The Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) models were employed in this study. Time series data from 1980 to 2019 were collected from the World Bank and the Department of Statistics, Malaysia. The estimated results are also validated using Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR). The findings of symmetric ARDL show that rainfall and cultivated area have significant and advantageous effects on rice output. The NARDL-bound test outcomes display that climate change has an asymmetrical long-run impact on rice productivity. Climate change has had varying degrees of positive and negative impacts on rice productivity in Malaysia. Positive changes in temperature and rainfall have a substantial and destructive impact on RP. At the same time, negative variations in temperature and rainfall have a substantial and positive impact on rice production in the Malaysian agriculture sector. Changes in cultivated areas, both positive and negative, have a long-term optimistic impact on rice output. Additionally, we discovered that only temperature affects rice output in both directions. Malaysian policymakers must understand the symmetric and asymmetric effects of CC on RP and agricultural policies that will promote sustainable agricultural development and food security

The reactive cholera vaccination campaign in urban Dhaka in 2022: experience, lessons learned and future directions

Introduction: An upsurge of diarrheal cases occurred in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with approximately 30% of the cases being identified as cholera in 2022. To combat this situation, a reactive Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign was organized in five highly cholera-affected areas of Dhaka city. The paper is a descriptive tale of experience gathering, organization and implementation of reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign. Study design: This is a descriptive report of a reactive oral cholera vaccination campaign. Methods: Population density maps were generated using GIS technology before launching the campaign. The target population comprised individuals aged over one year, excluding pregnant women, totaling 2,374,976 people residing in above mentioned areas. The campaign utilized Euvichol-Plus, an OCV with adherence to the necessary cold chain requirements. Total 700 teams, each consisting of six members, were deployed across the five zones. The campaign was conducted in two rounds, where first round took place in June–July 2022, followed by second round in August 2022. During the campaign, data on adverse events following immunization (AEFI) was collected. Expert teams from various government and non-government organizations monitored regularly and ensured the campaign's success. Results: The first round achieved a coverage rate of 99%, whereas in the second round, 86.3% of individuals among the first dose recipients. During the campaigns, a total of 57 AEFIs were reported. Conclusions: This campaign serves as a model for a multispectral approach in combating cholera epidemics, highlighting the collaborative efforts of policymakers, health authorities, local communities, and health partners

Allium sativum L. Improves Visual Memory and Attention in Healthy Human Volunteers

Studies have shown that Allium sativum L. (AS) protects amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis, prevents oxidative insults to neurons and synapses, and thus prevent Alzheimer’s disease progression in experimental animals. However, there is no experimental evidence in human regarding its putative role in memory and cognition. We have studied the effect of AS consumption by healthy human volunteers on visual memory, verbal memory, attention, and executive function in comparison to control subjects taking placebo. The study was conducted over five weeks and twenty volunteers of both genders were recruited and divided randomly into two groups: A (AS) and B (placebo). Both groups participated in the 6 computerized neuropsychological tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) twice: at the beginning and after five weeks of the study. We found statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in several parameters of visual memory and attention due to AS ingestion. We also found statistically nonsignificant (p>0.05) beneficial effects on verbal memory and executive function within a short period of time among the volunteers. Study for a longer period of time with patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases might yield more relevant results regarding the potential therapeutic role of AS

Allium vegetables : traditional uses, phytoconstituents, and beneficial effects in inflammation and cancer

The genus comprises of at least 918 species; the majority grown for dietary and medicinal purposes. This review describes the traditional uses, phytoconstituents, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, and safety profile of six main species, namely L. (garlic), L. (onions), L. (leek), L. (scallion), L. (chives) and Rottler (garlic chives). These species contain at least 260 phytoconstituents; mainly volatile compounds-including 63 organosulfur molecules-, saponins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, steroids, vitamins and nucleosides. They have prominent in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, and in vivo replications of such results have been achieved for all except for . They also exert cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines. Several anticancer phytoconstituents have been characterized from all except for Organosulfur constituents, saponins and flavonoid glycosides have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Extensive work has been conducted mainly on the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity of and . The presence of anti-inflammatory and anticancer constituents in these two species suggests that similar bioactive constituents could be found in other species. This provides future avenues for identifying new -derived anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents