Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activities of Capparis zeylanica Linn Roots

Se analizaron extractos crudos y un ácido graso, ácido octadec-7-en-5-ynoic (1), de la corteza de la raíz de Capparis zeylanica Linn. (familia de las Capparidaceae) para observar sus actividades antibacterianas frente a la bacteria Gram positiva y Gram negativa. Entre los extractos crudos, el extracto de cloroformo mostró una buena actividad frente a todos los organismos de prueba. El ácido graso (1) aislado del extracto de cloroformo mostró actividades antibacterianas frente a todos los organismos de prueba, a excepción de E. coli. Las actividades se compararon con un antibiótico estándar: la kanamicina. Las concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas (CIH) de 1, determinadas mediante la técnica de dilución en serie, fueron 64 μg/ml frente a Bacillus subtilis y Shigella dysenteriae. Las actividades citotóxicas del extracto crudo y del ácido graso (1) se observaron mediante el bioensayo de gambas en salmuera y el valor de LC50 del compuesto fue 6,27 μg/mlCrude extracts and a fatty acid, octadec-7-en-5-ynoic acid (1), from the root bark of Capparis zeylanica Linn. (Fam. Capparidaceae) were screened for their antibacterial activities against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Among the crude extracts, chloroform extract showed good activity against all test organisms. The fatty acid (1) isolated from chloroform extract exhibited antibacterial activities against test organisms except E. coli. The activities were compared to a standard antibiotic- kanamycin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1, determined by serial dilution technique, were found to be 64 μg/ml against Bacillus subtilis and Shigella dysenteriae. The cytotoxic activities of crude extract and fatty acid (1) were observed by brine shrimp biassay and LC50 value of the compound was found to be 6.27 μg/m

Impact of genetically improved fish species and technology on selected hatchery and fish production in Bangladesh

The study was carried out in IAPP commanding areas from July to September 2015. A total of 8 hatchery and 240 farmers were selected for this study from Rangpur and Barisal region. About 153% Tilapia production increased which was from 34 to 86 lakh, which was 148% in Rangpur district. Thai koi production was increased about 320% in Rangpur and it was 152% in Barisal. It was observed that, per hatchery Tilapia profit was Tk. 17.35 lakh and Tk. 17.18 lakh in Rangpur and Barisal, respectively. While, total profit was 3.9 times more for Thai koi in Rangpur and it was about 1.7 times more in Barisal after IAPP-BFRI project implementation. Impact of improved germplasm on grow out system was estimated. Finding shows that before IAPP-BFRI project the average harvesting weight of tilapia fish was 122g but after using IAPP-BFRI germplasm, it increased to 194g in Rangpur district. In case of Thai Koi, the harvesting weight gain was 26% in Rangpur district and it was statistically significant at 1% level. Survey results also show that per acre profit was only Tk.86671 for Tilapia farming before IAPP whereas it was increased to Tk. 234853 after IAPP-BFRI intervention. At the same time, profit from Thai Koi was increased about 189% after IAPPBFRI activities. Similarly, profit was increased about 86% in case of Pangus farming and this positive impact was statistically significant at 1% level. Therefore, it may conclude that, farmers can significantly increase Tilapia, Thai Koi and Pangus production as well as can maximize profit using IAPP technology.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (1): 58-63, June, 201

Inventory, Operations, and Safety at Free Right-Turn Ramps

This research focused on traffic safety and operational performance of rural, minor approach stop-controlled intersections with free right-turn (FRT) ramps. The objectives of the research were to: Create a statewide inventory of rural FRT ramp intersections and provide to the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), Using NDOT 10-year crash data, conduct statistical safety analysis of rural FRT intersections extending ¼-mile in each direction from the intersection, Study vehicular operations at rural intersections with and without FRT ramps including a comparison of vehicular conflicts, and Develop guidelines for operations and safety tradeoffs to assist with NDOT projects on maintaining similar locations, removing, or reconstructing ramps. As of 2023, 79 FRT ramps exist at 68 rural highway intersections in Nebraska. FRT ramps may be located on three-legged or four-legged intersections and may be on the minor, the major, or both minor and major approaches of the same intersection. The research statistically compared the 68 rural FRT ramp intersections to 24 similar non-FRT rural intersections to identify differences in crash frequencies and crash rates using 2010-2019 crash data from NDOT. The analysis did not show any statistically significant differences between the two intersection groups. This result is identical to a 1995 Nebraska-based study of rural FRT ramp intersection safety. The research investigated vehicular conflicts between right-turning vehicles by pairing six non-FRT intersections with six FRT ramp intersections and collecting data using video recording equipment. The comparison was between vehicular conflicts experienced by right-turning traffic on the same approach of the FRT ramp and non-FRT intersections. Data analysis showed that non-FRT right-turns on the minor approach, major approach with no exclusive right-turn lane, and major approach with an exclusive right-turn lane experienced statistically significantly higher conflicts per 1,000 entering right-turning vehicles than FRT ramp intersections. A VISSIM microsimulation model of traffic operations at FRT ramp intersections and non-FRT intersections enabled the creation of 324 scenarios, based on varying traffic and roadway geometry. Assuming a 20-year lifespan, benefit cost (B/C) analysis was conducted for combinations of discount rates (4%, 6%, and 8%), major road Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) (5,000; 10,000; 15,000), minor road AADT (2,500; 5,000; 7,500), percent right turning traffic (10%, 25%, 50%), FRT ramp radius in feet (650; 1,200; 1,800) and speed limit in mph (45, 55, 65). Traffic operational benefits are the basis for considering FRT ramp construction, reconstruction, or removal at rural, minor approach stop-controlled intersections in Nebraska. The reason is the absence of any discernable differences in the crashes at FRT ramp and comparable non-FRT intersections. NDOT can make more informed decisions on FRT ramp intersections based on guidance in this report

Multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann simulation of natural convection flow in a partitioned cavity using GPU computing

© 2019 Author(s). In this paper, we demonstrated the implementation of General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) programming in Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) C for the simulation of natural convection flow in a side-heated three-dimensional (3D) rectangular cavity with a partition. In the present lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) D3Q19 multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) and D3Q6 single relaxation-time (SRT) model are implemented for the simulation of fluid flow and temperature phenomena, respectively. The parallel code is validated with the benchmark problem of a side heated cubic cavity. The results are presented by the temperature distribution in terms of isotherms, local and average Nusselt number and 3D view of iso-surface for the different Rayleigh number (Ra) and the Prandtl number fixed at Pr = 0.71. It is also observed that the present parallel implementation of the MRT-lattice Boltzmann simulation in GPU has a substantial computational effciency rather than the sequential programming in central processing units (CPU)

Phenotypic and genotypic screening of rice genotypes at seedling stage for salt tolerance

Selection for salinity tolerance genotypes of rice based on phenotypic performance alone is less reliable and will delay progress in breeding. Recent advent of molecular markers, microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are used to find out salt tolerant rice genotypes. Three selected SSR markers; RM7075, RM336 and RM253 were used to evaluate rice genotypes for salt tolerance. Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation for salinity tolerance was done at the seedling stage. Phenotypingof 11 genotypes was done in hydroponic system using salinized (EC 12 dS/m) nutrient solution. IRRI standard protocol was followed to evaluate salinity tolerance. Large variation in salinity tolerance among the rice germplasms was detected. Plant height and total dry matter of tolerant lines were reduced by 19.0 and 40.6%, respectively under salt stress (EC 12 dS/m), whereas those of susceptible lines were reduced by 46.0 and 73.5%, respectively. The markers showed polymorphism and were ableto discriminate salt tolerant genotypes from susceptible. The genotypes having similar banding pattern with Pokkali were considered as salt tolerant. The SSR markers (RM7075, RM336 and RM253) identified8, 9 and 7 salt tolerant genotypes, respectively. Through phenotypic and genotypic study, three genotypes viz., Pokkali, TNDB-100 and THDB were identified as salt tolerant rice cultivar. These SSR markers might have sequence homology with salt tolerant rice genotypes and consequently themarkers could able to identify salt tolerant rice genotypes from susceptibles

Variability and traits association in maize (Zea mays L.) for yield and yield associated characters

Maize (Zea mays L.) is world’s third most important cereal crop that has a remarkable productive potential in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, maize is the second most important cereal crop in terms of production. The selection for high yield with desirable traits depends on the genetic variability in the existing germplasm. Successful breeding programs need adequate genetic variation for selection and improvement based on necessity. The research was conducted in the experimental farm of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during November 2015 to April 2016. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 20 maize genotypes based on their yield and yield contributing characters to determine existing genetic variability. The extrapolated ANOVA for different yield contributing parameters showed a high degree of variation among the genotypes used. Correlation co-efficient analysis revealed that yield plant−1 (g) had positive and significant association with ear girth (cm), 1000-kernel weight (g), yield plot−1 (g), grain yield (tha−1) with dry weight. The genotypes differed significantly for most of the phenotypic traits. The phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) was higher than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) in all traits studied indicating that those traits were interacted with the environment. The traits under study expressed wide heritability estimates (26.81% to 99.95%). Among the characters, highest heritability was recorded for 1000-kernel weight (g). High heritability along with high genetic advance was noticed for 1000-kernel weight (g), yield plot−1 (g)and grain yield (tha−1). Considering different desirable traits P-12, Popcorn, V90-1, 988 were observed as superior genotypes. The data would be useful for proper identification and selection of appropriate parents in breeding programs to develop new maize varieties

Freshwater Snail (Viviparus sp); Its Potential to Use in Fish Feed Formulation

The present study was concerned with emerging culture systems of freshwater snail, (Viviparus sp) at the farmers level highlighting its potential to use in fish feed formulation. The study was conducted over a period of 7 months from May to November in Rupal Integrated Farm Chothrasia, Muktagacha Upazila of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. Emerging culture systems of freshwater snail, its collection methods, proximate composition of snail mixed feed and comparative economic efficiency of snail mixed feed versus traditionally used fish feed were the focal points under the present study. The pond for freshwater snail culture was rectangular in shape with an area 4855㎡. The collection of snail from the culture ponds were carried out by the four methods. The production cycle was completed by 40-45 days following the harvest. The production of snail was about 4117 kg/10000㎡ in one cycle. Snail culture pond was used concurrently for rearing fry of carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirhinus cirrhosus, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix etc), cat fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus). Two snail mixed feeds, one commercial feed and single rice bran were analyzed. The crude protein content, lipid content was higher in snail mixed feeds than commercial feed. The crude fibre content was lower in snail mixed feeds than commercial feed. Average cost for the production of snail mixed feed comparatively lower than the commercial feed. However, in terms of growth there was no significant differences occurred in both feeds

The Segment Matters: Probable Reassortment of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) Complicates Phylogenetic Analysis and Inference of Geographical Origin of New Isolate from Bangladesh

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordData Availability: The raw RNA-seq data are available in the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under BioProject number PRJNA604966. The assembled genome sequence of Bangladesh TiLV isolate BD-2017 is available in NCBI GenBank, accession numbers MN939372-MN939381 (segments 1–10). QualiMap output from genome assembly is Supplementary data 1 and on Figshare, Viruses 2020, 12, 258 5 of 17 10.6084/m9.figshare.11812143. Multiple sequence alignments of partial segments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 are available as Supplementary data 2 and on Figshare, doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.11617563. Multiple sequence alignments of full coding regions of all ten segments are available as Supplementary data 3 and on Figshare, doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.11617545. Results from each quartet analysis are available as Supplementary data 4 and on Figshare, doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.11625774.Tilapia lake virus (TiLV), a negative sense RNA virus with a 10 segment genome, is an emerging threat to tilapia aquaculture worldwide, with outbreaks causing over 90% mortality reported on several continents since 2014. Following a severe tilapia mortality event in July 2017, we confirmed the presence of TiLV in Bangladesh and obtained the near-complete genome of this isolate, BD-2017. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated 10 segment coding regions placed BD-2017 in a clade with the two isolates from Thailand, separate from the Israeli and South American isolates. However, phylogenetic analysis of individual segments gave conflicting results, sometimes clustering BD-2017 with one of the Israeli isolates, and splitting pairs of isolates from the same region. By comparing patterns of topological difference among segments of quartets of isolates, we showed that TiLV likely has a history of reassortment. Segments 5 and 6, in particular, appear to have undergone a relatively recent reassortment event involving Ecuador isolate EC-2012 and Israel isolate Til-4-2011. The phylogeny of TiLV isolates therefore depends on the segment sequenced. Our findings illustrate the need to exercise caution when using phylogenetic analysis to infer geographic origin and track the movement of TiLV, and we recommend using whole genomes wherever possible.Newton FundDepartment for International DevelopmentIndian Department of BiotechnologyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC

Estimation and prediction of doubling time for COVID-19 epidemic in Bangladesh: a study of first 14 month’s daily confirmed new cases and deaths

Background: The doubling time is a reliable indicator to estimate the rate at which the pandemic is spreading. We evaluated and predicted the doubling time for the daily COVID-19 cases and deaths in Bangladesh. Methods: Publicly available daily data on COVID-19 new cases from 8 March, 2020 to 14 February, 2021 and the daily deaths data from 18 March, 2020 to 14 February, 2021 were used to predict doubling time based on records from seven days prior. Then, short-term predictions for the next 14 days (1 to 14 February, 2021) were performed to validate the accuracy of our prediction. Finally, using the doubling time data up to 14 February, 2021, a two months (15 February- 15 April, 2021) prediction was made for both daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths. Results: The median doubling time for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths were 90.51 and 86.02 days respectively in the entire period. The doubling period for cases was lowest in the second to third week of March, 2020 [ranged 2.33-8.43 days] and longest in the second week of March, 2021 [ranged 834-2187 days]. Our prediction suggests that the doubling time for daily confirmed new COVID-19 case will be 1310.33 days [95% CI: 854.33 - 1766.32] and deaths will be 683.04 days [556.05 - 810.03] on 15 April, 2021 in Bangladesh. Conclusion: Our prediction is based on current testing strategies. Any changes in daily number of tests or sudden changes of the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission would affect these predictions