Managing Flood Flows for Crop Production Risk Management with Hydraulic and GIS Modeling: Case study of Agricultural Areas in Shariatpur

AbstractShariatpur District, under Dhaka division with an area of 1181.53 sq km, is mainly surrounded by the two big rivers, the Padma at north and the Meghna at eastern side. Also, the Arial Khan River is located at the south western side of the district. When the Padma and the Meghna Rivers attain peak flood levels simultaneously, this district faces devastating floods. These floods have a destructive effect on agriculture especially on Aman (June- September) variety at optimum level of flood depth but also have a positive impact on next year's Boro (December- march) production due to sedimentation by the previous year's flood. So there is a scope of managing flood flows which ensures the optimum level of flood depth that promotes the crop production risk management. The present study provides a method for flood management aiming to crop production risk management. In this study, inundation maps have been produced using hydrodynamic model HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRAS extension of ArcGIS9.2. Then calculation of optimal flood depth for crop production risk management has been done using some sophisticated statistical analysis. Finally, volume of water above the optimal flood depth has been calculated using GIS model with ArcGIS 9.2 and based on this, proposed some ways of flood flows management which ensure the crop production risk management. The study findings show that, the optimal flood depth is 1.85m (msl) in where Boro production would be safe and Aman production would face about 200 ton/yr loss, we can called this condition as crop production as farmers get more return from Boro variety. This study also find two equations that provide estimation of Mawa discharge depending on two upstream stations (Hardings Bridge and Bahadurabad Ghat) and targeted discharge of Mawa that needs to release from Mawa to the study area for ensuring the optimum flood depth

Studies on the germination and seedling characteristics of the savanna palm trees

Mode of germination and seedling characteristics of four Savanna palm trees; Borassus aethiopum, Hyphaene thebaica, Phoenix reclinata and Raphia sudanica were studied. In the course of their germination, the radicle was found to be cotyledonary in nature, and it carried the undeveloped plumule below ground before its further development. This is called cryptogeal germination which occurred in two stages: (i) preparatory germination and (ii) germination proper. Bigger seedlings were produced by larger seeds. Pinnate and palmate leaf arrangements with parallel venation were also found among these palms. Keywords: Palm trees, germination, seedling, characteristics, Savanna, Nigeri

The NELSON Lung Cancer Screening Trial: Final screening round and follow-up

The NELSON trial, is a Dutch-Belgian lung cancer screening trial, to establish whether low-dose CT-scan screening in high-risk subjects for developing lung cancer would lead to a reduction of ≥25% in lung cancer morality. In this thesis the fourth (and final) screening round with a screening interval of 2.5-year was evaluated (Chapter 2 and 3). Furthermore, interim results are presented of this trial regarding to stage shift and shift in treatment (Chapter 4). In the 5th chapter, the generalisability of the NELSON trial was evualated by comparing the baseline characteristics and mortality profile of the NELSON control group participants and eligible non-responders. Finally, the cause of death of the NELSON participant with lung cancer was verified by an expert committee and compared with the official cause of death (Chapter 6)

Comparative Analysis of Mineralogical Characteristics of Clay-Rich Soil Samples obtained from Gbajimba, Angbaaye and Makurdi Areas of Benue State

The elemental concentrations and mineralogical composition of soil samples from Gbajimba, Angbaaye and Makurdi areas of Benue state were evaluated. Their clay fractions (particles smaller than 2 microns) studied through a series of mineralogical, chemical and physico-chemical analyses showed that the colour test of the sample showed brown to red. The study suggested that morphology of kaolinitic and quartz minerals is influenced by the parent material (i.e. feldspars or micas) and degree of chemical weathering. The pH values of pore water from clay samples showed acidity, ranging from 4.93 - 6.96. The electrical conductivities (EC) of the samples ranged from 2.68-3.48 mS/cm – 3.48mS/cm. The CEC results of the sample showed a 6.98-7.32 range. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization showed that the soil samples from these three areas with clay-rich soil were a mixtures of kaolinite, quartz, muscovite, microline, pyrite, chlorite and sylvite, showing quartz present in all samples. The results obtained from XRF showed that the clay samples mostly composed of silicon (IV) oxide in Gbajimba(51.538%), Angbaaye (49.107%) and Makurdi (64.826%); Aluminum in Gbajimba (18.883%), Angbaaye (22.419%) and Makurdi(16.319%);Iron in Gbajimba (8.3230%), Angbaaye (8.8611%) and Makurdi (4.2672%); Manganese, phosphorous, titanium etc. These are the proportion of the major expected elements. Hence, the results from the analysis fell within the same range of results from other works studied

Security, usability, and biometric authentication scheme for electronic voting using multiple keys

We propose electronic voting authentication scheme, which is a key management mechanism for electronic voting system intended to limit the number of attacks on a polling station and strengthen the security control. The motivation is to diversify security requirements of messages exchanged between polling stations. There are different types of messages exchanged between polling stations and each type of message has different security needs. A security mechanism developed on the basis of a single key is not enough to ensure the diverse security needs of voting network. In electronic voting authentication scheme, every polling station is responsible to support three different types of keys. These are global key, pairwise key, and individual key. The global keys are public keys shared with all polling stations in the voting network. The pairwise key can be used for communication with polling stations. Individual keys will be used for communication with the server. To ensure authentication of local broadcast, electronic voting authentication scheme uses one-way key chains in a well-organized way. The support of source authentication is a visible advantage of this scheme. We examine the authentication of electronic voting authentication scheme on numerous attack models. The measurement demonstrates that electronic voting authentication scheme is very operative in protecting against numerous elegant attacks such as wormhole attack, Sybil attack, and HELLO Flood attack. The proposed system is evaluated and the results demonstrate that the proposed system is practical and secure as compared to the direct recording electronic and manual systems

Prevalent phenotypes and antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at an Indian tertiary care hospital: plasmid-mediated cefoxitin resistance

SummaryBackgroundThe β-lactam antibiotics, in combination with aminoglycosides, are among the most widely prescribed antibiotics. However, because of extensive and unnecessary use, resistance to these drugs continues to increase. In recent years, resistance in the Indian bacterial population has increased markedly, the majority showing complex mechanisms. Due to increased transcontinental movement of the human population, it would be wise to know the prevalence and resistance complexity of these strains, well in advance, in order to formulate a policy for empirical therapy.MethodsOne hundred and eighty-one isolates of Escherichia coli and 61 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae obtained from 2655 non-repeat samples of pus (912) and urine (1743) were studied, and their resistance rates and patterns were noted. The isolates were analyzed for prevalent aminoglycoside and cephalosporin resistance phenotypes and for the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC enzymes by spot-inoculation and modified three-dimensional tests developed in our laboratory. Fourteen isolates of E. coli and six of K. pneumoniae, resistant to all of the antibiotics tested, were selected for plasmid screening, curing, and transconjugation experiments, and for comparative evaluation of the double disk synergy test (DDST) and modified three-dimensional test (TDT) for detection of β-lactamases.ResultsUrinary E. coli isolates showed maximum susceptibility to amikacin (57.1%), followed by tobramycin (38.5%) and gentamicin (31.9%). Eighteen (19.8%) isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, whereas 11 (12.1%) were susceptible to ceftriaxone. The K. pneumoniae isolates from urine samples showed maximum susceptibility to tobramycin (63.6%) followed by amikacin (54.5%). Of the K. pneumoniae isolates, 31.8% were susceptible to cefotaxime and 13.6% were susceptible to ceftriaxone. A more or less similar trend of antibiotic susceptibility was noted in E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from pus samples. Twenty-six (14.4%) E. coli and 15 (24.6%) K. pneumoniae isolates were found to be ESBL-producers by NCCLS-ESBL phenotypic confirmatory test. Eighteen (9.9%) E. coli and 19 (31.1%) K. pneumoniae isolates were found to be AmpC enzyme-producers by our modified TDT. The simultaneous occurrence of ESBL and AmpC enzymes was noted in 7.7% and 9.8% isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively.ConclusionsThe prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates is quite high in our bacterial population. On comparative evaluation of DDST and TDT in resistant isolates, TDT was found to be the better method, detecting ESBLs in 80% of isolates compared to 15% with DDST. A 19.9-kb plasmid was consistently present in all the screened isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and was inferred to encode cefoxitin and tetracycline resistance based on curing and transconjugation experiments

Exploring the Genetic Landscape of Retinal Diseases in North-Western Pakistan Reveals a High Degree of Autozygosity and a Prevalent Founder Mutation in ABCA4.

Variants in more than 271 different genes have been linked to hereditary retinal diseases, making comprehensive genomic approaches mandatory for accurate diagnosis. We explored the genetic landscape of retinal disorders in consanguineous families from North-Western Pakistan, harboring a population of approximately 35 million inhabitants that remains relatively isolated and highly inbred (~50% consanguinity). We leveraged on the high degree of consanguinity by applying genome-wide high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping followed by targeted Sanger sequencing of candidate gene(s) lying inside autozygous intervals. In addition, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on at least one proband per family. We identified 7 known and 4 novel variants in a total of 10 genes (ABCA4, BBS2, CNGA1, CNGA3, CNGB3, MKKS, NMNAT1, PDE6B, RPE65, and TULP1) previously known to cause inherited retinal diseases. In spite of all families being consanguineous, compound heterozygosity was detected in one family. All homozygous pathogenic variants resided in autozygous intervals ≥2.0 Mb in size. Putative founder variants were observed in the ABCA4 (NM_000350.2:c.214G>A; p.Gly72Arg; ten families) and NMNAT1 genes (NM_022787.3:c.25G>A; p.Val9Met; two families). We conclude that geographic isolation and sociocultural tradition of intrafamilial mating in North-Western Pakistan favor both the clinical manifestation of rare "generic" variants and the prevalence of founder mutations

Electrochemical comparison of SAN/PANI/FLG and ZnO/GO coated cast iron subject to corrosive environments

ZnO/GO (Graphene Oxide) and SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile)/PANI (polyaniline)/FLG (Few Layers Graphene) nanocomposite coatings were produced by solution casting and sol-gel methods, respectively, to enhance corrosion resistance of ferrous based materials. Corrosive seawater and ‘produced crude oil water’ environments were selected as electrolytes for this study. Impedance and coating capacitance values obtained from Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) (AC technique) showed enhanced corrosion resistance of nanocomposites coatings in the corrosive environments. Tafel scan (DC technique) was used to find the corrosion rate of nanocomposite coating. SAN/PANI/FLG coating reduced the corrosion of bare metal up to 90% in seawater whereas ZnO/GO suppressed the corrosion up to 75% having the impedance value of 100 ohms. In produced water of crude oil, SAN/PANI FLG reduced the corrosion up to 95% while ZnO/GO suppressed the corrosion up to 10%. Hybrid composites of SAN/PANI/FLG coatings have demonstrated better performances compared to ZnO/GO in the corrosive environments under investigation. This study provides fabrication of state-of-the-art novel anti corrosive nanocomposite coatings for a wide range of industrial applications. Reduced corrosion will result in increased service lifetime, durability and reliability of components and system and will in turn lead to significant cost savings

PHP48 COST SENSITIVENESS AND PHYSICIAN TREATMENT CHOICES

Objectives To explore the relationship between nodule count and lung cancer probability in baseline low-dose CT lung cancer screening. Materials and Methods Included were participants from the NELSON trial with at least one baseline nodule (3392 participants [45% of screen-group], 7258 nodules). We determined nodule count per participant. Malignancy was confirmed by histology. Nodules not diagnosed as screen-detected or interval cancer until the end of the fourth screening round were regarded as benign. We compared lung cancer probability per nodule count category. Results 1746 (51.5%) participants had one nodule, 800 (23.6%) had two nodules, 354 (10.4%) had three nodules, 191 (5.6%) had four nodules, and 301 (8.9%) had > 4 nodules. Lung cancer in a baseline nodule was diagnosed in 134 participants (139 cancers; 4.0%). Median nodule count in participants with only benign nodules was 1 (Inter-quartile range [IQR]: 1–2), and 2 (IQR 1–3) in participants with lung cancer (p = NS). At baseline, malignancy was detected mostly in the largest nodule (64/66 cancers). Lung cancer probability was 62/1746 (3.6%) in case a participant had one nodule, 33/800 (4.1%) for two nodules, 17/354 (4.8%) for three nodules, 12/191 (6.3%) for four nodules and 10/301 (3.3%) for > 4 nodules (p = NS). Conclusion In baseline lung cancer CT screening, half of participants with lung nodules have more than one nodule. Lung cancer probability does not significantly change with the number of nodules. Baseline nodule count will not help to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules. Each nodule found in lung cancer screening should be assessed separately independent of the presence of other nodules

Development and evaluation of ofloxacin orally disintegrating tablets

Bitter taste of ofloxacin, a broad spectrum bactericidal agent, is masked and orally disintegrating tablets were formulated. The bitter taste is masked by forming complex between drug and weak cation exchange resins, Tulsion 335 and Indion 204. Effect of pH and drug:resin ratio on the drug loading was studied. Maximum drug loading was observed at pH 6. Ratio of 1:2 of drug:resin masked almost complete bitterness of ofloxacin. Formation of complexes was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. Physical characterization of taste masked complexes was carried out. Present work envisages the taste masking of ofloxacin and development of orally disintegrating tablets. The effect of pH and resin quantities on drug loading were studied to find the optimum conditions of drug loading for complete taste masking. Effect of superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium and polyplasdone XL at varying level on physical parameters of compressed tablets was also assessed. The formulations containing 5 % w/w polyplasdone XL showed about 90 % of drug release within 5 minutes. No significant differences were observed in the physical parameters of resinates as well as tablets prepared from Tulsion 335 and Indion 204.O gosto amargo de ofloxacina, agente bactericida de largo espectro, é mascarado e formularam-se comprimidos dispersíveis. O sabor amargo é mascarado pela formação de complexo entre o fármaco e resinas de troca catiônica fraca, Tulsion 335 e Indion 204. Efeito do pH e da proporção fármaco: resina sobre a carga de fármaco foi estudada. Carga de fármaco máxima foi observada em pH 6. Proporção 1:2 do fármaco: resina mascarou quase completamente o gosto amargo de ofloxacina. A formação de complexos foi confirmada por espectroscopia no IV. Caracterização física dos complexos de sabor mascarado foi realizada. O presente trabalho preconiza o mascaramento do gosto de ofloxacina e desenvolvimento decomprimidos por via oral, se desintegrando. O efeito do pH e da resina quantidades de carga de fármaco foram estudadas paraencontrar as condições óptimas de carga de fármaco para dissimulação do saborcompleto. Efeito da superdisintegrants como amido glicolato de sódio, croscarmelose sódica e Polyplasdone XL em diferentes níveis de parâmetros físicos de comprimidos também avaliados foi avaliada. As formulações contendo 5 %w/w Polyplasdone XL mostraram cerca de 90% de libertação do fármaco no prazo de 5 minutos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos parâmetros físicos de resinatosbem como comprimidos preparados a partir de Tulsion 335 e Indion 204