Selective synthesis of hydrogen from aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol over supported metal catalysts

The current problem of the depletion of fossil-fuel reserves, call for new energy systems based on renewable fuels. Hydrogen, a clean fuel, is in growing demand due to the technological advancements made in the fuel cell industry. The ultimate objective of this project is to be able to feed the H2 rich and CO free gas directly to PEM fuel cell, without the expense of intermediate gas cleaning or upgrading (CO removing), which was approached by the development of efficient and low cost catalysts. Firstly, a series of Pt catalysts supported on alumina that was doped with different amounts of CeO2 were developed, characterized and tested in the aqueous-phase reforming (APR) of glycerol to H2. Several parameters like pressure, temperature, feed concentration and feed flow rate were optimized. No CO could be detected (< 100 ppm) in the product gas, meaning that the product may be directly useable in a PEM fuel cell. Secondly, bimetallic Pt-Ni supported on 3 wt% CeO2-doped Al2O3 (3CeAl) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were studied. XRD, XPS and STEM-EDS analysis shows the evidence of Pt–Ni interaction which is thought to be responsible for their higher activity and selectivity in APR. A bimetallic catalyst – 1 wt% Pt and 3 wt% Ni supported on MWNT was then identified the best one compared to commercial Pt/Al2O3 Lastly, amongst the non-noble based Cu-Ni alloy catalysts tested, bimetallic 1Cu–12Ni/MWNT catalyst gave the higher H2 selectivity (86%) and glycerol conversion (84%). Though 1Cu–12Ni/MWNT catalyst showed slightly lower H2 selectivity (86%) than the 1Pt-3Ni/MWNT catalyst (H2 selectivity 91%), but the former is much cheaper compare to highly expensive Pt catalyst. This measure is crucial to the competitiveness of a catalyst in large-scale H2 production

Selective synthesis of hydrogen from aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol over supported metal catalysts

The current problem of the depletion of fossil-fuel reserves, call for new energy systems based on renewable fuels. Hydrogen, a clean fuel, is in growing demand due to the technological advancements made in the fuel cell industry. The ultimate objective of this project is to be able to feed the H2 rich and CO free gas directly to PEM fuel cell, without the expense of intermediate gas cleaning or upgrading (CO removing), which was approached by the development of efficient and low cost catalysts. Firstly, a series of Pt catalysts supported on alumina that was doped with different amounts of CeO2 were developed, characterized and tested in the aqueous-phase reforming (APR) of glycerol to H2. Several parameters like pressure, temperature, feed concentration and feed flow rate were optimized. No CO could be detected (< 100 ppm) in the product gas, meaning that the product may be directly useable in a PEM fuel cell. Secondly, bimetallic Pt-Ni supported on 3 wt% CeO2-doped Al2O3 (3CeAl) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were studied. XRD, XPS and STEM-EDS analysis shows the evidence of Pt–Ni interaction which is thought to be responsible for their higher activity and selectivity in APR. A bimetallic catalyst – 1 wt% Pt and 3 wt% Ni supported on MWNT was then identified the best one compared to commercial Pt/Al2O3 Lastly, amongst the non-noble based Cu-Ni alloy catalysts tested, bimetallic 1Cu–12Ni/MWNT catalyst gave the higher H2 selectivity (86%) and glycerol conversion (84%). Though 1Cu–12Ni/MWNT catalyst showed slightly lower H2 selectivity (86%) than the 1Pt-3Ni/MWNT catalyst (H2 selectivity 91%), but the former is much cheaper compare to highly expensive Pt catalyst. This measure is crucial to the competitiveness of a catalyst in large-scale H2 production

The Impact of IT Investment on Firm Performance in Bangladesh: A Resource-based Perspective

Using the RBV as a theoretical backdrop, the study is intended to begin the line of inquiry: Do IT asset matter and improve the firm performance? This inductive research used panel data estimation technique for unbalanced panel data to measure, describe, and analyze the firm performance. The results reveal a mixed behavioral effect of IT asset on firm performance. The positive influence of IT asset on firm performance suggests that a firm should invest to develop IT infrastructure in order to effectively promote firm IT capability and performance. However, the inverse relationship between IT asset and firm performance suggests that IT intensive stocks are not performing well in the stock market of Bangladesh. The study explains the IT asset’s contribution to firm performance from RBV perspective in the context of Bangladesh as well as extends the literature in this field

Co-inheritance of ?- and ?-thalassemia in a Bangladeshi family

The double heterozygous state of ? and ?thalassemia is a relatively rare genetic disorder in Bangladesh which may alter the hematological indices and modify the phenotypic features of thalassemia. An 8 year old boy of a non-consanguineous couple who inherited both ? and ?thalassemia gene from his parents had presented with only mild anemia. Capillary hemoglobin electrophoresis showed the hemoglobin patterns which were in favor of the diagnosis of combined heterozygous alpha and beta thalassaemia carrier. Although molecular genetic study of the boy confirmed the presence of IVS 15 G&gt;C point mutation for ?thalassemia but could not detect ?thalassemia gene as the sample was tested for only five most common ?thalassemia gene mutation which is not as much prevalent in Bangladesh. However, basing on the family screening and the hemoglobin pattern on capillary hemoglobin electrophoresis, it can be concluded that the boy is certainly carrying both ? and ?thalassemia gene

Organizational commitment: do employees’ compensations and benefits matter?

The main objective of this research is to identify Bangladesh Railway employee's commitment based on compensation and benefits. A structured questionnaire was used to survey the opinions of 40 employees who are from Bangladesh Railway, Rajshahi City. The researchers conducted various statistical analyses such as descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression analysis to analyze the survey responses and identified a number of key findings. The study reveals that there are various common factors related to the compensations and benefits that affect employee's commitment

Elemental composition of crop field soil by X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, Bangladesh subject

Elements are important for soil that can yield information on soil nutrient content. Soil samples were collected from crops area in four different districts (Dhaka district, Narsingdi district, Mymensingh district and Kishoreganj district) in Bangladesh. Direct analysis of soil was carried out by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with wavelength dispersion. Only total nitrogen was carried out by Kjeldhal method. The results showed that the order of major elements concentrations are Si&gt;Al&gt;Fe in the investigated areas. Trace amount of Ni, Y and Ba were found in the samples from all the study areas. Key words: Soil element, x-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), heavy metal and trace element

Innovative Teaching Methods and Entrepreneurship Education: A Review of Literature

The objective of this paper is to synthesise through the review of literature the various innovative teaching methods and how they have influenced the practice of entrepreneurship education. The various methods identified are case studies, business plan creation, problem-solving, simulation and games, team based or group discussions, guest speaker, seminars, individual and group projects, role play and lectures with latter being teacher centred while all the former are student centred. It was however, established that no one method can be used solely on its own, hence, the need for collective adoption under a given circumstance. Practically, all trainers, instructors and educators in the entrepreneurship field need to focus both on the design and implementation of entrepreneurship teaching and course programs based on the various aspects in terms of the teaching model(s) being adopted from the perspectives of providing answers to the questions of the why (purposes of the learning), what (contents), how (methods and pedagogies), for whom (audiences, participants), and for which outcomes (assessment) (Fayolle and Gailly, 2008).There are no enough models to conceptually drive the curriculum design and teaching methods of entrepreneurship education (Slattery and Danaher, 2015). The limitation of this study is that not all research work in the area of teaching methods and entrepreneurship education have been reviewed, due to language barriers, cost and time constraints. More research efforts are required to clarify which of the students benefit most from active learning and how to design activities to motivate and increase the understanding level of the students over time and determination of the most relevant ‘teaching model’ configuration in entrepreneurship

A 65–year–old male with moderate anemia, low-grade fever and weight loss

This article has no abstract. The first 100 words appear below: A 65-year-old male hailing from Lolua, Tangail north bordering district of Dhaka, Bangladesh, reported to the Department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology with the complaints of marked weight loss, generalized weakness, low-grade fever and anorexia. He was referred from Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh for bone marrow aspiration and examination.&nbsp;Before aspirating the bone marrow, a detailed history was taken which revealed that he had been suffering from the above mentioned symptoms for the last 10 months.&nbsp;During this time, he reported to the local physicians who investigated with routine laboratory tests such as complete blood count, peripheral blood fil

Aktualne trendy zapadalności na zakażenia przenoszone drogą płciową — doświadczenia z Bangladeszu

Background: The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is huge and is disproportionately affecting developing nations. Epidemiologically sound data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections are dearth in Bangladesh.Objectives: To study the prevalence and pattern of STIs as seen in a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh.Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study is carried out in Chittagong Medical College Hospital from the registered records of patients attending during the period between 2003 and 2011.Results: A total number of 30,151 patients are analyzed. Among the patients there is 21,746 (72%) of male and 8,405 (28%) of female. The mean age is 30.94 ± 0.001 SEM. Common sexually transmitted infections are non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) (31.37%), gonorrhea (27.81%), syphilis (18.06%), genital scabies (6.56%), chancroid (5.3%), genital herpes (4.8%) and genital wart (3.62%). NGU is the most common discharging STI, while syphilis is the most common ulcerative STI. Genital herpes is the most common viral STI. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (0.10%) infections are rare. Lymphogranuloma venereum and Granuloma inguinale are not found among the attendees.Conclusion: Although bacterial STIs are common findings in our study, viral STIs show also in increasing trend. Unlike HIV, many STIs can be treated and cured relatively easily and cheaply if diagnosed early enough. We hope that reporting this unique presentation of STIs in Bangladesh will be of educational value to increase awareness and offer possible options of planning and management for STIs.Wstęp: Liczba zachorowań na zakażenia przenoszone drogą płciową (STI, sexually transmitted infections) jest bardzo duża. Choroby te występują znacznie częściej w krajach rozwijających się. Brakuje wiarygodnych danych epidemiologicznych dotyczących występowania zakażeń przenoszonych drogą płciową w Bangladeszu.Cel: Badanie przeprowadzono w celu oceny częstości występowania oraz przebiegu STI na przykładzie szpitala trzeciego stopnia referencyjności w Bangladeszu.Materiał i metody: Opisowe retrospektywne badanie przekrojowe przeprowadzono w Chittagong Medical College Hospital, do którego wykorzystano dane z dokumentacji medycznej pacjentów zgłaszających się do tego ośrodka w latach 2003–2011.Wyniki: Analizą objęto łącznie 30 151 chorych. W badanej grupie było 21 746 (72%) mężczyzn i 8405 (28%) kobiet. Średnia wieku (± błąd standardowy średniej) wynosiła 30,94 ± 0,001. Do częstych zakażeń przenoszonych drogą płciową należą rzeżączkowe zapalenie cewki moczowej (31,37%), rzeżączka (27,81%), kiła (18,06%), świerzb (6,56%), wrzód weneryczny (5,3%), opryszczka narządów płciowych (4,8%) i kłykciny kończyste (3.62%). Rzeżączkowe zapalenie cewki moczowej jest najczęstszą chorobą przebiegającą z wysiękiem, natomiast kiła — najczęstszą STI powodującą owrzodzenie. Opryszczka narządów płciowych to najczęstsza STI o etiologii wirusowej. Zakażenia wirusem nabytego zespołu braku odporności (HIV, human immunodeficiency virus) (0,10%) są rzadkie. W badanej grupie nie stwierdzono ziarnicy wenerycznej pachwin ani ziarniniaka pachwinowego.Wnioski: W badanej grupie często występowały bakteryjne STI, ale odnotowano również wzrastającą liczbę zakażeń wirusowych. W przeciwieństwie do HIV, wiele STI można łatwo i stosunkowo tanio wyleczyć całkowicie, jeśli zostaną wystarczająco wcześnie zdiagnozowane. Autorzy mają nadzieję, że przedstawienie niepublikowanych dotąd danych na temat STI w Bangladeszu będzie miało wartość edukacyjną poprzez zwiększenie świadomości na temat występowania tych zakażeń oraz zaproponowanie możliwości leczenia STI