Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Agricultural Production and Income in Bangladesh

The study assessed some factors that determine agricultural production and income in Bangladesh. The factors that were addressed in the study were land, labour, capital, ethnicity, gender etc. It aimed to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers in Bangladesh, to investigate the level of agricultural production activities and to identify the agricultural production problems in Bangladesh. The target population was the farmers of eight divisions in Bangladesh.  The data were obtained from structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and FGD. Multiple linear regression of model fourteen explanatory variables was used to analyze the characteristics of the factors mentioned above in context of farm production and income. The result of data analysis showed that the variables such as gender, age, years of schooling, service area, operational farm size, cow-shed, electricity, radio, mobile phone, television, computer, bicycle, motorcycle etc. affect farmers’ production and income. The research also found gender parity and small farm holding in farming. There should be provision of effective agricultural information dissemination services by using ICT tools in farming. Special emphasis should be given to eliminate gender disparity and resolve small farm holding problem to ensure farm production and income generation

A Temporal Logic Based Approach to Multi-Agent Intrusion Detection and Prevention

Collaborative systems research in the last decade have led to the development in several areas ranging from social computing, e-learning systems to management of complex computer networks. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) available today have a number of problems that limit their configurability, scalability or efficiency. An important shortcoming is that the existing architectures is built around a single entity that does most of the data collection and analysis. This work introduces a new architecture for intrusion detection and prevention based on multiple autonomous agents working collectively. We adopt a temporal logic approach to signature-based intrusion detection. We specify intrusion patterns as formulas in a monitorable logic called EAGLE. We also incorporate logics of knowledge into the agents. We implement a prototype tool, called MIDTL and use this tool to detect a variety of security attacks in large log-files provided by DARPA

ICT Based Agricultural Knowledge Transfer of Women Farmers: A Case of Gender Responsiveness from a Developing Country Perspective

Women are increasingly becoming an integral part of the rural economy. Feminization and empowerment in agriculture is taking place while outmigration of males in the rural Bangladesh is visible due to higher off farm income. The objective of this study is to determine the current state of the ICT-based agricultural knowledge transfer of female farmers in Bangladesh involved in agricultural operations. Data were collected through survey method using structured questionnaire from 140 female farmers involved in public ICT service centers of Bangladesh. The questionnaire was administrated face-to-face and collected data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0. The result from the data showed that the variables such as assets, inputs, land, education, extension and financial services, and technology affect farmers’ production and farm income. The gaps like gender parity and small farm holding were found in the study. The research suggests that effective agricultural information dissemination services through ICT tools in farming are essential. Special emphasis should be given to address gender disparity and resolve farm holding problems for ensuring women’s participation in agriculture

In-Situ Measurement of Mechanical Properties using Automated Ball Indentation Technique

To assess the health/integrity of critical engineering component, evaluation of mechanical properties of the material from which the component is made is essential. Estimation of mechanical properties through conventional route is well established and standardized, but in-situ measurement on original structure or by using small amount of materials are in demand and yet to be standardized. As conventional mechanical test requires an adequate amount of test materials and in most of the cases this may not be available from the components that are in service. There-fore, an approach to find the mechanical properties either in-situ or using small amount of test materials got utter importance as an area of research for quite some time

Visceral Leishmaniasis Clinical Management in Endemic Districts of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

Background. National VL Elimination Programs in India, Nepal and Bangladesh face challenges as home-based Miltefosine treatment is introduced. Objectives. To study constraints of VL management in endemic districts within context of national elimination programs before and after intervention. Methods. Ninety-two and 41 newly diagnosed VL patients were interviewed for clinical and provider experience in 2009 before and in 2010 after intervention (district training and improved supply of diagnostics and drugs). Providers were assessed for adherence to treatment guidelines. Facilities and doctor-patient consultations were observed to assess quality of care. Results. Miltefosine use increased from 33% to 59% except in Nepal where amphotericin was better available. Incorrect dosage and treatment interruptions were rare. Advice on potential side effects was uncommon but improved significantly in 2010. Physicians did not rule out pregnancy prior to starting Miltefosine. Fever measurement or spleen palpation was infrequently done in Bangladesh but improved after intervention (from 23% to 47%). Physician awareness of renal or liver toxicity as Miltefosine side effects was lower in Bangladesh. Bio-chemical monitoring was uncommon. Patient satisfaction with services remained low for ease of access or time provider spent with patient. Health facilities were better stocked with rK39 kits and Miltefosine in 2010

Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Chickens, Bangladesh

To determine the epidemiology of outbreaks of avian influenza A virus (subtypes H5N1, H9N2) in chickens in Bangladesh, we conducted surveys and examined virus isolates. The outbreak began in backyard chickens. Probable sources of infection included egg trays and vehicles from local live bird markets and larger live bird markets

Generation and characterization of carbonyl ylides from pyrazolinone spirooxiranes

Laser flash photolyses of 1-oxa-5,6-diazaspiro[2.4]hept-6-ene-4-ones I (Ar [triple bond] Ph, p-NO2Ph, p-CH3OPh; R1 [tripe bond] CH3, Ph; R2, R3 [triple bond] CH3; R2 [triple bond] Ph, p-NO2Ph, p-ClPh, 2-naphthyl; R3 [triple bond] H) and of the symmetrical oxirane II give rise to transients with absorption spectra in the visible region and lifetimes of the order of 0.3 - 10 [mu]s in benzene at room temperature. Sensitization experiments in some cases indicate that the intermediate may arise from a triplet as well as a singlet excited state. Transients from I are quenched by alcohols and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene whereas that from II is not. Steady state photolyses of I in methanol give products consistent with the assignment of the structure of the transient as a carbonyl ylide incorporating the pyrazolinone ring.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31041/1/0000718.pd

Risk for Infection with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Backyard Chickens, Bangladesh

Risk factors were feeding slaughter remnants of purchased chickens, having a body of water nearby, and contact with pigeons

Savings and Peak Reduction Due to Optimally-Timed Charging of Electric Vehicles on the Oahu Power System

M.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa 2015.Includes bibliographical references.“EVs” which includes both the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have been widely recognized as an important step towards electrification of the passenger vehicle transportation system. Combined with their integration with intermittent renewable energy resources, they present a promising solution to achieve the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal of limiting the average global temperature to 2° C. With its unique geography and current fossil fuel based energy infrastructure combined with its aggressive renewable energy goals, Hawaii forms an ideal site for large scale adoption of EVs in the future. The research study presented here develops an in-depth Hawaii specific EV model which is then integrated with the Oahu power system to study the effects of large scale EV integration into the grid, and also intends to provide a better understanding as to how different optimally-timed EV charging strategies can benefit such a unique power system. The EV model developed in this study uses actual driving pattern data collected from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) to replicate the travel pattern behavior in Hawaii. Assuming this nationally representative sample of daily vehicle usage, to provide a realistic idea of how EVs might be used in Hawaii, realistic charging profiles for individual vehicles were generated. Using the driving pattern distributions, potential EV charging windows/timeslots were calculated by determining the maximum possible time a vehicle is parked in a potential charging location (i.e. home and workplace). These potential charging timeslots provide the EV owner the most comprehensive and realistic charging options available, as each option is unique to that particular vehicle and is derived from thorough analysis of its driving pattern behavior. Rather than assuming all the vehicles to have a fixed number of miles as the daily distance driven by the vehicles, each vehicle is modelled individually, which helps in achieving a more accurate and realistic estimation of the amount of energy needed to charge each individual EV. Half-hourly EV charging electricity demand profiles were then calculated for each individual modelled vehicle by depending on different shares of charging locations (workplace/home charging) and different rates of charging (1.4kW/3.3kW/6.6kW). Two different optimized smart recharging scenarios were then implemented and their effect on system load, and power system costs were then compared with a business-as-usual (BAU) charging scenario. This research study could help researchers and policymakers to develop an optimal plan for power system expansion and operation, considering large scale adoption of EVs, and show how to develop better time-of-use electricity pricing schemes to incentivize EV owners in order to obtain a smarter and more efficient grid. Analyzing simulation results, we find that smart recharging strategies were successfully able to mitigate the amount of power drawn during the peak periods of the day, and also provide savings to the EV owners by reducing the EV charging costs by 8-35% compared to the business-as-usual (BAU) charging scenario