Integration of surfactants and time release nutrients with pneumatic fracturing process

The objective of this laboratory study was the development of two novel improvements to the pneumatic fracturing process which would extend its present application. The first involved use of surfactant during pneumatic injection, and the second was subsurface injection of time-release dry nutrient pellets for enhancement of in situ biodegradation. Bench scale tests demonstrated that pneumatic fracturing can be successfully performed with air containing a surfactant solution (foam fracturing). The results showed that foam fracturing followed by increased the rate of surrogate contaminant removal from 8% to 10% compared with regular pneumatic fracturing. These increases were attributed to enlarged fracture networks and increased airflow. Commercially available anionic surfactants, which are biodegradable, were used for the process. Recommendations for field scale applications were also developed. It was also shown that injection of time release nutrient pellets into subsoil during pneumatic fracturing is feasible. Bench scale equipment for this process was developed and tested. Mechanical damage of the nutrient pellets during pneumatic injection was evaluated by different methods, and it was determined that serious damage was sustained above 75 psi. These results suggest pellets with higher mechanical strength characteristics are necessary for successful field integration with pneumatic fracturing process

Occupational Health and Safety (OHAS) crisis in tanneries of Bangladesh: Is this the violation of labor rights?

Tannery business in Bangladesh is one of the oldest manufacturing sub-sectors and it has huge growth potential. It has been remained profitable venture since its inception. However, this sector has got adverse affect both in human life and environment. Employees who work for tanneries face severe health hazards and people live in neighborhood are also affected by environmental pollutions. Toxic exposure of chemicals in tanneries of Bangladesh violates health and safety compliances. Both workers and neighborhood people of tanneries suffer from gastrointestinal, respiratory, jaundice, hypertension and skin diseases due to inefficient and improper waste management system. Tanneries in Bangladesh have failed to maintain Occupational Health and Safety (OHAS) which is also the violation of labor right. This may lead to labor unrest in near future like RMG sector in Bangladesh. This study explores the current health and safety practices at tanneries in Bangladesh. Health problems and challenges of tannery workers are also reported in this research, and some recommendations are made at the end as possible remedy. Key Words: Tannery, Occupational Health and Safety (OHAS), Labor Right & Unrest

Increasing employee job satisfaction as well as organizational performance through effective HRM practices in private commercial banking sector of Bangladesh.

Private commercial banking sector in Bangladesh is booming in recent times with higher number of potential customers from the local market due to rapid industrialization. New private commercial banks are also opening in every five year times.  But this sector is facing challenges in achieving management efficiency one of which leads to experience high level of competition. In order to achieve sustainable growth in this competitive market, and to achieve higher organizational performance, special emphasis should be given to improve HRM practices in this sector. The relationships among HRM practices, Job satisfaction and business performance have been an integrated issue for business and operational environment. HRM practices are also considered as major contributory factor for higher organizational performance through higher job satisfaction. This study has been conducted to explore the influence of HRM practices on job satisfaction and how job satisfaction brings higher organizational performance. Since, the HRM practices are mostly responsible for the achievements of business strategy and success; particular attention has given in this paper to focus the importance of HRM practices. Key Words: HRM Practices, Job Satisfaction, Organizational Performance, Private Commercial Bank

Teaching English amidst Coronavirus Pandemic in Bangladesh: Technological Adaptations and Pedagogical Modifications

This research intended to explore what novel adaptations to the existing technological devices and applications, and what changes to the already-practiced pedagogy the English language teachers of Bangladesh made and implemented to continue teaching English amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized the qualitative methodology applying an open-ended questionnaire on 12 English Language Teaching (ELT) teachers from across the country, who taught English language to various levels of students through online mode during the impasse. The findings of the research demonstrated that ELT teachers effectuated dramatic changes and improvisations to the existing technological devices, programs and applications to respond to the new mode of teaching, and exert the best of it. Simultaneously, the results presented that most of the ELT teachers had to inculcate dramatic modifications to the habituated pedagogical practices, a major portion of which was psychological shift and support.   

STATUS OF “KUAKATA” A NEGLECTED NATURAL SCENIC RESOURCE OF BANGLADESH

There are many years since we have independent from the foreign ruling. But we are now in the least developed country because of lacking of the integration and inter-coordination among the different political, economical and social sectors. Though we are in the loaded position with the vast population, it would be the most resourceful by the proper nourishment and proper adoption with education, knowledge and training for the sustainable utilization of the God- gifted enormous natural resources. Kuakata the second largest Sea-beach is another one of the natural scenic resource of our country which is still now under negligence and mismanagement including its demographic development. By the proper planning and inter-sectoral coordination Kuakata can be turned into a most effective and largest economical source of the national revenue and common people livelihood. There has been tried to present the present demographic, educational, Hospitalization, transportation, present and potential resources and other tourism facilities in this study. Here is tried to highlight what have in this tourism place and what are to be needed in kuakata

STATUS OF “KUAKATA” A NEGLECTED NATURAL SCENIC RESOURCE OF BANGLADESH

There are many years since we have independent from the foreign ruling. But we are now in the least developed country because of lacking of the integration and inter-coordination among the different political, economical and social sectors. Though we are in the loaded position with the vast population, it would be the most resourceful by the proper nourishment and proper adoption with education, knowledge and training for the sustainable utilization of the God- gifted enormous natural resources. Kuakata the second largest Sea-beach is another one of the natural scenic resource of our country which is still now under negligence and mismanagement including its demographic development. By the proper planning and inter-sectoral coordination Kuakata can be turned into a most effective and largest economical source of the national revenue and common people livelihood. There has been tried to present the present demographic, educational, Hospitalization, transportation, present and potential resources and other tourism facilities in this study. Here is tried to highlight what have in this tourism place and what are to be needed in kuakata

Study of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber and Flyash Particulate Reinforced Al 2219 Hybrid Composites

Composite material is a material composed of two or more distinct phases (matrix phase and reinforcing phase) and having bulk properties significantly different from those of any of the constituents. Many of common materials (metals, alloys, doped ceramics and polymers mixed with additives) also have a small amount of dispersed phases in their structures, however they are not considered as composite materials since their properties are similar to those of their base constituents (physical property of steel are similar to those of pure iron). Favorable properties of composites materials are high stiffness and high strength, low density, high temperature stability, high electrical and thermal conductivity, adjustable coefficient of thermal expansion, corrosion resistance, improved wear resistance et

Postharvest Management of Anthracnose on Quality of Papaya (Carica Papaya l.) Using Antagonistic Bacteria

A study was conducted to evaluate the biocontrol potential of antagonistic bacteria to manage anthracnose disease and postharvest quality of papaya during storage. The fruits of papaya cv. ‘Sekaki’ were found to be highly susceptible to several postharvest fungal diseases. Among them, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was the most prevalent, where disease incidence and severity was recorded as 90-98 and 25-38%, respectively. This fungus was isolated from naturally infected papaya fruits and confirmed as pathogenic to papaya fruits. Epiphytic bacteria, isolated from leaf and fruit surfaces of papaya were tested as biocontrol agent against C. gloeosporioides. From 27 antagonistic bacteria screened in vitro by dual and concomitant test, four isolates namely B23, B19, B04 and B15 had high antagonistic activities against the test fungus. Using the Biolog system, isolates B23 and B19 were identified as Burkholderia cepacia, and B04 and B15 as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both B. cepacia and P. aeruginosa strongly inhibited the fungal growth by an average of 74 and 68%, respectively. However, B. cepacia strain B23 was found to be the most efficacious biocontrol agent in this study, since both cell suspension and filter sterilized culture filtrate of this bacterium completely suppressed the spore germination of the test fungus, which P. aeruginosa could not. These suggest that an antibiotic substance (s) may be produced by B. cepacia B23. Effect of different culture media on the production of antifungal substances by B. cepacia B23 was investigated to improve the efficacy of this biocontrol agent. The bacterium grew faster in nutrient broth medium and the cell concentration in this liquid medium reached the highest level (Log10 15.7 CFU mL-1) after 72 h of inoculation. Consequently, this bacterium produced more antifungal substances in nutrient broth than other tested media. Higher dilution (1:8) of the antifungal substances in crude supernatant from B. cepacia B23 was found to inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides by 41 and 100%, respectively. Pyrrolnitrin and three other unidentified antifungal compounds were detected on TLC plates, which were resistant to boiling and autoclaving at 121 °C for at least 20 min. This bacterium was found to be highly compatible with chitosan (0.75%) and calcium chloride (3%) or mixture of both. Both of these chemicals have suppressive activity against C. gloeosporioides of papaya and could be used as enhancer of biocontrol efficacy of B. cepacia B23 during storage. The survival and proliferation of B. cepacia B23 in papaya wounds and on fruit surfaces was not affected by chitosan-CaCl2 throughout the storage period. The combination of B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-CaCl2 was more effective in controlling the disease than B. cepacia B23 alone or other treatments both in inoculated and naturally infected fruits. Combining B. cepacia B23 with chitosan-CaCl2 gave the complete control of anthracnose in artificially inoculated fruits stored at 14 ºC and 95% RH for 18 days, which was equal to that obtained with fungicide benocide® (benomyl 50% WP). However, this combination offered a greater control by reducing 99% disease severity in naturally infected fruits at the end of 14 days storage at 14º C and 95% RH plus six days post ripening at 28 ± 2 ºC, which was superior to that found with benocide® or other treatments tested. Furthermore, fruits treated with the combination of B. cepacia B23-chitosan-CaCl2 showed delayed climacteric respiration and ethylene evolution by at least 7 days compared to control with reduced rate of CO2 and C2H4 production. This combined treatment reduced weight loss by more than 25% compared to the control. It also markedly slowed down the ripening of fruits as shown by their retention of firmness 4.17 Newton (N) after storage. Moreover, a delayed change in external colour, titratable acidity and pH without compromising fruit quality was observed in fruits that were subjected to the combined treatment. The storage life was thus extended up to 15 days when compared with control. In addition, the incorporation of 3% CaCl2 into the combined treatment significantly increased (81%) the calcium content in fruits compared to control, thus resulting in improved the nutritional value of the papaya. This study provided an alternative method for fungicides treatment of papaya at postharvest