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Food is required for both humans and animals, however during the covid-19 era, many small and medium-sized food enterprises are struggling to produce and transport food, and others are on the verge of closing down. Now is the moment to build a future strategy and action plan for the small and medium-sized food industry to mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. This study’s objective is to identify probable tactics, policies, and action plans and evaluate their efficacy and acceptability. This study also explores and quantifies the post-COVID effects of Covid-19 on Bangladesh’s Small and Medium-Scale Food Industries. Using a non-probability sample technique, three types of self-administered questionnaires were utilized to gather data from the owner, factory in-charge, manager, and CEO of the Food and Beverage Manufacturing sector. Using SPSS software V.25, descriptive analysis was performed to display frequencies, %ages, and mean scores, while one-sample t-test was utilized to compare the value (mean) of the viewpoints (strategies & action plans) with the supplied value (test value). Results indicate that the probable strategies and action plans (14 strategies) that need to be implemented by the government is high and acceptable and that the effectiveness of other probable strategies and action plans (5 strategies) that need to be implemented by food and beverage manufacturers may also acceptable and could apply to the post-covid situation.

This paper aims to examine the relationship between a Birangona, and the men of a patriarchal social system in Rizia Rahman's novel Rokter Okkhor (1978), translated into English as Letters of Blood (2016) by Arunava Sinha. It also explores the notion of honor as it is awarded to the war heroines and how the notion quickly changes into an idea of stigma as Barangona, which means prostitute. Yasmin, the protagonist of this novel, goes through traumatic experiences of being raped, ravaged, and tormented for a few months during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. After the war of independence, the state honors her as a 'War Heroine' for her sufferings and sacrifices. Looking through the lenses of social stigma and capitalist patriarchy, this paper argues that Yasmin falls doubly victim to the grasp of the patriarchal system and ideology, and her state-awarded "honor" turns into a "stigma"; consequently, she goes through social humiliation, rejection, and violation. Furthermore, this paper also demonstrates that the men deny her the inalienable right to live an everyday life and she is pushed to a tragic journey from a war heroine to be a whore.

The main objective of this research is to quantify evidence of the impact of green-space on fifteen health outcomes. Four databases- MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED and CINAHL from January, 2000 to June, 2019 were searched. In this meta-analysis 63 observational studies were included for the investigation where 15 health outcomes (e.g., Type-2 Diabetes, Incidence of Hypertension, Incidence of Asthma, Stroke, Preterm Birth, Cardiovascular Mortality, All-cause Mortality, Salivary Cortisol and self-identified well-being etc) are considered. Our meta-analysis results revealed increased green-space exposure is associated with decreased heart rate (standardized mean difference (SMD)=−0.67), salivary cortisol (SMD = −0.31), along withreduced risk of preterm birth (OR = 0.87), type II diabetes (OR =0.76), hypertension (OR =0.77), coronary heart disease (OR = 0.85), all-cause mortality (OR = 0.69), cardiovascular mortality (OR =0.82), and an increased incidence of self-identified well-being (OR =1.15). Green-space exposure is found to be connected with the above mentioned health outcomes. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 69(3): 143-148, 2022 (June)

The study investigated the factors that influence the Return on Assets (ROA) of manufacturing firms in Bangladesh. The study relied on secondary data sourced from the audited annual reports of 15 leading manufacturing firms in Bangladesh, covering a period of ten years from 2013 to 2022. The sample firms were selected based on their listing on the DSE-30 and CSE-30 indices and their status as leading firms in the manufacturing sector using a Random Sampling Method to ensure representativeness and avoid selection bias. The study employed the One-Step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to analyze the data, addressing the presence of endogeneity and heteroskedasticity. The results of the study indicated that the natural logarithm of Net Profit Margin (NPM) and Total Sales (TS) have a significant positive relationship with ROA, while the natural logarithm of Total Assets (TA) has a significant negative relationship with ROA. However, the study did not find any significant relationship between the leverage ratio (D RATIO) and ROA. The lagged value of the dependent variable (L) was also found to be insignificant. The study's findings suggest that firms can enhance their ROA by improving their profitability and increasing their sales, while avoiding excessive growth in their asset base. Additionally, larger firms may face diseconomies of scale that reduce their profitability. However, the lack of a significant relationship between leverage and ROA is somewhat surprising, and further research is needed to better understand the relationship between leverage and ROA in different contexts. Overall, the study utilized a rigorous data collection approach to ensure the reliability and validity of the data used for analysis, providing accurate results that can be relied upon for making informed decisions.

Intermittent forms of renewable energy destabilize electricity grids unless adequate reliable generating capacity and storage are available, while instability of hybrid electricity grids and cost fluctuations in fossil fuel prices pose further challenges for policymakers. We examine the interaction between renewable and traditional fossil-fuel energy sources in the context of the Alberta electricity grid, where policymakers seek to eliminate coal and reduce reliance on natural gas. We develop a policy model of the Alberta grid and, unlike earlier models, calibrate the cost functions of thermal generation using positive mathematical programming. Rather than employing constant average and marginal costs, calibration determines upward sloping supply (marginal cost) functions. The calibrated model is then used to determine an optimal generation mix under different assumptions regarding carbon prices and policies to eliminate coal-fired capacity. Results indicate that significant wind capacity can enter the Alberta grid if carbon prices are high, but that it remains difficult to eliminate reliable baseload capacity. Adequate baseload coal and/or natural gas capacity is required, which is the case even if battery storage is allowed into the system. Further, significant peak-load gas capacity will also be required to backstop intermittent renewables.

The renewable energy and alternative power sectors are rising with less global warming, improved public health, inexhaustible electricity, and affordable energy prices day by day. A Sustainable Earth-Battery can be used as an alternative power source as there is no need for an external power to charge the Earth-Battery because it can get charged naturally in the presence of water. This paper aims to show how electricity is generated from the soil and to operate small-scale powered devices. Various soil samples, influential reactors, and electrodes were examined for the entire potential difference and electron flow. After experimentation, it has been shown that Carbon (C6) and Aluminum (Al13) can provide feasible power as an electrode. In a series–parallel relationship between soil cells in the presence of water and energy generation systems through the soil, natural water, filtered and modified soil has been used to achieve maximum efficiency. So, it is also called the water-activated battery, and there is no such thing as a toxic substance that can affect the environment. As a result, it can also be considered a clean energy source. The priority was to use raw materials concerning cost and availability. This paper explains the design, operations, characteristics, and best possible way of soil powered electricity generation system.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dissolved oxygen concentrations on growth, survival and gonadal development of freshwater pearl mussel (Lamellidens marginalis). Twenty adult L. marginalis were exposed to each of the five different concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO) i.e (T0, no aeration), and T1, T2, T3 and T4 with one, two, three and four air stone aerators, respectively in fifteen glass aquaria each containing 10L of pond water. DO concentrations were significantly higher in all the treatments compared to the control but there were no significant differences among the treatments. There were significant differences in the growth and survival rates between control and treatments. The relative growth rates (%) were significantly higher in the highest oxygen concentration (T4) compared to other treatments. The survival rate was zero in control (T0), whereas it was 66.67%, 70.00%, 71.67% and 73.33%, respectively for T1, T2, T3 and T4. On day-30, oocytes in T0 were found to be smaller in size, with developing acini and no previtellogenic oocytes; whereas in T1, T2, T3 and T4, previtellogenic oocytes and larger acini were evident. On day-60, vitellogenic oocytes along with few under-developed oocytes started to detach from the acini walls, as well as some already started migration to germinal duct on day-90. This indicates that ovaries of all the treatments were ripe and were ready to spawn between day-60 and -90. On day-30, secondary spermatocytes were observed in testicular acini in case of T0, whereas more developed and dense spermatids were evident in T1, T2, T3 and T4. These results indicate that testes were in late development stages in T0, whereas they were ripe in all the treatments. The current findings indicate that hypoxia slows down growth, reduces survival rate and retards development of reproductive organs in L. marginalis.

This work considers adults’ acumen to be assessed with four quantified indices like cell membrane capacitance (CM), total body fat (TBF), total body water (TBW), and total body impedance (TBI) that reflect subjects’ cerebral stress handling competence in the face of intense cognitive task. Primarily, an electrical model of the epithelial tissue structure (ETS) has been represented and anatomized in the light of hormonal change happens inside human body to propose a number of preambles. An intelligence quotient (IQ) test designed to agitate mind has been conducted right before measuring body composition parameters. Finally, comprehend data operations and juxtaposed investigations to vindicate model-implied preambles along with quantified indices were made by comparing them to IQ test outcomes. Effectively innervated nervous system with homeostasis endocrine human anatomy has been reported to have CM, TBF, TBW, and TBI in the range of 1.0-2.1nF, 7.9-20%, 56.8-80%, and 470-550 Ω respectively for the subjects whose acumen is classified as “Class-A”, while “Class-B” is also presented with distinct quantified indices. These indices are expected to be paradigm of non-invasive neurological disorder detection, additionally, it can also be applied in categorizing youngsters before deploying them to highly productive tasks suitable for them.

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by the new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was first diagnosed in Wuhan, China in late December of 2019. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has a large negative psychological effect and mental health issues worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. The unexpectedly rapid spread of COVID -19 endowed HCWs with increased work burden, lack of personal protective equipment, high risk of exposure and contracting the diseases, as well as increased mortality amongst HCWs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carry out to assess the Mental Health status of the professionals working with Covid-19 at Hospital in Dhaka. Primary data were collected through field survey including the observation and interview method. This survey, were covered doctors, nurses and Medical technicians in all clinical departments of Kuwait Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, Uttara, Dhaka between 1st May to July 30th, 2021. Mental health variables were assessed via Somatic Symptom scale-8 (SSS-8). Results: We found that the highest 36.11% age group was 25-34, 51.85% healthcare professional are female and 48.15 % are male, 86.11% of healthcare professional are married, 12.96 % are single and 0.93% are widowed, 92.59 % health professionals are full time worker, 4.63 % are hourly basis and 2.78% are part time, 20.37 % are doctor, 37.0 % are nurse, 8.33 % are laboratory technician and 24.07% are supporting staffs. The overall level on Mental Health Burden of the respondents, 40.60% respondents opinion were No to minimal as well as 34.10% respondents opinion were Low, whereas 4% respondents opinion were Medium, how over 19% respondents opinion were high and 2.30% respondents opinion were Very high on Mental Health Burden foe COVID-19 patient care. Somatic symptom burden as measured by the SSS-8 was significantly associated with only one of the factors, Headaches (p= 0.009 [95% CI, .0755571 to .5202732]). The other 7 variables were not significantly associated since none could justify a p- value less than .05 at 95% confidence interval. From the analysis we found certain prevalence of psychological symptom among the health care professional during Covid-19 situation. Conclusion: Healthcare professional need adequate equipment, health protection, optimum working environment. This information or data is very essential. The data is essential in mental health department, in case of policy making, in the long run where second outbreak of Covid-19 occur.

We proposed a data-driven framework that leverages machine learning and econometric modeling techniques to investigate autonomous vehicle (AV) involved crashes and maps human-critical safety factors to operational design domains. The goal is to assist the infrastructure owner-operators in identifying human-critical AV-testing-and-deployment zones based on data-driven insights from both AV-testing data (e.g., California Department of Motor Vehicle AV crash reports) and historical crash data involving only human drivers. First, we analyzed AV crash data collected from the CA DMV website for May 2018 to December 2020 using ML-based and econometric models incorporating attributes such as weather, lighting condition, road surface condition, vehicle miles traveled, and collision type. Later we use the findings to demonstrate the framework's applicability for New York City crash data at the Zip Code level (2012--2021).

The bis-chelated four coordinate complexes (ML2, L = deprotonated ligand) of Zn(II) and Pd(II) ions were synthesized, derived from a new bidentate NS Schiff base called S-benzyl-β-N-(4-hydroxy-3- nitrophenyl)methylene dithiocarbazate (HL) which is the condensation product of S-benzyl dithiocarbazate (SBDTC) with 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzaldehyde. The synthesized ligand and complexes were characterized using conventional techniques like NMR, UV-visible, IR, mass spectroscopic techniques, magnetic susceptibility measurement and molar conductance. A single crystal X-ray crystallography data approved the proposed crystal structure of the ligand. Both in solid and solution phase, the ligand continues to exist in its thione tautomeric form. The chelates were formed by the reaction of ligand with the metal ions through the ligand azomethine nitrogen atom and the deprotonated thiolate sulfur anion. Magnetic susceptibility and electronic spectroscopic data suggested to have a tetrahedral geometry for ZnL2 complex whereas a square planar structure for PdL2 complex. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory bioactivity were assayed on both the ligand and its complexes by tail flick and carrageenan induced paw edema test. The ligand at the dose of 10 mg/kg, produced a significant (***p < 0.001) increase in pain threshold in tail flick methods when compared to control but in case of complexes, it showed moderate activity. At the same dose, the ligand and complexes significantly (***p < 0.001) reduced paw edema when compared to the control. Altogether, these results suggest that ligand and its complexes could be used as a potent anti-inflammatory agent.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) is a rare form of neurodegenerative disorder of hereditary origin. In Bangladesh we don’t have any epidemiological study. Till today there is no gold standard of the diagnosis, further to its wide clinical heterogeneity, it often leads physicians to an incorrect or missed diagnosis. So is the importance of the insight into this disease. We report a 10 years old male child who presented with history of difficulty in posture and walking associated with frequent fever, delayed slurred speech and abnormal eye movements. Physical examination revealed delayed milestones of development involving neck control, sitting, walking, unsteady supported swaying gait and speech language dysfunctions. MRI of brain showed cerebellar atrophy and a raised serum Alfafeto protein level. The child was diagnosed as a case of AT and was presented in a clinical meeting at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for discussions and further managements including medical rehab. We offered him a course of combined rehabilitation therapy program and discharged home. JCMCTA 2019 ; 30 (1) : 64-67

Derivatives are very cardinal agreement, not just for the purpose of investors but for the overall economies. They excellently affect the general execution of a nation's economy and along these lines the global economy. The world derivative markets are gigantic and it has developed widely in the last decades in both developed economy and rising economy. Derivative markets protect bonds, currency, equity, and short-term interest rate assets from various risks. Bangladesh is a developing country it has an emerging economy. It is necessary to establish derivative market in Bangladesh. In our article, we discuss about theoretical framework such as different derivative products, benefits, and limitations of derivative markets. We also analyze six countries (Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and US) derivative annual turnover. We see both exchange-traded derivative turnover and over-the-counter turnover. We find that every countries annual turnover increase in present year as compared to previous year. In the last part of our study, we are recommending some essential requirements sequentially to establish derivative market in Bangladesh.

The condensation of 4-benzyloxybenzaldehyde with S-benzyl dithiocarbazate (SBDTC) in absolute ethanol afforded the Schiff base, S-benzyl-β-N-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)methylene-dithiocarbazate (1). The ligand on further reaction with metal ions in absolute ethanol [for Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)] and in methanol [Pd(II)] resulted in the formation of the corresponding four coordinate complexes. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by physico-chemical techniques, viz., molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurement, IR, NMR and solution UV/Vis spectroscopic techniques. The complexes demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than the free ligand indicating that coordination with these metal ions has enhanced biological potential of the ligand. All the compounds exhibited more or less moderate activity against the test organisms.

Implementation of tuberculosis (TB) infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines in public tertiary care general hospitals remain challenging due to limited evidence of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients’ duration of hospital stay and management. To fill this evidence gap, this study examined adult PTB patient management, healthcare workers’ (HCWs) exposures and IPC practices in two public tertiary care hospitals in Bangladesh.Between December 2017 and September 2019, a multidisciplinary team conducted structured observations, a hospital record review, and in-depth interviews with hospital staff from four adult medicine wards.Over 20 months, we identified 1,200 presumptive TB patients through the hospital record review, of whom 263 were confirmed PTB patients who stayed in the hospital, a median of 4.7 days without TB treatment and possibly contaminated the inpatients wards. Over 141 observation hours, we found a median of 3.35 occupants present per 10 m2 of floor space and recorded a total of 17,085 coughs and 316 sneezes: a median of 3.9 coughs or sneezes per 10 m2 per hour per ward. Only 8.4% of coughs and 21% of sneezes were covered by cloths, paper, tissues, or by hand. The HCWs reportedly could not isolate the TB patients due to limited resources and space and could not provide them with a mask. Further, patients and HCWs did not wear any respirators.The study identified that most TB patients stayed in the hospitals untreated for some duration of time. These PTB patients frequently coughed and sneezed without any facial protection that potentially contaminated the ward environment and put everyone, including the HCWs, at risk of TB infection. Interventions that target TB patients screening on admission, isolation of presumptive TB patients, respiratory hygiene, and HCWs’ use of personal protective equipment need to be enhanced and evaluated for acceptability, practicality and scale-up.

Bangladesh is a floodplain dominated country. Coastal delta areas of Bangladesh convey multiple impacts of climate change worth-hit. Most of the rivers carry a huge amount of sediment from upstream piedmont area. The river bed rises due to insufficient upstream water supply. Similarly, the deposited sedimentation creates a large number of sandbars inside the river. That’s why, water logging and siltation turn into a serious problem in the south-western region of Bangladesh, especially in Satkhira, Khulna and Jessore district. In the middle of September, 2011 the Tidal River Management (TRM) project approved at the study site for four years to develop the water logging problem with basic consideration of silt management. In this circumstance, this study focused on the consequences of the TRM on water logging in the coastal area of Bangladesh. Primary and secondary data have been used. Geospatial analyses have been used following the NDWI in Arc GIS for water logging area detestation using Landsat Enhance Thematic Mapper (ETM) and Landsat Operational land Image (OLI) satellite images. The geo-spatial analysis denoted, about 5090 acres of agricultural land and about 729 acres of homestead land have been water logged during TRM implementation period.

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a key technology for fifth generation (5G) communication system. MIMO symbol detection is one of the most computationally intensive tasks for a massive MIMO baseband receiver. In this paper, we analyze matrix decomposition algorithms for massive MIMO systems, which were traditionally used for small-scale MIMO detection due to their numerical stability and modular design. We present the computational complexity of linear detection mechanisms based on QR, Cholesky and LDL-decomposition algorithms for different massive MIMO configurations. We compare them with the state-of-art approximate inversion-based massive MIMO detection methods. The results provide important insights for system and very large-scale integration (VLSI) designers to select appropriate massive MIMO detection algorithms according to their requirement., Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, accepted in NORCAS 2020

Production equipment such as machines have crucial impact on the overall performance of production operations in manufacturing industries, since there is a strong correlation between the machines and working conditions and performance on the shop floor. Well designed production equipment has the potential to achieve economic gain by reducing the disturbances during the operational phase, to fulfill environmental commitment by reducing emissions and resources consumption and utility, and to increase employee satisfaction ensuring safety and good ergonomics. Therefore, when acquiring production equipment it is important to consider different sustainability aspects relevant to its usage during the operational phase. This study aims at exploring the critical features of production equipment to facilitate different practices in the context of sustainable production operational system, and how manufacturing companies are considering sustainability aspects when acquiring production equipment. The data has been collected based on a literature study, interviews conducted in different manufacturing companies located in Sweden, attending group discussion sessions, and reviewing machines' technical regulation guidelines. Some of the critical features identified are error proofing, setup time, one-piece flow, automatic generation of required data, reduction of energy and resource consumption, together with worker's health and safety, etc. The data indicates that companies specify different features of machines based on the requirements of operational performance and these features are aligned with different lean techniques, green practice, and safety issues. However, during acquisition process of production equipment the environmental issues are still not prioritized yet compared to lean and safety aspects. Budget constraint, insufficient information of the whole life cycle costing and lack of innovation from the equipment suppliers side are exampled of major barriers for acquiring more environment-friendly production equipment. QC 20210115

Production system lifecycle includes phases ranging from concept pre-study to ramp-up and operations. Manufacturing companies often face challenges to reach operational performance targets during ramp-up time and operation phase. The design phase is considered crucial as major decisions related to the future production system are taken during this phase. There is an opportunity to utilize the production system design phase to improve the operational performance during both the ramp-up and operation phase. This research aims to identify the critical factors of the design process that affect the performance in the ramp-up and operational phase. A case study was conducted in a pharmaceutical company where a completed project of launching a new production line for a new product was followed in retrospect. Data were collected by conducting interviews with different members involved in the project and the production team on the shop floor. By qualitative data analysis, critical factors affecting the project´s operational performance were identified; such as level of internal technical competency; involvement level of future line manager, operator and project sponsor within the project team; project team´s competency; pre-study of the business case; time pressure to complete the project; expertise of product and process; organization’s continuous improvement culture; and relationship with the supplier. © 2020, IFIP International Federation for Information Processing. QC 20200930

In Bangladesh, there is currently no data on the burden of latent TB infection (LTBI) amongst hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of LTBI and compare the prevalence among HCWs in two public tertiary care hospitals. Between September 2018 and August 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study in two public tertiary care general hospitals. Using a survey and tuberculin skin test (TST), we assessed risk factors for LTBI, adjusting for known and plausible confounders. In addition, a facility assessment was undertaken to understand the implementation of relevant IPC measures. The prevalence of LTBI among HCWs was 42%. HCWs spent a median of 6 hours (SD = 1.76, IQR 2.00) per day and attended an average of 1.87 pulmonary TB patients per week. HCWs did not receive any TB IPC training, the wards lacked a symptom checklist to screen patients for TB, and no masks were available for coughing patients. Seventy-seven percent reportedly did not use any facial protection (masks or respirators) while caring for patients. In the multivariable model adjusting for hospital level clustering effect, TST positivity was significantly higher among HCWs aged 35–45 years (aOR1.36, 95% CI: 1.06–1.73) and with >3 years of service (aOR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.62–1.72). HCWs working in the medicine ward had 3.65 (95% CI: 2.20–6.05) times, and HCWs in the gynecology and obstetrics ward had 2.46 (95% CI: 1.42–4.27) times higher odds of TST positivity compared to HCWs working in administrative areas. This study identified high prevalence of LTBI among HCWs. This may be due to the level of exposure to pulmonary TB patients, and/or limited use of personal protective equipment along with poor implementation of TB IPC in the hospitals. Considering the high prevalence of LTBI, we recommend the national TB program consider providing preventative therapy to the HCWs as the high-risk group, and implement TB IPC in the hospitals.

In response to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to reduce healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) exposure to tuberculosis (TB) in health settings, congregate settings, and households, the national TB control program of Bangladesh developed guidelines for TB infection prevention and control (IPC) in 2011. This study aimed to assess the implementation of the TB IPC healthcare measures in health settings in Bangladesh. Between February and June 2018, we conducted a mixed-method study at 11 health settings. The team conducted 59 key-informant interviews with HCWs to understand the status of and barriers impeding the implementation of the TB IPC guidelines. The team also performed a facility assessment survey and examined TB IPC practices. Most HCWs were unaware of the national TB IPC guidelines. There were no TB IPC plans or committees at the health settings. Further, a presumptive pulmonary TB patient triage checklist was absent in all health settings. However, during facility assessment, we observed patient triaging and separation in the TB specialty hospitals. Routine cough-etiquette advice was provided to the TB patients mentioned during the key-informant interviews, which was consistent with findings from the survey. This study identified poor implementation of TB IPC measures in health settings. Limited knowledge of the guidelines resulted in poor implementation of the recommendations. Interventions focusing on the dissemination of the TB IPC guidelines to HCWs along with regular training may improve compliance. Such initiatives should be taken by hospital senior leadership as well as national policy makers.

Despite of a saturated literature on poverty alleviation through microfinance institutions, the link between performance of microfinance institutions and poverty alleviation has much scope to explo...

Cardiac dynamism changes with the various intellectual activities which affect the brain's performance indirectly. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal displays the variation of cardiac dynamism that has been analyzed in this work to extract the psychological competence of the young students. A cardiac state-inducing prototype and MATLAB based graphical-user interface (GUI) have been developed, implemented, and vindicated for cardiac data acquisition and processing respectively. Comprehensive investigations on linear, non-linear, statistical, and time-frequency analysis of cardiac signal as well as on their parameters have been carried out in order to ascertain the psychological competence of the students. Continuity of contours defining the location of R-waves in scalogram plot, appearances of sharp peaks at brainstorming state in three-dimensional spectrogram plot, and the dominance of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity for balancing autonomic nervous system (ANS) in parameters like standard deviation of NN intervals, stress index, power, and index of centralization are the key factors have been anatomized for a final appraisal. The trustworthiness of the ascertaining approach has been validated by further analysis of the GUI's report and the evaluated individuals' scores in the mathematical test

The conventional ac-dc converters for energy harvesting system with diode rectifiers suffers considerable voltage drop results increase in power loss of circuitry and complexity. The bridgeless boost rectifier which is a unique integration of boost and buck boost to condition the positive and negative half portions of the input ac voltage, respectively. Such a single stage ac-dc converter has been designed and simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK at 50-kHz switching frequency. The boost and buck-boost topologies could share same inductor and capacitor to meet the miniature size and weight requirements. The input ac voltage with 10V amplitude is rectified and stepped up to 30V dc. Detailed design guidelines are provided with the purpose of minimizing the size, weight, and power losses.

In 2017, Bangladesh experienced the worst floods in recent decades. Based on a forecast and pre-defined trigger level, a Red Cross Red Crescent project distributed an unconditional cash grant of BDT 5000 (USD 60 equivalent) to 1039 poor households in highly vulnerable, flood-prone communities in the Brahmaputra river basin before an early flood peak. Systems that can deliver forecast-based cash grants are a potential adaptation strategy to deal with changes in extreme events linked to climate change. This paper presents the results of a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental study, based on a post-disaster household survey. The research assesses the effectiveness of the forecast-based cash distribution in helping beneficiaries to take preparatory early actions and reduce the negative impacts of the flood on their health, well-being, assets and livelihoods. The assessment shows that the cash grants contributed to improving households' access to food, a reduction in high-interest debt accrual of vulnerable households, and reduced psychosocial stress during and after the flood period, compared to a control group of similarly vulnerable and flood-affected communities that did not receive the forecast-based cash assistance. The intervention may also have prevented households from being forced to make destitution sales of valuable assets, as indicated by qualitative data collected in July, but we do not see these benefits sustained after a second flood peak in August 2017. There is a need for further research to assess the longer-term effects of forecast-based cash on the socio-economic development and well-being of the most vulnerable.

Road safety issue has become a major concern worldwide due to the serious consequences of road accidents on countries socio-economics and human lives. The main aim of this paper is to discuss and review the effects of geometric design elements on road accidents including statistical models used over the years and to compare the outcomes of the studies conducted in several countries. A way to improve road safety is improving road geometric design to mitigate accidents occurrence and severity on roadways. In order to improve the road design, it is crucial to evaluate and define the relationship between road geometric design elements and road accidents. Studies have tried to relate road geometric design elements such as lane number, sight distance, super-elevation, median width and type, lane and shoulder width, curve radius, gradient, and horizontal and vertical alignments to accident rates. Due to the interrelations between geometric design elements with each other and with other road accident factors, and also lack of reliable methodology of relationship estimation between road geometric design and safety. Ongoing enhancement of statistical methods has resulted in many road design-accidents analysis models which have been developed using a variety of statistical modelling approaches such as linear regression models, multiple linear regression models, Poisson regression models, Poisson-Gamma models, negative binomial models, bivariate and multivariate models, generalized estimation regression models, random parameters models, etc. However, some limitations have been encountered using the mentioned statistical models, thereby there are opportunities for road safety researchers to overcome the limitation challenges.

The title mol­ecule consists of two Schiff base moieties, namely two S-benzyl-β-N-(2-hy­droxy­phenyl­ethyl­idene)di­thio­carbazate groups, connected through an S—S single bond. The two moieties are twisted with a dihedral angle of 87.88 (4)° between the S2C=N planes., The title compound, C32H30N4O2S4, consists of two Schiff base moieties, namely two S-benzyl-β-N-(2-hy­droxy­phenyl­ethyl­idene)di­thio­carbazate groups, which are connected through an S—S single bond. These two moieties are twisted with respect to each other, with a dihedral angle of 87.88 (4)° between the S2C=N planes. A bifurcated intra­molecular O—H⋯(N,S) hydrogen bond is observed in each moiety. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by pairs of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers. The dimers are further stacked in a column along the b axis through weak C—H⋯π inter­actions.