1,721,070 research outputs found
Towards sustainable ICT procurement : impacting data based decision-making in B2B green ICT adoption
Full text linkThe rapid growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, with its expanding economic output and escalating environmental and social impacts, including significant energy usage and waste production, necessitates a shift towards sustainable procurement practices within the business-to-business (B2B) context. This study addresses this challenge by developing and validating the Sustainable ICT Device Acquisition (SIDA) framework and tool, integrating a Supplier Selection Questionnaire (SSQ) and Sustainability Guidelines offers a structured approach for integrating sustainability criteria into ICT procurement decisions. Through the utilization of design science research methodology and a mixed-methods approach, which includes a systematic literature review, interviews, and a survey, this study identifies the key barriers and enablers to sustainable ICT procurement within the European landscape. An application operationalizing the SIDA framework was proposed including features such as a sustainability assessment dashboard, supplier evaluation module (integrating the SSQ), and total cost of ownership (TCO) calculator, empower decision-makers with comprehensive information and data-driven insights. Workshops on the proposed tool’s design and functionality with industry practitioners and academic experts indicate its potential to raise awareness, streamline supplier evaluation, and enhance decision-making in alignment with sustainability goals. It is firmly believed that this research contributes to the field by providing a theoretically grounded and empirically validated framework and tool, promoting responsible ICT procurement decisions that benefit both businesses and the environment
ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF WILT COMPLEX AND TOMATO YELLOW LEAF CURL VIRUS IN SUMMER TOMATO USING BIO-AGENTS, BOTANICAL AND AGRO BIO-PRODUCTS FORTIFIED SOIL
Full text linkA Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
PLANT PATHOLOGYA pot and a lab experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of selected bioagents
(Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichoderma harzianum, Verticillum lecanii,
Beauveria bessiana), botanicals [Clerodendrum infortunatum (Vat) leaf extract,
Lantana camara leaf extract, Azadiracta indica (Neem) leaf extract] and agro bioproducts
(Tea
wastage,
Garlic
powder,
Mustard
oil
cake)
against
the
wilt
complex
and
Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in summer tomato cultivation. The
experiment was conducted at net house in the Department of Plant Pathology, Shere-Bangla
Agricultural
University
(SAU),
Dhaka,
Bangladesh,
during
the
period
of
July
to
October,
2021.
The
experiment
was
carried
out
in
a
complete
randomized
design
(CRD)
with
three
replications
and
each
of
the
treatment
contains
3
pots.
The
total
number
of
unit
pots
was
30.
Summer
variety
‘BARI
hybrid
tomato-4’
was
used
as
a tested
cultivar.
Data
on disease
incidence
and disease
severity
of
wilt
complex
and
TYLCV
was
recorded
at
30,
45
and
60
DAT.
Fungal
pathogen
was
isolated
by
tissue
planting
method. Bacterial pathogen was isolated by dilution and streaking
method. In case of wilt complex, among the selected bio–agents, the lowest disease
incidence (33.33%) and severity (15%) was found in T
1
(Metarhizium anisopliae +
Trichoderma harzianum) and the highest disease incidence (66.67%) and severity
(20%) was found in T
3
(Metarhizium anisopliae + Beauveria bessiana). In case of
TYLCV, the lowest disease incidence (66.67%) and severity (20%) was found in T
3
(Metarhizium anisopliae + Beauveria bessiana) and the highest disease incidence
(100%) and severity (30%) was found in T
2
(Metarhizium anisopliae + Verticillum
lecanii). From the present study, it was found that the wilt complex of tomato
caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and Ralstonia solanacearum that
was confirmed by morphological characteristics of macro and micro conidial
structures and biochemical tests viz. gram staining, motility, KOH solubility,
catalase and simon’s citrate test, respectively. The performance of the treatments in
respect of yield and yield contributing characters against wilt complex and TYLCV
of summer tomato varied significantly. However, from the present study it may be
concluded that mustard oil cake and neem leaf extract can be used as ecofriendly
approach for effective management of wilt complex and Tomato Yellow Leaf curl
Virus (TYLCV) in summer tomato cultivation
The Role of Project Management for Improving Sustainability in the Textile Industry of Bangladesh
Full text linkThe Bangladesh textile industry contributes immensely to the economy of Bangladesh but is under more pressure to go for sustainability due to environmental, social, and economic needs. The objective of this study is to analyse the current sustainability in the industry, the demand for sustainable project management (SPM), and the mechanism through which SPM can be applied practically. The research is based on project management, sustainability, and industrial change theories, and is carried out through qualitative approaches, semi-structured interviewing, and documentation analysis of two textile firms.
The findings recognize that while awareness about sustainability is in creasing, actual implementation remains low—particularly in small and medium enterprises. The key constraints are operational high costs, absence of adequate training, weak policy environments, and absence of digital platforms. The study establishes that SPM's effective usage through government incentives and capacity building is essential to ensuring long-term viability of the textile sector
Linoleic acid derived Oxylipins are elevated in kidney and liver and reduced in serum in rats given a high protein diet
No full textHigh protein (HP) diets are often used as a means to reduce obesity, but their long-term effects remain unclear. In vitro studies suggest the involvement of a subset of oxylipins in the tissue response to HP diets. To examine the role of these bioactive lipids in vivo, normal adult male Sprague Dawley rats were provided isocaloric diets with LP (low protein, 8% protein by weight), NP (normal protein, 14%) or HP (50%) diets for two weeks, and targeted lipidomic analysis of oxylipins in kidney, liver and serum was performed by HPLC-MS/MS. The main group of oxylipins affected by the HP diets was the oxylipins derived from linoleic acid (LA), many of which were elevated in kidney and liver, but reduced in serum of rats provided the HP compared to NP or LP diets. Further studies are needed to elucidate the physiological effects of the changes in these novel oxylipins in response to dietary HP.February 201
Hierarchical Model for Multivariate Spatial Data with Application to Occurrence of Chronic Diseases: Hypertension and Diabetes
No full textChronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes, are growing public health concerns in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. These diseases often co-occur and exhibit notable spatial heterogeneity influenced by socio-demographic and environmental factors. This thesis presents a Bayesian multivariate spatial probit modelling framework to jointly analyze the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes using data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The study incorporates individual-level covariates—such as age, sex, BMI, education, and wealth index—and a spatially structured random effects model, which is modelled via intrinsic Conditional Autoregressive (ICAR) priors at the district level. Gibbs sampling is employed to estimate model parameters and latent spatial effects. Results reveal significant spatial clustering in disease risk and strong associations between chronic conditions and socio-demographic factors. The joint modelling approach enhances estimation efficiency and facilitates the identification of high-risk districts where public health interventions are likely to have the most significant impact. Model performance is evaluated using the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC), effective parameter count, and Moran’s I statistic to confirm spatial dependencies. This research provides an integrated statistical tool for understanding the co-distribution of chronic diseases and supports evidence-based policy planning in Bangladesh
Investigating Monga
Full text linkFood insecurity and poverty are interlinked and the main reason for migration in poor households from the northern part of Bangladesh. Individuals from poor households migrate in the hope of improving self-well-being and for their families.
Monga-seasonal food insecurity is a multi-dimensional issue in the northern region of Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to understand the adaptation strategies by the northern region people of Bangladesh against Monga-seasonal food insecurity. A qualitative approach has been used in this study and to assess the functionality of strategies for adaptation by the char dwellers in Rangpur against Monga-seasonal food insecurity has followed Talcott Parsons and his so-called AGIL system
MANAGEMENT OF WHITEFLY,BEMISIA TABACIGENN.IN TOMATOBY INTERCROPPING
Full text linkA Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
IN
ENTOMOLOGY
SEMESTER: JANUARY-JUNE, 2011A field experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture
University tofind out the effect of intercropping on the management of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci
Genn.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Lin.) during November 2010 to April 2011. The
crop combinations were tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Lin.) + garlic (Allium sativum),
tomato + radhuni (Trachyspermum roxburghianum), tomato + mouri (Foeniculum vulgare),
tomato + methi (Trigonella foenium-graecum), tomato + radish (Raphanus sativum), tomato
+ coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Sole tomato (control). The experiment was laid out
in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Significantly, the
lowest number of infested plant/plot (5m2) (0.00, 0.67 and 1.67 at 40, 80 and 115 DAT
respectively), lowest number of leaf curl infested plant/plot (0.67), lowest number of
white fly/plant (2.67, 4.50 and 5.33 at 40, 80 and 115 DAT respectively), highest number
of healthy plant/plot (5m2) (12.00, 11.33 and 10.33 at 40, 80 and 115 DAT, respectively),
highest number of total natural enemy/plant (3.33), highest healthy tomato yield (16.00
t/ha), lowest infested tomato yield (1.00 t/ha), highest total tomato yield (17.00 t/ha),
highest relative yield (1.80 t/ha), highest tomato equivalent yield (17.69 t/ha) and
highest gross return (Tk. 621600.00/ha) were recorded in tomato + garlic intercropping
system. But in case of total number of other insect pest/plant the lowest (1.33) was
achieved from Tomato + radhuni intercropping system. In terms of percent (%) reduction
or increase over control, the highest reduction on number of infested plant/plot (5m2)
(100%, 83.25% and 74.96% at 40, 80 and 115 DAT respectively), number of white
fly/plant (77.75%, 72.73% and 74.21% at 40, 80 and 115 DAT respectively), number of
leaf curl infested plant/plot (81.74%), highest percent (%) increase of healthy plant/plot
(5m2) (28.62%, 41.63% and 93.81% at 40, 80 and 115 DAT respectively) and total number
of natural enemy/plant (226.47%) over control were recorded in tomato + garlic
intercropping system. As a result the treatment combination of tomato + garlic was the
best treatment followed by tomato + methi, tomato + radhuni, tomato + mouri, tomato +
radish and tomato +coriander where sole treatment (control) gave the lowest
performance in turns of gross return
Hierarchical Model for Multivariate Spatial Data with Application to Occurrence of Chronic Diseases: Hypertension and Diabetes
No full textChronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes, are growing public health concerns in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. These diseases often co-occur and exhibit notable spatial heterogeneity influenced by socio-demographic and environmental factors. This thesis presents a Bayesian multivariate spatial probit modelling framework to jointly analyze the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes using data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). The study incorporates individual-level covariates—such as age, sex, BMI, education, and wealth index—and a spatially structured random effects model, which is modelled via intrinsic Conditional Autoregressive (ICAR) priors at the district level. Gibbs sampling is employed to estimate model parameters and latent spatial effects. Results reveal significant spatial clustering in disease risk and strong associations between chronic conditions and socio-demographic factors. The joint modelling approach enhances estimation efficiency and facilitates the identification of high-risk districts where public health interventions are likely to have the most significant impact. Model performance is evaluated using the Deviance Information Criterion (DIC), effective parameter count, and Moran’s I statistic to confirm spatial dependencies. This research provides an integrated statistical tool for understanding the co-distribution of chronic diseases and supports evidence-based policy planning in Bangladesh
Foundations on sloped fills under repeated loading
Full text linkA large number of physical model tests were conducted with foundations placed on both unreinforced and reinforced sloped fills of different angles and subjected to repeated loading of different amplitudes and frequencies. Both small- and large-scale experiments were carried out under plane-strain conditions with a strip footing placed at a constant setback distance from the slope crest. Model sloped fills consisted of moist sand (at approximately the same moisture content) compacted in layers to a consistent density. Short vertical bars at different spacings, and horizontally placed geogrid and geocell were used as reinforcement. The influence of each test variable, such as soil-reinforcement, slope angle, repeated loading amplitude and frequency, on the behaviour characteristics e.g., foundation deformation and soil stress below it, was studied. Numerical simulations of foundations on sloped fills under both monotonic and repeated loading were conducted. Also, a low-cost, repeated-load model testing facility, which incurred almost no operational or maintenance costs, was designed and manufactured.
The experimental study showed that a foundation on a sloped fill, subjected to deviatoric loading amplitude 2/3rd of its static load, remained stable as long as the maximum total loading remained below 50% of its ultimate bearing capacity. Under a particular repeated loading conditions, the permanent deformations of such a foundation (in both the vertical and slope directions) were found to increase exponentially with increases in the slope angle. On the other hand, for a particular slope angle, the permanent deformations increased with increases in both the amplitude and frequency values of the repeated loading. A similar variation was observed for both the resilient and total deformations as the loading amplitude and frequency changes. The use of different reinforcing elements within the sloped fill not only increased the slope stability but also improved the deformation behaviour of a foundation placed on top of it. Based on experimental results, an empirical equation was developed to predict the vertical permanent deformations of a foundation on a sloped fill for a range of slope angle, repeated loading amplitude and frequency, as the number of loading cycles increased.
In a particular repeated-load testing, as the loading cycles progressed, the residual soil stresses at any depth below the foundation increased whereas the resilient soil stresses remained constant. The rate at which the residual soil stress increased depend on both soil depth and loading amplitude, i.e., soil close to foundation and subjected to higher repeated loading amplitude exhibited higher increment rate. Monotonic-load testing subsequent to repeated-load testing showed that both the stiffness and bearing capacity of a foundation increased significantly due to repeated load application. The monotonic load-displacement plots inferred that those foundations subjected to higher repeated loading amplitudes (within the shakedown limit load) exhibited stiffer responses in both the vertical and slope directions. On the other hand, the stiffness of a foundation which experienced higher-frequency repeated loading was found to be less compared with that under low-frequency repeated loading. Also, the soil stress corresponding to a particular monotonic foundation loading intensity at a particular depth was found to be greater for those foundations which experienced higher deviatoric loading amplitudes during previous repeated-load testing
Crustal Structures of Diebold Knoll and Adjacent Juan De Fuca Oceanic Crust from Integration of Seismic, Gravity and Magnetic Data
Full text linkCascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) has a long history of devastating earthquakes as the Juan de Fuca plate subducts beneath North America, where an imminent megathrust earthquake is expected. Compared to other subduction zones, CSZ exhibits unusually low seismic activity, particularly in the central region with respect to relatively high seismicity zones to the north and south. Some researchers attribute this behavior to subducted seamounts, although their impact on seismicity remains poorly understood and highly debated in the literature. Examining subducted seamounts is challenging due to complexity of the overburden strata. That is why this study focuses on an isolated not-yet-subducted intraplate seamount known as the Diebold Knoll, located approximately 60 km west of the deformation front. Seismic reflection, gravity, and magnetic data were acquired over that seamount during the cruise RR1718.
The first objective of this research was to determine heterogeneities in physical properties of oceanic crust resulted from addition of the seamount by integrated geophysical analysis along two intersecting profiles. The second objective was to reveal the tectonic history of the Diebold Knoll by combining magnetic polarity reversals with cross-cutting relationship analysis of seismic structures and constrained by the nearby ocean drilling sites.
These models revealed that Diebold Knoll does not require complete isostatic compensation. Instead, a flat Moho or a less than 1 km thick root is sufficient to satisfy gravity data; both of these Moho geometries are observed in the study area. To achieve a better fit with observed gravity and magnetic anomalies, lower density and magnetic susceptibility values within the top portion of the seamount are required, which are attributed to faulting and hydration. This finding is also in agreement with a recent study that analyzed seismic velocity variations within seamounts. Furthermore, the negative magnetic anomaly of the seamount and the cross-cutting relationships between sedimentary layers and the seamount body indicated that Diebold Knoll is a very young feature formed approximately 0.8-1.8 Ma.
Advisor: Irina Filin
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