86 research outputs found
Geographical Concentration of Rural Poverty in Bangladesh
No full textThis paper was presented at the dialogue on Mapping Poverty for Rural Bangladesh: Implications for Pro-poor Development. The dialogue was organised as part of CPD's ongoing agricultural policy research and advocacy activities with IRRI under the PETRRA project. The study reported geographical concentration of rural poverty in Bangladesh for 425 upazilas in 2000-01. The study measured and mapped incidence of poverty (using Headcount Index), intensity of poverty (using Poverty Gap Index) and severity of poverty (using Squared Poverty Gap Index). It has analyzed factors contributing to the spatial concentration of poverty. It is hoped that the findings of the study would be helpful in identifying target areas and priorities for agricultural R&D interventions and poverty reduction programmes.Poverty, Rural Poverty, Bangladesh
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Inkjet Printed Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Organohalide Perovskites for Photodetectors and Solar Cells
No full textThis dissertation is devoted to the development of novel devices for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications using the promise of inkjet printing with two-dimensional (2D) materials. A systematic approach toward the characterization of the liquid exfoliated 2D inks comprising of graphene, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), tungsten diselenide (WSe2), and 2D perovskites is discussed at depth. In the first study, the biocompatibility of 2D materials -- graphene and MoS2 -- that were drop cast onto flexible PET and polyimide substrates using mouse embryonic fibroblast (STO) and human esophageal fibroblast (HEF) cell lines, was explored. The polyimide samples for both STO and HEF showed high biocompatibility with a cell survival rate of up to ~ 98% and a confluence rate of 70-98%. An inkjet printed, biocompatible, heterostructure photodetector was constructed using inks of photo-active MoS2 and electrically conducting graphene, which facilitated charge collection of the photocarriers. The importance of such devices stems from their potential utility in age-related-macular degeneration (AMD), which is a condition where the photosensitive retinal tissue degrades with aging, eventually compromising vision. The biocompatible inkjet printed 2D heterojunction devices were photoresponsive to broadband incoming radiation in the visible regime, and the photocurrent scaled proportionally with the incident light intensity, exhibiting a photoresponsivity R ~ 0.30 A/W. Strain-dependent measurements were also conducted with bending, that showed Iph ~ 1.16 µA with strain levels for curvature up to ~ 0.262 cm-1, indicating the feasibility of such devices for large format arrays printed on flexible substrates. Alongside the optoelectronic measurements, temperature-dependent (~ 80 K to 573 K) frequency shifts of the Raman-active E12g and A1g modes of multilayer MoS2 exhibited a red-shift with increasing temperature, where the temperature coefficients for the E12g and A1g modes were determined to be ~ - 0.016 cm-1/K and ~ - 0.014 cm-1/K, respectively. The phonon lifetime τ was determined to be in the picosecond range for the E12g and A1g modes, respectively, for the liquid exfoliated multilayer MoS2.
Secondly, an all inkjet printed WSe2-graphene hetero-structure photodetector on flexible polyimide substrates is also studied, where the device performance was found to be superior compared to the MoS2-graphene photodetector. The printed photodetector was photo responsive to broadband incoming radiation in the visible regime, where the photo responsivity R ~ 0.7 A/W and conductivity σ ~ 2.3 × 10-1 S/m were achieved at room temperature.
Thirdly, the synthesis of solution-processed 2D layered organo-halide (CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)n-1PbnI3n+1 (n = 2, 3, and 4) perovskites is presented here, where inkjet printing was used to fabricate heterostructure flexible photodetector devices on polyimide substrates. The ON/OFF ratio was determined to be high, ~ 2.3 × 103 while the photoresponse time on the rising and falling edges was measured to be rise ~ 24 ms and fall ~ 65 ms, respectively. The strain-dependent measurements, conducted here for the first time for inkjet printed perovskite photodetectors, revealed the Ip decreased by only ~ 27% with bending (radius of curvature of ~ 0.262 cm-1). This work demonstrates the tremendous potential of the inkjet printed, composition tunable, organo-halide 2D perovskite heterostructures for high-performance photodetectors, where the techniques are readily translatable toward flexible solar cell platforms as well.
Fourthly, metal contacts and carrier transport in 2D (CH3(CH2)3NH3)2(CH3NH3)n-1PbnI3n+1 (n = 4) perovskites is a critical topic, where the use of silver (Ag) and graphene (Gr) inks as metallic contacts to 2D perovskites was investigated. The all inkjet printed Gr-perovskite and Ag-perovskite photodetectors were found to be photo-responsive to broadband incoming radiation where measurements were conducted from λ ~ 400 nm to 2300 nm. The photoresponsivity R and detectivity D were compared between the Gr-perovskite and Ag-perovskite photodetectors, which revealed the higher performance for the Ag-perovskite photodetector. The superior performance of the Ag-perovskite photodetector was also justified with the Schottky barrier analysis using the thermionic emission model through temperature-dependent transport measurements.
Finally, this dissertation ends with the description of the first steps for using solution-processed, inkjet printed perovskites for solar cells. The preliminary investigations include the discussion of the chemical formulations for the carrier separation layers, dispersion route, and the variation of solar cell figures of merit with processing
Transit and Trade Barriers in Eastern South Asia: A Review of the Transit Regime and Performance of Strategic Border-Crossings
No full textThe analysis of this paper shows that a regional transit arrangement would perhaps enhance the regional trade, controlling for other variables. At the same time, implementation of e-governance at border is found to be significant determinant of trade flows thus indicating e-filling of Custom formalities has been helping the trade to grow in eastern South Asia.Transit, Trade Barriers, Eastern South Asia, Transit Regime
Poverty in Pakistan: Increasing Incidence, Chronic Gender Preponderance, and the Plausibility of Grameen-type Intermediation
No full textPakistan is a large country with a population estimated at 130.580 million.1 The economy has a low-income of US 2230.2 It has managed to achieve substantial economic growth in the past thirty years until the dawn of 1990s. The growth rate has averaged 6.8 percent, 4.8 percent and 6.5 percent in 1960s, 70s and 80s, respectively.3 Evidence from the National Income Accounts, Household Surveys and time series data on the real wages of unskilled workers shows that economic growth has contributed to reduce consumption poverty4 in Pakistan. The table placed as Appendix A at the end shows that GDP per capita has increased in real terms by about 63 percent between 1972-73 and 1990-91. Private consumption per capita also increased in real terms by about 36 percent. Despite the fact that the population has nearly doubled during the period, there have been gains in income and consumption in per capita terms.5 Further evidence of the decline in consumption poverty comes from various research studies in the past. These studies have generally used Household Integrated Economic Surveys (HIES) and estimated the incidence of poverty by using various definitions.
Household socioeconomics, resource use and fish marketing in two thanas of Bangladesh
No full textThis is a report of a socioeconomic survey carried out on a sample of households from owners and operators of small waterbodies in two subdistricts in Gazipur, Bangladesh, to find out the benefits of aquaculture if introduced there. The findings indicate that improved aquaculture technology will benefit the owners and operators of the small water bodies, and that low-cost technologies for aquaculture must be promoted among poor and landless people in order for them to adopt aquaculture.Household surveys, Socioeconomics, Sociological aspects, Fish culture, Fishery economics, Fish consumption, Marketing, Bangladesh,
Clerodendrum viscosum leaves attenuate lead-induced neurotoxicity through upregulation of BDNF-Akt-Nrf2 pathway in mice
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance: Clerodendrum viscosum is an important medicinal plant in Ayurveda in Bangladesh and its leaves are used as a remedy for various diseases such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hyperglycemic, hepatoprotective effects. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of aqueous extract of C. viscosum leaves against Pb-induced neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in mice. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice were divided as a) control, b) lead treated (Pb) and c) C. viscosum leaves (Cle) d) Pb plus Cle groups. Pb-acetate (10 mg/kg body weight) was given to Pb and Pb + Cle groups mice, and water extract of leaves (50 mg/kg body weight) was provided as supplementation to Cle and Pb + Cle groups mice for 30 days. Elevated plus maze and Morris water maze tests were used for evaluating anxiety, spatial memory and learning, respectively. Status of cholinesterase, SOD, GSH enzyme activity and neurotoxicity markers such BDNF and Nrf2 levels were analyzed in the brain tissue of experimental mice. Results: Poorer learning, inferior spatial memory, and increased anxiety-like behavior in Pb-exposure mice were noted when compared to control mice in Morris water maze and elevated plus maze test, respectively. In addition, expression of BDNF and Nrf2, cholinesterase activity along with antioxidant activity were significantly reduced compared to control group (p < 0.01). Interestingly, C. viscosum leaves’ aqueous extract supplementation in Pb-exposed mice provide a significant improved neurochemical and antioxidant properties through the augmentation of activity of cholinergic enzymes, and upregulation of BDNF and Nrf2 levels in the brain tissue compared to Pb-exposed mice. Conclusions: This study suggested that C. viscosum leaves restore the cognitive dysfunction and reduce anxiety-like behavior through upregulation of BDNF mediated Akt-Nrf2 pathway in Pb-exposure mice.No Full Tex
Prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide amongst women and girls in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textA growing body of literature suggests an increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide among women and girls in South Asia. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to appraise the current evidence and estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide in this population. We systematically searched nine (9) bibliographic databases (PubMed, ASU, Embase, WoS, CINAHL, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, HSNE, and NAHC) and additional sources through December 17, 2021, for studies that reported the prevalence of suicidal ideation or attempted suicide. Random-effect models were used to estimate pooled prevalence.Of 30 eligible studies, 27 reported suicidal ideation and 12 reported attempted suicide. The pooled prevalence of overall suicidal ideation and attempted suicide were 17% (95% CI:14.00–20.00, n = 39674) and 5% (95% CI: 4.00–7.00, n = 20791), respectively. Thirteen studies enrolled adult women from the general population, nine recruited adolescent girls, and eight recruited female medical/university students. The pooled estimate of suicidal ideation was higher among adults, whereas attempted suicide was found to be higher among adolescents. These findings on suicidal ideation and attempted suicide suggest a heavy epidemiological and psychosocial burden among South Asian women and girls that necessitates a gender-sensitive integrated multi-sectoral approach
The implementation of rural poor programmes in Bangladesh.
No full textThis study explores the initiatives of the public and private sector
in the context of the alleviation of poverty of the rural poor in
Bangladesh. The central thesis is that the public sector has made a
significant departure, at least in theory, towards the
conceptualisation of the rural poor programme in a way that the
private sector, particularly the non-governmental organisations, have
been performing for the last two decades.
This study emphasises the recognition by the NGOs, particularly the
"moderate ones, that the nature of both the problems and the
solutions change in the process. Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee (BRAC), the "moderate" NGO under study, has gone through a
"learn as it goes", responsive, inductive process. This study argues
quite the contrary with the public sector initiative. It was only
prior to the preparation of the Third Five Year Plan that debates were
initiated to seriously criticise the rather sterile two-tier
cooperative model for rural poor mobilisation around employment
generation and acquisition of assets. Presently, BRDB opened the
"flood-gate", which so long prevented the NGOs to contribute to the
formulation of the training module of BRDB rural poor programme
towards human development and institution building.
Although it has been argued that "moderate" NGOs, like BRAC, are
not institutions setting about to prove a specific model or theory of
development in a dogmatic or absolutist sense, it would be difficult
to say that they are not guided by an ideology, as this study argues,
when the NGOs themselves have accepted the "Freire-type-conscientisation", which in itself is a loaded concept. This study
presents a "mobilising" NGO, where the concept of "conscientisation"
has been shown to transcend the limits of present day thinking of
moderate NGOs
Depression is associated with moderate-intensity physical activity among college students during the covid-19 pandemic: Differs by activity level, gender and gender role
No full textPurpose: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and associated restrictive measures have implications for depressive symptoms (henceforth depression) of young people and risk may be associated with their reduced physical activity (PA) level. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between depressive symptoms and PA among college students with different gender and gender role (masculinity traits and femininity traits) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants and Methods: Cross-sectional study included 628 healthy college students from nineteen different locations. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scales (CES-D), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and the 50-item Chinese Sex-Role Inventory (CSRI-50) were used to measure depressive symptoms, PA continuous (weekly metabolic equivalent minutes, MET-minutes/week) and categorical indicators (activity level category) and gender role, respectively. The statistical analyses were used in partial correlation analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, moderation model tests, and linear regression model tests. Results: Total of 34.72% participants had clinically relevant depression (16, CES-D scale). Total of 58.6% participants were classified as a “low” activity level for spending less time on PA. Depression significantly negatively correlated with MET-minutes/week in moderate-intensity PA but not vigorous and walking scores. Of note, the depression-PA association was only moderated by the “low” activity level group in terms of categorical scores across gender groups. Participants with higher masculinity traits were less likely to have depression among all participants. Moreover, more recovered cases and fewer deaths could also predict the lower depression risk in the “high” activity level group. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity PA is beneficial for reducing depression risk among college students at a low activity level. College students with fewer masculinity traits (regardless of gender) are highly vulnerable to depression during the outbreak of COVID-19. Effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic seems critical to alleviating the burden of mental disorders of the public including depression
Rural-urban interaction in Bangladesh : a study of linkages between villages and small urban centres.
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