Volume 08, Number 01 & 02, 2011

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/1796

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A comparative study on dispersivity of Arsenic among Surma, Sari and Volaganj sand
(BRAC University, 2011) Islam, Shriful; Rahman, M.S.; Das, R.K.
Transport mechanism of Arsenic (As) through the Surma, Sari and Volaganj sand is the prime concern of this study. Three column leaching tests were performed to find the dispersivity property of As. Numerous physical properties of these sand samples were determined and it shows Volaganj sand is most permeable. From the collected data experimental and theoretical breakthrough curve (BTC) were prepared and compared with each other. The value of dispersion coefficient and Index of dispersion were calculated. Dispersion coefficient (773.763cm2/min) and index of dispersion (844.3cm2/min) was higher for Surma sand. The leaching rate was found higher for higher pore water velocity of the Volaganj sand. The study also reveals that there is a significant difference between theoretical and experimental breakthrough curve. So not only convection/dispersion but also other processes such as adsorption, reaction with other compound are associated with the movement of arsenic through the sand medium.
Use of Mustard oil as an alternative and renewable substitute of Fossil diesel
(BRAC University, 2011) Hasib, Z.M.; Rahman, K.A.; Alam, M.M.
Energy is the prerequisite for modern civilization. Fossil fuel is still the main source of energy. But the endless consumption of fossil fuel has brought its reserve about to an end. As a result, fuel prices are growing as a consequence of spiraling demand and diminishing supply. So we are always in search of alternative and cost effective fuels, to meet our need. Diesel engines are more efficient and costeffective than other engines. So diesel engines have versatile uses (i.e. automobiles, irrigation, power plants etc.). That is why; consumption of diesel fuel is much higher than other gasoline fuels. This paper estimates the feasibility of mustard oil as an alternative fuel for diesel engine. Mustard is a renewable plant, widely growing in almost everywhere in Bangladesh. In this study, mustard oil is converted to bio-diesel by well known trans-esterification reaction. Bio-diesel has different fuel properties than diesel fuel. So other than modification of the engine or the fuel supply system, blends of bio-diesel (i.e. B20, B30, B50 etc,) has been used. Finally, a comparison of engine performance for different blends of bio-diesel has been carried out to choose the correct blend for different operating conditions.
Unplanned urbanization and hill cutting : a study on environmental change in Sylhet
(BRAC University, 2011) Rahman, Md. Habibur; Fardusi, Most. Jannatul; Roy, Bishwajit; Raihan, Farzana
Bangladesh is a developing country having diversified environmental issues especially in the city area. The present study was conducted in Sylhet City Corporation; one of the rapidly developing urban areas in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh to identify the main environmental problems due to rapidly increase population, unplanned urbanization and hill cutting. The major environmental problems in the city are traffic obstruction, inappropriate solid waste disposal system, inadequate water supply, water logging state, hill cutting, chance of seismicity, etc. The nature and life style of Sylhet intimately related with the hills are thus under the threat of a drastic imbalance in its ecosystem. This study also investigates the causes of hill cutting along with its probable impact on environment such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, ecological imbalance and climatic change, chances of earthquake will increase, destroying natural beauty, soil erosion and landslide, etc. Sylhet is located in highly seismic risk zone 3 but most of the buildings and apartments are constructed without considering earthquake risk. The City Corporation authority should take a new approach to tackle urban problems by investing new ways to solve them, taking advantages of unused resources and opportunities.
Estimating money demand function of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2011) Alam Miah, Md. Habibul
Although money demand equations have been estimated for many western countries, yet only recently many researchers have investigated the demand for money in mixed economies like Bangladesh. Co-integration technique is now a common method of estimating any money demand function. This paper empirically analyses the stability of the narrow and broad money demand functions (M1, M2, and M3) in Bangladesh for the period 1999QI-2005QIIII. To determine whether the policy framework satisfies the necessary condition for effectiveness of monetary policy, the stability of Bangladeshi M1, M2, and M3 money demand is estimated and tested by employing a recent co-integration procedure proposed by Johansen-Juselius (2001). It is shown that even though M1 and M2 monetary aggregates are co-integrated with income, interest rate and nominal effective exchange rate, application of Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and Cumulative Sum of Square (CUSUMSQ) tests to the residuals of an error-correction model reveal that it is unstable.
Mathematical modeling of health service utilization data using multiple logistic regression
(BRAC University, 2011) Shrestha, Gauri; Shrestha, Ganga
Many women in Nepal experience life threatening complications during pregnancy and child birth. Place of delivery is an important aspect of maternal health services. By delivery at a health institution, women receive better facilities and assistance than delivery at home. Even though the rate of birth taking place in a health institution has increased, but still four out of five (81%) birth take place at home (NDHS 2006). This fact is serious obstacle to reduce maternal mortality in Nepal. For analyzing the use of maternal health services and delivery system in Nepal, data is extracted from individual recodes of a data file of NDHS 2006. The unit of analysis for this study is Ever Married Woman (EMW) who had at least one live birth in the five years preceding the survey. The sample of study consists of 4182 EMW. Statistical model is developed to establish a linkage between utilization of MH services (place of delivery) and several factors. In the process of development of model, logistic regression model is selected. We used Newton Raphson itetrative method to solve the equations which is known as iteratively weighted least square algorithm and the results are interpreted in terms of odd ratios. The result of this study shows that women with low education level, those residing in rural areas and those with low socio-economic status are less likely to use a health facility for delivery.
Same old, same old: from boring to creative presentation
(BRAC University, 2011) Conlan, Chris; Ahmed, Sabreena
This study compares attitudes of tertiary-level students in Australia and Bangladesh towards the use of technology in lectures and seminars. Students were shown audiovisual recordings of two seminars. The content and teacher in both seminars were identical. One seminar, however, used a PowerPoint presentation package while the other used usual whiteboard–marker pen, and post-it notes as additional tools for the presentation. Findings from the research suggest that both Australian and Bangladeshi students preferred the audiovisual recording without PowerPoint as it was more effective and interactive to them. These findings have important implications with respect to educational planning and effectiveness of modern technology in making presentations in both of these countries.

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