Anisotropic Universe with Manimally Interacting Matter and Holographic Dark Energy

The holographic dark energy (HDE), a form of dark energy, has been a useful tool in explaining the recent phase transition of the universe. In this paper, we study the anisotropic and homogeneous Bianchi type-III model of the universe filled with minimally interacting matter and holographic dark energy under the framework of the Brans-Dicke (BD) scalar tensor theory of gravitation. Considering two physically plausible conditions such as, (i) the special law of variation for Hubble parameter and (ii) the scalar expansion proportional to the shear scalar, we propose two new models namely, exponential expansion model and power law expansion model. We also show the dynamics of these models fit with existing observational data and literature thereof. The transit behavior of the equation of state parameter for dark energy has been analyzed graphically. The jerk parameter is also studied for both of the models describing cosmological evolution. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 42(1): 39-57, 2020

Organic Carbon Concentration in the Soils of Coastal Afforestation Sites in Bogachattor, Chittagong

not available The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 42(1): 84-98, 2020

Thermochemical, Molecular Docking and ADMET Studies of Some Methyl α-D-Glucopyranoside Derivatives

In this study, methyl α-D-glucopyranoside and its modified derivatives were optimized by employing density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/3-21G level theory to explore their structural and thermodynamic properties. Electronic energies, enthalpies, Gibbs free energies, dipole moments, Highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps, the density of states (DOS) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of these modified compounds were found optimal in the subsequent analysis. Molecular docking has been performed against potential inhibitors of the Bacillus subtilis Obg protein (PDB: 1LNZ) to search the binding affinity and mode(s) of six compounds that have significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. It was found that the selected glucopyranoside derivatives have strong interactions mainly with Arg236 and Arg238 residues of the Bacillus subtilis Obg protein, and the molecules were surrounded by other active site residues like Lys156, Pro91, and Glu333. An absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) calculation reveals that the modified derivatives are less toxic and have improved pharmacokinetic features over the parent drug. This computational investigation showed that these methyl α-D-glucopyranoside derivatives might be used as potential inhibitors against the promising antibacterial and antifungal activities for future studies. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 42(1): 58-83, 2020

Investigation of Pinning Force Density Fp and Critical Current Density Jc of Nd0.33Eu0.33Gd0.33Ba2Cu3Oy(NEG-123) Superconductors with Addition of 211 Phase Particles and Analysis with a Theoretical Evaluation Based on Flux Creep-Flow Model

The pinning force density Fp and the critical current density Jc were investigated in Nd0.33Eu0.33Gd0.33Ba2Cu3O(NEG-123) superconductors with addition of NEG-211 and EG-211 secondary phase particles of the volume fractions up to 10 mol% by analyzing experimental data of DC magnetization and compared with theoretical calculation based on flux creep-flow model taking the pinning parameter into account. The pinning parameters such that the number of flux lines in the flux bundle (g2), the most probable value of pinning strength (Am), distribution width (σ2), upper critical field (Bc2) were determined so that a good fit was obtained between theoretical and experimental results. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 42(1): 24-38, 2020

Participatory Tree Carbon Measurement in Komolchari Village Common Forests in Chittagong Hill Tracts

Climate change is taking place at a horrifying rate due to the increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere. REDD+ has been considered as a low-cost approach to reducing atmospheric carbon. A study on measurements of tree carbon through a participatory approach was conducted in Komolchari Village Common Forest (VCF) of Khagrachari under the Chittagong Hill Tracts to examine the contribution of local participants in the measurement of tree carbon. From the study, it was estimated that total tree biomass density measured by the forestry experts and the local participants were 147.40±31.26 tha-1and 135.95±27.54 tha-1, respectively, where total carbon density for trees was 73.70±15.63 tha-1and 67.98±13.77 tha-1, respectively. Furthermore, in the case of saplings, the estimated total biomass density measured by the forestry experts and the local participants were 33.63±3.50 tha-1 and 32.41±3.09 tha-1, respectively, where estimated total carbon density for saplings was 16.82±1.75 tha-1and 16.21±1.55 tha-1, respectively. From all of the findings, it was observed that a participatory approach was successfully conducted in the study area to collect data on the measurement of tree carbon. The study will help bring the profit in the carbon trade by reducing transaction costs in the case of collecting data on tree carbon measurement. The findings of the study can be useful for REDD+ implementation in Bangladesh. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 42(1): 1-23, 2020

Contextualization of Forest Governance for Implementation of REDD+ in Bangladesh

Poor governance accelerates the deforestation and forest degradation through corruption in Bangladesh due to the enhancement of prevalent activities such as excessive collection of forests products, trafficking of logs out of reserve forests, land grabs by powerful actors, illegal encroachment of forests, etc. The study was conducted with a view to assessing the present scenario of the forest governance system based on five UN principles in Bangladesh which will be the driving force to the successful implementation of the REDD+. The study was conducted in Rangamati, Madhupur, and Sreemangal, through focus group discussion, key informants interview, and an online survey. The study shows that lack of transparency, accountability, and integrity is one of the main underlying drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. Restriction to accessing reports on fiscal activities, lack of laws and regulation concerning to public funds, lack of independent institution, ineffective monitoring and testing systems, and inadequate detection, investigation, and prosecution practices, etc. enhance the corruption in the forestry sector and the hindrances of effective REDD+ implementation in Bangladesh. The study suggested taking legal protection, engaging civil society and improving the organizational structures of the forest department to check the corruption in the forestry sector of Bangladesh. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 148-177, 2019

Determinants of Nutritional Status among School Girls in Chittagong Metropolitan Area

This study aims to investigate the determinants of nutritional status (BMI) of school girls, selected randomly from the schools of Chittagong metropolitan area because good nutritional status is a prerequisite for good health, fertility and national productivity. The results of this study show that more than one-third (38.6%) school girls belong to underweight, 47.9% normal and 13.5% overweight. The overall mean BMI of the selected girls is found 20.03±4.06 kg/m2 with considerable variations by their background characteristics. The co-efficient of variation (20.27%) indicates that there exists extreme heterogeneity in BMI of the respondents. Co-efficient of skewness (β1=0.85) and excess of kurtosis (γ2=1.05) reflect that the distribution of BMI is positively skewed and leptokurtic. The mean BMI is found relatively high among the respondents living in the metropolitan area (21.18 kg/m2). The highest mean BMI is found among the girls belong to high family income group (21.62 kg/m2) and low (18.69 kg/m2) in lower family income group. Bivariate analysis indicates that religion, place of origin, place of residence, respondents’ education, arm circumference, fathers and mothers education and occupation, family income, family size, sibling size, skipping and cycling, duration of sporting activity and sleeping, and food intake are found to have significant association with nutritional status of the girls. The study also shows that BMI is significantly positively correlated with family income and negatively with duration of sporting activities. Multinomial logistic regression analysis illustrates that place of residence, arm circumference, mothers’ occupation, duration of sleeping and food intake is found significant predictors of BMI. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 39-67, 2019

Axial Addition in Diastereoisomeric [Ni(Me8[14]ane)](ClO4)2 Complexes and Their Antifungal Activities

A series of diastereoisomeric square planar nickel(II) diperchlorate complexes, [Ni(L)](ClO4)2{L= isomeric Me8[14]ane (LAα, LBα or LCα)}undergo axial ligand addition reactions with NO3-, Cl-, Br-, SCN- or ClO4- to yield six coordinate octahedral derivatives [NiL(X)x(Y)y].z(H2O)(X=NO3,Cl, Br or SCN; Y= ClO4; x = 1 or 2; y = 1 or 0 and z = 0, 1 or 2). The products have been characterized on the basis of analytical, spectroscopic, magnetic and conductance data. All the derivatives are unstable in open air except one derivative and revert back to original square planar complexes. Antifungal activities of the ligands and their nickel(II) complexes have been investigated against some phytopathogenic fungi. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 122-147, 2019

On the Closed Forms of Z(pq), q = kp ± 10

This paper derives the closed form expressions of Z(pq), where p and q ( > p) are primes, and q is of the forms q = kp ± 10 for some (positive) integer k, and Z(.) is the pseudo Smarandache function. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 96-105, 2019

Determinants of Drug Addiction in Slum and Non-slum Areas of Chittagong, Bangladesh

This research paper is a modest attempt to examine the prevalence and differentials of drug addiction in slum and non-slum areas of Chittagong, Bangladesh. The study revealed that about 53 per cent of males and 47 per cent of females were drug addicted in slum areas while in non-slum areas, the percentages of the addicted males and females are about 73 and 55 respectively. In both the areas, it was observed that the drug addicted peoples were suffering from dyspepsia, pain in lever, declining sexual ability, hepatitis, vomiting and other diseases. From the multivariate analysis, it was observed that respondent’s religion, type of family, number of family members, economic status, occupation, duration of taking drugs, watching TV/LCD, reading newspaper or magazine, habit of smoking, knowledge about drugs, knowledge about the harmful effect of drugs, causes behind taking the drugs and drugs buying spots were found to be positively significant effect on drug addiction in slum areas, while in non-slum areas, respondent’s religion, educational qualifications, number of family members, economic status, occupation, knowledge about drugs, watching TV/LCD, reading newspaper or magazine, suffering from diseases due to drugs, knowledge about the harmful effect of drugs, type of drugs, causes behind taking drugs, drugs buying spots and tendency to come back from drugs were found to be positively significant effect on drug addiction. It was observed that majority of the addicted respondents use cannabis in both the areas compare to other type of drugs. The Chittagong Univ. J. Sci. 40(1) : 21-38, 2019