Effect of Bacteria Inoculums on Compressive Strength

The use of bio-concrete is increasing in the present day context and researchers are working on strength and durability characteristics of concrete using bacteria species which have shown calcite precipitation. Three different species of bacteria namely P. Fluorescence, B. Pumilis and B. Subliis that have calcite precipitation properties have been investigated in this study. The investigations were carried first on cement mortar (CM) cubes using these three bacteria species suspension of 20%; 40% and 60% having colony forming units P. Fluorescence (108 CFU/ml), B. Pumilis (106 CFU/ml) and B. Subtilis (108 CFU/ml) respectively. The 40% suspension in all the three cases has shown increased compressive strength as compared to 20% and 60%. The compressive strength measured showed increase (CS) of 18%; 12% for P. Fluorescence; B. Subtilis and decrease of 35% with B. Pumilis respectively. B. Subtilis with optimized 40% suspension having CFU 10x108/ml showed 4.32% ; 5.56%; and 3.81% increase in CS of CC cubes with 3 days; 7 days and 28 days respectively and 5.92% overall increase in CS of CC cubes as compared to the 3 days CS of control cube. ABBREVIATIONSSDW: Sterile Distilled Water; SHC: Self-Healing Concrete; PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction; BC: Bacterial Concrete; CP: Calcite precipitation; CS: Compressive Strength; CC: Cement Concrete; CM: Cement Mortar; MTCC: Microbial Type Culture Collection; CFU: Colony Forming Unit/ml

Migration to Online Teaching-Learning in School Education during COVID-19

Prolonged school closures due to COVID-19 pushed the education system at all levels of India to the limits where structural weaknesses and other loopholes can be clearly visible. The significant challenges like lack of ICT infrastructure and digital competence of teachers, played an important role in the acceptance of new modes of teaching. Creating and delivering the educational content by using digital tools still remains a daunting task for many teachers. At the same time parents are overwhelmed with the burden to teach children at home and help them with online learning and bearing extra expenses of digital devices and internet services. Students, on the other hand, are struggling continually to adapt to a new learning environment that offers some flexibility along with some challenges. This study aims to present the challenges faced in instant migration of offline to online mode of teaching-learning by the stakeholders.

Antenna Design and Fabrication with Circular Microstrip Patch: A Review

The paper presents a review on antenna designing and fabrication techniques with Microstrip Patch (MSP) development. The requirements of MSP are remote controlling, mobile communication, space communication and all wireless communication areas. Aim of this development is to provide a new approach of the designing and simulation of circularMSP for 5.8 GHz operating frequency. CST MICROWAVE STUDIO (MWS) facilitates the quick and accurate analysis of high frequency (HF) antennas which gives the responses and results before fabrication of actual patch with complete technology for 3D EM. FR-4 glass epoxy material board is used for fabrication which is admired and adaptable highpressure thermoset plastic laminate grade with superior strength to weight ratios. Circular MSP is easy to fabricate, portable, lightweight and low cost antenna. N9923A Field Fox RF VNA (Vector Network Analyser) were used for studying and testing all the parameters of fabricated MSP.

An Investigation on the Influence of Modeling Approach and Load Pattern on Seismic Performance of RC Structures

Non-linear Static Analysis serves as a suitable measure to evaluate the performance of a structural system. The careful selection of modelling approach and the load pattern is critical to arrive at an adequate performance evaluation. The present study seeks to evaluate and compare the response of an existing eight story reinforced concrete structure, through the application of different modeling approaches and load patterns prescribed by FEMA 356. The results indicates that, with extreme clarity, that in all cases, the shape of the lateral load distribution is what the response of the buildings is finely accustomed to. This is especially true when different patterns of load are considered. It can also be observed that there is a very small difference between various load patterns.

Automatic Door Handle or Knob Sanitizer

An increase in the risk of COVID-19 spread led people, industries and the government to adopt various approaches for controlling the transmission rate of COVID-19 viruses. Although each approach has its advantages, but in terms of cost-effectiveness and flexibility, one approach i.e. Arduino based sanitizing systems have played an important role to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. In the direction of this research field, a lot of researchers have exerted great efforts to control the COVID-19 outbreak. However, an automatic door handle and knob sanitizer based on IR sensor and servo motor has not been reported till date as per our knowledge. Therefore, In this paper, we have demonstrated an automatic door handle sanitizer to sanitize the handle or knob of a door that is generally used by many people in houses, hospitals, and industries, etc. The reported work has been done to prevent people from getting infected by the coronavirus. If anyone gets infected by touching the contaminated door knob of any institution, house, hospital, etc., then it will have a severe effect on the person as well as on his country. In this regard, the reported system sanitizes the door handle to remove the virus from it as the person touches the door knob. The demonstrated system contains Arduino-Nano, Servo motor, Bread-board and an IR Sensor. It can be implemented in public places such as hospitals, companies where the doors are used frequently to break the chain of COVID-19 infection.

Coping of Off-campus Class during the COVID-19 Crisis for the Architecture Pedagogy in Bangladesh

Many of the private universities of Bangladesh have decided to continue their academic activities through online off-campus learning amid concerns that traditional classes could spread the COVID-19 virus. Teaching is moving online, on an untested and unprecedented scale. There are challenges and possibilities unveiling in the technical tertiary level education like Architecture. A Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programme need to be comprising of both theory and sessional studio courses. The learning modes are not same for these two areas. Modification and new invention of teaching methods need to be introduced to coping of off-campus class. In this study, the first-hand experience of on-line teaching in B.Arch program of the author and the similar experience of faculties of the different universities of Bangladesh are triangulated to come up with a model of off-campus class. This article finds out the systematic process of teaching method to coping of off-campus class during the COVID-19 crisis for the Architecture pedagogy. The process has three domains and four major areas. The teacher’s domain and the student’s domain are connected through the domain of virtual classroom. The four major areas are live streaming, live discourse, prerecorded lecture and assignment and feedback. A well synchronization of these areas can establish the model of off-campus class for architecture pedagogy.

Covid PDS Plus: An E-PDS & Healthcare Platform Towards Pandemic Restoration

During the COVID-19 crisis, millions of migrants daily-wage workers and homeless people around the world are facing food insecurity. This has forced migrants to travel to their hometowns during the pandemic thereby exposing them to greater health risks and also accelerating the risk of spread of virus. Anecdotal evidence demonstrates the importance of enforcing food security and distribution policies to tide the crisis. However, the effects of these policies on containing mobility during the crisis remain unknown. This paper presents a prototype of technology enabled e-PDS (pubic distribution system) and healthcare platform to connect different stakeholders i.e. people, government, NGOs.

Automated Sanitization Device – Hand Sanitization, Thermal Screening and IoT-based Web-database

In this time of great distress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitization is of utmost priority to prevent the transmission of germs. We have come forth with an innovative “automated sanitization device” which makes the process of hand sanitization and temperature screening rapid, automatic and easier. The proposed automated sanitization device contributes significantly to prevent the spread of the virus and also raises awareness to increase hygiene at public places. The concept of embedded systems with various sensors attached to a PCB has been used in designing of the device. This paper addresses the methodological details of proposed automated sanitization device while focusing on its technical as well as financial expects. The proposed device is anticipated to be used at various public places like workplaces, residences, railway stations etc. working of this model, addressing both the technical as well as the financial aspect.

Semi-Automatic Sanitizer and Thermal Scanner

War of humanity against COVID-19 is stretching at this stage of time. In this paper, a solution has been proposed to sanitize the narrow roads and public areas with a robotic solution. Robot design proposed in this paper can be operated using a remote and that saves human beings from direct possible face off with COVID– 19 virus.. This Semi-Automatic machine proposed in the work has a built-in thermal scanner to scan the locals and also a walkie talkie to give further instructions to the person being scanned.Robot also has a carriage section that can transport medicine and food to the infected area. With this one robot, a large area such as slums, narrow roads, schools, and buildings etc. can be covered.

Economic and Easy Do It Yourself (DIY) Safety Kit

The main objective of this paper is to present a cost effective and efficient safety kit in order to help fulfill the scarcity of PPE kits during COVID19 pandemic. These days it is quite essential to wear safety gears like masks, gloves, face shields etc. resulting in shortage of these items at some places and the second problem is that certain sections of people cannot afford to purchase these items. This paper presents methods to create cheap yet effective safety kits at home. The kit will require easily available material like cloth bag, biodegradable trash bag, polythene bag etc. and items like gown, cap, masks, and gloves can be made using these materials.