No abstract

Three strains, MAFF 210191T, G24103T and G24116, assumed to be members of two novel species, were isolated from several rhizosphere habitats in different parts of Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolates formed a distinct monophyletic group together with the two known species of the genus Labrys, suggesting that the isolates have a close affiliation with this genus. In this study, a polyphasic approach was used to characterize and compare the three isolates with the two species of the genus Labrys, Labrys monachus and Labrys methylaminiphilus. All three isolates were aerobic, Gram-negative, motile and non-sporulating and they ranged in shape from spherical to short rods. The cells multiplied by budding and utilized a wide variety of monosaccharides, disaccharides and sugar alcohols as sole carbon and energy sources, but they did not utilize C1 compounds, salicin or d-melezitose. The strains were inhibited by dl-α-alanine and glycine (both at 10 mM). The major cellular fatty acids were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C16 : 0, C18 : 0 and C18 : 1 ω7c. The three isolates shared <12 % and <11 % DNA–DNA relatedness with L. monachus DSM 5896T and L. methylaminiphilus DSM 16812T, respectively. The G+C content of the isolates (61–62 mol%) was also significantly lower than those of the two previously characterized species. In spite of many morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic similarities among the three isolates, strain MAFF 210191T could be differentiated from strains G24103T and G24116 on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence, DNA–DNA relatedness (<46 %) and gelatin hydrolysis. Two novel species are therefore proposed, namely Labrys okinawensis sp. nov., with the type strain MAFF 210191T (=DSM 18385T), and Labrys miyagiensis sp. nov., with the type strain G24103T (=NBRC 101365T=NCIMB 14143T) and also including strain G24116 (=NBRC 101366=NCIMB 14144). Emended descriptions of the genus Labrys and Labrys monachus are also presented.

A quantitative as well as morphological analysis of three fibers (arecanut leaf sheath, coconut leaf sheath and coconut stem fiber) is showed here. FT-IR analysis of these fibers is also done for finding the difference of functional groups in the frequency domains of 4000-650 cm -1. Chemical analysis of fibers shows a comparative amount of chemical components such as aqueous extract, pectic matters, lignin, α-cellulose, hemicellulose, fatty and waxy matters in percent. Arecanut leaf sheath fiber represents the highest percent of α-cellulose. SEM analysis investigate the characteristics of the surface of the fibers.

No abstract

In the vast literature of Bengal famine of 1943, it is hard to offer new insights about that vicious source of mass misery. Local history may mark a significant departure here, as it provides scope for an in-depth study of both the origin and course of the famine. Bakarganj was called the granary of Bengal, which used to supply rice to other regions even in the driest years due to its large production. But the famine of 1943 gravely affected this district. The present study shows how it was the colonial measures that played a vital role in intensifying the famine in Bakarganj. The government’s led to: hoarding of rice and serious shortage of food supply. The article concentrates on four aspects of the government failure: inappropriate warning system, callous purchase policy, lack of effective government inspection and a policy of disaster denial.

Post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, after some pre-processing, were chemically depolymerized for the production of terephthalic acid (TPA), an important monomer of PET resin. The optimized condition of PET hydrolysis was 100°C with 80% v/v aqueous sulfuric acid liquor for 30 min reaction time. The terephthalic acids (TPAs) were filtered out from the reaction mixtures with a sintered glass filter. The viscosity of recycled hydrolysis liquor was measured before it was used in a successive batch of PET depolymerization. The viscosity of hydrolysis liquor increased gradually from 5 mm2/s to 87 mm2/s. TPA yields were obtained from 85.03 ± 0.03% to 99.20 ± 0.06% and the color of TPA changed from bright white to off-white in the final batches. The structure of TPA was confirmed by FTIR, mass analysis, and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The purity of TPA was found to be 95–98% from the HPLC study via external calibration technique. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) determined the thermal degradation patterns of TPAs and residual weights. This experiment reveals that repeated use of sulfuric acid hydrolysis liquor would be a good option for PET depolymerization in terms of resource utilization, TPA quality as well as sustainability.

No abstract

Citizen’s Charter is one of the important and commendable governance tools in Public Administration of Bangladesh. In 2007, the Cabinet Division took initiative to introduce Citizen’s Charter in different public offices. This study was conducted to assess the implementation status of Citizen’s Charter in Ministry and field level offices of Bangladesh with its challenges. To achieve the research objectives, this study followed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. Sample survey with semi-structured questionnaires was used for collecting primary data while secondary data were collected from all relevant sources. The study showed that the implementation status of Citizen’s Charter at public offices in Bangladesh is still in its infancy. The service providers are not strictly following their Citizen’s Charter in their routine work. There are a number of drawbacks in implementation of Citizen’s Charter in the public offices. Lack of adequate public awareness is the leading cause of poor implementation of Citizen’s Charter. In addition, lack of proper knowledge among the citizens or service recipients, lack of positive attitude of service providers, communication gap between the service receivers and the service providers and lack of proper monitoring and feedback mechanism were other barriers. The study has come up with the conclusion that, institutionalization of the awareness-building programme, capacity building of the service providers and strengthening monitoring mechanisms are essential to overcome these challenges