RFID-based real-time smart waste management system

In an environmental context, the use of RFID (radio frequency identification) and load cell sensor technology can be employed for not only bringing down waste management costs, but also to facilitate automating and streamlining waste (e.g., garbage, recycling, and green) identification and weight measurement processes for designing smart waste management systems. In this paper, we outline a RFID and sensor model for designing a system in real-time waste management. An application of the architecture is described in the area of RFID and sensor based automatic waste identity, weight, and stolen bins identification system (WIWSBIS).<br /

Real-time early infectious outbreak detection systems using emerging technologies

The use of emerging technologies ( such as RFID - Radio Frequency Identification and remote sensing) can be employed to reduce health care costs and also to facilitate the automatic streamlining of infectious disease outbreak detection and monitoring processes in local health departments. It can assist medical practitioners with fast and accurate diagnosis and treatments. In this paper we outline the design and application of a real-time RFID and sensor-base Early Infectious (e.g., cholera) Outbreak Detection and Monitoring (IODM) system for health care.<br /

RFID-based Hospital Real-time Patient Management System

In a health care context, the use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology can be employed for not only bringing down health care costs but also facilitate automating and streamlining patient identification processes in hospitals and use of mobile devices like PDA, smart phones, for design a health care management systems. In this paper, we outline a RFID model for designing a system in the health care. An application of the architecture is described in the area of RFID-based Real-time Hospital Patien

A new estimate of carbon for Bangladesh forest ecosystems with their spatial distribution and REDD+ implications

In tropical developing countries, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is becoming an important mechanism for conserving forests and protecting biodiversity. A key prerequisite for any successful REDD+ project, however, is obtaining baseline estimates of carbon in forest ecosystems. Using available published data, we provide here a new and more reliable estimate of carbon in Bangladesh forest ecosystems, along with their geo-spatial distribution. Our study reveals great variability in carbon density in different forests and higher carbon stock in the mangrove ecosystems, followed by in hill forests and in inland Sal (Shorea robusta) forests in the country. Due to its coverage, degraded nature, and diverse stakeholder engagement, the hill forests of Bangladesh can be used to obtain maximum REDD+ benefits. Further research on carbon and biodiversity in under-represented forest ecosystems using a commonly accepted protocol is essential for the establishment of successful REDD+ projects and for the protection of the country’s degraded forests and for addressing declining levels of biodiversity

Risk factors associated with cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in humans in Bangladesh

ObjectivesTo determine the risk factors associated with cutaneous anthrax infection in humans.MethodsDuring 2013–2016, we investigated total 26 anthrax outbreaks across the country. We additionally conducted a case–control study to identify risk factors by recruiting four controls for each enrolled case. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to identify risk factors using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsOver the study period, a total of 1,210 suspected cutaneous anthrax cases were identified in seven districts of Bangladesh. Most of the cases (61%, n = 744) were detected from Meherpur district. Cases were detected over the year, with the peak number of outbreaks occurring in May. The overall attack rate of suspected cutaneous anthrax cases for 16 outbreaks was 20%, with the highest rate occurring among individuals aged 40–49 years. Persons who had a cut injury (aOR 19.04, CI: 4.08–88.86), weighed raw meat (aOR 5.73, CI: 3.03–10.83), mixed bones and meat (aOR 4.64, CI: 3.03–7.09), observed livestock slaughtering (aOR 2.86, CI: 2.02–4.04), had direct contact to an anthrax suspected livestock (aOR 2.68, CI:1.61–4.45), slaughtered livestock (aOR 2.29, CI: 1.3–4.02), and who did not wash hands with soap and water after direct contact (aOR 2.57, CI: 1.89–3.5) were more likely to develop cutaneous anthrax than people who did not have these exposures.ConclusionPrior cut injuries on exposed body areas during meat handling and slaughtering of sick livestock were identified as potential risk factors for cutaneous anthrax, highlighting the importance of preventing the slaughter of sick animals. However, stopping slaughtering sick livestock, handling meat and livestock by-products to reduce anthrax exposures from livestock to humans may be difficult to achieve given the associated financial incentives in Bangladesh. Interventions such as hand washing with soap during slaughtering and processing meat can be targeted to affected communities to ameliorate some risk