Radiometric examination of fertilizers and assessment of their health hazards, commonly used in Pakistan

Hannan Younis,Sumbilah Shafique,Zahida Ehsan,Aleena Ishfaq,Khurram Mehboob,Muhammad Ajaz,Abdullah Hidayat,Wazir Muhammad Korean Nuclear Society 2023 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.55 No.7

The radioactivity concentrations of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) i.e., ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K in various chemical fertilizers being used in the agricultural soil of Pakistan were determined utilizing gamma spectrometry by employing a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴K extended from 2.58 ± 0.8-265.7 ± 8.8 Bq kg^-1, 1.53 ± 0.14-76.6 ± 1.07 Bq kg^-1 and 36.5 ± 1.34-15606.7 ± 30.2 Bq kg^-1 respectively. The radiological hazard parameters such as internal and external indices and annual effective dose rates were calculated, while excessive lifetime cancer risk factors for the indoor and outdoor areas were found in the range from 0.3×10^-3 to 10.723×10^-3 and 0.03×10^-3 to 2.7948×10^-3 of most fertilizers, however, some values were slightly higher than the UNSCEAR (The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) recommended values for potash-containing fertilizers such as MOP (Muriate of Potash).

A brown alga Sargassum fulvellum facilitates neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis.

Hannan, Md Abdul,Kang, Ji-Young,Hong, Yong-Ki,Lee, Hyunsook,Chowdhury, Muhammad Tanvir Hossain,Choi, Jae-Suk,Choi, In Soon,Moon, Il Soo Springer 2012 In vitro cellular & developmental biology Animal Vol.48 No.8

<P>Sargassum fulvellum (Turner) C. Agardh is an edible brown macroalgae having pharmacological importance. In previous reports, we described the screening of marine algae for their neuritogenic activity in developing hippocampal neurons and found that ethanol extract of S. fulvellum (SFE) possesses promising neurite-outgrowth-promoting activity. In this study, we evaluated whether the initial neurite promoting effect of SFE was followed on the further neuronal maturation and synapse formation. SFE exhibited dose-dependent effect on neurite maturation with an optimum concentration of 5?μg/mL. The initial neuronal differentiation is significantly promoted by SFE. Subsequently, compared with control culture, SFE increased the indices of axonal and dendritic developments such as the number and the length of primary processes, and branching frequencies. In addition to its effect on neurite development, SFE significantly increased the number of puncta for postsynaptic density-95, synaptic vesicle 2, and synapse (about 35%, 67%, and 125%, respectively, of control). Moreover, SFE dose-dependently protects neurons from naturally occurring death in normal culture condition. Taken together, our data demonstrate that SFE can promote neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis and support neuronal survival, suggesting the beneficial effect of this alga in nervous system.</P>

A review on sensors and systems in structural health monitoring: current issues and challenges

Hannan, Mahammad A.,Hassan, Kamrul,Jern, Ker Pin Techno-Press 2018 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.22 No.5

Sensors and systems in Civionics technology play an important role for continuously facilitating real-time structure monitoring systems by detecting and locating damage to or degradation of structures. An advanced materials, design processes, long-term sensing ability of sensors, electromagnetic interference, sensor placement techniques, data acquisition and computation, temperature, harsh environments, and energy consumption are important issues related to sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM). This paper provides a comprehensive survey of various sensor technologies, sensor classes and sensor networks in Civionics research for existing SHM systems. The detailed classification of sensor categories, applications, networking features, ranges, sizes and energy consumptions are investigated, summarized, and tabulated along with corresponding key references. The current challenges facing typical sensors in Civionics research are illustrated with a brief discussion on the progress of SHM in future applications. The purpose of this review is to discuss all the types of sensors and systems used in SHM research to provide a sufficient background on the challenges and problems in optimizing design techniques and understanding infrastructure performance, behavior and current condition. It is observed that the most important factors determining the quality of sensors and systems and their reliability are the long-term sensing ability, data rate, types of processors, size, power consumption, operation frequency, etc. This review will hopefully lead to increased efforts toward the development of low-powered, highly efficient, high data rate, reliable sensors and systems for SHM.

Seed extracts of a Bangladeshi medicinal plant Abrus precatorius L. show antifertility activity in female rats

Hannan, M.A.,Hossain, M.A.,Islam, M.T. Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2010 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.10 No.2

The seed powder of Abrus precatorius L. has traditionally been used as oral contraceptive agent by the women in some rural areas in Bangladesh. The present study aimed to examine the antifertility activity of A. precatorius seed extracts in experimental female rats. Finely ground seeds were extracted with aqueous acetone followed by successive partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and water. Water suspended crude seed powder, organic fractions of acetone extract and a standard contraceptive drug ($Nordette^{(R)}28$) were separately administered orally to the female rats for 30 days. n-Hexane, EtOAc and MeOH solubles at the doses of 2, 4 and 6 mg/rat/day, respectively and crude seed powder at 100 mg/rat/day exhibited 100% antifertility activity with lowest levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and $17{\beta}$-estradiol. Histological study of ovary and uterus of these rats exhibited reduced number of developing follicles and increased number of atretic follicles in the ovary, and fewer uterine glands with shrunken morphology, reduced endometrial height, poor vascularity and compact stroma in uterus. However, the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and the body weight of the rats remained almost unaffected in all the seed extract treated rats compared to control. These results suggest that A. precatorius seed extracts reduced the levels of serum FSH, LH and $17{\beta}$-estradiol probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reduced levels of these hormones might have affected the oestrous cycle, follicular development, and subsequently the establishment of pregnancy in treated rats.

DEVELOPMENT OF OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION AND POSITION DETECTION FOR INTELLIGENT SAFETY SYSTEM

Hannan, M.A.,Hussain, A.,Samad, S.A.,Mohamed, A.,Wahab, D.A.,Ariffin, A.K. The Korean Society of Automotive Engineers 2006 International journal of automotive technology Vol.7 No.7

Occupant classification and position detection have been significant research areas in intelligent safety systems in the automotive field. The detection and classification of seat occupancy open up new ways to control the safety system. This paper deals with a novel algorithm development, hardware implementation and testing of a prototype intelligent safety system for occupant classification and position detection for in-vehicle environment. Borland C++ program is used to develop the novel algorithm interface between the sensor and data acquisition system. MEMS strain gauge hermatic pressure sensor containing micromachined integrated circuits is installed inside the passenger seat. The analog output of the sensor is connected with a connector to a PCI-9111 DG data acquisition card for occupancy detection, classification and position detection. The algorithm greatly improves the detection of whether an occupant is present or absent, and the classification of either adult, child or non-human object is determined from weights using the sensor. A simple computation algorithm provides the determination of the occupant's appropriate position using centroidal calculation. A real time operation is achieved with the system. The experimental results demonstrate that the performance of the implemented prototype is robust for occupant classification and position detection. This research may be applied in intelligent airbag design for efficient deployment.

Neuropharmacological study of some Ayurvedic medicinal plants

Hannan, JMA,Shahriar, Masum,Islam, M Naimul,Sattar, Mafruhi,Haque, Sabera,Choudhuri, MSK Kyung Hee Oriental Medicine Research Center 2003 Oriental pharmacy and experimental medicine Vol.3 No.1

Water extract (kwath) of six different widely used Ayurvedic medicinal plants were tested in mice for possible neuropharmacological efficacy. In the present experiments it was observed that a number of plant tested causes a significant level of Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, in that it significantly decreased the spontaneous Motor activity, and also lowered the exploratory behavior of the treated animals. Terminalia chebula (HAA), Terminalia bellerica (BHA), Emblica officinalis (AA), Piper longum 1. (PP). exhibited depressant action of on the CNS. Apart from them a mild to moderate degree of depression was evident as a consequence of administration of Zingiber officinale Rosc (SUT), Piper nigrum L. (MRC). However, none of the plant tested did not exhibit significant effects on pentobarbital induced narcosis, and this indicated that the sedating effects of the drug was not associated with the risk of fatal consequences on overdose.

United Nations Gender Mainstreaming Strategy

Carolyn Hannan 한국여성정책연구원(구 한국여성개발원) 2008 Gender Studies and Policy Review Vol.1 No.-

The paper provides an overview of the mandates, efforts and achievements in implementation of the gender mainstreaming strategy at both policy and programme level in the United Nations. Progress in gender mainstreaming in both the intergovernmental processes and in the operational work of entities of the United Nations system is covered. The paper notes the persistent gap between policy and practice and highlights that, despite considerable efforts made, gender perspectives are still not an integral part of policies and programmes in the work of the United Nations. Major gaps and challenges in relation to use of gender analysis, development of gender equality policies, the roles of gender specialists, development of organizational competence and management commitment and accountability are outlined. The paper concludes that, despite failings in implementation, gender mainstreaming remains a critical strategy and considerably increased investment in the strategy is needed across the United Nations to ensure achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women.

Increasing New Root Length Reflects Survival Mechanism of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes under PEG-Induced Osmotic Stress

Afsana Hannan,Lutful Hassan,Md. Najmol Hoque,Md. Tahjib-Ul-Arif,Arif Hasan Khan Robin 한국육종학회 2020 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Vol.8 No.1

Rice is globally one of the most important cereal crops that faces osmotic stress under any kind of abiotic stresses. An experiment was conducted under controlled condition to study the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced osmotic stress on root and root hair morphology and associated biochemical traits in four morphologically diverse rice genotypes. Plants were grown hydroponically. Two treatments, 0% (control) and 5% PEG 6000 (w/v), were imposed on 38 days old plants for 17 days’ duration. Main root axis length at first three youngest root bearing phytomers (Pr1-Pr3) was increased in Binadhan-11 but decreased in Binadhan-7 and BRRI dhan 71 under 5% PEG treatment compared to control. This result indicated that Binadhan-11 increased new root length perhaps to explore stress free environment. Length of L-type first order lateral root was also significantly increased by 2.03 fold in Binadhan-11 under 5% PEG treatment compared to control. Density and length of root hairs were increased at first order lateral roots in Binadhan-11 under 5% PEG treatment compared to control treatment those contributed largely to root surface area. Measurements of H2O2 and MDA revealed that Binadhan-11 was less affected by the oxidative damage caused by PEG. Data provides insight into the root morphological plasticity of four morphologically diverse rice varieties under PEG-induced osmotic stress.

Seed extracts of a Bangladeshi medicinal plant Abrus precatorius L. show antifertility activity in female rats

MA Hannan,MA Hossain,MT Islam 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2010 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.10 No.2

The seed powder of Abrus precatorius L. has traditionally been used as oral contraceptive agent by the women in some rural areas in Bangladesh. The present study aimed to examine the antifertility activity of A. precatorius seed extracts in experimental female rats. Finely ground seeds were extracted with aqueous acetone followed by successive partitioning with n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and water. Water suspended crude seed powder, organic fractions of acetone extract and a standard contraceptive drug (Nordette®28) were separately administered orally to the female rats for 30 days. n-Hexane, EtOAc and MeOH solubles at the doses of 2, 4 and 6mg/rat/day, respectively and crude seed powder at 100 mg/rat/day exhibited 100% antifertility activity with lowest levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)and 17β-estradiol. Histological study of ovary and uterus of these rats exhibited reduced number of developing follicles and increased number of atretic follicles in the ovary, and fewer uterine glands with shrunken morphology, reduced endometrial height, poor vascularity and compact stroma in uterus. However, the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and the body weight of the rats remained almost unaffected in all the seed extract treated rats compared to control. These results suggest that A. precatorius seed extracts reduced the levels of serum FSH, LH and 17β-estradiol probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reduced levels of these hormones might have affected the oestrous cycle, follicular development, and subsequently the establishment of pregnancy in treated rats.

United Nations Gender Mainstreaming Strategy : Achievements and Challenges

Carolyn Hannan 한국여성정책연구원(구 한국여성개발원) 2008 한국여성개발원 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-