Banana peel and pumpkin seeds are under-utilized by-products or wastes of the household and food processing industry but these could be rich in valuable nutritive compounds. Having a scientific database on the chemical and proximate analysis of the plants cultivated in the particular region would be helpful to the food product manufacturer, educator, researcher, public health personnel, policymaker, and population under food stress. Literature indicates that the nutritional and chemical composition of these under-utilized materials has not been characterized previously. The present study was designed to examine the nutritional, antioxidants, vitamin C, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peels and seeds flour of selected fruits. Nutritional analysis reveals that the peel flour of Musa acuminata is rich in crude fiber 14.13%, carbohydrate 60.38%, and seed flour of Cucurbita maxima is rich in protein 30.05%, fat 43.81%, dietary fiber 13.81%. BPF showed more antioxidant activity (86.8%), total phenolic and flavonoid content than PSF, which is rich in vitamin C content (9.23 mg/100gm). Industrial by-products can be processed into value-added products such as flour that is more easily stored for further uses. By-product flour can easily include in food formulations due to its excellent nutritional qualities. Optimization of its use is beneficial in terms of nutritional and economical points of view. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 87-93, 2020

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Numerical simulation of lightning events in Bangladesh has been carried out by using Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Advanced Research Dynamic solver (WRF-ARW). Three major lightning events have been considered for the case study; Case_1, lightning occurrence in Netrokona district in March 24 2017, Case_2, lightning event in Barishal district in April 23 2017, and case_3, lightning event in Sherpur district in April 29, 2018. The model simulation was run in 9 km and 3 km of horizontal resolution using six hourly NCEP-FNL datasets. Yonsei University (YSU) PBL scheme, Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM) long-wave scheme for radiation, and Kain-Fritsch cumulus parameterization scheme is used for this study. The obtained results from the simulation could reasonably capture the lightning condition of the atmosphere for all the three cases. The WRF simulation give reasonable agreement with the available observational data with some spatial and temporal variations, for example the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) values observed are 1299 J/Kg, 3150 J/kg, 1221 J/kg and CAPE values simulated are 1618 J/kg, 3275 J/kg and 1023 J/kg for case_1, case_2 and case_3 respectively. The regression analysis of the flash count with the microphysical parameters is also studied. It is found that there is strong correlation between the lightning flash counts with the microphysical parameters. This study will help to understand the lightning better and will help to design a better lightning forecasting system. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 8(2), 2019, P 41-50

An attempt has been made in this research to delineate a pattern for atmospheric instability during the months of October and November from 2007 to 2018. The results show an alarming trend of increasing instability throughout the study period. The average temperature at 2-meters height around the Bay of Bengal has changed significantly over time. Most notably, the gap between monthly average highest and monthly average lowest temperatures (at 2-meters height) is more or less increasing from 2007 to 2018 – ranging from 3.0 degrees to 11.0 degrees Celsius. Similar tendencies are observed for CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) as well – with the highest value of more than 3000 J/Kg. The findings of this research will help in understanding the prevailing conditions over the Bay, and also enable better preparedness for any potential severe convective activities. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 9(2), 2020, P 45-54

An attempt has been made to study the prediction of the track of Super Cyclone (SuC) Amphan that formed on 13 May over Southeast Bay of Bengal (BoB) and made landfall to West Bengal-Bangladesh Coast on 20 May 2020 using Advanced Research WRF (ARW) dynamics of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Model integration has been carried out using two-way interactive nesting domains with resolutions of 27 km for domain 1 and 9 km for domain 2 respectively covering the Bay of Bengal. Simulations are performed at an interval of 6 hours with ICs using the National Centre for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) global forecast system (GFS) 0.25° analysis and forecasts. To understand the applicability of the model in predicting the track along with landfall position and landfall time, nine real-time numerical forecasts have been carried out with model simulation starting at 00 UTC of 13 May, 14 May, 15 May, 16 May, 17 May, 18 May, 19 May, 20 May and 21 May 2020. The experiments with initial time on 16 May, 17 May, 18 May, 19 May, and 20 May 2020 have produced the best performance for the track and intensity prediction which are comparable to those provided by Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC). The tracks are produced based on the distribution of sea level pressure and vorticity. The model shows that the track prediction accuracy increases as the lead time decreases with the updated ICs. The results obtained from the model are in good agreement with the reported data. The experiment of SuCAmphan produced better track and intensity predictions with lead-time of 144, 120, 96, 48, and 24 hours. The results demonstrate that the model is capable to produce the track of SuCAmphan with reasonable accuracy. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 10(2), 2021, P 35-42