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Background: Epiphora, a common manifestation of chronic dacryocystitis, requires definitive treatment through dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), a surgical procedure aimed at creating an alternative fluid drainage pathway. This study aimed to assess how effective both external dacryocystorhinostomy (Ex-DCR) and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (Endo-DCR) are in managing chronic dacryocystitis, with a specific focus on surgical duration, complication rates, and treatment outcomes. Materials & Method: In this study, sixty participants were prospectively enrolled and evenly divided into two groups. Thirty patients were assigned to the first group and underwent En-DCR surgery, while the second group, also comprising thirty patients, underwent Ex-DCR surgery. Both groups were monitored for a duration of 9 months and assessed for surgical duration, perioperative and postoperative complications, and eventual surgical outcomes. Results: The distribution of patients across age groups and sexes was similar between the two groups (p>0.05). Clinical features such as epiphora, epiphora with discharge, and epiphora with swelling were comparable between groups. En-DCR group demonstrated significantly less intraoperative bleeding (mean:13.5 ml vs 50 ml; p<0.0001) and shorter operative durations (mean: 20 mins vs 37.5 mins; p<0.0001) compared to Ex-DCR group. Complications such as nasal bleeding and hematoma were minimal in both groups, with no significant differences noted. The final outcome, categorized as success (En-DCR vs Ex-DCR: 76.7% vs 83.3%) or failure (23.3% vs 16.7%), did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both surgical techniques offer feasible alternatives for addressing issues related to nasolacrimal obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh has tremendous opportunities to harness the potential of the agriculture sector like in vegetable sector which is contributing to our export sector too. Thus, the main focus of this study is to assess the financial profitability of selected eight major vegetables. The cost and return scenario of eight major vegetables that most of the farmers cultivate in the char land area such as brinjal, tomato, chili, bitter gourd, pumpkin, okra, bottle gourd, and amaranth were done for the study. Study areas were chosen in the districts of Mymensingh, Jamalpur, and Sherpur in Bangladesh following a simple random sampling procedure where 240 farmers were surveyed. The results show that the highest and lowest net return found for bottle gourd and okra, were Tk. 195,118 ha-1 and Tk. 32,894 ha-1, respectively. Further, in terms of gross return, bottle gourd production is the most profitable but in terms of net return both the brinjal and tomato are in the same position. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) was the highest (1.98) for bottle gourd followed by tomato (1.96). Among the cost items, labor cost occupies more than half of the total cost which proves that vegetable production is labor-intensive cultivation. The ranking by variable and total cost revealed that farmers frequently choose the lowest-cost production method and the okra is the most preferred product in that method. However, a ranking of the probability of all vegetables was also done. This ranking will help farmers to take their decision according to their resource availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and optimized propeller can reduce ship operating costs substantially. The recent development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has a significant impact on the initial stage of propeller design. Being motivated by the success of a CFD approach known as Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equation (RANSE) in solving many hydrodynamic problems, this paper explores the use of RANSE solver to estimate propeller open water characteristics. Multiple RANSE solvers can be used for CFD simulation. Among these k-ω turbulence model is used for its better performance on propeller analysis. Numerical results are compared with the results obtained from well-established polynomial regression formulae of Wageningen-B series propeller. A comparison shows an error of less than 5% for most of the cases. The same propeller is numerically analyzed again after fitting a 19A duct on it. To achieve optimal performance space between the duct and propeller blade tip is kept as small as possible. Grid independence test is done in both cases for a more accurate estimation within a particular time frame. Mesh sensitivity analysis is carried out in this paper based on thrust and torque coefficients. This paper shows that the maximum computed efficiencies for both the conventional and ducted propeller systems are found to be 60% but at different speeds. The ducted propeller system gives better performance up to advance coefficient J=0.48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emulsification potential of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) material obtained from buttermilk whey was investigated. A microfiltration technique was applied to recover MFGM material from the whey, a side-stream of the cheese-making process from the buttermilk. During the preparation of O/W emulsions, a constant ratio of protein and oil was maintained, and homogenised at 0/2, 3/2, 9/2, and 15/2 MPa pressures using a twostep homogeniser. Emulsions prepared with buttermilk powder (BMP) and microfiltrated buttermilk whey (MFBMW) showed similar microstructure and rheological properties. The particle distribution and mean diameter (D3,2) were similar for both materials. However, no cream separation was observed for emulsion prepared with MFBMW during 8-day storage. Despite the differences in the composition, MFBMW showed good creaming stability, and similar emulsifying properties to BMP. These results demonstrated the future perspective of whey valorisation in a high food value dairy application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food antioxidants can prevent or/and delay free radical formation which is responsible for oxidative stress. Nowadays, natural remedy becomes the highest concern in many countries, as well as discouraging the intake of synthetic counterparts to avoid the burden of side effects on human health. Regular intake of dietary antioxidants could help to improve the fitness of the body, and subsequently make the body more competitive in its fight against diseases through enhanced immune response. The present review thus summarised recent knowledge on the dietary source of antioxidants, and also mechanism of action and functionalities on human health benefits. Due to the proven ability to restore mitochondrial function and cellular redox balance, food antioxidants also have great potential as natural therapies against COVID-19. However, the numbers of trials are still limited. There must be more tests with the hope that these compounds will mitigate the COVID-19 and similar outbreaks in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on growth performance, carcass yield, immune parameters, and microbial content in the commercial broiler. A total of 225 one-day-old chicks of the “Lohman Meat (Indian River)” strain having 42.66 ± 0.66 g average body weight were divided into 5 experimental groups with 3 replications of 15 chicks each. The treatments were T0= control (the basal diet), T1= antibiotic, T2= probiotic, T3= prebiotic and T4= probiotic + prebiotic. Weekly body weight, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded during the experimental period. Microbial counts were studied at the end of the experiment. The average live weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in T4 treatment compared to the other groups. Improved FCR was noticed in birds fed a combined addition of probiotics and prebiotics with the basal diet. Feeding broilers with probiotics and prebiotics have significant (P<0.05) effects on the dressing percentage, breast, thigh, back, liver, neck, heart, and gizzard while it appeared insignificant on the intestine, spleen, and bursa (P>0.05). Significant (P<0.05) difference was observed for immune parameters i.e. White blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte, and granulocyte among the treatment groups. Treatment groups found lower Escherichia coli and Salmonella numbers than the control group. Total profit per bird in group T4 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than in groups T0, T1, T2, and T3. From this study, it can be concluded that the combined use of commercial probiotics and prebiotics resulted in improved growth performance, carcass yields, and immunity in broiler chickens. Therefore, combined usage of the probiotic and prebiotic as antibiotic alternatives in broiler production can be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial insemination (AI), among all the fundamental systems of animal breeding, has proved to be the best and efficient method for the rapid improvement of livestock for maximum use of superior genetic merit of males on numerous dams. The frozen AI in sheep is, to date, not fulfilling the farmer's need. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the pregnancy rate in indigenous ewes with chilled semen preserved at different hours. Methods: Semen was collected from three indigenous rams using an artificial vagina and evaluated for its quality both in the fresh and chilled stage at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h before insemination. Trans-cervical insemination was performed in PGF2α synchronized ewes. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography at 50-60 days of gestation. Result: The motility, viability and normal sperm values of chilled semen decreased significantly (p<0.01) with increasing the duration of preservation. However, the quality of chilled semen was acceptable level for insemination. The pregnancy rate was significantly varied (p<0.01) and the higher pregnancy rate (64.28%) was achieved when AI was performed using semen stored at 4°C for 12 h than 24 h (58.33%) and 48 h (50%), respectively. Therefore, increased the duration of preservation time of different chilling process negatively affect the semen quality and the pregnancy rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined selected disease burdens in Bangladesh associated with particulate matter exposure using gridded population and PM2.5 data between 2001 and 2019. The Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM) was used to determine hazard ratio (HR) and disease specific mortality. Besides, trend of PM2.5 and selected diseases were evaluated. Results revealed that strong seasonality existed in PM2.5 with winter exhibited maximum concentration. The trend assessment showed PM2.5 was increasing over time. Among five diseases assessed, LRI was most sensitive to an increase of PM2.5, followed by IHD, LC, CEV and COPD. Excess mortality was found to be elevating because of PM2.5, particularly in major cities. This study could be useful in advancing research in the disease burden attributable to ambient air pollution in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Artificial insemination is an important applicable tool in increasing productivity by genetic exploitation through the male line. But farmers or breeders adoption require to be known the detailed cost structure and the nature of the cost function of the new technology. In this paper, therefore an attempt is made to develop a cost structure for frozen semen dose and a representative artificial breeding program in ewes. Methods: Semen was frozen twice-weekly for a period of a month following traditional box-freezing. Variable and fixed costs associated with the ram management, semen collection, processing and freezing were estimated and used in frozen semen production cost calculation. Cost items estimated as per cost assumption model and used for artificial insemination cost calculation. Result: The mean production cost of a frozen semen straw was estimated as Tk. 41.66 where ram maintenance cost, semen processing and preservation cost and staff cost shared the maximum expenses were to be 53.69, 12.93 and 33.38%, respectively. The average performance cost of artificial insemination incurred in the study was approximately Tk. 217.31, there in the semen dose, AI pipette and hormone cost covered the top areas of expenses to be 38.34, 23.00 and 19.33%, respectively. The cost estimate of the current study will be of more informative for breeders, stakeholders and researchers in sheep breeding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University to know the morphological characteristics of different mutants of mungbean and to find out tolerant/least susceptible mutant(s) against flea beetle, aphid and pod borer based on the reaction of insect pests to promising mutants of mungbean during the period from April to June, 2015. The mutant MBM-07(S)-2 was found to be the tallest (32.57 cm) with highest number of branches/plant (5.03), highest number of leaves/plant (11.06) among all mutants and check variety while MBM-07-Y-2 (23.4 cm) was the shortest plant height, MBM-656-51-2 had the lowest number of branches/plant (3.73), MBM-347-13 (7.03) had the lowest number of leaves/plant. The mutant MBM-427-87-3 had the highest number of pods (5) compared to other mutants but MBM-656-51-2 had the lowest number of pods/plant (3.09). Mutant MBM-347-13 had the lowest population of flea beetle (18) and pod borer (2) compared to all other mutants while the lowest number of aphid/plant was observed in mutant MBM-07-Y-1 (1). In case of infestation, the mutant MBM-347-13 had the lowest percentage of infestation (20.69%) by flea beetle, (3.18%) by pod borer but the lowest infestation by aphid (3.33%) was recorded in the mutant MBM-390-94-Y while the mutant MBM-427-87-3 had the highest percentage of plant infestation (37.8%) by flea beetle, pod damage (9.69%) by pod borer and variety BARI moog-6 had the highest percentage (34.45%) of plant infestation by aphid. Mutant MBM-347-13 was least susceptible to flea beetle and pod borer while mutant MBM-427-87-3 was highly susceptible to flea beetle and pod borer. However, mutant MBM-390-94-Yand MBM-07-Y-2 were less susceptible to aphid while BARI moog-6 and mutant MBM-427-87-3 were highly susceptible to aphid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delays to the transfer of care from hospital to other settings represent a significant human and financial cost. This delay occurs when a patient is clinically ready to leave the inpatient setting but is unable to because other necessary care, support or accommodation is unavailable. The aim of this study was to interrogate administrative and clinical data routinely collected when a patient is admitted to hospital following attendance at the emergency department, to identify factors related to delayed transfer of care when the patient is discharged. We then used these factors to develop a predictive model for identifying patients at risk for delayed discharge of care.Methods: This is a single centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients admitted to an English National Health Service university hospital following attendance at the emergency department between January 2018 and December 2020. Clinical information (e.g., NEWS scores), as well as administrative data that had significant associations with admissions that resulted in delayed transfers of care, were used to develop a predictive model using a mixed-effects logistic model. Detailed model diagnostics and statistical significance, including receiver operating characteristic analysis, were performed.Results: Three-year (2018-20) data were used; a total of 92,444 admissions (70%) were used for model development and 39,877 (30%) admissions for model validation. Age, gender, ethnicity, National Early Warning Score, Glasgow admission prediction score (GAPS), Index of Multiple Deprivation decile, arrival by ambulance and admission within the last year were found to have a statistically significant association with delayed transfers of care. The proposed eight-variable predictive model showed good discrimination with 79% sensitivity (95% confidence intervals: 79%, 81%), 69% specificity (95% CI: 68%, 69%) and 70% (95% confidence intervals: 69%, 70%) overall accuracy of identifying patients who experienced a delayed transfer of care.Conclusion: Several demographic, socio-economic and clinical factors were found to be significantly associated with whether a patient experiences a delayed transfer of care or not following an admission via the emergency department. An eight-variable model has been proposed, which is capable of identifying patients who experience delayed transfers of care with 70% accuracy. The eight-variable predictive tool calculates the probability of a patient experiencing a delayed transfer accurately at the time of admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green mussel farming in coastal waters is on the edge of aquaculture trends for its worldwide acceptability as a supreme delicacy and an inexpensive protein source. The coastal water of Bangladesh has one of the world’s richest ecosystems with high productivity of fisheries due to the geographical location in the tropical climate zone, high rainfall and enrichment of water nutrients through the surface of the wide Gangetic river systems. This study aims to assess the feasibility of green mussel (Perna viridis) culture in the southeast coast of the Bay of Bengal, emphasizing coastal landlocked channels and estuary. Site capability rating system was applied based on the biophysical parameters and natural food requirements for the fast and effective evaluation of potential sites of green mussel farming. The year-round monthly variations of environmental parameters and plankton composition were recorded from seven potential sites Moheshkhali Channel, Rezu Khal and Naf River. Based on the biophysical parameters, Rezu Khal area is ranked as unsuitable/less suitable for green mussel culture mainly due to shallow water depth, high turbidity, lower food availability and higher temporal salinity fluctuation caused by the freshwater run-off during the monsoon season. However, Moheshkhali Channel and Naf River are medium to good sites based on suitability rating points, indicating that these sites are most suitable for commercial green mussel farming. Moreover, high chlorophyll-α and plankton abundance in these sites ensure that natural food availability is adequate to sustain green mussel farming. The present study findings would be applicable for the planning and development of a sustainable green mussel farming system in Bangladesh and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the best one in respect of oil production. It is the order of the day to take better steps for production and quality improvement of our local cultivars. Broadening of genetic diversity in spring oilseed Brassica napus L. (AACC, 2n = 38), canola is important for continued improvement of this crop. Sixty-two genotypes in F4 generation of Brassica napus L. were evaluated to assess genetic diversity based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Different Multivariate analyses were performed to classify 62 genotypes. On the basis of cluster analysis, all the genotypes were classified in five clusters. The cluster IV comprised the maximum number (19) of genotypes followed by same in cluster II (18). The cluster I and V comprised 10 and 9 genotypes respectively. The lowest number of genotypes was present in cluster II. The highest inter-cluster distance (10.309) was observed between the cluster I and IV and the genotypes of these clusters involved in hybridization may produce a wide spectrum of segregating population. The lowest inter-cluster distance (3.513) was observed between the cluster III and IV. The inter-cluster distances were larger than the intra-cluster distances. Considering cluster distance, inter genotypic distance and other agronomic performance G3, G4, G24, G35 and G51 might be suggested for future breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian follicle growth and oocyte maturation depend on the viability of granulosa cells (GC). We quantified GC in whole mouse follicles. Single follicles were isolated from adult mouse ovaries and stained with DAPI or Live-Dead stain before fixation. An objective image analysis protocol for counting fluorescent labeled GC was developed that used Image J software to measure GC cytoplasmic and nuclear areas. These data were compared to the number of GC obtained by disaggregating 96 follicles with enzymes to produce a suspension of GC, which then was stained with trypan blue and assessed using a hemocytometer. We found a linear relation between GC/follicle and follicle diameter. Viability of GC/follicle ranged from 40 ± 11 to 72 ± 7%. The coefficient of variation for image analysis of DAPI stained GC by different assessors was 4%, but the number of GC obtained from image analysis was approximately 50% less than from disaggregated follicles. The number of GC in intact mouse follicles was greater than the number reported earlier for fixed ovarian sections. We found that the number of GC was less in fluorescence labeled follicles; it is possible that the three-dimensional structure of the intact follicles obscured the fluorescent signal. Direct quantification of viable GC isolated from follicles appears to be the most accurate method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish the criteria for existence of triple positive solutions to the nonlinear second order ordinary differential equation u"(t) + f(t; u(t); u'(t)) = 0; ϵ 2 [a; b]; with the arbitrary two-point boundary value conditions u(a) = u(b) = 0, where, a; b are two ar- bitrary non-negative constants and f ϵ C ([a; b] × [0; 1) × R; [0; 1)). The analysis of this paper is based on a xed point theorem of functional type in a cone due to Bai and Ge. The result of this paper generalizes the results of several authors in literature. Finally, we give an illustrative example to support our analytic proof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rigorous theoretical investigation has been conducted on solitary self‐gravitational potential structures in a magnetized degenerate quantum plasma system (containing heavy nuclei and degenerate electrons). The reductive perturbation method has been used to derive the Korteweg‐de Vries (K‐dV) equation, which admits a solitary wave solution for small but finite amplitude limit. It has been shown, for the first time, that the periodic U‐shaped structures represented by secant square function [Asaduzzaman et al, Physics of Plasmas, 24, 052102 (2017)] are converted into solitary self‐gravitational potential structures represented by hyperbolic secant square function due to the presence of a static external magnetic field. It is also observed that the effects of the static external magnetic field and obliqueness significantly modify the basic properties (viz. amplitude, width, speed, etc.) of the solitary self‐gravitational potential structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]