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Background A set of 44 selected Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) accessions was sampled from 11 distinct populations of four geographical zones to assess the genetic drift, population structure, phylogenetic relationship, and genetic differentiation linked with ISSR primers. In Malaysia, this is an exotic legume introduced from Africa and having tremendous nutritional values and diverse usages. Methods and Results The amplification of genomic DNA with 32 ISSR markers detected an average of 97.64% polymorphism while 35.15% and 51.08% polymorphism per population and geographical zone, respectively. Genetic diversity estimated by Shannon’s information index (I) = 0.177 (average) and populations under Gombe showed maximum diversity (I = 0.271) with 90.98% polymorphism. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant variation within population 75% and between population 25% whereas within region 84% and between region 16%. The study also divulged total genetic variation Ht = 0.1781 closer to within population diversity (Hs = 0.1155). Among the population, Cancaraki revealed 40.39% polymorphism while the average polymorphism was 35.15%. The Bidillali exposed greater number of locally common band i.e., NLCB (≤ 25%) = 25 and NLCB (≤ 50%) = 115 were shown by Cancaraki while the lowest was recorded as NLCB (≤ 25%) = 6 and NLCB (≤ 50%) = 72 for Roko and Maibergo, accordingly. The highest PhiPT value was noted between Roko and Katawa (0.405*) whereas Nei’s genetic distance was maximum between Roko and Karu (0.124). The genetic differentiation among population Gst = 0.3514 (35.14%) leaving 65.86% of genetic variation leads to within-population with gene flow of Nm = 0.9229. Based on Nei’s genetic distance, a radial phylogenetic tree was constructed that assembled the entire accessions into 3 major clusters for further confirmation unrooted NJ vs NNet split tree analysis based on uncorrected P distance exposed the similar result. Principal coordinate analysis showed variation as PC1 (15.04%) > PC2 (5.81%). Mantel test exposed a significant correlation among genetic and geographic distance of accessions. STRUCTURE analysis (Bayesian) grouped the accessions into 3 major genetic components based on best ΔK = 3 and admixture population. Conclusions The current study leads to prompting the genetic improvement and future breeding program by maximum utilization and better conservation of existing V. subterranea accessions in this subtropical environment.

Bentonite has been modified using H2SO4 at various concentrations to alter Si/Al ratio that is responsible for catalytic pyrolysis of single-use waste polyethylene (SUWP). The XRF analysis confirmed a gradual decrease of Al2O3 content with an increasing concentration of H2SO4. The highest liquid hydrocarbon yield (87.48%) was obtained at Si/Al ratio of 34.24. To further activate acid-modified bentonite, bimetals (Cu/Ni, Fe/Ni, and Co/Ni) impregnation was conducted. The catalytic performance was compared with monometals (Ru, Co, Ni, Cu, and Fe) impregnated bentonite counterparts. The Co, Ni, or Cu impregnated bentonite catalysts (with 86, 83, and 86% yield) outperformed Fe and Ru impregnated bentonite catalysts (with 68% and 79% yield). However, bimetallic (Cu/Ni, Fe/Ni and Co/Ni) catalysts enhanced severe cracking leading to the formation of more gaseous hydrocarbons and thus less amount of liquid (70–80%) is obtained. Incorporation of iron into bentonite or Ni/bentonite increased the amount of 2-Octene, 3,7-dimethyl-, (Z)- compared to acid-treated bentonite and Ni/ bentonite catalysts. Moreover, Fe/Ni/bentonite has also increased the amount of 2-Octene, 2,6-dimethyl- compounds. The BET analysis shows that both surface area and pore diameter increased due to acid treatment resulting in an increase in the percent yield of liquid compared to raw bentonite. The FTIR and GC-MS analysis confirmed that the liquid hydrocarbon consists of linear and branched alkanes and alkenes with some cyclic hydrocarbons. The NMR analysis showed the liquid hydrocarbon is free from the aromatic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH).

Nine morphologically distinct kenaf genotypes were hybridized to produce 36 hybrids following a half diallel mating design. The combining ability and gene action of 15 yield and yield components were assessed in hybrids and their parents across two environments. Except for the mid diameter and plant height traits, there were highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) between both the analysis of variance of environments and the interaction of genotype and environment. For the inheritance of these traits, additive gene effects were considerable, and the expression of these additive genes was heavily influenced by the environment. Significant differences were found for all studied traits for GCA except top diameter, and SCA except plant height and top diameter, implying the presence of both additive and non-additive gene action for the inheritance of the concerned characters. For all features except top diameter and number of nodes, the magnitude of GCA variation was significantly higher than that of SCA variance, indicating the additive gene's predominance. The parental lines P1, P3 and P4 were determined to be outstanding general combiners for fibre yield and yield-related parameters. Considering combining ability and genetic analysis study together, the crosses P1 × P4, P1 × P9, P2 × P3, P2 × P5, P4 × P6, P4 × P7, P4 × P9, P5 × P8, and P7 × P9 were found promising for their heterotic response to higher fibre yield, stick yield, seed yield and and could be useful by adopting proper strategies for future improvement in kenaf breeding programmes.

Background - Engineering education utilizes a face-to-face model for delivery of course materials and workshops. The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a countrywide lockdown and forced education institutes to shift to an internet-based online delivery mode. Purpose/Hypothesis - This study developed an instrument to meticulously measure the students’ readiness for online learning in a pandemic situation. A situation like COVID-19 accelerates a long-standing issue of digital inequality among the students in education. The study proposed a reconceptualised model for students’ online readiness for emergencies like COVID-19. The proposed model consists of (a) motivation, (b) self-efficacy, and (c) situational factors.Design/Method - The proposed model was validated with the engineering students (for pilot study N = 68 and main study N = 988) from several universities in Bangladesh. To validate the underlying relationships between the latent constructs, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed followed by structural equation modelling (SEM) for the construct validity of the measurement model and to assess the model fit. Results - The findings showed that besides motivation and self-efficacy, the situational factors describing the contextual dynamics emerging from the COVID-19 significantly influenced the student's online readiness.Conclusions - The impact of situational factors on student readiness for online learning is complex, specially during events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing the collected data, it is evident that current practices of teaching should be blended with face-to-face, synchronous and asynchronous internet-based learning. We argue that digital inequality is an important factor influencing student readiness for online learning.

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) provides the first immunization for the newborns, fortify their immune defense system and eventually reduce the mortality rate. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. Methods: A total number of 421 mothers living in Rajshahi district who had at least one child aged 6-24 months were considered as sample. Mothers were selected using multistage random sampling. This study was conducted from January to March, 2019. The EIBF was measured by a principal question, “Did you provide your breast milk to your newborn within one hour after delivery?” Frequency distribution, Chi-square test and multivariable binary logistic regression model were utilized in this study for getting prevalence and associated factors of EIBF respectively. Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district was 88.4%. Multivariable logistic model provided eight factors associated with EIBF: (i) husbands’ education level, (ii) husbands’ occupation, (iii) family monthly income, (iv) mothers’ age, (v) mothers’ BMI, (vi) place of delivery, (vii) planned pregnancy and (viii) mothers taking advice regarding the benefit of breastfeeding during their pregnancy. Conclusions: This study identified several modifiable factors associated with EIBF. The customs, culture and other characteristics are almost same across the country. These factors could be considered to increase the rate of EIBF among mothers in Bangladesh.

As a crop for the new millennium Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc.) considered as leading legumes in the tropical regions due to its versatile advantages. The main intent of this study was to find out the high yielding potential genotypes and considering these genotypes to develop pure lines for commercial cultivation in Malaysia. Considering the 14 qualitative and 27 quantitative traits of fifteen landraces the variation and genetic parameters namely, variability, heritability, genetic advance, characters association, and cluster matrix were determined. ANOVA revealed significant variation for all the agronomic traits (except plant height). Among the accessions, highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) were found for almost all the traits excluding fifty percent flowering date, seed length, seed width. The 16 traits out of the 27 quantitative traits had a coefficient of variation (CV) ≥ 20%. A positive and intermediate to perfect highly significant association (r = 0.23 to 1.00; P < 0.00) was found between yield and its related traits. The trait dry seed weight per plant (g) had the highest GCV = 59.91% and PCV = 59.57% whereas the trait fresh pod weight (99.55%), dry seed weight (98.86%), and yield (98.10%) were highly heritable. The genetic advance recorded the highest for dry seed weight (122.01%) and lowest (3.97%) for plant height. To validate the genetic disparity, an unweighted pair-group produce with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), principal component analysis (PCA), and Hˊ-index was performed considering 27 quantitative traits. The constructed dendrogram showed five distinct groups of accessions. Genotypes G2, G3, and G9 from Group IV consider as promising lines which gave 70.05% higher mean yield compared to grand mean yield (1180 kg ha-1) with desirable traits. Group II had a maximum number of accessions while group III and group V had one of each. However, findings declared that the availability of genetic variance will be beneficial for this crop improvement and plant breeders to prefer desirable traits in V. subterranea L. Verdc. for further breeding purposes.

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) act as the first immunization for the newborns, fortify their immune defense system and eventually reduce the mortality rate. This study aimed to identify the influential factors of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh.Methods: A total number of 421 mothers living in Rajshahi district who had at least one child aged 6-24 months were considered as sample. Mothers were selected using multistage random sampling. This study was conducted from January to March, 2019. The EIBF was measured by a principal question, “Did you provide your breast milk to your newborns within one hour after delivery?” Frequency distribution and Chi-square test and multivariable binary logistic regression model were utilized in this study for getting prevalence and influential factors of EIBF respectively. Results: This study revealed that the prevalence of EIBF among mothers in Rajshahi district was 88.4%. Multivariable logistic model provided eight influential factors of EIBF: (i) husbands’ education level, (ii) husbands’ occupation, (iii) family monthly income, (iv) mothers’ age, (v) mothers’ BMI, (vi) place of delivery, (vii) getting pregnancy with planning, and (viii) mothers taking advice regarding the benefit of breastfeeding during their pregnancy. Conclusions: This study identified several modifiable influential factors of EIBF. The customs, culture and other characteristics are almost the same across the country. These factors could be considered to increase the rate of EIBF among mothers in Bangladesh.