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Recommender systems have gained significant attention as powerful tools for supporting decision-making processes in various domains. However, the understanding of their impact and application in the field of academic choices in higher education remains limited. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge regarding recommender systems utilized in the context of academic choices and advising in higher education. The study is based on the systematic analysis of a set of primary studies (N = 56 out of 1578, published between 2011 and 2023) included according to defined criteria. The articles were categorized based on specific criteria, and their findings were analyzed and synthesized. Results show that the hybrid strategy has been the most effective method for producing recommendations. Evaluation measures such as offline experiments and case-study validation were prominently observed in the empirical studies, providing insights into the effectiveness of recommender systems. The findings reveal that the design of recommender systems in higher education is context-specific, with researchers considering various parameters to tailor recommendations to individual needs. However, most of the selected articles relied on lab-based studies rather than real-world applications, indicating a need for further research in practical settings. This systematic review also identifies future research directions, including the incorporation of deep learning technologies and the analysis of personality traits. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of recommender systems for academic choices in higher education, this review offers valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, guiding the development of more effective and personalized recommendation systems to unlock the full potential of individuals in their academic journey.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health crisis and around the last decade, newspapers were one of the main sources of public dissemination of information for so. This study highlights how Bangladeshi mainstream newspapers represented AMR-related news and how they created the narrative of AMR in Bangladesh.MethodsWe conducted both quantitative and qualitative content analysis on 275 AMR-related news articles published in the twelve highest circulated dailies (January 2010 to September 2021). We divided the articles into report, opinion, and editorials and analyzed how their contents built the narrative of AMR in Bangladesh.ResultsBangladeshi newspapers reported misuse of antibiotics by the consumers the most (32.2%), followed by selling without prescriptions (29%), and over-prescription by the health providers (26.1%). There were hardly any news reports describing the impact of pharmaceutical companies in prescribing and selling antibiotics. Around 45% of the news articles were event-oriented. Moreover, they suggested inadequate recommendations to battle AMR.ConclusionValid, consistent, and reliable AMR news coverage can play a crucial role in creating mass awareness, making providers accountable, and supporting national action plan in mitigating AMR threat. The Bangladeshi journalists interested in reporting AMR-issues should focus on disseminating more Bangla articles with scientific information, and reporting causes and recommendations responsibly.

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs), such as doctors, nurses, and support staffs involved in direct or indirect patient care, are at increased risk of influenza virus infections due to occupational exposures. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, Bangladesh lacks a seasonal influenza vaccination policy for HCWs, and thus vaccination rates remain low. The current project aims to investigate the effect of interventions on influenza vaccine awareness and availability of vaccine supply, explore HCWs’ knowledge and perceptions about influenza vaccination, understand the barriers and motivators for influenza vaccine uptake, and understand policymakers' views on the practicality of influenza vaccination among HCWs. Method We will conduct the study at four tertiary care teaching hospitals in Bangladesh, using a cluster randomized controlled trial approach, with the hospital as the unit of randomization and intervention. The study population will include all types of HCWs.The four different types of intervention will be randomly allocated and implemented in four study hospitals separately. The four interventions will be: i) ensuring the availability of influenza vaccine supply; ii) developing influenza vaccine awareness; iii) both ensuring influenza vaccine supply and developing influenza vaccine awareness and iv) control arm with no intervention. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches will be applied to assess the intervention effect. We will estimate the Difference in Differences (DID) with 95% CI of the proportion of vaccine uptake between each intervention and control (non-intervention) arm, adjusting for the clustering effect. The qualitative data will be summarised using a framework matrix method. Discussion The results of this study will inform the development and implementation of a context-specific strategy to enhance influenza vaccination rates among Bangladeshi HCWs. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05521763. Version 2.0 was registered in September 2022, and the first participant enrolled in March 2022. Retrospectively registered.

The next generation of wireless communication networks will rely heavily on machine learning and deep learning. In comparison to traditional ground-based systems, the development of various communication-based applications is projected to increase coverage and spectrum efficiency. Machine learning and deep learning can be used to optimize solutions in a variety of applications, including antennas. The latter have grown popular for obtaining effective solutions due to high computational processing, clean data, and large data storage capability. In this research, machine learning and deep learning for various antenna design applications have been discussed in detail. The general concept of machine learning and deep learning is introduced. However, the main focus is on various antenna applications, such as millimeter wave, body-centric, terahertz, satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle, global positioning system, and textiles. The feasibility of antenna applications with respect to conventional methods, acceleration of the antenna design process, reduced number of simulations, and better computational feasibility features are highlighted. Overall, machine learning and deep learning provide satisfactory results for antenna design.

IntroductionRumors and conspiracy theories, can contribute to vaccine hesitancy. Monitoring online data related to COVID-19 vaccine candidates can track vaccine misinformation in real-time and assist in negating its impact. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccine rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on online platforms, understand their context, and then review interventions to manage this misinformation and increase vaccine acceptance.MethodIn June 2020, a multi-disciplinary team was formed to review and collect online rumors and conspiracy theories between 31 December 2019-30 November 2020. Sources included Google, Google Fact Check, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, fact-checking agency websites, and television and newspaper websites. Quantitative data were extracted, entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed descriptively using the statistical package R version 4.0.3. We conducted a content analysis of the qualitative information from news articles, online reports and blogs and compared with findings from quantitative data. Based on the fact-checking agency ratings, information was categorized as true, false, misleading, or exaggerated.ResultsWe identified 637 COVID-19 vaccine-related items: 91% were rumors and 9% were conspiracy theories from 52 countries. Of the 578 rumors, 36% were related to vaccine development, availability, and access, 20% related to morbidity and mortality, 8% to safety, efficacy, and acceptance, and the rest were other categories. Of the 637 items, 5% (30/) were true, 83% (528/637) were false, 10% (66/637) were misleading, and 2% (13/637) were exaggerated.ConclusionsRumors and conspiracy theories may lead to mistrust contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Tracking COVID-19 vaccine misinformation in real-time and engaging with social media to disseminate correct information could help safeguard the public against misinformation.

Early detection of zoonotic diseases allows for the implementation of early response measures, reducing loss of human life and economic disruption. We implemented a surveillance system in hospitals in Bangladesh to screen acutely ill hospitalized patients with severe respiratory infection and meningoencephalitis for zoonotic exposures. Patients were screened for the risk of zoonotic exposures with five questions covering vocational exposures, sick domestic animal and wild animal contact, and date palm sap consumption in the three weeks preceding illness onset. Patients giving at least one positive response were considered a potential zoonotic exposure. From September 2013 to March 2017, a total of 11 429 hospitalized patients across 14 participating hospitals were screened for exposures. Overall, 2% of patients reported a potential zoonotic exposure in the three-week period prior to becoming ill. Sixteen per cent of hospitalized patients with reported exposures died. After routine surveillance diagnostic testing, 88% of patients admitted to the hospital after a potential zoonotic exposure did not have a laboratory diagnosed aetiology for their illness. Hospital-based surveillance systems such as the Bangladeshi example presented here could play an important future role in the early detection of zoonotic spillover diseases. This article is part of the theme issue Dynamic and integrative approaches to understanding pathogen spillover.

Environmental dissemination of multidrug resistance (MDR) has emerged as a global concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh where the waste disposal system is inadequate. The present investigation was intended to comprehend the drug resistance and virulence pattern of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in surface water samples of Bangladesh, which are adjoining poultry farms, agricultural fields, pharmaceutical companies, and textile industries. A total of 61 E. coli with ESBL production were identified from 16 water samples based on phenotypic and genotypic approaches. MDR was observed in 96% (n =59) of the isolates with the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index in the range of 0.3–0.9. The most prevalent MDR phenotype was non-susceptible to Ampicillin–Azithromycin–Nalidixic acid, with the highest percentage in the isolates from samples near agricultural fields. The frequencies of three ESBL resistance genes were detected as blaTEM (63%), blaCTX-M-13 (60%), and blaSHV (14%). Approximately 11% of the E. coli isolates were revealed as virulent gene positive, with the predominant one (eagg) specific for Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). This study implies that the aquatic environment could be a potent means of exposure and transmission of bacterial antibiotic resistance and their genetic determinants in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides and heavy metals are considered as potent contaminants in aquatic environment. Both contaminants are sourced into the aquatic ecosystems by various types of anthropogenic as well as natural practices. Such types of aquatic contamination drastically affect the normal activity of associated living organisms particularly fish. Both the pesticides and heavy metals toxicity cause several negative effects on fish growth, physiology, immune response, reproduction, embryonic and larval development as well as different histopathology of major organs including fish gill, kidney, liver, gonads, and intestine. Besides, the consumption of contaminated fish poses a serious health concern to associated consumers. Considering these serious issues, the current review is designed to investigate the toxic effects of pesticides and heavy metals on different aspects of fishes along with their possible sources, major types, and mode of action as well as role of medicinal herbs to mitigate their toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we execute the enhanced (G'/G)-expansion method to search for new and further general closed-form wave solutions to the nonlinear partial differential equation, namely the Benny Luke equation. This method is one of the powerful techniques that come into view in recent time for establishing more exact wave solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations. We have achieved some new exact solutions including soliton and periodic wave solutions with arbitrary parameters and the solutions are expressed in terms of hyperbolic and trigonometric functions. The efficiency of this method for finding exact solutions has been established. It is shown that the enhanced (G'/G)-expansion method is direct, effective and can be used for many other nonlinear partial differential equations in mathematical physics and engineering.

In the era of neoliberalism now the people especially the lower income group of people is suffering a lot for the scarcity of housing. After migrating from the rural areas for a better life they discovered themselves in the slum like areas of the city as they are not capable to afford housing in the influential areas of the city due to higher rent. Although the government takes initiative to remove the housing scarcity of the lower segment of the people but at the end that is after the completion of the housing the flat has been distributed towards the politically powerful and wealthy persons instead to submit those flats to the slum dwellers. This is the case that has been taking place exactly in the case of Bashantek Rehabilitation Project (BRP) a low cost housing program for the poor initiated by the government of Bangladesh. The real situation is that the real slum dwellers were disposed in the name of low cost housing. Now the flat owner is the politically powerful elite and the wealthy personnel. And throughout this project the slum dwellers have become the victim of dual burden like disposed from the land and lost the money that has been transferred to the project personnel to get the flat at the same time.

This paper innovatively defines the structure of human capital based on existing theories and use the heterogeneous stochastic frontier model to test the relationship between various types of human capital and innovation. It is found that with the progress of technology, the structure of human capital and the mechanism of promoting innovation have undergone profound changes. Together with commercial leasing human capital, financial human capital, and entrepreneurs, information human capital and transportation human capital participate in innovation activities and create a new collaborative space, which in turn helps to spread the value of innovation and influence the effectiveness of the entire innovation system. This study enriches the theoretical research on the mechanism of human capital promoting innovation in the information age and provides new insight to explain the imbalance between human capital input and innovation output. Based on the theory of innovation chain value and flow space, this study redefines the connotation of innovative human capital structure by distinguishing the nature of innovation activities. This study also reveals the difference in the influence of human capital structure on different types of innovation activities. This study partly explains the problem of increasing human capital input but decreasing innovation efficiency in developing countries. Therefore, from a macro perspective, our research provides guidance for understanding the transformation of innovation under the background of technological progress and formulating effective urban innovation strategies for managers. Plain language summary: Existing studies show that human capital is the core element of innovation activities, and the more human capital investment a country has, the stronger its innovation ability will be. However, there is still no consistent explanation of who promotes innovation and how. This makes it difficult for researchers to explain the problem of increasing human capital investment but decreasing innovation efficiency in some developing countries. This paper innovatively considers the impact of technological progress on innovation activities, and holds that technological progress changes the structure of human capital for innovation, thus affecting the efficiency of innovation. The analysis based on stochastic frontier model proves this view. The conclusion of empirical analysis shows that the total human capital input is not the more the better, but must pay attention to the structure, especially the information human capital and transportation human capital in innovation activities. But at the same time, this paper also believes that whether these two types of human capital will have a threshold effect on other types of human capital needs to be further discussed beyond this paper. This paper provides an enlightening perspective to explain the profound changes of innovation mechanism under the background of technological progress and promote the improvement of regional innovation efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempts to explore the impacts of some demographic, economic and cultural factor's effects on overseas employment of female workers as well as on overseas employment of total workers from Bangladesh. The Gravity model of trade is applied here with the panel data of 12 countries and 22 years. The random effect analysis is applied since some variables which are time-invariant and important for the study. The main gravity variables – Gross Domestic Product (GDP), population and distance- are found to be well fitted with literatures with expected signs and level of significance. The magnitude of impacts differs for female overseas workers than total overseas workers. The study reveals that while the effect of religion is insignificant in case of total overseas employment its impact on female overseas employment is highly significant. The negative effects of language variables for both types of employments reflect the fact that most of the workers specially women workers migrated to abroad as home maid and didn't get the training on official language of Bangladesh, English. Furthermore, the opportunity of earnings at destination countries proxied by remittances flows from those countries to Bangladesh has highly positive impact and the magnitude is higher for female overseas workers. The study suggests policies and required support services should be provided to mitigate the migration cost. Also, countries with higher GDP, similar religion and higher income, networking and employment opportunities should be chosen as potential new labour market for the female workers of Bangladesh. Keywords: Female worker's overseas Employment, Gravity Model, Panel Data, Random Effect Analysis, Bangladesh JEL Classifications: E24, C130 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.11626

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health crisis and around the last decade, newspapers were one of the main sources of public dissemination of information for so. This study highlights how Bangladeshi mainstream newspapers represented AMR-related news and how they created the narrative of AMR in Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted both quantitative and qualitative content analysis on 275 AMR-related news articles published in the twelve highest circulated dailies (January 2010 to September 2021). We divided the articles into report, opinion, and editorials and analyzed how their contents built the narrative of AMR in Bangladesh. Results: Bangladeshi newspapers reported misuse of antibiotics by the consumers the most (32.2%), followed by selling without prescriptions (29%), and over-prescription by the health providers (26.1%). There were hardly any news reports describing the impact of pharmaceutical companies in prescribing and selling antibiotics. Around 45% of the news articles were event-oriented. Moreover, they suggested inadequate recommendations to battle AMR. Conclusion: Valid, consistent, and reliable AMR news coverage can play a crucial role in creating mass awareness, making providers accountable, and supporting national action plan in mitigating AMR threat. The Bangladeshi journalists interested in reporting AMR-issues should focus on disseminating more Bangla articles with scientific information, and reporting causes and recommendations responsibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of closed form solutions for nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs) is being an attractive subject in the different branches of mathematical and physical sciences. In this article, the enhanced (G′/G)-expansion method has been applied to find the closed form solutions for NLEEs, such as the simplified MCH equation and third extended fifth order nonlinear equations which are very important in mathematical physics. Plentiful closed form solutions with arbitrary parameters are successfully obtained by this method which are expressed in terms of hyperbolic and trigonometric functions. It is shown that the obtained solutions are more general and fresh and can be helpful to analyze the NLEES in mathematical physics and engineering problems. Keywords: The enhanced (G′/G)-expansion method, Simplified MCH equation, Third extended fifth order nonlinear equation, Nonlinear evolution equation (NLEEs), Closed form wave solutions

Abstract Background To investigate in vitro antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality bioassay, antimicrobial, anthelmintic activities and in vivo peripheral analgesic activity of methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Cassia renigera seed. Methods Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts was carried out. Antioxidant activity was determined using seven different methods. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay and anthelmintic activities were done using nauplii of Artemia salina and adult earthworm (Pheretima posthuma), respectively. The antimicrobial potential was investigated against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Acetic acid induced writhing test was performed to evaluate peripheral analgesic activity. Results Both methanol and petroleum ether extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. While alkaloids, glycosides, and steroids were only found in the methanolic extract. Methanolic extract showed more potent 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide scavenging capacity, cupric reducing and reducing power capacity than petroleum ether extract. While petroleum ether extract showed better results in total phenol and total antioxidant activities. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay methanolic and petroleum ether extracts showed the LC50 value of 74.44 and 121.49 μg/mL, respectively. In overall antimicrobial study methanolic extract showed better activity than petroleum ether extract. Methanolic extract of 50 mg/mL showed maximum anthelmintic activity comparable to the standard (Piperazine Citrate, 10 mg/mL). Both 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight dose of the methanolic extract exhibited significant 39.64% and 58.73% writhing inhibition (푃

A field experiment was conducted comprising two varieties of mungbean, BARI Mung-5 (V1) and BARI Mung-6 (V2), and five levels of phosphorus fertilizer: triple super phosphate [Ca(H2PO4)] viz. T1 (control), T2 (42.5 kg P ha−1), T3 (85 kg P ha−1), T4 (127.5 kg P ha−1), and T5 (170 kg P ha−1). The experiment was organized in a randomized complete block design with three replications. V1 produced the highest number of pods per plant (7.65), whereas the maximum 1,000-seed weight (49 g) was produced by V2. The maximum plant height (30.89 cm), number of branches per plant (8.55), number of leaves per plant (19.05), number of pods per plant (10.25), pod length (8.95 cm), number of seeds per pod (9.11), 1,000-seed weight (48.17 g), and yield (1.05 t ha−1) were obtained from the T4 treatment. The interaction of phosphorus levels and varieties had a considerable effect on the growth, yield, and yield attributes of mungbean. The highest number of leaves (20.44) and number of pods (10.39) were obtained from V1 when 127.5 kg P ha−1 (T4) was applied, whereas the maximum number of seeds per pod (9.25) and maximum pod length (9.09 cm) were obtained when 85 kg P ha−1 and 42.5 kg P ha−1, respectively, were used. The highest number of branches per plant (8.87), 1,000-seed weight (52.83 g), and the maximum seed yield (1.14 t ha−1) were achieved from the treatment V2T4 owing to the interactive effect of phosphorus dose and mungbean variety.

Heavy metal toxicity is one of the most devastating abiotic stresses. Heavy metals cause serious damage to plant growth and productivity, which is a major problem for sustainable agriculture. It adversely affects plant molecular physiology and biochemistry by generating osmotic stress, ionic imbalance, oxidative stress, membrane disorganization, cellular toxicity, and metabolic homeostasis. To improve and stimulate plant tolerance to heavy metal stress, the application of biostimulants can be an effective approach without threatening the ecosystem. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a biostimulator, plant growth regulator, and antioxidant, promotes plant tolerance to heavy metal stress by improving redox and nutrient homeostasis, osmotic balance, and primary and secondary metabolism. It is important to perceive the complete and detailed regulatory mechanisms of exogenous and endogenous melatonin-mediated heavy metal-toxicity mitigation in plants to identify potential research gaps that should be addressed in the future. This review provides a novel insight to understand the multifunctional role of melatonin in reducing heavy metal stress and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Sesame is sensitive to waterlogging, and its growth is devastatingly impacted under excess moisture conditions. Thus, waterlogging tolerance is crucial to alleviate yield constraints, particularly under expected climate change. In this study, 119 diverse sesame genotypes were screened for their tolerance to 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of waterlogging relative to non-waterlogged conditions. All plants died under 72 h of waterlogging, while 13.45%, 31.93%, and 45.38% of genotypes survived at 48, 24, and 12 h, respectively. Based on the seedling parameters and waterlogging tolerance coefficients, genotypes BD-7008 and BD-6985 exhibited the highest tolerance to waterlogging, while BD-6996 and JP-01811 were the most sensitive ones. The responses of these four genotypes to waterlogged conditions were assessed at different plant growth stages—30, 40, and 50 days after sowing (DAS)—versus normal conditions. Waterlogging, particularly when it occurred within 30 DAS, destructively affected the physiological and morphological characteristics, which was reflected in the growth and yield attributes. Genotype BD-7008, followed by BD-6985, exhibited the highest chlorophyll and proline contents as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). These biochemical and physiological adjustments ameliorated the adverse effects of waterlogging, resulting in higher yields for both genotypes. Conversely, JP-01811 presented the lowest chlorophyll and proline contents as well as enzymatic antioxidant activities, resulting in the poorest growth and seed yield.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a batborne paramyxovirus (1,2) that causes encephalitis in humans. NiV has caused outbreaks almost every year in Bangladesh since 2001; the case-fatality rate is >70% (3).The [...]