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Improvements in micronutrient content or bioavailability of staples can impact diet. We aimed to assess variability of rice zinc at field, household, and village levels, and its association with dietary zinc and nutritional status of children. Rice samples were collected from

Carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Man-made CO2 emissions contribute approximately 63% of greenhouse gases and the cement industry is responsible for approximately 5% of CO2 emissions emitting nearly 900 kg of CO2 per 1000 kg of cement. CO2 from a cement plant was captured and purified to 98% using the monoethanolamine (MEA) based absorption process. The capture cost was $51 per tonne of CO2 captured, representing approximately 90% of total cost. Steam was the main operating cost representing 39% of the total capture cost. Switching from coal to natural gas reduces CO2 emissions by about 18%. At normal load, about 36 MW of waste heat is available for recovery to satisfy the parasitic heat requirements of MEA process; however, it is very difficult to recover.

Aims: Because of uncontrolled and widespread use of antibiotics, the resistance pattern of uropathogens is changing drastically, specifically in developing countries, such as Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to identify the common Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) causing pathogens in the city of Jessore, Bangladesh and to check the performance of available antibiotics used by those patients. Study Design: Random 100 UTI patients who exhibited general UTI symptoms were included in our cross-sectional study. A medical proforma was prepared to input the information associated with the experiment including symptoms of patient’s age, sex, laboratory diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, University of Science and Technology, Jessore 7408 and Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh, between June 2013 and July 2014. Methodology: Urine samples from 100 suspicious urinary tract infected patients were collected as described by Thomson and Miller. Bacterial isolates were tested to identify the bacterial species and to evaluate their antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique against some common antibiotics. Epidata® computer program 3.1 and SPSS version 16 statistical software used for confidence interval (CI) and P value, which were defined as P value is

A comprehensive, multiround survey of local food systems in a rickets-endemic area of Bangladesh was conducted to identify household-level risk factors for rickets.A household-level, case-control study was conducted in a rickets-endemic area, Chakaria, with planned comparisons between households with one or more rachitic child and neighboring households with no affected children.A rickets-endemic area of southeastern Bangladesh, Chakaria.An interview-based survey was conducted in six villages in Chakaria with 199 households with at least one child showing physical signs consistent with rickets and 281 households with no affected children.Households with rachitic children in Chakaria had more children, more pregnant or lactating women, and fewer adults than unaffected households in that community. Affected households tended to rely on farming for their livelihood and tended to have less economic activity as indicated by less outstanding debt than their neighbors. Households with rickets were at significantly greater risk of pneumonia than were other households. Calcium undernutrition was severe and widespread in Chakaria due to a food system that offered very little of the element in accessible forms. Household diets were based on cereals and starchy vegetables. Rice and fish constituted the major source of calcium for most households, although dairy products, when used, were very important calcium sources, particularly for young children. In fact, the use of dairy products was the only household choice that led to substantial increases in the calcium intakes of children, and households that used dairy products tended to show increased calcium intakes for all of their members.The risk of a Chakarian household having a child with rickets appeared to be related to its economic status. Although this might be expected to be manifest as limitations in food access and/or use, rickets households failed to show a dietary pattern associated with rickets. Calcium undernutrition was prevalent and, thus, would appear to be a predisposing factor for rickets; however, calcium undernutrition was prevalent in Chakarian households with and without rickets. Therefore, it is probable that another precipitating factor(s) play a role(s) in the etiology of rickets in Chakaria.

Iron, calcium and zinc contents of 15 commonly consumed Bangladeshi vegetables were analysed. Analysis of β-carotene was carried out on 7 vegetables and analyses of vitamin C and water-soluble oxalate were carried out on 2 and 4 vegetables, respectively. Samples were purchased at two different times in 2 districts, and 2 markets in each district. The samples were chopped, peeled, washed and prepared ready for cooking according to local practices by local women and the non-edible portions discarded. Statistical evaluation of the results was done using mixed model analysis of variance. The values found for iron and β-carotene contents were lower compared to those in the Bangladeshi food composition tables, while the values for calcium content were either lower or higher. The differences found emphasize the need of updated Bangladeshi food composition tables. The use of the results from this study to produce updated food composition tables is a step towards making estimates of nutrient intakes and adequacies from food consumption surveys more reliable and accurate.

Anaerobic Digestion is a biological process that takes place naturally when microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen. In an enclosed chamber, controlled anaerobic digestion of organic matter produces biogas which is predominantly methane. The produced methane then can be directly used for rural cooking; or after certain conditioning, can be used in onsite power generation, heating homes or as vehicular fuel. Besides, food waste is increasingly becoming a major problem in every society imposing serious economic and environmental concerns. For this reason, many contemporary researches are emphasizing in finding sustainable solutions to recycle and produce energy from such waste. In this context, this paper aims to study and optimize the production of biogas from food waste (rice). For the experiment, an existing wet digestion biogas plant installed in Islamic University of Technology was used. The food waste (rice) for the research was collected from the cafeteria of Islamic University of Technology. Furthermore, a process simulation was performed by PROII software to estimate the methane production rate. Eventually, the simulated and experimental results were compared. The duration of the study period was 120 days. The experimental results showed that an average specific gas production of 14.4 kg-mol/hr can be obtained for 0.05 kg-mol/hr of starch loading rate. In case of the simulated results, the gas production was found to be 19.82 kg-mol/hr for the same loading rate of starch. The percentage of methane and CO2 obtained in the biogas plant was 69% and 29% respectively.Copyright © 2014 by ASME

Objective: To determine the association between chronic arsenic exposure via drinking water and prevalence of hypertension among rural Bangladeshi adults. Design, Setting, Participants: This is an analytical cross sectional study among 1004 participants from 1682 eligible men and women (Participation rate 60%) aged >30 years living in Bangladesh who had continuously consumed arsenic-contaminated drinking water for at least 6 months. Main Outcome Measures: Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure > 140 mm of Hg or a diastolic blood pressure > 90 mm of Hg or in combination of the both. Results: A total of 1004 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 6.6% (95% CI 5.1-8.3%). After adjustment for participant’s age, sex, education, religion, marital status, sign of arsenical skin lesions, monthly household income and BMI, no excess risk of hypertension was observed for drinking water arsenic exposure over 50μg/L. Also, there was no increased risk for higher concentration of arsenic in the drinking water. Arsenic concentration >50 μg/L in drinking water showed no association with systolic, diastolic hypertension separately however, it shows a strong relationship with increased pulse pressure when pulse pressure categorized as Conclusion: Unlike other studies conducted in developing countries that reported a significant association, this study suggests no association between higher drinking water arsenic concentration and hypertension except for pulse pressure.

Fifteen lap splice specimens reinforced with plain steel bars were tested under four-point loading to investigate bond resistance as a function of development length and bar diameter. Three of these specimens were instrumented with both steel and concrete strain gages to examine bond loss within the lap splice length. All of the specimens failed in bond. Splice specimens reinforced with plain bars are capable of resisting maximum loads that are approximately 60% of those recorded for two similar specimens that were reinforced with deformed bars. An analysis of 11 of the splice specimens tested shows that CEB-FIP Model Code provisions for average bond stress underestimates the prediction of the maximum load by 16% on average. A flexural analysis conducted for the instrumented specimens showed that strain compatibility did not exist for much of the loading range.

Background In Bangladesh, many programs and projects have been promoting breastfeeding since the late 1980 s. Breastfeeding practices, however, have not improved accordingly. Methods For identifying program-relevant issues to improve breastfeeding in infancy, quantitative data were collected through visits to households (n = 356) in rural Chittagong and urban slums in Dhaka, and qualitative data from sub-samples by applying semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 42), focus group discussions (n = 28), and opportunistic observations (n = 21). Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) (n = 26) were conducted in the above sites and rural Sylhet to determine how best to design further interventions. Our analysis focused on five breastfeeding practices recommended by the World Health Organization: putting baby to the breast within the first hour of birth, feeding colostrum and not giving fluids, food or other substances in the first days of life, breastfeeding on demand, not feeding anything by bottle, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Results The biggest gaps were found to be in putting baby to the breast within the first hour of birth (76% gap), feeding colostrum and not giving other fluids, foods or substances within the first three days (54% gap), and exclusive breastfeeding from birth through 180 days (90% gap). Lack of knowledge about dangers of delaying initiation beyond the first hour and giving other fluids, foods or substances, and the common perception of "insufficient milk" were main reasons given by mothers for these practices. Health workers had talked to only 8% of mothers about infant feeding during antenatal and immunization visits, and to 34% of mothers during sick child visits. The major providers of infant feeding information were grandmothers (28%). Conclusions The findings showed that huge gaps continue to exist in breastfeeding behaviors, mostly due to lack of awareness as to why the recommended breastfeeding practices are beneficial, the risks of not practicing them, as well as how to practice them. Health workers' interactions for promoting and supporting optimal breastfeeding are extremely low. Counseling techniques should be used to reinforce specific, priority messages by health facility staff and community-based workers at all contact points with mothers of young infants.

We use a model of human capital investment and activity choice to explain facts describing gender differentials in the levels and returns to human capital investments. These include the higher return to and level of schooling, the small effect of healthiness on wages, and the large effect of healthiness on schooling for females relative to males. The model incorporates gender differences in the level and responsiveness of brawn to nutrition in a Roy-economy setting in which activities reward skill and brawn differentially. Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh provides support for the model and the importance of the distribution of brawn.

We use a model of human capital investment and activity choice to explain facts describing gender differentials in the levels and returns to human capital investments. These include the higher return to and level of schooling, the small effect of healthiness on wages, and the large effect of healthiness on schooling for females relative to males. The model incorporates gender differences in the level and responsiveness of brawn to nutrition in a Roy-economy setting in which activities reward skill and brawn differentially. Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh provides support for the model and the importance of the distribution of brawn.

In 1985–86 a food consumption survey covering about 4000 people was carried out in 11 locations of Dhaka city. Comparison of the results with those of the 1962–64 study revealed a deteriorating food and nutrition situation of the urban population. Among food groups, consumption of pulses and food from animal sources in particular have greatly declined. Among nutrients the foremost deficiency was of energy in which 68% of families consumed less than the requirement. A similar percentage of families consumed inadequate protein, but in 23% of them there would not have been a protein problem had there been an adequate supply of other sources of food energy. Among the micronutrients the severest deficiencies were of riboflavin and vitamin A. Forty two percent of families consumed less than the recommended level of ascorbic acid. A comparison of intake patterns in urban and rural areas shows several differences, even though the pattern of intake of dietary consituents was similar.

Background: Seasonality has been recognized as a key determinant of human energy balance, especially in low-income countries. Objective: The objective was to test the hypothesis that, in rural Bangladesh, different age and sex groups adapt similarly to seasonal changes in energy intake (EI). Design: A prospective study was carried out in 2 rural Bangladeshi villages in the lean and peak seasons. Data on anthropometric measures (weight, height, and midupper arm circumference) and dietary food intake (collected with the use of a 24-h food weighing method) were obtained from all subjects from 304 households. Results: The average EI increased from a least-squares mean (± SE) of 7.87 ± 0.10 MJ · person � 1 ·d � 1 in the lean season to 9.47 ± 0.13 MJ · person � 1 ·d � 1 in the peak season. In children and adolescents aged < 18 y of age, the prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age) was not significantly different (56%) in the 2 seasons. Among adults, a significantly higher prevalence of chronic energy deficiency [body mass index (in kg/m 2 ) < 18.5] was observed in the peak season (67%) than in the lean season (61%), despite a higher EI in the peak season. Other determinants of seasonal nutritional status are presented. Conclusions: Seasonal fluctuations in EI were substantial in all age and sex groups. Children and adolescents showed no significant seasonal changes in the prevalence of underweight, which indicated that they adapted to changes in EI. In adults, the season in which EI was high coincided with average weight loss, which indicated that adults did not adapt fully to seasonal fluctuations in EI and that seasonal energy expenditure is probably a major determinant of nutritional status. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:406‐13.

A food consumption survey was conducted in rural Bangladesh in January-March 1996 using a 24-h food weighing method. Intakes and adequacies of energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium were estimated for 81 children (aged 24-71 months) and 182 women (aged 18-45 years) using three sets of food composition tables. The local food composition table was modified with newer values for nutrient contents of foods identified as important for the contribution of vitamin A and iron. Significant differences in estimated dietary intakes and adequacies were found for vitamin A and iron when different sets of food composition values were used. This study shows that up-to-date chemical analyses of foods selected on the basis of a high frequency of consumption and a large contribution of the nutrients in focus is a useful approach in improving the quality of food composition tables, resulting in greater accuracy of estimates of nutrient intakes and adequacies.

Objective: To determine and evaluate changes in nutritional status, food consumption, energy and nutrient intake in rural Bangladesh, using appropriate statistical analyses. Design: Repeated cross-sectional surveys. Two seasons in 1981–1982 and 1995–1996. Setting: Two villages with different production patterns. Subjects: Anthropometric measurements of 1883 individuals, food consumption data of 404 households. Methods: Repeated measurements of one-day food weighing and anthropometry in two seasons in 1981–1982 and 1995–1996. Mixed model analyses were used to evaluate and quantify temporal changes and their interactions with determinants. Results: Prevalence of underweight children decreased from 82 to 70% (P=0.015), wasted children from 34% to 18% (P=0.009) and chronic energy deficient adults decreased from 78 to 64% (P

The rice-based diet in Bangladesh in the context of food and nutrition security Bangladesh is experiencing a situation with both food and nutrition insecurity. Bangladesh has developed a national plan of action within the food and nutrition area following the international plans of action. Examples of different ongoing programmes and projects related to food and nutrition security are described, including a more detailed description of the authors's own research activities. Research components pertinent to the Bangladesh rice-based diet comprise dietary surveys in rural Bangladesh in villages with different production patterns, perception studies of the commonly consumed foods, studies of the nutritional quality of the most important foods (rice, fish and vegetables) and bioavailability studies of starch from rice and calcium from small indigenous fish. Results are presented along with needs for future research.

BackgroundChronic exposure to high level of inorganic arsenic in drinking water has been associated with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Most research has been ecological in nature and has focused on high levels of arsenic exposure with few studies directly measuring arsenic levels in drinking water as an index of arsenic exposure. The effect of low to moderate levels of arsenic exposure on diabetes risk is largely unknown thus our study is adding further knowledge over previous works.MethodsThis cross sectional study was conducted in 1004 consenting women and men from 1682 eligible participants yielding a participation rate of 60%. These participants are aged>30 years and were living in Bangladesh and had continuously consumed arsenic-contaminated drinking water for at least 6 months. T2D cases were diagnosed using glucometer following the new diagnostic criteria (Fasting Blood Glucose>126 mg/dl) from the WHO guideline (WHO 2006), or a self-reported physician diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Association between T2D and chronic arsenic exposure was estimated by multiple logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, education, Body Mass Index (BMI) and family history of T2D.ResultsA total of 1004 individuals participated in the study. The prevalence of T2D was 9% (95% CI 7-11%). After adjustment for diabetes risk factors, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes was observed for arsenic exposure over 50 μg/L with those in the highest category having almost double the risk of type 2 diabetes (OR=1.9 ; 95% CI 1.1-3.5). For most levels of arsenic exposure, the risk estimates are higher with longer exposure; a dose–response pattern was also observed.ConclusionsThese findings suggest an association between chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water and T2D. Risks are generally higher with longer duration of arsenic exposure. The risk of T2D is highest among those who were exposed to the highest concentration of arsenic for more than 10 years.

The influence of seasonal variations in dietary intakes and nutritional status was examined in two rural villages of Bangladesh covering a population of 600. The results suggest considerable seasonal variations in intakes and prevalence of malnutrition depending on agricultural productivity. Intakes of almost all food was found to be the lowest in late October‐early November and May‐June period, the months preceding the two major rice (aman and aus) harvests. A higher incidence of malnutrition was accordingly seen during these periods. Alternative strategies in food production and availability seem to be needed to eliminate the severe consequences of malnutrition and to assist in alleviating rural poverty.

In 1981–82 a nationwide food consumption survey covering 4000 people was carried out in 12 statistically selected rural locations of Bangladesh. Comparison of the results with those of the 1975–76 and 1962–64 studies revealed an alarming food and nutrition situation in the country. Intakes of almost all foods and nutrients had decreased. Consumption of pulses and food from animal sources in particular had seriously declined. The foremost deficiency was of energy in which 76% of families consumed less than the requirement. Seventy‐seven percent of families consumed inadequate protein, but in 25% there would not have been a protein problem had there been an adequate supply of nonprotein sources of energy. Of the micronutrients the severest deficiencies were riboflavin and retinol. Eighty‐seven percent of families consumed less than the recommended level of ascorbic acid.

Mixed ligand transition metal complexes of Cu(II), Co(III), Rh(III) and Pt(IV) ions with dibasic acids viz., diphenic acid and adipic acid as primary ligands and amine bases as secondary ligands have been synthesized. They were characterized by conventional physical and chemical analyses. The antibacterial and antifungal activities have been evaluated for the synthetic ligands. Disc diffusion methods were employed for antimicrobial assays against five pathogenic bacteria and two fungi. The complexes containing 8-hydroxy quinoline as secondary ligand were much more active than the other complexes. In addition, the complex [Rh(DA)(8-HQ)(H 2 O) 2 ] ( 4 ) showed the highest antibacterial activity against all bacteria tested (where, DA = Diphenic acid, 8-HQ = 8-hydroxyquinoline) and the complex [Pt(A) 2 (Q) 2 ] ( 3 ) showed the lowest. On the other hand, he highest inhibition of growth occurred by complex K[Cu(DA)(8-HQ)] ( 1 ) against the fungi Botryodiplodia theobromae and the lowest by complex [Rh(DA)(8-HQ)(H 2 O) 2 ] ( 4 ) against the fungi Colletotrichum gloesparioides . Key words: Biological activity, Diphenic acid, Heterocyclic amine, Mixed ligand complexes doi: 10.3329/dujps.v7i2.2170 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 7 (2): 145-148, 2008 (December)

Mixed ligand transition metal complexes of Cu (II), Co (III), Rh (III) and Pt (IV) ions with dibasic acids viz., diphenic acid and adipic acid as primary ligands and amine bases as secondary ligands have been synthesized. Their conventional physical and chemical analyses have been done. The antifungal activities have been evaluated by Disc Diffusion method employed for antifungal assays against two pathogenic fungi. All the complexes show moderate antifungal activity. The highest inhibition of growth occurred on complex [Cu (DA)(8-HQ)] against the fungi Botryodiplodia theobromae and the lowest on complex [Rh (DA)(8-HQ)(H 2 O) 2 ] against the fungi Colletotrichum gloesparioides penz. Key words: Biological Activity, diphenic acid, heterocylic amine, mixed ligand complexes DOI: 10.3329/diujst.v4i1.4357 Daffodil International University Journal of Science and Technology Vol.4(1) 2009 pp.57-59