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Purpose: Environment-friendly pest management techniques are safer, sustainable over the years, better for ecosystem services, and more convenient with lower risks. Netting and or bagging is one of the most suitable tools for pest management. To develop environmentally friendly management techniques against the common cutworm (Spodoptera litura Fab.), we compared the cost-effectiveness of netting and bagging for the production of bell peppers in Bangladesh. Research Method: The study was undertaken in the field of Entomology, at Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh, from October 2018 to April 2019. Netting and bagging significantly improved plant morphology, fruit quality, and yield and managed the insect pests. Findings: In this paper, we tried to bring forth different prospects of netting and bagging in bell peppers to manage the common cutworm. Superior-quality fruits were harvested from the netting/bagging treatment compared to the control. Netting and bagging treatment increased yield by more than 10-fold over control and decreased fruit infestation to 10.67%. The maximum marginal benefit-cost ratio (MBCR = 18.06) was achieved from the netting/bagging treatment, while the lowest MBCR (7.29) was obtained from bagging only. Superior-quality fruits were obtained using white paper bags compared to brown paper bags. The common cutworm first appeared in February and gradually increased with the progress of the season, indicating that netting and bagging need to be applied at the early fruiting stage of bell pepper. Research Limitations: The study focused on the environment-friendly management of common cutworms in bell peppers, revealing impressive results, but these need to be validated across the locations. Originality/Value: Albeit labor-intensive, combining nylon netting with fruit bagging is a cost-effective, eco-friendly management technique against the common cutworm of bell pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) geofoam has been utilized in construction in a wide range of countries for years. EPS serves as a compressible buffer between the soil and the structure itself. It absorbs a significant percentage of the static and dynamic stresses induced by earthquake-loaded soil. Because Bangladesh is prone to earthquakes and Chittagong is a high seismic risk zone, the use of EPS in buildings could be a great solution for decreasing seismic damage. In this study, the impact of implementing EPS as a compressible buffer around the substructure on Chittagong soil against seismic load was investigated using Plaxis3D software to generate a finite element model. The study compared two scenarios, one with and one without EPS 15 put around the structure's basement, to examine the impact of an earthquake on a five-story building. The wave oscillation graphs that were generated were used to build the energy (J) vs time (s) graphs to compare the findings. The results reveal that applying EPS 15 allows for better energy dissipation over time than without it, indicating that EPS has the potential to decrease seismic damage to a structure.

This study investigates the combined effect of internal curing and pozzolanic activity in mortar through the incorporation of clay-burnt brick fines (CBBF) as a partial substitute for sand. Simultaneously, the study explores the degree of pozzolanic reactivity by replacing a part of cement with finer clay-burnt brick fines (CBBP, particle size

Background: Vaccines are considered the most promising approach for restraining the COVID- 19 pandemic. We aimed to identify the disease profile and risk of severe disease despite vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done from June 2021 to August 2021 in the COVID-19 dedicated hospitals in Dhaka. Total 169 RT-PCR positive adult patients were enrolled by a purposive sampling method who had completed two vaccine doses of COVID-19. Disease profile and severity was identified according to the national guideline of Bangladesh. Results: Of the 169 patients, 19 (11%) had severe diseases. The mean age of the study participants was 50.46 (±14.03) year. The mean age of severely diseased patients was higher than that of non-severe disease 62.63 (±8.27) vs 48.91 (±13.86), p-value <0.0001. The overall mortality was 8 (4.7%). In univariate analyses, being elderly (e"60years) (cOR 6.14, 95% CI 2.09-18.03; p-value <0.0001) and male (cOR 5.06, 95% CI 1.13-2274; p-value <0.02 and having DM (cOR 32.94, 95% CI 4.28-253.69; p-value <0.0001, HTN (cOR 2.91, 95% CI 1.05-8.07; pvalue < 0.034, OAD (cOR 3.47, 95% CI 1.09-11.07; p-value < 0.044, IHD (cOR 7.54, 95% CI 2.67-21.31; p-value <0.0001, and CKD (cOR 26.43, 95% CI 4.69-148.92; p-value <0.0001were identified as factors related to severe disease of COVID-19. In multivariate analyses, DM (aOR 13.9, 95% CI 1.5-130.1; p-value <0.021, OAD (aOR 7.9, 95% CI 1.2-50.1; p-value <0.03, IHD (aOR 7.4, 95% CI 1.6-34.4; p-value < 0.011, and CKD (aOR 41.9, 95% CI 2.6-667.4; p-value < 0.008 were independently associated with severe disease. Conclusion: Vaccines against COVID-19 are showing a significant decrease in severity disease. Control of chronic diseases, exposure prevention and mass vaccination should be the main concern to mitigate the severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of waste from the demolition of old structures poses a significant environmental challenge. Recycling these materials as aggregates in concrete offers a potential alleviation of environmental impact. While recycled aggregates offer promise as a remedy, they are not without drawbacks. However, innovative approaches have been developed to overcome these limitations. Among these, plastic coating stands out as a particularly sustainable solution. This study investigates the influence of plastic coating temperature on recycled concrete brick aggregates (RCBA), which serve as coarse aggregates. The RCBA were coated with locally sourced polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at varying temperatures, such as 250 °C, 300 °C, 350 °C, and 400 °C. Then the physical properties of the plastic-coated recycled aggregates (PCRA) were assessed. Additionally, concrete specimens incorporating PCRA were fabricated to evaluate their influence on the mechanical properties of concrete. The results indicate that higher coating temperatures positively influenced the physical properties of the aggregate. Furthermore, at elevated temperatures, the plastic became sufficiently malleable to penetrate deeper into the permeable pores, reinforcing the weak mortar interface and thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the concrete made with it. Additionally, mathematical models have been proposed to predict the influence of plastic coating temperature on both the physical properties of the RCBA and the mechanical properties of the concrete.

The study aims to understand the effect of different admixtures on improving the quality of flexible pavement subgrades. In this paper, recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and Fly Ash were used as the admixtures in improving the maximum dry density (MDD), swelling potential, and California bearing ratio (CBR) of subgrade soil. The percentages of RCA and fly Ash used were 5%, 10%, and 15%. With the upscaling in fly ash dosage, the optimum moisture content and the California bearing ratio increased. However, the MDD of soil decreased for higher fly ash contents. On the contrary, the optimum moisture content (OMC) of the soil decreased and the MDD and California Bearing Ratio increased with an increase in RCA content. Both RCA and fly ash-treated soil demonstrated lower values of swelling. At 5% dosage, both RCA and fly ash admixtures were found to improve CBR. However, at higher percentages (10% and 15%) of fly ash, the CBR values decreased while in comparison, soil samples performed significantly better in the CBR test with the increasing dosage of RCA. The findings of this research can be used to examine the suitability and effects of recycled aggregate and fly ash on the performance of soil in terms of CBR, particularly when the soil is planned to be used as a subgrade in highways.

This study offers an idea of investigating the temperature and humidity effect on salt crystallization in burned clay brick when it is subjected to a saline environment. It has been investigated that salt may be carried into masonry pores structures by moisture. As moisture production and movement are affected by temperature and humidity, the mechanism of salt crystallization is affected as well. Uniaxial Salt crystallization in burned clay bricks at different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C) and humidity (70%, 80%, and 90%) has been investigated, considering all other parameters to be constant. Analyzing the data derived from the experiment, two equations have been developed (one for temperature effect analysis and another for humidity effect analysis). Results indicate that the salt crystallization in burned clay bricks increases when the temperature of samples and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution increases. However, the salt crystallization in burned clay bricks goes down when the relative humidity of the surrounding environment of samples decreases.

This article deals with synthesis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles using sol-gel method. The morphological as well as optical and dielectric properties were determined. The anti-inflammatory properties of the synthesized nanoparticles were observed through in vitro assessment. For specified concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles under restricted experimental conditions, the absorbance was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory property. The morphological features and particle size with their crystal structure were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles were measured using UV-vis. absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The FT-IR and Raman spectra analyses were also conducted that confirmed the presence of TiO2nanoparticles. Under predetermined frequency and temperature level, the dielectric properties including dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity of the synthesized TiO2nanoparticles were determined. The findings indicated the antiinflammatory properties of TiO2 through in vitro assessment. The research also exhibited the inhibition of protein denaturation, protease inhibition and hemolytic assay for the synthesized Nano particles of TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerium and tungsten co-doped TiO2 photocatalyst composite material has been fabricated by using a facile sol-gel method. The composite was coated on ITO film via electrophoretic deposition method. In order to understand the morphology, structure and optical properties, the composite material was characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, UV-vis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed a uniformly distributed porous composite film on ITO substrate. Cerium and tungsten as oxides are dispersed on the substrate. A significant photocurrent was developed under solar simulator irradiation and the value was observed higher as compared with pure TiO2 film electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatty liver is a common cause of chronic liver disease in developed as well as developing countries. We have designed this study to estimate the prevalence and predictors for non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have included 493 patients with sonographic evidence of fatty change in liver and 177 of them had done liver biopsy for histopathological study. Other causes of liver disease and alcohol consumption were excluded. Metabolic syndrome and biochemical and anthropometric evaluation was done. Females were predominating 250 (57.0 %). Centrally obese 422 (96.2 %) was more than over all obesity330 (75.1%). NASH was absent in 10 (5.6%) cases and diagnostic of NASH was 75 Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons Vol. 32, No. 2, April 2014 (42.4 %).Presence of diabetes could significantly (p = 0.001) predicted NASH. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, Serum HDL, triglyceride, insulin resistance index, hypertension, metabolic syndrome could not predict NASH. Serum GGT level was significantly (p = 0.05) higher in NASH with a sensitivity of 45 % and specificity of 68 % only. Serum ALT and AST level could not detect NASH. Females were predominant sufferer of NAFLD in Bangladesh. Prevalence of NASH was much higher42.4%. Diabetes was the main predictor of NASH. GGT was the only biochemical indicator of NASH. We recommend liver biopsy in NAFLD with diabetes and raised GGT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than 92% of people in Bangladesh are deprived from any sort of mental health care due to severe scarcity of mental health professionals, widespread stigma, lack of awareness, the inability to travel from remote area to Dhaka and maintaining the cost of travel and clinics. Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis made the scenario worse. To solve this problem we designed, developed and implemented "Monerdaktar". Methods: The process development Monerdaktar-website and mobile application started with the initial idea and concept by TRS followed by extensive literature review and naturalistic observation of the mental health care service delivery from two tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh. We conducted 3 focus group discussion with the patients, their care givers, mental health professions. Based on the user feedback and technical suggestion of the mental health professional and IT professionals we developed the prototype of the Monerdaktar mobile application and website. After piloting for two months, the final version of the mobile application and website was finalized incorporating the feedback of the patients and experts. Result: Monerdaktar created the unique opportunity to connect with the most the reputed mental health professional both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists online. Moreover, monerdaktar delivered the service free of cost to more than 700 clients during the peak of COVID crisis in Bangladesh. Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis has potentiated the acceptance and adaptation of the Moenrdaktar solved the long-standing crisis of access to mental health care in Bangladesh and ensure the evidence-based care from anywhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of granular-activated carbon (GAC) derived from agrowaste of Mangostene (Mangostana garcinia) fruit peel was investigated in batch and fixed bed system as a replacement of current expensive methods for treating wastewater contaminated by manganese, Mn(II) cations. Batch equilibrium data was analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models at different temperatures. The effect of inlet metal ion concentration (50mg/L, 70mg/L, and 100mg/L), feed flow rate (1mL/min and 3 mL/min), and activated carbon bed height (4.5 cm and 3 cm) on the breakthrough characteristics of the fixed bed sorption system were determined. The adsorption data were fitted with well-established column models, namely, Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart. The results were best-fitted with Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models rather than Adams-Bohart model for all conditions. The column had been regenerated and reused consecutively for five cycles. The results demonstrated that the prepared activated carbon was suitable for removal of Mn(II) ions from wastewater using batch as well as fixed bed sorption system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]