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Background: The global burden of non-fatal diseases is greatly increased by skin problems. Children bear a disproportionately large portion of the burden of skin problems, which are also responsible for numerous visits to primary healthcare institutions. Objective: The goal of this study was to estimate the incidence of skin conditions in children and describe how they relate to different factors. Methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted among 1722 patients at outpatient department (OPD) of Paediatrics in Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College Hospital, Noakhali, Bangladesh; from 1 April to 31 July 2022. Where 1040 Participants less than or equal to 15 years old and of both sexes who visited the hospital's Paediatrics department for Skin & Venereal diseases were included in this study. Result: A total of 1040 participants were recruited in this study, out of which 550 (52.9%) were boys and 490 (47.1%) were girls. 170 (16.3%) were aged between 0-5 years and followed by 410 (39.4%) were 6-10 years, 460 (44.2%) were 11-15 years. 620 (59.6%) were rural and 420 (40.4%) were urban. The majority of mothers, 484 (46.5%), were educated up to primary level. Most of the fathers, 502 (48.3%), studied up to secondary level. The majority of the participants, 263 (46.1%), had fungal infectious diseases whereas 178 (37.9%) of children had eczema, a non-infectious disease. Conclusion: The study comes to the conclusion that most prevalent type of skin illness identified in this study was fungal infection, followed by eczema and urticaria. Age, education level of parents, poor personal hygiene, history of prior skin disease, sharing of clothing and towels with other family members and socioeconomic position were the related factors that linked to skin disease in children.

Introduction: Electrolyte abnormalities are frequently encountered in sick neonates. They occur in a variety of conditions including neonatal sepsis and may remain unrecognized leading to morbidity and mortality irrespective of the primary disease. So, timely recognition, a high index of suspicion and a thorough understanding of common electrolyte abnormalities are necessary to ensure their correction. Objective: To assess the Outcome of Neonates with Septicaemia with Different Types of Electrolyte Abnormality. Methods: All neonates who were suffering from septicaemia and admitted in BSMMU from 1st January 2011 to 15th September 2011 and fulfilled the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Results: During the study period total 120 neonates were admitted with the diagnosis of septicaemia in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. Among the neonates mean age were 9.26±4.58 days, mean weight 2282.68±580.40 gm, mean gestational age was 35.68±2.40 weeks. Among the neonates with septicaemia males were 66 (55%) and females were 54 (45%) and male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Among 120 cases of septicaemia 57 (47.5%) were early onset and 63 (52.5%) were diagnosed as late onset neonatal sepsis. Among the 120 neonates with septicaemia 37 (30.83%) died and 83 (69.17%) survived. Neonates with dyselectrolytemia were found significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay in comparison to those with normal electrolytes level (p0.05). Hyponatremia, hypokalemia and mixed electrolyte abnormalities were significantly associated with higher mortality (P0.05). Conclusion: Electrolyte abnormalities are common in neonates with septicaemia. We found electrolyte abnormalities in 35% cases. Hyponatremia (20%) was the commonest abnormality followed by hyperkalemia (15.8%). Hyponatremia, hypokalemia and mixed electrolyte abnormalities were found to be significantly associated with higher mortality in this study.

Objective : To observe the improvement of the symptoms of perineal heaviness and frequency after treatment with Magnetic Infra Red Laser therapy in patients of chronic pelvic pain syndrome /Chronic Prostatitis Methods : This study was an observational study done on 30 male patients with age range varied from 30 to 60 years .The study was conducted from 2009 to 2011 in a private medical center at Dhaka city . The MIL-therapy in use has a wave length of 904 nm and a frequency of 3000 Hz. The Laser beam reaches the prostate with a special optical probe. In this study the patient is examined per rectally after doing digital rectal examination with use of gloves and gel. At the beginning we used a “Laser Super Sonic” machine with endorectal optical probe according to Strada. The treatment schedule was one treatment every two days (treatment’s time of 5/10 minutes, wave length 1000 KHz) for a total of 10 applications. After 10 applications patients were asked for follow up and data were collected and analysed. Results : Out of 30 patients of chronic pelvic pain syndrome aged between 30-60 yrs were under treatment with MIL therapy. Among them only 22 patients were with complains of perineal heaviness, 20 patients were cured and 22 patients were with complains of frequency, 20 were cured and 02 were improved after laser treatment . Among 30 cases 23 patients found normal sized prostate and 07 found enlarged prostate on digital rectal examination and on USG findings, 21 were found normal sized , 09 found enlarged sized prostate and 07 patients had increased PVR . Conclusion : Treatment with Magnetic infra red laser therapy (MIL-therapy) gives useful effect on chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). The following short article gives a very good summary of the benefits of laser therapy and totally cured of symptoms . CPPS , a painful type of Chronic Prostatitis frequently troubles man for years. Among many sign and symptoms of CPPS , like perineal heaviness and frequency were observed and found very good effect after laser therapy. Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 18, No. 2, July 2015 p.79-82

Sustainable livelihoods in less developed countries are threatened by human, natural, physical, social and financial factors. Pakistan is also facing severe negative impacts of these factors in the form of climate shocks, market imperfections and insufficient formal credit availability on rural livelihoods. This study explores rural Pakistani’s adaptation to these threats by diversifying income sources and explores the determining factors for adopting specific livelihood diversification strategies. The study is based on a quantitative survey of 295 households in three districts of rain-fed rural regions of Pakistan’s Punjab with differing annual rainfall. Results showed that households mitigated against threats to their livelihood by having a diversity of income sources (Simpson Diversity Index = 0.61). Moreover, fractional multinomial regression modelling revealed that greater education was associated with a more diversified livelihood strategy, where income was predominantly derived from off-farm and non-farm livelihood activities. On the other hand, households with older members, more livestock and larger farm size focused their livelihoods on their own farms, or primarily diversified into an off-farm strategy by working on other farms. These findings underscore the importance of improved access to education and infrastructure for livelihood diversification. A policy that focuses on reducing low literacy rates in rural Pakistan may also provide new avenues of livelihood diversifications with enhancement of rural literacy rate to mitigate the risks associated with livelihood strategies of smallholders.

This paper investigates the effects of educational levels – as a proxy for labour quality – on benefits reaped from economic integration by applying Arellano–Bond dynamic panel GMM estimators to panel data on 91 countries from 1970 to 2015. The results illustrate that labour quality plays a crucial role, enhancing the rate of labour productivity and exports. Importantly, labour quality also influences the impact of openness variables on benefits gained from integration. In particular, labour quality depresses the effects of trade openness on the rate of labour productivity that follow from convergence effects until trade openness is sufficiently high. However, the effects of labour quality on productivity growth do not depend on levels of financial openness. Furthermore, countries with high levels of trade openness gain fewer benefits from economic integration than those with low levels of openness. Our findings also provide evidence that rejects the hypothesis that high levels of labour quality accelerate the impact of trade openness on the rate of export; we found that the effect of labour quality on the rate of export does not depend on levels of trade openness. By contrast, labour quality significantly depresses the level of financial openness at all levels of openness. Therefore, policy-makers should focus on the linkages between labour quality and productivity and export performance in seeking to secure greater gains from economic integration.

Background: Haemorroid stapler becomes easier and safe to deal multiple and prolapsed haemorrhoid at a time. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of suture haemorrhoidopexy for secondary position haemorrhoids in addition to haemorrhoidectomy for primary haemorrhoids (multiple). Methodology: This prospective interventional study was performed in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh and in a private hospital in Gazipur, Bangladesh for over five (05) years from January 2012 to December 2016. Patients who were presented with secondary position haemorrhoids in addition to primary position haemorrhoids (multiple haemorrhoids) were included in this study. Open haemorrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan) followed by suture haemorrhoidopexy was done. All patients were followed up after 1, 2, 4, 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 yearly. Result: Total 18 patients were operated. Among those immediate complications were encountered in patients in the form of per rectal bleeding 1(5.55%), pain 3(visual pain scale 4)16.66%, mucosal oedema 6(33.33%), no patient developed early postoperative prolapse. No patient developed bowel incontinence. Late complications experienced as prolapse at 1 year follow up which was treated by conservative measures. No patient developed anal stenosis. Mean operating time was 25 minutes and duration of hospital stay was 1 day. Conclusion: Stapled haemorrhoidopexy is a safe procedure for circumferential excision of mucosa and submucosa dealing all haemorrhoids and prolapse simultaneously. Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2019;6(2): 73-76

Farmers in Bangladesh face considerable risk due to fluctuations in biophysical and economic conditions, but the response to these risks is poorly understood. In particular, there is a need to better understand the endogenous management of risk in the rice/shrimp farming systems that have emerged in the inner coastal zone of Bangladesh. This paper draws on a case study of a typical rice/shrimp farming village in Khulna District to explore: (a) farmers’ perceptions of risks and their management responses, (b) risk-return trade-offs within small-, medium-, and large-farm households, and (c) the role of other farm and non-farm activities in mitigating risks to household livelihoods. Farm-level data were collected through a reconnaissance survey, a village census, household case studies, and a sample survey of 73 households. Representative farm budgets were constructed for the three farm-size classes. The key performance indicators calculated were gross margin (GM), net income (NI), and GM per workday of family labour. The riskiness of the rice/shrimp system was assessed for each farm type using farmers’ estimates of low, normal, and high yields and prices to specify triangular distributions. Cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) for GM, NI, and GM per workday were generated. A whole-farm economic analysis was also conducted to assess the relative contributions of different sources of income for each farm type. With access to saline water for shrimp farming in the dry season and fresh water for rice in the wet season, farmers have developed and progressively adapted an alternating rice/shrimp farming system that has minimised the trade-offs between the two crops and provides a good return to household and village resources for all farm types. The system is subject to significant production and market risks, especially the shrimp component. However, farmers have clearly perceived these risks and ameliorated them through a range of production, marketing, and management strategies. With these risk management practices, the rice/shrimp cropping system is economically viable, given the current variation in yields and prices. The greater risk associated with the shrimp component was offset by the renewed stability of the rice component over the past decade, and the risks of the whole cropping system were offset by other farm and non-farm sources of livelihood. Development interventions need to work with farmers to provide further options (suitable rice varieties, solutions to shrimp disease, improved village and transport infrastructure) if this resilience is to be maintained.

Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) methods, transition metal complexes of benzene-1, 2-dithiolate (L2-) ligand from Cr to Fe have been studied theoretically. The ground state geometries, binding energies, UV-Visible spectra (UV-Vis), frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) analysis, charge analysis and natural bond orbital (NBO) have been calculated. The structural parameters are in good accord with the experimental data. The metal-ligand binding energies are one (1) order of magnitude higher than the physisorption energy of a benzene-1, 2-dthiolate molecule on a metallic surface. In accordance with experiment the calculated electronic spectra of these tris complexes show bands at 565, 559 and 546 nm for Cr3+, Mn3+, and Fe3+ respectively which are mainly qualified to ligand-to metal charge transfer (LMCT) transitions. The electronic properties analysis demonstrate that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is mostly centered on metal coordinated sulfur atoms whereas the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is mainly located on the metal surface. By calculating natural bond orbital (NBO), the intramolecular interactions and electron delocalization was obtained. The results of NBO analysis illustrated the significant charge transfer from sulfur to central metal ions, as well as to the benzene of the complex. The calculated charges on metal ions are also reported at various charge schemes. The calculations show encouraging agreement with the available experimental data. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 67(1): 63-68, 2019 (January)

It is well known that stability of deoxyribo-nucleic acid (DNA) double helix depends on hydrogen bonding (HB) between adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine. HB plays an important role in molecular systems, particularly in biological systems because all lives on the earth may be viewed as a matter of hydrogen-bonding supramolecular systems. Since HBs have a central role on the mechanism of life phenomena including the structure and functions, it is essential to understand the molecular-level aspects of HB systems. Therefore, we studied the structural properties of adenine-thymine (A-T) basepair theoretically using DFT/B3LYP/6-31G level of theory. Theoretically we found four isomers of A-T basepair and the most stable isomer is one in which adenine and thymine are connected via two hydrogen bonding. The electronic properties were calculated by Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) approach. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 67(1): 51-54, 2019 (January)

This study empirically investigates the aid effectiveness debate in light of the Burnside-Dollar (2000) hypothesis that the recipient country’s policy environment is critical for aid effectiveness. Based on data from ten Asian countries for 1984–2015 and in line with Burnside and Dollar (2000), we construct a new composite policy index. Employing two-stage least squares to estimate the model, we find that aid had a negative impact on economic growth during the study period for these countries, thus refuting the Burnside-Dollar aid effectiveness hypothesis.

BackgroundWe hypothesized that drinking water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH), and nutritional interventions would improve environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a potential contributor to stunting.MethodsWithin a subsample of a cluster-randomized, controlled trial in rural Bangladesh, we enrolled pregnant women in 4 arms: control, WSH, child nutrition counseling plus lipid-based nutrient supplements (N), and nutrition plus WSH (N+WSH). Among the birth cohort, we measured biomarkers of gut inflammation (myeloperoxidase, neopterin), permeability (alpha-1-antitrypsin, lactulose, mannitol), and repair (regenerating gene 1β) at median ages 3, 14, and 28 months. Analysis was intention-to-treat.ResultsWe assessed 1512 children. At age 3 months, compared to controls, neopterin was reduced by nutrition (-0.21 log nmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.37, -.05) and N+WSH (-0.20 log nmol/L; 95% CI, -.34, -.06) interventions; similar reductions were observed at 14 months. At 3 months, all interventions reduced lactulose and mannitol (-0.60 to -0.69 log mmol/L). At 28 months, myeloperoxidase was elevated in the WSH and nutrition arms (0.23-0.27 log ng/mL) and lactulose was higher in the WSH arm (0.30 log mmol/L; 95% CI, .07, .53).ConclusionsReductions in permeability and inflammation at ages 3 and 14 months suggest that the interventions promoted healthy intestinal maturation; however, by 28 months, the WSH and nutrition arms showed elevated EED biomarkers. These results underscore the importance of developing a better understanding of EED pathophysiology and targeting interventions early in childhood, when they are likely to have the largest benefit to intestinal health.Clinical trials registrationNCT01590095.

This prospective study assessed the quality of life of patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia receiving three different iron chelation treatments. Patients enrolled were receiving one of the following chelation therapies: Group-I: deferoxamine (n=21), Group-II: deferasirox (n=75) and Group-III: deferoxamine in combination with deferiprone (n=39). The three groups were compared in terms of their quality of life, satisfaction and adherence to treatment, control of their health, and self-esteem through the completion of five questionnaires. A higher percentage of patients receiving deferoxamine felt that their treatment negatively influenced their body and skin appearance and limited their ability to work, attend school, and perform daily tasks (P=.0.0066). The adherence to treatment rate and self-esteem were the lowest in the deferoxamine group (P

Molecular structures of aniline(pyrrole)+, aniline(ethanol)+, and aniline(benzene)+ produced via resonance two-photon ionization at 266 nm were analyzed by infrared predissociation spectroscopy coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Structural optimization and frequency calculation using density functional theory were carried out to suggest the most probable isomers which are in good agreement with the observed infrared absorption spectra. Intermolecular bonds in the cluster ions were formed such that the electronegative oxygen atom of the solvent molecule or the pi electron of the aromatic ring forms a hydrogen bonding to N H of aniline.

This paper embodies three goals. First, it develops a student expectations and preference questionnaire (SEPQ). Second, factor analysis identifies dimensions within student responses. Third, instrumental variable (IV) approach explores the determinants of these dimensions. Using a 59-item SEPQ and 506 student responses at a leading Australian university, the study identified four dimensions (Lecturer, Teaching Approach and Contents; Feedback, Communication and Assessment; Active Participation and Engagement; and Presentation, Delivery and Focus) that underpinned expectations and preferences. These dimensions differed due to variables typifying diversity within the student population. Higher school-leaving score (IV) and those aged 20–25 years significantly positively influenced the score for Lecturer, Teaching Approach and Contents. English speaking background (ESB) and economics students strongly preferred Feedback, Communication and Assessment, while male economics students disliked it. The IV and ESB discouraged Active Participation and Engagement while students aged >25 years were keen on it. Both ESB males and higher IV scores promoted aversion toward Presentation, Delivery and Focus. The findings imply that instructors provide intellectual and analytical rigour; contents incorporating latest developments and relevance to real world issues while School respond to the diverse needs of non-English speaking students. Further research involving universities within and outside Australia is warranted.

Coastal Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change and salinisation; hence, farm-level adaptation is critically important. Farmers' perceptions of and responses to environmental change were investigated in two villages in Khulna District. Perceived environmental trends included increases in temperature, extreme weather events, soil toxicity, erratic rainfall and scarcity of water for irrigation. Perceptions of climate trends were consistent with measured trends in Khulna. On-farm adaptation strategies included adjusting planting dates, excavating trenches in rice-fields, adopting new crops, salinity-reducing technologies, livestock-rearing and home-yard cropping. Non-farm adaptation strategies included wage employment, short-term migration and self-employment. Adaptation was facilitated by income-earning opportunities, training, and credit, and impeded by lack of access to water, markets, capital, and extension services. Farmers suggested policy support for dissemination of stress-tolerant cultivars, access to irrigation, and price stabilisation or crop insurance to assist adaptation. While the study shows an impressive degree of awareness and adaptation, external support is needed to increase adaptive capacity.

Using long-term district-level climate data and a case study from a drought-prone village in western Bangladesh, this research explored trends in climate change, and analysed farmers’ adaptation dynamics, profitability and risks. This is the first study of its kind for drought-prone areas in Bangladesh. Farmers perceived climate changes included increases in temperature and decreases in rainfall which were as consistent with the trends of Chuadanga climate records. Farmers’ adaptation measures included changes in cropping systems, cropping calendars, crop varieties, agronomic practices, crop diversification and improved animal husbandry. Reducing environmental stress, ensuring self-sufficiency in staple crops (mainly rice) and other crop production practices, and enhancing economic viability of farm enterprises have underpinned these adaptations. Off-farm and non-farm wage employment, temporary migration, self-employment and educating children, constituted the core non-farm adaptation strategies. Emerging cropping systems like maize/cucumber and maize/stem amaranth/rice were economically more viable than the traditional rice/rice and rice/maize systems. Despite some uncertainties, farming was preferred to off-farm work, generating higher returns to labour for all cropping systems. Limited access to stress-tolerant varieties, extension services and affordable agricultural credit, combined with high production costs, variability in crop yields and output prices, are the main barriers to adaptation. Stronger agricultural research and support services, affordable credit, community-focussed farming education and training are critically important for effective adaptation to climate change.

Arsenicosis, a syndrome caused by ingestion of arsenic contaminated drinking water, currently affects millions of people in South-East Asia and elsewhere. Previous animal studies revealed that the toxicity of arsenite essentially can be abolished if selenium is co-administered as selenite. Although subsequent studies have provided some insight into the biomolecular basis of this striking antagonism, many details of the biochemical pathways that ultimately result in the detoxification and excretion of arsenic using selenium supplements have yet to be thoroughly studied. To this end and in conjunction with the recent Phase III clinical trial "Selenium in the Treatment of Arsenic Toxicity and Cancers", we have applied synchrotron X-ray techniques to elucidate the mechanisms of this arsenic-selenium antagonism at the tissue and organ levels using an animal model. X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) of cryo-dried whole-body sections of laboratory hamsters that had been injected with arsenite, selenite, or both chemical species, provided insight into the distribution of both metalloids 30 minutes after treatment. Co-treated animals showed strong co-localization of arsenic and selenium in the liver, gall bladder and small intestine. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of freshly frozen organs of co-treated animals revealed the presence in liver tissues of the seleno bis-(S-glutathionyl) arsinium ion, which was rapidly excreted via bile into the intestinal tract. These results firmly support the previously postulated hepatobiliary excretion of the seleno bis-(S-glutathionyl) arsinium ion by providing the first data pertaining to organs of whole animals.

This study determines the bioaccessibility of toxic and carcinogenic arsenic (As) in composite food samples and evaluates potential exposure from food intake in Bangladesh children. Total As (tAs), inorganic As (iAs) and bioaccessible As (BAs) in food composite samples consumed by children were compared between an exposed and a control group (based on As in drinking water). Total As concentrations in composite food samples of children exposed to mean As level of 331 µg/l in drinking and cooking water ranged from 586 to 1975 µg/kg, dry weight over 76–90 µg/kg in the unexposed group. Average iAs in food composites was 73.9% (range: 49.3–90.8%). The fraction of BAs using gastric and gastrointestinal phases was 91 ± 13% and 98 ± 11%, respectively. Daily intake of iAs in the exposed group ranged from 0.41 to 6.38 µg per kg body weight (BW), which was much higher than the unexposed group (0.08–0.15 µg per kg BW). High iAs content and BAs in composite food samples indicated the elevated risk to exposed children. Further research should include both adults and children using larger sample size to determine overall As exposure from food intake in Bangladesh, attention must be given to lowering of As in food.

While student evaluation of courses (SEC) in higher education is an intensely researched area, the existing literature has not paid due attention to rigorous econometric analysis of the SEC data. Using the four-year (2010–2013) evaluation results for economics courses on offer at a leading Australian university, this study employed a random effects ordered probit model with Mundlak correction to identify factors influencing student ratings of courses. This represents an innovative application to educational data. Findings show that class-level, course-level, class-size, instructors’ course-specific experience and their linguistic background influence student ratings of courses. Lecturers’ prior teaching experience in a course and their English language background attracted higher rating while second and third-level courses relative to postgraduate classes, 2010 and 2012 student cohorts relative to 2013, and larger classes attracted lower ratings. Implications include specific training for instructors of non-English speaking background (NESB), teaching larger classes, and intermediate and upper undergraduate courses. This study underscores the critical importance of student-specific responses capturing student heterogeneity in preference to class-average data including students’ academic performance, discipline destination, linguistic background, age and indicators of effort-level. It raises survey instrument implications e.g., sub-scales, data on course contents providing intellectual challenges, real world applications, and problem-solving skills.

University student populations in the developed world embody more personal, social, cultural, and intellectual diversity than their predecessors a quarter century ago. The existing literature is less clear about dimensions of students’ study practices and how variables that underpin this diversity shape them. This study fills this gap in three ways. First, it develops study practices questionnaire (SPrQ) and gathers student survey data from a leading Australian university. Second, factor analysis explores dimensions within the domain. Third, an econometric model incorporating university entry score as an instrumental variable (IV) investigates key determinants of the dimensions. Three dimensions (Engagement; Reflection; and Learning Impediments) underpinned study practices domain. University entry score positively affected Engagement. Students aged 20–25 years were more engaged relative to those ≤ 20 years. Economics students displayed stronger Engagement. English speaking background (ESB) economics students displayed lower Engagement. Students’ effort positively influenced Engagement. Upper undergraduates demonstrated lower propensity toward Reflection than lower undergraduates. Male, and ESB students faced higher and lower Learning Impediments respectively. The study has implications for university teaching and learning policies and practices. Instructors can maximize student engagement by demonstrating relevance of theories to real-world, encouraging class discussion, and establishing close links between lecture and tutorial/laboratory sessions and assessments. A school can ensure readier access to learning resources, provide discipline-specific English language support for NESB students, and conduct regular surveys of students’ study practices, taking account of the diversity within the student population. This study provides an opening for continued research within Australia and overseas.

Certain arsenic and selenium compounds show a remarkable mutual cancelation of toxicities, where a lethal dose of one can be voided by an equimolar and otherwise lethal dose of the other. It is now well established that the molecular basis of this antagonism is the formation and biliary excretion of seleno bis-(S-glutathionyl) arsinium anion [(GS)2AsSe](-). Previous work has definitively demonstrated the presence of [(GS)2AsSe](-) in rabbit bile, but only in the presence of other arsenic and selenium species. Rabbits have a gall bladder, which concentrates bile and lowers its pH; it seems likely that this may be responsible for the breakdown of biliary [(GS)2AsSe](-). Since rats have no gall bladder, the bile proceeds directly through the bile duct from the hepatobiliary tree. In the present work we have shown that the primary product of biliary co-excretion of arsenic and selenium in rats is [(GS)2AsSe](-), with essentially 100% of the arsenic and selenium present as this species. The chemical plausibility of the X-ray absorption spectroscopy-derived structural conclusions of this novel arsenic and selenium co-excretion product is supported by density functional theory calculations. These results establish the biomolecular basis to further explore the use of selenium dietary supplements as a possible palliative for chronic low-level arsenic poisoning of human populations.

Managing scarce irrigation water poses a major challenge globally because of changing climate and a rising population. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is widely regarded as a water-saving irrigation technology capable of contributing to sustainable water-use. Existing literature lacks rigorous quantitative analysis of the determinants and effects of AWD adoption. In contrast, applying logit, propensity score matching and multiple regression models to survey data from two drought-prone and groundwater-depleted areas in Bangladesh, this study identifies determinants and effects of AWD adoption and explores policy implications. Age and education-level of household head, access to prior weather information, landownership, topography, and soil-type are found to be significant determinants of AWD adoption. AWD is found to be water-saving, irrigation cost-decreasing and crop yield-increasing. However, AWD adoption in Bangladesh is not widespread. Major policy implications include information dissemination about the use and benefit of AWD through farmers’ education and training for widespread adoption and diffusion of water-saving technologies. A rationally coordinated system of policy measures including significant strengthening of institutional support services, scientific research, rethinking of the cropping-mix and greater use of information technology constitute a sine qua non for achieving sustainable water management.

The high numbers of non-food products and categories on today E-commerce sites render validation of the data as labor intensive and expensive task. Therefore, there is a recent push to automate validation of correct placement of product in category. The French E-commerce company CDiscount has launched Kaggle competition, sharing huge dataset of over 7 million products, to solve the very problem. The goal is to classify products containing multiple images into one of 5270 categories. This paper proposes, implements and experimentally evaluates deep neural network architecture for classification of non-food E-commerce products. To tackle the complexity of the task on available hardware, hierarchical architecture of neural networks that exploits existing category taxonomy is proposed. The hierarchical architecture achieved the Top-1 accuracy of 0.61061. It has been found, that specific networks in hierarchical architecture can be successfully transferred onto similar datasets, by transferring network that learned on books onto different book dataset. The transferred model performed better than the same model pre-trained on ImageNet dataset.

Molecular structures of aniline(pyrrole)

The ingestion of trace amounts of arsenic (As) through drinking water is a relatively common pathway of exposure with potentially serious long-term health effects. Studies involving animal models have indicated that selenium (Se) may bind with As inside the body and facilitate excretion. A portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique was previously developed to allow in vivo measurement of As and Se in human tissue. In the current paper, this portable XRF approach was tested for the first time using animal tissue. Seven female Lakeview Golden/LVG Syrian hamsters were dosed under either control, As-only, Se-only, or As and Se conditions. Minimum XRF detection limits in soft tissue of 1.00±0.05 ppm for As and 0.83±0.02 ppm for Se were determined from phantom calibration trials. For dosed hamsters, consistently higher concentrations of As and Se were found in the liver and gall bladder, with elevated levels also observed in the intestines. Concentrations ranged up to 26.4±1.4 ppm for As and 11.8±0.8 ppm for Se. The stomach and heart exhibited more moderate concentrations, while the brain, lung, and muscle demonstrated lower levels. For a given organ, As concentrations generally exceeded Se concentrations. A ratio of approximately 2.5:1 was observed for concentrations of As:Se when considering the same or similar tissue sites in dosed hamsters. Implications for potential in vivo human applications of the technique are briefly considered.

This work describes the use of conformer-selective laser spectroscopy following supersonic expansion to probe the local folding proclivities of four-membered ring cyclic β-amino acid building blocks. Emphasis is placed on stereochemical effects as well as on the structural changes induced by the replacement of a carbon atom of the cycle by a nitrogen atom. The amide A IR spectra are obtained and interpreted with the help of quantum chemistry structure calculations. Results provide evidence that the building block with a trans-substituted cyclobutane ring has a predilection to form strong C8 hydrogen bonds. Nitrogen-atom substitution in the ring induces the formation of the hydrazino turn, with a related but distinct hydrogen-bonding network: the structure is best viewed as a bifurcated C8/C5 bond with the N heteroatom lone electron pair playing a significant acceptor role, which supports recent observations on the hydrazino turn structure in solution. Surprisingly, this study shows that the cis-substituted cyclobutane ring derivative also gives rise predominantly to a C8 hydrogen bond, although weaker than in the two former cases, a feature that is not often encountered for this building block.