Estimation of maternal serum albumin at term to determine its correlation with birth weight of babies

Background: Serum albumin is a vital laboratory indicator of nutrition status. Fetal weight depends upon the nutritional status of mothers. Indeed, the serum albumin status at term may help to assume the fetal weight. We do have not enough research-based data regarding this issue. The aim of this study was to estimate maternal serum albumin at term and to observe its correlation with the birth weight of babies. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was done at department of gynaecology and obstetrics, Sir Salimullah medical college and Mitford hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2019 to June 2020. A total of 96 mother-baby pairs were selected using purposive sampling method. Women with single full-term pregnancy based on fundal height on Naegele’s rule irrespective of any mode of delivery was included in this study. Mothers with normal albumin levels (3.6-5.2 gm/dl) were defined as group A and mothers with low albumin levels (<3.6 gm/dl) in group B. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by using window-based computer software devised with SPSS-22. Results: In analyzing the maternal serum albumin level, we observed that majority of the participants were with normal albumin levels which were 81% and the rest 19% of patients were low albumin levels. In this study, it was observed that more than half (56.4%) of babies were male in group A and 9 (50.0%) in group B. The majority (94.9%) of babies’ birth weights were ≥2.5 kg in group A and 4 (22.0%) in group B. The difference of birth weight was statistically significant (p<0.05) between the two groups. Maternal serum albumin was significantly associated with birth weight of babies in multivariate analysis. But negatively correlated with newborn birth weight which is statistically significant.    Conclusions: Maternal albumin was observed to be directly proportional to the birth weight of babies

Problem with Human Resource Accounting and A Possible Solution

The idea of Human Resource Accounting (HRA) has been a debatable issue by academicians, accountants and standards setters universally. This study critically assesses the concept of HRA in order to unveil its strengths and weaknesses. Descriptive and content analyses were used in collecting data through documented texts, journal articles and other publications. The existing models proffered under the HRA were adequately reviewed and objectively criticized so that more comprehensive could be developed. The study revealed that the conceptualization of HRA, the ideas incorporated therein, and arguments are good for the accounting profession and corporate financial reporting. But the existing models yet proposed are not in a state to implement HRA practice worldwide. Hence this paper proposes a solution in line with existing framework of accounting that could be adopted by the standard setters. The study, however, recommends that more interest should be accorded to the concept of HRA in order to stimulate more comprehensive researches aimed at simplifying the concept and boosting its applicability. Key Words: Human Resource Accounting (HRA), Human Capital, Intellectual Capital, Matching principle, IAS, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS

Evaluating the Impact of Community Oversight for Managing Mobile Privacy and Security

Mobile privacy and security can be a collaborative process where individuals seek advice and help from their trusted communities. To support such collective privacy and security management, we developed a mobile app for Community Oversight of Privacy and Security ("CO-oPS") that allows community members to review one another's apps installed and permissions granted to provide feedback. We conducted a four-week-long field study with 22 communities (101 participants) of friends, families, or co-workers who installed the CO-oPS app on their phones. Measures of transparency, trust, and awareness of one another's mobile privacy and security behaviors, along with individual and community participation in mobile privacy and security co-management, increased from pre- to post-study. Interview findings confirmed that the app features supported collective considerations of apps and permissions. However, participants expressed a range of concerns regarding having community members with different levels of technical expertise and knowledge regarding mobile privacy and security that can impact motivation to participate and perform oversight. Our study demonstrates the potential and challenges of community oversight mechanisms to support communities to co-manage mobile privacy and security

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) - A Snapshot of Research

More than a billion people-one-sixth of the earth's population is infected with one or more neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in developing countries. Over the past decade, interests in NTDs have resurged as these are a barrier to achieving broader human development outcomes (e.g., improved newborn, child and maternal health, food, and nutritional safety). Several national and international organizations (such as the WHO, USAID, CDC, and others) concentrate on NTDs and fighting to control or prevent them. This review describes a brief introduction to NTDs, the global burden of the diseases in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and years of life lost (YLLs). This paper also reviews the negative impact of these diseases on global economies and discusses strategies for public health to prevent and eliminate these diseases, the achievements and challenges that can be achieved to address adversity there

A cross sectional study to assess the prevalence of malocclusion in 08-12 years old school age children of the selected urban & rural community of Bangladesh

Objective: To determine the prevalence of malocclusion in school-age children from a selective area of the urban and rural community of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among 748 children aged 08-12 years old were examined from October 2019 to September 2020 in Sylhet Sardar Upazila, Bangladesh. Angle”s classification was used for recording molar relationship with malocclusion traits. The study participants were examined by disposable dental tools (calibrated probs and mirror) including torchlight. After the collection of all data, it was compiled and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Windows version 23. Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of malocclusion in urban school-age children was 237(63.4%) and in rural 213(57.0%).In urban area, the prevalence of malocclusion was 109(58.3%) in boys and 128(68.4%) in girls group. The majority (70.5%) were found Angle’s class I in urban group and 148(69.5%) in rural. One forty three (60.3%) patients were found increased overbite with malocclusion in urban group and 124(58.2%) in rural. Angle’s class-I malocclusion and Increased overbite were the most commonly occurring malocclusion. Conclusion: Prevalence of malocclusion was more in urban school age children when compared with rural. Malocclusion was significantly more in girls than boys in both urban and rural area. Angle’s class-I malocclusion and Increased overbite were the most commonly occurring malocclusion of school age children from a selected urban and rural community of Bangladesh

Cephalometric Norms of Bangladeshi Young Children Based on McNamara’s Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the cephalometric norms of Bangladeshi young children using McNamara’s analysis. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Orthodontics, BSMMU among the dental patients visiting Dental OPD of BSMMU. The test sample was 40 Cephalometric radiographs of patients of which 20 were boys (group I) and 20 were girls (group II). The study respondents were of Bangladeshi origin, aged between 11 and 18 years at the time of cephalometric radiograph taken. A randomized sampling technique was followed to collect samples. Results: The mean cephalometric values of McNamara variables were measured and compared with the Caucasian children and Bangladeshi adults. The p values of all variables for Group I (boys) and Group II (girls) were more than 0.05 which was not significant. So it was interpreted that there was no significant difference in the values of McNamara variables between Bangladeshi boys and girls. But in comparison to Caucasian children the p-value of all the variables was significant (<0.05) except Pogonion to Nasion perpendicular. This result suggested that the McNamara variables for Bangladeshi children were significantly different from Caucasian children. Conclusion: The values observed by this study can be used in Bangladeshi children irrespective of gender because there is no statistically significant gender difference. It was also observed that the maxilla of the Bangladeshi children was slightly protrusive but the mandible was retrusive than the Caucasian children and both upper and lower incisors were found proclined

Familial and socio-cultural barriers in maintaining tobacco-free homes in Bangladesh: a comparative cross-sectional study

Objectives: Children, pregnant women and the elderly at a global level are all being dangerously exposed to tobacco use in the household (HH). However, there is no understanding of the familial and socio-cultural factors that provide barriers to ensuring tobacco-free homes in Bangladesh either in urban or rural areas (U&RAs). This study therefore investigates those barriers to help enable a move towards tobacco free homes in Bangladesh. Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Settings: Data were collected from both urban and rural settings in Bangladesh. Participants: A probability proportional sampling procedure was used to select 808 participants in U&RAs out of a total of 3,715 tobacco users. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use at home was 25.7% in urban areas and 47.6% in rural areas. In urban areas: marital status (AOR=3.23, 95%CI=1.37-6.61), education (AOR=2.14, 95%CI=1.15-3.99), the smoking habits of elderly family members (AOR=1.81, 95%CI=0.91-2.89), offering tobacco as a traditional form of leisure activity at home (AOR=1.85, 95%CI=.94-2.95), and lack of religious practices (AOR=2.39, 95%CI=1.27-4.54) were identified as significant socio-cultural predictors associated with tobacco use at home. In rural areas: age (AOR=5.11, 95%CI=2.03-12.83), extended family (AOR=3.08, 95%CI=1.28-7.38), lack of religious practices (AOR=4.23, 95%CI=2.32-7.72), using children to buy or carry tobacco (AOR=3.33, 95%CI=1.11-9.99), lack of family guidance (AOR=4.27, 95%CI=2.45-41 7.42), and offering tobacco as a traditional form of leisure activity at home (AOR=3.81, 95%CI=2.23-6.47) were identified as significant determinants for tobacco use at home. Conclusion: This study concludes that socio-cultural traditions and familial norms in Bangladesh provide significant barriers for enabling tobacco-free homes. The identification of these barriers can aid policy makers and programme planners in Bangladesh in devising appropriate measures to mitigate the deadly consequences of tobacco use in the home. The consequences also include the dangers involved in family members being exposed to second48 hand smoke

Exploring Current Practicing Scenario and Investigating the Influential Factors of Practical Work in Secondary Chemistry Education in Bangladesh

Teaching-learning of chemistry has undergone continuous changes over time. The emphasis is being shifted toward more hands-on and inquiry-based activities. Practical activity in science education is deemed vital to foster a knowledge of science's nature and concepts. However, in the context of Bangladesh, practical chemistry is still not sufficiently applied in secondary schools, and a variety of influential elements are embedded there. Thus, the goal of this study is to explore the current scenario of chemistry practical work and to investigate the influential factors for practicing it in secondary school. The study approached a qualitative technique. Four chemistry teachers, three chemistry education specialists selected purposively, and two groups of secondary school students selected with maximal variation technique were included in the study's sample. The data were gathered through focused group discussions and interviews and then analyzed using the theme analysis technique. The study's findings indicate that a lack of physical facilities, teachers' lack of knowledge about practical work, excessive workload, insincerity for practical classes, school administration's lack of awareness and motivation, and unsafe working environments all have a significant impact on current practice of secondary chemistry practical work. Additionally, the absence of a separate chemistry laboratory, a lack of laboratory equipment, an insufficient amount of time allocated for practical work, students' negative attitudes toward chemistry practical work, and teachers' low level of expectation for the development of information and communication technology were identified as major influencing factors affecting chemistry practical work. The study has significance for all chemical educational professionals, but particularly for teachers and policymakers, who serve as important implementers. Keywords: Practical work, laboratory, content knowledge, skill development. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-12-13 Publication date: April 30th 202

Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: The use of Contraception and Power Dynamics of Patriarchal Society

Reproductive coercion has been the primary focus of research on intimate partner violence against women in regard to reproductive health. While studies have taken a look at whether Intimate Partner Violence makes women more or less inclined to use contraception, not much research has been able to provide a comprehensive analysis of the connection between Intimate Partner Violence and reproductive coercion. This particular direction of research has concentrated its attention on both of these aspects when discussing reproductive coercion. It is significant to analyze these things together because it is important to fully understand the condition of reproductive coercion, reproductive choices, and the consequences that modern women are confronting. As a consequence of the negative effects of reproductive coercion on survivors' mental, physical, and emotional well-being, it is imperative that social workers be able to recognize the signs of Reproductive Coercion and provide effective interventions and advocacy on their behalf. The use of contraception in patriarchal power dynamic societies, the relationship between intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion, and the health outcome for women are all issues that could potentially be explained with the use of feminist theory and the constructionist theory that we proposed

A Statistical Analysis of Positive Excess Mortality at Covid-19 in 2020-2021

When it comes to making assessments about public health, the mortality rate is a very important factor. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated well-known biases that affect the measurement of mortality, which varies with time and place. The COVID-19 pandemic took the world off surveillance, and since the outbreak, it has caused damage that many would have thought unthinkable in the present era. By estimating excess mortality for 2020 and 2021, we provide a thorough and consistent evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic's effects. Excess mortality is a term used in epidemiology and public health to describe the number of fatalities from all causes during a crisis that exceeds what would be expected under 'normal' circumstances. Excess mortality has been used for thousands of years to estimate health emergencies and pandemics like the 1918 "Spanish Flu"6. Positive excess mortality occurs when actual deaths exceed previous data or recognized patterns. It could demonstrate how a pandemic affects the mortality rate. The estimates of positive excess mortality presented in this research are generated using the procedure, data, and methods described in detail in the Methods section and briefly summarized in this study. We explored different regression models in order to find the most effective factor for our estimates. We predict the pandemic period all-cause deaths in locations lacking complete reported data using the Poisson, Negative Binomial count framework. By overdispersion test, we checked the assumption of the Poisson model, and then we chose the negative binomial as a  good fitting model for this analysis through Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) and Standardized residual plots, after that checking the P-value&lt;0.05; we found some significant predictors from our choosing model Negative binomial model, and the coefficient of all predictors gave the information that some factors have a positive effect, and some has a negative effect at positive excess mortality at COVID-19 (2020-2021)