Disaster risk reduction measures n Bangladesh

Disasters damage the entire economy of the country when they predominantly take place in developing countries. While no country in the world is entirely safe, lack of capacity to limit the impact of hazards has made developing countries being the most vulnerable nations to natural disasters. Bangladesh is being identified as a country that is vulnerable to climate change and subsequent natural disasters every year. Dense population and poverty has reduced the adaptability of Bangladesh in disastrous situations thus further increasing severity of impact from disasters. Owing to geographical settings, Bangladesh is currently ranked as one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries in the world. The frequent natural hazards such as cyclones, storm surges, floods, droughts, tornados,riverbank erosions, earthquakes, arsenic contamination of groundwater and landslides account for significant losses in human lives and physical assets while effects are further reflected in social settings, ecosystems and the economic well-being of the country. This paper evaluates the types of natural disasters Bangladesh is subjecting to, how they have affected the Bangladesh community and existing disaster risk reduction strategies. Paper also evaluates four main domains of disaster vulnerability reduction measures namely physical, engineering, structural and organisational. Existing disaster risk reduction strategies adopted in Bangladesh are linked with the aforementioned four domains of disaster vulnerability reduction measures. A comprehensive literature review is used as the research method. Literature synthesis suggests that Bangladesh is being using a combination of disaster risk reduction measures ranging from technical to social measures

Process analysis and optimization of conventional saucepan manufacturing industry via time study

This study was carried out at the Jayantha saucepan industry to improve and enhance the productivity by reducing the idle time and enhance the bottleneck by different methods such as changing the layouts, changing the number of work stations and changing the process flow. During the study, it investigated and searched for possible solutions and alternatives aimed at achieving the objective by Pareto analysis for time study, allocating the work stations in an effective way, changing the layout for a better productivity, and analysing skill matrix to allocate the works for the current labourers, and train the labourers and need of hiring more labourers for the particular work stations in an efficient way to enhance the bottleneck manually. Further improvements such as adapting into new techniques and using better alternatives for some processes were also discussed to enhance the productivity of the local saucepan manufacturing industry. Overall, suggested alternatives yielded an expected improvement of 20% in the production capacity

Investigation of Field Performance and Film Properties of Natural Rubber Latex Preserved with a Novel Chemical

The traditional long-term preservative system of latex has an impact on environmental air pollution by ammonia and leads to the production of carcinogenic nitrosamine substances by tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD). In this research, ammonia and a novel preservative with a polysulfidic link were compounded and tested as a novel traditional long-term latex preservative system, to overcome the drawbacks of traditional preservative systems. Control samples were prepared with ammonia as the standard preservative. In addition, ammonia and the novel chemical mixed samples were also prepared for investigating the combined effect. After the preservation treatment, the stable nature of field NR latex was evaluated via the Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA) test based on ASTM D 1076 standard. The Dry Rubber Content (DRC) test and Total Solid Content (TSC) test were carried out for VFA calculation purposes based on ISO126:2005 and ASTM D 1076 standards, respectively. The alkalinity test was carried out to maintain the required ammonia content in latex. In the first trial, traditional dispersion preparation of novel chemical dispersion failed due to the large particle size of the novel chemical. Therefore, two different novel chemical dispersions were prepared in the second trial, where dispersions 1 and 2 were prepared with wetting agents and without using a wetting agent, respectively. It was found that 0.020%v/v and 0.025% v/v concentrations of the novel chemical from dispersion 1 allowed the preservation of field NR latex for 8 days. A low concentration (0.015% v/v) of the novel chemical was able to keep latex with good stability for 5 days. The novel chemical dispersion without a wetting agent exhibited a marvelous preservative system to NR latex than with a wetting agent, because the wetting agent creates a barrier between particles of novel chemical and latex particles. The novel preservative acts as a good preservative while reducing the fumes of ammonia being emitted and eliminating the carcinogenic nitrosamine emission from TMTD

Kinetics of ventilation-induced changes in diaphragmatic metabolism by bilateral phrenic pacing in a piglet model

Citation: Breuer, T., Hatam, N., Grabiger, B., Marx, G., Behnke, B. J., Weis, J., . . . Bruells, C. S. (2016). Kinetics of ventilation-induced changes in diaphragmatic metabolism by bilateral phrenic pacing in a piglet model. Scientific Reports, 6, 10. doi:10.1038/srep35725Perioperative necessity of deep sedation is inevitably associated with diaphragmatic inactivation. This study investigated 1) the feasibility of a new phrenic nerve stimulation method allowing early diaphragmatic activation even in deep sedation and, 2) metabolic changes within the diaphragm during mechanical ventilation compared to artificial activity. 12 piglets were separated into 2 groups. One group was mechanically ventilated for 12 hrs (CMV) and in the second group both phrenic nerves were stimulated via pacer wires inserted near the phrenic nerves to mimic spontaneous breathing (STIM). Lactate, pyruvate and glucose levels were measured continuously using microdialysis. Oxygen delivery and blood gases were measured during both conditions. Diaphragmatic stimulation generated sufficient tidal volumes in all STIM animals. Diaphragm lactate release increased in CMV transiently whereas in STIM lactate dropped during this same time point (2.6 vs. 0.9 mmol L-1 after 5:20 hrs; p < 0.001). CMV increased diaphragmatic pyruvate (40 vs. 146 mu mol L-1 after 5:20 hrs between CMV and STIM; p < 0.0001), but not the lactate/pyruvate ratio. Diaphragmatic stimulation via regular electrodes is feasible to generate sufficient ventilation, even in deep sedation. Mechanical ventilation alters the metabolic state of the diaphragm, which might be one pathophysiologic origin of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction. Occurrence of hypoxia was unlikely

Urea-Hydroxyapatite Nanohybrids for Slow Release of Nitrogen.

While slow release of chemicals has been widely applied for drug delivery, little work has been done on using this general nanotechnology-based principle for delivering nutrients to crops. In developing countries, the cost of fertilizers can be significant and is often the limiting factor for food supply. Thus, it is important to develop technologies that minimize the cost of fertilizers through efficient and targeted delivery. Urea is a rich source of nitrogen and therefore a commonly used fertilizer. We focus our work on the synthesis of environmentally benign nanoparticles carrying urea as the crop nutrient that can be released in a programmed manner for use as a nanofertilizer. In this study, the high solubility of urea molecules has been reduced by incorporating it into a matrix of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles have been selected due to their excellent biocompatibility while acting as a rich phosphorus source. In addition, the high surface area offered by nanoparticles allows binding of a large amount of urea molecules. The method reported here is simple and scalable, allowing the synthesis of a urea-modified hydroxyapatite nanohybrid as fertilizer having a ratio of urea to hydroxyapatite of 6:1 by weight. Specifically, a nanohybrid suspension was synthesized by $\textit{in situ}$ coating of hydroxyapatite with urea at the nanoscale. In addition to the stabilization imparted due to the high surface area to volume ratio of the nanoparticles, supplementary stabilization leading to high loading of urea was provided by flash drying the suspension to obtain a solid nanohybrid. This nanohybrid with a nitrogen weight of 40% provides a platform for its slow release. Its potential application in agriculture to maintain yield and reduce the amount of urea used is demonstrated.Authors thank Hayleys Agro Ltd., Sri Lanka for initiating this research programme at SLINTEC and Nagarjuna Fertilizer and Chemical Ltd (NFCL), India for providing further support. Authors acknowledge Mr Sunanda Gunesekara of SLINTEC for assistance with scaling up the production process to enable the field trials. ARK acknowledges the financial support received from ICTPELETTRA Users Program, Trieste, Italy to conduct photoemission experiments at Materials Science beam line (MSB) and ELETTRA SRS on HA and urea coated HA samples. ARK further acknowledges Dr. R.G. Acres of MSB beam line for his extensive support to conduct photoemission experiments. We acknowledge the Department of Agriculture and Rice Research and Development Institute of Sri Lanka, in particular Dr Priyantha Weerasinghe, Mr D Sirisena and Dr Amitha Benthota for the assistance in carrying out pot and farmers filed trials. NFCL and Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gujarat, India for TEM and BET analysis

Copper-Heparin Inhalation Therapy To Repair Emphysema: A Scientific Rationale

Current pharmacotherapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) aims at reducing respiratory symptoms and exacerbation frequency. Effective therapies to reduce disease progression, however, are still lacking. Furthermore, COPD medications showed less favorable effects in emphysema than in other COPD phenotypes. Elastin fibers are reduced and disrupted, whereas collagen levels are increased in emphysematous lungs. Protease/antiprotease imbalance has historically been regarded as the sole cause of emphysema. However, it is nowadays appreciated that emphysema may also be provoked by perturbations in the sequential repair steps following elastolysis. Essentiality of fibulin-5 and lysyl oxidase-like 1 in the elastin restoration process is discussed, and it is argued that copper deficiency is a plausible reason for failing elastin repair in emphysema patients. Since copper-dependent lysyl oxidases crosslink elastin as well as collagen fibers, copper supplementation stimulates accumulation of both proteins in the extracellular matrix. Restoration of abnormal elastin fibers in emphysematous lungs is favorable, whereas stimulating pulmonary fibrosis formation by further increasing collagen concentrations and organization is detrimental. Heparin inhibits collagen crosslinking while stimulating elastin repair and might therefore be the ideal companion of copper for emphysema patients. Efficacy and safety considerations may lead to a preference of pulmonary administration of copper-heparin over systemic administration

Urea-Hydroxyapatite Nanohybrids for Slow Release of Nitrogen

While slow release of chemicals has been widely applied for drug delivery, little work has been done on using this general nanotechnology-based principle for delivering nutrients to crops. In developing countries, the cost of fertilizers can be significant and is often the limiting factor for food supply. Thus, it is important to develop technologies that minimize the cost of fertilizers through efficient and targeted delivery. Urea is a rich source of nitrogen and therefore a commonly used fertilizer. We focus our work on the synthesis of environmentally benign nanoparticles carrying urea as the crop nutrient that can be released in a programmed manner for use as a nanofertilizer. In this study, the high solubility of urea molecules has been reduced by incorporating it into a matrix of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles have been selected due to their excellent biocompatibility while acting as a rich phosphorus source. In addition, the high surface area offered by nanoparticles allows binding of a large amount of urea molecules. The method reported here is simple and scalable, allowing the synthesis of a urea-modified hydroxyapatite nanohybrid as fertilizer having a ratio of urea to hydroxyapatite of 6:1 by weight. Specifically, a nanohybrid suspension was synthesized by $\textit{in situ}$ coating of hydroxyapatite with urea at the nanoscale. In addition to the stabilization imparted due to the high surface area to volume ratio of the nanoparticles, supplementary stabilization leading to high loading of urea was provided by flash drying the suspension to obtain a solid nanohybrid. This nanohybrid with a nitrogen weight of 40% provides a platform for its slow release. Its potential application in agriculture to maintain yield and reduce the amount of urea used is demonstrated.Authors thank Hayleys Agro Ltd., Sri Lanka for initiating this research programme at SLINTEC and Nagarjuna Fertilizer and Chemical Ltd (NFCL), India for providing further support. Authors acknowledge Mr Sunanda Gunesekara of SLINTEC for assistance with scaling up the production process to enable the field trials. ARK acknowledges the financial support received from ICTPELETTRA Users Program, Trieste, Italy to conduct photoemission experiments at Materials Science beam line (MSB) and ELETTRA SRS on HA and urea coated HA samples. ARK further acknowledges Dr. R.G. Acres of MSB beam line for his extensive support to conduct photoemission experiments. We acknowledge the Department of Agriculture and Rice Research and Development Institute of Sri Lanka, in particular Dr Priyantha Weerasinghe, Mr D Sirisena and Dr Amitha Benthota for the assistance in carrying out pot and farmers filed trials. NFCL and Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Gujarat, India for TEM and BET analysis

Role of enteroendocrine L-cells in arginine vasopressin-mediated inhibition of colonic anion secretion.

KEY POINTS: Arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulates the release of enteroendocrine L-cell derived hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) in vitro from mouse and human colons. This is mediated by the AVP receptor 1B, which is highly enriched in colonic L-cells and linked to the elevation of L-cell calcium and cAMP concentrations. By means of Ussing chambers, we show that AVP reduced colonic anion secretion, although this was blocked by a specific neuropeptide Y receptor Y1 receptor antagonist, suggesting that L-cell-released PYY acts locally on the epithelium to modulate fluid balance. In human serum samples, PYY concentrations were higher in samples with raised osmolality and copeptin (surrogate marker for AVP). These findings describe, for the first time, the role of L-cells in AVP regulated intestinal fluid secretion, potentially linking together hormonal control of blood volume and blood glucose levels, and thus adding to our understanding of the complex pathways involved in the gut hormonal response to different stimuli. ABSTRACT: Arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulates fluid balance and blood pressure via AVP receptor (AVPR)2 in the kidney and AVP receptor 1A in vascular smooth muscle. Its role in intestinal function has received less attention. We hypothesized that enteroendocrine L-cells producing glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) may be a target of AVP and contribute to the control of fluid balance. Avpr1b expression was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR on flourescence-activated cell sorting-isolated L- and control cells and was enriched in colonic L-cells. AVP stimulated GLP-1 and PYY release from primary cultured murine and human colonic cells and was associated with elevated calcium and cAMP concentrations in L-cells as measured in cultures from GLU-Cre/ROSA26-GCaMP3 and GLU-Epac2camps mice. An antagonist of AVPR1B reduced AVP-triggered hormone secretion from murine and human cells. In Ussing chambers, basolaterally applied AVP reduced colonic anion secretion and this effect was blocked by a specific neuropeptide Y receptor Y1 (NPY1R) antagonist. In human serum, PYY concentrations were higher in samples with raised osmolality or copeptin (a surrogate marker for AVP). In conclusion, we propose that AVP activates L-cell AVPR1B, causing GLP-1 and PYY secretion. PYY in turn reduces colonic anion secretion via epithelial NPY1R. Our data suggest L-cells are active players in the hypothalamic control of intestinal fluid homeostasis, providing a potential link between the regulation of blood volume/pressure/osmolality and blood glucose.This work was funded by grants from the Wellcome Trust (106262/Z/14/Z, 106263/Z/14/Z), the MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit (MRC_MC_UU_12012/3) and Full4Health (FP7/2011-2015, grant agreement no 266408). Juraj Rievaj was initially supported by an EFSD Albert Renold Travel Fellowship.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wiley via https://doi.org/10.1113/JP27205

Factors Associated with Response to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Dementia:A Cohort Study from a Secondary Mental Health Care Case Register in London

Background: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are widely used to delay cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Observational studies in routine clinical practice have shown cognitive improvement in some groups of patients receiving these agents but longitudinal trajectories before and after AChEI initiation have not previously been considered.  Objectives: To compare trajectories of cognitive function before and after AChEI initiation and investigate predictors of these differences.  Method: A retrospective longitudinal study was constructed using data from 2460 patients who received AChEIs and who had routine data on cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE) before and after AChEI initiation. Longitudinal MMSE change was modelled using three-piece linear mixed models with the following segments: 0-12 months prior to AChEI initiation, 0-6 months and 6-36 months after initiation.  Results: MMSE decline was reversed (in that the slope was improved by an average 4.2 units per year, 95% CI 3.5-4.8) during the 6-month period following AChEI initiation compared with the slope in the one year period before AChEI initiation. The slope in the period from 6-36 months following AChEI initiation returned to the pre-initiation downward trajectory. The differences in slopes in the 1 year period prior to AChEI initiation and in the 6 months after initiation were smaller among those with higher MMSE scores at the time of AChEI initiation, among those who received a vascular dementia diagnosis at any point, and among those receiving antipsychotic agents.  Conclusion: In this naturalistic observational study, changes in cognitive trajectories around AChEI initiation were similar to those reported in randomised controlled trials. The magnitude of the difference in slopes between the 1 year period prior to AChEI initiation and the 6 month period after AChEI initiation was related to level of cognitive function at treatment initiation, vascular comorbidity and antipsychotic use