Ever-increasing Caesarean section and its economic burden in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Cesarean Section (CS) delivery has been increasing rapidly worldwide and Bangladesh is no exception. In Bangladesh, the CS rate has increased from about 3% in 2000 to about 24% in 2014. This study examines trend in CS in Bangladesh over the last fifteen years and implications of this increasing CS rates on health care expenditures. METHODS: Birth data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) for the years 2000–2014 have been used for the trend analysis and 2010 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey (BMMS) data were used for estimating health care expenditure associated with CS. RESULTS: Although the share of institutional deliveries increased four times over the years 2000 to 2014, the CS deliveries increased eightfold. In 2000, only 33% of institutional deliveries were conducted through CS and the rate increased to 63% in 2014. Average medical care expenditure for a CS delivery in Bangladesh was about BDT 22,085 (USD 276) in 2010 while the cost of a normal delivery was BDT 3,565 (USD 45). Health care expenditure due to CS deliveries accounted for about 66.5% of total expenditure on all deliveries in Bangladesh in 2010. About 10.3% of Total Health Expenditure (THE) in 2010 was due to delivery costs, while CS costs contribute to 6.9% of THE and rapid increase in CS deliveries will mean that delivering babies will represent even a higher proportion of THE in the future despite declining crude birth rate. CONCLUSION: High CS delivery rate and the negative health outcomes associated with the procedure on mothers and child births incur huge economic burden on the families. This is creating inappropriate allocation of scarce resources in the poor economy like Bangladesh. Therefore it is important to control this unnecessary CS practices by the health providers by introducing litigation and special guidelines in the health policy

Engineered Material from Natural Fibre for Interior Design Applications

Some natural fibres including jute, flax, hemp, kenaf and sisal have been found very promising for potential applications as reinforcement in engineered composite materials. The environmental drivers, such as ability to absorb CO2 during production in contrary to synthetic materials and having non-toxic characteristics, have made them ideal candidates for incorporation into composites for industrial and technical applications that do not require very high mechanical resistance, for examples, window and doorframes, indoor furniture panels, automotive panels and upholstery, parcel shelves, noise insulating panels etc. This paper discusses fabrication and mechanical performance testing of multi-layered jute fabrics reinforced thermoplastic composite material. Jute hessian fabrics were sandwiched in 0° orientation into several layers of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) polymeric sheets and pressed at high temperature and pressure to form composite laminates. Microscopic analysis revealed that the fibre and yarn orientation of fabrics within composite remained intact and no visible void was identified. Mechanical performance of the composites having a small percentage of fibre content was found to have improved significantly when compared to the pure HDPE laminates. The tensile and flexural strength of the laminate composite with optimum number of layers (6-layer makes a weight fraction of 18.50%) were improved by more than 50%, while flexural modulus was also increased significantly. Fracture morphology of the composite investigated by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed good adhesion of the jute fabrics with the polymer matrices

Development and characterisation of multilayer jute fabric reinforced HDPE composites

The bast fibres, a subgroup of natural fibre family, have emerged as a strong competitor of widely used man-made glass fibre for use as fillers or reinforcing materials in certain types of composite materials, which do not require very high mechanical resistance. This paper investigates manufacturing of multi-layered jute fabric reinforced thermoplastic composite and its mechanical performance. Hessian jute fabrics in 2, 4 and 6 layers without any pre-treatment were sandwiched in 0° orientation into seven layers of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheets and pressed at high temperature and pressure to form composite laminates having three different structural designs. The laminates with 2, 4 and 6 layers contain approximately 6.70 wt%, 12.90 wt%, and 18.50 wt% of jute fibres respectively. Mechanical performance of the composite laminates having 4 and 6 layers of jute fabric was found to have improved significantly when compared to the pure HDPE laminates. Within a given sample thickness of 6.5 mm, the laminate with 6-layers of jute fabric exhibited the best mechanical performance. Optical microscopic analysis revealed that the yarn orientation of the fabrics within the composites remained stable and there was no visible void in the laminate structure. Fracture morphology of the composite investigated by a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed good adhesion of the jute fabrics with the HDPE matrix

Estimation of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) reproduction number and case fatality rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims Realizing the transmission potential and the magnitude of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) aids public health monitoring, strategies, and preparation. Two fundamental parameters, the basic reproduction number (R0) and case fatality rate (CFR) of COVID-19, help in this understanding process. The objective of this study was to estimate the R0 and CFR of COVID-19 and assess whether the parameters vary in different regions of the world. Methods We carried out a systematic review to find the reported estimates of the R0 and the CFR in articles from international databases between January 1 and August 31, 2020. Random-effect models and Forest plots were implemented to evaluate the mean effect size of R0 and the CFR. Furthermore, R0 and CFR of the studies were quantified based on geographic location, the tests/thousand population, and the median population age of the countries where the studies were conducted. To assess statistical heterogeneity among the selected articles, the I2 statistic and the Cochran's Q test were used. Results Forty-five studies involving R0 and 34 studies involving CFR were included. The pooled estimation of R0 was 2.69 (95% CI: 2.40, 2.98), and that of the CFR was 2.67 (2.25, 3.13). The CFR in different regions of the world varied significantly, from 2.49 (2.08, 2.94) in Asia to 3.40 (2.81, 4.04) in North America. We observed higher mean CFR values for the countries with lower tests (3.15 vs 2.16) and greater median population age (3.13 vs 2.27). However, R0 did not vary significantly in different regions of the world. Conclusions An R0 of 2.69 and a CFR of 2.67 indicate the severity of the COVID-19. Although R0 and CFR may vary over time, space, and demographics, we recommend considering these figures in control and prevention measures

Estimation and prediction of doubling time for COVID-19 epidemic in Bangladesh: a study of first 14 month’s daily confirmed new cases and deaths

Background: The doubling time is a reliable indicator to estimate the rate at which the pandemic is spreading. We evaluated and predicted the doubling time for the daily COVID-19 cases and deaths in Bangladesh. Methods: Publicly available daily data on COVID-19 new cases from 8 March, 2020 to 14 February, 2021 and the daily deaths data from 18 March, 2020 to 14 February, 2021 were used to predict doubling time based on records from seven days prior. Then, short-term predictions for the next 14 days (1 to 14 February, 2021) were performed to validate the accuracy of our prediction. Finally, using the doubling time data up to 14 February, 2021, a two months (15 February- 15 April, 2021) prediction was made for both daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths. Results: The median doubling time for daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths were 90.51 and 86.02 days respectively in the entire period. The doubling period for cases was lowest in the second to third week of March, 2020 [ranged 2.33-8.43 days] and longest in the second week of March, 2021 [ranged 834-2187 days]. Our prediction suggests that the doubling time for daily confirmed new COVID-19 case will be 1310.33 days [95% CI: 854.33 - 1766.32] and deaths will be 683.04 days [556.05 - 810.03] on 15 April, 2021 in Bangladesh. Conclusion: Our prediction is based on current testing strategies. Any changes in daily number of tests or sudden changes of the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission would affect these predictions

Electrically Tunable Scattering from Devitrite–Liquid Crystal Hybrid Devices

Devitrite is normally an unwanted crystalline impurity in the soda-lime-silica glass making process. Thin needles formed by heterogeneous nucleation of devitrite on the glass surface provide unique birefringence properties for potential applications in tunable optical devices. Here, devitrite and a liquid crystal are combined to create an electrically variable optical diffuser. The magnitude and scattering angle of the transmitted light propagating through the diffuser are tuned by varying the voltage between the graphene and indium tin oxide electrodes on either side of the liquid crystal. The threshold voltage to switch the transmitted light from a predominantly horizontal diffusion to a random order is 3.5 V. Angle-resolved measurements show broad diffusion angles of transmitted light with a maximum deflection of ±60°. The dynamically tunable devitrite-liquid crystal hybrid devices may advance the development of currently less viable technologies including beam shaping and automatic light transmission control.Leverhulme Trust, Royal Society, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (IAA Follow on Fund

Current development and future perspective on natural jute fibers and their biocomposites

The increasing trend of the use of synthetic products may result in an increased level of pollution affecting both the environment and living organisms. Therefore, from the sustainability point of view, natural, renewable and biodegradable materials are urgently needed to replace environmentally harmful synthetic materials. Jute, one of the natural fibers, plays a vital role in developing composite materials that showed potential in a variety of applications such as household, automotive and medical appliances. This paper first reviews the characterization and performance of jute fibers. Subsequently, the main focus is shifted towards research advancements in enhancing physical, mechanical, thermal and tribological properties of the polymeric materials (i.e., synthetic or biobased and thermoplastic or thermoset plastic) reinforced with jute fibers in a variety of forms such as particle, short fiber or woven fabric. It is understood that the physio-mechanical properties of jute-polymer composites largely vary based on the fiber processing and treatment, fiber shape and/or size, fabrication processes, fiber volume fraction, layering sequence within the matrix, interaction of the fiber with the matrix and the matrix materials used. Furthermore, the emerging research on jute fiber, such as nanomaterials from jute, bioplastic packaging, heavy metal absorption, electronics, energy device or medical applications and development of jute fiber composites with 3D printing, is explored. Finally, the key challenges for jute and its derivative products in gaining commercial successes have been highlighted and potential future directions are discussed

Nr2e3 is a Genetic Modifier That Rescues Retinal Degeneration and Promotes Homeostasis in Multiple Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Recent advances in viral vector engineering, as well as an increased understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanism of retinal diseases, have led to the development of novel gene therapy approaches. Furthermore, ease of accessibility and ocular immune privilege makes the retina an ideal target for gene therapies. In this study, the nuclear hormone receptor gene Nr2e3 was evaluated for efficacy as broad-spectrum therapy to attenuate early to intermediate stages of retinal degeneration in five unique mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a group of heterogenic inherited retinal diseases associated with over 150 gene mutations, affecting over 1.5 million individuals worldwide. RP varies in age of onset, severity, and rate of progression. In addition, ~40% of RP patients cannot be genetically diagnosed, confounding the ability to develop personalized RP therapies. Remarkably, Nr2e3 administered therapy resulted in reduced retinal degeneration as observed by increase in photoreceptor cells, improved electroretinogram, and a dramatic molecular reset of key transcription factors and associated gene networks. These therapeutic effects improved retinal homeostasis in diseased tissue. Results of this study provide evidence that Nr2e3 can serve as a broad-spectrum therapy to treat multiple forms of RP

Photonic Crystal Fiber Based Biosensor for Pseudomonas Bacteria Detection: A Simulation Study

The detection of microorganisms like Pseudomonas are very important as they trigger an infection in human blood, lungs, and different parts of the body causing various ailments. In this paper, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on photonic crystal fiber (PCF) has been proposed to detect the presence of Pseudomonas bacteria with attractive performance characteristics. The sensor is designed using a simple circular lattice of PCF, coated with a thin chemically stable gold layer. The performance investigation of the sensor is numerically carried out by using a finite element (FE) based simulation tool where the highest wavelength and amplitude sensitivity are found as 20,000 nm/RIU and 1380 RIU −1 , respectively. The sensor shows an excellent spectral resolution of the highest value of 5.26×10−6 RIU, ensuring the capability of identifying a very small change in analyte refractive index (RI) within the range of 1.33 to 1.42. The performance investigation is also carried out altering the diameter of air holes, pitch, and gold layer thickness to explore the variation in phase matching conditions due to the change in structural parameters. As the sensor is adept at detecting the sample with high sensitivity and sensing resolution, the proposed sensor can be highly efficient in detecting Pseudomonas bacteria as well as other organic compounds, and biological analytes

Framework for Environmentally Sustainable Fashion and Textile Production to achieve United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12

A framework with three key actions - identify (I), act (A), and evaluate (E) to achieve complete environmental sustainability in fashion and textile production in line with SDG 12– has been developed as a part of a Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) project. Called as the ‘I-A-E framework’, it emphasises more on zero or near-zero waste generation at source and incorporating sustainability thinking in material and process selections, rather than post-production waste management after generating huge amounts of wastes and effluents. The first step involves ‘identifying’ present scenarios and points of action in context of resource consumption, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and solid waste generation in product development and production. The next step is to ‘act’ for sustainable development, which includes - incorporating a zero-waste philosophy during production, incorporating sustainability thinking into material selection and incorporating sustainability into production process, incorporating sustainability in resource and waste management. The third component of the framework is to ‘evaluate’ to celebrate and move forward by checking the eco-indices to amend targets or set new ones. This new framework was validated through stakeholders’ workshops and roundtable discussion. It is an easy-to-follow toolkit that the fashion and textile industry will be able to implement into their product development and production activities