Ethics in public relations and responsible advocacy theory

Ethics in public relations plays a vital role in human communication. It brings the credibility to organizations. It helps to establish faithful relationship between organizations and the public. Excellence in public relations can be achieved by ethical practices. Public relations organizations should follow code of ethics to provide reliable services to the target audience. Organizations need to ensure that the codes of ethics are practically implemented for the betterment of all the stakeholders. The responsible advocacy theory is one of the latest theories of ethics in public relations. It focuses on the responsibilities of public relations practitioners. It is based on three major principles of public relations ethics: the comparison of harms and benefits, respect of persons, and distributive justice. It encourages to avoid all harmful contents, guarantee the public interest, safeguard the human dignity and maintain justice in communication. This article highlights on the basic concepts of ethics in public relations, codes of ethics in different public relations organizations and key points of responsible advocacy theory

Mitigation of Salt Stress by Foliar Application of Jasmonic Acid in Wheat

 Two individual experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of salinity from germination to seedling stage and exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity in wheat. The results of laboratory experiment showed that salt stress reduced germination percent and seedling fresh weight of wheat. The BARI Gom 25 exhibited better performance under saline environment upto 12 dSm-1. The field experimental results showed that plant height, leaf number, tiller number, fresh and dry weight per plant, spike length, grain number and weight per spike and yield of wheat were reduced with increased levels of salinity generally at 8 dS m-1. Exogenous application of MeJA significantly mitigated the adverse effects of salinity by improving morpho-physiological, yield contributing and yield characters of wheat. The interaction between different levels of salinity and MeJA improved the morpho-physiological, yield contributing characters and yield of wheat. The yield of wheat increased with 10 µM MeJA from 2.22 to 2.77 t ha-1, 1.63 to 2.01 t ha-1, 1.15 to 1.39 t ha-1 at 0 dS m-1, 4 dS m-1, 8 dS m-1 salinity, respectively and suggested that MeJA mitigate the adverse effects of salt stress in wheat. 

Metabolic alterations in liver of fresh water fish, C. punctata exposed to arsenic: an adverse and adaptive response to the environment

Arsenic is a major toxicant impairing in diverse metabolic alterations of the organisms and the mechanism of adaptive response is yet to be identified. In the present study, effects of different doses of arsenic in liver of Channa punctata on the regulation of metabolic activities were done. C. punctata, a variety of fresh water fish were exposed to 1, 10 and 1000 ?M concentration of Na2HAsO4 for 1 h. The amount of protein, in response to 1, 10 and 1000 ?M concentration of arsenic were augmented by 184.47% (2.84-folds), 202.82% (3.0- folds) and 317.49% (4.17-folds), respectively and was found to be higher for 1000 ?M dose. Cholesterol contents in liver were similarly exaggerated by 517.45% (6.17-folds), 308.13% (4.1-folds) and 286.41% (3.86-folds), respectively. However, the higher response was found for 1 ?M dose of Na2HAsO4. Similar stimulatory effects on triglyceride level were observed in response to arsenic. Na2HAsO4 causes 443.74% (5.43-folds), 533.11% (6.33-folds) and 548.48% (6.48-folds) enhanced triglyceride level in liver respectively and the effects were pronounced for 1000 ?M concentration. Our findings conclude that arsenic is involved in impairment of metabolic activities in liver of the species of fish and gives an impact to the environment for survival.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 6 (2): 87-94, December, 201

Hydroponic and in vitro screening of wheat varieties for salt-tolerance

Salt-tolerant wheat cultivars are essential for sustainable wheat production and global food security. The present study aimed to establish a reliable screening protocol as well as successfully isolated the potential salt-tolerant wheat varieties by discerning morpho-physiological parameters with multivariate analysis. Seventeen wheat varieties were evaluated at 0, 12, 15 and 18 dSm-1 salinity levels in a hydroponic culture system at the seedling stage. Moreover, in vitro callusing responses of four selected varieties were determined to clarify the salt tolerance capability at 0, 9, 12 and 15 dSm-1 salt treatments. The seedling growth of most wheat varieties was highly interrupted and reduced by the toxic effects of salinity, however, some varieties such as BARI Gom-32, BARI Gom-33, BARI Gom-31, BARI Gom-30, and BARI Gom-28 showed the lowest reduction under all salinity stress conditions. The total salt tolerance index (TSTI) showed that the cultivar BARI Gom-33 was the most salt-tolerant followed by BARI Gom-32 and BARI Gom-30 whereas BARI Gom-25 was identified as the most sensitive. These results were strongly supported by the principal component analysis (PCA) and Ward’s Methods Euclidean based clustering. In vitro results revealed that the lowest reduction of callus induction was recorded in BARI Gom-33 which might show the greatest tolerance to salinity by improving morpho-physiological characteristics against salt stress. Therefore, the identified genotypes might be employed as donor parents to develop salt-tolerant and high-yielding cultivars in the wheat breeding programme

Preparation and Characterization of Jute Cellulose Crystals-Reinforced Poly(L-lactic acid) Biocomposite for Biomedical Applications

Crystalline cellulose was extracted from jute by hydrolysis with 40% H2SO4 to get mixture of micro/nanocrystals. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed the microcrystalline structure of cellulose and XRD indicated the Iβ polymorph of cellulose. Biodegradable composites were prepared using crystalline cellulose (CC) of jute as the reinforcement (3–15%) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a matrix by extrusion and hot press method. CC was cellulose derived from mercerized and bleached jute fiber by acid hydrolysis to remove the amorphous regions. FT-IR studies showed hydrogen bonding between the CC and the PLA matrix. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies showed that the percentage crystallinity of PLA in composites was found to be higher than that of neat PLA as a result of the nucleating ability of the crystalline cellulose. Furthermore, Vicker hardness and yield strength were found to increase with increasing cellulose content in the composite. The SEM images of the fracture surfaces of the composites were indicative of poor adhesion between the CC and the PLA matrix. The composite with 15% CC showed antibacterial effect though pure films but had no antimicrobial effect; on the other hand its cytotoxicity in biological medium was found to be medium which might be suitable for its potential biomedical applications

Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Capital Structure Decision of Textile Companies in Bangladesh

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on capital structure decisions of Textile Companies in Bangladesh. In particular, the paper examines the degree to which internal corporate governance mechanisms and an external corporate governance mechanism affect Bangladeshi textile firms’ capital structure. Methodology of the Study: The paper uses a multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of corporate governance and capital structure for a sample of 10 Bangladeshi textile firms listed in DSE during period from 2011 to 2017.Board size, Board composition, Board meetings & Board ownership were used as corporate governance variables and Return on Assets (ROA) also used as control variable and debt ratio used as the measure of capital structure. This study also used different statistical tools like descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regressions. Findings: The findings indicate that the relationship of Debt Ratio with Board Size & Board Composition is positive and highly significant, a less significant or moderate positive relationship between Debt Ratio & Board Ownership, insignificant and negative relationship between Debt Ratio & Board Meetings and the Debt Ratio is negatively related to Return on Assets that is significant.CG mechanisms (Board Size & Board Ownership) are significantly and positively impact on firms Capital Structure/ Debt Ratio (DR) and (Board Composition & Board Meetings) are also positively impact on firms Capital Structure but that is statistically insignificant and Return on Assets is highly significant & negatively impact on firms Capital Structure/ Debt Ratio (DR) of Listed Textile Companies in Bangladesh. [Keywords: Corporate Governance (CG), Capital Structure (CS), Debt Ratio (DR)] DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-20-02 Publication date:October 31st 201

Phenotypic and genotypic screening of rice genotypes at seedling stage for salt tolerance | Selección fenotípica y genotípica de genotipos de arroz para tolerancia a la salinidad en la etapa de plántulas

Selection for salinity tolerant genotypes of rice based on phenotypic performance alone is less reliable and will delay in progress in breeding. Recent advent of molecular markers, microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), have been useful in finding salt tolerant rice genotypes. Three selected SSR markers already known to be polymorphic, viz., RM7075, RM336 and RM253, were used to evaluate rice genotypes for salt tolerance. Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation for salinity tolerance was done at the seedling stage. Phenotyping was done in hydroponic system using salinized (EC 12 dS/m) nutrient solution following IRRI standard protocol. Large variation in salinity tolerance among the rice germplasms was detected. Salt stress (EC 12 dS/m) reduced seedling height by 19.0% and total dry matter of tolerant lines by 40.6%, whereas, total dry matter of susceptible lines were reduced by 46.0-73.5%. All the tested markers were polymorphic and were able to discriminate salt tolerant genotypes from susceptible. The genotypes having similar banding pattern with Pokkali were considered as salt tolerant. Markers RM7075, RM336 and RM253 identified eight, nine and seven salt tolerant genotypes, respectively. Through phenotypic and genotypic study, three genotypes viz., Pokkali, TNDB-100 and THDB were identified as salt tolerant rice genotypes. These SSR markers might have sequence homology with salt tolerant rice genotypes and consequently the markers could able to identify salt tolerant rice genotypes from susceptible ones. Key words: rice, salinity tolerance, SSR markers, seedling stage. RESUMEN La selección para resistencia a la salinidad de genotipos de arroz, basada solamente en el comportamiento fenotípico, es menos confiable y retarda el avance en el mejoramiento. Se han utilizado avances recientes en marcadores moleculares, microsatélites o repeticiones de secuencias simples (SSR por sus siglas en inglés) para determinar genotipos de arroz tolerantes a la salinidad. Se utilizaron tres marcadores SSR viz., RM7075, RM336 y RM253 para evaluar genotipos de arroz para tolerancia a la salinidad. La evaluación fenotípica y genotípica para la tolerancia a la salinidad se realizó en la etapa de plántula. La fenotipificación de once genotipos se realizó en un sistema hidropónico utilizando solución nutritiva salinizada (CE 12 dS/m). Se siguió el protocolo estandarizado del IRRI para evaluar la tolerancia a la salinidad. Se detectó una gran variación en la tolerancia a la salinidad entre el germoplasma de arroz. La altura de las plántulas y la materia seca total de las líneas tolerantes se redujeron en un 19,0 y 40,6%, respectivamente, bajo estrés salino (CE 12 dS/m), en tanto que las de las líneas susceptibles se redujeron en un 46,0% y 73,5%, respectivamente. Los marcadores mostraron polimorfismo y fueron capaces de discriminar los genotipos tolerantes a la salinidad de aquellos susceptibles. Los genotipos con un patrón similar de bandas a Pokkali se consideraron como tolerantes a la salinidad. Los marcadores SSR (RM7075, RM336 y RM253) identificaron ocho, nueve y siete genotipos tolerantes a la salinidad, respectivamente. A través del estudio fenotípico y genotípico, tres genotipos viz., Pokkali, TNDB-100 y THDB se identificaron como cultivares de arroz tolerantes a la salinidad. Estos marcadores SSR podrían tener homología de secuencias con genotipos de arroz tolerantes a la salinidad y por consiguiente, los marcadores podrían ser capaces de identificar genotipos de arroz tolerantes a la salinidad de aquellos susceptibles. Palabras clave: Arroz, tolerancia a la salinidad, marcadores SSR, etapa de plántulas

Regeneration potential of seedling explants of chilli (Capsicum annuum)

A study was conducted with hypocotyl, cotyledon and shoot tip of chilli as explants for regeneration on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinins. Regeneration potential was determined by two ways. One is regeneration of shoot via callus formation from hypocotyls and cotyledon explants; another was direct shoot regeneration from shoot tip explant. The highest callus was induced from hypocotyl in a combination of BAP (5.0 mgL-1) with NAA (0.1 mgL-1) and cotyledon in a combination of BAP (5.0 mgL-1) with IAA ((1.0 mgL-1). The callus induction as well as shoot initiation was higher in hypocotyls than cotyledon. Shoot tips regenerated into plantlets directly with sporadic small callus at the base. Shoot elongation was accelerated by using additional supplementation of GA3 and AgNO3. Regenerated shoots rooted best on the MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L-1 NAA + 0.05 mg L-1 IBA

Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and yield of BRRI dhan57

The field experiment was carried out during the period from July to November, 2013 at the research farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh to investigate the influence of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and yield of BRRI dhan57. The two factorial experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Four levels of nitrogen N0: 0 kg N ha-1, N1: 90 kg N ha-1, N2: 120 kg N ha-1, N3: 150 kg N ha-1 and three levels of phosphorous P0: 0 kg P2O5 ha-1, P1: 25 kg P2O5 ha-1 and P2: 35 kg P2O5 ha-1 were used in this experiment. Data revealed that at 30 and 60 days after transplanting (DAT) and at the time of harvest the tallest plants were observed in the treatments N2 (120 kg N ha-1), P2 (35 kg P ha-1) and treatment combination N2P2 (120 kg N and 35 kg P ha-1) whereas, the treatments N0, P0 and treatment combination N0P0 (without N and P) showed the smallest plant height in each case, respectively. Side by side, N2,P2 treatments and N2P2 treatment combination gave the maximum effective tillers hill-1, highest length of panicle and the maximum filled grains panicle-1. The highest 1000 grain weight (20.85 g), grain yield (4.95 t ha-1), straw yield (5.39 t ha-1) and biological yield (10.34 t ha-1) were found in the treatment combination N2P2 and also found highest in each individual under N2 and P2 treatments