An mCARE Study on Patterns of Risk and Resilience for Children with ASD in Bangladesh

Community-wide lockdowns in response to COVID-19 influenced many families, but the developmental cascade for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be especially detrimental. Our objective was to evaluate behavioral patterns of risk and resilience for children with ASD across parent-report assessments before (from November 2019 to February 2020), during (March 2020 to May 2020), and after (June 2020 to November 2020) an extended COVID-19 lockdown. In 2020, our study Mobile-based care for children with ASD using remote experience sampling method (mCARE) was inactive data collection before COVID-19 emerged as a health crisis in Bangladesh. Here we deployed “Cohort Studies”, where we had in total 300 children with ASD (150 test group and 150 control group) to collect behavioral data. Our data collection continued through an extended COVID-19 lockdown and captured parent reports of 30 different behavioral parameters (e.g., self-injurious behaviors, aggression, sleep problems, daily living skills, and communication) across 150 children with ASD (test group). Based on the children’s condition, 4–6 behavioral parameters were assessed through the study. A total of 56,290 behavioral data points was collected (an average of 152.19 per week) from parent cell phones using the mCARE platform. Children and their families were exposed to an extended COVID-19 lockdown. The main outcomes used for this study were generated from parent reports child behaviors within the mCARE platform. Behaviors included of child social skills, communication use, problematic behaviors, sensory sensitivities, daily living, and play. COVID-19 lockdowns for children with autism and their families are not universally negative but supports in the areas of “Problematic Behavior” could serve to mitigate future risk

Data from: Enhanced specific loss power of hematite-chitosan nanohybrid synthesized by hydrothermal method

We used a hydrothermal technique for producing hematite (a-Fe2O3) nanoparticles that were then functionalized with chitosan. The prepared iron oxide (a-Fe2O3) nanoparticles were single-phase, according to XRD analysis. The presence of lattice fringes in the HRTEM image confirmed the crystalline nature of the a-Fe2O3. The samples were coated with chitosan and the coating was confirmed by the spectra of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The Mössbauer spectra reveal a mixed relaxation state, which is also supported by the PPMS study. A zero field cooled study revealed the existence of a Morin transition. The hydrodynamic diameter of the coated particles was measured using the dynamic light scattering technique (DLS) to be between 218 and 235 nm, with a polydispersity index ranging from 0.048 to 0.119. The zeta potential was +46.8 mV, which is appropriate for colloidal stability. Both the Vero and HeLa cell lines demonstrated viability incubated for 24 hrs. with the colloids of different concentrations. The maximum temperature, Tmax attained by the hematite-chitosan nanohybrid solution of 0.25 and 4 mg/ml — the lowest and highest concentration, was 42.9 and 48.3ºC, and the specific loss power, SLP was 501.6 and 35.53, which are remarkably high for the Mmax; 300K = 1.98 emu/g.Provided in the Read me.text file for each data

Confronting Autism in Urban Bangladesh: Unpacking Infrastructural and Cultural Challenges

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a critical problem worldwide; however, low and middle-income countries (LMICs) often suffer more from it due to the lack of contextual research and effective care infrastructure. Moreover, ASD in LMICs offers unique challenges as cultural misperceptions and social practices often impede effective care there. However, the recent growth in mobile phone adoption in many LMICs has created a timely opportunity for improving ASD care practices through digital means. We present qualitative findings on the challenges of designing mobile assistive technologies for ASD in Bangladesh. Our data reveals a set of technical, social, and cultural challenges with caregivers and care professionals for designing a meaningful technology for them. We show how those challenges are deeply rooted in the broader infrastructural and cultural tensions of the country. We also present embedded design implications to overcome these challenges

Yield stability among potato varieties suitable for different agroecological regions of Bangladesh

Multilocation trials are usually performed in breeding and variety evaluation programs to identify stable genotype(s) with similar crop performance in various environments. The present study evaluated the stability of six selected potato varieties (BARI Alu-7, BARI Alu-8, BARI Alu-25, BARI Alu-28, BARI Alu-36, and BARI Alu-41) suitable for multiple locations (Barishal, Bogura, Cumilla, Jamalpur, Jashore, Munshiganj, Mymensingh, and Rajshahi) in Bangladesh from 2014 to 2019. The study considered genotype and environment as treatments, year as replications and used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with to construct the genotype plus genotype-vs-environment interaction (GGE) model. The joint analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes and environments (GE). The scores of PC1 (principal component 1) and PC2 (principal component 2) cumulatively explained approximately 63 % of the total variation in GE interactions and were used to construct the GGE biplot. BARI Alu-8 and BARI Alu-28 were the best genotypes, with high average yields and high stability across the locations. Jamalpur and Munshiganj was identified as the desired locations among the tested environments for growing all the genotypes. This study will help potato growers select highly stable high-performance varieties for a particular environment to achieve maximum tuber production

Potential impact of climate change on crop insect pests and diseases in Bangladesh: Future scenarios and strategies for climate services

Insect pest and disease outbreaks are driven by the environmental factors, presence of susceptible crop plants, and insect pest or pathogen population. Future climate variability and climate change (CC) are expected to modify the distribution and severity of pest damage and disease epidemics. In this paper, we present (i) an overview of the major and emerging insect pests and diseases of key field crops and associated yield losses, (ii) an analysis of historical and future climate scenarios and potential infestation of the agents, (iii) a framework to support integrated pest and disease management, and (iv) recommendations towards policies and actions. We have utilized modeling approaches to provide a preliminary estimate of the potential changes in three insect pests and 14 disease species with three future time-slices

Seasonal Variations in Grain Yield, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Sequestration for Maize Cultivation in Bangladesh

Rationale: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from crop agriculture are of great concern in the context of changing climatic conditions; however, in most cases, data based on lifecycle assessments are not available for grain yield variations or the carbon footprint of maize. The current study aimed to determine net carbon emissions and sequestration for maize grown in Bangladesh. Methods: The static closed-chamber technique was used to determine total GHG emissions using data on GHG emissions from maize fields and secondary sources for inputs. A secondary source for regional yield data was used in the current study. GHG emission intensity is defined as the ratio of total emissions to grain yield. The net GHG emission/carbon sequestration was determined by subtracting total GHG emissions (CO2 eq.) from net primary production (NPP). Results: Grain yields varied from 1590 to 9300 kg ha−1 in the wet season and from 680 to 11,820 kg ha−1 in the dry season. GHG emission intensities were 0.53–2.21 and 0.37–1.70 kg CO2 eq. kg−1 grain in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. In Bangladesh, the total estimated GHG emissions were 1.66–4.09 million tonnes (MT) CO2 eq. from 2015 to 2020, whereas the net total CO2 sequestration was 1.51–3.91 MT. The net CO2 sequestration rates were 984.3–5757.4 kg ha−1 in the wet season and 1188.62–5757.39 kg ha−1 in the dry season. This study observed spatial variations in carbon emissions and sequestration depending on growing seasons. In the rice–maize pattern, maize sequestered about 1.23 MT CO2 eq. per year−1, but rice emitted about 0.16 MT CO2 eq. per year−1. This study showed potential spatiotemporal variations in carbon footprints. Recommendation: Special care is needed to improve maize grain yields in the wet season. Fertiliser and water use efficiencies need to be improved to minimise GHG emissions under changing climatic conditions. Efforts to increase the area under cultivation with rice–maize or other non-rice crop-based cropping systems are needed to augment CO2 sequestration. The generation of a regional data bank on carbon footprints would be beneficial for combating the impact of climate change