Financial Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency of Broiler Farming in a Selected Area of Bangladesh

The present study was undertaken to investigate the socio-economic characteristics of the broiler farmers, to estimate the costs, returns and profitability of broiler enterprise and to determine the contribution of the key variables to the production of broiler farms in some selected locations of Dhaka district, Bangladesh. It was mainly done on primary data which were collected through face to face interview from the respondents of broiler production in 2014. 80 broiler farm owners were selected by using simple sample randomly technique.  Both tabular and econometric techniques were used to find out the results. The results of the analysis showed that on average total cost of broilers per farm per year was Tk. 301142.103. It was found that the variable cost per farm per year stood at Tk. 238728.73 which accounted for 79.28 percent of total cost. The total fixed cost per farm per year accounted to Tk. 62413.373. The net return over total cost per farm per year was calculated at Tk. 130257.90. The benefit cost ratios of broiler farming were 1.80 on variable cost basis and 1.43 on total cost basis. The functional analysis indicated that most of the selected variables had significant impact on the production of broiler farms. This study also identified some economic, marketing, technical, social and natural problems in broiler production. Finally, on the basis of findings of this study, some recommendations were made for the development of broiler farming in Bangladesh

Is depression a concern among medical students: a cross sectional study in different academic years of a private medical college in Bangladesh

Background: Depression is not uncommon among medical students all over the world. Few studies have been conducted so far in Bangladesh to depict its actual prevalence and severity. So, the aim of this study was to assess the severity of depression and the level of difficulty faced by medical students in different academic years.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in North East medical college of Bangladesh from January 2018 to June 2018 involving 443 students from 1st year to 5th year. Students were instructed to fill up the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) which incorporates diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) depression diagnostic criteria categorized as no, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression and also evaluates their level of function.Results: The prevalence of depression was quite high (79.68%). 196 (44.24%) and 157 (35.44%) students had mild and major depression respectively, while 90 (20.32%) showed no depression. Students with major depression were scored as moderate depression 24.38%, moderately severe depression 8.35%, and severe depression 2.71%. Moderate depression was significantly higher in year 1 and year 2 students in comparison to year 3, 4 and 5. Students from year 1 to year 5 with mild, moderate, moderately severe and severe depression experienced varying degree of difficulty in their daily activities. Almost all the students in all years with severe depression found themselves very difficult or extremely difficult to cope.Conclusions: High prevalence of depression among medical students is really alarming and underlying factors need to be addressed

Jenis Burung di Area Reklamasi PT Adaro Indonesia yang Direvegetasi Tahun 1996/1997

The species richness of birds had been documented in an observation period, but this preliminary data was inadequate.Additional data were needed so the result could be utilized as a standard to measure the success of reclamation and revegetation. The aim of the research was to update the species richness of birds inthe ex-coal-mining area reclaimed and revegetatedin 1996/1997 andto compare bird species among observation periods (PP).The birds were observed in 3 PPsthrough observation plot andwalking survey in the habitat type of acasia forest (HA), sengon forest (HS), trembesi forest (HT), mixed forest (HC), shrub - bush (SB), open land – grasses (LTPR), andwaters (PA). Bird status was categorized in accordance with valid regulations. Overall 76 bird species were found, but the number fluctuated in every PP. There were47 species in PP-1,62 in PP-2, and61 in PP-3. Of 76 species, 16 speciesare protected by PP 7/1999; 2 speciesare vulnerable, 3 are near threatened, andothers are least-concern species according to IUCN; 5 speciesare in Appendice II andothers are non-appendiceaccording to CITES; and36speciesare likely to be residents.Species andthe number of birds in the revegetated area of 1996/1997 were not as much as those of the primary (undisturbed) forest, but could be used as a minimumstandard for the other reclamation and revegetationareasin the concession of PT Adaro Indonesi

Quantitative and morphological characteristics of the human corneal endothelium in relation to age, gender, and ethnicity in cataract populations of South Asia

Purpose: To describe the differences of corneal endothelial cell densities, cell size variability and cell hexagonality in cataract populations of south Asia between sexes and ethnic groups. Methods: 1,235 eyes of 1,235 male and female patients 40-75 years of age with senile cataract were examined with non contact specular microscopy with semi-automated analysis technique. The cell data of the study population was analyzed in relation to age, sex, and ethnic groups. Mean arithmetic differences and the coefficient of variation of repeated observations were calculated to estimate precision of the technique utilized. The main outcome measures were corneal endothelial cell density, cell size variability and cell hexagonality. Results: The mean corneal endothelial cell density was 2,720 cells/mm2, mean cell size variability was 37.8% and percent cell hexagonality 40%. We found statistical significant difference between the three ethnic populations in all the corneal endothelial cell measurements (p < 0.0001). Females had a 2.9% greater cell density than males (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in mean cell density according to age. Variability of cell size, however, increased with age (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent across the three ethnic groups. Conclusions: In a total sample of 1,235 eyes distributed evenly in three cataract patient populations of south Asia, we found statistically significant differences of corneal endothelial cell densities of cell size variability and cell hexagonality between sexes and ethnic groups

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN DHAKA CITY: POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

The study was conducted to explore the root causes and impacts of current traffic jams and suggest an appropriate strategy to wipe out this problem of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. A mixture of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies was considered for data collection and analysis. The study shown the causes of traffic congestion of Dhaka, namely, inefficacy and poor execution rate of current traffic code of practice, existence of too many regulatory authorities, violation of traffic rules, defective planning of city roads, excessive vehicles, illegal occupancy of roads and footpaths, want of communication set-up and logistic provision, inadequacy of traffic management team and shortage of public vehicles. It was exposed by the study that Dhaka's traffic situation is not friendly for improved living standard. Environmental risks, severe air and sound pollutions and serious loss of public health are the end results of Dhaka's traffic jam. Moreover, both micro and macro economical situation of Bangladesh is being exaggerated due to this problem. The study strongly recommended that an up-to-date and integrated strategy is needed to cope-up the current traffic chaos of Dhaka. Initiation of subway, introduction of road pricing/congestion charge, construction of bypass roads for inter-city connectivity, investment of adequate public money, steps for regain the illegally occupied footpaths, more construction of communication infrastructure, ban of rickshaw and other non-motorized vehicles, increase of public awareness program, logistic support and public bus are identified by the study as potential solutions of Dhaka's congestion.  Article visualizations

Electron-impact ionization of hydrogen and lithiumlike systems

The electron impact single ionization cross sections on a number of targets with atomic number Z=1-92 in the H and Li isoelectronic sequences are calculated using a modified version of the recently propounded relativisitic improved binary-encounter dipole (MRIBED) model [M. A. Uddin , Phys. Rev. A 70, 032706 (2004); 71, 032715 (2005)]. The modified RQIBED (MRIBED) model along with a Z-dependent factor in it is found remarkably successful in the applications to H- and Li-like systems and also valid for the ionization of a filled s orbit including the He-like targets

Computation of electron-impact K-shell ionization cross sections of atoms

The total cross sections of electron impact single K-shell ionization of atomic targets, with a wide range of atomic numbers from Z=6-50, are evaluated in the energy range up to about 10 MeV employing the recently proposed modified version of the improved binary-encounter dipole (RQIBED) model [Uddin , Phys. Rev. A 70, 032706 (2004)], which incorporates the ionic and relativistic effects. The experimental cross sections for all targets are reproduced satisfactorily even in the relativistic energies using fixed generic values of the two parameters in the RQIBED model. The relativistic effect is found to be significant in all targets except for C, being profound in Ag and Sn

Electron-impact ionization of L-shell atomic species

Electron impact ionization cross sections (EIICS) of 30 L-shell targets, with open- and closed-shell configurations in the isoelectronic sequences ranging from Li to Ne, are evaluated using the generalized parameters of our recent modification of BELL formula (MBELL) [Haque , Phys. Rev. A 73, 012708 (2006)]. Three sets of parameters, one each for the 1s, 2s, and 2p orbits, provide an excellent account of the experimental EIICS data of atomic targets, neutral and ionic, up to the atomic number Z=92 and incident energies up to about 250 MeV. In comparison with the quantum mechanical predictions, it is found that the present MBELL cross sections are in better agreement with the experimental results

PAMAM Dendrimers as Promising Nanocarriers for RNAi Therapeutics

Therapeutics based on RNA interference mechanisms are highly promising for the management of several diseases including multi-drug resistant cancers. However, effective delivery of siRNAs and oligonucleotides still remains challenging. In this regard, hyper-branched, PAMAM dendrimers having unique three-dimensional architecture and nanoscale size, with cationic surface charge can potentially serve as siRNA condensing agents as well as robust nano-vectors for targeted delivery. In addition, their surface functionality permits conjugation of drugs and genes or development of hybrid systems for combination therapy. Thus far, in vitro cellular testing of dendrimer-mediated siRNA delivery has revealed great potential, with reports on their in vivo effectiveness starting to appear. These favorable outcomes portend a promising future for dendrimer mediated RNAi therapeutics

Elastic scattering of electrons and positrons from In-115 atoms over the energy range 1 eV-0.5 GeV

We present a theoretical study on the calculations of various cross sections related to the scattering of electrons and positrons from indium atoms. Our calculations cover the energy range 1 eV <= E-i <= 0.5 GeV. We have employed two approaches, applicable for two domains of energy, based on the Dirac partial-wave analysis. In one approach, we have used both the atomic and nuclear potentials to calculate the cross sections for the low and intermediate energies. The other approach, valid for the high-energy scattering, utilizes only the nuclear potential for the phase-shift analysis, and considers the magnetic scattering from the nucleus too. We report the calculations of differential, integral, momentum-transfer and viscosity cross sections along with the spin asymmetries for the elastic scattering of electrons and positrons. Moreover, we have analyzed the critical minima in the elastic differential cross sections, and also computed the absorption and total cross sections. Our results agree reasonably with the available experimental data and other calculations