Temporal variations of sex ratio and growth pattern of critically endangered catfish Clupisoma garua from the Ganges river of north-western Bangladesh

647-653This research work states the temporal variations of sex ratio (SR), length-frequency distributions (LFDs), growth type based on length-weight relations (LWRs) and length-length relations (LLRs) of Clupisoma garua from the Ganges river of north-western Bangladesh. A total of 1200 specimens (male=630, female=570) were sampled using traditional fishing gears during May 2014 to April 2015. Then, total length (TL), standard length (SL) and fork length (FL) were taken to about 0.1 cm, and body weight (W) was taken to 0.1 g accuracy. The overall SR (male: female=1.0:0.90) did not vary statistically from the expected ratio of 1:1 (df =1, χ2 = 3.00, p>0.05). However, monthly variations of SR indicate males were higher in each month except June-August when females were greater in percentage. The LFDs showed that in males C. garua, ranged from 3.8-25.9 cm TL and females 3.9-26.3 cm TL. The LFDs for both sexes did not pass the normality; and Mann-Whitney U-test showed significant differences between sexes (pbvs. FL and TL vs. SL) of C. garua were highly significant (pr2 values >0.975. Finally, the findings of this study will be helpful for fishery biologists and conservationists to recommend adequate policy for the sustainable fishery of C. garua in the Ganges river and surrounding ecosystem

Morphometric and meristic traits of three ambassid fish species (Chanda nama, Parambassis lala and Parambassis ranga)

398-405This research describes the first complete and inclusive information on morphometric and meristic characteristics of three Ambassid species (Chanda nama, Parambassis lala and Parambassis ranga) from the Mathabhanga River collected during August 2017 to July 2018. In our study, range of the total length was 2.0–7.2 cm for C. nama; 1.7-3.9 cm for P. lala and 1.9-6.4 cm for P. ranga. All length-weight relationships were highly significant (p r2 values ≥ 0.900 (except W vs. PrDL relationship in P. lala, where, r2 = 0.861). Also, all length-length relationships were highly correlated with r2 values being ≥ 0.900. Based on r2 value, W vs. FL and TL vs. FL was best fitted model for all the three species among the 11 equations. The calculated fin formula is: dorsal, D. 21–22 (VIII/13–14); pectoral, P1. 8–10 (2/6–8); pelvic, P2. 6 (I/5); anal, A. 17-18 (III/14–15); and caudal, C. 20–22 (4/16–18) for C. nama; D. 20–21 (VIII/12–13); P1. 8–9 (1-2/7); P2. 6 (I/5); A. 16-18 (III/13–15); C. 18–20 (4-6/14) for P. lala and D. 20–21 (VIII/12–13); P1. 9–10 (2/7–8); P2. 6 (I/5); A. 18-20 (III/15–17); C. 22–24 (4-6/18) for P. ranga. These outcomes will be a functional tool for identification of Ambassid fishes up to species level in any water-bodies of Bangladesh as well as in the adjacent countries

Association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with exposures in the workplace. We aimed to assess the association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 28 823 adults (≥40 years) in 34 countries. We considered 11 occupations and grouped them by likelihood of exposure to organic dusts, inorganic dusts and fumes. The association of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, dyspnoea, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC with occupation was assessed, per study site, using multivariable regression. These estimates were then meta-analysed. Sensitivity analyses explored differences between sexes and gross national income. Results Overall, working in settings with potentially high exposure to dusts or fumes was associated with respiratory symptoms but not lung function differences. The most common occupation was farming. Compared to people not working in any of the 11 considered occupations, those who were farmers for ≥20 years were more likely to have chronic cough (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19–1.94), wheeze (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.63) and dyspnoea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.53–2.20), but not lower FVC (β=0.02 L, 95% CI −0.02–0.06 L) or lower FEV1/FVC (β=0.04%, 95% CI −0.49–0.58%). Some findings differed by sex and gross national income. Conclusion At a population level, the occupational exposures considered in this study do not appear to be major determinants of differences in lung function, although they are associated with more respiratory symptoms. Because not all work settings were included in this study, respiratory surveillance should still be encouraged among high-risk dusty and fume job workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

T-way strategy for sequence input interactions test case generation adopting fish swarm algorithm

In Combinatorial Input Interaction (CII) based system, the increasing number of input event causes the increasing number of test cases. Since twenty years many useful t-way strategies have been developed to reduce test case size. In order to reduce test cases several T-way sequence input interaction strategies are explored, such as, Bee Algorithm(BA), Kuhn encoding (K) , ASP with Clasp , CP with Sugar, Erdem (ER) exact encoding, Tarui (TA) Method, U, UR, D and DR, Brain (BR). However, none of them claim that for all test configuration the produced test cases are best. The reason is that the T-way sequence input interaction is NP-Hard problem. In this research, Fish Swarm algorithm is proposed to adapt with T-way sequence input interaction test strategy. The proposed system is compared with the other renowned search-based Tway strategies. The result shows that the proposed system is able to generate feasible and optimal results

Development of a context specific accreditation assessment tool for affirming quality midwifery education in Bangladesh

OBJECTIVE: using the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) Global Standards for Midwifery Education as a conceptual framework, the aim of this study was to explore and describe important 'must haves' for inclusion in a context-specific accreditation assessment tool in Bangladesh. DESIGN: A questionnaire study was conducted using a Likert rating scale and 111 closed-response single items on adherence to accreditation-related statements, ending with an open-ended question. The ICM Global Standards guided data collection, deductive content analysis and description of the quantitative results. SETTING: twenty-five public institutes/colleges (out of 38 in Bangladesh), covering seven out of eight geographical divisions in the country. PARTICIPANTS: one hundred and twenty-three nursing educators teaching the 3-year diploma midwifery education programme. FINDINGS: this study provides insight into the development of a context-specific accreditation assessment tool for Bangladesh. Important components to be included in this accreditation tool are presented under the following categories and domains: 'organization and administration', 'midwifery faculty', 'student body', 'curriculum content', 'resources, facilities and services' and 'assessment strategies'. The identified components were a prerequisite to ensure that midwifery students achieve the intended learning outcomes of the midwifery curriculum, and hence contribute to a strong midwifery workforce. The components further ensure well-prepared teachers and a standardized curriculum supported at policy level to enable effective deployment of professional midwives in the existing health system. KEY CONCLUSIONS: as part of developing an accreditation assessment tool, it is imperative to build ownership and capacity when translating the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education into the national context. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: this initiative can be used as lessons learned from Bangladesh to develop a context-specific accreditation assessment tool in line with national priorities, supporting the development of national policies

Life-history traits of Pool barb <em>Puntius sophore</em> (Cyprinidae) in different ecosystems of Bangladesh

1446-1454This study describes the life history traits of Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) including, length frequency distributions (LFDs), length-weight relationships (LWRs), length-length relationships (LLRs), condition factors (allometric, KA; Fulton′s, KF; relative, KR and relative weight, WR), form factor (a3.0), first sexual maturity (Lm) and natural mortality (MW) from different ecosystems of Bangladesh. The LFDs were significantly different between the ecosystems (P b) of LWRs (TL vs. BW) indicated positive allometric growth in the Padma River and in the earthen pond (b > 3.0), but isometric growth was found in the Khoilla beel (b ≈ 3). All LWRs were highly significant (P r2 values are ≥ 0.931. The ANCOVA stated that, the LWRs were significantly difference between the ecosystems (P KF was best for assessing the wellbeing of this species in the surrounding ecosystems. The WR was not significantly different from 100 indicating the habitats were still in good condition for P. sophore. Calculated a3.0 were 0.0162, 0.0225 and 0.0125 in the River, pond and beel, correspondingly. The estimated Lm was 5.60 cm TL in River, 6.30 cm TL in pond and 4.90 cm TL in beel and MW was 1.45, 1.48 and 1.81 year-1 in the River, pond, beel respectively. The findings i.e. growth pattern, relative weight, size at sexual maturity, mortality etc. of this study will be effective for the implications of sustainable management policies and to initiate stock assessment practices in the worldwide different ecosystem