Determinants of improved chickpea variety adoption in high barind region of Bangladesh

Chickpea production in Bangladesh has been decreasing over time. Comprehensive farmlevel adoption of modern chickpea varieties can change the scenario. This paper endeavours to ascertain the determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of improved chickpea variety in the high barind region of Bangladesh. The outcomes from Cragg’s double hurdle model showed that organization membership, information sources, crop diversification index, and village location are the crucial factors that positively influenced both the adoption and adoption level. Farmers with organization membership are 15.5% more probable to adopt improved chickpea while by adding one more information source, the adoption probability can be increased by 6.3%. Meanwhile, women’s decisions, training, credit accessibility, and farm size have effects only in favour of initial adoption. The adoption probability is approximately 15% more in the household where women can participate in the decision-making process. Adopters with higher formal education, off-farm income, and mobile usage capability devote a greater proportion of their land to the improved variety cultivation. Strengthen of the network among farmers and their information sources should be emphasized to stimulate the diffusion process of the improved chickpea variety. Besides, training should be available for both female and male of the farm families since women also affect the adoption decision. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(1): 56-63, June 202

Efficacy of D-cycloserine augmented brief intensive cognitive-behavioural therapy for paediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: A randomised clinical trial

Objective: To examine the efficacy of weight-adjusted D-cycloserine (DCS) (35 or 70 mg) relative to placebo augmentation of intensive exposure therapy for youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, and examine whether antidepressant medication or patient age moderated outcomes. Methods: Youth (n = 100, 7–17 years) with OCD were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either DCS + exposure (n = 49) or placebo + exposure (n = 51). Assessments occurred posttreatment, 1 month later, and at 3 and 6 months. Pills were ingested immediately before sessions. Results: Significant improvements on all outcomes were observed at posttreatment, and to 6-month follow-up. Treatment arms did not differ across time, with no significant time-by-medication interactions on symptom severity (T1 to T2 estimate: 9.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −11.2 to −7.4, and estimate −10.7, 95% CI: −12.6 to −8.7), diagnostic severity (T1 to T2 estimate: −2.0, 95% CI: −2.4 to −1.5 and estimate −2.5, 95% CI: −3.0 to −2.0) or global functioning (T1 to T2 estimate: 13.8, 95% CI: 10.6 to 17.0, and estimate 16.6, 95% CI: 13.2 to 19.9). Neither antidepressants at baseline nor age moderated primary outcomes. There were significantly fewer responders/remitters at 1- and 6-month follow-up among youth in the DCS condition stabilised on SSRIs, relative to youth not taking SSRIs. Conclusions: DCS augmented intensive exposure therapy did not result in overall additional benefits relative to placebo. Intensive exposure proved effective in reducing symptoms for the overall sample

Evaluating women\u27s knowledge of the combined oral contraceptive pill in an Australian rural general practice setting

Background: In addition to the contraceptive action of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), there are a number of other benefits to its use such as menstrual cycle regulation. However, COCP use is also associated with a higher risk of thromboembolism. Despite the prevalence of COCP use, studies have indicated that overall women have poor knowledge of the COCP. Aim: To evaluate women\u27s knowledge of the COCP in a rural general practice setting. The extent of knowledge was assessed in several domains including: COCP use and effectiveness, mechanism of action, and the risks and benefits of COCP use. Methods: An observational study design was utilised. Women aged 18-50 years self-selected to complete an anonymous survey at a general practice in rural NSW. Women who were currently using, had previously used, or had never used the COCP were invited to participate. Women using a progesterone-only contraceptive were excluded. A total knowledge score on the usage and effects of the COCP was calculated for each participant by assessing responses to 34 questions for an overall score out of 34. Results: A total of 80 surveys were completed revealing that 98% of respondents used the COCP at some time in their lives with almost 29% being current users. The mean total knowledge score for all participants was 14.4 (SD = 4.9) out of a possible 34 (range: 5 - 26). There was no significant difference in total knowledge score between current and previous users (p = 0.56). Conclusion: The women surveyed in this study appear to have substantial gaps in their knowledge of the COCP. This study provides insight into specific knowledge areas that require further education and clarification during COCP counselling sessions (especially those conducted by a GP) to encourage improved knowledge of the COCP by women in this particular setting

Combination of community-based vulnerability and adaptation to storm surges in coastal regions of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and rising sea-level. This is because it is located at the northern end of the funnel-shaped Bay of Bengal, and as a consequence it has experienced a number of severe storm surges in the last three decades. The inhabitants of the coastal region are very poor, and the surges have pushed them to a "tipping-point"; that is, the point of desperation which is exacerbating the socio-economic threats to their existence. The study reported here aimed to explore the perceptions of coastal communities with regard to vulnerability and adaptation (V & A) strategies in four different areas of Bangladesh in order to reduce their vulnerability to future storm surges. After reviewing the impact assessment guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United States Country Studies Program (USCSP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the researchers applied the Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) method (a behavioural environmental decision-making tool) to survey 160 participants in four case-study areas, with 20 participants in two sessions in each case. The evaluation of V & A was implemented and prioritised in this study by a measuring scale, called the "weighted matrix index". This study not only considered the integrated assessment of V & A but it also classified the levels of vulnerability and adaptation in different categories. Additionally, it provides a comparative picture of the vulnerabilities for similar risks in different types of communities. These key aspects demonstrate and emphasise that adaptation policy needs to be implemented immediately in Bangladesh in order to reduce and manage future vulnerability in the coastal region under the potential climate change regimes.Md Aboul Fazal Younus, Sabrina Shahrin Sharn

Determinants of improved chickpea variety adoption in high barind region of Bangladesh

Chickpea production in Bangladesh has been decreasing over time. Comprehensive farm-level adoption of modern chickpea varieties can change the scenario. This paper endeavours to ascertain the determinants of adoption and adoption intensity of improved chickpea variety in the high barind region of Bangladesh. The outcomes from Cragg’s double hurdle model showed that organization membership, information sources, crop diversification index, and village location are the crucial factors that positively influenced both the adoption and adoption level. Farmers with organization membership are 15.5% more probable to adopt improved chickpea while by adding one more information source, the adoption probability can be increased by 6.3%. Meanwhile, women’s decisions, training, credit accessibility, and farm size have effects only in favour of initial adoption. The adoption probability is approximately 15% more in the household where women can participate in the decision-making process. Adopters with higher formal education, off-farm income, and mobile usage capability devote a greater proportion of their land to the improved variety cultivation. Strengthen of the network among farmers and their information sources should be emphasized to stimulate the diffusion process of the improved chickpea variety. Besides, training should be available for both female and male of the farm families since women also affect the adoption decision

Comparative analysis of chickpea with boro rice in drought-prone areas of Bangladesh

The study is conveyed to compare the profitability of chickpea and boro rice in Rajshahi district, which is one of the most drought-prone areas of Bangladesh. In this study, a total of 180 farmers (90 chickpea growers and 90 boro rice growers) are used as sample respondents, and data were collected by using a structured questionnaire in 2019. A probit regression model is used to find out the determinants that affect the cultivation of chickpea and boro rice. The important finding of this study is that the Benefit-Cost Ratio for chickpea and boro rice production is 1.88 and 1.05, respectively. The results indicate that chickpea cultivation is more profitable than boro rice cultivation. Besides, the study reveals that occupation, farm size, and seed have a positive impact while family size, human labor, and irrigation have negative effects on farmer’s decision to cultivate chickpea cultivation rather than boro rice. It is, therefore, concluded that the farmers should be encouraged to grow more chickpea rather than boro rice as a means of increasing farm income through crop diversification program

Neurodevelopmental therapy adherence in Australian parent-child dyads: the impact of parental stress

Families with neurodevelopmental disorders engage in varied types of therapies to address behavioural, communication and cognitive challenges. Research suggests that consistent therapy adherence predicts positive therapy outcomes. The present study examined therapy adherence in 55 parent-child dyads where all children had been diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, and/or ID. Parents completed questionnaires assessing demographics, therapy type, adherence to child treatment, parental stress, and challenging child behaviour. The researchers proposed a new scale, the Child Therapy Adherence Scale (CTAS), which initial testing supported as a reliable measure of therapy adherence. Significant relationships were found between parental stress, annual household income and therapy adherence, with parental stress being a notably strong predictor of therapy adherence. No significant relationships were observed between child challenging behaviour, single parent status and therapy adherence. These findings have implications for practitioners, in that parent levels of stress and demographic influences may impact capacity to adhere to recommended home practice and interventions for children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Dewatering properties of dual-polymer-flocculated systems

This work examines the effect of dual-polymer flocculation on the compressive yield stress and hindered settling function of positively charged alumina suspensions as measured by a pressure filtration technique. The primary aggregates were formed using a short-chain poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) under two different shear mixing conditions at pH 5. This resulted in two types of aggregates with different mass fractal dimension and size. These aggregates were further flocculated using either a cationic or an anionic long-chain polymer at the same pH. A filtration study of these dual-polymer-induced aggregates showed that there may exist an optimum dosage for the second polymer, which results in the lowest final cake moisture. Dual-polymer flocculation was found to result in lower compressive yield stresses than that found for the case of single, high-molecular-weight polymer flocculation. This gave rise to lower final cake moistures for the dual-polymer-flocculated systems (28.3% w/w) compared to the case of the single, high-molecular-weight polymer-flocculated system (34.7% w/w). The filtration rate was high for the dual-polymer systems in most cases. In addition, the polymer dosage required to achieve good supernatant clarity was decreased from that of the single-polymer case when dual polymers were used. The use of dual-polymer flocculants of opposite charge was found to give an improvement in final cake moisture over that achieved using dual polymers of like charge. The structural characteristics of the primary aggregates were also found to have a significant influence on the dewatering properties of the dual-polymer-induced aggregates. Under the conditions used, large, open primary aggregates led to final flocs with lower cake moisture and faster filtration rate. It is envisaged that optimisation of industrial dewatering processes in this way can result in considerable savings in transportation and enhanced product value

The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Neurodevelopment

The maternal diet during pregnancy is a key determinant of offspring health. Early studies have linked poor maternal nutrition during gestation with a propensity for the development of chronic conditions in offspring. These conditions include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even compromised mental health. While multiple factors may contribute to these outcomes, disturbed epigenetic programming during early development is one potential biological mechanism. The epigenome is programmed primarily in utero, and during this time, the developing fetus is highly susceptible to environmental factors such as nutritional insults. During neurodevelopment, epigenetic programming coordinates the formation of primitive central nervous system structures, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Dysregulated epigenetic programming has been implicated in the aetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. Accordingly, there is great interest in determining how maternal nutrient availability in pregnancy might affect the epigenetic status of offspring, and how such influences may present phenotypically. In recent years, a number of epigenetic enzymes that are active during embryonic development have been found to require vitamin C as a cofactor. These enzymes include the ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases (TETs) and the Jumonji C domain-containing histone lysine demethylases that catalyse the oxidative removal of methyl groups on cytosines and histone lysine residues, respectively. These enzymes are integral to epigenetic regulation and have fundamental roles in cellular differentiation, the maintenance of pluripotency and development. The dependence of these enzymes on vitamin C for optimal catalytic activity illustrates a potentially critical contribution of the nutrient during mammalian development. These insights also highlight a potential risk associated with vitamin C insufficiency during pregnancy. The link between vitamin C insufficiency and development is particularly apparent in the context of neurodevelopment and high vitamin C concentrations in the brain are indicative of important functional requirements in this organ. Accordingly, this review considers the evidence for the potential impact of maternal vitamin C status on neurodevelopmental epigenetics