Synthesis, Characterization and Structure-Property Relationship of Alkali Metal Tungsten Bronzes

Series of LixWO3 (x = 0.1-0.6) bronzes have been synthesized by solid state synthesis method. Samples with a composition of x = 0.1 (Li0.1WO3) crystallize as perovskite-type tungsten bronze showing orthorhombic symmetry (Pcnb), whereas for x = 0.4-0.6 single phases of cubic symmetry (Im-3) were found. A mixture of two phase products (Pcnb and Im-3) are observed for x = 0.2 and 0.3. Polycrystalline samples of Li0.4WO3 bronzes produced at 973 K for 168 h using a pressure of 10-7 MPa resulted in pure phases showing Im-3 symmetry while using a pressure greater than 10-7 MPa always led to mixed phases showing Im-3 and Pm-3m symmetry. Polycrystalline samples of tantalum and vanadium substituted hexagonal tungsten bronzes of potassium or rubidium (HTB´s) with nominal compositions of A0.3(W1-yTay)O3 (A = K or Rb, y = 0-0.3), A0.3(W1-yVy)O3 (A = K or Rb, y = 0-0.18), and K0.3(W1-yTay/2Vy/2)O3 (y = 0-0.3) were synthesized by solid state reactions at 10-7 MPa and 1073 K. The K-HTB series samples crystallize in space group P6322 while Rb-HTB could be described in space group P63/mcm

Training of caregiver for home care management of stroke survivor at low resource setting

This study was carried out to see whether caregiver training to attendees during hospital stay can better address the stroke survivor at home. In total 119 admitted patients hailed from remote villages were randomly selected from a private neurology hospital in Dhaka and were divided into two groups. One group had caregiver training and another group without training. All the patients were assessed for Barthel index at discharge and after 2 months. Barthel index in Group A during discharge was 6.2 ± 4.0 and at follow-up was 56.4 ± 9.0. The index in Group B was 4.9 ± 4 during discharge and 28.2 ± 7.8 at follow-up. Results were statistically significant. In conclusion, this study reveals the positive effects of caregiver training in the post-acute care management of stroke survivors at home

Training of caregiver for home care management of stroke survivor at low resource setting

This study was carried out to see whether caregiver training to attendees during hospital stay can better address the stroke survivor at home. In total 119 admitted patients hailed from remote villages were randomly selected from a private neurology hospital in Dhaka and were divided into two groups. One group had caregiver training and another group without training. All the patients were assessed for Barthel index at discharge and after 2 months. Barthel index in Group A during discharge was 6.2 ± 4.0 and at follow-up was 56.4 ± 9.0. The index in Group B was 4.9 ± 4 during discharge and 28.2 ± 7.8 at follow-up. Results were statistically significant. In conclusion, this study reveals the positive effects of caregiver training in the post-acute care management of stroke survivors at home

Non-cash payment method using QR codes in an automated microcontroller-based vending machine

This thesis report is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2014.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis report.Includes bibliographical references (page 42).The purpose of this thesis project is to implement a micro-controller-based automated vending machine which uses codes as a method for authorization of payments of online accounts to implement a non cash payment method for a contact less mobile payment system. Once a user places his/her order in the vending machine a QR (quick response) code is generated which holds all of the information of the user's order. An application is used to scan that QR code. The QR code once scanned with that application, populates the information of the order and sends that information to a web server only after the user’s approval for using their online account for payment. This web server takes this input from the user and processes the payment. The transaction is made from the web server with an online payment platform which holds the user's account. After the transaction is made, a second QR code, which stores the user's order information and authorization, is sent to the user's application from the server. User displays the QR code and it is scanned by the vending machine's scanner to release the desired product(s) thus making the process contact less.Md. Shahidur RahmanShamiha Yeasin BintuSidratul AmanB. Electrical and Electronic Engineerin

Prevalence and Therapeutic Efficacy of Anthelmintic against Neoascaris vitulorum in Buffalo Populations from Sylhet District of Bangladesh

Background and Objectives: The epidemiological features of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffaloes are important to know their transmission and risk factors assessment as well treatment regimens. This study was conducted with the objectives of determining the prevalence of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffaloes in Sylhet district of Bangladesh and to evaluate the efficacy of anthelmintics against the parasite. Materials and Method: A total of 211 fecal samples were collected from buffaloes and examined for the detection of parasitic eggs during the period from July 2017 to June 2018. For the determination of therapeutic efficacy, animals were randomly divided into 6 groups (T0, Ti, T1, T2, T3, T4) where each group consisting of 3 buffaloes. The group T0 (negative control-non infected) and Ti (positive control-infected) were treated only with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The other four infected groups were treated as T1 with albendazole, T2 with piperazine citrate, T3 with ivermectin and T4 with combination of tetramisole HCL and oxyclosanide. Before trials day 0 and after treatment of 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days fecal samples examined using McMaster technique. Results: The overall prevalence was estimated 17.06% (36/211). The prevalence was higher among buffalo calves of below six months (39.28%) followed by 6 months to 1 year, 1 to 2 years and above 2 years as 25%, 22.5% and 7.20% respectively. The infection rate was high in females (20.0%) than males (13.18%). The parasite was more prevalent in rainy (21.42%) than summer (16.67%) and winter (14.29%) seasons. The EPG results revealed piperazine citrate was the most effective (100%) against Neoascaris vitulorum. The percent efficacies of other anthelmintic used in this study were albendazole, ivermectin and combination of tetramisole HCL and oxyclozanide as 95.49%, 86.20% and 95.58% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffalo at Sylhet district of Bangladesh was relatively high. The results revealed that piperazine citrate, tetramisole HCL and oxyclozanide combination are highly effective for the reduction of egg per gram (EPG) of Neoascaris vitulorum infection in buffalo. On the other hand ivermectin and albendazole were also around ninety percent effective respectively

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of Antimicrobial Resistance in Citrobacter freundii Isolated from Domestic Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in Bangladesh

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Citrobacter freundii poses a serious challenge as this species is one of the sources of nosocomial infection and causes diarrheal infections in humans. Ducks could be the potential source of multidrug-resistant (MDR) C. freundii; however, AMR profiles in C. freundii from non-human sources in Bangladesh have remained elusive. This study aimed to detect C. freundii in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in Bangladesh and to determine their phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns. A total of 150 cloacal swabs of diseased domestic ducks were screened using culturing, staining, biochemical, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) to detect C. freundii. Phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns were done by the disk diffusion method and PCR, respectively. In total, 16.67% (25/150) of the samples were positive for C. freundii. C. freundii isolates showed a range of 20% to 96% resistance to cefotaxime, gentamicin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, ampicillin, and cephalexin. More than 60% of the isolates were phenotypically MDR, and the index of multiple antibiotic resistance ranged from 0.07 to 0.79. Genes encoding resistance to beta-lactams [blaTEM-1-88% (22/25), blaCMY-2-56% (14/25), blaCMY-9-8% (2/25), and blaCTX-M-14-20% (5/25)], sulfonamides [sul1-52% (13/25), sul2-24% (6/25)], tetracyclines [tetA-32% (8/25) and tetB-4% (1/25)], aminoglycosides [aacC4-16% (4/25)], and fluoroquinolones [qnrA-4% (1/25), qnrB-12% (3/25), and qnrS-4% (1/25)] were detected in the isolated C. freundii. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Bangladesh to detect MDR C. freundii with their associated resistance genes from duck samples. We suggest addressing the burden of diseases in ducks and humans and associated AMR issues using the One Health approach

Nonconformity Assessment in Building Construction Projects: A Fuzzy Group Decision-Making Approach

Construction nonconformity assessment of buildings is critical to ensure the anticipated quality and living safety for their future occupants. Previous studies have paid less attention to identifying and analyzing building construction nonconformities (BCNs) in the design and construction (D&amp;C) phases. They considered expert judgments in nonconformity assessment, which are critiqued for human bias, uncertainty, and imprecision. In a BCN assessment, previous studies also did not consider the specific time frame to detect construction nonconformities. This study aims to prioritize nonconformities in the D&amp;C phases, addressing the limitations of expert judgment by applying the fuzzy group decision-making approach (FGDMA). The FGDMA computes the defuzzified scores of the nonconformities to prioritize and identify critical nonconformities. The defuzzified scores are explained further by associating them with the corresponding fuzzy numbers to address the limitations involved in expert judgments. The study also identifies the detection time of BCNs and analyzes 15 different Bangladeshi project scenarios to understand their context better. The critical nonconformities identified include premature stressing on concrete, inaccurate water-cement ratios, insufficient concrete compaction, lack of full-time site supervision, and the absence of stirrups in beam-column joints. Critical nonconformities are mostly identified during construction, and residential, commercial, and multipurpose buildings, regardless of ownership (i.e., public or private) and size, have experienced poor quality construction. This study will assist major stakeholders (owner, contractor, consultant, and regulatory authorities) to fully understand the critical nonconformities in different building projects from their preconstruction to construction phases for better quality assurance in providing a safe living and working environment for their future occupants. Practical Applications: The study identifies critical nonconformities and their frequency, severity, and detection times in different construction projects, including residential, commercial, and multipurpose buildings and mosques. It also studies 15 different project scenarios for analyzing the nonconformities of government and privately funded/owned buildings. The most common nonconformities are premature stressing on concrete (loading to concrete members before gaining their design strength), inaccurate water-cement ratios, insufficient concrete compaction, and the absence of stirrups in beam-column joints. These nonconformities all occur due to lack of full-time site supervision and poor workmanship during construction. The dominating detection time for identifying the critical nonconformities is "during construction."Thus, it is possible to control many by careful supervision and improved workmanship during construction. The project scenario analysis shows that residential, commercial, and multipurpose buildings, regardless of ownership (i.e., public or private), experience poor quality construction. These findings will assist stakeholders with different engagement levels in managing their roles in building projects to deliver a better quality of construction, and hence a sustainable and safe living and working environment. </p

Community-Based Rehabilitation in Bangladesh, Health Components Need to be Integrated with Primary Health Care

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is defined as a strategy within general community development for the rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, poverty reduction and social inclusion of people with disabilities. The role of CBR is to work closely with the health sector to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities and their family members are addressed in the areas of health promotion, prevention, medical care, rehabilitation and assistive devices. CBR also needs to work with individuals and their families to facilitate their access to health services and to work with other sectors to ensure that all aspects of health are addressed. Health components of CBR as per WHO guidelines are grossly neglected in Bangladesh. Some government and non-government organizations are working independently, but health components are inadequately addressed. We observed that primary health care, if integrated with medical rehabilitation of disabled, will better address the need and help bring disabled into mainstream of development. Health care providers at grass root level need to be trained in CBR activities which can be arranged centrally with health ministry, social welfare ministry and rehabilitation specialists. In this review we have tried to reveal the health components of CBR in global and Bangladesh context and importance of integrating health components of CBR with primary health care

Non-Pharmacological Treatment Options for Patients with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a generalized chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread pain and tenderness to palpation at multiple anatomically defined soft tissues and associated with depression, anxiety, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, chronic fatigue, and autonomic dysfunction. In 2010, American College of Rheumatology modified classification criteria defined in 1990. This is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in physician’s chambers. For lack of specific pharmacological treatment options, non-pharmacological treatment modalities are found to have some immediate efficacy and a variable efficacy in the long term. We searched literatures and reviewed randomized controlled trials for possible predictors of outcome in fibromyalgia. The effects of non-pharmacological interventions are limited and positive outcomes largely disappear in the long term. However, within the various populations with fibromyalgia, treatment outcomes showed considerable individual variations. Subgroups of patients with high levels of psychological distress may benefit from non-pharmacological interventions. Some of the relevant published articles demonstrated the beneficial effects of non-pharmacological treatment options, specially exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy and alternative and complementary medicine, in the context of non-availability of specific pharmacotherapy