Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Bangladesh: A Cointegration Analysis

This paper investigates the long-run relationship between GDP and FDI in Bangladesh for a period of 42 years ranges from 1972 to 2013 by using time series econometric technique. The empirical results show that there is a significant positive correlation between GDP and FDI. The results also show that FDI and GDP are cointegrated in the long-run. For the supplement of the results of cointegration analysis, this study also examine the causal relationships by using Granger causality test and find strong evidence for unidirectional causality running between GDP through FDI in the long run. Keywords: FDI, GDP, Unit Root, Cointegration, Granger Causality

Growth promotion and cell binding ability of bovine lactoferrin to Bifidobacterium longum

Lactoferrin, a major whey protein of human milk, is considered as growth promoter for bifidobacteria, the predominant microorganisms of human intestine. In the present study, in vitro growth promotion and cell binding ability of bovine lactoferrin to several strains of Bifidobacterium longum have been demonstrated. A dose-dependent as well as strain-dependent growth promotion effect by lactoferrin was observed. Cell binding ability of lactoferrin was inspected under an inverted confocal laser scanning microscope by incubation bacterial cells with biotinylated bovine lactoferrin and FITC-conjugated avidin. Fluorescence staining showed bovine lactoferrin binding to ail tested strains. A lactoferrin-binding protein with a molecular weight of approximately 67 kDa was also detected in the extracted membrane and cytosolic fraction of each B. longum strain by far-Western blot technique using biotinylated lactoferrin and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin. Based on these results, we suggest that existence of lactoferrin-binding protein could be a common characteristic in bifidobacteria. It can also be hypothesized that lactoferrin-binding protein in bifidobacteria is not only involved in growth stimulation mechanism but also could play different roles

Underlying mechanisms involved in the decrease of milk secretion during Escherichia coli endotoxin induced mastitis in lactating mice

Mastitis, the inflammation of mammary glands resulting from bacterial infection, disrupts milk production in lactating mammary glands. In this study, we injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one of the endotoxins from Escherichia coli into mouse mammary glands to disrupt milk production, and we investigated the influence of LPS on nutrient uptake, synthesis, and secretion processes for milk component production in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). The expression of genes relevant to the three-staged milk component production process (nutrient uptake, synthesis, and secretion of milk components) were down-regulated within 12 h after LPS injection in AEC. The internalization of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) from the basolateral membrane to the cytoplasm occurred in accordance with the down-regulation of gene expression 3 h after LPS injection. The abnormal localization of adipophilin and beta-casein was also observed in the LPS-injected mammary glands. SLC7A1, an amino acid transporter, was up-regulated 3 and 6 h after LPS injection. Furthermore, the inactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and the activation of STAT3 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkappaB) occurred 3 h after LPS injection. These results indicate that the nutrient uptake, synthesis, and secretion of milk components in AEC are rapidly shut down in the lactating mammary glands after LPS injection

Renewable energy in the UK Anatomy of a Government programme

Study initially prepared for Block 4 of OU 3rd level course 'Design and Innovation' (T-362) 1986Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:8873.7245(TPG-OP--9) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Dyeing of Polyester with 4-Fluorosulfonylphenylazo-5-pyrazolone Disperse Dyes and Application of Environment-Friendly Aftertreatment for Their High Color Fastness

Dyeing and fastness properties of a series of 4-fluorosulfonylphenylazo-5-pyrazolone dyes on polyester were investigated in this study. The 4-nitrophenylazo-5-pyrazolone dyes were also synthesized to compare their dyeing and fastness properties on polyester with those of fluorosulfonyl-substituted analogues. The substantivity of 4-arylazo-5-pyrazolone derivatives containing a p-fluorosulfonyl group in the diazo component was lower than that of their nitro analogues which have a higher extinction coefficient and higher affinity because of the polar nitro group. They showed relatively hypsochromic color and lower chroma on polyester compared with their nitro analogues because of the relatively weaker electron-accepting power of the fluorosulfonyl group compared to the nitro group. Disperse dyeing of polyester with 4-fluorosulfonylphenylazo-5-pyrazolone disperse dyes achieved high color fastness and reduces the adverse environmental impact of the dyeing process by providing the option of performing alkali clearing instead of reductive clearing, which has high biological oxygen demand when discharged into the dyeing effluent and generates carcinogenic aromatic amines

Impact of seaweed on growth performance, sperm quality and testicular histomorphology of ram

Sperm quality is critical for male fertility, which is largely dependent on testicular development; however, nutrition is critical for optimal growth, gonadal development, and reproductive functions. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Gracilaria parvispora, a red seaweed on growth performance, testicular physiology, and semen quality in ram. Fifteen indigenous rams, weighing 10-11 kg and aged 12-13 months, were randomly allocated into three groups. One group was considered as control and supplied with German grass and concentrate mixture (control diet). The other two groups were provided with control diet plus seaweed mixture either at 7 g/d or 14 g/d. The starting body weight, scrotal circumferences and semen quality of rams were similar for all groups. However, post-treatment, both the seaweed-treated groups showed significantly higher body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, and increased scrotal circumference and testicular dimensions, compared to control group. Moreover, the semen parameters, including sperm concentration, live sperm percentage, mass motility and progressive motility were observed to be significantly increased, while decreasing abnormal sperm percentage in the seaweed-treated group. Furthermore, DPPH and ABTS scavenging abilities, and in vitro fertilization rate were significantly increased in seaweed treated groups. Additionally, the testicular histology of seaweed treated groups revealed a thinner tunica albuginea with expanded seminiferous tubules containing higher number of spermatogenic cells inside. These findings suggested that seaweed G. parvispora could be a valuable dietary supplement for enhancing the growth and reproductive performance of ram. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2024; 7(2.000): 420-432

Claudin-3 localization around the apical-most regions before and after LPS injection.

<p>The left column shows the immunostaining images of claudin-3 (green) and nuclear staining with DAPI (blue) in mammary glands non-treated (0 h) and 3, 6, and 12 h after LPS injection. The middle and right columns show the merged images with occludin (red) and bright field. Arrows indicate the localization of claudin-3 in the absence of occludin around the apical membrane after LPS injection. Scale bars: 20 µm (left and middle columns) and 5 µm (right column).</p