Analysis of 2D Spatial Filtering of Simulated Muscle Action Potential Using Grid Arrays

Surface grid electrode is a noninvasive technique, which can be utilized for topographic analysis of EMG signals. In this study, an innovative spatial filtering technique is proposed in the form of grid electrodes to enhance the selectivity of surface EMG signal considering the effect of intermediate tissue layers between source and recording electrode. A simulation algorithm is developed to generate complete profile of single fiber action potential (SFAP) using previously derived mathematical model and published clinical data. A multiple-layer model is investigated in order to determine the potential distribution at the skin, fat and muscle surface based on the solution of the Poisson equation in spatial frequency domain. The arbitrary constants of the solution are determined by imposing the boundary conditions. The characteristics of subcutaneous fat and skin tissues are incorporated in the SFAP model to develop a systematic approach to select an appropriate inter-electrode distance of two dimensional grid arrays in order to eliminate spatial aliasing and distortion. The minimum grid spacing is determined by satisfying the Nyquist criterion for spatial sampling. The subcutaneous tissue layers reduce the frequency contents and attenuate the amplitude of the potential distribution at muscle surface. A two dimensional spatial filter is designed by manipulating the inverse of transfer function of fat and skin in order to compensate their spatial widening effect. The inverse transfer function is approximated to represent it in the form of filter mask for a discrete grid array. This spatial filtering technique is also investigated to eliminate the effect of a particular thick anisotropic medium inside muscle

Topical application of hemostatic paste

As a measure to control minor surgical bleeding, surgeons usually depend on a number of hemostatic aids. Topical use of bovine thrombin is a widely used procedure to arrest such minor bleeding. A 35 year old male sergeant of Bangladesh Air Force presented with repeated development of hematoma in his left thigh without any history of trauma or previous history of bleeding. Critical analysis of the patients history, routine and sophisticated hematological investigations revealed that the patient developed anti-thrombin antibody following the application of hemostatic paste in the tooth socket five years back during minor dental procedure to stop ignorable bleeding episodes. Therefore, topical use of hemostatic glue/paste or bovine thrombin should be avoided to desist minor bleeding as recombinant human thrombin is now available for topical use

Determinants of vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children: A hospital based case-control study

Background: Risk factors of vitamin D deficiency among children have been identified in many developed countries but not yet in some developing countries like Bangladesh. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the determinants of vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children.  Methods: This case-control study was conducted at 2 paediatric hospitals in Dhaka city from January to June 2017. We recruited 198 vitamin D deficient cases and 198 apparently healthy controls. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS, where quantitative variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The association between vitamin D deficiency with different lifestyle and dietary factors were analyzed by using Chi-square test. A 2-tailed p-value less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to confirm the association.  Results: The study revealed that not playing outdoor games (OR=3.09; 95% CI 1.46, 6.54), playing video/ TV/mobile games (OR=4.14; 95% CI 1.97-8.67), no sun exposure (OR=2.42; 95% CI 1.25-4.67), no milk consumption (OR=3.01; 95% CI 1.38-6.57), no sea fish consumption (OR=2.20; 95% CI 1.19-4.08) and not exclusively breastfeeding (OR=2.03; 95% CI 1.14-3.63) were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency.  Conclusion: We concluded that improper lifestyles and nutritional habits are the key determinants of Vitamin D deficiency among Bangladeshi children. Strategy for hypovitaminosis D prevention should be implemented immediately, which includes vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants and ensuring adequate maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy. Also an awareness program should be initiated to promote a healthy lifestyle and to improve nutritional habits.&nbsp

WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE TOURISTS’ DECISION TO VISIT ECOTOURISM DESTINATIONS IN BANGLADESH?

Ecotourism has been recommended for multiple outcomes that foster environmental protection in developing nations. Tourism studies have revealed that ecotourism has several setbacks in Bangladesh, resulting in environmental difficulties, security issues and tourists’ unwillingness to visit destinations. Therefore, this paper examines the factors of destination image, perceived risk, and travel motivation to foresee tourists’ selection of ecotourism destinations in Bangladesh. The framework of this study is built upon the “Stimulus-Response Model of Buyer Behaviour” to address the knowledge gap. A total of 364 usable responses were collected from the tourists. The data were examined using SPSS for primary analysis and SEM-AMOS for hypothesis testing. The findings suggest that a proper image and motivation would encourage tourists to visit ecotourism destinations

Acetogenic Pretreatment as an Energy Efficient Method for Treatment of Textile Processing Wastewater

This chapter will introduce the concept of a novel application of acetogenic pretreatment of textile processing wastewater. Acetogenic pretreatment is traditionally limited to high solids, easy to degrade wastewater to enhance degradation for methane generation. The application of the acetogenic process to a complex wastewater from textile processing facilities is novel and has the potential to remove color, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand in an energy efficient manner compared to the existing extended aeration processes applied in the industry. The application of the acetogenic process can be achieved to existing treatment facilities with minimum retrofit. The acetogenic operation will ensure the treatment process becoming greener with a small carbon footprint to achieve the goal of efficient wastewater treatment

What makes customer purchase intention for hypermarket products in Malaysia?

This study intends to discover factors affecting customers’ purchase intention to visit hypermarkets in Malaysia. The primary objective of this study is to understand the variables that affect customers’ hypermarket buying intention. Therefore, it will examine the relationships between TPB model variables and buying intention. It is determined that the suggested theory of planned behaviour (TPB) is suitable for predicting customer intention and examining the relationships between variables. The quantitative method and convenience sampling technique will be used for this study with a maximum of 300 participants using a structured questionnaire through an online survey. Data analysis will begin with an assessment of the demographic characteristics of the respondents and shift to descriptive statistics. The hypotheses will be tested using regression analysis through SPSS statistical analysis program. Finally, this study will provide valuable insight into the growing number of hypermarket sectors requiring in-depth investigation and assistance to the management in establishing strong client relationships

In vitro evaluation of antibiotic performances on Trichoderma harzianum and some crop infecting fungi

An in vitro experiment was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics at different concentrations on growth and development of Trichoderma harzianum, Phytophthora infestans, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Corticium theae and Fusarium oxysporum found in tea plantation. Three samples viz. sample-1 (Validamycin 60% w/w) @ 45, 60 and 75 ppm, sample-2 (Hexaconazole 2.5% w/w+Validamycin 8.5% w/w) @ 55, 82.5 and 110 ppm and sample-3 (Streptomycin 9% w/w+Tetracyclin hydrochloride 1% w/w) @ 50, 75 and 100 ppm were tested. The result showed that Antibiotics have inhibitory effects on T. harzianum. Unsatisfactory performances in terms of per cent growth inhibition (<80) were recorded on crop infecting fungi. C. theae treated with sample-1 @ 75 ppm and C. gloeosporioides with sample-2 @ 110 ppm had shown maximum 25.50 and 54.19 per cent growth inhibition, respectively. The highest 70.53 per cent growth inhibition of C. theae was observed in sample-3 treated @ 100 ppm. Considering the findings it can be recommended not to use above antibiotics with their respective concentrations in plant agriculture for controlling diseases caused by the said fungi

Musculoskeletal Manifestations of COVID-19:A Systematic Search and Review

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) started its journey from Wuhan, China and gradually became a pandemic. COVID-19 often affects the respiratory system, but symptoms may include fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, arthritis, spine-, and bone pain as presenting complaints. In the present systematic search and review, we aim to highlight the musculoskeletal manifestations during COVID-19.Methods: Using PubMed Central and Google Scholar search engines, we used as key words “muscle pain”, “joint pain”, “body ache”, “fatigue”, in Covid-19 patients. Results: After screening, a total of 76 articles were included following inclusion criteria dated between January 1 and July 1, 2020. All articles were published in English comprising 36558 COVID-19 cases. In cross sectional studies, fatigue was found in 55%, myalgia in 26%, and arthralgia in 20%, respectively. In cohort studies, fatigue was found in 35%, myalgia in 15%, and arthralgia in 5%, respectively. Sporadic case reports also mention back pain, bone pain, myositis and arthritis as presenting symptoms of COVID-19.Discussion: Fatigue was the most frequent musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestion of COVID-19 followed by myalgia and joint pain. The frequency of the different MSK manifestations in COVID-19 may vary widely among different geographic regions.Conclusions: MSK like fatigue, myalgia and arthralgia are frequent symptoms in COVID-19 patients and may vary in different countries

Musculoskeletal pain and physical health status among confirmed COVID-19 patients of Bangladesh

COVID-19 pandemic is now a great headache for the world population. Respiratory symptoms are the main presentation of COVID-19. However, musculoskeletal pain, headache, loss of taste and smell sense, and neurological manifestations may occur. Identification of patterns of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and physical health status in COVID-19 is crucial. In this cross sectional study, a total 380 individuals with COVID-19 were recruited from the population following selection criteria. Pain varied widely in hip, neck, leg and calf muscles, back and spine, shoulder, arms and hand, and other parts of the body among the respondents. Inconstant, among respondents of younger age group (aged ≤50 year), 37.59% had moderate pain, 6.77% had severe pain, 13.91% had mild pain, and 41.17% had no pain. On the other hand, among older respondents (aged >50 year) 47.37% had moderate pain, 25.44% had severe pain, 13.15% had mild pain, and 14.03% had no pain. The differences between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in frequency of pain between males and females. Those respondents who had pain was reported having physical health worse than the average compared to that of those who had no pain. BSMMU J 2021; 14 (COVID -19 Supplement): 1-