Efficiency of maternal milk on morbidity at newborns with very low body weight at birth

Scientific supervisor: E.K. Redk

Effect of stocking density on the production of common carp (Cyprinus carpio Lin.) in cages at Kaptai lake, Bangladesh

Growth, survival and food conversion ratio (FCR) of Cyprinus carpio in cages at different stocking density were studied in Kaptai lake. Fingerlings of common carp (12.47 ± 4.29 g) were stocked at 25/m2 , 50/m2 and 75/m2 each with replication in six floating net cages each of Sm x Sm x 4m and reared for 240 days. The growth rate was inversely related to the stocking density with the mean weights of 325.5 ± 11.74 g, 268.99± 8.44 g and 167.0 ± 11.66 g at low, medium and high densities, respectively. At harvest, standing crop biomass averaged 7 .82, 12.83 and 11.58 kg with the survival of 98.9%, 97.6% and 94.4% and food conversion ratios of 4.51, 3.82 and 4.21 for the above three densities, respectively. Weight gain and production at density 25 fish/m 2 were significantly different (p< 0.01) from other two densities. Water quality was not affected in the cages having different stocking densities

Efficacy and safety of pre-operative single dose parenteral tranexamic acid in moderately anaemic parturients undergoing caesarean section

Background: Preoperative administration of Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been found to be effective in reducing the amount of blood loss following Caesarean section in low risk women. However, studies in high risk women such as women with anaemia, where blood loss needs to be minimised are scarce.Methods: An experimental case control study was conducted with a total of 174 patients with moderate anaemia undergoing CS in a teaching hospital. Study group consisting of 87 patients received pre-operative TXA 1g intravenously. Intra operative and up to 6hours postpartum blood loss was calculated in both the groups. Requirement of blood transfusions were noted. Data analysed using Graphpad Instat® 3 statistical software.Results: Present study showed statistically significant reduction in intraoperative and postoperative blood loss among patients who received TXA compared to control group. The blood loss from placental delivery till completion of the procedure was significantly lowered (304.02ml vs 393.36ml; p value <0.0001). Postoperative blood loss (from end of the procedure up to 6hrs postpartum) was 62.57ml in comparison to 85.40ml in control group (p value <0.0001). The total blood loss from the placental delivery up to 6 hours postpartum was significantly reduced in study group (366.59ml vs 478.76ml; p value <0.0001). There was significant reduction of blood transfusion in study group (RR: 0.20, 95% CI, 0.045-0.887), without immediate adverse effect on mothers and new-borns.Conclusions: Administration of TXA preoperatively causes significant decrease in blood loss and the need for blood transfusion in patients with moderate anaemia undergoing CS.

A novel compact broadband quasi-twisted branch line coupler based on a double-layered microstrip line

A novel quasi-twisted miniaturized wideband branch line coupler (BLC) is proposed. The design is based on bisecting the conventional microstrip line BLC transversely and folding bisected sections on double-layered substrates with a common ground plane in between. The input and output terminals, each with a length of λg/4, and the pair of quarter-wavelength horizontal parallel arms are converted into a Z-shaped meandered microstrip line in the designed structure. Conversely, the pair of quarter-wavelength vertical arms are halved into two lines and transformed into a periodically loaded slow-wave structure. The bisected parts of the BLC are placed on the opposite side of the doubled-layer substrate and connected through four vias passing through the common ground plane. This technique enabled a compact BLC size of 6.4 × 18 mm2, which corresponds to a surface area miniaturization by ~50% as compared to the classical BLC size of 10 × 23 mm2 at 6 GHz. Moreover, the attained relative bandwidth is 73.9% (4.6–10 GHz) for S11, S33, S21, and the phase difference between outputs (∠S21 − ∠S41). However, if a coupling parameter (S41) of up to −7.5 dB is considered, then the relative bandwidth reduces to 53.9% (4.6–10 GHz) for port 1 as the input. Similarly, for port 3 as the input, the obtained bandwidth is 75.8% (4.5–10 GHz) for S33, S11, S43, and the phase difference between outputs (∠S43 − ∠S23). Likewise, this bandwidth reduces to 56% (4.5–8 GHz) when a coupling parameter (S23) of up to −7.5 dB is considered. In contrast, the relative bandwidth for the ordinary BLC is 41% at the same resonant frequency. The circuit is constructed on a double-layered low-cost FR4 substrate with a relative permittivity of 4.3 and a loss tangent of 0.025. An isolation of −13 dB was realized in both S13 and S31 demonstrating an excellent performance. The transmission coefficients between input/output ports S21, S41, S23, and S43 are between −3.1 dB to −3.5 dB at a frequency of 6 GHz. Finally, the proposed BLC provides phase differences between output ports of 90.5° and 94.8° at a frequency of 6 GHz when the input ports 1 and 3 are excited, respectively. The presented design offers the potential of being utilized as a unit cell for building a Butler matrix (BM) for sub-6 GHz 5G beamforming networks

Nutrition: Basis for Healthy Children and Mothers in Bangladesh

Recent data from the World Health Organization showed that about 60% of all deaths, occurring among children aged less than five years (under-five children) in developing countries, could be attributed to malnutrition. It has been estimated that nearly 50.6 million under-five children are malnourished, and almost 90% of these children are from developing countries. Bangladesh is one of the countries with the highest rate of malnutrition. The recent baseline survey by the National Nutrition Programme (NNP) showed high rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting. However, data from the nutrition surveillance at the ICDDR, B hospital showed that the proportion of children with stunting, underweight, and wasting has actually reduced during 1984–2005. Inappropriate infant and young child-feeding practices (breastfeeding and complementary feeding) have been identified as a major cause of malnutrition. In Bangladesh, although the median duration of breastfeeding is about 30 months, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding until the first six months of life is low, and practice of appropriate complementary feeding is not satisfactory. Different surveys done by the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation (BBF) showed a rate of exclusive breastfeeding to be around 32-52%, which have actually remained same or declined over time. The NNP baseline survey using a strict definition of exclusive breastfeeding showed a rate of exclusive breastfeeding (12.8%) until six months of age. Another study from the Abhoynagar field site of ICDDR, B reported the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding to be 15% only. Considerable efforts have been made to improve the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Nationally, initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, feeding colostrum, and exclusive breastfeeding have been promoted through the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) implemented and supported by BBF and UNICEF respectively. Since most (87-91%) deliveries take place in home, the BFHI has a limited impact on the breastfeeding practices. Results of a few studies done at ICDDR, B and elsewhere in developing countries showed that the breastfeeding peer-counselling method could substantially increase the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. Results of a study in urban Dhaka showed that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was 70% among mothers who were counselled compared to only 6% who were not counselled. Results of another study in rural Bangladesh showed that peer-counselling given either individually or in a group improved the rate of exclusive breastfeeding from 89% to 81% compared to those mothers who received regular health messages only. This implies that scaling up peer-counselling methods and incorporation of breastfeeding counselling in the existing maternal and child heath programme is needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of improving child survival. The recent data showed that the prevalence of starting complementary food among infants aged 6-9 months had increased substantially with 76% in the current dataset. However, the adequacy, frequency, and energy density of the complementary food are in question. Remarkable advances have been made in the hospital management of severely-malnourished children. The protocolized management of severe protein-energy malnutrition at the Dhaka hospital of ICDDR, B has reduced the rate of hospital mortality by 50%. A recent study at ICDDR, B has also documented that home-based management of severe protein-energy malnutrition without follow-up was comparable with a hospital-based protocolized management. Although the community nutrition centres of the NNP have been providing food supplementation and performing growth monitoring of children with protein-energy malnutrition, the referral system and management of complicated severely-malnourished children are still not in place

Impact of metals on corrosive behavior of biodiesel-diesel- ethanol(BDE) alternative fuel

Corrosive behavior of biodieseledieseleethanol (BDE) fuel blends upon exposure to metals, namely, mild steel, copper and aluminum was studied by static immersion at room temperature and 60 �C. The change of fuel properties, i.e., total acid number, density, viscosity, calorific value, flash point, and color changes were investigated. Moreover, fuel compositional changes, such as water content, oxidation product level, and metal elements in the fuel blends were examined. Finally, the effect of fuel blends on corrosion rate (CR), morphology of corrosion products, and chemical structure of metals were studied. Results revealed that the CR of metals in BDE fuels is in the order: aluminum < mild steel < copper at both temperature conditions. The degradation of fuel properties and corrosion rate of metals in BDE fuel blends are lower than neat biodiesel (B100), whereas higher than petroediesel (B0). Corrosiveness of B20D75E5 is lower than B20D70E10 upon exposure to metals

Compatibility of Elastomers in Biodiesel-diesel-bioethanol Blend (BDE)

The present study aims to investigate the impact of biodiesel-diesel-bioethanol (BDE) blended fuel on the degradation behavior of elastomers such as nitrile rubber (NBR) and polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE). Static immersion test in B20D75E5 blends (20% biodiesel, 75% diesel and 5% bioethanol) at 50°C for 200 h was carried out. At the end of immersion test, degradation behaviour of elastomers was investigated by measuring mass, volume and hardness. The exposed surface of elastomers was studied using optical microscope (OM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out to identify the chemical and structural changes in the elastomers. Moreover, physical and chemical characteristics of the fuel blend after the immersion test such as total acid number (TAN), density and colour change were also investigated. Results showed that the degradation of NBR was high compared to PTFE

Algae personification toxicity by GC–MASS and treatment by using material potassium permanganate in exposed basin

AbstractThis study was conducted to address algal toxins using potassium permanganate through the control of biomass growth of algae under following conditions value 25±1 °C illumination intensity value 245microeinstein/m2/s, using the culture media Chu-10 Modified for the purpose of development algae. We treated algal toxins belonging to groups of Neurotoxins, Hepatotoxins, Pyriproxyfen, Emodin, Brevetoxins-10 (A) and Cytotoxins using concentrations of potassium permanganate represented by 2, 4, 8 and 16mg/l with alum concentration for each concentration of 30mg/l, as the removal rate reached to 100% of the toxin blooms in concentrations of 8 and 16mg/l respectively, through the examination of algal toxins mediated by GC–MASS compared to the standard, which diagnosed a range of algal toxins with C2H3C12NO formulas of synthetic C9H13NO2, C18H27NO3, C11H12N2O6, C11H17N3O, C10H17N3O, C9H15Br2NO, CH4N2O2, C11H17NO2, C13H9BrN2O3, C3H7NO4S, C20H29NO3, C15H10O5, C4H8O2 and C2H2Cl3NO the concentrations 2 and 4mg/l turned toxic compounds into non-toxic compounds represented by C7H6O2, C5H6N2O, C12H11ClO4, C6H6O2, C12H10O4, C10H17N, C4H6O2 and C5H6N2O. The results showed reduced primary productivity of algae chlorophyll a result of substance to stop chloroplast for vital activity through the influence of the concentration of potassium permanganate values 0.571, 1.142, 0.583 and 1.713mg/l respectively, compared to the standard of 114.2mg/l. As diagnosed types of Algae producing toxins are represented by Microcystis aeruginosa, Microcystis flosaquae, Oscillatoria amoena, Oscillatoria amphibian, Oscillatoria boryana, Oscillatoria limnetica, Oscillatoria perornata, Phormidium ambiguum, Lyngbya digueti, Lyngbya major, Lyngbya nordgaadii, Lyngbya spirulinoides, Nostoc carneum, Nostoc spongiforme, Anabaena augstumalis, Chroococcus indicus and Chroococcus minor, as the dry weight of live Algae producing toxins is 17.342g/l