The Impact of Investment Decision Quality of Islamic Banks in Bangladesh: A Critical Review

The study investigates investment decision quality of Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Five financial ratios are selected for measuring investment performances of selected banks. Deposits and credits do not always ensure better profitability performance and operational efficiency and asset utilization. CAR and Tire_1 ratio do not differ significantly at Islamic banks in last five years. The researchers have found that there is a satisfactory improvement in bank’s credit quality in last five years despite of certain fluctuations. It is also worth mentioned that investment quality of Islamic banks is much better than that of conventional banks in Bangladesh. Key words:  Investment decision, LSRNPL , LSRTL, Bangladesh

Genetic diversity analysis of some Bangladeshi aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) using simple sequence repeat markers (SSRM)

In order to germplasm management, conservation, parental identification and proper utilization of aromatic rice germplasm of Bangladesh genetic diversity assessment and molecular characterization is necessary. We used ten microsatellite markers across twenty aromatic rice landraces along with four improved varieties to discriminate and characterize among them. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with an average of 4.30 alleles across 10 loci. A total of 43 polymorphic alleles were detected. The values of Polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.217 to 0.835 (average 0.495) which indicate high genetic diversity among the studied aromatic rice genotypes. It was concluded by the PIC value of RM5339 that it might be the finest marker for diversity estimation and characterize of these aromatic rice genotypes, followed by RM334, RM414 and RM28502 markers. The UPGMA cluster dendrogram constructed in this study identified seven clusters with a correlation coefficient 0.874. Molecular characterization of aromatic rice landraces of Bangladesh exhibited large variations among the genotypes. Five rice genotypes namely BRRI dhan38, BRRI dhan50, Bashmoti safed, Malaysira, Khas-kani showed highest genetic dissimilarity among the studied rice genotypes. The findings of this study would be useful for background selection in backcross breeding programs for aromatic rice improvement as well as identification of genetically distant and genetically close accessions for maintenance and conservation

Wear prevention characteristics of a palm oil-based TMP (trimethylolpropane) ester as an engine lubricant

This paper presents the experimental results carried out to evaluate wear prevention characteristics of a palm oil-based TMP (trimethylolpropane) ester using a four-ball machine for different regime of lubrication. The TMP ester is produced from palm oil, which is biodegradable and has high lubricity properties such as a higher flash point temperature and VI (viscosity index). Three different regimes of lubrications are investigated, which hydrodynamic, elasto hydrodynamic and boundary lubrications. Under these test conditions, the wear and friction characteristics of different TMP samples are measured and compared. For boundary lubrication, it is found that up to 3% addition of Palm oil-based TMP ester in OL (ordinary lubricant) decreases the maximum amount of WSD (wear scar diameter) and reduces (COF coefficient of friction) up to 30%. Highest amount of load (220 kg) carrying capacity was also found from the contamination of 3% TMP. For hydrodynamic lubrication, addition of 7% of TMP reduces the friction up to 50%. It is well known that mechanical efficiency of machinery component increases with decreasing COF. The results of this investigation will be used to develop new and efficient lubricant to substitute the petroleum-based lubricant partially for automotive engine application

Credit Exposure and Lending Decision Quality of Private Commercial Banks in Bangladesh: An Empirical Analysis

The main focus of this paper is to examine empirically the level of credit exposure and lending decision quality of local private commercial banks in of Bangladesh during the period of 2007-2011. Five financial ratios are selected for measuring credit performances of selected banks. By applying one way ANOVA it is found that NPLTL. LSRTL and LSRNPL ratios differ significantly while CAR and Tire_1 ratio do not differ significantly between conventional banks and Islamic banks in last five years. The empirical study also found that there is a satisfactory improvement in banks’ credit quality in last five years despite of certain fluctuations. It is also worth mentioned that level of credit exposure and quality of Islamic banks is much better than that of conventional banks in Bangladesh in last. Keywords: Credit Exposure, Lending decision, Non-performing loan, Capital Adequacy rati

In Hospital Outcome of Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Background: Patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction and diabetes have a poor prognosis. Objectives: To see the in-hospital outcome of acute anterior myocardial infarction in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet over a period of two years from July 2015 to June 2017. A total of 100 acute anterior MI patients (50 diabetic and 50 non diabetic) were included in this study. Acute anterior MI patients admitted after 6 hours of symptom onset or who did not receive streptokinase were excluded. Results: Male predominance was obvious in both groups [40 (80%) versus 42 (84%); p>0.05] in diabetic and non-diabetic group respectively. Mean age was 53.34 ± 11.32 and 54.84 ± 14.12 years in diabetic and non-diabetic groups respectively. Dyslipidemia [6 (12%) versus 6 (12%); p >0.05], Smoking [32 (64%) versus 34 (68%); p >0.05] and Family history of cardiovascular disease [6 (12%) versus 4 (8%); p >0.05] were similar among diabetic and non-diabetic respectively. Hypertension was found more among non-diabetic [27 (54%) versus 19 (38%); p>0.05] but difference was not statistically significant. Diabetic group had more Apical Anterior MI [22 (44%) versus 19 (38%); p<0.05] and Extensive Anterior MI [20 (40%) versus 11 (22%); p<0.05] while non-diabetic group had more Septal MI [10 (20%) versus 3 (6%); p<0.05] and Mid Anterior MI [10 (20%) versus 4 (8%); p<0.05]. LV ejection fraction was found significantly low in diabetic patients [43.96 ± 5.95 versus 53.68 ± 6.36; p<0.01]. Killip Class III was more in diabetic [24 (48%) versus 9 (18%); p<0.01] and Killip Class I was more in non-diabetic group [18 (36%) versus 3 (6%); p<0.01] according to Killip classification of HF which was statistically significant between the two groups. Atrial Fibrillation was more in diabetics [6 (12%) versus 1 (2%); p<0.05] while sinus tachycardia was more among non-diabetics [20 (40%) versus 5 (10%); p<0.05] which are statistically significant. Diabetic group had more acute MR [2 (4%) versus 0 (0%); p>0.05] but was not significant. Death was more in diabetic group than that of non-diabetic group [7 (14%) versus 3 (6%); p>0.05] but it was statistically not significant. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that in hospital outcomes of acute anterior myocardial infarction are worse in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients

A study on the corrosion characteristics of internal combustion engine materials in second-generation jatropha curcas biodiesel

The corrosiveness of biodiesel affects the fuel processing infrastructure and different parts of an internal combustion (IC) engine. The present study investigates the corrosion behaviour of automotive materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, cast iron, and copper in 20% (B20) and 30% (B30) by volume second-generation Jatropha biodiesel using an immersion test. The results were compared with petro-diesel (B0). Various fuel properties such as the viscosity, density, water con-tent, total acid number (TAN), and oxidation stability were investigated after the immersion test using ASTM D341, ASTM D975, ASTM D445, and ASTM D6751 standards. The morphology of the corroded materials was investigated using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy SEM), whereas the elemental analysis was carried out using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The highest corrosion using biodiesel was detected in copper, while the lowest was detected in stainless steel. Using B20, the rate of corrosion in copper and stainless steel was 17% and 14% higher than when using diesel, which further increased to 206% and 86% using B30. After the immersion test, the viscosity, water content, and TAN of biodiesel were increased markedly compared to petro-diesel. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Evaluation of impact of measles rubella campaign on vaccination coverage and routine immunization services in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Like other countries in Asia, measles-rubella (MR) vaccine coverage in Bangladesh is suboptimal whereas 90-95 % coverage is needed for elimination of these diseases. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) of the Government of Bangladesh implemented MR campaign in January-February 2014 to increase MR vaccination coverage. Strategically, the MOHFW used both routine immunization centres and educational institutions for providing vaccine to the children aged 9 months to <15 years. The evaluation was carried out to assess the impact of the campaign on MR vaccination and routine immunization services. METHODS: Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations were done before and after implementation of the campaign. Quantitative data were presented with mean (standard deviation, SD) for continuous variables and with proportion for categorical variables. The overall and age- and sex-specific coverage rates were calculated for each region and then combined. Categorical variables were compared by chi-square statistics. Multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of coverage associated with covariates, with adjustment for other covariates. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: The evaluations found MR coverage was very low (<13 %) before the campaign and it rose to 90 % after the campaign. The pre-post campaign difference in MR coverage in each stratum was highly significant (p < 0.001). The campaign achieved high coverage despite relatively low level (23 %) of interpersonal communication with caregivers through registration process. Child registration was associated with higher MR coverage (OR 2.91, 95 % CI 1.91-4.44). Children who attended school were more likely to be vaccinated (OR 8.97, 95 % CI 6.17-13.04) compared to those who did not attend school. Children of caregivers with primary or secondary or higher education had higher coverage compared to children of caregivers with no formal education. Most caregivers mentioned contribution of the campaign in vaccination for the children not previously vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the evaluation indicated that the campaign was successful in terms of improving MR coverage and routine immunization services. The evaluation provided an important guideline for future evaluation of similar efforts in Bangladesh and elsewhere

Migrant workers in Malaysia: does gain outweigh pain?

The study is to identify the condition of migrant workers in Malaysia by looking at the case of workers from Bangladesh who migrates to Malaysia in search of employment. One of the primary reasons they want work abroad either temporarily or permanently is because Malaysia has offers a long term benefit for their skills and exposure to a different culture and practices. Their joyful experiences were often unnoticed as it goes hand in hand with the prejudices of their difficult working journey. Their agony of this minority of immigrant apparently caught more attention compared to the pleasure

Platelet-rich fibrin to manage different periodontal defects combine with Flap surgery and other uses in dentistry. A descriptive review

In these days, periodontal diseases are very much common in Asian subcontinent especially in Bangladesh, due to some relevant factors that is more prevalent in this country. Most of the time patient neglect their condition and ultimately loss their teeth. Even after doing phase 1 therapy that is scaling, polishing with antimicrobial agents, it could not heal the periodontal condition with advanced bone destruction or clinical attachment loss. Therefore, after proper oral hygiene maintenance therapy, different flap surgery should consider. . In recent study, it is found that platelet rich fibrin (PRF) PREPARED From the patient’s Own blood and then placement within defect could enhance the early healing procedure. This PRF membrane is also used in a variety of discipline in dentistry, including regenerative surgery. This PRF membrane is now used in a variety of disciplines in dentistry, including regenerative surgery and enhancing early healing. The goal of this study is to critically analyze and appraise the currently available research with an emphasis on the use of PRF in regenerative periodontal surgery. An electronic search was conducted (PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, BanglaJOL, Cochrane library). Various combinations of the following keywords were used: ‘prf’, ‘prf membrane’, ‘periodontal regenerative surgery’, ‘prf in dentistry’, ‘systemic diseases and periodontitis’, ‘drawback of prf’, ‘platelet-derived growth factors’, ‘prf in oms’, ‘prf in orthodontics’. Articles were searched until August 2021 All of these studies reveal that the PRF membrane enhances the healing of various defects in a variety of periodontal diseases and in several fields of dentistry. Studies are going on pulp regeneration and socket healing after extraction with PRF in dentistry. More emphasis should have to give to the prevention of periodontal diseases as well as more concern should have to give on PRF with flap surgery to enhance healing and improve the social health of the general population by preventing tooth loss and for different research purposes on PRF in different other fields of dentistry in Bangladesh

IN-VIVO CHARACTERIZATION OF TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN CONTENT, LIPID PROFILE AND ENZYMATIC PROPERTY OF BALAJIRAKADI KVATHA CURNA (BLJ) IN ALBINO RAT PLASMA

The study was devised to evaluate the effect of total protein, albumin content, enzymatic property and lipid profile in rats plasma after chronic administration of Balajirakadi Kvatha Curna (BLJ), a classical Ayurvedic preparation that is widely used in cough. The drug was administered per oral route at a dose of 40 ml/kg of the body weight for 45 consecutive days. Eight-week old albino rats (Rattus novergicus : Sprague - Dawley strain,) of both sexes, bred and maintained at the Animal House of the Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University were used for the experiment. All experiments on rats were carried out in absolute compliance with the ethical guide for care and use of laboratory animals. After the administration of BLJ preparation for a period of 45 days, the following biochemical parameters (protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, HDL, sGPT sGOT and ALP) in the plasma of both the male and female rats were determined. An increased level of Total protein, the Albumin content and triglyceride in the plasma found in the both male and female rats, none of these changes were significantly different from their corresponding control values but noticeable. On the contrary in both female and male rats the decreased level in the total Cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and HDL was noticed and among which Total Cholesterol and VLDL are significant. Surprisingly the LDL content was almost similar to the corresponding control value and decrease in HDL was not significant. A statistically very highly significant increase in the sGPT sGOT and ALP activities in the plasma of male rats was found while in the female rats it has been showed a statistically very highly significant decrease in sGPT and sGOT but ALP activities in the plasma was statistically insignificant