Comparative Analysis of Compression Molded Products of Recycled Waste Poly(Vinyl Chloride) and Virgin Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Fill Material

Waste poly(vinyl chloride) fill material from the cooling tower of a power plant was used for mechanical recycling. Mechanical recycling is the processing of plastic waste without changing the original chemical structure of the plastic. The waste rigid poly(vinyl chloride) fill material was cleaned, grinded and compression molded at optimized conditions of time, temperature and pressure using a compression molding machine. Virgin poly(vinyl chloride) was purchased and compression molded by the same compression molding machine. The compression molded sheets of waste poly(vinyl chloride) and virgin poly(vinyl chloride) were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared analyses, tensile properties analyses, and thermal properties analyses. The results revealed that waste rigid poly(vinyl chloride) fill material is mechanically recyclable into new products such as pipes, profiles, furniture and other related products

A Phenomenological Study of the Language Ideology, Language Management, and Language Practice in English-Medium Universities in Bangladesh: Lecturers’ and Students’ Voices

English Medium Instruction (EMI) is a commonly observed phenomenon in higher education (HE) in the countries where English is mandated as a second or foreign language. The globally conducted studies reported the prospect, practice, problems, and eventualities of EMI in HE. Numbering around 105, private universities in Bangladesh also adopted EMI. Being guided by Cooper (1989) and Spolsky (2009), this phenomenological study explored the language ideology of lecturers and students regarding the benefits of EMI, their remarks about the language management to achieve compatibility for adopting EMI, and their opinion concerning the implementation (language practice) of EMI in the classrooms of private universities in Bangladesh. We collected from eight participants (four students and four lecturers) who responded to the semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. The findings of the study suggested EMI does not observe full-fledged practice in the classrooms, as lecturers and students struggle to impart and receive knowledge due to their limited proficiency in the English language, although they did not deny the benefit of EMI to produce globally efficient workforces empowered with English language proficiency. This paper suggested the implementation of a bilingual curriculum in which instruction is delivered in English and Bangla to imparting a great deal of knowledge to the students. In the national language-in-education policy, Cognitive Communicative Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) should be prioritized over Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) and Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) to enrich knowledge acquisition

Comparative Analysis of Compression Molded Products of Recycled Waste Poly(Vinyl Chloride) and Virgin Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Fill Material

Waste poly(vinyl chloride) fill material from the cooling tower of a power plant was used for mechanical recycling. Mechanical recycling is the processing of plastic waste without changing the original chemical structure of the plastic. The waste rigid poly(vinyl chloride) fill material was cleaned, grinded and compression molded at optimized conditions of time, temperature and pressure using a compression molding machine. Virgin poly(vinyl chloride) was purchased and compression molded by the same compression molding machine. The compression molded sheets of waste poly(vinyl chloride) and virgin poly(vinyl chloride) were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared analyses, tensile properties analyses, and thermal properties analyses. The results revealed that waste rigid poly(vinyl chloride) fill material is mechanically recyclable into new products such as pipes, profiles, furniture and other related products

Envisioning Yoga Therapy as A Stride towards Successful Ageing

Geriatric Social Work is becoming ostensibly crucial in contemporary times. The modes and modalities being discussed in strengthening geriatric well-being deserve mammoth attention. In this context, Yoga Therapy is being envisioned as one among the strides towards Successful Ageing. The practice of Yoga in India can be traced to thousands of years back and has rolled down to generations through innumerable strategies. Yoga is considered as a practical philosophy that facilitates people to improve their Quality of Life. It is a discipline that has evolved in response to the problems in contemporary society without losing its true essence. Research in the field of Yoga Therapy advocates it to be the best means to ensure the quality living, especially in old age. Yoga helps to mitigate, alleviate, and reverse many of the geriatric problems, both physical and mental. The proposed paper is based on an experimental study conducted among elderly people in Kerala. The paper describes Yoga in its essence based on Patanjaly Yoga Sutra thereby scientifically analyzing its effect on our body. It emphasizes the practicality for quality living in old age and provides suggestions for successful ageing.

ASSESSMENT OF DRUG UTILIZATION AMONG PEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN PRIVATE CLINIC AND PUBLIC HOSPITAL OF BANGLADESH

Objective: Aim of the study was to assess drug utilization among pediatric patients in both private practice and hospital settings in Rajshahi city, Bangladesh. Methods: This observational study was conducted during a period of two months (March to April) in 2017. Prescriptions were randomly collected from patients and recorded in a predesigned questionnaire form. The data analysis was carried out by using a statistical software package GraphPad Prism. Results: The study involved a total of 185 patients, of which 62.70% were male and 37.30% were female. The patient’s age ranges from 1 mo-12 y and highest number of patients visited physicians belong to group 1 mo-1 y (47.57%). Most commonly occurring disease conditions were pneumonia (24%), the leading cause of hospitalizations among the children's age group of 1 mo-1 y. The results indicated that physician’s handwriting was not clear and legible in 50 (27.03%) prescriptions. A total of 468 drugs were prescribed with an average of 2.53 per prescription. However, none of the drugs were prescribed by generic name. The most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics 173 (93.5%). About 78% patients were exposed to antibiotics, of which single antibiotic was prescribed in 116 (62.70%) and two antibiotics in 23 (12.43%) prescriptions. Among the drugs, NSAIDS 65 (35.14%), anti-histamine 57 (30.81%), anti-asthmatic 49 (26.49%) drugs were assigned in prescriptions followed by vitamin and minerals 51 (27.57%). Steroids 57 (30.81%) and hypnotics 26 (14.05%) were also accounted in many prescriptions. Interestingly, antibiotics were indiscriminately prescribed in private practices without any bacteriological examinations, whereas in hospital settings, most of the treatment was initiated after culture and sensitivity tests. Conclusion: Children were highly exposed to antibiotics, steroids and hypnotics in both private practice and hospital settings.  So Medical practitioners should be aware of current guidelines for prescriptions of antibiotics and drugs in child

Trends Of Antibiotic Susceptibility Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhi And Paratyphi In An Urban Hospital Of Dhaka City Over 6 Years Period

The antibiotic resistance pattern of salmonella is ever changing over time. The present study is a retrospective analysis of rate of isolation of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi and their antibiotic resistance pattern over 6 years period in an urban hospital of Dhaka city. Blood culture submitted in BIRDEM hospital from 2004-2009 were analyzed. Isolated Salmonella sp were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by a standard disc diffusion method. Among 385 isolated Salmonella sp 304 (79%) were Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi and 81 (21%) were Salmonella enterica serover Paratyphi A. The rate of isolation of S. Paratyphi A has increased over 6 the year period from 14% to 24%. Resistance to individual first line anti-salmonella drugs has increased from 2004 to 2006 (42 to 63%) but has decreased thereafter. Similar pattern was found when simultaneous resistance to three first line antibiotics namely ampicillin, chloramphenicol and co-trimoxazole were considered. Out of total 304 S. Typhi, 117 (38%) were simultaneously resistant to all three first line drugs compared to only 1.8% S. Paratyphi A. Analysis showed that 80 to 90% of isolated S. Typhi was nalidixic acid resistant (NARST) with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin while the rate for S. Paratyphi A was 71-94%. All S. Typhi and Paratyphi A were sensitive to ceftriaxone. The study showed that there was a gradual decline of resistance of S. Typhi to first line antibiotics but very high prevalence of nalidixic acid resistant S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/imcj.v5i2.10097 IMCJ 2011; 5(2): 42-45</jats:p

Evaluation of the role of perceived quality and satisfaction of beneficiaries about the health care services and benefits of community clinics in Bangladesh

Introduction Bangladesh provides free healthcare to its citizens through 10,723 community clinics which provide one-stop healthcare services that is vital in ensuring primary healthcare. Measuring beneficiary' contentment is crucial to improve the quality of care and the perceived service quality have a significant impact on how often people use those health services. This study focuses on perceived quality and satisfaction of beneficiaries about the primary health care services and benefits of community clinics in Bangladesh. Methods A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted from March 2019 to April 2019 in the catchment area of 80 community clinics located at 16 Upazila under eight districts of eight divisions in Bangladesh. The survey compiled local data on client’s experience on health care service of community clinics. Besides, Sixteen Upazilas from eight districts were randomly selected for conducting interviews. Results Data was provided by a total of 760 female participants, among them majority (41%) belonged to the age group of 18-24 years old, and this very group showed more satisfaction than others (Odds Ratio 1.44). Besides, childless married women were also found to be content with the community clinic services compared to the remaining types of clients (Odds Ratio 1.64). However, gender, education, and economic perspective were positive aspects of getting service from community clinics. Conclusions Although there is a challenge balancing psychosocial and medical care, promoting client-oriented care with a focus on the cultural factors of the area is vital. This can be done through community-focused training together with explaining written prescriptions to the beneficiary, including the signs, symptoms, treatment, and referral points. The study findings will enable responsible authority to improve quality of primary health care services, realizing beneficiary’ ideas of community clinic service quality

Vaccination following the expanded programme on immunization schedule could help to reduce deaths in children under five hospitalized for pneumonia and severe pneumonia in a developing country

BackgroundWorldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five. An expanded program on immunization (EPI) is one kind of evidence-based tool for controlling and even eradicating infectious diseases.ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the impact of EPI vaccination, including BCG, DPT-Hib-Hep B, OPV, IPV, and PCV-10, among children from the age of 4 to 59 months hospitalized for pneumonia and severe pneumonia. Additionally, we evaluated the role of 10 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines alone on clinical outcomes in such children.MethodsIn this retrospective chart review, children from the age of 4 to 59 months with WHO-defined pneumonia and severe pneumonia admitted to the Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) between August 2013 and December 2017 who had the information on immunization as per EPI schedule by 4 months of age were included in the analysis. A comparison was made between the children who were fully immunized (immunization with BCG, DPT-Hib-Hep B, OPV, and IPV from 2013 to 2015 and PCV-10 from 2015 to 2017) and who were not immunized (consisting of partial immunization and no immunization) during the study period.ResultsA total of 4,625 children had pneumonia and severe pneumonia during the study period. Among them, 2,605 (56.3%) had received the information on immunization; 2,195 (84.3%) were fully immunized by 4 months of age according to the EPI schedule and 410 were not immunized. In the log-linear binomial regression analysis, immunization of children from 4 to 59 months of age was found to be associated with a lower risk of diarrhea (p = 0.033), severe pneumonia (p = 0.001), anemia (p = 0.026), and deaths (p = 0.035). Importantly, the risk of developing severe pneumonia (1054/1,570 [67%] vs. 202/257 [79%], p &lt; 0.001) and case-fatality rate (57/1,570 [3.6%] vs. 19/257 [7.4%], p = 0.005) was still significantly lower among those who were immunized with PCV-10 than those who were not.ConclusionChildren immunized as per the EPI schedule were at a lower risk of diarrhea, severe pneumonia, anemia, and death, compared to unvaccinated children. In addition, PCV-10 was found to be protective against severe pneumonia and deaths in vaccinated children. The overall results underscored the importance of the continuation of immunization, scrupulously adhering to the EPI schedule to reduce the risk of morbidities and mortalities in children, especially in resource-limited settings

Setting research priorities to improve global newborn health and prevent stillbirths by 2025.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, an estimated 2.8 million newborns died and 2.7 million were stillborn. A much greater number suffer from long term impairment associated with preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital anomalies, and perinatal or infectious causes. With the approaching deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, there was a need to set the new research priorities on newborns and stillbirth with a focus not only on survival but also on health, growth and development. We therefore carried out a systematic exercise to set newborn health research priorities for 2013-2025. METHODS: We used adapted Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methods for this prioritization exercise. We identified and approached the 200 most productive researchers and 400 program experts, and 132 of them submitted research questions online. These were collated into a set of 205 research questions, sent for scoring to the 600 identified experts, and were assessed and scored by 91 experts. RESULTS: Nine out of top ten identified priorities were in the domain of research on improving delivery of known interventions, with simplified neonatal resuscitation program and clinical algorithms and improved skills of community health workers leading the list. The top 10 priorities in the domain of development were led by ideas on improved Kangaroo Mother Care at community level, how to improve the accuracy of diagnosis by community health workers, and perinatal audits. The 10 leading priorities for discovery research focused on stable surfactant with novel modes of administration for preterm babies, ability to diagnose fetal distress and novel tocolytic agents to delay or stop preterm labour. CONCLUSION: These findings will assist both donors and researchers in supporting and conducting research to close the knowledge gaps for reducing neonatal mortality, morbidity and long term impairment. WHO, SNL and other partners will work to generate interest among key national stakeholders, governments, NGOs, and research institutes in these priorities, while encouraging research funders to support them. We will track research funding, relevant requests for proposals and trial registers to monitor if the priorities identified by this exercise are being addressed