Improving grain yield and quality by enhancing accumulation of zinc in rice under subtropical condition

One of the primary abiotic factors limiting rice production is zinc (Zn) deficiency. Effective management of Zn in rice soils is crucial, as rice is a staple crop for many nations. To address this issue, a pot trial was conducted at the net house of the Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh,from December 2019 to May 2020. The trail aimed to assess the impact of zinc on yield performance and grain zinc content of rice. The experiment employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications, involving the applications of six different rates of Zn to three distinct varieties of boro rice. The result revealed that BRRI dhan28 exhibited superior yield and yield-related traits when treated with 12 kg Zn ha-1. Meanwhile, the application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 resulted in the highest Zn content in the grain of BRRI dhan74, considering the quantity of Zn accumulated by the grain. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that applying 12 kg of Zn ha-1 is likely the optimal Zn management strategy to achieve outstanding performance in the rice cultivar BRRI dhan28. Furthermore, applying 10 kg of Zn ha-1 may enhance the Zn content of the grain in BRRI dhan74

Genetic loci regulating arsenic content in rice grains when grown flooded or under alternative wetting and drying irrigation

The 2 M SNP genotype data of the BAAP is available as a project called “BAAP” at the SNP-Seek database (http://snp-seek.irri.org/). The phenotype data used for the GWAS is presented in Additional file 1: Table S1. The bulk of this work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, mostly from project BB/J003336/1, while a small part of the work by AJT was also supported by project BB/N013492/1 (NEWS-India-UK). Plant material was imported into the UK under import licence IMP/SOIL/19/2014.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Geochemistry of arsenic in Bengal Basin wetland sediments

Over the last decades, arsenic (As) contamination of soil-plant-water systems has become a major concern for Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. The geochemistry of the sediment depositional environment which subsequently, on sediment burial, give rise to elevated As in Holocene groundwater’s of Southeast Asia, may provide clues to unravelling the mechanistic basis and spatial heterogeneity of this phenomenon. The Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem, Bangladesh, is a modern analogue, and indeed forms a continuum with, the Holocene sediments of concern and thus studying As cycling in surface Sundarbans sediments. Similarly, rice paddy fields in many regions of the Bengal Basin form a continuum with Holocene sediments. Sediment cores were collected from a wide range of locations within the Sundarbans to study surface spatial, as well as down the profile (~1 m), As distribution and it’s association with other geochemical parameters. Pore and surface water, and Diffusive Gradients in Thin films (DGT) were sampled from 4 different interlocked sub-habitats over 0.29 km2: major river bank, main tributary, forest floor and minor tributary. Further experiments were conducted to observe As dynamics in mangrove surface sediments on application of mangrove detritus. Finally 3 interlinked experiments (field manuring, soil batch culture, greenhouse growth trials) were conducted to assess the effect of farm-yard manure (FYM) and rice straw, at a field application rate practised in Bangladesh (5 t/ha), on As mobilization in soil and subsequent assimilation by rice. As concentration in mangrove sediment down the profile was found to be more associated with elevated Fe and Mn than with organic matter (OM), with significant spatial variations among the locations. Sediment particle size was an important factor determining As retention and mobilization, which is also true for deeper Bengal Bay sediments. Proximity to mangrove vegetation and to water bodies was found to have significant effect on As dynamics. Porewaters from coarse textured, low OM riverbank sediment were high in As, but with only a small pool of As for resupply from the solid phase, showing similarities with grey aquifer sediments compared to fine textured and high OM content forest floor sediments. The As column dynamics study showed that As release into porewater was strongly associated with Fe release, indicating the strong association of the 2 elements, with OM playing a major role in their dissolution. The desorption studies also showed OM driving As mobilization within short time. Due to strong redox cycling very little evidence of As methylation was observed in biologically active mangrove porewaters. But we found 10-fold increase in dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) production compared to a non-amended control using the same sediments treated with mangrove detritus in the laboratory. OM amendments lead to considerable mobilization of As into both soil porewaters and standing surface waters in rice paddy. In a greenhouse rice cultivation experiment, flooding initially caused greatly enhanced As mobilization in porewater (< 24 d), but the effects of flooding on As mobilization decreased during later rice growth, particularly at grain fill. However, OM amendment did not cause significant As accumulation in grain and straw compared to control. It was noted in field trials and greenhouse studies that OM fertilization greatly enhanced As mobility to surface waters, which may have major implications for fate of As in paddy agronomic ecosystems.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Conjugate mixed convection heat transfer with internal heat generation in a lid-driven enclosure with spinning solid cylinder

The current study investigates conjugate mixed convection heat transmission with internal heat generation in a square enclosure driven by a sliding lid and a solid cylinder with a heat-conducting surface at its center. The enclosure has a stationary bottom wall that is kept at a constant hot temperature and a cold upper wall that moves consistently. The solid cylinder rotates both clockwise and counterclockwise at different angular speeds. Two-dimensional steady continuity, momentum, thermal energy equations, and boundary and interface conditions are solved using a commercial CFD tool based on the finite element method. By choosing Reynolds, Grashof, and Richardson numbers, as well as varying the rotating cylinder's speed and direction under three different scenarios incorporating volumetric heat generation, parametric modeling of the mixed convection regime is carried out. The streamline and isotherm plots are used to illustrate qualitative findings. In contrast, the average Nusselt number, normalized Nusselt number, average drag coefficient, and average fluid temperature are used to assess quantitative thermal performance measures. This study reveals that the system's thermal performance is less dependent on the solid cylinder's rotational speed and direction. It successfully depicts the heat transfer enhancement with increasing Reynolds and Grashof numbers. A thorough study of the current facts can lead to the best choice of regulating parameters

Perception and Barriers to Implementation of Intensive and Extensive Green Roofs in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Buildings are one of the biggest consumers of fossil fuels, and thus, contribute largely to greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, a large number of studies have been conducted and innovative ideas or green solutions have been invented, adopted, and implemented across the globe. These solutions are often contextual and heavily dependent on local environmental and socio-economic factors. Green roofs are such an example. Green roofs (both intensive and extensive) for buildings have been successfully adopted in many countries around the world. Bangladesh, a developing country that can benefit from green roofs, seems to remain in complete darkness regarding its potential. The objective of this study is to identify the reasons why green roofs have not been widely implemented in Bangladesh, especially in the capital Dhaka, even though, theoretically, the climatic conditions of this country favor this technology. This study focuses on the perception of the construction industry to comprehend the possible obstacles they are facing towards using green roofs in their designs. A questionnaire study was conducted among architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, and owners who are at different levels of experience in their respective fields. The results indicate a gap in knowledge and misconceptions, which are major hindrances to the implementation of green roofs

Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from Healthy and Diseased Turkeys.

Diseases caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp. can negatively impact turkey farming. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli and Salmonella spp. in healthy and diseased turkeys. A total of 30 fecal samples from healthy turkeys and 25 intestinal samples from diseased turkeys that died of enteritis were collected. Bacterial isolation and identification were based on biochemical properties and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram profiles were determined by disk diffusion. The tetracycline-resistance gene tetA was detected by PCR. All samples were positive for E. coli. Only 11 samples (11/30; 36.67%) were positive for Salmonella spp. from healthy turkeys, whereas 16 (16/25; 64%) samples were positive for Salmonella spp. from diseased turkeys. E. coli isolated from diseased turkeys showed higher resistance to levofloxacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Salmonella spp. isolated from healthy turkeys exhibited higher resistance to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, imipenem, and meropenem. All E. coli and Salmonella spp. from both healthy and diseased turkeys were resistant to erythromycin. Salmonella spp. from both healthy and diseased turkeys were resistant to tetracycline. Multidrug resistance was observed in both E. coli and Salmonella spp. from diseased turkeys. Finally, the tetA gene was detected in 93.1% of the E. coli isolates and in 92.59% of the Salmonella spp. isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to isolate and characterize tetA-gene-containing MDR E. coli and Salmonella spp. from healthy and diseased turkeys in Bangladesh. Both microorganisms are of zoonotic significance and represent a significant public health challenge

Remodulatory effects of coral fossil on hematobiochemical parameters and histoaccumulation of specific organs in lead intoxicated broilers

Objectives: The research aims to assess the impact of coral fossil (CF) on hematobiochemical parameters, organ’s accumulation, and remodulation in lead (Pb) intoxicated broiler birds. Methods: 45 broilers were used in the experiment, which was divided into 03 groups, each of which contained 15 broilers. The control group was Group A. Pb (280 mg/kg b. w.) was administered orally to the birds in group B. Group C received Pb (280 mg/kg b.w.) and CF (1 gm/kg b.w.) oral supplements. The research was carried out for 30 days. Blood samples were collected, and sera were prepared for biochemical analysis. Pb accumulation concentration was assessed in muscle, liver and kidney. Moreover, samples of the brain, liver, and kidneys were obtained and prepared for histological analysis. Results: Pb affected hematological markers (Total RBC, Hb conc., hematocrit value, differential leukocytes and blood indices), which were restored with CF supplementation. In Pb-treated broilers, hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT), renal biomarkers (creatinine, total protein and albumin) and lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL and LDL) increased substantially (p < 0.05), but dropped significantly (p < 0.05) after CF supplementation. Pb accumulation was higher in liver, kidney and muscle tissue that was reduced by CF treatment. The histopathological study demonstrated that there was accumulation of fluid around in brain, hyperplasia of bile duct and glomerular epithelium in Pb intoxicated broilers and these were restored after CF supplementation. Conclusions: Therefore, it can be concluded that CF supplementation restored the lead induced detrimental effects on broilers. So, CF has remodulatory effects on Pb toxicity

Isolation and Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from Healthy and Diseased Turkeys

Diseases caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella spp. can negatively impact turkey farming. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli and Salmonella spp. in healthy and diseased turkeys. A total of 30 fecal samples from healthy turkeys and 25 intestinal samples from diseased turkeys that died of enteritis were collected. Bacterial isolation and identification were based on biochemical properties and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiogram profiles were determined by disk diffusion. The tetracycline-resistance gene tetA was detected by PCR. All samples were positive for E. coli. Only 11 samples (11/30; 36.67%) were positive for Salmonella spp. from healthy turkeys, whereas 16 (16/25; 64%) samples were positive for Salmonella spp. from diseased turkeys. E. coli isolated from diseased turkeys showed higher resistance to levofloxacin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Salmonella spp. isolated from healthy turkeys exhibited higher resistance to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, imipenem, and meropenem. All E. coli and Salmonella spp. from both healthy and diseased turkeys were resistant to erythromycin. Salmonella spp. from both healthy and diseased turkeys were resistant to tetracycline. Multidrug resistance was observed in both E. coli and Salmonella spp. from diseased turkeys. Finally, the tetA gene was detected in 93.1% of the E. coli isolates and in 92.59% of the Salmonella spp. isolates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to isolate and characterize tetA-gene-containing MDR E. coli and Salmonella spp. from healthy and diseased turkeys in Bangladesh. Both microorganisms are of zoonotic significance and represent a significant public health challenge

Deep Learning Framework for Liver Segmentation from T1-Weighted MRI Images

The human liver exhibits variable characteristics and anatomical information, which is often ambiguous in radiological images. Machine learning can be of great assistance in automatically segmenting the liver in radiological images, which can be further processed for computer-aided diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred by clinicians for liver pathology diagnosis over volumetric abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans, due to their superior representation of soft tissues. The convenience of Hounsfield unit (HoU) based preprocessing in CT scans is not available in MRI, making automatic segmentation challenging for MR images. This study investigates multiple state-of-the-art segmentation networks for liver segmentation from volumetric MRI images. Here, T1-weighted (in-phase) scans are investigated using expert-labeled liver masks from a public dataset of 20 patients (647 MR slices) from the Combined Healthy Abdominal Organ Segmentation grant challenge (CHAOS). The reason for using T1-weighted images is that it demonstrates brighter fat content, thus providing enhanced images for the segmentation task. Twenty-four different state-of-the-art segmentation networks with varying depths of dense, residual, and inception encoder and decoder backbones were investigated for the task. A novel cascaded network is proposed to segment axial liver slices. The proposed framework outperforms existing approaches reported in the literature for the liver segmentation task (on the same test set) with a dice similarity coefficient (DSC) score and intersect over union (IoU) of 95.15% and 92.10%, respectively.This research was funded by Qatar University High Impact grant QUHI-CENG-23/24-216 and student grant QUST-1-CENG-2023-796 and is also supported via funding from Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University project number (PSAU/2023/R/1444). The open-access publication cost is covered by the Qatar National Library