The direct and indirect impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on neonates: a series of 26 cases in Bangladesh

Background: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on neonates remains largely unknown in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We provide an epidemiologic and clinical report of SARS-CoV-2 infections in neonates hospitalized in Bangladesh. Methods: Outborn neonates admitted to Dhaka Shishu Hospital, a tertiary-care referral hospital, between 29 March and 1 July were screened for SARS-CoV-2. We reviewed clinical data, including chest radiograph and laboratory reports, and conducted SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. Patients were followed-up for 27–75 days. A subset of caregivers was also tested. Results: Of 83 neonates tested, 26 were positive (median age 8 days). Most neonates were admitted with diagnosis unrelated to SARS-CoV-2: 11 presented with serious non-communicable diseases, 7 with early-onset sepsis, 5 with late-onset sepsis and 2 with pneumonia. In 3 of 5 chest radiograph, infiltrates and ground-glass or patchy opacities were noted. Two neonates developed metabolic acidosis, one developed disseminated intravascular coagulation. Most SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates were referred to government-designated COVID-19 hospitals, leading to gaps in treatment. Twenty-three neonates could be followed-up: 12 were healthy, 8 died and 3 were still seeking medical care. Of 9 caregivers tested, 8 were positive. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 may have serious adverse effects on children born in LMICs. The virus likely contributed directly to two deaths, but the remaining 6 neonates who died had serious comorbidities. Positive SARS-CoV-2 test results led to gaps in immediate clinical care for other morbidities, which likely contributed to adverse outcomes. This case series emphasizes the need to understand COVID-19 in neonates in LMICs and its indirect impacts

Environmental and Social Responsibilities of Banks : Global Perspective

The main objective of this paper is to examine the environmental and social responsibility practices of corporate firms from the global perspectives for the promotion of environmentally and socially responsible business activities by banks in global economies. Topics reviewed in this paper include environmental and social responsibility (ESR) models; economies and importance of adopting ESR in banking business; existing global standards and principles on ESR of banks and practices by banks in global economies. Finally, the authors attempted to suggest a guiding framework for introducing and improving ESR activities by banks in the light of available literature on ESR standards

Institute of Physics- Sri Lanka Comparison of RegCM3 simulated meteorological parameters in Bangladesh: Part II-preliminary result for temperature

Simulation of meteorological parameters and comparison of rainfall for Bangladesh is described in part I. This part II describes the comparison of model simulated temperature for Bangladesh. The parameters are simulated by Regional Climate Model version 3 (RegCM3). Temperature simulated by RegCM3 is compared with surface air temperature collected by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) at 29 locations throughout the country. RegCM3 is run at 60 km × 60 km horizontal grid resolution in a large domain that covers 65-117°E and 5-38°N. Grell scheme with Arakawa-Schubert (GAS) and Fritch-Chappell (GFC) assumptions are used in model simulation. GAS run used Lateral Boundary Conditions (LBCs) data for the years of 1995-2000 whereas GFC run used LBC data for 1991, 1994, 1996 and 1999. It is found that a systematic cold bias is existed in simulating temperature for Bangladesh. The model underestimates about 2°C in calculating temperature. In GAS assumption, the model can simulate temperature with about 94 % accuracy to the surface air temperature in annual scale. It is found that the GAS option is better than the GFC in simulating temperature in Bangladesh. 1

Institute of Physics- Sri Lanka Comparison of RegCM3 simulated meteorological parameters in Bangladesh: Part I-preliminary result for rainfall

A Regional Climate Model of version 3 (RegCM3) is employed for the study of meteorological parameters in Bangladesh. To adopt the RegCM3 for this region comparison of model outputs with surface observational data is essential. In this connection, this paper represents the comparison of model rainfall with surface observational data of 29 stations throughout the country collected by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). RegCM3 is run at 0.54 ° × 0.54 ° horizontal grid resolution in two parameterizations: Grell scheme with Arakawa-Schubert (GAS) and Fritch-Chappell (GFC) assumptions. GAS run used Lateral Boundary Conditions (LBCs) data for 1995-2000 whereas GFC run used LBC data for 1991, 1994, 1996 and 1999. For the entire rainy season (March-November), model estimates about 101 % of the surface rain for GFC option whereas model overestimates in pre-monsoon and underestimates in monsoon periods. The GFC option is found better than the GAS option in estimating rainfall by the model. 1

Effect of mixed leaf litter of four mangrove species on shrimp post larvae (Penaeus monodon, Fabricius, 1798) performance in tank and mesocosm conditions in Bangladesh

Mangrove leaf litter is a potential source of nutrients for shrimp post larvae. To introduce mangrove trees in shrimp farms it is necessary to identify the combination of trees which is most beneficial for shrimp. The present study evaluated the effects of mixed leaf litter of four mangrove species (Avicennia officinalis (Ao), Sonneratia apetala (Sa), S. caseolaris (Sc) and Heritiera fomes (Hf) on shrimp post larvae performance and water and soil quality. Leaf litter with and without supplemental feed was applied to shrimp culture tanks according to a 4 × 2 factorial design and followed by testing a subset of treatments in mesocosm pond conditions. Shrimp post larvae of 15-days old (PL15) with an average weight of 0.01 g were used for both experiments, each with a 4-week duration without water exchange. Under controlled conditions in the tanks, leaf litter and feed resulted in 22 to 32% higher weight gain of PL shrimp than combined weight gain realized when receiving only leaf litter or only feed, indicating synergism. Based on this, the pond experiment was designed with combined application of leaf litter and feed. The pond experiment resulted in higher shrimp weight gain than realized in the tanks. In tanks, the highest average individual weight gain of PL was observed for the leaf litter mixture SaAoHf (0.23 g)followed by SaScHf (0.21 g), ScAoHf (0.21 g) andSaScAoHf (0.20 g). Paralleling the results of the tank experiment, SaAoHf leaf litter also gave the highest average individual weight gain (1.2 g) of PL shrimpin the ponds but other leaf litter treatments followed by SaScAoHf (0.95 g), ScAoHf (0.84 g) and SaScHf (0.69 g) leaf litter. The different mixtures of mangrove leaf litter also resulted in significant differences in biological oxygen demand (BOD5), phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations in pond water and organic carbon in soil. Both phytoplankton (P < 0.01, Pearson correlation r = 0.910)and zooplankton (P < 0.05, r = 0.535) abundance was positively correlated to shrimp weight gain. The low feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the treatments combining leaf litter and supplemental feed as compared to treatments using only feed indicated extra food benefits for shrimp PL from decomposing leaf litter. Overall, mixed mangrove leaf litter had a positive effect on shrimp performance and this effect was highest for SaAoHf leaf litter

Mangrove forest conservation vs shrimp production : Uncovering a sustainable co-management model and policy solution for mangrove greenbelt development in coastal Bangladesh.

Mangrove forests are remarkably diverse and productive ecosystems, with distinctive biophysical environments in intertidal coastal regions of the tropics and subtropics. In these regions, shrimp cultivation is identified as a profitable business and one of the main reasons for clearing of mangroves to construct shrimp farms. Against this backdrop and based on the first author's previous PhD research and other relevant scholarly works, in this commentary we discuss the aspects and contexts of the mangrove-based integrated shrimp farming system. Then, we recommend a model of co-management and a set of policy option towards sustainable silvo-aquaculture to protect/restore the mangrove forests and sustain shrimp production in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Mangrovesand shrimp culture are not necessarily incompatible. Many mangrove species have been identified as beneficial for shrimp culture for a number of possible reasons. Most importantly, the nutrients in the leaf litter of several mangrove species have been found to enhance natural food production for shrimp. Besides the nutrient input, the leaf litter also provides surface area for biofilm development, on which different life stages of shrimp can graze. In addition, the combination of mangrove leaf litter and feed has been shown to enhance shrimp productionsynergistically. Additional economic benefits from mangrove-shrimp co-management include the production of timber (e.g. buildings, boats and fuel woods) and non-timber products (e.g. fruits, honey, fibers, firewood, resinsand bark). Thus, mangrove-based aquaculture or silvo-aquaculture system can be considered as a nature-based solution to sustainably revitalize the economy in coastal areas where shrimp has been the economic mainstay. Though there are positive effects, we point out some potential negative impacts of mangrove-based shrimp culture, like the anti-nutrients content in the leaf litter, which might impact shrimp production. In addition, the long term use of mangrove leaf litter might degrade the water quality. Therefore, the co-management policyrecommends a controlled practice of mangroves in shrimp culture to balance conservation of mangrove-based ecology and profitable shrimp production. The approach promotes nature-based solutions and fosters sustain-able pathways for food production, considering socio-economic and environmental dynamic

From Caterpillar to Butterfly: Social Media Engagement of the Socially Excluded Third-Gender People in Bangladesh

This paper focuses on the effects of gender diversity – in terms of binary- and third-gender – on social media engagement (SMEn). Specifically, we examine the extent to which SMEn\u27s antecedents and outcomes vary between binary- and third-gender people. Based on the uses and gratification theory (UGT), we develop and validate a model using two cross-sectional studies. Data have been collected from heterosexual and third-gender people (TGP) separately, and analysed with the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. Our results show that the incentives and outcomes of SMEn are not identical across different gender groups; rather, socially excluded TGP take advantage of social media differently than their heterosexual counterpart. More specifically, habit is the strongest predictor of SMEn for the heterosexual group, which is emotional reassurance for the TGP. Interestingly, identity management is an important determinant of SMEn only for TGP, while social interaction is important for both groups. We further find that SMEn enhances both groups\u27 quality of life and social self-esteem but more for TGP. This study advances knowledge by applying UGT in a new research setting within information systems. The findings provide guidelines to social media architects and policymakers on engaging socially disadvantaged people with social media and enhancing their social wellbeing