Seasonal dynamics of soil macro- and micronutrients and phenolics under kudzu (Pueraria lobala) stands in fLoodplain of a modirledriver

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) is a rapidly spreading liana inthe noodplain of Tama River, Japan. This species is veryrich in secondary metabolites and adds substantial amount of litter into the soil due to its huge biomass tumover in every growing Cycle. This study aims to investigate the seasonal dynamics of major macro- and micronutrients and phenolics in soil associated with the litter productionand growth ofkudzu plants in the downstream of Tama River. Soils were collected &om three kudzu-infested spots alongthe banks of the river and analyzed for total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphoms, potassium, copper, zinc, sodium and phenolic contents･ The pattems of seasonal changes of those soil elements in all three spots were more or less similar. The levels of the nutrients were related with the growth stages or kudzu plants･ Concentrations of all nutrients except nitrogen went down when the kudzu was at active vegetative stage･ The nutrients were agalnmineralized into the soil after the decomposition ofkudzu litter at winter season･ Soil phenolic contentumder kudzu stand also varied seasonally and the highest quantity was recorded in winter as an outcome ofkudzu litter decomposition･ Soil phenolics was not found to interfere the chemical properties of soil except K, of which concentration in soil was negatively correlated with that of soil phenolics･Article信州大学山地水環境教育研究センター研究報告 6: 43-54(2010)departmental bulletin pape

EFFECT OF CREDIT RISK MANAGEMENT ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF BANKING SECTOR OF BANGLADESH: A STUDY ON GENERATION-BASED SELECTED LISTED COMMERCIAL BANKS

The financial sector of the country is mostly comprised of banking institutions; those are leading the economy with great exposure with the contribution to the development process. However, the banking sector of Bangladesh is disturbed by the large-scale amount of non-performing loans while has become an essential part of the finance of the industries. As part of the measurement of credit risk and macro factors average lending rate, inflation, NPL size, capital adequacy ratio, liquidity ratio have been selected to test the influence on the financial performance found through the return on asset of the selected banks. To conduct the study 9 banks of three generations have been selected for the period of 2016 to 2022. Robust least square method of regression and error correction term have been run to oversee the real impact on financial performance while endogenity and random walk in the values are being considered to overcome through a dynamic regression model. NPL has a negative impact on the performance and average lending rate, inflation, liquidity ratio and capital adequacy ratio bring a positive impact on the financial performance of the banks. Breusch-Pagan LM test confirms that cross-sectional dependency exists and VAR serial correlation test finds autocorrelation in the data set. The policy implication of this study suggests that the high NPL ratio must be reduced and CAR and LR must be improved to get the desired results of the performance. Strong fiscal and banking regulation should implement so that governance can be ensured to create responsibility and financial strength.JEL: E4, D81, E33, E44  Article visualizations

Competitive ability of cultivated rice against weedy rice biotypes – a review

Weedy rice has been identified as a threat to rice production worldwide. Its phenotypic and genotypic diversity and its potential to compete against rice in all development stages from germination to maturity have resulted in a loss of rice yield and grain quality, which is remarkably high in direct- seeded rice cultivation. Weedy rice dormancy varies, it has a higher germination rate, and tolerates deeper germination depth compared to rice cultivars. Interactions of weedy rice with cultivars often reflect early vigor, more tillering, nutrient utilization ability for shoot development with respect to rice cultivars even though the latter also show an improvement in shoot development under competition. An exponential relationship has been reported between cultivated rice loss and weedy rice density: this is true for all rice cultivars. The degree of loss is dependent on the competitive ability of the rice cultivar being studied, and each weedy rice biotype also interacts differently. Hence, the need for a comprehensive study of the biology of various weedy rice variants. Difficulties arise in the management of weedy rice due to its physiological, anatomical, and morphological similarities to cultivated rice. The manipulation of the environment to improve cultivated rice production and suppress the emergence of weedy rice variants is important in the management of weedy rice, as well as other cultural practices and use of pesticides. The development of herbicide-resistant rice cultivars is necessary to totally eliminate the weedy rice variants. This review provides information on the competitive ability of weedy rice against rice cultivars; this information is essential to create management options to control weedy rice

Estimating Blood Pressure from Photoplethysmogram Signal and Demographic Features using Machine Learning Techniques

Hypertension is a potentially unsafe health ailment, which can be indicated directly from the Blood pressure (BP). Hypertension always leads to other health complications. Continuous monitoring of BP is very important; however, cuff-based BP measurements are discrete and uncomfortable to the user. To address this need, a cuff-less, continuous and a non-invasive BP measurement system is proposed using Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal and demographic features using machine learning (ML) algorithms. PPG signals were acquired from 219 subjects, which undergo pre-processing and feature extraction steps. Time, frequency and time-frequency domain features were extracted from the PPG and their derivative signals. Feature selection techniques were used to reduce the computational complexity and to decrease the chance of over-fitting the ML algorithms. The features were then used to train and evaluate ML algorithms. The best regression models were selected for Systolic BP (SBP) and Diastolic BP (DBP) estimation individually. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) along with ReliefF feature selection algorithm outperforms other algorithms in estimating SBP and DBP with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 6.74 and 3.59 respectively. This ML model can be implemented in hardware systems to continuously monitor BP and avoid any critical health conditions due to sudden changes.Comment: Accepted for publication in Sensor, 14 Figures, 14 Table

Macrophage Activation Syndrome as the Initial Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a 7-Year-Old Girl – A Case Report.

 Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of several chronic rheumatic diseases. Although it occurs most commonly with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA), it may also occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Kawasaki disease, and adult onset Still’s disease. It is usually triggered by infections or due to medication modification. Here we report a 7-year-old girl who presented simultaneously with features of MAS and SLE and responded with pulse methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone and pulse cyclophosphamide. Keywords: Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS); Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Child

Detection of non-melanoma skin cancer by in vivo fluorescence imaging with fluorocoxib A.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer in the US and its incidence is increasing. The current standard of care is visual inspection by physicians and/or dermatologists, followed by skin biopsy and pathologic confirmation. We have investigated the use of in vivo fluorescence imaging using fluorocoxib A as a molecular probe for early detection and assessment of skin tumors in mouse models of NMSC. Fluorocoxib A targets the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme that is preferentially expressed by inflamed and tumor tissue, and therefore has potential to be an effective broadly active molecular biomarker for cancer detection. We tested the sensitivity of fluorocoxib A in a BCC allograft SCID hairless mouse model using a wide-field fluorescence imaging system. Subcutaneous allografts comprised of 1000 BCC cells were detectable above background. These BCC allograft mice were imaged over time and a linear correlation (R(2) = 0.8) between tumor volume and fluorocoxib A signal levels was observed. We also tested fluorocoxib A in a genetically engineered spontaneous BCC mouse model (Ptch1(+/-) K14-Cre-ER2 p53(fl/fl)), where sequential imaging of the same animals over time demonstrated that early, microscopic lesions (100 μm size) developed into visible macroscopic tumor masses over 11 to 17 days. Overall, for macroscopic tumors, the sensitivity was 88% and the specificity was 100%. For microscopic tumors, the sensitivity was 85% and specificity was 56%. These results demonstrate the potential of fluorocoxib A as an in vivo imaging agent for early detection, margin delineation and guided biopsies of NMSCs

Effective Cross-linking Dyeing Method for Jute Fabric with Reactive Dyes

With a view to develop an effective dyeing method for jute fabric, jute fabric known as Carpet Backing Cloth (CBC), made from jute fiber, was first desized, scoured, and bleached with hydrogen peroxide. Simultaneous dyeing and finishing methods were carried out using various reactive dyes with some cross-linking agents like Fixapret CPN, Fixapret ECOs of BASF, and Indosol E-50 Powder (Sandoz) along with some catalysts (MgCl2, 6H2O) and softening agent. Three types of cross-linking methods such as dry, moist, and wet were employed. The cross-linking method was optimized by treatment of bleached CBC with different concentrations of cross-linking agents and catalysts applying pad-dry-cure method at different temperatures. Significant improvement was found in dye fixation rate, dye fastness (washing, rubbing, light and perspiration) properties, and tensile strength of cross-linked dyed jute fabric. Regarding all dyeing and physical properties, Indosol E-50 powder along with various reactive dyes achieved highly satisfactory results. Fixapret CPN may also be comparable to Indosol E-50 powder

Morphological responses of three contrasting Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) genotypes under different levels of salinity stress in the coastal region of Bangladesh

Soil salinity, a global environmental issue, inhibits plant development and production. Soybean is an economically important legume crop whose yield and quality are highly affected by excessive levels of salt in the root zone. A factorial experiment was conducted in a net house from October 2019 to January 2020 to evaluate the performance of three distinct soybean genotypes under varying levels of salinity stress. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Three soybean cultivars, namely BINA Soybean 1, BINA Soybean 2, and BINA Soybean 4 were used in this experiment. The soil salinity treatments were 0 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaCl, 150 mM NaCl, and 200 mM NaCl. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the soil sample was 0.91dS/m. Six seeds were sown 3 cm deep in each pot. A total of 45 pots were used in this experiment. The performance of each variety was evaluated based on its germination percentage, time of germination, no. of branches/plant, no. of leaves/plant, no. of flowers/plant, plant height (cm), no. of pods/plant, pod length (cm), seeds/pod, and root length (cm). Based on the results obtained from this research trial, it can be inferred that the BINA Soybean 2 variety along with 0 mM NaCl, 50 mM NaCl, and 100 mM NaCl treatments exhibited superior performance in all parameters compared to the other varieties. This study provides clear evidence that the soybean, particularly the BINA Soybean 2 variety, holds significant promise as a crop suitable for coastal regions. Furthermore, it suggests that the cultivation of soybeans in such areas could potentially enhance agricultural productivity, particularly in the presence of mild saline conditions. Nevertheless, it exhibits limited growth potential in environments with elevated salinity levels

Ab-initio insights into the physical properties of XIr3 (X = La, Th) superconductors: A comparative analysis

Here we report the structural, elastic, bonding, thermo-mechanical, optoelectronic and superconducting state properties of recently discovered XIr3 (X = La, Th) superconductors utilizing the density functional theory (DFT). The elastic, bonding, thermal and optical properties of these compounds are investigated for the first time. The calculated lattice and superconducting state parameters are in reasonable agreement to those found in the literature. In the ground state, both the compounds are mechanically stable and possess highly ductile character, high machinability, low Debye temperature, low bond hardness and significantly high melting point. The thermal conductivities of the compounds are found to be very low which suggests that they can be used for thermal insulation purpose. The population analysis and charge density distribution map confirm the presence of both ionic and covalent bonds in the compounds with ionic bond playing dominant roles. The calculated band structure and DOS profiles indicate metallic character. Unlike the significant anisotropy observed in elastic and thermal properties, all the optical constants of these compounds exhibit almost isotropic behavior. The optical constants correspond very well with the electronic band structure and DOS features. We have estimated the superconducting transition temperature of the compounds in this work