Buyer Paying Lower Price of Bangladeshi Apparel: An Empirical Investigation on Causes

In the last few decades RMG sector has been acted as backbone of economy of Bangladesh. It consumed about 80% of foreign earning. In the recent time, it has been noticed that buyers are not interested to pay the equal price of garments from Bangladesh and from other countries although the quality remains same. For instance, per square meter priced $7.38 the products of Turkey$ 5.37 from Malaysia where $ 2.79 from Bangladesh. The main aim of this study is to find the causes of this. For this descriptive research method was followed and data were collected from secondary sources like case studies, journals, thesis papers, online newspapers, research articles, garments manufacturing industries annual reports, newspapers, survey reports, and BGMEA yearly report. After the study, it was observed that due to lack of diversified products, image crisis, poor negotiation techniques, labor and political unrest are the main reason behind this

Function of Serum Complement in Drinking Water Arsenic Toxicity

Serum complement function was evaluated in 125 affected subjects suffering from drinking water arsenic toxicity. Their mean duration of exposure was 7.4 ± 5.3 yrs, and the levels of arsenic in drinking water and urine samples were 216 ± 211 and 223 ± 302 μg/L, respectively. The mean bactericidal activity of complement from the arsenic patients was 92% and that in the unexposed controls was 99% (P < 0.01), but heat-inactivated serum showed slightly elevated activity than in controls. In patients, the mean complement C3 was 1.56 g/L, and C4 was 0.29 g/L compared to 1.68 g/L and 0.25 g/L, respectively, in the controls. The mean IgG in the arsenic patients was 24.3 g/L that was highly significantly elevated (P < 0.001). Arsenic patients showed a significant direct correlation between C3 and bactericidal activity (P = 0.014). Elevated levels of C4 indicated underutilization and possibly impaired activity of the classical complement pathway. We conclude reduced function of serum complement in drinking water arsenic toxicity

Energy and Exergy Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration System with Low-GWP Refrigerants

In this paper, a first- and second-law analysis of vapor compression refrigeration is presented to estimate and propose the replacement of R134 with working fluids having less global warming potential (GWP) and less exergy destruction and irreversibilities. Six different refrigerants were studied, namely, R717, R1234yf, R290, R134a, R600a, and R152a. A thermodynamic model was designed on Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software, and performance parameters were calculated. The model was deployed on all six refrigerants, while the used output parameters of performance were cooling capacity, coefficient of performance, discharge temperature, total exergy destruction, relative exergy destruction rates of different components, second-law efficiency, and efficiency defect of each component. The performance parameters were estimated at different speeds of the compressor (1000, 2000, and 3000 rpm) and fixed condenser and evaporator temperatures of 50 °C and 5 °C, respectively. The isentropic efficiency of the compressor was the same as the volumetric efficiency, and it was taken as 75%, 65%, and 55% at the compressor speeds of 1000 rpm, 2000 rpm, and 3000 rpm, respectively. A comparison of the performance parameters was presented by importing the results in MATLAB. It was found that the compressor had the highest exergy destruction compared to the other components. It was found that R152 was the refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a GWP value of 140 with less exergy destruction and irreversibilities. Moreover, it was easy to use R152a with good thermodynamic characteristics. It is estimated that R152a is a suitable replacement for R134a, as it can be used with few modifications

Biopsy Proven Renal Morphology Cognizance into its Four-Year Evolving Pattern; A Pakistani Perspective

Objective: To determine the pattern of Biopsy Proven Renal Diseases (BPRD) in a single tertiary care centre in Islamabad, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nephrology, KRL Hospital, Islamabad Pakistan, from Mar 2016 to Nov 2020. Methodology: The archival records of all native renal biopsies performed in adults (>18 years) were retrospectively analyzed.The biopsies were performed according to standard indications and evaluated by light microscopy and immunofluorescence. Results: A total of 134 renal biopsies were studied. Among these, 85(61.1 %) were males, and 49(36.5 %) were females. The mean age was 44.70±14.63 years. Primary glomerulonephritis’s were the predominant group of diseases found in 93(69.4%) cases. Membranous nephropathy (MN) was the most common lesion in 52(38.8%), followed by focal segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 22(16.4%) cases. Chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (Ch. TIN) 12(9.0%) was the third most common lesion among all biopsies. Other diagnoses included lupus nephritis (LN) 10(7.5%) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) 9(6.7%). One sample one-sided t-test was used to estimate the minimum proportion of occurrence of different biopsies in our concerned population. The estimated minimum proportion of membranous nephropathy (MN) was 0.31, with a p-value of 0.034. Conclusion: We concluded that primary Glomerulonephritis (PGN) is the most common renal disease, and membranous nephropathy is the most common biopsy-proven Glomerulopathy in our concerned population

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children &lt;18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p&lt;0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p&lt;0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p&lt;0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Analysis of conditions favourable for small vertical axis wind turbines between building passages in urban areas of Sweden

This paper presents the analysis of installing the vertical axis wind turbines between the building passages on an island in Stockholm, Sweden. Based on the idea of wind speed amplification due to the venture effect in passages, practical measurements were carried out to study the wind profile for a range of passage widths in parallel building passages. Highest increment in wind speed was observed in building passages located on the periphery of sland as wind enters from free field. Wind mapping was performed in the island to choose the most favourable location to install the vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). Using the annual wind speed data for location and measured amplification factor, energy potential of the street was calculated. This analysis verified that small vertical axis wind turbines can be installed in the passage centre line provided that enough space is provided for traffic and passengers

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura presenting in a patient after renal transplant for diabetic nephropathy

Abstract Background Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is primarily characterized by immune-mediated destruction of platelets in circulation. Major treatment options range from careful observation, steroids, immunosuppressive medications, immunoglobulins to splenectomy. Interestingly and rarely, ITP has also been reported after solid organ transplantation in patients receiving immunosuppressive medications. While the incidence of new onset ITP after solid organ transplant is comparatively well documented, new onset ITP after renal transplant has only been reported in two patients. Both these patients underwent renal transplant for underlying Immunoglobulin-A (IgA) nephropathy and were treated effectively with steroids. We present successful management of the first reported case of new-onset ITP presenting after renal transplant in a patient with underlying diabetic nephropathy. The case report discusses the potential management strategies in such a novel scenario aiming simultaneously for a well-functioning renal graft, adequate hemostasis, minimum therapy- related morbidity and least cost implications for the patient. Case Presentation A 43-year-old male with hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM), complicated by nephropathy and retinopathy, underwent pre-emptive living related renal transplant by donation from his 33-year-old wife. His immediate post-transplant period was unremarkable. Six months after the transplant, he presented with isolated thrombocytopenia. An extensive workup revealed no clinical or laboratory evidence of unusual substance intake, infection, hemolysis, microangiopathy, autoimmune disease or hematological malignancy. Eight months after the transplant, while the patient was maintained on steroids, cellcept and tacrolimus, his platelet count dipped to 13,000/microL and he had an episode of mild epistaxis. He was administered steroids in line with the adult ITP management protocol. Steroids were well tolerated, and platelet counts showed a good response to therapy. Steroids were then successfully tapered over the next ten weeks with steady and acceptable platelet counts and graft function. Conclusions The case report discusses the diagnostic considerations and successful management of new-onset post-renal transplant ITP. It also highlights the various therapeutic options available in the medical armamentarium including shuffling of immunosuppressive drugs, rituximab, thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO’s) and splenectomy for their potential use in complicated scenarios like relapsing, or steroid-refractory post renal transplant ITP

Catheter related infection in hemodialysis patients

To determine the frequency of hemodialysis (HD) catheter related infection, causative microorganisms and predisposing factors contributing to these infections at our center, we con-ducted a prospective study in 2007 involving 57 (45.6&#x0025; males) patients in whom a temporary catheter was inserted for HD. The patients were followed for one month to document any episodes of hemodialysis catheter related infection (HCRI). There were 11 (19.3&#x0025;) patients who developed HCRI proven by blood culture; 5 patients were infected with more than one organism. <i>Staphyloco-ccus Coagulase negative and <i>Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) </i>remain the most common patho-gens. All the organisms were sensitive to antibiotics administered empirically, however, 3 patients developed multiple resistant S. aureus </i>(MRSA). All the infected patients experienced previous epi-sodes of HCRI, which formed a risk factor in addition to low albumin when compared to the non-infected group (P=0.024 and P= 0.001, respectively). We conclude that the rate of HCRI and the causative organisms found in our study is comparable to previous reports. We still need to adopt measures to minimize the use of temporary vascular accesses by creation of fistulas in a timely fashion