Fielding’s Controversial Moralism versus Tom Jones’s Catharsis

Exhausted and fed up with hypocrisy along with material jealousy-which seems to be the root cause of the conflict between individuals, sects, races, colours and religions- humanity requires some blazing instances of integrity and magnanimity of heart for consolation.  Tom Jones is such a novel where the hero’s self-sacrifice for the sake of the emancipation of the anguished and aggrieved mankind has been focused evidently. This article has attempted a psycho-analysis of Tom Jones’s personality with a view to imparting a motivating sway upon readers as well as critics making a careful study of Tom Jones to reduce and alleviate affliction of the concerned human beings to a large extent for a serene society of reciprocal understanding and deference. It also attempts to present Tom Jones, the hero of Henry Fielding’s novel, Tom Jones, as a man having the greatness of heart in spite of tremendous criticism regarding the novelist’s incessant reluctance of his hero’s frequent moral progresses downhill. It observes and explores a hero's physical and psychological evolution and mellowness to a quite altered man from what he was during his parentless, immature and childhood lapses against conventional Christian ethical codes. In this article, Tom stands out from a natural human being to a schooled and learned one through different ordeals. This article also counts Tom's goodness of heart which is considered as the supreme human virtue and which- while existing in a man's heart- gradually and unquestionably undertakes the purification process. An attempt has also been made to highlight the opposite trait, hypocrisy that mars a human character. By comparison and contrast of Tom's portrayal with others, Fielding's philosophy of 'goodness of heart' is brought to light. Key Words: Goodness of heart, ethical laxity, catharsis, hypocrisy, awareness and penitence.

The impact of HIV/AIDS education through formal curriculum and texts in Bangladesh : a study on secondary and higher secondary students

Background: The education sector in Bangladesh provides students with information about HIV/ AIDS which may emerge as a major public health and socioeconomic problem affecting students. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS education through Formal Curriculum and Texts (FCT) on secondary and higher secondary students in Bangladesh. Methods: Using multistage cluster sampling technique, a total of 384 students aged between 11- 19 years were chosen from four secondary and higher secondary institutions in Bangladesh and interviewed through a predesigned structured questionnaire. For triangulation of the quantitative findings, the study employed Key Informant Interview (KII) technique to collect qualitative data from the teachers. Results: The findings of the study show that a little more than half of the students (53.1 percent) reported that HIV/AIDS education prevented students from having unprotected intercourse while 52.60 percent of them stated that it helped to increase self-efficacy. Again, a significant proportion of the students (70.1 percent) said that HIV/AIDS education removed their misconceptions. It can be said that the textbooks of secondary and higher secondary students lack sufficient information about HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Therefore, the Government of Bangladesh may take an initiative to include more information about HIV/AIDS in the textbooks of secondary and higher secondary students

Tau in Tauopathies That Leads to Cognitive Disorders and in Cancer

Tau is a copious microtubule-associated protein mainly expressed in neurons; it is also expressed in non-neuronal cells. Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases occurring mostly within the neuronal and glial cells of the central nervous system with a conspicuous tau pathology. In tauopathies, soluble tau disconnects from microtubules and forms abnormal, aggregated filamentous assemblies of hyperphosphorylated tau. Genetic, pathological and biochemical analyses have also proved that tau protein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of several tauopathies. Cognitive disorders are a type of psychological disorders that mainly distress observation, learning, memory, and problem elucidating. Among different cognitive disorders like amnesia, dementia, and delirium tauopathies mainly involve in dementia. Though tau is a neuronal protein, it is also expressed in various non-neuronal cells, like those of the liver, kidney and muscle. The activity of non-neuronal tau, especially in cancer cells, still needs to be elucidated; tau might have significant functions in non-neuronal cells. This chapter describes the associations between tauopathies and cancer

Design, analysis and trajectory tracking control of underactuated mobile capsule robots.

The research on capsule robots (capsubots) has received attraction in recent years because of their compactness, simple structure and their potential use in medical diagnosis (e.g. capsule endoscopy), treatment and surgical assistance. The medical diagnostic capability of a capsule endoscope - which moves with the aid of visceral peristalsis - in the GI (gastro-intestinal) tract can be improved by adding propulsion to it e.g. legged, magnetic or capsubot-type propulsion. Driven by the above needs this thesis presents the design, analysis, trajectory tracking control and implementation of underactuated mobile capsule robots. These capsule robots can be modified and used in in-vivo medical applications. Researches on the capsubottype underactuated system focus on the stabilization of the robot and tracking the actuated configuration. However trajectory tracking control of an unactuated configuration (i.e. the robotmotion)was not considered in the literature though it is the primary requirement of any mobile robot and also crucial for many applications such as in-vivo inspection. Trajectory tracking control for this class of underactuated mechanical systems is still an open issue. This thesis presents a strategy to solve this issue. This thesis presents three robots namely a one-dimensional (1D) capsule robot, a 2D capsule robot and a 2D hybrid capsule robot with incremental capability. Two new acceleration profiles (utroque and contrarium) for the inner mass (IM) - internal moving part of the capsule robot - are proposed, analysed and implemented for the motion generation of the capsule robots. This thesis proposes a two-stage control strategy for the motion control of an underactuated capsule robot. A segment-wise trajectory tracking algorithm is developed for the 1D capsule robot. Theoretical analysis of the algorithm is presented and simulation is performed in the Matlab/Simulink environment based on the theoretical analysis. The algorithm is implemented in the developed capsule robot, the experimentation is performed and the results are critically analyzed. A trajectory tracking control algorithm combining segment-wise and behaviour-based control is proposed for the 2D capsule robot. Detailed theoretical analysis is presented and the simulation is performed to investigate the robustness of the trajectory tracking algorithm to friction uncertainties. A 2D capsule robot prototype is developed and the experimentation is performed. A novel 2D hybrid robot with four modes of operation - legless motion mode, legged motion mode, hybrid motion mode and anchoring mode - is also designed which uses one set of actuators in all operating modes. The theoretical analysis, modelling and simulation is performed. This thesis demonstrates effective ways of propulsion for in-vivo applications. The outer-shape of the 1D and 2D capsule robots can be customized according to the requirement of the applications, as the propulsion mechanisms are completely internal. These robots are also hermetically sealable (enclosed) which is a safety feature for the in-vivo robots. This thesis addresses the trajectory tracking control of the capsubot-type robot for the first time. During the experimentation the 1D robot prototype tracks the desired position trajectory with some error (relative mean absolute error: 16%). The trajectory tracking performance for the 2D capsubot improves as the segment time decreases whereas tracking performance declines as the friction uncertainty increases. The theoretical analysis, simulation and experimental results validate the proposed acceleration profiles and trajectory tracking control algorithms. The designed hybrid robot combines the best aspects of the legless and legged motions. The hybrid robot is capable of stopping in a suspected region and remain stationary for a prolonged observation for the in-vivo applications while withstanding the visceral peristalsis

Impact of FDI and Joint Venture on Employment Generation: A Multi-sector Experience of Bangladesh Economy

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is very crucial for the sustainable development of developing countries in general and in specific for LDCs-like Bangladesh. For Bangladesh, inflow of foreign direct investment is the major stimulus for the sturdy and long-standing economic growth which is subject to the improvement of many socio-economic and political factors. As a promising hub for foreign direct investment, Bangladesh has already conquered popularity for its simplistic, liberal and most investments friendly climate throughout the globe. Being an open, flexible and promising destination for foreign direct investment, Bangladesh has been drawing attention of the global investors into a focal investment destination within South-Asian region. Its investment climate is mostly featured by munificent and alluring packages of incentives to investors. In addition, there is no discrimination between the local and foreign investors in facilitating the incentives they owe from the investment destination. The existing rules and regulations are structured in such a way so as to fully guarantee the safety of the incoming investment and their returns with gained profit or surplus. The positive and ensuring economic growth brings dramatic changes in the employment scenario of a country. The increased flow of foreign direct investment into multifarious sectors namely Agricultural, Chemical, Engineering, Textile and Service sectors significantly trims down the unemployment predicament of our country. Bangladesh has a large pool of vibrant young working force that is highly trained and skilled enough to cater the demands of the globalized world. Due to global economic recession of 2008, the financial markets were crashed jobs disappeared and growth took a sharp plunge in much of the developed world and its ripple effects were felt in the other parts of the globe. Though, many economists forecasted that Bangladesh would be severely affected by this speedy storm. Rather, the economy Bangladesh demonstrated extraordinary resilience, driven by sound macroeconomic policies, dynamic pool of private entrepreneurs and productive labour force. New and dynamic opportunities are emerging for foreign direct investment (FDl) in the traditional and emerging sectors while significantly improving involvement of female into the workforce. Keywords: FDI, Joint Venture Investment, Sectoral Investment, Employment Generation

Impact of Using Internet during Covid-19 Lockdown on University Students: A Study of Bangladesh Perspectives

Introduction: Government of Bangladesh declared lock down several times in the educational institutions for the purpose of retains the rapid speed of COVID-19. During the lockdown period students stayed in home and totally depended on internet for spending times, contract friends, attained in online classes etc. The purpose of the study is to measure the impact of long- time internet usage that brought various complications among the students in their physical and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown period. Methods: A structured online based questionnaire link was sent using Google forms and distributed to students via what’s app and Facebook Messenger and 360 respondents were filled up the questionnaire in the period of June 2021-August 2021 COVID-19. The distribution of respondent demographic variables was investigated using descriptive statistical methods; Pearson’s chi-square tests have been applied. Result: About 40.8% of students’ perception was that COVID-19 lockdown had changed their internet usage habits a little more than the normal time. The measures of the duration of time of internet usages there was a significant change. The respondents usage increased rapidly on 5-6 hours (42.05%) and 10 hours + (32.8%) whereas it was 30.3 % and only 6.9% respectively in before the lock down. The usages of internet hampered the students in their studies, night’s sleep, food habits, loneliness, frustration and depression during the lock down situation. Conclusion: The concern authority should take necessary steps to reduce the habit of internet usage the COVID-19 situation and motivate the students for concentrating on their studies and minimize the excessive use of the internet

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among rural community in Bangladesh : a cross-sectional survey based study

Although more than one hundred million beneficiaries were administered COVID-19 vaccine until 20th February, 2022 in Bangladesh; however, proportionally a low turnout has been recorded in rural places and a substantial gap exist among the people living in rural and urban areas concerning the ratio of receiving vaccine. This study aims to investigate COVID-19 vaccine acceptance intention and to identify the potential factors influencing vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among the rural community in Bangladesh. A bilingual, self-administered anonymous questionnaire was developed, and data were collected between 10th June 2021 and 14th August 2021 through face-to-face interview. 655 rural people participated in this cross-sectional study, and sampling was done randomly. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were used to explore and rationalize study objectives. Out of 655 rural participants, 552 (84.3%, 95% CI 81.2─86.8) responded to accept COVID-19 vaccine; however, minor fractions (n = 5, n% = 0.8, 95% CI 0.12–1.4) of rural community had willingness to pay (WTP) for a COVID-19 vaccine. The result of binary regression showed that “safety,” “side effects,” “effectiveness,” and “trust” had highly significant (p <.01) and positive correlation with vaccine acceptance intention. “Rumor” had moderately significant (p <.05) and negative association while “gender” had insignificant correlation with vaccine acceptance intention. Easy and constant access to evidence-based and trustworthy information on vaccination consequences is imperative for resource-less remote people. Health communication regarding safety, side effect, and effectiveness of vaccines were identified as the most important predictor to convert vaccines to vaccinations and for ensuring mass immunization against COVID-19 in Bangladesh

ANTIOXIDATIVE AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF FOUR IMPORTANT MEDICINAL HERBS OF BANGLADESH

The evaluation of total phenolic contents, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities of four medicinal plants such as Centella asiatica, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Euphorbia hirta, Alstonia scolaris were performed using 80% methanol as a solvent. They were screening out to investigate their phytochemical properties. Preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, phenols, saponins, terpenoid, cardiac glycosides and tannins as the chemical class present in the extracts. The results suggest the phytochemical properties of the plant for curing various ailments. Preliminary antioxidative activities of the samples were also determined and among them we found that Centella asiatica contained highest total poly phenols (77.40 mg GAE/g sample) as well as DPPH radical scavenging activity (88.16%) and reducing power (OD=1.36). This shows that the plant may be potent source of natural antioxidants. The antimicrobial activity can be determined only in Centella asiatica and Holarrhena antidysenterica methanolic extract. However both of them showed considerable level of activity against standard strains and clinical isolates of some gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The obtained results provide a support for the use of these plants in traditional medicine and for its further investigation

A population-level data linkage study to explore the association between health facility level factors and unintended pregnancy in Bangladesh

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of health facility-level factors, including the availability of long-acting modern contraceptives (LAMC) at the nearest health facility and its distance from women’s homes, on the occurrence of unintended pregnancy that resulted in a live birth. We analysed the 2017/18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data linked with the 2017 Bangladesh Health Facility Survey. The weighted sample comprised 5051 women of reproductive age, who had at least one live birth within 3 years of the survey. The outcome variable was women’s intention to conceive at their most recent pregnancy that ended with a live birth. The major explanatory variables were the health facility level factors. A multi-level multinomial logistic regression model was used to assess the association of the outcome variable with explanatory variables adjusting for individual, household, and community-level factors. Nearly 21% of the total respondents reported that their most recent live birth was unintended at conception. Better health facility management systems and health facility infrastructure were found to be 14–30% protective of unintended pregnancy that resulted in a live birth. LAMC availability at the nearest health facility was associated with a 31% reduction (95% CI 0.50–0.92) in the likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy that resulted in a live birth. Health facility readiness to provide LAMC was also associated with a 14–16% reduction in unintended pregnancies that ended with a birth. The likelihood of unintended pregnancy that resulted in a live birth increased around 20–22% with the increased distance of the nearest health facility providing LAMC from the women’s homes.The availability of health facilities near women’s homes and access to LAMC can significantly reduce unintended pregnancy. Policies and programs to ensure access and affordability of LAMC across current health facilities and to increase the number of health facilities are recommended