Challenges and issues facing ethnic minority small business owners: the Scottish experience

Studies investigating the challenges and barriers faced by ethnic minority entrepreneurs have often concentrated on areas where there is a large supportive ethnic minority community. Less work has been conducted on the experience of those entrepreneurs operating in cities where such ethnic resources may be less widely available. Considered from the perspective of mixed embeddedness framework, this study uses face to face interviews with 25 ethnic minority entrepreneurs to gain a greater understanding of the constraints experienced by those starting and running businesses in one such location, the Scottish city of Aberdeen in the UK. Although, issues found by previous studies such as access to funding remain an issue, the entrepreneurs indicated problems with access to labour as United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) immigration rules and tightening of the Post Study Work (PSW) visa have had a profound effect on these entrepreneurs. The results imply that the weakening of the ethnic resource microsphere has not opened up opportunities which are exploited by the entrepreneurs, but they have still been exposed to external forces from the regulatory macrosphere. Both entrepreneurs and policymakers need to think carefully about the retention, training and recruitment of staff. In particular, the wider ramifications of immigration rule changes need to be considered, but also whether entrepreneurs need to be more open to the potential of recruiting non‐ethnic employees and if so what support is required to achieve this

Poverty profiles and coping strategies of the haor (ox-bow lake) households in Bangladesh

The study examines the depth and severity of poverty and coping strategies of 4065 households from 30 haor (ox-bow lake) areas from six north-eastern districts of Bangladesh. Results revealed that 29.6% and 43.0% of the surveyed households were below the lower and upper poverty lines based on Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method. The depth of poverty was estimated at 7.6% and 12.4% and the severity of poverty at 3.0% and 5.2%, respectively based of lower and upper poverty line estimates, which were substantially higher than the national average for rural areas of Bangladesh. Poverty is relatively higher for the households characterized by landlessness, large family size, lacking durable assets, poor housing and sanitation, NGO membership, wage labour and illiterate heads. Loans from moneylenders and/or relatives, reduction of monthly expenditure and asset sale were the main coping strategies. Policy implications include land reform and tenurial policies aimed at smooth functioning of the land rental market; provision of collateral free credit; investments in employment and income generation activities; provision of skills training; targeted education programs and increased coverage of safety net programs in order to reduce poverty of these highly vulnerable haor residents

Effects of different amounts of organic fertilizers on growth and production of tilapia in monoculture

The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different amounts of organic fertilizers on growth and production of Tilapia (monosex GIFT tilapia) in monoculture system for a period of 120 days. The experiment was carried out in six earthen ponds, which were situated at the south-east corner of the Fisheries Faculty Building under the Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experiment was designed with three treatments and each of them consisted of two replications. Fish population density was 120 fish per decimal for all the treatments. Ponds were treated with organic fertilizers (cow dung) at the rate of 2 kg, 4 kg and 6 kg per decimal were supplied fortnightly for treatment-I, treatment-II and treatment-III, respectively. The ranges of water temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, free CO2, phosphate-phosphorus and nitrate-nitrogen found were 15.82 to 24.49 ºC, 17.00 to 32.00 cm, 7.00 to 10.30 mg L-1, pH 7.20 to 7.90, 140.00 to 192.00 mg L-1, 2.00 to 6.00 mg L-1, 1.40 to 1.95 mg L-1 and 3.30 to 3.73 mg L-1, respectively. All the physical and chemical parameters except temperature were within the productive range and more or less similar among all the ponds under three treatments. 18 genera of phytoplankton under five major groups and 9 genera of zooplankton under three major groups were identified in the experimental ponds. Average survival rate of fish under treatment-I, treatment-II, and treatment-III were 94.50%, 94.00% and 95.00%, respectively. The calculated net fish production under treatment-I was 3.554 ton ha-1 yr-1 and that under treatment-II was 3.648 ton ha-1 yr-1 and under treatment-III was 2.919 ton ha-1 yr-1. The net fish productions under treatment-II and treatment-III were 102.64% and 82.13% comparing with treatment on which was taken for 100%. According to cost-benefit analysis, the ratios of net profit under treatments I, II, and III were 1:0.81, 1:0.54, and 1:0.04. According to specific growth rate, treatment-II was the best and survival rate of treatment-III was the best, and according to cost-benefit analysis, treatment-I (ratio 1:0.81) was the best. So, organic fertilizer at the rate of 2 kg per decimal (treatment-I) was considered the best among three treatments in this experiment. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 8 (2): 24-31, December, 201

Application of Permutation Group Theory in Reversible Logic Synthesis

The paper discusses various applications of permutation group theory in the synthesis of reversible logic circuits consisting of Toffoli gates with negative control lines. An asymptotically optimal synthesis algorithm for circuits consisting of gates from the NCT library is described. An algorithm for gate complexity reduction, based on equivalent replacements of gates compositions, is introduced. A new approach for combining a group-theory-based synthesis algorithm with a Reed-Muller-spectra-based synthesis algorithm is described. Experimental results are presented to show that the proposed synthesis techniques allow a reduction in input lines count, gate complexity or quantum cost of reversible circuits for various benchmark functions.Comment: In English, 15 pages, 2 figures, 7 tables. Proceeding of the RC 2016 conferenc

Geological and soil engineering properties of shallow landslides occurring in the Kutupalong Rohingya Camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

The Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN), historically known as ‘Rohingya’ who fled the 2017 ethnic atrocities and genocide in the Northern Rakhine State of Myanmar, took shelter in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh. The camp network, known as Kutupalong Rohingya Camp (KRC), is situated in the tectonically active tertiary hilly terrain. The KRC has been experiencing hydrometeorological hazards, where landslides are frequent. This study investigated the slopes’ geological condition, engineering properties and human interventions, which influence the landslides. The exposed slopes were relatively high (> 10 m) and steep ranging from 40° to 60° that have numerous polygonal tension cracks and fissures. From the geological and geotechnical aspects, there are three successive units of slope materials: (1) residual soils of sandy silt with clay, (2) highly weathered silty sandstones and (3) shale/clay with silt and fine sand intercalations at the bottom of the slopes. Field observations revealed that most slope failures occurred in the residual soil and weathered silty sandstone units. The residual soils have a bulk density of 1.49–1.97 g/cm3, a liquid limit of 25–48%, a plasticity index of 5–16% and an undrained shear strength of 23–46 kPa. The silty sandstones have a bulk density of 1.44–1.94 g/cm3, an internal friction angle of 34°–40° and a cohesion of 0.5–13 kPa. The mineralogical composition determined by the X-ray diffraction shows low clay mineral content, which does not affect landslides. However, the slope geometry, low shear strength with strain softening properties and torrential rainfall accompanied by anthropogenic factors cause numerous landslides every year. This study will help take proper mitigation and preparedness measures for slope protection in the KRC area and surroundings

Effects of palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic sludge from 500 m3 of closed anaerobic methane digested tank on pressed-shredded empty fruit bunch (EFB) composting process

In this study, co-composting of pressed-shredded empty fruit bunches (EFB) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) anaerobic sludge from 500 m3 closed anaerobic methane digested tank was carried out. High nitrogen and nutrients content were observed in the POME anaerobic sludge. The sludge was subjected to the pressed-shredded EFB to accelerate the co-composting treatment. In the present study, changes in the physicochemical characteristics of co-composting process were recorded and evaluated. The cocomposting treatment was completed in a short time within 40 days with a final C/N ratio of 12.4. The co-composting process exhibited a higher temperature (60 - 67°C) in the thermophilic phase followed by curing phase after four weeks of treatment. Meanwhile, pH of the composting pile (8.1 - 8.6) was almost constant during the process and moisture content was reduced from 64.5% (initial treatment) to52.0% (final matured compost). The use of pressed-shredded EFB as a main carbon source and bulking agent contributed to the optimum oxygen level in the composting piles (10 - 15%). The biodegradation of composting materials is shown by the reduction of cellulose (34.0%) and hemicellulose (27.0%) content towards the end of treatment. In addition, considerable amount of nutrients and low level of heavy metals were detected in the final matured compost. It can be concluded that the addition of POME anaerobic sludge into the pressed-shredded EFB composting process could produce acceptable and consistent quality of compost product in a short time

Inequalities in the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among Bangladeshi adults: evidence from a nationwide survey

Background In recent years, developing countries like Bangladesh are facing a higher burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension as a result of demographic transition. Prevalence of hypertension is often studied in this setting. However, evidence on undiagnosed hypertension is not widely available in the existing literature. Therefore, the current study focuses on inequalities in the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in Bangladesh. Methods A total of 8835 participants aged 35+ years were included in this study using nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2011 (BDHS). In the survey, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of these participants were measured three times with approximately 10 minutes of an interval between each measurement. Any respondent with either SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg was considered as patient with hypertension as per the guidelines from American Heart Association. Among the participants, undiagnosed hypertension was defined as having SBP > =140 mmHg or DBP > =90 mmHg and never taking prescribed medicine or being told by health professionals to lower/control blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied for identifying factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Further, socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension were estimated using Concentration Index (C). Results We found 978 (59.9% of the total) were undiagnosed among 1685 hypertensive patients studied. Regression analysis showed individuals with being underweight, having poor socioeconomic conditions, and lower educational qualifications were more likely to have undiagnosed hypertension. A similar association between undiagnosed hypertension and socioeconomic quintiles was observed using concentration index (C = − 0.07). On the other hand, individuals from higher age group (50–64 or above), female sex, and Sylhet region were at lower risk of undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusions This study showed that a large proportion of the cases with hypertension are remained undiagnosed in Bangladesh, especially among the poor and low educated population. Screening and awareness building initiatives on hypertension should be taken for this group of population to reduce the burden of undiagnosed hypertension

Prevalence and Correlates of Common Mental Disorders among Mothers of Young Children in Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania.

Although poor maternal mental health is a major public health problem, with detrimental effects on the individual, her children and society, information on its correlates in low-income countries is sparse. This study investigates the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among at-risk mothers, and explores its associations with sociodemographic factors. This population-based survey of mothers of children aged 0-36 months used the 14-item Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ). Mothers whose response was "yes" to 8 or more items on the scale were defined as "at risk of CMD." Of the 1,922 mothers (15-48 years), 28.8% were at risk of CMD. Risk of CMD was associated with verbal abuse, physical abuse, a partner who did not help with the care of the child, being in a polygamous relationship, a partner with low levels of education, and a partner who smoked cigarettes. Cohabiting appeared to be protective. Taken together, our results indicate the significance of the quality of relations with one's partner in shaping maternal mental health. The high proportion of mothers who are at risk of CMD emphasizes the importance of developing evidence-based mental health programmes as part of the care package aimed at improving maternal well-being in Tanzania and other similar settings

Effective Treatment Strategies for the Removal of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, Antibiotic-Resistance Genes, and Antibiotic Residues in the Effluent From Wastewater Treatment Plants Receiving Municipal, Hospital, and Domestic Wastewater: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The widespread and unrestricted use of antibiotics has led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), and antibiotic residues in the environment. Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed for effective and adequate removal of ARB, ARGs, and antibiotic residues, and therefore, they play an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the natural environment. OBJECTIVE: We will conduct a systematic review to determine the most effective treatment strategies for the removal of ARB, ARGs, and antibiotic residues from the treated effluent disposed into the environment from WWTPs that receive municipal, hospital, and domestic discharge. METHODS: We will search the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, World Health Organization Global Index Medicus, and ProQuest Environmental Science Collection databases for full-text peer-reviewed journal articles published between January 2001 and December 2020. We will select only articles published in the English language. We will include studies that measured (1) the presence, concentration, and removal rate of ARB/ARGs going from WWTP influent to effluent, (2) the presence, concentration, and types of antibiotics in the effluent, and (3) the possible selection of ARB in the effluent after undergoing treatment processes in WWTPs. At least two independent reviewers will extract data and perform risk of bias assessment. An acceptable or narrative synthesis method will be followed to synthesize the data and present descriptive characteristics of the included studies in a tabular form. The study has been approved by the Ethics Review Board at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (protocol number: PR-20113). RESULTS: This protocol outlines our proposed methodology for conducting a systematic review. Our results will provide an update to the existing literature by searching additional databases. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from our systematic review will inform the planning of proper treatment methods that can effectively reduce the levels of ARB, ARGs, and residual antibiotics in effluent, thus lowering the risk of the environmental spread of AMR and its further transmission to humans and animals. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/33365