Did Global Financial Crisis Impact the Islamic Banking Efficiencies? Evidence From Malaysian Islamic Banks

First, this paper investigated the loan and deposit efficiencies of Malaysian Islamic banks during 2008-2013 applying the non-parametric technique, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and found that the average technical efficiency (TE) of loan financing was 83%, 88%, 87%, 95%, 100%, and 94% and the average technical efficiency for deposit mobilizations was 87%, 94%, 94%, 96%, 92%, and 96%. Only four banks in 2008, two bank in 2009, three banks in 2010, two banks in 2011-2013 are both technically and scale efficient in loan production. On the other hand, only four banks in 2008 and 2009, five banks in 2010 and 2011, three banks in 2012, and five banks in 2013 are both technical and scale efficient in deposit mobilizations. Second, the paper compares the efficiencies of Islamic banks between the global financial crisis (GFC) and the post global financial crisis (PGFC) in determining whether the efficiencies of banks between the GFCP and PGFCP are stable. Both parametric and non-parametric tests found no significant difference in the efficiencies between the two periods suggesting that the efficiencies of the Malaysian Islamic banks were stable

Physarum-Inspired Bicycle Lane Network Design in a Congested Megacity

Improvement of mobility, especially environment-friendly green mobility, is challenging in existing megacities due to road network complexity and space constraints. Endorsing the bicycle lane network (BLN) in congested megacities is a promising option to foster green mobility. This research presents a novel bioinspired network design method that considers various constraints and preferences related to the megacity for designing an optimal BLN. The proposed method is inspired by natural Physarum polycephalum, a brainless, multi-headed single-celled organism, which is capable of developing a reticulated network of complex foraging behaviors in pursuit of food. The mathematical model of Physarum foraging behavior is adapted to maneuver various BLN constraints in megacity contexts in designing the optimal BLN. The Physarum-inspired BLN method is applied to two case studies on the megacity Dhaka for designing BLNs: the first one covers congested central city area, and the second one covers a broader area that includes major locations of the city. The obtained BLNs were evaluated comparing their available routes between different locations with the existing vehicle routes of the city in terms of distance and required travel times in different time periods, and the BLN routes were found to be suitable alternatives for avoiding congested main roads. The expected travel time using BLNs is shorter than other transport (e.g., car and public bus); additionally, at glance, the average travel speed on BLNs is almost double that of public buses in peak hours. Finally, the designed BLNs are promising for environment-friendly and healthy mobility

Steady MHD Free Convection Flow with Thermal Radiation past a Vertical Porous Plate Immersed in a Porous Medium

Abstract: The present study is concerned with thermal radiation in a steady two-dimensional MHD free convection flow through a porous vertical flat plate immersed in a porous medium. In the analysis a DarcyForchhemier model is considered while the fluid is taken to be gray, absorbing-emitting radiation. The nonlinear governing equations have been transformed by the usual similarity transformation to a system of ordinary differential equations. These dimensionless similar equations are then solved numerically employing the Nachtsheim-Swigert shooting iteration technique along with sixth order Runge-Kutta integration scheme. Finally the effects of the pertinent parameters are examined

Surface and Ground Water Pollution in Bangladesh: A Review

Environmental analysis does not become properly meaningful unless follow the standard procedure in sampling, preserving and also in analysis. This study investigates different studies on surface and groundwater pollution and discusses their findings along with impacts on environment, human health and aquatic ecosystem demolition. Fresh water is a vital need for drinking, household, agricultural and industrial use. Fresh water availability is shrinking worldwide due to imprudent use. Abound availability of fresh water in Bangladesh is now polluting due to unwise dumping of industrial, household, agricultural and municipal wastes. Water body in urban arena is severely polluted rather than rural part. The over concentration of DO, BOD, COD, EC, TDS, Cr, Cd, Pb was observed in Dhaka region. The highest arsenic concentration was found in the ground water of Lakshimpur. The main sources of pollution in industrial cities are anthropogenic sources like untreated industrial effluent and municipal wastes whereas in rural part the main sources of pollution are agricultural and naturogenic. Transboundary impact also intensifies some river water pollution. Government approved the policies, ordinance, acts and laws however, due to lack of proper implementation and monitoring water pollution problem increasing day by day

Heavy metal contamination in retailed food in Bangladesh: a dietary public health risk assessment

IntroductionContamination with heavy and toxic metals along the food value chain is a public health concern in Bangladesh. MethodsIn this study, 608 fish and chicken samples from traditional and modern retail outlets in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas were collected and analyzed for chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) contamination, using atomic absorption spectrometry method. The daily intake, target hazard quotient and the target carcinogenic risk (for lead only) as a result of fish and chicken consumption was calculated based on mean results, and by Monte Carlo simulation in @Risk with 100,000 iterations (quantitative risk assessment). ResultsCr and Cd were detected in 80-86% of both chicken meat and fish samples, while Pb positivity found in chicken meat and fish was 54.9 and 23.3%, respectively. The mean concentration (+/- SD) of Cr, Cd, and Pb in chicken meat were 0.66 +/- 0.93, 0.02 +/- 0.03, and 0.09 +/- 0.10 mg/kg, respectively; and in fish were 0.49 +/- 0.62, 0.02 +/- 0.03, and 0.06 +/- 0.09 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intakes of Cr, Cd, and Pb from chicken and fish were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake in all studied areas. In addition, the target carcinogenic risk for Pb in chicken was lower than the negligible range, which indicated the risk of cancer due to exposure to Pb through chicken meat and fish consumption was very low. DiscussionThe present study concludes that consumption of chicken meat and fish in Bangladesh, currently at very low levels, is unlikely to constitute a major health risk for humans in respect to these metals. However, continuous market surveillance for heavy metals in food stuff is recommended, especially since consumers may increase their meat intake

Multidrug-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella of public health significance recovered from migratory birds in Bangladesh

Non-typhoidal Salmonella provides an exemplar for the One Health approach as it encompasses public and animal health, food safety, and environmental considerations. The contribution of environmental aspects is currently less well-defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the carriage occurrence of non-typhoidal Salmonella in migratory birds in Bangladesh and assess the potential significance to public and animal health. Cloacal swabs (N = 453) were collected in the years 2018-2020 from Tanguar and Hakaluki Haors, important wetland ecosystems in Northeastern Bangladesh. The prevalence of Salmonella was 13.5% (61 positive swabs). Classical serotyping identified six serovars: Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars Perth, Kentucky, Albany, Infantis, Weltevreden, and Brancaster. Resistance towards 14 antimicrobials was assessed by broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentration determination and the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genotype established by whole-genome sequencing. S. Perth and S. Weltevreden isolates were susceptible and harbored no acquired AMR genes. Isolates from the remaining serovars were multidrug resistant, commonly possessing resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin. Salmonella resistant to ciprofloxacin meets WHO criteria for priority pathogens. There was excellent concordance between resistance phenotype and the presence of corresponding AMR genes, many of which reside on Salmonella Genomic Islands. High-level ciprofloxacin resistance correlated with the presence of mutations in the chromosomal gyrB and/or parC genes. The S. Kentucky isolates were ST198, a widely distributed multidrug-resistant lineage reported in humans and animals, and constituting an ongoing risk to public health worldwide. We have demonstrated that multidrug-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella of public health significance can be recovered from migratory birds. A potential for risk can manifest through direct interaction, transmission to food-producing livestock on farms, and dissemination via the long range migratory movements of birds. Risks can be mitigated by measures including continued surveillance and implementation of good farm biosecurity practices

Microbial Contamination and Antibiotic Resistance in Marketed Food in Bangladesh: Current Situation and Possible Improvements

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem worldwide. Bangladesh, like its neighboring countries, faces many public health challenges, including access to safe food, inadequate food surveillance, as well as increasing AMR. This study investigated bacterial contamination and the AMR profile of pathogens in marketed food in Bangladesh and explored barriers to reducing AMR in the country. We collected 366 tomatoes, 359 chicken and 249 fish samples from 732 vendors in traditional markets in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in Bangladesh, as well as from 121 modern retails in Dhaka capital to analyse Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in fish, Salmonella in chicken, and Salmonella and E. coli in tomatoes. Antibiotic susceptibility against 11 antibiotics was tested using a disc diffusion test and interpreted by an automated zone inhibition reader. In addition, a qualitative study using key informant interviews was conducted to explore antimicrobial use and AMR reduction potential in Bangladesh. We found E. coli in 14.21% of tomatoes and 26.91% of fish samples, while 7.38% of tomatoes and 17.27% of chicken were positive for Salmonella, and 44.98% of fish were positive for Vibrio cholerae. In total 231/319 (72.4%) of all pathogens isolated were multidrug-resistant (MDR) (resistant to three or more antibiotic groups). Qualitative interviews revealed an inadequate surveillance system for antibiotic use and AMR in Bangladesh, especially in the agriculture sector. To be able to fully understand the human health risks from bacterial hazards in the food and the AMR situation in Bangladesh, a nationwide study with a one health approach should be conducted, within all sectors, including AMR testing as well as assessment of the antimicrobial use and its drivers

Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Pulsatile Flows through an Artery with Stenosis

The current study presents three-dimensional modeling and analysis of blood flow through artery stenosis under several variants of pulsatile flow to mimic the atherosclerosis artery disease. The study considered Newtonian and non-Newtonian blood flow models and solved the three-dimensional laminar and unsteady Navier-Stokes (NS) equations for different inlet velocity profiles. The Carreau Yasuda model was used for hemodynamics modeling of fluid viscosity. A comparative analysis was carried out for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid models under several simple pulsatile, equivalent pulsatile and physiological velocity profiles. The non-Newtonian fluid exhibited a higher centerline velocity. Wall shear stresses, shear strain rates, velocity fields, and vortex distribution for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid flows show significant differences. A higher wall shear was noticed near the stenosis. The vortex formed near the stenosis shifts to upstream and downstream of the stenosis with the change of velocity pulse. The velocity profile deflates more for non-Newtonian flows than the Newtonian flows