Dynamic Response of Foundations on Two-Parameter Media

A finite element algorithm is presented to analyze the dynamic response of rectangular foundations resting on an elastic medium. The foundation is modeled by rectangular thin plate elements and the supporting elastic medium is represented by the two parameter model proposed by Vlasov. The natural frequencies of the foundation-elastic medium are investigated. A parametric study is conducted to examine the effects of the edge and corner forces, that are accounted for in the two parameter model, on the dynamic response of a plate subjected to a moving vertical force

Reemergence of Epidemic Vibrio cholerae O139, Bangladesh

During March and April 2002, a resurgence of Vibrio cholerae O139 occurred in Dhaka and adjoining areas of Bangladesh with an estimated 30,000 cases of cholera. Patients infected with O139 strains were much older than those infected with O1 strains (p<0.001). The reemerged O139 strains belong to a single ribotype corresponding to one of two ribotypes that caused the initial O139 outbreak in 1993. Unlike the strains of 1993, the recent strains are susceptible to trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole, and streptomycin but resistant to nalidixic acid. The new O139 strains carry a copy of the Calcutta type CTXCalc prophage in addition to the CTXET prophage carried by the previous strains. Thus, the O139 strains continue to evolve, and the adult population continues to be more susceptible to O139 cholera, which suggests a lack of adequate immunity against this serogroup. These findings emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of the new epidemic strains

Changing species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Shigella over a 29-year period (1980-2008)

We studied changes in species distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Shigella during 1980-2008, using the Diarrhoeal Diseases Surveillance system of Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B. In hospitalized patients Shigella prevalence decreased steadily from 8-12% in the 1980s to 3% in 2008. Endemic S. flexneri was the most commonly isolated species (54%). Epidemic S. dysenteriae type 1 had two peaks in 1984 and 1993, but was not found after 2000, except for one case in 2004. The therapeutic options are now limited: in 2008 a total of 33% of S. flexneri were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 57% to mecillinam. In the <5 years age group, severely underweight, wasted and stunted children were more at risk of shigellosis compared to well-nourished children (P<0·001). Although hospitalization for Shigella diarrhoea is decreasing, the high levels of antimicrobial resistance and increased susceptibility of malnourished children continue to pose an ongoing ris

An exploratory study to examine abundance of PM2.5 and associated disease burden in Bangladesh

This study examined selected disease burdens in Bangladesh associated with particulate matter exposure using gridded population and PM2.5 data between 2001 and 2019. The Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM) was used to determine hazard ratio (HR) and disease specific mortality. Besides, trend of PM2.5 and selected diseases were evaluated. Results revealed that strong seasonality existed in PM2.5 with winter exhibited maximum concentration. The trend assessment showed PM2.5 was increasing over time. Among five diseases assessed, LRI was most sensitive to an increase of PM2.5, followed by IHD, LC, CEV and COPD. Excess mortality was found to be elevating because of PM2.5, particularly in major cities. This study could be useful in advancing research in the disease burden attributable to ambient air pollution in Bangladesh