Areas Of Bangladesh Research Articles

Exploring the distribution of risk factors for drop-out from Ponseti treatment for clubfoot across Bangladesh using geospatial cluster analysis.

Clubfoot is a congenital anomaly affecting 1/1,000 live births. Ponseti casting is an effective and affordable treatment. About 75% of affected children have access to Ponseti treatment in Bangladesh, but 20% are at risk of drop-out. We aimed to identify the areas in Bangladesh where patients are at high or low risk for drop-out. This study used a cross-sectional design based on publicly available data. The nationwide clubfoot program: 'Walk for Life' identified five risk factors for drop-out from the Ponseti treatment, specific to the Bangladeshi setting: household poverty, household size, population working in agriculture, educational attainment and travel time to the clinic. We explored the spatial distribution and clustering of these five risk factors. The spatial distribution of children <5 years with clubfoot and the population density differ widely across the different sub-districts of Bangladesh. Analysis of risk factor distribution and cluster analysis showed areas at high risk for dropout in the Northeast and the Southwest, with poverty, educational attainment and working in agriculture as the most prevalent driving risk factor. Across the entire country, twenty-one multivariate high-risk clusters were identified. As the risk factors for drop-out from clubfoot care are not equally distributed across Bangladesh, there is a need in regional prioritization and diversification of treatment and enrolment policies. Local stakeholders and policy makers can identify high-risk areas and allocate resources effectively.

A Case Study from the Perspective of Rural Areas in Bangladesh Concerning “Additional Financial Aid” and “Support for Students”

This study focused on educational solutions for children with special needs that are more effective in enhancing their academic performance than their social integration. The paper gives a case study of extra support provided by mobile special and rehabilitative educators to students deemed by their schools to need further assistance in reaching their goals but who are not recognized as having special needs in Bangladesh. A qualitative case study featured nine students and nine mobile CFP students who participated in the school throughout the 2017-18 school year survey. In this study, the author was interested in understanding the notion of inclusion and whether or not student assistance was currently in place would not only target additional professionals to assist the student, In the event of learning difficulties or special needs but also take into account the individual’s original environment (assistance to the child’s parents or guardians) and overall social inclusion. The present study evaluated the help and support given to students whose program orientation for students with special needs has not yet been determined but whom, according to practitioners, would benefit from additional support and incentives to increase their participation in the educational process. However, the paper discovered a fragmented view of inclusion and an emphasis on student participation. Despite positive results, developing less exclusive behaviors remains an Idabel obstacle.

Screening of Solanum tuberosum Cultivars Salt Tolerences In vitro Condition

Aims: To evaluate the impacts of salinity on some physiological traits of potato cultivars under in Vitro conditions.&#x0D; Study Design: Completely Randomized Design using two factors.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The Genetics and Plant Breeding Department, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University from October 2019 to January 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: Ten varieties; eight were collected from Tuber Crops Research Centre (TCRC), Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, and two from Sylhet were used. The varieties were BARI 29 (V1), Pechar Chokh (V2), BARI 72 (V3), Lal Shila (V4), BARI 53 (V5), BARI 25 (V6), BARI 28 (V7) and BARI 36 (V8), BARI 7 (V9) and BARI 73 (V10). Four salinity treatments including T1 (control), T2 (5 dS/m), T3 (10 dS/m), and T4 (15 dS/m) were applied to the varieties.&#x0D; Results: Varieties and salinity treatment were influenced individually in the interaction with the physiological traits of potatoes.V8 showed higher chlorophyll content (63.892%) while a minimum of 27.5% was recorded in V5. The chlorophyll content of potato varieties was increased at the lower level of salinity (T0). The accumulation of proline was observed in all varieties and treatments; however, the V7 cultivar (14.02 µmol-1FW) and T4 salinity treatment had higher accumulation. In response to salinity, the content of Na+ of potato plants rose at 0.26% in T4 while the decreasing trend was found in K+ due to salinity stress. Moreover, the highest Na+ content (0.20%) was found in V7 whereas the highest value of K+ content (0.20 %) was reported in the V4 variety.&#x0D; Conclusion: From the experiment, it has been found that BARI Alu-72(V3) performed well under 5 dS/m salinity level and 10 dS/m level because better yields were obtained from these varieties. So V3 variety is recommended for mild to moderate saline-prone areas in Bangladesh.

When vulnerabilities are exploited—The role of sextortion in the WASH sector in Bangladesh

It has long been acknowledged that many aspects of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are highly gendered and that women face an increased risk of violence when access to WASH services is not adequate. However, not enough studies explore where these incidents of violence occur or document the different forms of violence. This research paper will add to the newly emerging research on sextortion as a form of violence that women and girls encounter disproportionately in accessing WASH. This form of violence that takes place at the intersection of corruption and sexual violence has dire social, economic and health consequences, yet little is known as of what increases vulnerability to sextortion. Analyzing original data from a standardized survey with adult women (n = 1,200), interviews (n = 21) and focus group discussions (n = 5), this paper examines the factors that make women vulnerable to sextortion in accessing WASH services. The study was conducted in 2 rural and 2 urban areas in Bangladesh between September and December 2021. The analysis shows that those women living in poverty, in water insecure households and in rural areas are especially vulnerable to experiencing sextortion. The research also shows that the vulnerability factors, while overlapping are not the same as those making women vulnerable to experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, highlighting the importance of studying sextortion separately. The findings contribute to an emerging evidence-base around sextortion, which remains an understudied phenomenon posing an obstacle to the achievement of safe access to water and sanitation for all.

Intrahousehold Food Intake Inequality by Family Roles and Age Groups

Food intake inequality at the individual level is rarely analyzed in intrahousehold settings. We examine dietary diversity scores of household members with a focus on their family roles (fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and grandparents) and age groups (children, adults and elderly). Whereas theory suggests that members in a household should have equal dietary diversity by receiving a certain share of available foods, this research hypothesizes that they do not do so by their roles and/or age groups. We conduct questionnaire surveys, collecting sociodemographic information and dietary data by using a 24 h recall method of 3248 subjects in 811 households from 1 urban and 2 rural areas in Bangladesh. The statistical analysis demonstrates three findings. First, poor and rural people have lower dietary diversity than nonpoor and urban people, respectively. Second, grandparents (children) have lower dietary diversity than do fathers (adults), confirming the existence of intrahousehold food intake inequality by the roles and/or age groups, irrespective of poverty level and areas of residence. Third, father and mother educations are crucial determinants that raise the dietary diversity of household members; however, they do not resolve the inequality. Overall, it is suggested that awareness programs of dietary diversity shall be necessary with a target group of fathers and mothers for the betterment of intrahousehold inequality and health at the household level, contributing to sustainable development goals.

Factors Associated with Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Use, Intention to Quit, and the Number of Cigarettes Smoked among Adults with High Blood Pressure in a Rural District of Bangladesh

The current research is an initial investigation aimed at reporting the factors associated with smoking tobacco, smokeless tobacco (SLT) use, the number of cigarettes smoked, and the intention to quit smoking. A total of 307 adults aged 30 to 75 years with high blood pressure were recruited as part of a cluster RCT from a rural area in Bangladesh. The outcome variables included the number of cigarettes smoked per day, intentions to quit smoking, and SLT use. We used Rasch analysis and regression analysis. A low level of education and older age were associated with smoking tobacco and SLT use, respectively. The 62 smokers smoked 9.6 cigarettes or bidi on average per day, and 54 (87%) knew that smoking was associated with cancer. Overall, 41.6% of farmers compared to 58.9% of employees and 53% of people with no education compared to 75% of people with a higher education intended to quit smoking and SLT use. Our research contributes to the evidence that increasing education increases the intention to quit smoking and identifies population groups that could benefit from targeted public health campaigns. Health education programs are needed to increase motivation to quit smoking, especially among farmers, and to reduce SLT use among women and elderly people.

In Vitro Shoot Bioassay of Salt Tolerant International Potato Center Bred Potato Genotypes for Assessing Their Salinity Tolerance

The aim of the experiment is to study in vitro regeneration efficiency of international potato center (CIP)-bred salt tolerant potato genotypes under salt stress condition and to identify effective potato genotype(s) for saline belt areas of Bangladesh. An in vitro shoot bioassay of eight CIP-bred potato genotypes viz. CIP 102, CIP 106, CIP 111, CIP 117, CIP 124, BARI Alu 72 (CIP 139), and BARI Alu 73 (CIP 127) and CIP 136 were used. In this study, single node of these genotypes was cultured in MS media supplemented with 0, 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 mM NaCl. Among the eight genotypes, BARI Alu 72 (CIP 139) showed the highest tolerance against salinity up to 160 mM NaCl (14.61 dS/m) for all studied parameters (except shoot and root initiation) with the highest plant height (9.67 cm), leaves number (13.60), nodes number (9.50), root length (6.50 cm), roots number (7.80), fresh weight of shoot (536.1 mg) and root (205.60 mg). On the other hand, CIP 106 was found the most susceptible genotype against salinity showing its highest salinity tolerance up to 120 mM NaCl (10.96 dS/m) with maximum plant height (7.17 cm), leaves number (12.50), nodes number (6.50), root length (7.50 cm), roots number (9.7), fresh weight of shoot (572.3 mg) and root (250 mg). The experiment's findings corroborated CIP's findings that they were salt tolerant, as well as recommended for their cultivation suitability in saline-affected area in Bangladesh.

Prevalence and risk factors for avian influenza virus (H5 and H9) contamination in peri-urban and rural live bird markets in Bangladesh.

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) have been frequently detected in live bird markets (LBMs) around the world, primarily in urban areas, and have the ability to spillover to other species, including humans. Despite frequent detection of AIV in urban LBMs, the contamination of AIV on environmental surfaces in rural and peri-urban LBMs in Bangladesh is poorly documented. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence of AIV subtypes within a subset of peri-urban and rural LBMs in Bangladesh and to further identify associated risk factors. Between 2017 and 2018, we collected faecal and offal samples from 200 stalls in 63 LBMs across four sub-districts. We tested the samples for the AIV matrix gene (M-gene) followed by H5, H7, and H9 subtypes using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). We performed a descriptive analysis of market cleanliness and sanitation practices in order to further elucidate the relationship between LBM biosecurity and AIV subtypes by species, sample types, and landscape. Subsequently, we conducted a univariate analysis and a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to determine the risk factors associated with AIV contamination at individual stalls within LBMs. Our findings indicate that practices related to hygiene and the circulation of AIV significantly differed between rural and peri-urban live bird markets. 42.5% (95% CI: 35.56-49.67) of stalls were positive for AIV. A/H5, A/H9, and A HA/Untyped were detected in 10.5% (95% CI: 6.62-15.60), 9% (95% CI: 5.42-13.85), and 24.0% (95% CI: 18.26-30.53) of stalls respectively, with no detection of A/H7. Significantly higher levels of AIV were found in the Sonali chicken strain compared to the exotic broiler, and in offal samples compared to fecal samples. In the GLMM analysis, we identified several significant risk factors associated with AIV contamination in LBMs at the stall level. These include: landscape (AOR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.18-7.72), the number of chicken breeds present (AOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.01-5.67), source of birds (AOR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.0-5.53), separation of sick birds (AOR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.34-6.92), disposal of waste/dead birds (AOR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.41-7.05), cleaning agent (AOR: 5.99; 95% CI: 2.26-15.82), access of dogs (AOR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.12-5.7), wild birds observed on site (AOR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.01-5.3). The study further revealed a substantial prevalence of AIV with H5 and H9 subtypes in peri-urban and rural LBMs. The inadequate biosecurity measures at poultry stalls in Bangladesh increase the risk of AIV transmission from poultry to humans. To prevent the spread of AIV to humans and wild birds, we suggest implementing regular surveillance at live bird markets and enhancing biosecurity practices in peri-urban and rural areas in Bangladesh.

Physical and mental health status of women in disaster-affected areas in Bangladesh

Despite the increased risk of disasters in the Bangladesh, there is a dearth of research about women’s physical and mental health vulnerability following disasters. This study aimed to explore the physical and mental health status and associated risk factors of women in recurrent disaster-affected areas of Bangladesh. Participants (N = 408) were recruited using systematic random sampling from two purposively selected disaster-prone areas (Upazilas of Sagata and Sarankhola), using a structured questionnaire conducted in person. Physical and mental health status was assessed using the health Short Form 12 (SF-12) measure that is comprised of both physical health (PCS-12) and mental health (MCS-12) subscales. Of the 408 participants, the mean scores on PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales were 43.85 ± 28.04 and 37.70 ± 27.29, respectively, which were strongly correlated, r = .71, p < .001. Overall, 65.9% and 63.0% of total participants scored below the validated cut-off of PCS-12 and MCS-12 subscales which indicates both poor physical and mental health. The results indicated that physical and mental health were significantly poorer for the participants who witnessed casualties, lost family members or relatives, were relocated to shelters and sacrificed food during disasters. Moreover, poorer mental health scores were identified among participants who were physically injured and/or consulted a medical practitioner during or after the disaster. Accurate health knowledge is crucial for adequate and effective disaster preparation to decrease the health impacts on women in disaster-prone areas of Bangladesh. Research in this area is needed, and strategies to improve the public health status of women are warranted.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, FOOD SECURITY AND RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN BANGLADESH

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is facing severe economic challenges as it has slowed down human activities all over the world. COVID-19 spread rapidly after the first occurrence of infection was identified on December 31, 2019 in China and it has massive consequences on the health and livelihoods of the people of developing country es like Bangladesh. Food security and livelihoods are the most important aspects of agri-food systems. Besides human health concern, agricultural productivity is declined and food security is threatened globally. The basic aim of this paper is to understand the impacts of COVID-19 on agricultural productivity, food security and rural livelihoods in the context of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, the farming activities and food supply process are greatly disrupted during the lockdown period of March to May 2020. The marginal and smallholder farmers aside by the rural areas in Bangladesh characterized by poor socio-economic condition are so much vulnerable during this crisis period. As a result, the rural poor farmers are the worst sufferers and faces a wide range of constraints throughout the process of crop cultivation, harvesting and marketing. Furthermore, the disruption of demand and supply chain causes low market price of agricultural products accounts for enormous economic loss of farmers. Therefore, the government of Bangladesh should act promptly and undertake combined initiatives involving all the concerned departments to mitigate the adverse effects of pandemic on agri-economy and food systems in Bangladesh.

Association of exposure to salinity in groundwater with chronic kidney disease among diabetic population in Bangladesh.

Globally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the major public health concerns. CKD and renal failure are reported to be high in the areas with higher salinity, however, the association is still unclear. We aimed at assessing the association of degree of groundwater salinity with CKD among diabetic populations of two selected areas in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional analytic study was carried out among 356 diabetic patients aged 40-60 years in high groundwater salinity exposed Pirojpur (n = 151) and non-exposed Dinajpur (n = 205), the southern and northern districts of Bangladesh, respectively. The primary outcome was the presence of CKD (via estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min) using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Binary logistic regression analyses were done. In non-exposed (mean age 51.2±6.9 years) and exposed (mean age 50.8±6.9 years) respondents, men (57.6%) and women (62.9%) were predominant, respectively. The proportion of patients with CKD was found to be higher in the exposed group than that of the non-exposed group (33.1% vs. 26.8%; P 0.199). The odds (OR [95% confidence interval]; P) of CKD were not found to be significantly higher in high salinity exposed respondents (1.35 [0.85-2.14]; 0.199), compared to the non-exposed. However, the odds of hypertension were found to be significantly higher in high salinity exposed respondents (2.10 [1.37-3.23]; 0.001), compared to the non-exposed. And, the interaction of high salinity and hypertension showed a significant association with CKD (P = 0.009). In conclusion, the findings suggest that groundwater salinity may not be directly associated with CKD in southern Bangladesh, however, it may have an indirect association with the disorder through the association of hypertension with groundwater salinity. Further large scaled studies are required to answer the research hypothesis more clearly.

After cyclone Aila: politics of climate change in Sundarbans

ABSTRACT This article compares the politics of climate change in the Sundarbans region in Bangladesh and India based on ethnographic fieldwork in four villages and among migrants from these villages in Kolkata and Khulna city by focusing on the long aftermath of cyclone Aila. The comparison highlights different policy options and framings of extreme weather events . Ten years after the cyclone, the aftermath of Aila continues in both regions we studied in Bangladesh and India, but partly for different reasons. In our study areas in Bangladesh, the aftermath of Aila reinforced the neglect of coastal livelihoods, whereas, in the communities we studied in India, Aila spurred new investments in the affected areas. By comparing how the political is interwoven with the natural, we demonstrate how Aila's lingering impacts have emerged as part of local power relationships and diverse forms of agency. We highlight the multiplicity of policy responses and people's practices not only between communities and countries facing a similar predicament but also within the communities themselves. We argue that the politics of climate change is not only about climate change policy to mitigate the impact of ecological disasters but also about the reconstruction of political agents and practices.

A checklist of wild mushroom diversity and distribution in the Jahangirnagar University campus area, Bangladesh

This comprehensive study focuses on a checklist survey of wild mushrooms and documents their morphological variability and diversity at Jahangirnagar University, a natural and social forest area in Bangladesh. Through field studies on the campus grounds from June to October 2021, 60 samples were collected from which 40 species were identified by morphological characters, belonging to 33 genera, 26 families, and 10 orders. Most species were identified from the order Agaricales and the highest frequency (83.33%) from the orders Polyporales and Agaricales. The highest species abundance was 83.33% for Ganoderma spp., Crepidotus applanatus and the density was 70% for Marasmiellus candidus. The dominant species were Ganoderma spp., Coprinus disseminates, Marasmius spp., Schizophyllum commune, Calvulina coralloides. The wild mushrooms were prevalent in the natural forest areas of the Jahangirnagar University campus. As far as we are aware, this report is the very first work on wild mushrooms or macro-fungi on the campus of Jahangirnagar University. This survey shows that the campus grounds are enriched with a wide variety of wild mushrooms.&#x0D; Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 11(1 &amp; 2): 41-67, 2022 (June &amp; December)

Agricultural Challenges and Adaptation for Changing Climate: A Study on Early Flash Flood-prone Areas in Bangladesh

Agricultural Challenges and Adaptation for Changing Climate: A Study on Early Flash Flood-prone Areas in Bangladesh

The Prevalence of Myopia among School Students in Urban Area Bangladesh and to Explore the Associations between Reading and Writing Postures and Myopia

Background: Myopia, often known as near-sightedness, is a common visual issue that typically first appears between the ages of 6 and 14. Roughly 5% of toddlers, 9% of elementary schoolchildren, and 30% of high schoolers are affected. Having near-sighted parents increases a child's risk of developing myopia.&#x0D; Objective: To assess the prevalence of myopia among school students in urban area Bangladesh and to explore the associations between reading and writing postures and myopia.&#x0D; Methodology: A complicated, stratified, multistage sample design was used to select the participants from January 2019 to January 2020. Using a random number generator, we chose one urban region and one rural area in Bangladesh, and at least 50 students from each grade in elementary, middle, and high school participated in the studies. Students from elementary school (n=50), middle school (n=50), and high school (n=50) were all included in our study, which included a total of 150 participants.&#x0D; Results: During the study, mean age of the patients was 10.50± 0.86 years. Followed by middle school group mean age was 14.09 ± 0.92 years and high school group was 16.55 ± 0.89. Plus majority were male. In primary school group 35% cases usually had their chest is more than the width of a fist from the edge of the table. Followed by in middle school group it was 25% and in high school group it was 27%. Plus, in primary school group 26% had usually eyes are more than 33 cm (one Chi) away from the book followed by in middle school group it was 30% and 31%. Regarding the associations between reading and writing postures and myopia, we identified that a reading distance &gt;33 cm is a protective factor for myopia in female students [odds ratio (OR) = 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.15–0.64], in both primary school (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.30–0.99) and middle school (OR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.15–0.90)&#x0D; Conclusion: A reading distance &gt;33 cm can be used as an additional measure to prevent and control myopia. Proper postural measures for reading and writing may have educational and public health benefits.

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.

Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Asymptomatic Bangladeshi Female Garment Workers

Antibody titer study is very important to assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community. This study aimed to estimate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a group of asymptomatic female workers and compare the clinical and socio-demographic parameters of seropositive and seronegative subjects in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 285 female workers who had come to BIRDEM General Hospital for the COVID-19 test in November 2021 from different areas of Bangladesh. RBD-specific antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 were measured by using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) for all participants. Overall antibody positivity was estimated at 91.9% (262), and only 8.1% of participants had a negative IgG antibody response. Of the 262 participants 96.18% were asymptomatic. In the age group, the highest seropositivity was between 21-30 years (58%). The median IgG titer of the antibody was estimated at 578.50 AU/ml. The participants of Khulna had the highest median IgG titer of 3966 AU/ml followed by other areas (p=0.043). There was no significant difference in median IgG titer in symptomatic, asymptomatic, and vaccinated, non-vaccinated participants. Based on the geographical area Dhaka and Barisal had significantly more seropositive subjects than seronegative subjects (p = 0.001) and (p = 0.011). The high number of undiagnosed COVID-19 patients in the population is reflected in the percentage of seropositive people. Our findings will assist academics in better understanding immune status and policymakers in taking proactive measures during pandemic situations and future health emergencies.

Potential Impact of Temperature and Humidity on Milk Yield of Holstein Friesian Crossbred Dairy Cows

This study was an attempt to find out the correlation among Temperature Humidity Index, milk yield, milk fat and SNF percentage at first lactation of Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred (50% HF and 50% local) dairy cows in comparatively cooler months in the coastal areas in Bangladesh. Sixty HF crossbred cows at the early lactation stage were selected randomly from ten farms. Milk samples were collected from cows at seven days intervals and stored at 4 °C until further analysis. Data on temperature and relative humidity were collected from metrological records from late September to December 2019. The results revealed that milk yield, fat, and SNF percentage significantly differed from the THI recorded in different months. It was also observed that there was a significant (p&lt;0.05) negative correlation between THI with milk yield, milk fat, and SNF percentage. In conclusion, the result revealed that THI greatly affects HF crossbred dairy cows' milk yield and composition in comparatively cooler months.

Towards Economic Sustainability or Unsustainability: The Case of Artisanal Fisheries in the Bay of Bengal

Globally, excess capacity and overexploitation of fisheries have become growing concerns because of the associated fishing, social, political, and economic consequences. This study estimates the degrees of capacity utilization and technical efficiency, and the factors affecting the capacity utilization of the multispecies gill-net vessels operating in the Bay of Bengal. It is based on data collected from two marine fishing areas in Bangladesh and uses data envelopment analysis and Tobit regression. Our results indicate low degrees of capacity utilization and high degrees of technical inefficiency. However, by holding production at an efficient level, unbiased capacity utilization is close to full capacity. A high degree of excess capacity exists, and more than one-third of vessels could be decommissioned. Furthermore, vessel capacity, number of trips, and trip duration affect capacity utilization. An implication of our results is that efficient management of vessel capacity might be helpful in controlling harvest and reducing overexploitation.

The relationship between physical activity and diabetes in middle-aged and elderly people.

To investigate the association between diabetes symptoms and physical activity (PA) levels among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Data for this study were obtained from 2018 Charles data. Z test, logistic regression analysis, and linear hierarchical regression analysis were performed in 5352 individuals aged ≥50 years with complete information. In terms of diabetes, 6.8% of the middle-aged and elderly people with diabetes were detected, and 93.2% of the middle-aged and elderly people without diabetes symptoms. The proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with high PA levels was 50.5%, and the proportion of middle-aged and elderly people with low PA was 49.5%. There was a significant positive correlation between low PA and diabetes (P < .05). After adjusting demographic characteristics (gender, registered permanent residence type, education level, age, widowhood) and health status characteristics (poor mood, asthma, hyperlipidemia, disability, memory disease, self-assessment of health status, hypertension, smoking, stroke, depression), there was still a statistical significance between PA level and diabetes (P < .05). The risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people in China increases with age, while the risk of diabetes of middle-aged and elderly people with low level of PA is higher. The risk of diabetes is high among middle-aged and elderly people who are old, have poor self-evaluation health, suffer from hyperlipidemia, memory disease, and asthma. The middle-aged and old people should increase their PA levels to prevent and improve diabetes.