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This study explores the attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of Dhaka city residents toward plastic pollution, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework. A cross-sectional survey of 435 participants was conducted online, targeting adults (≥ 18 years) with internet access. The survey consisted of 10 items each for attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to identify associations with sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and income. Findings indicate that respondents generally hold positive attitudes toward reducing plastic pollution, with 39.77% agreeing to purchase environmentally sustainable products despite higher costs and 44.83% willing to reduce single-use plastics even when offered for free. However, adoption of reusable alternatives remains low, with only 28.97% using their bags when shopping. Subjective norms showed moderate influence, with 43.68% of respondents indicating that people around them affect their plastic usage, though many lacked social pressure to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors. The study also highlights practical barriers, including the low availability of biodegradable alternatives (4.37%), lack of effective plastic waste segregation, and limited community-level campaigns. The 36–45 age group showed a significant negative association with perceived behavioral control, while higher education positively influenced attitudes toward plastic reduction. The study emphasizes the need for supportive policies, reward systems, and infrastructure to translate positive attitudes into sustainable behaviors. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to improve plastic pollution management in Dhaka and other developing urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined health safety issues among semi-intensive shrimp farmers in southwestern Bangladesh. The study assessed semi-intensive shrimp farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on health and safety during their farm activities. The KAP model examined working circumstances, exposures, health complaints, diseases, current health status, and job satisfaction. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 158 semi-intensive shrimp farmers from Bangladesh's Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts. Type-based data analysis was done. We used Spearman's rank correlation and multiple linear regression. Only 35% of respondents said that they knew the health safety of chemicals and pesticides used in semi-intensive shrimp farms and that safety training is needed, and all farmers wanted to attend when available. At least 74% of farmers used masks when handling pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals. 40.50% of farmers used protective clothing, 91% cleansed their hands, legs, and face after each day's work, and 94% felt that sanitization reduces pesticide, fertilizer, and chemical pollution. A significant positive correlation coefficient was established in KAP. Education significantly increased knowledge. Practices varied with health and safety training. Results suggest that attitudes determine practices, where knowledge is significantly associated with attitudes. A comprehensive health safety and hygiene training program for all shrimp farmers should be developed to raise awareness, reduce illness outbreaks, and preserve healthy living. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural dyes offer a harmless alternative to synthetic counterparts, minimizing the release of toxic chemicals associated with synthetic dyes. In this investigation, nylon fabrics underwent dyeing with neem leaf extract under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions along with lemon juice mordant. The study revealed that colour strength exhibited an increase with decreasing pH levels, with the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium demonstrating the highest value. Analysis of colour coordinates indicated that the mordanted fabric dyed in an acidic medium exhibited superior colour pickup compared to the other samples. Enhanced fastness properties were achieved under acidic pH conditions when a mordant was used. The FTIR test result ensured the nylon-lemon juice-neem leaves extracted dye interaction. The EDX analysis also confirmed the elemental composition of neem leaves extracted dye in nylon assisted by lemon juice. The SEM test results validated the dyeing process empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural dyes serve as a benign alternative to their synthetic counterparts, offering a sustainable option that directly mitigates the release of toxic chemicals. In this study, cotton fabrics were dyed with neem leaf extract in acidic, neutral and alkaline condition where samples were mordanted with lemon juice. The findings revealed a direct correlation between colour strength (K/S) and pH levels, and optimal fastness properties were achieved under alkaline pH conditions when a mordant was employed. The Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) ensured the elemental composition of lemon juice assisted dyed fabric which indicates the effective binding of cotton fabric with neem leaves extracted dye. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis also confirmed the interaction of cotton fabric with dye particles. The results indicate that cotton fabric can be successfully dyed with neem leaf extract and lemon juice as the biomordant, presenting an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to dyeing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to assess individual flood preparedness in the flood-prone Islampur Union of Sunamganj District, Bangladesh, using an index-based Holistic Individual Preparedness Model (HIPM). Methods: A total of 510 respondents participated in a face-to-face field survey, which employed 21 flood preparedness indicators. The key objectives were to evaluate the extent of individual preparedness and its determinants. Statistical methods such as multiple linear regression and Spearman's rank correlation were used to analyze the relationship between preparedness and various sociodemographic factors. Results and discussion: The results show that 91% of respondents felt insecure during floods and 86% experienced damage to their homes. A significant proportion (87%) rated flood warnings as inadequate, while 84% did not seek refuge in flood shelters. Notably, 54% of respondents demonstrated limited knowledge of flood preparedness measures. Factors like gender, housing type, monthly income, and evaluation of flood warnings were associated with preparedness levels, with females and residents of kacha (unsafe) houses being less prepared. The study underscores the need for targeted campaigns and educational initiatives to improve preparedness, particularly for vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID pandemic forced higher educational institutions to transition from in-person lectures to online lectures. In Bangladesh, this transition was steep, with no prior experience of this mode of delivery. This study aimed to understand and compare the experiences of students, academic staff and support staff within the area of veterinary science in Bangladesh, when comparing in-person and online lectures. We conducted a mixed methods survey to learn about the perceived experiences, strengths and limitations of each mode of teaching from students and staff. Our findings highlighted that students, academic staff and support staff all preferred in-person lectures when compared to online lectures. However, the extent of preference varied, with support staff strongly favouring the in-person mode of delivery, followed by academic staff and then students. Overall, these findings are essential to aid policymakers and university authorities on some of the strengths and barriers of in-person and online lectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research seeks to offer a thorough investigation of the return and volatility spillover dynamics between DSEX and five financial assets from Gold, currency rates, energy, and stock indexes. Previous studies only used one econometric model to estimate the results, but this work used three well-known models for cross validation and also used portfolio weights and an optimal hedge to control risk. The DCC-GARCH technique is used to examine volatility spillovers, and the Quantile VAR and TVP-VAR frameworks are used to examine return spillovers. Surprisingly, three separate methodologies all provided equal results and arrived at the same conclusion. This study's findings corroborate the premise that these six components frequently exhibit considerable co-movement in futures trading. This paper illustrates that investors can greatly benefit by altering their portfolios based on the dynamic weights and hedge ratios, even if there is a trade-off amongst the degree of risk mitigation and portfolio revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a worldwide phenomenon that significantly impacts the area, production, and yield of crops. Changes in climate conditions have diverse effects on farming globally. For instance, an increase in temperature can make specific crops more vulnerable to pests. Similarly, a decrease in rainfall reduces water availability, affecting both irrigated and rainfed farming practices. This study aims to investigate climate change effects on crop area dynamics in the Cachar district of Assam, India, for a period spanning from 1981 to 2017. The time series ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) model is employed to analyze the relationship between climate factors and areas under different crops. As a pre-requisite condition for ARDL, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test is employed to check the order of integration of area under selected crops. The research reveals that the annual average temperature negatively affects the area dedicated to chickpeas, while annual average rainfall negatively impacts the areas allocated to rice and chickpeas. Conversely, annual average relative humidity has a significant positive impact on the area of these crops in the study region. Policymakers may consider strategies and policies for agriculture by encouraging the cultivation of crop varieties that are more resilient to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. However, few studies have examined the prevalence of, and factors associated with, anxiety disorders among older Canadians (65 years or older), with a particular focus on Indigenous and racialized population groups. Data and methods Data from eight cycles of the annual Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)--2015 to 2022--were used to examine anxiety disorders among older Canadians. Multivariable logistic regression, stratified by sex, was carried out on a pooled sample of 151,755 respondents aged 65 years or older. Results From 2015 to 2022, on average, 6.0% of older Canadians reported a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, with females (7.5%) more likely than males (4.2%) to have done so. Indigenous males had higher odds of having an anxiety disorder than non-Indigenous, non-racialized males, while Chinese and other racialized females had lower odds of having an anxiety disorder than non-Indigenous, non-racialized females. Interpretation Findings of this study highlight the importance of considering Indigenous and racialized population groups disaggregated by sex when examining anxiety disorders among older Canadians to inform screening and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]