Search

The current National Curriculum 2012 for English (VI- X) in Bangladesh incorporates both listening and speaking skills for its English education. Textbooks have also been designed in accordance with the policy which is set by the National Curriculum and Textbook Broad (NCTB). The English textbook, titled "English for Today" (EfT), was designed in alignment with the current National Curriculum for English (VI-X) for students in grades 6 through 10. The target of the EfT is to achieve students' competency in integrated four skills of English language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, although the listening module is now in policy and classroom practice, it is not assessed in school or in public exams at the secondary level (Kabir, 2020). This study explores the perceptions of policy and practice of listening in secondary English education in Bangladesh. This study may be significant as little research has been done in Bangladesh on listening skill and its significance for language competence, let alone on the teaching of listening in connection to language learning. This qualitative study is based on in-depth interview data collected in 2019. The interviews included pertinent participants of policymakers and secondary English teachers. The findings indicated that there was a disconnect in curriculum, classroom practice and assessment in secondary English education.

This study explores the influences of parental socio-economic status on their engagement practices in rural secondary schools in Bangladesh. This study took place in a specific context where the majority of parents lacked literacy and faced financial constraints. This reality hindered their ability to provide adequate support for their children's education. A qualitative case study research has been chosen to carry out the research. The data has been collected using group discussion, semi-structured interviews and observation from five rural secondary schools in Bangladesh. The findings of this study revealed that parental engagement initiatives related to the annual programs of schools resulted in limited practice of one-to-one communication with parents. The lack of parental literacy, poverty, and being the first generation to receive schooling were identified as fundamental factors that hindered regular and overall engagement initiatives. Furthermore, there is limited opportunity for both parents and teachers to actively participate in the schooling system. In this regard, this study emphasized the importance of place and suggested contextually formed initiatives for further improvement of parental engagement.

Over six million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported globally by the second quarter of 2020. This study assessed the COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, practices and misconceptions in Katsina state, Nigeria. The study is across-sectional survey of 722 respondents using an electronic questionnaire through the WhatsApp media platform. One thousand five hundred questionnaires were sent to the general public with a response rate of 48%. Among the respondents, 60% were men, and 56% held bachelor’s degree and above. The respondents have good knowledge of COVID-19 (80% correct rate on questions related to knowledge). Being more educated is associated with both higher average COVID-19 knowledge score and positive COVID-19 related practices. Overall, >70% of the respondents have a positive attitude towards successful COVID-19 control. Male were more likely than female (Fisher’s exact test P value < 0.05) to have recently attended a crowded place. Among the respondents, 83% held at least one misconception related to COVID-19. Respondents at all levels of education frequently chose to trust health unit and health care workers for relevant COVID-19 information. In conclusion, although there is high COVID-19 related knowledge among the respondents, misconceptions are widespread among them. These misconceptions have consequences on the short- and long-term control efforts against the disease and hence should be incorporated in targeted campaigns. Healthcare related personnel should be at the forefront of the campaign.

We announce the genome sequence of the Citrobacter portucalensis BAU_133-2 strain isolated from a domestic duck. Our assembled genome contained a length of 4.8 Mb, 110.0× genome coverage, 51.91% of an average GC content, 1 plasmid, 1 CRISPR array, 8 prophages, 27 antibiotic resistance genes, and 75 virulence factor genes.

We sequenced a multidrug-resistant strain of Citrobacter freundii, 132-2, isolated from a cloacal swab sample of a domestic duck. The whole genome of the C. freundii 132-2 strain had a length of 5,097,592 bp, 62 contigs, two plasmids, and an average G+C content of 51.85%, with a 105.0× genome coverage.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Citrobacter freundii poses a serious challenge as this species is one of the sources of nosocomial infection and causes diarrheal infections in humans. Ducks could be the potential source of multidrug-resistant (MDR) C. freundii; however, AMR profiles in C. freundii from non-human sources in Bangladesh have remained elusive. This study aimed to detect C. freundii in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in Bangladesh and to determine their phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns. A total of 150 cloacal swabs of diseased domestic ducks were screened using culturing, staining, biochemical, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) to detect C. freundii. Phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns were done by the disk diffusion method and PCR, respectively. In total, 16.67% (25/150) of the samples were positive for C. freundii. C. freundii isolates showed a range of 20% to 96% resistance to cefotaxime, gentamicin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, ampicillin, and cephalexin. More than 60% of the isolates were phenotypically MDR, and the index of multiple antibiotic resistance ranged from 0.07 to 0.79. Genes encoding resistance to beta-lactams [blaTEM-1-88% (22/25), blaCMY-2-56% (14/25), blaCMY-9-8% (2/25), and blaCTX-M-14-20% (5/25)], sulfonamides [sul1-52% (13/25), sul2-24% (6/25)], tetracyclines [tetA-32% (8/25) and tetB-4% (1/25)], aminoglycosides [aacC4-16% (4/25)], and fluoroquinolones [qnrA-4% (1/25), qnrB-12% (3/25), and qnrS-4% (1/25)] were detected in the isolated C. freundii. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Bangladesh to detect MDR C. freundii with their associated resistance genes from duck samples. We suggest addressing the burden of diseases in ducks and humans and associated AMR issues using the One Health approach.

The purpose of the study is to systematize the main directions of the discussion that unfolded at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in November-December 2023 on the need to reform the financial mechanism of the UN climate convention. The relevance of this study is based on the fact that today the conditions have been formed to intensify Russia’s participation in the discussion at the international level on the goals and objectives of climate and sustainable finance, as there is growing dissatisfaction with the aggressive policy of developed countries trying to solve their development problems, including by distorting and replacing the global agenda previously agreed by the majority of the world's countries on the UN platform. The main conclusion of the study is as follows. When considering the problems of organization of both the climate finance mechanism and the sustainable finance mechanism in the context of the organization and functioning of the Technology Mechanism (UNFCCC) and the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (UN 2030 Agenda), embedded in the current discussion on the need to reform the financial mechanism of the UN climate convention, many issues related to the incorrectness, inconsistency and divergence of these concepts at the level of different countries can be effectively addressed by the UNFCCC. Returning the consideration of both climate and sustainable finance to the context of technological modernization tasks solved by society (as originally defined in the UN documents) will make it possible to return the process of transition of countries to a new sustainable development model to the original direction; to get rid of manipulations and substitution of concepts used by a group of developed countries; to reach consensus among all Parties to the Convention.

One of the most significant global challenges for humans is environmental pollution. The technology to control this problem is the utilization of semiconductors as photocatalysts. In the current study, iron-doped titania nanotubes (Fe/TiNTs) with increased photocatalytic effect were synthesized via a modified hydrothermal method. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gas adsorption, electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). TEM results indicated that Fe/TiNTs have a tubular and uniform structure with an average outer diameter of 23–48 nm and length of 10–15 µm. ESR and DRS revealed that Fe3+ ions were successfully introduced into the TiNT structure by replacing Ti4+ ions. An enhanced light absorption in the range of 400–600 nm additionally indicated successful doping. The band gap was narrowed as iron wt% was increased. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the presence of Fe/TiNTs and TiTNs by monitoring the degradation of MO under UV light irradiation. An acceleration on the hydration of Portland cement was observed in the presence of 2.0 wt% Fe/TiNTs. Fe/TiNTs can be used as a nanomaterial in cement-based building materials to provide self-cleaning properties to the surface of concrete even in indoor environments.

Background and Aim: Campylobacter infections in sheep may be asymptomatic or cause enteritis, ileitis, infertility, and abortion. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in farming sheep and to detect risk factors, molecular patterns, and antimicrobial susceptibility status of these pathogens. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eight fecal samples were collected from 12 flocks in the Mymensingh and Sherpur districts. Samples were tested by both basic (culture and biochemical tests) and molecular (initially 16S rRNA and later hipO gene-based polymerase chain reaction). Furthermore, the antimicrobial susceptibility status of Campylobacter jejuni was confirmed using disk diffusion. Flock- and animal-level data were captured using semi-structured interviews with farm owners under bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to confirm the risk factors for Campylobacter-positive status. Results: The prevalence of C. jejuni staining at the animal and flock levels was 8.82% (36/408) and 66.70% (8/12), respectively. The age of sheep was identified as an important risk factor. Up to 1 year of age, sheep were 3.78 times more likely to be infected with C. jejuni (95% confidence interval: 1.0736–13.3146, p = 0.038). Of the 36 isolates of C. jejuni, all were found to be fully susceptible (100%) to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. In this study, three antimicrobial agents, oxytetracycline, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone, were fully resistant (100%). The majority of isolates were resistant to a combination of 4–6 antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: The present study highlights the predominant maintenance of zoonotic Campylobacter species in sheep, and their burden on human health is enormous. Therefore, environmental, animal, and human health needs to be focused under a One Health lens to mitigate the occurrence of Campylobacter in farm settings and to prevent further introduction to animals and humans.

Swarm intelligence (SI) is the collective behavior of several intelligent agents (IAs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones are widely used as IA in SI, of which UAV-based decentralized networks are one. Since the UAV can move in different directions without any surface in the 3D environment, the problem of UAV-to-UAV (UAV2UAV) based interaction is observed in UAV-based SI processes. In a UAV-based network, each UAV needs to follow the 3D flying pattern, and if there is any problem in determining the 3D position pattern, the network loses its arrangement, which may cause chaos in the entire network system. 3D movement of biological animal is observed based on these six relative directions: right, left, up, down, back, and front. The aim of this study is to establish an IA-enabled interaction based on the mentioned 6 relative directions in the UAV-based SI process to overcome the raised issues. First, the article presents various relative directional 3D positions of a UAV and then proposes a novel UAV-to-UAV Relative Directional Interaction (UAV2UAV-RDI) model. Here, two different algorithms are performed on two different UAVs to execute an optimization-based evolutionary computation for detecting and tracking the relative directional 3D position of a UAV. Consequently, according to the findings of this research, the interaction between two UAVs occurs and one UAV can track the relative directional 3D position of the other UAV. The performance of the proposed model is compared with the three models where the proposed model performed more directionally. Additionally, we also point out the limitations of the proposed model for future improvements.

Background and Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious disease of cattle, mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assay and single-intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) in detecting bTB. Materials and Methods: In an earlier study, 150 positive, 83 inconclusive, and 480 negative animals from 24 cattle herds were screened using SICTT. From these groups, 125 positive, 17 inconclusive, and six negative animals were subsequently verified using the IFN-γ assay. Single-intradermal comparative tuberculin test outcomes were interpreted according to standard guidelines, whereas blood samples were collected and stimulated with purified protein derivatives. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure secreted IFN-γ. Concordant and Bayesian latent class analyses were performed to evaluate test performance. Results: Results from the IFN-γ assay revealed that 83.2%, 64.7%, and 16.67% of the animals were positive in the SICTT-positive, inconclusive, and negative animal categories, respectively. Sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of SICTT were 83.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.4-90.1) and 95.7% (95% CI: 86.9-99.7), respectively. Sensitivity and SP for the IFN-γ assay were 78.9% (95% CI: 71.9-85.4) and 83.9% (65.9-95.9), respectively. The use of both tests in parallel increases the SE of bTB detection (~94%), compared with SICTT alone. Conclusion: Use of the IFN-γ assay with SICTT in parallel, predominantly on cattle demonstrating an inconclusive SICTT outcome, boosts bTB detection rate in low resource settings.

Environmental pollution is one of the most serious and global problems for humans. Photocatalysis is a promising technology to control environmental pollution via the utilization of semiconductor materials as a photocatalyst. In this study, iron-doped TiO2 nanotubes (Fe/TiNTs) with an increased photocatalytic effect at longer wavelengths compared to undoped TiNTs were used, and the effect on the early hydration and mechanical properties of the main clinker phase tricalcium silicate (C3S) was investigated for the first time. Prior to the incorporation of nanotubes into C3S, it was treated with a supersaturated Ca(OH)2 solution. The addition of 1 and 2 wt.% of Fe/TiNTs into the C3S system significantly accelerated the course of hydration. The degree of hydration for the hydration products after 8 h, 1 d and 7 d have improved. The enhancement of compressive strength after 7 d, 14 d and 28 d were observed compared to normal TiO2 nanotubes (TiNTs). Treating Fe/TiNTs with a supersaturated Ca(OH)2 solution revealed a stronger interaction between Ca2+-ions and nanotubes. Fe/TNTs were synthesized via a modified hydrothermal process. The study shows that Fe/TiNTs can be used as a nanomaterial in cement-based building materials due to their enhanced interaction with the system.

AbstractRepetitive thoughts are divided into constructive (concrete-experiential thought) and unconstructive (abstract-analytical thought) in processing mode theory. While previous studies have highlighted the similarities between concrete-experiential thought and mindfulness, no large-scale empirical study has been conducted to investigate this relationship. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1,030 Japanese adults to explore this relationship. We found that abstract-analytic thought had negative correlations with all mindfulness aspects except observation. Conversely, concrete-experiential thought was positively related to the mindfulness aspects of observing, describing, and non-reacting; it was not correlated with non-judging or acting with awareness. Our study suggests that there are similarities between concrete-experiential thoughts and mindfulness: they both focus on the context and specificity of events and experiences, yet harbor some key differences. This implication may contribute to psychological intervention on repetitive thought and mindfulness.

Textile supply chain challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war give unique insights into how health crises and geopolitical instability could dry up supplies of vital materials for the smooth functioning of human societies in calamitous times. Coinciding adverse global events or future pandemics could create shortages of traditional face coverings among other vital materials. Reusable face coverings could be a viable relief option in such situations. This review identifies the lack of studies in the existing literature on reusable fabric face coverings available in the market. It focuses on the development, filtration mechanisms, and factors associated with the filtration efficiency of reusable knitted and woven fabric face coverings. The authors identified relevant papers through the Summon database. Keeping the focus on readily available fabrics, this paper encompasses the key aspects of reusable face coverings made of knitted and woven fabrics outlining filtration mechanisms and requirements, development, factors affecting filtration performance, challenges, and outcomes of clinical trials. Filtration mechanisms for reusable face coverings include interception and impaction, diffusion, and electrostatic attraction. Face covering development includes the identification of appropriate constituent fibers, yarn characteristics, and base fabric construction. Factors significantly affecting the filtration performance were electrostatic charge, particle size, porosity, layers, and finishes. Reusable face coverings offer several challenges including moisture management, breathing resistance factors, and balancing filtration with breathability. Efficacy of reusable face coverings in comparison to specialized non reusable masks in clinical trials has also been reviewed and discussed. Finally, the authors identified the use of certain finishes on fabrics as a major challenge to making reusable face coverings more effective and accessible to the public. This paper is expected to provide communities and research stakeholders with access to critical knowledge on the reusability of face coverings and their management during periods of global crisis.

Abstract Background Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a venereal disease caused by Campylobacter fetus that has a negative impact on animal reproduction. The bull is considered to be a symptomless carrier that spreads the disease agent to breeding cows, causing infertility and sporadic abortion. Aim The study aims to estimate the prevalence, identify risk factors of Campylobacter fetus (C. fetus) infection and antimicrobial resistance pattern of the C. fetus isolates. Method A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Bull smegma samples (single sample from each bull) were collected from 300 bulls from four farms and tested via culture, biochemical identification and finally 16S rRNA and cdtA gene‐based molecular assays (PCR) for herd and animal‐level prevalence estimation. Herd‐ and animal‐level data on risk factors were collected from the farmers using a pretested questionnaire and analysed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models with a p value of

In fabric manufacturing, sizing, also known as slashing is considered as one of the most important processes that provides protective coating on the surface of yarn resulting in weaving fabric with high efficiency and enhanced quality, even though it does not add any functional value during end-use application and is neither a part of fabric manufacturing process. Additionally, it involves desizing process upon the completion of weaving; hence, sizing is often referred as nonproductive process. This review presents a state-of-the-art conceptualization in sizing process along with efforts involved in size-free weaving, development of eco-friendly sizing agents, and sizing machineries. Also, based on the discussion, promising innovations have been highlighted for future research consideration.

Endeavors on scoured and bleached cotton knit fabric to print with natural dyes and natural thickeners were made avoiding the use of detrimental metal-based mordanting agents. Three different natural dye sources (Rose flower-Rosa indica, Teak leaf-Tectona grandis and Tamarind-Tamarindus indica seed husk) extracted in aqueous medium were applied on 100% cotton knit fabric with three different thickeners prepared from the powder of Guar gum-Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, mango seed-Mangifera indica and tamarind seed-Tamarindus indicaon. The printed samples exhibited excellent wash fastness with grading 4–5 for all printed samples, light fastness 7 for tamarind seed husk and tamarind seed, rose flower and tamarind seed printed fabrics and rubbing fastness 4–5 for all printed fabrics. Dye-fiber bond formation was confirmed by FTIR, which revealed phenomena of strong covalent bond between dye and fiber molecules. Environmental impact assessments, chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 0–158 mg/L and total suspended solid (TSS) of 1–55 mg/L indicated that the wastewater generated was safe to discharge to the environment without treatment. Other essential features, determination of K/S value, CIE lab data and durability of printing paste demonstrated successful application of natural dyes and thickeners for printing cotton fabric.

Listening comprehension is an essential part of L2 learning. However, listening skills are neither taught nor assessed in the mainstream secondary and higher secondary public exams in Bangladesh. As a result, higher secondary students do not face a test of their listening skills until they attempt an IELTS test. For this reason, the listening test for the IELTS is challenging for post-higher secondary students. The purpose of this study is to explore the difficulties in the IELTS listening test perceived by Bangladeshi test takers; how test takers are prepared for the test and how experienced test takers report on the preparation for the test. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches have been adopted for the research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six IELTS preparatory-course trainers. In addition, five experienced IELTS test takers were also interviewed who scored a band score of 7.0 or above. All the participants were selected through purposive sampling. As a part of the quantitative research approach, 224 participants from the IELTS preparatory course were surveyed. The findings show that the primary challenge for the test takers is their inability to recognize known words as well as new vocabulary while listening to the audio in the IELTS test. The findings of the study may help IELTS trainers assist the potential test takers to deal with the difficulties of the IELTS listening test.

This article examines the current trends and the state of development of the energy transition in the Russian Federation. This process presents many challenges and requires a country to develop a strategy for success. At the same time, the successful implementation of the energy transition requires a balanced solution for its organization and implementation and a clear economic calculation. The main purpose of the study was to systematize information on the organization and instruments of for financing the energy transition in the Russian Federation. Presented among the results of the planned modernization transformations of the economy, the energy transition must be considered in the system of existing relations to determine its role and place in this process. The article analyzes government decisions on the energy transition organization, describes key aspects of the modern energy agenda, and summarizes information on the main instruments of energy transition financing. The author concludes that Russia is shaping its energy transition agenda on the basis of competitive advantages and socio-economic development priorities. Regarding energy transition, the country currently adheres to the Paris Agreement, adapting cross-border carbon regulations. The system of organization of relations within the energy transition framework is only being formed in Russia today, while with regard to the funding mechanism there is some experience and groundwork formed in the organization of the financing process of the green economy. Financial flows are reoriented to sectors of the economy which ensure energy security, technological sovereignty and sustainable economic development of Russia.

The article "Radiographic Signature of TRAF7 Mutant Meningiomas" explores the correlation between radiomic features and TRAF7-mutated meningiomas. A retrospective analysis of 322 meningiomas revealed that TRAF7 mutations were associated with younger age, female sex, homogenous enhancement on MRI, skull base location, smaller tumor size, bone involvement, hyperostosis, and type 1 hyperostosis. The study found that absence of brain signal change on T2-weighted images, hyperostosis with disrupted cortical architecture, and smaller tumor dimension were significant predictors of TRAF7 mutation status. The random forest model achieved high accuracy in predicting TRAF7 mutations in meningiomas. [Extracted from the article]

Using density functional theory (DFT) and machine-learning force fields, we calculated the thermoelectric properties of magnetite doped with four rare-earth elements: lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium. Our results show that Fe3O4:Nd3+ exhibits the highest power factor (PF) of 6294 μW m−1 K−2 at 300 K when hole-doped at a concentration of 1021 cm−3. This remarkably high PF surpasses those reported in the literature for binary oxides and is a significant improvement upon the PF of pristine Fe3O4, which was calculated to be less than 4600 μW m−1 K−2 over a temperature range between 300 K and 900 K. More importantly, we predict a maximum thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of 0.76 at 800 K for Fe3O4:Nd3+, nearly triple the ZT of pristine Fe3O4 at the same temperature, with a 191.2% improvement. Our calculations offer a theoretical analysis of realistic expectations for thermoelectric enhancement by heavy but isovalent dopants in magnetic oxides, as Nd adopts a +3 oxidation state, being isovalent to the Fe it replaces, and is about three times heavier than Fe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Optical mapping of animal models is a widely used technique in pre-clinical cardiac research. It has several advantages over other methods, including higher spatial resolution, contactless recording and direct visualisation of action potentials and calcium transients. Optical mapping enables simultaneous study of action potential and calcium transient morphology, conduction dynamics, regional heterogeneity, restitution and arrhythmogenesis. In this dataset, we have optically mapped Langendorff perfused isolated whole hearts (mouse and guinea pig) and superfused isolated atria (mouse). Raw datasets (consisting of over 400 files) can be combined with open-source software for processing and analysis. We have generated a comprehensive post-processed dataset characterising the baseline cardiac electrophysiology in these widely used pre-clinical models. This dataset also provides reference information detailing the effect of heart rate, clinically used anti-arrhythmic drugs, ischaemia-reperfusion and sympathetic nervous stimulation on cardiac electrophysiology. The effects of these interventions can be studied in a global or regional manner, enabling new insights into the prevention and initiation of arrhythmia.