Source Tracking Of Dissolved Organic Nitrogen At Molecular Level During Storm Events In An Agricultural Watershed

Most Shirina Begum(Begum Most Shirina),Jin Hur(허진),Seung Yoon Lee(이승윤) 대한환경공학회 2021 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2021 No.11

Shift in Phenotypic Characteristics of Enterotoxigenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (ETEC) Isolated from Diarrheal Patients in Bangladesh

Begum, Yasmin Ara,Baby, Nabilah Ibnat,Faruque, Abu S. G.,Jahan, Nusrat,Cravioto, Alejandro,Svennerholm, Ann-Mari,Qadri, Firdausi Public Library of Science 2014 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.8 No.7

<▼1><P><B>Background</B></P><P>Enterotoxigenic <I>Escherichia coli</I> (ETEC) is one of the most common causes of bacterial diarrhea. Over the last decade, from 1996 to 2012, changes in the virulence antigen properties of ETEC such as heat labile (LT) and heat stable (ST) toxins, colonization factors (CFs), and ‘O’-serogroups have been observed. The aim of this prospective study was to compare changes in antigenic profiles of ETEC strains isolated from a 2% surveillance system at the icddr,b hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh between 2007–2012 and an earlier time period of 1996–1998 conducted at the same surveillance site.</P><P><B>Methodology</B></P><P>In the surveillance system every 50<SUP>th</SUP> patient attending the hospital was screened for major enteric pathogens including ETEC, <I>Vibrio cholerae</I>, <I>Shigella</I> spp. and <I>Salmonella</I> spp. from January 2007 to December 2012.</P><P><B>Principal Findings</B></P><P>Of the 15,152 diarrheal specimens tested between 2007–2012, the overall rate of ETEC isolation was 11%; of these, 43% were LT/ST, 27% LT and 30% ST positive. Isolation rate of ST-ETEC (p<0.009) and LT/ST ETEC (p<0.011) during 2007–2012 period differed significantly compared to those seen between 1996–1998. In comparison to the 1996–1998 period, difference in CF profile of ETEC isolates during 2007–2012 was observed particularly for strains expressing CS7 (12.4%), CS14 (9.5%) and CS17 (10.0%). The predominant CF types were CS5+CS6, CFA/I, CS7, CS17, CS1+CS3, CS6 and CS14. The most common serogroups among the CF positive ETEC isolates were O115, O114, O6, O25 and O8. A strong association was found between CFs and ‘O’ serogroups i.e. between CS5+CS6 and (O115 and O126); CS7 and (O114), CFA/I and (O78 and O126), CS17 and (O8 and O167) and CS1/CS2+CS3 and (O6).</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>The analyses show a shift in prevalence of antigenic types of ETEC over the study period; the information is important in designing effective ETEC vaccines with broad protective coverage.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>Diarrheal diseases constitute a major health problem in Bangladesh, where <I>Vibrio cholerae</I> and enterotoxigenic <I>Escherichia coli</I> (ETEC) are two most important causes of bacterial diarrhea. Prevention through vaccination is helpful to reduce the incidence and severity of diarrheal disease due to ETEC, particularly among children in low-resource settings. In this context, we collected stool and/or rectal swab (RS) specimens from patients with diarrhea between 2007 to 2012 under the 2% systematic routine surveillance system at the icddr,b hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh and screened for ETEC infection. We tested the specimens for two major virulence factors of ETEC: toxins and colonization factors. In this research article, we have focused on changes in toxin as well as colonization factor profiles of ETEC strains isolated from diarrheal patients seeking care at the icddr,b hospital between 2007–2012 and an earlier time period of 1996–1998. We concluded that, such shift in antigenic profile of ETEC over the study period is important in designing effective ETEC vaccines with broad protective coverage.</P></▼2>

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF TEA WASTE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GROWING CALVES

Begum, J.,Reza, A.,Islam, M.R.,Rahman, M.M.,Zaman, M.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1996 Animal Bioscience Vol.9 No.2

Twelve indigenous(desi) growing male calves of 9-12 months of age($95.3{\pm}12.6kg$) were divided into 4 groups having 3 animals in each group. Each group of calves received 1 kg fresh concentrate mixtures where tea waste was supplemented as 0($T_0$), 50($T_1$), 100($T_2$) and 150($T_3$) g $d^{-1}$ with the replacement of equal amount of concentrate mixtures. In addition, each calf received ad libitum chopped rice straw and 2 kg green grass a day. Dry matter intake increased by offering higher levels of tea waste except in the treatment $T_3$. Daily gain(g $d^{-1}$) was comparatively higher in $T_2$ group(314.6g) compared to other treatments. Feed efficiency(kg DM $kg^{-1}$ gain) was also higher in $T_2$ group(9.9) where feed cost $kg^{-1}$ gain was also comparatively lower(Tk. 25.7) than the other treatments. Dry matter and CP digestibility increased with the increase in supplementation of tea wastes except in the treatment $T_3$.

Sources of Carbonaceous Materials in the Airborne Particulate Matter of Dhaka

Begum, Bilkis A.,Hossain, Anwar,Saroar, Golam,Biswas, Swapan K.,Nasiruddin, Md.,Nahar, Nurun,Chowdury, Zohir,Hopke, Philip K. Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment 2011 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.5 No.4

To explore the sources of carbonaceous material in the airborne particulate matter (PM), comprehensive PM sampling was performed (3 to 14 January 2010) at a traffic hot spot site (HS), Farm Gate, Dhaka using several samplers: AirMetrics MiniVol (for $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$) and MOUDI (for size fractionated submicron PM). Long-term PM data (April 2000 to March 2006 and April 2000 to March 2010 in two size fractions ($PM_{2.2}$ and $PM_{2.2-10}$) obtained from two air quality-monitoring stations, one at Farm Gate (HS) and another at a semi-residential (SR) area (Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka Campus, (AECD)), respectively were also analyzed. The long-term PM trend shows that fine particulate matter concentrations have decreased over time as a result of government policy interventions even with increasing vehicles on the road. The ratio of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ showed that the average $PM_{2.5}$ mass was about 78% of the $PM_{10}$ mass. It was also found that about 63% of $PM_{2.5}$ mass is $PM_1$. The total contribution of BC to $PM_{2.5}$ is about 16% and showed a decreasing trend over the years. It was observed that $PM_1$ fractions contained the major amount of carbonaceous materials, which mainly originated from high temperature combustion process in the $PM_{2.5}$. From the IMPROVE TOR protocol carbon fraction analysis, it was observed that emissions from gasoline vehicles contributed to $PM_1$ given the high abundance of EC1 and OC2 and the contribution of diesel to $PM_1$ is minimal as indicated by the low abundance of OC1 and EC2. Source apportionment results also show that vehicular exhaust is the largest contributors to PM in Dhaka. There is also transported $PM_{2.2}$from regional sources. With the increasing economic activities and recent GDP growth, the number of vehicles and brick kilns has significantly increased in and around Dhaka. Further action will be required to further reduce PM-related air pollution in Dhaka.

Evolution and Identification of Thermo-Tolerant Hybrids in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L.

Begum, A.Naseema,Rekha, M.,Basavaraja, H.K.,Ahsan, M.M. Korean Society of Sericultural Science 2003 International Journal of Industrial Entomology Vol.6 No.2

Four thermo-tolerant lines of silkworm, Bombyx mori, (L.) viz., A HT, B HT (Chinese type) and F HT, G HT (Japanese type) were evolved by utilizing the breeding resource material (identified from initial screening at a temperature of 31 ${\pm} 1^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity 85 ${\pm}$ 5%) through conventional breeding. These tolerant lines were crossed with productive breeds and forty four hybrids were evaluated on eight economic traits by the Multiple Trait Evaluation Index Method. Ten hybrids were short-listed based on the average evaluation index value larger than 50 for eight economic traits studied. The identified ten hybrids recorded higher index values (> 50) for most of the traits studied. Single hybrid G ${\times}$ CSR12 indicated average index value larger than 50 for six traits viz., pupation number (58), cocoon weight (67), shell weight (65), average filament length (74), raw silk % (69), reelability % (51) except for shell ratio % (41). The standard deviation of the cocoons in the above hybrid was 8.41 in the hybrid cocoon length and width measurement. However, two selected hybrids viz., A ${\times}$ CSR5 and G ${\times}$ CSR13 recorded average index value larger than 50 for all the traits viz., pupation number (57, 60), cocoon weight (50, 54), shell weight (56, 57), shell ratio percentage (59, 53), average filament length (55, 60), raw silk percentage (63, 67) and reelability percentage (53, 53). The standard deviation of the cocoons in the two selected hybrids viz., A ${\times}$ CSR5 and G ${\times}$ CSR13 was 8.41 and 8.06 respectively in the cocoon length and width measurement.

Synergistic effects of urban tributary mixing on dissolved organic matter biodegradation in an impounded river system

Begum, Most Shirina,Jang, Inae,Lee, Jung-Min,Oh, Han Bin,Jin, Hyojin,Park, Ji-Hyung Elsevier 2019 The Science of the total environment Vol.676 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Dams and wastewater may greatly perturb riverine fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and CO<SUB>2</SUB>, yet little is known about the relationships between altered DOM quality and CO<SUB>2</SUB> emission in eutrophic impounded river systems. A basin-wide field survey of surface water CO<SUB>2</SUB> and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was combined with laboratory incubations to examine how dams and urban tributaries delivering treated wastewater influence longitudinal patterns in DOM properties and CO<SUB>2</SUB> along the impounded Han River traversing Seoul metropolitan area. Fluorescent DOM indices including parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) components were used to characterize DOM in relation to biodegradable DOC (BDOC). Compared with distinct downstream increases in DOC and CO<SUB>2</SUB>, BDOC concentration and its proportion in DOC (%BDOC) were highly variable along the mainstem and peaked at urban tributaries. Longitudinal increases in fluorescence index (FI), biological index (BIX), and two PARAFAC components (C2 and C3) contrasted with general decreases in humification index (HIX) and C1, reflecting increasing downstream inputs of anthropogenic DOM. During a 5-day incubation employing continuous CO<SUB>2</SUB> measurements, the cumulative production of CO<SUB>2</SUB> in the mainstem water mixed with urban tributary water was significantly higher than the level expected for conservative mixing of the two samples, indicating a synergistic enhancement of DOM biodegradation. Molecular formulas identified by Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) revealed more consumed molecules in the mainstem water and more newly produced molecules in the tributary water over the 5-day incubation, implying abundant labile components in the mainstem water discharged from the upstream dam and highly processed tributary DOM limited in immediately biodegradable organic materials. Downstream increases in CO<SUB>2</SUB> and DOC along the Han River, combined with the synergistic effect observed in the mixed water, suggest that mixing wastewater-derived DOM with labile autochthonous DOM can enhance CO<SUB>2</SUB> production in the river system perturbed by impoundment and wastewater.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Field survey was combined with lab incubations to study human impact on river carbon. </LI> <LI> Dissolved organic matter and CO<SUB>2</SUB> vary along impounded river with wastewater influence. </LI> <LI> Urban tributary mixing enhances organic matter degradation and CO<SUB>2</SUB> in impounded river. </LI> <LI> FT-ICR-MS detects organic matter degradation in impounded river and urban tributary. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Initiating Smokeless Tobacco Use across Reproductive Stages

Begum, Shahina,Schensul, Jean J.,Nair, Saritha,Donta, Balaiah Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.17

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

Pathogenicity of Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium verticilloides in Okra

Begum Mashooda,Lokesh S.,Kumar T. Vasanth The Korean Society for Integrative Biology 2005 Integrative biosciences Vol.9 No.1

In okra Macrophomina phaseolina and Furasium verticilloides cause collar-rot, seedling-rot and other severe diseases at fruit maturing stages. These stages were located in all the components of the seeds. The seeds collected from seeds infected with Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium verticilloides revealed 100% infection. Such seeds resulted in pre- and post-emergence mortalities. Inoculated seeds also showed pre- and post-emergence death of the seedlings. The fungi seed-transmitted showed disease symptoms at different growth of okra plant. Fusarium verticilloides causes the wilt and Macrophomina phaseolina causes the collar-rot. Until now seed transmission of these fungi have not been studied. Hence, in the present study an attempt has been made to fill this lacunae.

Electrodeposited Palladium Nanotubes on Nanoclusters Mosaic Basement for Electrooxidation of Hydrazine

Begum, Halima,Ahmed, Mohammad Shamsuddin,Jeon, Seungwon American Scientific Publishers 2017 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.17 No.7

<P>A series of electrochemically deposited palladium nanotubes (e-PdNTs) on nanoclusters (e-PdNCs) mosaic basement have been prepared with variation of cycle number and scan rate through a facile electrochemical deposition method using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique in 20 mM HCl solution and have been used as an anode electrocatalyst for hydrazine (N2H4) oxidation reaction. The morphology and structure of the self-formed e-PdNTs catalysts have characterized by scanning electron microscopy. As observed, the size and amount of e-PdNTs increased with the increasing of cycle number and decreased with respect to the increasing of scan rate. The overall experimental parameters have determined that the superior and direct electrocatalytic N2H4 oxidation obtained with lowering NH3 formation upon 6 cycles deposited e-PdNTs at 50 mV s(-1) scan rate in 0.1 M KOH solution than that of other prepared e-PdNTs and Pd/C in respect to the onset potential, current intensity and durability. The lower detection limit (3.6 mu M) and the linear range of N2H4 (up to 14 mM) have also been determined on e-PdNTs via amperometry for further sensor application.</P>

Evaluation of Information Technology Impact on State-owned Commercial Banks' Efficiency: The Case of Bangladesh

BEGUM, Shakera,BATEN, Md. Azizul,ALI, Rahmat Korea Distribution Science Association 2022 Asian journal of business environment Vol.12 No.1

Purpose: This study measures the effect of Information Technology (IT) on both cost and profit efficiency of State-owned Commercial Banks (SOCBs) in Bangladesh. Research design, data and methodology: Yearly Non-IT and IT data are collected from the annual report of SOCBs of Bangladesh from 2008 to 2017. Variable Return to Scale (VRS) cost Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Profit DEA are employed to measure the efficiency of SOCBs and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) is used to investigate the impacts of ICT components on operating cost and profit efficiency for SOCBs. Results: The average cost efficiency (74.4%) was noticed higher than the average profit efficiency (20.6%) for SOCBs. SOCBs were more affordable and less profitable for both cost and profit efficiency. Rupali bank was the most cost efficient while Sonali bank was the most profit efficient. IT Investment and IT personnel expenses were positively significant for cost efficiency. IT income, IT personnel, IT personnel expenses, ATM expenses, and Credit card expenses were negatively significant for profit efficiency. Conclusion: The further studies can combine DEA with machine learning algorithms to study the impact of IT on banks' performances. The results could aid government to remove the hindrance of progress in Bangladesh.