Arsenic contaminating groundwater in Bangladesh is one of the largest environmental health hazards in the world. Because of the potential risk to human health through consumption of agricultural ...produce grown in fields irrigated with arsenic contaminated water, we have determined the level of contamination in 100 samples of crop, vegetables and fresh water fish collected from three different regions in Bangladesh. Arsenic concentrations were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All 11 samples of water and 18 samples of soil exceeded the expected limits of arsenic. No samples of rice grain (
Oryza sativa L.) had arsenic concentrations more than the recommended limit of 1.0 mg/kg. However, rice plants, especially the roots had a significantly higher concentration of arsenic (2.4 mg/kg) compared to stem (0.73 mg/kg) and rice grains (0.14 mg/kg). Arsenic contents of vegetables varied; those exceeding the food safety limits included Kachu sak (
Colocasia antiquorum) (0.09–3.99 mg/kg,
n=9), potatoes (
Solanum tuberisum) (0.07–1.36 mg/kg,
n=5), and Kalmi sak (
Ipomoea reptoms) (0.1–1.53 mg/kg,
n=6). Lata fish (
Ophicephalus punctatus) did not contain unacceptable levels of arsenic. These results indicate that arsenic contaminates some food items in Bangladesh. Further studies with larger samples are needed to demonstrate the extent of arsenic contamination of food in Bangladesh.
The emergence of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) triggered a global pandemic with profound health, social, and economic impacts. Despite extensive governmental efforts, the virus remains a persistent ...worldwide threat. In this research, we introduce a nonlinear bi-susceptible model, also called bimodal dynamical system to study the dynamics of Covid-19. We delve into its transmission modes, risk factors, and potential long-term effects. Using analytical mathematical techniques, we ascertain the behaviors exhibited by the dynamic system at two main equilibrium states by imposing essential conditions on threshold parameter, thereby validating and affirming its inherent properties. To validate findings, we apply the nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) technique. By adjusting vaccination and hospitalization rates through constant control methods, we perform quantitative analysis and find that combining these measures with awareness expedites pandemic elimination. We identify influential parameters and formulate an optimal control problem with associated optimality conditions, determining effective time-dependent controls. Our study provides an evidence of the effectiveness of control strategies in achieving the desired outcome of reducing both financial costs and infection spread. The novelty of this research lies in utilizing a structure-preserving NSFD numerical scheme, backward in time, to analyze optimally the developed bi-susceptible Corona model.
Abstract
One of the benefits of studying derivatives is determining the best way to solve a problem. The available textbooks seem monotonous and do not allow students to understand the derivative ...concepts presented actively. This study aims to develop teaching materials in learning modules in the Function Derivative material assisted Wolfram Mathematica application using the ADDIE development model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Data obtained from experts and students were analyzed using descriptive quantitative. Experts assess that the learning module made through the ADDIE stage is very eligible for students. Students also assess that the module is very suitable for use. This research and development still require a further assessment at the evaluation stage with summative types to obtain a maximum final product.
In this paper, a stochastic-parametric model is developed for simulating the temporal and spectral nonstationary characteristics of ground motion sequences. In the proposed model, after extracting ...the wavelet coefficients of a ground motion sequence by using the complex discrete wavelet transform and smoothing them by the Normal kernel function, they are simulated by using the Gaussian mixture distribution. This model simulates multiple peaks in the time domain, several dominant frequency peaks at each time, the relaxation time between motions, and the steps of cumulative energy curve of ground motion sequences, while the previous models did not have these abilities.
Coastal erosion presents a significant environmental threat globally, including in the Northern Java coastal area of Indonesia. As employing hard structures is not an environmentally sustainable ...practice, nature-based solutions, such as mangrove forests, have emerged as a global trend offering sustainable coastal protection. However, safeguarding young seedlings from wave and current forces remains challenging. Given that temporary structures, such as synthetic geo-bag dikes, considered for protection pose environmental challenges as they degrade slowly, the use of natural fibres such as ramie, unique to Indonesia as a strategic raw commodity, is a sustainable alternative. The study examined ramie fibres (0.28 mm thick) as an eco-friendly geo-bag material through laboratory tests, biodegradability burial tests, and comparisons with other natural fibres. Despite alkali treatment, the strength of ramie fibre did not meet standard geotextile parameters, and its degradability rendered it unsuitable for the expected service life. Ramie would need specific treatments to become a viable alternative for geo-bags. In conclusion, further research is needed to explore how ramie can serve as a sustainable geo-bag material.
Summary
Plasma cells are developed from B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells that is generated in the bone marrow. The plasma cells produce antibodies to fight with bacteria and viruses and ...stop infection and disease. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells that collections of abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) accumulate in the bone marrow. The definitive diagnosis of multiple myeloma is done by searching for myeloma cells in the bone marrow slides through a microscope. Diagnosis of myeloma cells from bone marrow smears is a subjective and time‐consuming task for pathologists. Also, because of depending on final decision on human eye and opinion, error risk in decision may occur. Sometimes, existence of infection in body causes plasma cell's increment which could be diagnosed wrongly as multiple myeloma. The computer diagnostic process will reduce the diagnostic time and also can be worked as a second opinion for pathologists.
This study presents a computer‐aided diagnostic method for myeloma cells diagnosis from bone marrow smears. At first, white blood cells consist of plasma cells and other marrow cells are separated from the red blood cells and background. Then, plasma cells are detected from other marrow cells by feature extraction and series of decision rules. Finally, normal plasma cells and myeloma cells could be classified easily by a classifier.
This algorithm is applied on 50 digital images that are provided from bone marrow aspiration smears. These images contain 678 cells: 132 normal plasma cells, 256 myeloma cells and 290 other types of marrow cells. Applying the computer‐aided diagnostic method for identifying myeloma cells on provided database showed a sensitivity of 96.52%; specificity of 93.04% and precision of 95.28%.
Lay description
Plasma cells are a type of white blood cells that are generated in the bone marrow. Plasma cells produce antibodies to fight with bacteria and viruses and stop infection and disease. In multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, collections of abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) accumulate in the bone marrow. Myeloma cells are diagnosed by the pathologists under a light microscope which is a subjective, time–consuming and tedious task. Automatic detection of myeloma cells can overcome these problems and improve the true recognition.
In this study, an automatic system is designed for the recognition of the myeloma cells from the microscopic images of the bone marrow aspiration slides. First, images are captured and transferred to computer. Then, image processing techniques are applied to segment the cells and extract suitable descriptors. Finally, normal and reactive plasma cells are distinguished from myeloma cells by designing a decision system and a classifier.
The proposed system is applied on 50 digital images which are contained 678 cells: 132 normal plasma cells, 256 myeloma cells and 290 other types of bone marrow cells. Applying the method on the provided database in order to identify myeloma cells is achieved sensitivity of 96.52%; specificity of 93.04% and precision of 95.28%.
The study aimed to investigate the most usable drinking water sources quality and the dependent population’s exposure to potentially contaminated water. The specific area chosen for the study was the ...coastal area in Satkhira district’s Tala Upazila. 649 most usable drinking water sources were selected that included Deep Tubewell (DTW), Shallow Tubewell (STW) and Pond Sand Filter (PSF) for drinking water sampling. Following standard sampling procedures, in-situ measurements were taken for seven important water quality parameters: Arsenic-As, Iron-Fe, Electrical Conductivity-EC, Temperature-Temp, Total Coliform- TC, E-coli and Fecal Coliform-FC. In addition, semi-structured questionnaire surveys were conducted at corresponding dependent households (HH). Weighted arithmetic water quality index (WQI) was used to calculate the suitability of the derived water for drinking purposes. In the tested water sources, As, Fe and EC range were found 0-500 µg/L, 0-18 mg/L and 165-8715 µS/cm, respectively. Of all tested water sources, 74% exceeded permissible limit for As, 83% for Fe and 99% for EC, according to WHO standards. Comparatively higher percentage of Point of Uses (PoU) were found to be more contaminated than Point of Sources (PoS) such as TC found in 38% PoS and 54% of corresponding PoU, E.coli found in 24% PoS and 35% of PoU and FC found in 45% PoS and 55% of PoU. WQI suggested that the majority (72%) of most usable drinking water sources were found to be unsuitable for drinking. Thus, 40% of the population (0.12 million) in the study area were directly consuming contaminated water, dependent household members most frequently suffered from fever, diarrhea and high blood pressure, resulting in the average household to spend USD 3-13 per month/HH for health-related expenditures, which is higher than national average. To acquire safe drinking water, the majority (58%) of the dependent HH expressed willingness to pay USD 1 per month/ HH which is costly for them. The situation can be improved by installing deep tube well for safe drinking water, periodically testing of the water quality, educating public for better hygiene practices, and providing entrepreneurial incentives to help deliver safe water to the public at lower cost.
ROR1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) recently identified to be overexpressed at the gene and protein levels in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against RTKs have ...been successfully applied for therapy of solid tumors. We generated five MAbs against the Ig (n = 1), cysteine-rich (CRD) (n = 2) and kringle (KNG) (n = 2) domains, respectively, of the extracellular part of ROR1. All CLL patients (n = 20) expressed ROR1 on the surface of the leukemic cells. A significantly higher frequency of ROR1 expression was found in patients with progressive versus non-progressive disease, and in those with unmutated versus mutated IgVH genes. All five MAbs alone induced apoptosis in the absence of complement or added effector cells (Annexin-V and MTT, as well as cleavage of poly-(ADP ribose)-polymerase, caspase-8 and caspase-9) of CLL cells but not of normal B cells. Most effective were MAbs against CRD and KNG, significantly superior to rituximab (P < 0.005). Cross-linking of anti-ROR1 MAbs using the F(ab')(2) fragments of anti-Fc antibodies significantly augmented apoptosis. Two of the MAbs induced complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) similar to that of rituximab and one anti-ROR1 MAb (KNG) (IgG1) showed killing activity by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The identified ROR1 epitopes may provide a basis for generating human ROR1 MAbs for therapy.
Diagnosis of malaria parasitemia from blood smears is a subjective and time‐consuming task for pathologists. The automatic diagnostic process will reduce the diagnostic time. Also, it can be worked ...as a second opinion for pathologists and may be useful in malaria screening. This study presents an automatic method for malaria diagnosis from thin blood smears. According to this fact that malaria life cycle is started by forming a ring around the parasite nucleus, the proposed approach is mainly based on curve fitting to detect parasite ring in the blood smear. The method is composed of six main phases: stain object extraction step, which extracts candidate objects that may be infected by malaria parasites. This phase includes stained pixel extraction step based on intensity and colour, and stained object segmentation by defining stained circle matching. Second step is preprocessing phase which makes use of nonlinear diffusion filtering. The process continues with detection of parasite nucleus from resulted image of previous step according to image intensity. Fourth step introduces a complete search process in which the circle search step identifies the direction and initial points for direct least‐square ellipse fitting algorithm. Furthermore in the ellipse searching process, although parasite shape is completed undesired regions with high error value are removed and ellipse parameters are modified. Features are extracted from the parasite candidate region instead of whole candidate object in the fifth step. By employing this special feature extraction way, which is provided by special searching process, the necessity of employing clump splitting methods is removed. Also, defining stained circle matching process in the first step speeds up the whole procedure. Finally, a series of decision rules are applied on the extracted features to decide on the positivity or negativity of malaria parasite presence. The algorithm is applied on 26 digital images which are provided from thin blood smear films. The images are contained 1274 objects which may be infected by parasite or healthy. Applying the automatic identification of malaria on provided database showed a sensitivity of 82.28% and specificity of 98.02%.
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