• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.219-221
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• 1995

Data on productive and reporductive performance of native cows maintained at Savar Dairy Farm, Central Cattle Breeding Station (CCBS), Savar, Dhaka, were collected from the periods of 1980-1988. The mean calving to first breeding during the second parity was longer (p < 0.01) than the fourth and fifth parities (152 vs 105 and 96 days respectively). There was no difference on the parameters like first breeding to conception, service period, gestation length, number of services per conception and total milk yield over the parities. The mean calving interval during the second parity was longer (p < 0.05) than the fourth and fifth parities. The mean lactation length during the first parity was longer (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (317 vs 237, 266, 250 and 247 days respectively). The mean per day milk yield during the first lactation was lower (p < 0.01) than those of second, third, fourth and fifth lactations (1.88 vs 2.55, 2.75, 2.54 and 2.57 kg respectively). The mean dry period was longer in first lactation (p < 0.05) compared to third and fifth lactations (209 vs 141 and 129 days respectively).

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.351-363
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• 2020

The objective of this paper is to explore how board gender diversity affects corporate sustainability performance. Therefore, this paper examines the direct association between board gender diversity with corporate sustainability performance and the mediation effect of enterprise risk management (ERM) on this association. The study employed a cross-sectional survey method. Data were collected from annual reports, websites, and through the questionnaires that were distributed to Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of all the listed companies of Dhaka Stock Exchange, Bangladesh. The partial least square technique of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was employed for data analysis. The result did not find support for the direct association between board gender diversity and sustainability performance in Bangladesh context. This implies that contextual factors, such as, male-dominant board, appointment of female directors based on family ties, lack of education and expertise etc. may discount gender diversity direct influence on sustainability performance. However, the study finds strong support for the mediating role of ERM use within the corporate structure. Further analysis of indirect effect suggests that ERM use mediates the relationship of board gender diversity and sustainability performance in full. This implies that in the Bangladesh context effective use of ERM is highly recommended.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.265-275
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• 2020

This study investigates the impact of board incentives as proxied by directors' remuneration on the financial performance of listed textile companies in Bangladesh. Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) and data pertaining to listed textile companies of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) during the period from 2011 to 2017 (resulting in a total of 140 firm-year observations), we have estimated the firm performance equation involving directors' remuneration and board independence as the independent variables and some other control variables like firm age, size, leverage, and operating efficiency. The results reveal that there is a negative association between board remuneration and firm performance. In addition, this study finds no significant relationship between board independence and firm performance of the sample firms. Our findings suggest that higher pay to the board does not stimulate higher firm performance and, in turn, results in shareholders getting nothing in return from this and, hence, is a matter of great concern for them. Moreover, our results indirectly indicate that currently directors' remuneration in Bangladesh is not aligned with the firm performance, which has been emphasized in extant corporate governance literature. Besides, this paper further raises questions about the effectiveness of independent directors in the boards of textile firms in Bangladesh.

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2018

The purpose of the study is to identify the perception of the Library and Information Science (LIS) specialists about the use of mobile phones in retrieving information. It investigates the present status of the LIS specialists regarding mobile phone usage, perceptions regarding the use of mobile phones in retrieving information from libraries and points out the possible drawbacks and their solutions for embracing mobile phones in retrieving information from libraries and providing some suggestions. The methodology includes a quantitative approach. The authors used a survey method using a structured questionnaire to measure the perception of LIS specialists regarding the use of mobile phones in retrieving information from libraries. The findings confirmed that the majority (72%) of LIS specialists have the experience of using mobile phones for more than 10 years. Findings also indicate that the LIS specialists have agreed with the statements of advantages of using mobile phones. This paper concludes that the respondents also agreed regarding the possible advantages of introducing mobile phones in retrieving information from libraries. The paper explores the original perceptions of LIS specialists regarding the use of mobile phones in retrieving information from libraries.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

In the present study, a laminar natural convection flow of $H_2O$-Cu nanofluid in a two dimensional enclosure has been investigated using a thermal lattice Boltzmann approach with the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) model. The effect of suspended nanoparticles on the fluid flow and heat transfer process have been studied for different controlling parameters such as particle volume fraction ($\Phi$), Rayleigh number (Ra). For this investigation the Rayleigh number changes from 104 to 106 and volume fraction varied from 0 to 10% with three different particle diameters (dp), say 10 nm, 20 nm and 40 nm. It is shown that increasing the Rayleigh number (Ra) and the volume fraction of nanofluid causes an increase of the effective heat transfer rate in terms of average Nusselt number (Nu) as well as the thermal conductivity of nanofluid. On the other hand, increasing the particle diameter causes the decrease of the heat transfer rate and thermal conductivity. The result of the analysis are compared with experimental and numerical data both for pure and nanofluids and it is seen a relatively good agreement.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2010

Colored compounds adsorption from the textile dyeing effluents on activated carbons produced from various indigenous vegetable sources by zinc chloride activation is studied. The most important parameters in chemical activation were found to be the chemical ratio of $ZnCl_2$ to feed (3:1), carbonization temperature (460-470 $^{\circ}C$) and time of activation (75 min). The absorbance at 511 nm (red effluent) and 615 nm (blue effluent) are used for estimation of color. It is established that at optimum temperature ($50^{\circ}C$), time of contact (30-40 min) and adsorbent loading (2 g/L), activated carbons developed from rain tree (Samanea saman) saw dust and blackberry (Randia formosa) tree saw dust showed great capability to remove color materials from the effluents. It is observed that adsorption of reactive dyes by all types of activated carbons is more than that of disperse dyes. It is explained that because of its acidic nature the activated carbon can adsorb better reactive dye particles containing large number of nitrogen sites and $-SO_3Na$ group in their structure. The use of activated carbons from the indigenous biomass would be economical, because saw dusts are readily available waste worldwide.

• Interdisciplinary Bio Central
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.11.1-11.8
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• 2012

Genes that are indispensable for survival are referred to as essential gene. Due to the momentous significance of these genes for cellular activity they can be selected potentially as drug targets. Here in this study, an essential gene for Streptococcus suis was predicted using coherent statistical analysis and powerful genome comparison computational method. At first the whole genome protein scatter plot was generated and subsequently, on the basis of statistical significance, a reference genome was chosen. The parameters set forth for selecting the reference genome was that the genome of the query (Streptococcus suis) and subject must fall in the same genus and yet they must vary to a good degree. Streptococcus pneumoniae was found to be suitable as the reference genome. A whole genome comparison was performed for the reference (Streptococcus pneumoniae) and the query genome (Streptococcus suis) and 14 conserved proteins from them were subjected to a screen for potential essential gene property. Among those 14 only one essential gene was found to be with impressive similarity score between reference and query. The essential gene encodes for a type of 'Clp protease'. Clp proteases play major roles in degrading misfolded proteins. Results found here should help formulating a drug against Strptococcus suis which is responsible for mild to severe clinical conditions in human. However, like many other computational studies, the study has to be validated furthermore through in vitro assays for concrete proof.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.241-254
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the levels of heavy metals in twelve species of vegetables and assessment of health risk. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The ranges of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in vegetables species were 0.37-5.4, 0.03-17, 0.35-45, 0.01-2.6, 0.001-2.2, and 0.04-8.8 [mg/kg, fresh weight (fw)], respectively. The concentrations of As, Cd and Pb in most vegetable species exceeded the maximum permissible levels, indicating unsafe for human consumption. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ). Total THQ of the studied metals from most of the vegetables species were higher than 1, indicated that these types of vegetables might pose health risk due to metal exposure. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) for As ranged from 0.03 to 0.48 and 0.0004 to 0.025 for Pb which were higher than the USEPA acceptable risk limit (0.000001) indicating that the inhabitants consuming these vegetables are exposed to As and Pb with a lifetime cancer risk. The findings of this study reveal the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of selected vegetables in adult population of Bangladesh.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.276-286
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• 2020

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. This study was conducted for the isolation of potential lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with probiotic properties from goat milk and yogurt. Several tests were conducted in vitro using the standard procedures for evaluating the inhibitory spectra of LAB against pathogenic bacteria; tolerance to NaCl, bile salt, and phenol; hemolytic, milk coagulation, and bile salt hydrolase activities; gastrointestinal transit tolerance; adhesion properties; and antibiotic susceptibility. Among 40 LAB strains screened according to culture characteristics, five isolates exhibited antagonistic properties. Three were identified as Pediococcus acidilactici, and two were identified as Enterococcus faecium, exploiting 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All the isolates succeeded in the gastrointestinal transit tolerance assay and successively colonized mucosal epithelial cells. Based on the results of these in vitro assays, both P. acidilactici and E. faecium can be considered as potential probiotic candidates.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2006

The crude ethanolic extract of the leaves of Clerodendrum viscosum (Family: Verbenaceae) was evaluated for its antioxidant and analgesic activities to investigate the scientific basis of the traditional uses. The antioxidant property of the extract was assessed by 1, 1-diphenyl -2- picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The extract showed prominent antioxidant activity ($IC_{50}about{\sim}16{\mu}g/ml$) which was comparable to standard drug ascorbic acid ($IC_{50}about{\sim}15{\mu}g/ml$).The extract produced significant (P<0.001) writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the dose of 125 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively, which were comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. The results tend to suggest that the crude leaves extract at the above doses have antioxidant and analgesic activities and indicate that it might possess biologically active constituents having free radical scavenging and analgesic activities respectably.