Recycling waste thermoplastic for energy efficient construction materials: An experimental investigation.

A large stream of research has studied the performance of waste plastics impregnated concrete, reporting multiple benefits and advocating its use in construction works. But no study has reported the merits of bricks impregnated with waste plastics. The present paper reports the results of experiments done on bricks made up of varying percentages of waste thermoplastics (0 - 10% by weight) and sand (60 - 70% by weight), holding percentages of fly ash and ordinary Portland cement constant at 15% (by weight) each. Three types of waste thermoplastics were used, forming three separate batches of bricks. The plastics were polycarbonates, polystyrenes, and mixed plastics. The bricks were cured under water for 28 days. Some of the batches were baked at temperatures ranging from 90 °C to 110 °C for 2 hours in order to melt the plastics to form voids. The bricks made with the above-stated compositions were found to possess low thermal conductivity and adequately high compressive strength. The compressive strength of these bricks is observed to be more than 17 MPa, which lies within the upper half of the range of strengths specified for bricks in the IS 1077:1992 standard. The waste plastics impregnated bricks display high thermal resistance, a feature that can add economic value to the brick manufacturers, motivating them to establish the necessary logistics for collection and use of all types of waste thermoplastics. The paper also presents a regression model to predict the compressive strength of bricks at varying plastic contents. The study, thus, introduces a new strand of research on sustainable recycling of waste thermoplastics in the context of the circular economy.

Study of Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, Serum Sodium in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients.

Hypertension 'The sustained elevation of systemic arterial pressure' is a significant risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases and an estimated 970 million people worldwide suffer from the disease resulting in significant morbidity, mortality and financial burden globally. It is the leading modifiable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Worldwide an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30-79 years have hypertension, the majority (two-thirds) living with low and middle income countries. One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 33% between 2010 and 2030.Sodium plays an important role in blood pressure regulation with a reduced sodium intake being associated with a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This study was done to evaluate the differences in body mass index (BMI) and serum sodium in hypertensive and normotensive subjects. This analytical type of cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh between the periods from January 2022 to December 2022. A total number of 140 male subjects, age ranged from (30-59) years were included in this study. Among them, seventy (70) hypertensive subjects were taken as study group (Group II) and seventy (70) age matched normotensive subjects were taken as control group (Group I). The results were calculated and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. Anthropometric measurements like height and weight taken in meter and kilogram respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was performed by aneroid sphygmomanometer (ALPK2, Japan), laboratory analysis of serum sodium by colorimetric method. In this study we found that body mass index in control group 23.59±1.29 kg/m² and study group 26.81±2.31kg/m²; blood pressure (systolic pressure in control group 113.21±6.76 mm Hg and in study group 149.14±5.03 mm Hg, diastolic pressure in control group 75.57±4.55 mm Hg and in study group 100.21±5.28 mm Hg) and serum sodium in control group 138.84±2.12 & in study group was 147.94±1.41 which were significant in study group in comparison with control group. In study group parameters were significantly increased in comparison to control male group. Therefore, by this study we recommended that routine estimation of these parameters is important for prevention of complication related to hypertension for leading a healthy life.

Comparison of three fluid regimens for preloading in elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

The most common problem associated with subarachnoid block (SAB) for caesarean section remains the rapid onset of profound hypotension. This study was designed to compare the incidence of hypotension after preloading with Ringer's Lactate, Hydroxyethylstarch and combination prior to SAB in caesarean section. Ninety non-labouring ASA grade 1 and 2, aged 20-35 years, weight and height was 45-60kg and 153-165cm respectively divided randomly into three groups. Group-RL received Ringer's Lactate 20ml/kg as preloading fluid. Group-H received Hydroxyethylstarch-6% 8ml/kg and Group-RLH received preloading fluid with combination of Ringer's Lactate 10ml/kg and Hydroxyethylstarch-6% 4ml/kg. Blood pressure (Systolic, Diastolic & Mean arterial pressure) was measured every 5 minute for 20 minute and every 10 minutes thereafter. Hypotension was less in Group-RLH (6.7%) whereas in Group-H and Group-RL hypotension was 20% and 47.7% respectively. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in all three groups. But the decreasing was less in Group-RLH than other two groups. Less IV fluid was required in Group-RLH (403ml) and Group-H (577ml) in comparison to Group-RL (1032ml) to prevent and treat peroperative hypotension. No ephedrine was needed in Group-RLH. Variation in Pulse rate was not significant in Group-RLH (p=0.061). But in other two groups it was highly significant (Group RL p≤0.001 and Group H p=0.004). There was no significant difference in neonatal outcome between three groups. Preloading with low volume colloid (4ml/kg) plus crystalloid (10ml/kg) is superior to crystalloid or colloid alone.

Demographic and Clinical Profile of COVID-19 ICU Patients of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh.

Corona viruses are a group of RNA viruses that cause infection in humans and animals. In human Corona viruses cause respiratory tract infections ranging from mild to critical illness. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in Wuhan city, of China, in December 2019 and since spread all around the world. In Bangladesh first case has been declared by Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in 8th March, 2020 and first death on 18th march in an ICU and by 13th December total 489,178 cases and 7,020 deaths occurred in this country. The main objective of this study was to determine the Demographic and Clinical Profile of COVID-19 ICU patients in Bangladesh. This retrospective descriptive study on clinical profile along with short term treatment outcomes of COVID-19 patients conducted from COVID-19 dedicated Intensive care unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh during July 2020 to November 2020. Total 300 ICU patients was included in this study. The age range of the patients was from 15 to 91 years. The highest percentage of patients about 49.00%, which was 147 patients were belonged to 61-75 years age group. The patients mean age was 62.80 years. Regarding gender distribution, among those 300 patients; 77.00% which is 231 were male and only 23.00% which is 69 were female. Patients admitted with symptoms like, respiratory distress/shortness of breath (100.00%), persistent worsening cough (60.00%), fatigue (55.00%) and fever (40.00%). Patients were also present with sore throat (35.00%), rhinorrhea (30.00%), altered mental status (20.00%), diarrhoea (10.00%) and chest pain (5.00%). Regarding co-morbidities, around half of the patients were suffering from Diabetes (60.22%) and Hypertension (53.44%). Significant amount of patients were also suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (27.00%) and bronchial asthma (16.78%). Ischemic heart disease was (10.33%), chronic kidney disease (10.89%), hypothyroidism (9.78%) and multiple co-morbidities (15.12%) at the time of admission. Mortality rate in this case were 71.00% and most of the death cases were in between 61 to 75 years of age group (40.00%). After improvement 27.00% patients were transferred to cabin for further management. We could discharge to home directly only 2.00% of patients.

Removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution using activated tea waste: Adsorption on a fixed-bed column.

An inexpensive and effective adsorbent was developed from waste tea leaves for the dynamic uptake of Pb(II). Characterization of the adsorbents showed a clear change between physico-chemical properties of activated tea waste and simply tea waste. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of activated tea waste in continuous flow removal of Pb(II) ions from synthetic aqueous effluents. The performance of the system was evaluated to assess the effect of various process variables, viz., of bed height, hydraulic loading rate and initial feed concentration on breakthrough time and adsorption capacity. The shape of the breakthrough curves was determined for the adsorption of Pb(II) by varying different operating parameters like hydraulic loading rate (2.3-9.17m(3)/hm(2)), bed height (0.3-0.5m) and feed concentration (2-10mg/l). An attempt has also been made to model the data generated from column studies using the empirical relationship based on the Bohart-Adams model. There was an acceptable degree of agreement between the data for breakthrough time calculated from the Bohart-Adams model and the present experimental study with average absolute deviation of less than 5.0%. The activated tea waste in this study showed very good promise as compared with the other adsorbents available in the literature. The adsorbent could be suitable for repeated use (for more than four cycles) without noticeable loss of capacity.

Anti-phospholipid Antibody Syndrome Presenting as Huge Ascites: A Case Report.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial, venous or small vessel thromboses and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistently elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. Since virtually any organ can be involved, the clinical presentation of APS is very varied. Abdominal manifestations are rare but may be life-threatening, and include Budd-Chiari Syndrome. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman with primary APS, on aspirin treatment, who presented to us at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh in March 2017 with ascites for which she had been receiving treatment for abdominal tuberculosis. Following clinical and laboratory evaluation, she was diagnosed as a case of Budd-Chiari Syndrome with portal hypertension and initiated treatment with warfarin. There should be a high index of clinical suspicion for Budd-Chiari as a cause of ascites in patients with APS, since early recognition and treatment can significantly improve patients' survival.

Distribution Pattern and Outcome of the Patients in the Intensive Care Unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University: A Short Term Analysis.

The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of patients admitted to intensive care unit and their outcome in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh. This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted in the intensive care unit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from January 2016 to June 2016. Data was retrieved from hospital records of all admitted patients regarding age, gender, admission source, reason for admission, length of ICU stay, requirement of mechanical ventilation, number of organ failure and their outcome. During this study period, the total number of patients admitted was 225; most of them were males (148, 65.7%). Among the 225 patients, the highest number of admission was comprised of intracranial haemorrhage (22.6%), followed by sepsis (12.4%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (10.2%), acute renal failure (9.3%) malignancy (8.8%) and ischemic stroke (8.0%). Mean age of the patient was 54±18 years and mean length of ICU stay was 6.8±3 days. Out of 225 patients, 87 expired (38.6%). Majority of the patients required mechanical ventilation (69.3%) and had multi organ failure (59.8%). Most of the expiries were due to intracranial haemorrhage (24.1%); followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome (12.6%), malignancy (12.6%) and sepsis (11.4%). Elderly age (>65 years), requirement of mechanical ventilation and multiorgan failure had significant relationship (p<0.05) with overall ICU mortality. Intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome were the main reasons for admissions in ICU, while mortality was highest for intracranial haemorrhage. Developing a well equipped neurological ICU with adequately trained staff will help to improve the outcome of patients.

A review on progress of heavy metal removal using adsorbents of microbial and plant origin.

Heavy metals released into the water bodies and on land surfaces by industries are highly toxic and carcinogenic in nature. These heavy metals create serious threats to all the flora and fauna due to their bioaccumulatory and biomagnifying nature at various levels of food chain. Existing conventional technologies for heavy metal removal are witnessing a downfall due to high operational cost and generation of huge quantity of chemical sludge. Adsorption by various adsorbents appears to be a potential alternative of conventional technologies. Its low cost, high efficiency, and possibility of adsorbent regeneration for reuse and recovery of metal ions for various purposes have allured the scientists to work on this technique. The present review compiles the exhaustive information available on the utilization of bacteria, algae, fungi, endophytes, aquatic plants, and agrowastes as source of adsorbent in adsorption process for removal of heavy metals from aquatic medium. During the last few years, a lot of work has been conducted on development of adsorbents after modification with various chemical and physical techniques. Adsorption of heavy metal ions is a complex process affected by operating conditions. As evident from the literature, Langmuir and Freundlich are the most widely used isotherm models, while pseudo first and second order are popularly studied kinetic models. Further, more researches are required in continuous column system and its practical application in wastewater treatment.