Change in hierarchy of the financial networks: A study on firms of an emerging market in Bangladesh.

We investigate the hierarchical structure of Dhaka stocks' financial networks, known as an emerging market, from 2008 to 2020. To do so, we determine correlations from the returns of the firms over a one-year time window. Then, we construct a minimum spanning tree (MST) from correlations and calculate the hierarchy of the tree using the hierarchical path. We find that during the unprecedented crisis in 2010-11, the hierarchy of this emerging market did not sharply increase like in developed markets, implying the absence of a compact cluster in the center of the tree. Noticeably, the hierarchy fell before the big crashes in the Bangladeshi local market, and the lowest value was found in 2010, just before the 2011 Bangladesh market scam. We also observe a lower hierarchical MST during COVID-19, which implies that the network is fragile and vulnerable to financial crises not seen in developed markets. Moreover, the volatility in the topological indicators of the MST indicates that the network is adequately responding to crises and that the firms that play an important role in the market during our analysis periods are financial, particularly the insurance companies. We notice that the largest degrees are minimal compared to the total number of nodes in the tree, implying that the network nodes are somewhat locally compact rather than globally centrally coupled. For this random structure of the emerging market, the network properties do not properly reflect the hierarchy, especially during crises. Identifying hierarchies, topological indicators, and significant firms will be useful for understanding the movement of an emerging market like Dhaka Stock exchange (DSE), which will be useful for policymakers to develop the market.

Lactobacillus acidophilus Antimicrobial Peptide Is Antagonistic to Aeromonas hydrophila.

We identified an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) from Lactobacillus acidophilus that was antagonistic to Aeromonas hydrophila. In vitro studies such as well-diffusion and field trials revealed that the AMP was active against A. hydrophila. The field trials of AMP using A. hydrophila-infected Channa striatus with a mannone oligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic, A. hydrophila antigens, A. hydrophila-infected fish serum, L. acidophilus, and Lactobacillus cell free-supernatant (LABS-CFS) on an indicator organism further revealed that the antimicrobial agent could protect C. striatus. Other than the AMP, none of the above were able to eliminate the infectious agent A. hydrophila, and were only able to delay the death rate for 3-4 days. Thus, we conclude that the AMP is antagonistic to A. hydrophila and may be used for treatment of A. hydrophila infections. Subsequent L. acidophilus whole-genome sequence analyses enabled an understanding of the (probable) gene arrangement and its location on the chromosome. This information may be useful in the generation of recombinant peptides to produce larger quantities for treatment.

New molecular architectures containing low-valent cluster centres with di- and trimetalated 2-vinylpyrazine ligands: synthesis and molecular structures of Ru5(CO)15(µ5-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)(µ-H)2 and Ru8(CO)24(µ7-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C)(µ-H)3.

Reaction of 2-vinylpyrazine with Ru3(CO)12 results in multiple C-H bond activations to afford penta- and octa-ruthenium clusters, Ru5(CO)15(µ5-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)(µ-H)2 (2) and Ru8(CO)24(µ7-C4H2N2CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C)(µ-H)3 (3), in which a Ru3 sub-unit is linked to Ru2 and Ru5 centres via di- and tri-metalated 2-vinylpyrazine ligands, exhibiting novel coordination modes including the loss of ring aromaticity in 2. The bonding of 2 and the mechanism for the fluxional behaviour of the hydrides have been examined by electronic structure calculations.

A comprehensive situation assessment of injection practices in primary health care hospitals in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Understanding injection practices is crucial for evidence-based development of intervention initiatives. This study explored the extent of injection use and injection safety practices in primary care hospitals in Bangladesh. METHODS: The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The methods used were--a retrospective audit of prescriptions (n = 4320), focus group discussions (six with 43 participants), in-depth interviews (n = 38) with a range service providers, and systematic observation of the activities of injection providers (n = 120), waste handlers (n = 48) and hospital facilities (n = 24). Quantitative and qualitative data were assessed with statistical and thematic analysis, respectively, and then combined. RESULTS: As many as 78% of our study sample (n = 4230) received an injection. The most commonly prescribed injections (n = 3354) including antibiotics (78.3%), IV fluids (38.6%), analgesics/pain killers (29.4%), vitamins (26.7%), and anti-histamines (18.5%). Further, 43.7% (n = 1145) of the prescribed antibiotics (n = 2626) were given to treat diarrhea and 42.3% (n = 600) of IV fluids (n = 1295) were used to manage general weakness conditions. Nearly one-third (29.8%; n = 36/120) of injection providers reported needle-stick injuries in the last 6 months with highest incidences in Rajshahi division followed by Dhaka division. Disposal of injection needles, syringes and other materials was not done properly in 83.5% (n = 20/24) of the facilities. Health providers' safety concerns were not addressed properly; only 23% (n = 28/120) of the health providers and 4.2% (n = 2/48) of the waste handlers were fully immunized against Hepatitis B virus. Moreover, 73% (n = 87/120) of the injection providers and 90% (n = 43/48) of the waste handlers were not trained in injection safety practices and infection prevention. Qualitative data further confirmed that both providers and patients preferred injections, believing that they provide quick relief. The doctors' perceived injection use as their prescribing norm that enabled them to prove their professional credibility and to remain popular in a competitive health care market. Additionally, persistent pressure from hospital administration to use up injections before their expiry dates also influenced doctors to prescribe injections regardless of actual indications. CONCLUSIONS: As far as the patients and providers' safety is concerned, this study demonstrated a need for further research exploring the dynamics of injection use and safety in Bangladesh. In a context where a high level of injection use and unsafe practices were reported, immediate prevention initiatives need to be operated through continued intervention efforts and health providers' training in primary care hospitals in Bangladesh.