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This study addresses Bangladesh’s urgent power crisis by evaluating a grid‐connected PV‐Biomass hybrid system at the Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUST). Using the hybrid optimization of multiple energy resources (HOMER) software, the project showcases a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly solution. The system achieves a cost of energy (COE) of$0.0347/kWh and a net present cost (NPC) of $ 4,712,218, with annual operating costs of $95,679.09. It significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions from 1,920,065 kg/yr to 839,600 kg/yr and offers a competitive payback period of 6.52 years. These results highlight the system’s economic viability and environmental advantages, proposing a scalable model for similar institutions in developing countries striving for sustainable energy solutions. This approach not only mitigates the current energy challenges but also aligns with global sustainability goals.

Global vaccination coverage is an urgent need to recover the recent pandemic COVID-19. However, people are concerned about the safety and efficacy of this vaccination program. Thus, it has become crucial to examine the knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy towards the vaccine. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among university students of Bangladesh. Total of 449 university students participated. Most of these students used the internet (34.74%), social media (33.41%), and electronic media (25.61%) as a source of COVID-19 vaccine information. Overall, 58.13% and 64.81% of university students reported positive knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. 54.34% of these students agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. 43.88% believed that the vaccine could stop the pandemic. The Spearman’s Rank correlation determined the positive correlation between knowledge and attitude. The negative correlation was determined between positive knowledge and hesitancy, and positive attitude and hesitancy. University students with positive knowledge and attitude showed lower hesitancy. Multiple logistic regression analyses determined the university type and degree major as the predictors of knowledge, whereas only degree major was the predictor of attitudes. 26.06% of the study population showed their hesitancy towards the vaccine. University type and degree major were also determined as predictors of this hesitancy. They rated fear of side effects (87.18%) and lack of information (70.94%) as the most reasons for the hesitancy. The findings from this study can aid the ongoing and future COVID-19 vaccination plan for university students. The national and international authorities can have substantial information for a successful inoculation campaign.

The tourism sector makes a sizable contribution to a country’s gross domestic product, increasing employment opportunities, foreign currency earnings, and economic diversification strategies. This paper uses the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) model to analyze the effects of tourism on the environment in the world’s top 10 tourist countries from 1972 to 2021. Panel cointegration and second-generation unit root tests are suggested due to the presence of cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity. A cross-sectional-autoregressive-distributed lag (CS-ARDL) model is applied to evaluate the marginal influence of environmental variables other than tourism on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These variables include fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy. For the purpose of testing robustness, both the augmented mean group (AMG) and the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimators are employed. The CS-ARDL supports the EKC hypothesis in the short run and long run, but it is not significant in the short run. The existence of EKC demonstrates that rising income leads to fewer CO2 emissions. All forms of environmental degradation can be accelerated by using fossil fuels. The results of this study indicate that CO2 emissions can be reduced by using renewable energy and nuclear energy. A rise in tourism activity has a positive impact on environmental quality. The best-attended tourist spots around the globe are those that, in the long run, implement clean energy-related technology and promote ecotourism.

Abstract Context Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion from l-cells and postprandial inhibition of gastrointestinal motility. Objective Investigate whether physiological plasma concentrations of GLP-1 inhibit human postprandial motility and determine mechanism of action of GLP-1 and analog ROSE-010 action. Design Single-blind parallel study. Setting University hospital laboratory. Participants Healthy volunteers investigated with antroduodenal manometry. Human gastric and intestinal muscle strips. Interventions Motility indices (MIs) obtained before and during GLP-1 or saline infusion. Plasma GLP-1 and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) measured by radioimmunoassay. Gastrointestinal muscle strips investigated for GLP-1- and ROSE-010-induced relaxation employing GLP-1 and GLP-2 and their receptor localization, and blockers exendin(9-39)amide, Lω-nitro-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA), 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine (DDA), and tetrodotoxin (TTX) to reveal target mechanism of GLP-1 action. Main Outcome Measures Postprandial gastrointestinal relaxation by GLP-1. Results In humans, food intake increased MI to 6.4 ± 0.3 (antrum), 5.7 ± 0.4 (duodenum), and 5.9 ± 0.2 (jejunum). GLP-1 administered intravenously raised plasma GLP-1, but not GLP-2. GLP-1 0.7 pmol/kg/min suppressed corresponding MI to 4.6 ± 0.2, 4.7 ± 0.4, and 5.0 ± 0.2, whereas 1.2 pmol/kg/min suppressed MI to 5.4 ± 0.2, 4.4 ± 0.3, and 5.4 ± 0.3 (P < 0.0001 to 0.005). In vitro, GLP-1 and ROSE-010 prevented contractions by bethanechol and electric field stimulation (P < 0.005 to 0.05). These effects were disinhibited by exendin(9-39)amide, L-NMMA, DDA, or TTX. GLP-1 and GLP-2 were localized to epithelial cells, GLP-1 also at myenteric neurons. GLP-1R and GLP-2R were localized at myenteric neurons but not muscle. Conclusions GLP-1 and ROSE-010 inhibit postprandial gastrointestinal motility through GLP-1R at myenteric neurons, involving nitrergic and cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent mechanisms. Near physiological concentrations of GLP-1 reduce prandial intestinal motility in man. GLP-1 and analogue ROSE-010 mediate responses through neuronal mechanisms requiring second messengers NO and cAMP.

The current study was carried out to examine the effects of four different experimental salinities (T 1  = 0‰, T 2  = 5‰, T 3  = 10‰, and T 4  = 15‰) on growth, water quality, proximate composition, total bacterial (TB), and hemocyte counts of white leg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) and giant prawn ( Macrobrachium rosenbergii ) in biofloc based nursery bi‐culture system for 6 weeks. A total of 12 cylindrical plastic tanks (125 L) filled up 100 L water for rearing L. vannamei and M. rosenbergii post‐larvae (PLs) at an equal ratio: (50 L. vannamei : 50 M. rosenbergii ). At the end of the experiment, for L. vannamei , the significantly higher ( p < 0.05) growth rate was recorded in T 4 (15‰) compared to the other treatments. For M. rosenbergii , a significantly higher ( p < 0.05) growth rate was recorded in T 2 (5‰) than in other treatments. Similar to growth, the best ( p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) for ‐ L. vannamei was found at T 4 (15‰) while it was at T 2 (5‰) for M. rosenbergii . Gross return, net profit, and benefit–cost ratio (BCR) analysis revealed higher profit T 4 (15‰) than T 3 (10‰), T 2 (5‰), and T 1 (0‰). TB counts were found to be significantly greater ( p < 0.05) in T 4 than other treatments. Hemocyte counts for L. vannamei were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in T 4 (15‰) than T 3 (10‰), T 2 (5‰), and T 1 (0‰) and for M. rosenbergii hemocyte was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in T 1 (0‰) than T 2 (5 ‰), T 3 (10 ‰), and T 4 (15‰). Therefore, it can be suggested that 15‰ salinity will be the best condition for the nursery bi‐culture of white leg shrimp ( L. vannamei ) and giant prawn ( M. rosenbergii ) in the biofloc system.

Finding sustainable alternative energy resources and treating wastewater are the two most important issues that need to be solved. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has demonstrated a tremendous potential in bioelectricity generation with wastewater treatment. Since wastewater can be used as a source of electrolyte for the MFC, the salient point of this study was to investigate the effect of pH on bioelectricity production using various biomass feed (wastewater and river water) as the anolyte in a dual-chambered MFC. Maximum extents of power density (1459.02 mW·m−2), current density (1288.9 mA·m−2), and voltage (1132 mV) were obtained at pH 8 by using Bhairab river water as a feedstock in the MFC. A substantial extent of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal (94%) as well as coulombic efficiency (41.7%) was also achieved in the same chamber at pH 8. The overall performance of the MFC, in terms of bioelectricity generation, COD removal, and coulombic efficiency, indicates a plausible utilization of the MFC for wastewater treatment as well as bioelectricity production.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether a bank's intellectual capital (IC) efficiency impacts its performance and risk-taking behavior in an emerging economic country. The study used panel data (unbalanced) of 30 commercial banks in Bangladesh during 2002-2019. Data were analyzed through the use of the generalized method of moments (GMM) by Eviews-10. The pragmatic results demonstrate that IC efficiency (HCE), RCE and SCE have significant positive (negative) impacts both on the bank's performance and risk-taking behavior, this finding is similar to resource-based theory. Moreover, adequate capital and liquidity position improves bank performance, but leverage, size, and non-performing loans to total loan have a significant negative impact on bank performance. In addition, the macro-economic variable growth (i.e., gross domestic product) rate of inflation and financial crisis year negatively impacts both bank performance and risk-taking behavior. The panel dataset in this research is restricted to the Bangladeshi banking sector, which restricts the study's generalizability. Bank performance in Bangladesh is unaffected by leverage, loan size, and the proportion of non-performing loans to total loans. Regulatory authorities, managers and policymakers should step up their surveillance of banks and other financial institutions when the GDP inflation rate and financial crisis year have a negative impact on both bank performance and risk-taking behavior.

The aim of this study is to gain a detailed understanding of the behavior of a liquid drop in AC electric fields at finite Reynolds number. A front-tracking/finite difference method, in conjunction with Taylor–Melcher leaky dielectric model, is used to solve the governing electrohydrodynamic equations. The evolution of the flow field and the drop deformation are studied for three representative fluid systems, corresponding to the three regions of the deformation–circulation map. It is shown that for the range of the physical parameters used here, the relaxation time during which the drop settles to its quasi-steady-state deformation is essentially the same as that predicted by the creeping flow solution. Furthermore, the mean (time-independent) deformation is well represented by its steady-state deformation in the corresponding DC field in a root-mean-square sense. The evolution of the flow field shows formation of closed vortices that cross the drop surface and move toward the ambient fluid or the drop, in line with the motion of the drop surface. The evolution of the kinetic energy of the flow field with time is investigated, and the correlations between the minimum and the maximum kinetic energy and the state of the drop deformation are explored.

Purpose This study aims to show the relationship between competition, financial stability and ownership structure of banks in the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators to generate research results. This study uses an unbalanced panel dynamic data set. It covers the period 2011 to 2017 in MENA banks. Findings This study implies that there is a significant and positive relationship between market power and the financial stability of banks in MENA countries. It explains a competitive market focus on credit risk, which turns them risky. From the bank’s ownership view, Islamic banks are in a less risky position which means Islamic banks are more stable than other ownership structures. On the other hand, government specialized institute displays their poor financial stability and risky from other ownership structures. Unfortunately, there is no significant impact of ownership structure on competition unless Islamic banks prove that they (Islamic banks) perform better in market power. Practical implications The empirical findings of this study suggest that MENA banks should improve the process of managing and monitoring the non-performing loan (loan segment business). It reduces the level of credit risk, which leads to achieving more profit. It also recommends that loan quality should improve immediately in this region for declining financial disruption. Based on the ownership structure, policymakers and stakeholders should adjust their risk and financial stability. Notably, the stakeholders can focus on Islamic banks in this region as this type of ownership structure showing superiority over other ownership structures. Originality/value This study is based on the latest data set and produced outcomes by using a GMM estimator. It also uses multiple measures of competition and risk variables to get robust results. Moreover, to the best of the knowledge, this study is the pioneer to examine the competition, risk (financial stability) and ownership structure of banks in the MENA countries.

In this work, pseudo-stem banana (Musa acuminata) (PBF) fiber was utilized as a potential low-cost natural adsorbent to uptake methylene blue (MB) dye from synthetic wastewater by batch adsorption process. Different adsorption factors like contact time, pH, initial concentration, and adsorbent dosage were explored and found that the separation process is strongly pH dependent. Additionally, the adsorption data were fitted with various adsorption isotherms like Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radhushkevich models to detect the adsorption equilibrium phenomena. Reaction kinetics was inspected using pseudo-first-order and second-order kinetic models. Mass transfer and intra-particle diffusion analyses indicate the adsorption mechanism of the system described particularly in the context. Furthermore, scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were conducted to get the morphology and surface properties of the adsorbent, respectively. As a result, the as-prepared banana fiber can be proposed as a cheap suitable adsorbent to separate dyestuffs from industrial wastewater.