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The relative performance of global climate models (GCMs) of phases 5 and 6 of the coupled model intercomparison project (CMIP5 and CMIP6, respectively) was assessed in this study based on their ability to simulate annual and seasonal mean rainfall and temperature over Bangladesh for the period 1977–2005. Multiple statistical metrics were used to measure the performance of the GCMs at 30 meteorological observation stations. Two robust multi-criteria decision analysis methods were used to integrate the results obtained using different metrics for an unbiased ranking of the GCMs. The results revealed MIROC5 as the most skillful among CMIP5 GCMs and ACCESS-CM2 among CMIP6 GCMs. Overall, CMIP6 MME showed a significant improvement in simulating rainfall and temperature over Bangladesh compared to CMIP5 MME. The highest improvements were found in simulating cold season (winter and post-monsoon) rainfall and temperature in higher elevated areas. The improvement was relatively more for rainfall than for temperature. The models could capture the interannual variability of annual and seasonal rainfall and temperature reliably, except for the winter rainfall. However, systematic wet and cold/warm biases still exist in CMIP6 models for Bangladesh. CMIP6 GCMs showed higher spatial correlations with observed data, but the higher difference in standard deviations and centered root mean square errors compared to CMIP5 GCMs indicates better performance in simulating geographical distribution but lower performance in simulating spatial variability of most of the climate variables except for minimum temperature at different timescales. In terms of Taylor skill score, the CMIP6 MME showed higher performance in simulating rainfall but lower performance in simulating temperature than CMIP5 MME for most of the timeframes. The findings of this study suggest that the added value of rainfall and temperature simulations in CMIP6 models is not consistent among the climate models used in this research. However, it sets a precedent for future research on climate change risk assessment for the scientific community.

The conservation of ecosystems and their biodiversity has numerous co-benefits, both for local societies and for humankind worldwide. While the co-benefit of climate change mitigation through so called blue carbon storage in coastal ecosystems has raised increasing interest in mangroves, the relevance of multifaceted biodiversity as a driver of carbon storage remains unclear. Sediment salinity, taxonomic diversity, functional diversity and functional distinctiveness together explain 69%, 69%, 27% and 61% of the variation in above- and belowground plant biomass carbon, sediment organic carbon and total ecosystem carbon storage, respectively, in the Sundarbans Reserved Forest. Functional distinctiveness had the strongest explanatory power for carbon storage, indicating that blue carbon in mangroves is driven by the functional composition of diverse tree assemblages. Protecting and restoring mangrove biodiversity with site-specific dominant species and other species of contrasting functional traits would have the co-benefit of maximizing their capacity for climate change mitigation through increased carbon storage. Conserving mangrove biodiversity has numerous co-benefits, including climate change-mitigation. Here the authors demonstrate that blue carbon storage in mangroves can be best sustained by combining site-specific dominant species with other species with contrasting functional traits.

Rapid technological advances give rise to the development of New Technology-Based Firms (NTBFs) which are focused on technology-based business models. One of the concerns is the changing pace of technology adoption and its impact on shortening the life cycle of goods and services based on technology. Technology tends to create more integration among communities, businesses, goods, and services. This integration can be seen in the substantial increase of firms, especially NTBFs, striving to improve international relations. In this regard, addressing the sustainability dimensions in light of technological change is of universal interest. Some studies highlight the role of technology in terms of its environmental impacts, whereas others describe technology as the main driving force of businesses towards innovation, which can lead to sustainability. This paper aims to examine international NTBFs to determine the factors, key drivers, and uncertainties impacting sustainability-oriented innovations concerning their encounter with technology and ultimately plan future scenarios for international NTBFs based on sustainability-oriented innovations. The description of the scenarios shows the importance of innovation development in digital technologies and the expansion of international relations, which is realized by using digital platforms. In addition to accelerating knowledge and innovation development to gain more key partners, we would observe target market expansion, cost reduction, and sustainability growth for international NTBFs. Identifying drivers and uncertainties and the future-oriented approach of this research provide insight to International NTBFs owners into realizing sustainability-oriented innovation by increasing their awareness of the opportunities and interventions to build capacity at the conceptualization and project management levels.

The antidiabetic drug canagliflozin is reported to possess several cardioprotective effects. However, no studies have investigated protective effects of canagliflozin in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced cardiac oxidative damage—a model mimicking sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overstimulation-evoked cardiac injuries in humans. Therefore, we investigated protective effects of canagliflozin in ISO-induced cardiac oxidative stress, and their underlying molecular mechanisms in Long-Evans rat heart and in HL-1 cardiomyocyte cell line. Our data showed that ISO administration inflicts pro-oxidative changes in heart by stimulating production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). In contrast, canagliflozin treatment in ISO rats not only preserves endogenous antioxidants but also reduces cardiac oxidative stress markers, fibrosis and apoptosis. Our Western blotting and messenger RNA expression data demonstrated that canagliflozin augments antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signaling involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In addition, canagliflozin treatment attenuates pro-oxidative, pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic signaling mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), NADPH oxidase isoform 4 (Nox4), caspase-3 and Bax. Consistently, canagliflozin treatment improves heart function marker in ISO-treated rats. In summary, we demonstrated that canagliflozin produces cardioprotective actions by promoting multiple antioxidant and anti-inflammatory signaling.

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring water-soluble plant pigments belonging to the flavonoids chemical class. The red, blue and purple colours of leaves, flowers and fruits of plants confirm that they are rich sources of anthocyanins. Many in vivo and in vitro studies reveal that anthocyanins have different health beneficial effects such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antihypertensive and anticancer properties. Major benefits of anthocyanin administration are owing to their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Recent investigations have revealed that anti-inflammatory activities of anthocyanins follow the inhibitory pathways of NF-кB-mediated decline of inflammatory cytokines production. Inhibition of the anti-inflammatory pathways also influences the modulation of arteriolar disorders and cardiovascular complications due to anthocyanin administration. Moreover, anthocyanins improve diabetes, obesity and cancer pathology by inhibiting NF-кB-mediated inflammatory pathways. However, considerable variations in activities do exist among structurally diverse anthocyanins. This review appraises the recent literature regarding the health benefits of anthocyanins and their molecular mechanisms in various oxidative stress related pathophysiological conditions.

Countries depending on small-scale agriculture, such as Bangladesh, are susceptible to climate change and variability. Changes in the frequency and intensity of drought are a crucial aspect of this issue and the focus of this research. The goal of this work is to use SPI (standardized precipitation index) and SPEI (standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index) to investigate the differences in drought characteristics across different physiognomy types in Bangladesh and to highlight how drought characteristics change over time and spatial scales when considering different geomorphologies. This study used monthly precipitation and temperature data from 29 metrological stations for 39 years (1980–2018) for calculating SPI and SPEI values. To determine the significance of drought characteristic trends over different temporal and spatial scales, the modified Mann–Kendall trend test and multivariable linear regression (MLR) techniques were used. The results are as follows: (1) Overall, decreasing dry trend was found in Eastern hill regions, whereas an increasing drought trends were found in the in the rest of the regions in all time scaless (range is from − 0.08 decade −1  to − 0.15 decade −1  for 3-month time scale). However, except for the one-month time scale, the statistically significant trend was identified mostly in the north-central and northeast regions, indicating that drought patterns migrate from the northwest to the center region. (2) SPEI is anticipated to be better at capturing dry/wet cycles in more complex regions than SPI. (3) According to the MLR, longitude and maximum temperature can both influence precipitation. (4) Drought intensity increased gradually from the southern to the northern regions (1.26–1.56), and drought events occurred predominantly in the northwestern regions (27–30 times), indicating that drought meteorological hotspots were primarily concentrated in the Barind Tract and Tista River basin over time. Findings can be used to improve drought evaluation, hazard management, and application policymaking in Bangladesh. This has implications for agricultural catastrophe prevention and mitigation.

The overall objective of the study was to examine the pros and cons of the participatory approach adopted in natural resource management in the ecologically protected areas of the Sundarbans mangrove of Bangladesh. A comparative study was done between the people who are involved and non-involved in this approach. Empirical data was collected through personal interviews with a structured questionnaire. The Gini coefficient was measured first and then embedded with the Lorenz curve to draw a line between perfect equality and inequality vis-a-vis. The study revealed that the co-management built awareness in favor of biodiversity conservation and the efficient use of natural resources. Contradictorily, a segment of different hierarchical committees was involved in destructive activities like poisoning the wetlands for fishing. Therefore, a mixed outcome was found. The findings will help the policymakers in identifying the pitfalls and bottlenecks rooted in co-management. Hence, the study recommends revising the approach to ensure the community’s active participation on an equal basis and take action against them who degrade those resources. Exploring profitable alternative income-generating activities is warranted to narrow down the dependency on the Sundarbans mangrove’s natural resources. In order to address the tragedy of the commons, the study advocates for the unity of all knowledge ranging from science to humanistic scholarship for sound policymaking.

Several coronaviruses (CoVs) have been associated with serious health hazards in recent decades, resulting in the deaths of thousands around the globe. The recent coronavirus pandemic has emphasized the importance of discovering novel and effective antiviral medicines as quickly as possible to prevent more loss of human lives. Positive-sense RNA viruses with group spikes protruding from their surfaces and an abnormally large RNA genome enclose CoVs. CoVs have already been related to a range of respiratory infectious diseases possibly fatal to humans, such as MERS, SARS, and the current COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, effective prevention, treatment, and medications against human coronavirus (HCoV) is urgently needed. In recent years, many natural substances have been discovered with a variety of biological significance, including antiviral properties. Throughout this work, we reviewed a wide range of natural substances that interrupt the life cycles for MERS and SARS, as well as their potential application in the treatment of COVID-19.

Widespread vaccination against COVID-19 is critical for controlling the pandemic. Despite the development of safe and efficacious vaccinations, low-and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) continue to encounter barriers to care owing to inequitable access and vaccine apprehension. This study aimed to summarize the available data on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates and factors associated with acceptance in LMICs. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception through August 2021. Quality assessments of the included studies were carried out using the eight-item Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. We performed a meta-analysis to estimate pooled acceptance rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. A total of 83,867 respondents from 33 countries were studied. Most of the studies were conducted in India (n = 9), Egypt (n = 6), Bangladesh (n = 4), or Nigeria (n = 4). The pooled-effect size of the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 58.5% (95% CI: 46.9, 69.7, I2 = 100%, 33 studies) and the pooled vaccine hesitancy rate was 38.2% (95% CI: 27.2–49.7, I2 = 100%, 32 studies). In country-specific sub-group analyses, India showed the highest rates of vaccine acceptancy (76.7%, 95% CI: 65.8–84.9%, I2= 98%), while Egypt showed the lowest rates of vaccine acceptancy (42.6%, 95% CI: 16.6–73.5%, I2= 98%). Being male and perceiving risk of COVID-19 infection were predictors for willingness to accept the vaccine. Increasing vaccine acceptance rates in the global south should be prioritized to advance global vaccination coverage.

Diabetes is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease, and the high prevalence of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) hyperactivity in diabetic patients makes them further susceptible to SNS-mediated oxidative stress and accelerated kidney damage. Here, we investigated if canagliflozin can reverse isoprenaline (ISO)-induced renal oxidative damage in rats, a model that mimics SNS overstimulation-induced organ injuries in humans. We found that ISO administration elevates renal oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced protein oxidation product (APOP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO), while depleting levels of endogenous antioxidants such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). Strikingly, canagliflozin treatment of ISO-treated rats not only prevents elevation of oxidative stress markers but also rescues levels of depleted antioxidants. Our results also show that canagliflozin stimulates antioxidant/anti-inflammatory signaling pathways involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Akt and eNOS, and inhibits iNOS and NADPH oxidase isoform 4 (NOX4), all of which are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Further, canagliflozin prevents ISO-induced apoptosis of kidney cells by inhibiting Bax protein upregulation and caspase-3 activation. Histological examination of kidney sections reveal that canagliflozin attenuates ISO-mediated increases in inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen deposition and fibrosis. Finally, consistent with these findings, canagliflozin treatment improves kidney function in ISO-treated rats, suggesting that the antioxidant effects may be clinically translatable.