Identifying the Reliability and Validity of Hard and Soft HRM Measures: A Study on the Banking Sector of Bangladesh

The effectiveness of Human Resource Management (HRM) is based on the realization of two models of HRM – the ‘Hard’ model and the ‘Soft’ model, which are now widely practiced. No study was conducted in the context of Bangladesh. Thus, a valid and reliable measurement of Hard and Soft HRM is vital for managing human resources in changing competitive businessenvironments. This study explores HRM practices in the banking sector of Bangladesh in terms of these two categories. The results indicate that the scale used in the study is valid and reliable to conduct further studies. Descriptive statistics reveals that the banking sector of Bangladesh practices a combination of both Hard and Soft HRM. It is found that most employees of the banks of Bangladesh think that HRM practices and policies can increase employee motivation, satisfaction, commitment, and welfare. Many of the employees in fact consider the HRM practices and policies as fair and facilitating towards employee development

A simulation assessment of the height of light shelves to enhance daylighting quality in tropical office buildings under overcast sky conditions in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The objective of this paper is to highlight the effectiveness of light shelves in tropical office buildings to enhance interior daylighting quality. Daylight simulation was performed for custom light shelves for a typical office floor of Dhaka City in Bangladesh, to determine the best possible location under overcast sky conditions. Six alternative models of a 3m high study space were created with varying heights of light shelves. The 3D models were first generated in the Ecotect to study the distribution and uniformity of daylight in the interior space with split- flux method. These models were then exported to a physically-based backward raytracer, Radiance Synthetic Imaging software to generate realistic lighting levels for validating and crosschecking the Ecotect results. The results showed that for achieving light levels closest to specified standards, light shelves at a height of 2m above floor level perform better among the seven alternatives studied including the alternative where no light shelves are present. Finally, the decisions were verified with DAYSIM simulation program to ensure the compliance of the decisions with dynamic annual climate-based daylight performance metrics

Bangladesh striving against double burden: Dengue outbreak surges amid COVID-19 pandemic

As one of the least developed countries of South Asia, Bangladesh continues experiencing a surge in the number of patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), while struggling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of infected patients and deaths due to COVID-19 had risen rapidly since the beginning of July 2021 and broken all the previous records. The total number of dengue cases was also the highest in July. Now, the country is facing an unprecedented challenge of tackling a co-epidemic. Impoverished health infrastructure, ineffective intervention schemes against the disease and lack of awareness has made the country vulnerable to a risk of co-epidemic. Therefore, government and local authorities should take immediate actions, including capacity-building programs for both COVID-19 and dengue, while community engagement campaigns focusing on the destruction of breeding sources of Aedes mosquitoes can play a key role in reducing the effect of dengue at an early stage

The Present Conditions of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury at Rehabilitation Center in Bangladesh

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is one of the major cause of disability in developing country like Bangladesh. The study aims to identify present conditions of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury at Rehabilitation Center in Bangladesh. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 61 participants (47 from rural areas and 14 from urban areas) who were recruited through purposive sampling. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. There were 61 patients involved in the research: 83.6% - male, 16.4% female. Average age:  18-35 years. 37.7% patients were tetraplegic whereas 62.3% were paraplegic, employment of participants in this study was 77.0%. Most common complication was: pressure sore 55.70%, decrease joint range of motion 67.20%, joint stiffness 34.40%, spasticity developed 83.6%, urinary tract infection 63.9%, autonomic dysreflexia 36.1%, leg swelling 47.5%, postural hypotension 42.6%, sexual problem 34.4%, mentally and psychologically change 100.0%, respiratory complication 37.7%. Finally, the study explained their current status after SCI the maximum patient were dependent and their pattern of working is long sitting. Moreover, most of they are interested to involve in non-bed exercise like group exercise and play activities in outdoor settings. So it is necessary to raise awareness in local community about post SCI healthy lifestyle

Effectiveness of combined use of misoprostol with intracervical catheter for induction of labour: a randomized control trial

Background: Labor induction methods are continuously evolving to ensure safer and more effective outcomes for both mother and neonate. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of combined use of misoprostol with intracervical catheter for labor induction. Methods: This single-blinded, parallel-group randomized control trial conducted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, included 200 women with term gestation and Bishop score ≤6. Participants were divided into two groups: the intervention group (group B) received misoprostol juice and Foley’s catheter, while the control group (group A) received misoprostol in the posterior fornix. Results: In Group A, 58% had vaginal deliveries, while in Group B, 65% had vaginal deliveries. Group B experienced a longer mean length of labor in the 1st stage (13.25±1.095) compared to Group A (12.98±1.982, p=0.008). The 3rd stage was shorter for Group B (10.00±0.000) than Group A (12.02±2.469, p<0.001). The most common induction reason was labor pain with an unfavorable cervix (31 in Group A and 33 in Group B). Group B had a higher percentage of inductions at less than 12 hours and a lower percentage at more than 24 hours. Neonatal outcomes were generally better for Group B. The Cox regression hazard model showed a lower likelihood of positive outcomes in Group B (hazard ratio 0.337, 95% CI 0.243-0.469, p=0.000), indicating a statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: The combined use of misoprostol with Foley’s catheter for labor induction is safe and effective, resulting in shorter labor duration and higher rates of vaginal delivery compared to misoprostol alone

A comparative study on synthesis of some novel α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives and their antioxidant potential

Free radicals are constantly formed in human system either as accidental products during metabolism or deliberately during the process of phagocytosis or due to environmental pollutants, ionizing radiations, ozone, heavy metal poisoning, etc. It is found from literature survey that chalcones (α,β-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives) exhibit great antioxidant activity. Hence, the synthesis of some new chalcone derivatives was undertaken and were synthesized by two methods namely, conventional and microwave irradiation methods. The synthesized chalcone derivatives were tested for their in vitro antioxidant activity by using NBT-superoxide free-radical scavenging activity and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The potency of the chalcone derivatives was estimated by IC50 values and they have shown promising antioxidant activity. Among all the chalcones synthesized, derivative 3e showed maximum superoxide inhibition as per NBT method and all the derivatives have shown different percentage inhibitions at different concentrations as per  DPPH method. The compounds were characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectral analysis

Nicotine dependence and quit smoking: a preliminary survey among adult males in Kuantan, Malaysia

Introduction: Most of the smokers remain as active smokers and unrecognized their nicotine dependence (ND) level. ND was an important reason to addict smoking. The study determined the prevalence of smoking and ND among adult males and their difficulties to quit smoking. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 296 males aged 18 years and above from Felda Bukit Goh at Kuantan, Malaysia in 2015. Socio-economic status, history of smoking, quit attempt and reasons for failing quit were explored by using a self-administered questionnaire. Level of ND was assessed by validated Malay version of Fagerstrom Test for ND questionnaires. Stratified analysis on relationship among socio-economic status and current smoking status, level of ND was done. Results: The prevalence of current smokers was 61.1% and the prevalence of low and moderate to high ND level was 76.2 % and 23.8 % respectively. Among them 54.1% of smokers were tried to quit smoking ranging from 1 to 30 times by self-awareness (48%) and their main reason to fail was addiction (71.9%). Smokers with monthly household income (RM2000-2999) was independently associated with moderate to high ND with AOR=4.73 (95% CI 1.83-12.18) compared to those with income (less than RM2000). Conclusion: Despite high prevalence of smoking, majority of smokers have low ND and addiction was the main reason to fail quit attempt. Household income was a contributing factor for moderate to high ND. The finding provides hope for the success of smoking cessation programme if it is to be done in this locality

Prevalence of risk for eating disorder amongst International Islamic University Malaysia medical students and its associated factors

Introduction: Eating disorders are a poorly understood condition characterised by severe psychiatric and medical manifestations, in which eating habits, physical health and psychosocial functioning are disturbed. College and university students are among the population who are prone to eating disorder. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of eating disorders risk in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan campus amongst the medical students and to identify its associated factors. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study involving 200 medical students of IIUM Kuantan campus session 2014/2015 of all years (20-26 years old) of both genders using a self-administered questionnaire through an online website which is a Google drive between 29th June till 10th July 2015. Result: This study revealed that the prevalence of risk for eating disorder among IIUM Kuantan campus medical students is 15.0 percent. On the same note, the risk is noted to be higher among single female of Malay ethnicity, being middle child, overweight and physically inactive; albeit none of these factors significantly associated with risk of eating disorder among this population. Conclusion: The prevalence of those who have the risk of eating disorder in this study is comparable to the result from the previous studies conducted among college and university students in Malaysia. Nevertheless, the risk of eating disorder is documented among IIUM medical students and warrant a closer look and appropriate reference for those who have the risk

Nicotine dependency of adult male smokers and it’s socio-economic determinants

INTRODUCTION: Most smokers become dependent both physically and psychologically within a few years of daily smoking because of its major chemical component of nicotine in tobacco. Nicotine dependence is occurred at any time which affects on successful smoking cessation. The aim of the study was to measure the prevalence of nicotine dependence (ND) among adult male smokers and influences of socio-economic characteristics on it. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 297 adult males participants with aged ≥18 years and who were recruited purposively from the house-holds which were selected using simple random sampling at FELDA Bukit Goh, Kuantan, Pahang in February 2015. Smoking and nicotine dependence status of the participants were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire in which consisted of modified smoking and tobacco use questions used in National Health Interview Survey and validated Malay version of Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND-M) assessment questionnaires. Fishers’ exact test, ANOVA and median test were applied to infer association between nicotine dependency and socio-economic (SE) variables (age, education, occupation, income and marital status). RESULTS: In the study, 61.3% (182 /297) was current smokers. Among them, the prevalence of low, moderate and high nicotine dependence level were 76.4% (139 /182), 22.5 % (41 /182) and 1.1% (2/182) respectively. The smokers aged 31-40 years old with secondary education, self employed, moderate monthly family income (1000-3000 RM) and married person were lower ND; however, these findings were no statistically significant when a cross analysis and comparing mean or median ND score among different SE background. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of low nicotine dependency is a favorable condition to obtain successful smoking cessation among the adult male smokers. No significant socio-economic determinants on level of ND indicated that level of ND should be assessed before engaging in the quit smoking program to provide tailored NRT