COMPLEXITIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH IN HIGHER SECONDARY LEVEL: A STUDY OF FOUR COLLEGES IN BOGURA DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

This paper aims to explore the challenges of English language teaching in the Bogura district, Bangladesh. Although Bogura is advanced in establishing educational institutions and trades, it is still lagging in respect of the quality and consequence of English language teaching in higher secondary education. In comparison to the other subject, it seems much more difficult for both teachers and learners. Therefore, the problems of English language learning have been listed, and the result of class observation of colleges in the Bogura district has been presented. To do this study, a descriptive research design, quantitative method, and questionnaires are used. The present findings opine that the majorities depend on the exam system to just pass the exam and there is no equal chance to be skilled in four skills of the English language students. The lacking of teachers has also been detected. However, the study attempts to illuminate a scenario of the English teaching system as well as the problems and prospects of English language learning and teaching in higher secondary education

COSMOGENICAL NOTIONS IN THE QUR’AN: THE METAPHYSICAL ORIGIN OF THE PHYSICAL COSMOS

Upon distinguishing cosmogony – the ultimate origin of the cosmos – from cosmogony – the early state of the cosmos, the paper presents a Qur’anic account of cosmogeny based on three relevant verses. The articulated Qur’anic cosmogeny of the paper affirms the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo and reveals the metaphysical origin of the cosmos. A number of cosmogenical principles are also presented in the article, which further demonstrate and reaffirm the theocentric nature of Qur’anic as well as Islamic cosmologies. The denouncement of absolute nothingness as per the newly-formulated cosmogeny and its principles presented in the paper certainly indicates the fundamental difference between the natures of the reality and the Ultimate Reality in Islam

Evaluating the effectiveness of Baker's procedure in restoring functionality in neglected Achilles tendon injuries

Background: Neglected Achilles tendon injuries present a significant challenge in orthopedic practice, often requiring complex surgical interventions for effective treatment. This study aims to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with neglected Achilles tendon injuries treated using Baker's procedure, a surgical technique designed for complex cases. Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted at multiple medical centers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013. It included 42 patients aged 18 to 60 years with signs of old Tendo-Achilles rupture. Participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent Baker's Procedure. Postoperative assessments included pain levels, ankle stiffness, calf-muscle weakness, footwear restrictions, range of motion, and patient satisfaction, evaluated using the Juhana Leppilahti modified score. Result: The majority of patients (85.71%) reported no pain post-treatment, while 14.29% experienced mild pain. Ankle stiffness was absent in 71.43% of the patients and mild in 28.57%. Calf-muscle weakness varied, with 64.29% showing no weakness, 28.57% mild weakness, and 7.14% moderate weakness. Footwear restrictions were minimal, with 92.86% reporting no restrictions. Active range of motion was normal (≤5°) in 64.29% of patients and mildly limited (6-10°) in 35.71%. Patient satisfaction was high, with 71.43% being 'Very satisfied' with their treatment outcomes. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that Baker's Procedure is an effective surgical intervention for neglected Achilles tendon injuries, leading to significant pain relief, restored functional mobility, and high patient satisfaction. These findings suggest that with appropriate surgical and rehabilitative care, patients with complex Achilles tendon injuries can achieve favorable outcomes, emphasizing the importance of tailored surgical approaches in orthopedic practice

Unbreakable Babu Culture and Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) at Kandapara sex establishment, Bangladesh

The commercial sex trade with babu culture is a ubiquitous business that itself stands in an embarrassing platform, especially in a predominantly Islamic country like Bangladesh. This study aims to excavate the concept of commercial sex workers and unbreakable babus, the reasons for entering sex establishment, and also the perceptions about themselves for understanding and developing a meaningful relationship. The qualitative method was predominance for its nature and subject matter where in-depth interviews were carried out at Kandapara sex establishment in Tangail, Bangladesh. This study found that socio-demographic and economic factors badly influence them to attach to sex establishment. For commercial sex workers, both voluntary and involuntary factors are responsible to enter the sex establishment, alternatively, only voluntary factors are responsible for babus. This study also found that there are multi-dimensional and diverse perceptions among commercial sex workers and unbreakable babus about their fixed sex partners. The study also addressed taking initiatives for improving their social status in society and emphasizing the further implications of the research

AC/DC Power Systems with Applications in Future Human Habitat on Lunar and Mars Bases

As NASA readies itself for new space exploration initiatives starting with a human return to the Moon by the year 2020 eventually leading to human exploration of Mars, the requirements for a safe, efficient and comprehensive power system to support the exploration missions as well human habitat will become important issues to consider. Certain issues dealing with electric power generation and distribution on board Mars-bound vehicles and those on Lunar and Martian surfaces are described. The requirements for lightweight power generation dictates the use of a high frequency ac machine. Preliminary results of investigating the design of a permanent magnet synchronous machine is presented. ©2006 American Institute of Physic

A PC based time domain reflectometer for space station cable fault isolation

Significant problems are faced by astronauts on orbit in the Space Station when trying to locate electrical faults in multi-segment avionics and communication cables. These problems necessitate the development of an automated portable device that will detect and locate cable faults using the pulse-echo technique known as Time Domain Reflectometry. A breadboard time domain reflectometer (TDR) circuit board was designed and developed at the NASA-JSC. The TDR board works in conjunction with a GRiD lap-top computer to automate the fault detection and isolation process. A software program was written to automatically display the nature and location of any possible faults. The breadboard system can isolate open circuit and short circuit faults within two feet in a typical space station cable configuration. Follow-on efforts planned for 1994 will produce a compact, portable prototype Space Station TDR capable of automated switching in multi-conductor cables for high fidelity evaluation. This device has many possible commercial applications, including commercial and military aircraft avionics, cable TV, telephone, communication, information and computer network systems. This paper describes the principle of time domain reflectometry and the methodology for on-orbit avionics utility distribution system repair, utilizing the newly developed device called the Space Station Time Domain Reflectometer (SSTDR)

Awareness of occupational hazards in learning organizations: knowledge sharing behavior and sense of spirituality perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate the significant antecedents that influence students’ awareness of occupational hazards (AOHs) in their respective institutions. The researchers proposed a theoretical model consisting of three dimensions: knowledge sharing behavior (KSB), sense of spirituality (SS) and awareness of occupational hazards (AOHs). Design/methodology/approach – This study targets students of different public and private higher learning institutions in Bangladesh with a total of 260 respondents, utilizing a survey questionnaire as the data collection instrument to test the proposed conceptual model. The structural equation modeling approach was used to test the proposed model. Findings – The results show that SS has a mediating effect on KSB and AOHs at higher learning institutions. Originality/value – The study contributes for first time to the theoretical novelty of the body of the existing literature in the domains of students’ KSB, SS and AOHs. The study also provides insight on future research directions by helping in identifying gaps in literature in this field and higher learning institutions in Bangladesh

Bond Strength of Fusion Bonded Epoxy-Coated Reinforcement in Concrete

Fusion-bonded epoxy-coated steel is expected to extend the service life of the reinforced concrete structure in chloride-laden environments. However, the effect of coating on the bond-strength between rebar and concrete is not well understood yet. This research, therefore, studied the effect of epoxy-coating on the bond characteristics of reinforcing bars in concrete. The bond characteristics were assessed through pullout test considering variables viz. concrete strength, embedded length and bar diameter. The load was applied to reinforcing bars embedded in concrete until bond strength between the bar and concrete exceeded. Bond strength of epoxy-coated bars was compared with that of the uncoated bars. It was found that epoxy-coating reduced the bond strength approximately 25% for Ø20mm bar and 12% for Ø16mm and Ø12mm bar. As with uncoated bar, bond strength of coated bars were also increased with concrete strength. However, the bond strength ratio between coated and uncoated bars was found almost independent of concrete strength. Based on the test results, a development length modification factor of 1.33 is proposed for Ø20mm bar and 1.15 for Ø12mm and Ø16mm bar to compensate the bond strength reduction due to the epoxy coating