Money, Output and Inflation in Bangladesh: A Test of Cointegration and Causality

This paper examines the relative impacts of money on economic growth and inflation in the economy of Bangladesh. It uses monthly data of Consumer Price Index, M2 multiplier, and industrial production index of Bangladesh from the Global Economic Monitor database of the World Bank. Using Johansen Co-integration and Vector Error Correction framework, the study finds that there is one cointegration relationship among these three variables. The Granger Causality results suggest that increased money multiplier has significant impacts on economic growth but non-significant impacts on inflation thus rejecting the neutrality of money in the Bangladesh economy over the study period. The results also suggest that the impact of money is unidirectional on economic growth. Keywords: neutrality of money, economic growth, cointegration, causality DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-10-19 Publication date:May 31st 201

STR-930: CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER WALLS WITH OPENINGS: IN-PLANE STIFFNESS PREDICTION AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is gaining popularity in residential and non-residential applications in the North American construction market. An accurate quantification of in-plane stiffness of the CLT walls with openings is required to design a CLT structure subjected to lateral loads. Nevertheless, till today, no general approach is available for the design of CLT-members loaded in plane and there are no standardized methods for determining the stiffness of CLT shearwalls in the respective material design standards: the CSA O86 in Canada, and the NDS in the US. This study aims to quantify the stiffness of CLT walls with openings under in-plane loading. A finite element (FE) model of CLT walls was developed modelling wood as orthotropic elastic material and the glue-lines between layers using non-linear contact elements. The FE model was verified from test results of CLT panels under in-plane loading. A parametric study was performed to evaluate the change in stiffness of CLT walls with the variation of opening size and shape. A simplified equation to predict the in-plane stiffness of CLT walls with openings was proposed. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis was performed using Meta-model of Optimal Prognosis (MOP) to evaluate the contribution of each parameter on the model response

STR-931: TIMBER I-JOISTS WITH WEB OPENINGS: REINFORCEMENT, CAPACITY PREDICTION AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

Timber I-joists are a popular product in light-frame wood construction in North America. The design with timber I-joists, however, has not yet achieved the same level of refinement compared to reinforced concrete or steel structures. One of the reasons is that timber I-joists have higher variability in their material properties than more homogeneous building materials. Additionally, although very commonly applied in practice, engineers and practitioners have limited knowledge and guidance for I-joists with web opening. As a result, in many cases the design of timber I-joists based on manufacturer’s specifications lead to very conservative solutions. The present research predicts the capacity of unreinforced and reinforced timber I-joists with openings from experimental results. A total of 100 unreinforced and 100 reinforced I-joists with opening were tested under four point loading. The capacity of the I-joists with opening was predicted from regression analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the predicted equations using Meta-model of Optimal Prognosis (MOP) to evaluate the contribution of each parameter on the model responses. The research demonstrates that the reinforcement technique was efficient for I-joists with openings and the proposed equations were very accurate to predict the I-joists capacity

Blockchain Applications in Smart Sustainable City Context—A Systematic Mapping Study

The advancement in blockchain applications in the smart sustainable city infrastructure is evaluated in this paper through a comprehensive mapping review. The evaluation is carried out by posing four research questions that address current developments in blockchain technology in the context of smart cities and point out areas where additional study is needed. This study also includes a scoping of blockchain applications in a smart city context to highlight the obstacles to incorporating blockchain technology into smart city infrastructure. Finally, some suggestions for overcoming the problems of incorporating blockchain technology with smart city infrastructure are offered. This research will help researchers and policymakers gain a better understanding of blockchain applications in smart cities

Ethical Implications of Public Relations in Bangladesh: Islamic Perspective

This paper aims to examine public relation practices in Bangladesh, weighing its ethical implications from an Islamic perspective and investigates whether it comply with Islam’s ethical specifications to facilitate Muslim Marketer’s thoughts and practices. The paper uses Qur’an (Chapter 3, Verse 103) as a theoretical framework to critically evaluate relevant information to ascertain the extent of ethical legitimacy of promotional strategies used in public relations in Bangladesh. It cites relevant references from Qur’an and Sunnãh as interpretive evidences and methodology. Islam puts stress on institutionalizing ethics in every aspects of Business. This complete code of life strongly recommends Muslims to do business which should certainly be in the ethical framework guided by Shari’ah. The existing public relation strategies in Bangladesh are ethically dubious. Undue influence, exertion of too much political power, flattering, fabrication, falsehood, and bribery are very much common practices done by the corporations to build favorable public relations. No ways are these in compliance with Islamic Ethical Values. This paper suggests the necessity for further research into the ethical dimensions of business practices in Bangladesh to promote ethical awareness in the society. This study includes mutual socio-economic and ethical responsibilities among Bangladeshi Marketers to save the society from corruption and moral deterioration

Rheological and mechanical properties of hot mix asphalt incorporating polypropylene and polyethylene fibers

Polymer-modified binders in hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures have become more widely used in recent years. To prevent fatigue, rutting and various distresses, different types of polymer modifiers have been utilized. This study investigates modifying asphalt mixture in dense asphalt mixture with polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) fibers. The performance test includes softening point, penetration test as physical properties, and dynamic creep test for mechanical behavior of modified asphalt mixtures incorporating PP, PE, and unmodified asphalt. The PP and PE fiber dosage adopted for this study was 0.5% - 2.5% by weight of the asphalt. The results of the study are that the effect of polypropylene and polyethylene fibers on asphalt mixture behavior is sensibly good from considering rheological and mechanical properties. In the physical property test, it was found that PE-modified asphalt offers a better blend in comparison to PP-modified asphalt. In the dynamic creep test, for 2% of PP and 1.5% of PE modified asphalt showed the highest resistance and lowest strain value than unmodified asphalt mixtures

The modification of fiber-containing porous asphalt with various additives : A review

The use of porous asphalt pavement has increased in recent years compared to conventional asphalt pavement. In this regard, pedestrian walkways and parking lots often make use of porous asphalt. These kinds of additives should be used in porous asphalt pavement because they enhance the pavements serviceability and mechanical performance. These types of pavement are used in various types of fiber and additives to improve the porous asphalt pavements physical characteristics and decrease the air void in the asphalt mixture. Incorporating different types of fibers with various types of additives should increase the overall performance of porous asphalt pavement though fiber has a significant impact over the additives on pavement structure. However, some additives increase the mechanical properties of porous asphalt. Pavement design mechanism and size of aggregate is a valuable component of serviceability of porous asphalt pavement. Consider all this factor it is easily determines the strength and durability of porous asphalt pavement in the context of physical and mechanical performences. This review focus on the overall performances of porous asphalt incorporating fiber with various types of additive

GreenPave

There is no substitute for sustainable and environment friendly roads for globalization and urban development. The prevention of asphalt pavement distresses, various researchers have numerous findings. Kenaf Fiber is mainly use to increase the tensile strength of pavement composite. The fiber asphalt mixture has better resistance cracking degradation under loading. According the definition of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), sustainable development should meet three requirements: meeting performance standards, utilizing resource effectively and preserving the ecosystem. Kenaf fiber is ecofriendly and sustainable material