Behavioral Modeling of the Individual’s Acceptance and use of Internet in Bangladesh: An Analysis Using an Integrated Approach

This study attempts to examine individuals’ behavior in the adoption and usage of the Internet for accomplishing various transactions and communication in Bangladesh. A descriptive research design is administered to ascertain the joint impact of the study constructs. A combination of AMOS 18 and PLS graph has been used for structural equation modeling with a cross-sectional dataset of 239 individuals in Bangladesh collected through a questionnaire survey. The proposed model was assessed with two step procedure after scrutiny and correction for non response and subjective response bias. The psychometric properties of the model, convergent and discriminant validity were assessed through confirmatory factor analysis, construct reliability and the constructs correlation. The structural model estimation results reveal a significant association of image with perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and intention while indirect correlation with actual usage through intention. On the other hand, perceived usefulness has direct effects on intention while perceived ease of use is found to be indirectly associated through perceived usefulness. The path analysis furthered the significant effects of intention on actual usage behavior. The study also reports that analysis of the entire dataset with two different a roaches of structural equation modeling produces a consistent result which ensures robustness in the analysis. The study concludes with implications

A research agenda to improve incidence and outcomes of assisted vaginal birth

Access to emergency obstetric care, including assisted vaginal birth and caesarean birth, is crucial for improving maternal and childbirth outcomes. However, although the proportion of births by caesarean section has increased during the last few decades, the use of assisted vaginal birth has declined. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income countries, despite an assisted vaginal birth often being less risky than caesarean birth. We therefore conducted a three-step process to identify a research agenda necessary to increase the use of, or reintroduce, assisted vaginal birth: after conducting an evidence synthesis, which informed a consultation with technical experts who proposed an initial research agenda, we sought and incorporated the views of women's representatives of this agenda. This process has allowed us to identify a comprehensive research agenda, with topics categorized as: (i) the need to understand women's perceptions of assisted vaginal birth, and provide appropriate and reliable information; (ii) the importance of training health-care providers in clinical skills but also in respectful care, effective communication, shared decision-making and informed consent; and (iii) the barriers to and facilitators of implementation and sustainability. From women's feedback, we learned of the urgent need to recognize labour, childbirth and postpartum experiences as inherently physiological and dignified human processes, in which interventions should only be implemented if necessary. The promotion and/or reintroduction of assisted vaginal birth in low-resource settings requires governments, policy-makers and hospital administrators to support skilled health-care providers who can, in turn, respectfully support women in labour and childbirth. [Abstract copyright: (c) 2023 The authors; licensee World Health Organization.

Improved Version of Energy Efficient Motor for Shell Eco Marathon : Half Weight with Higher Efficiency

The goal of the thesis is to analyze an existing Axial Flux Permanent Magnet motor used for Shell Eco Marathon from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The existing machine has been analysed and modified to achieve improved power density at high efficiency with lowered weight. A detailed literature study on AFPM machine topologies, winding and magnet arrangements is covered. The magnet arrangement of the existing machine has been transformed from conventional North-South to Halbach array. The preliminary analytical calculations were done by using analytical expressions. After that, for an improved design, an efficiency-based optimization has been used to improve the obtained parameters from analytical calculation. This optimization has been performed with the help of fmincon solver in the Matlab optimization tool. The optimized values after being compared with the analytical calculation, has been used to run Finite Element Method simulations. The new design with optimum performance parameters displays an improvement of overall efficiency with decreased weight in comparison. The new machine has a 97.2% efficiency and weights only 6.24 kg. In comparison with the existing machine, the weight of the new machine is almost half with improved efficiency

Improved Version of Energy Efficient Motor for Shell Eco Marathon : Half Weight with Higher Efficiency

The goal of the thesis is to analyze an existing Axial Flux Permanent Magnet motor used for Shell Eco Marathon from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The existing machine has been analysed and modified to achieve improved power density at high efficiency with lowered weight. A detailed literature study on AFPM machine topologies, winding and magnet arrangements is covered. The magnet arrangement of the existing machine has been transformed from conventional North-South to Halbach array. The preliminary analytical calculations were done by using analytical expressions. After that, for an improved design, an efficiency-based optimization has been used to improve the obtained parameters from analytical calculation. This optimization has been performed with the help of fmincon solver in the Matlab optimization tool. The optimized values after being compared with the analytical calculation, has been used to run Finite Element Method simulations. The new design with optimum performance parameters displays an improvement of overall efficiency with decreased weight in comparison. The new machine has a 97.2% efficiency and weights only 6.24 kg. In comparison with the existing machine, the weight of the new machine is almost half with improved efficiency

Effect of Physical Exercise on some Hematological Parameters in Female Athletes in Bangladesh

Introduction:  Long term physical training has been considered to adversely affect the performance of athletes especially the females. It may be due to the iron depletion caused by hemolysis or hemodilution results from plasma volume expansion. This study aims to assess the effect of heavy exercise on hemoglobin concentration and some other hematological parameters in female athletes. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from July 2010-June 2011. A total number of 105 females (70 athletes and 35 non athletes) between 15-25 years of age were recruited. The 35 apparently healthy female non athletes were taken as control (Group-A) and 70 female athletes comprise the study group (Group-B). According to sporting category, Group-B was further subdivided as B1:Runners and B2:Cyclists. Hemoglobin percentages (Hb %), red blood cell (RBC) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), serum iron, serum ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were measured in fasting state after two months training. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS/ win.15.0 for comparison between the groups, using student’s unpaired “t” test. Results: Mean Hb%, RBC, PCV, iron and ferritin level were significantly (P<0.001) lower in athletes than those of control group. Within the study groups, runner’s serum iron and ferritin level were lower than cyclists.  TIBC significantly (P<0.001) rose in Group-B2 in comparison to Group-A. Conclusions: The current study showed that intense physical exercise leads to early stages of Hb%, RBC, PCV, iron and ferritin depletion which might compromise the health and performance of athletes. Keywords: exercise; hemoglobin; packed cell volume; serum iron.