• Computers and Concrete
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.439-448
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• 2017

Reinforced concrete (RC) infrastructures often require strengthening due to error in design, degradation of materials properties after prolong utilization and increases load carrying capacity persuaded by new use of the structures. For this purpose, a newly proposed Side Near Surface Mounted (SNSM) composite technique was used for flexural strengthening of RC beam specimens. Analytical and non-linear finite element modeling (FEM) using ABAQUS were performed to predict the flexural performance of RC specimens strengthened with S-NSM using steel bars as a strengthening reinforcement. RC beams with various SNSM reinforcement ratios were tested for flexural performance using four-point bending under monotonic loading condition. Results showed significantly increase the yield and ultimate strengths up to 140% and 144% respectively and improved failure modes. The flexural response, such as failure load, mode of failure, yield load, ultimate load, deflection, strain, cracks characteristic and ductility of the beams were compared with those predicted results. The strengthened RC beam specimens showed good agreement of predicted flexural behavior with the experimental outcomes.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a newly established treatment for solid tumors, involves the systemic administration of a tumor localizing photosensitizer that is only activated when exposed to light of appropriate wavelength. Photoactivation of photosensitizer in the presence of oxygen results in the formation of highly cytotoxic molecular species, which precipitates necrosis. PDT has now become a promising means for the treatment of cancer due to its specificity, relatively minimal side effects, and inexpensive. However, the application of PDT has been restricted to the treatment of superficial lesions or the use of interstitial light delivery. A single photon generally activates the photochemical reaction in traditional PDT. However the use of multi photon excitation, where two or more photons simultaneously excite a photosensitizer, allows for the use of wavelengths twice as long. Such wavelengths exhibit better transmittance through tissue and thereby deeper penetration is achieved. This paper will review theoretical principles of multi photon excitation, challenges associated with multi photon PDT and update the current and future role of multi photon PDT in cancer.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-24
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• 2015

Electronic Commerce or e-commerce implies such an industry where goods and services are bought and sold over electronic systems. This is rapidly growing sectors in Bangladesh which influence local and international trade. Government of Bangladesh has also initiated quite a good number of measures for the expansion of e-commerce. However, low adoption of e-commerce is not uncommon in Bangladesh. The objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the adoption of e-commerce services in Bangladesh. Extended version of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is envisaged as the theoretical backbone of the study. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's Alpha test indicates that the research model is internally consistent. The study reveals that 35 percent of respondents became interested in e-commerce services from advertisement on Internet or other electronic media. The findings of the study shows that all the four constructs, namely-Computer Self Efficacy, Perceived Credibility, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use have significant effect on the adoption of e-commerce. The study has also demonstrated that Perceived Usefulness appeared as the most important factor in describing user's adoption of e-commerce.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.31-38
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• 2017

Purpose - While microfinance institutions(MFIs) from Bangladesh, such as Grameen Bank, received worldwide recognition and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, however, there is a paucity of research that provided a comprehensive discussion on the characteristics of the microfinance industry. Hence, the aim of this paper is to discuss some important aspects of the microfinance sector in Bangladesh. Research design, data, and methodology - This study used secondary sources of data, such as annual reports of the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) and the World Bank database in its descriptive analysis. Results - This study found that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in her socio-economic and economic development in the last few decades. It is also generally perceived that microfinance has placed significant contribution on such socio-economic development. While microfinance observed unprecedented growth domestically, however, the regulatory framework is still rather weak, and a majority of the MFIs are found to be concentrated in the well-off areas (e.g., Dhaka, Chittagong etc.). Conclusions - The findings are significantly important for the parties who are interested to know the microfinance sector in Bangladesh. To some extent, the findings of this study will provide policy implications that may benefit the industry.

• Asian Journal of Business Environment
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.5-16
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• 2017

Purpose - The purpose of this research study is to make a comparative analysis between corporate governance guidelines 2016 and 2012 and area of further improvement to ensure better governance, accountability and transparency. Research design, data and methodology - This research study is mainly based on the corporate governance guidelines 2016 and 2012 issued by the regulatory authority known as Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). Results - This study finds that corporate governance guideline 2012 include some new issues such as criteria and qualification of independent director; some additional statements in the directors' report; mandatory requirement of separation of chairman and CEO; constitution of audit committee; chairman of audit committee; role of audit committee, duties of CEO and CFO on financial statements; and collection of compliance certificate from professional accountant or secretary in compare to corporate governance guidelines 2016. Conclusions - This study suggests that the regulatory authority should include more issues such as tax management and reporting, risk management and reporting; individual and overall performance analysis of the board and independent directors; separate nomination and compensation committee; assessment of true independence of the board and its supporting committees to ensure higher quality of corporate governance and transparency.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권5호
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• pp.931-937
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• 2021

Since the service organizations have been moving towards digitization across the world, there is a wide range of technological innovations that have been integrated within the service firms, especially in banking services. As such, Internet banking is one of the innovative services that have reshaped the traditional banking activities, particularly in Bangladesh. In line with this, the research is designed to examine the Internet banking adoption based on five variables: perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, trust, social influence, and perceived enjoyment, and the study also explores differences among respondents on these study variables based on gender and academic disciplines. The study has selected university students as study samples as they are the prospective customers to use Internet banking. Sample size in the research is 300, and a well-designed questionnaire was distributed to collect data. SPSS is used for statistical analysis. The research used ANOVA test to capture any difference on variables based on gender and academic disciplines. The findings indicate that male students in business have more intention to adopt Internet banking and preference for ease-of-use than female students, and business students will be more favorably inclined to adopt Internet banking service than students in other academic disciplines.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.1705-1716
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• 2021

Bangladesh, as a newcomer country, is expecting to start her nuclear power journey by 2022. Due to evident reasons, newcomer nuclear countries face several key challenges concerning the development of national nuclear safety infrastructure. The paper investigates the status of the 7 key safety infrastructure issues out of the 19 and readiness of the supportive organizations, laboratories, and workforces following the International Atomic energy Agency's status evaluation guide at milestone 3 and foreign countries' practice. Much progress has been achieved at phase 3 regarding the establishments of a few Acts, a regulator, and an operator. However, comprehensive regulatory frameworks, skilled workforces, establishments of a few supportive organizations, and laboratories for managing environmental radioactivity, radiological accidents, and radioactive wastes are yet to ready. Several suggestions are made for establishing and expediting radiation monitoring laboratories, a radiological emergency management center, a radioactive waste management company, and technical support organizations for the safety infrastructure. To avoid perceived risks, policymakers and competent authorities need to emphasize creating an optimized safety infrastructure before commissioning and operating the 1^st nuclear power plant safely, securely, and cost-sustainably.

• 분석과학
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.210-216
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• 2019

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni and Cr have been estimated in sediments of the Shitalakhya River at Polash-Ghorashal area, Narsingdi, Bangladesh. 36 samples of sediments from nine sampling point at different locations of Shitalakhya River were collected to determine the concentration of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr and the samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The obtained results were compared with national and international guidelines. The levels of heavy metal concentrations in sediments were found to decrease in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr, respectively. The heavy metal concentration in sediment of Shitalakhya was below the recommended safe limits of heavy metals by WHO, FAO and other international standards. Contamination factor (CF) of Zn and Cu at sampling point Fsd2 show higher (> 1) values due to the influence of external discrete sources like wastage catalysts of ZnO and CuO. Geo-accumulation index values of the study indicate as non-contaminated to moderately contaminate.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.223-230
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• 2021

The concept of Shariah-based internal audit has received increasing attention from researchers in recent times especially since Islamic financial institutions have been developing in several Asian countries like Bangladesh. To avoid financial irregularities and to maintain Shariah-based financial transactions, an effective Shariah-based internal audit system is extremely important for Islamic financial institutions such as Islamic banks. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the effectiveness of the Shariah-based audit system. Study data has been gathered from Shariah auditors, members of the Shariah board and audit committee of six private Islamic banks in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 210 survey questionnaires were sent and finally 136 responses were retained, indicating a final sample size of n=136, with a survey feedback rate of 65%. The study adopted a quantitative measure and collected only primary data, followed by convenience sampling. SPSS has been used to run necessary statistical interpretation. Results reveal that auditor's work autonomy, level of competency, and work performance significantly impact the Shariah-based internal audit effectiveness. The study findings can be adopted as guidelines to improve the overall effectiveness of the Shariah-based internal audit system in Islamic financial institutions.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• 제8권3호
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• pp.479-485
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• 2021

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an extensively studied topic, its determinants in the field of Islamic banking are scarce. In Bangladesh, CSR plays a vital role in gaining customer loyalty and confidence. Therefore, this research aims to identify and analyze the influence of the Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB) and the Shariah Audit Committee (SAC) on CSR adoption in Islamic banks in Bangladesh. The study population is managers and second managers of 160 Islamic bank branches of different commercial banks in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The sampling technique used is convenience sampling where the first available primary data source was used for the research without additional requirements. The study developed a survey questionnaire from examining previous related studies in Islamic banking and CSR context. The final sample size in this research was n = 309, indicating the survey response rate was about 97%. The study used SPSS 23.0 software to interpret the statistical findings, and the findings revealed that support from the SSB and the presence of a strong and effective SAC has a strong correlation with CSR adoption and significantly influence CSR adoption in Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Finally, the study proposes several significant and crucial policy guidelines for Islamic bank branches to adopt CSR activities.