64 research outputs found
Factors associated with long-acting reversible contraceptives usage among sexually active adolescent girls and young women in Zimbabwe
No full textDespite the benefits of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), they are not being utilized in Zimbabwe as much as the short-acting reversible contraceptives (SARCs). The aim of the study was to explore factors associated with LARC usage among Zimbabwean adolescent girls and young women, using data from the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. Cross tabulations and chi-square tests were used initially to describe associations. Odd ratios were then used to measure the strength of association between LARCs usage and the independent variables using stepwise multinomial logistic regression. From the 2132 sexually active females included in the study 9.1% were LARCs users and 42% were SARCs users at the time of the survey. Secondary and primary education had increased odds of not using any method (OR: 5.032, 95% CI: 2.136–11.8512 and OR: 5.799, 95% CI: 2.327–14.453 respectively) compared to tertiary education. Women with no living children had increased odds of not using any method (OR 66.543, 95% CI: 25.784–171.7381). Being not married was associated with decreased odds of SARCs usage (OR 0.399, 95% CI: 0.285–0.558). Desire for no more children was associated with reduced odds of SARCs usage (OR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.304–0.66). Being a member of the Apostolic Faith church was associated with increased odds of not using any method (OR 1.423517, 95% CI: 1.018–1.990309). In conclusion, acquiring a tertiary education, having children, a desire to cease bearing children altogether, being unmarried and belonging to the highest wealth class were generally associated with an increased likelihood of using LARCs. Being a member of the Apostolic Faith church was associated with a decreased likelihood of LARCs usage. Findings from the study are relevant in the Zimbabwean context and highlights the relevant factors essential to focus on, when carrying out interventions aimed at increasing LARCs uptake in the country
Substituting Wood with Nonwood Fibers in Papermaking: A Win-Win Solution for Bangladesh
No full textBangladesh is facing an acute shortage of fibrous raw materials for the production of pulp and paper. On the other hand, the demand for paper and paper products is increasing day by day. This study reviews the availability and suitability of nonwood raw materials for pulp production in Bangladesh. It shows that Bangladesh has a huge amount of unused jute fiber, which is highly suitable for papermaking in Bangladesh. Other agricultural wastes like rice straw, dhaincha, golpata fronds, cotton stalks, corn stalks, and kash are also available and may be used for some pulp production. Given the different properties of these different nonwood fibers, jute pulp can be used as a reinforcing agent with other nonwood pulps for the production of high quality paper in Bangladesh.Bangladesh, natural fibers, jute, paper making, pulp
An Augmented Reality Application for Visualizing Anatomical Data
No full textAugmented Reality can be useful in medical science because the visualization of a patient's internal structure is important for planning an intervention. Traditional display technologies present images collected from CT, MRI or ultrasound on 2D screens. However, aligning those images to a patient's body helps physicians decide the target of the intervention. In this thesis, an iPad application is proposed, which overlays 3D models of a patient's organs acquired using MRI scan in real-time video. The process is divided into two parts: 1) 3D registration and 2) tracking. The registration consists of acquiring the 3D structure of patient's torso using a depth sensor and overlaying pre-operative 3D models in real-time video. This is accomplished by a 3D point-to-point registration using the Iterative Closest Point algorithm. The tracking keeps the 3D models aligned on the patient's body by detecting the camera's pose. This is accomplished by using a technique called Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, which maps the environment and estimates the camera pose continuously. Registration accuracy is measured based on a study of eight different users of the application. The possibility of porting the application to a head-mounted display or glasses is also explored.Computer Science, Department o
Exchange Rate Policy under Floating Regime in Bangladesh: An Assessment and Strategic Policy Options
No full textThis paper examines the exchange rate policy in Bangladesh for the period 2000-08. Regime classification of the paper suggests that Bangladesh maintained a de facto managed floating regime by intervening in the foreign exchange market on a regular basis. This is at odds with the Bangladesh Bank's claim of maintaining de jure floating regimesince end-May 2003. A high exchange rate pass-through is observed along with high market pressure during the period of expansionary monetary policy. Given the thin foreign exchange market and high pass-through effects, it appears difficult for Bangladesh to mainatin a freely floating regime. Although Bangladesh maintained average competitiveness, the currency remained somewhat overvalued. Based on the findings, some pragmatic policies in managing the exchange rate in Bnagladesh have been suggested.Exchange Rate, Floating Regime, Bangladesh
Adolescent motherhood in Bangladesh: Trends and determinants.
No full textBackgroundWhile studies on fertility and contraceptives issues are available, until recently adolescent motherhood has not received enough attention among policy makers in understanding adolescent motherhood in Bangladesh. We aimed to examine the trends and determinants of adolescent motherhood among women aged 15-49 years.MethodsFor trend analysis we used all the 7 waves of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS, 1993-2014) data but for multivariate analysis 4 waves of BDHS (2004-2014). Two separate analyses were carried out on ever married women aged 15-49: (1) teenage girls aged 15-19 and (2) adult women aged 20 and above.ResultsThe prevalence of adolescent motherhood had declined to a slower pace from 1993 to2014 (from 33.0% to 30.8%). Lower spousal age gap and higher education were found to be associated with lower likelihood of adolescent motherhood both among teenage girls [OR 0.447 (0.374-0.533)] and adult women [OR 0.451 (0.420-0.484)]. Teenage girls in the poorest wealth quintile [OR 1.712 [1.350-2.173] were more likely to experience adolescent motherhood than the richest wealth quintile. Teenage girls who had no education were found to have 2.76 times higher odds of adolescent motherhood than their counterparts who had higher than secondary education. Concerning the time effect, the odds of adolescent motherhood among adult women was found to decline overtime.ConclusionsDespite substantial decrease in total fertility rate in Bangladesh adolescent motherhood is still highly prevalent though declining from 1993 to 2014. Social policies including those addressing poverty, ensuring greater emphasis on education for women; and adolescent mothers in rural areas are needed
Manufacturing and Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites—A Comprehensive Review
No full textJute fiber-reinforced composites have become a promising alternative to synthetic fiber composites because of their favorable environmental characteristics, cost efficiency, and good mechanical properties. The present review provides a comprehensive examination of the manufacturing processes and mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced with jute fibers. This study investigates the influence of several fabrication methods, such as hand lay-up, compression molding, injection molding, pultrusion, etc., on the mechanical properties of the composites. It also provides SWOT analyses of various manufacturing processes of jute fiber-reinforced composites. Important aspects, including fiber orientation, fiber/matrix adhesion, and the effects of different surface treatments on improving mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance, are discussed. The difficulties associated with moisture absorption, degradation, and the lack of uniformity in jute fibers, as well as approaches to alleviate these problems, are presented. The goal of this study is to establish a basis for future investigation and advancement in enhancing the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced composites
1st International Conference on Mechanical, Industrial and Energy Engineering (ICMIEE 2010)
No full textComposite materials based on natural fibres, especially jute, have the potential to be used in engineering load bearing applications. The presence of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in its structure results poor adhesion with the polymeric matrix. To improve fibre matrix adhesion, different concentration of alkali (NaOH) treatment on the fibres was carried out. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to investigate the changes of fibres chemical constituents after treatment. Jute-polyester composites were prepared by hand lay-up method. Mechanical properties such as flexural and compressive strength, modulus and strain at break of untreated and treated fibre composites were studied and compared. Best results were observed on compressive and flexural properties respectively for 5% and 7% NaOH treated samples. Thermal stability was also enhanced for the treated fibres. In general, thermal and mechanical properties of the treated fibres and their composites were superior to the untreated fibres
Augmented Reality in Education: A Study on Preschool Children, Parents, and Teachers in Bangladesh
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