Uttara University

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant disorder that affects multiple vital organs and physiological systems, with endocrine dysfunction being a common associated complication. The altered metabolic milieu in CKD affects the secretion of hormones and the response of target tissues, causing endocrine dysfunctions. Early identification of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may help implement interventions to decrease progression and eventual morbidity and mortality. Most previous studies investigating testosterone abnormalities and renal disease have concentrated on patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and little is known about the problem’s pervasiveness in patients in the pre-dialysis phase. Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the serum testosterone level of adult males with different stages of CKD and its association with body mass index, and comparison with age-matched healthy individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All CKD patients were designated as group ‘A’ with 90 cases; the healthy control group were grouped as group ‘B’ with 88 cases. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.0. Results: In this study, the majority 40(44.4%) of patients had glomerulonephritis, 24(26.8%) had DM and 11(12.2%) had HTN. The mean BMI was found to be 20.85±2.7 kg/m2. More than two-thirds (66.7%) of patients had normal (3.2-14.6 ng/ml) Serum testosterone, and their mean Serum testosterone was found at 4.29±1.9 ng/ml. Negative Spearman’s rank correlation (r=-0.893; p=0.001) was observed between different stages of CKD and S. Testosterone of CKD patients. A positive Pearson correlation existed (r=0.517; p=0.001) between BMI and S. Testosterone of CKD patients. Conclusion: A significant positive correlation existed between BMI and serum testosterone in CKD patients. Future studies are needed to determine the potential adverse effects of low serum testosterone levels in patients with chronic kidney disease and to determine whether the therapeutic intervention of low serum testosterone in males with chronic kidney disease.

This paper examines the implementation of Financial Technology (FinTech) in pharmacy retail shops in Bangladesh, utilizing the Technology, Organization, and Environment (TOE) framework. Although FinTech has the potential to transform financial inclusion and the efficiency of businesses of the companies involved in small healthcare-related enterprises, this application has yet to be realized significantly. The study was conducted on 314 pharmacy retailers in eight divisions of Bangladesh by a structured questionnaire, and analyzed in SmartPLS through the Structural Equation Model (SEM). Results indicate that Top Management Support, Organizational Size, and IS/IT Knowledge all have a significant, positive relationship with FinTech integration and that the Relative Advantage relationship is of moderate effect. Complexity turned out to be a key barrier, whereas Compatibility, Regulatory Environment, and Competitive Pressure were of negligible effect. The model indicated 36.7 percent of the variance (R2 = 0.367), indicating a moderate predictive validity. This study is an eye-opener on how organizational readiness, simplification of technologies, and better regulatory prowess are important measures to ensure FinTech integration in pharmacy retailing within the developing world.

In today’s advanced world, where intra-city public transportation has become an issue to cope with massive populations in major capitals, electricity-driven metro rail appears as a blessing. But this advancement comes with a very high energy demand, and a large portion of that is supplied from conventional sources, emitting a large amount of CO<inf>2</inf>. This paper focuses on the Dhaka Metro Rail system, which has a daily electricity demand of 160 MW. This study investigate the opportunities to install a grid-connected rooftop solar PV system specifically at Dhaka metro rail depots, aimed to reduces the net grid draw and produces clean energy, which is a part of the government’s NDC to the Paris agreement. But a larger PV injection to the grid may impact the grid stability, requiring grid feasibility analysis. Through our simulation, we analyze the grid compatibility of the proposed system along with techno-economic and environmental assessment. PVsyst simulation has been conducted to demonstrate the possible generation, performance ratio, and losses. Moreover, the grid interactions were analyzed based on the Voltage fluctuation at the common coupling point (PCC) due to PV injection and load profile Vs. grid injection analysis. Finally, to quantify the relation between all the parameters like PV output, grid-draw, load, and voltage at VCC, a correlation coordination matrix has been evaluated. This research collectively affirm the viability of the grid-connected rooftop PV system for the metro rail depot, creating scope for further potential enhancements to lower grid dependency.

Purpose The purpose of this research is to show how information literacy competencies influence university students’ utilization of academic library services. It investigates multiple dimensions of user experience, including access to information resources, digital literacy, search behavior, awareness of library services, instruction programs, staff support, technological infrastructure and overall satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative descriptive survey design was used and 380 students of a Bangladeshi university were surveyed. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire in the form of schedule on nine areas and analyzed in terms of mean, standard deviation and internal consistency. Findings The findings show that, students have a moderate to high level of competing skill in digital and information literacies particularly identified in the areas of finding and using information ethically. Perceptions of the core library services and staff support are strong. But we have room to grow in more advanced search capabilities, utilization of technological infrastructure and awareness of subject-specific support. Results indicate that while library instruction programs are impactful, increased participation and visibility is necessary. Practical implications Academic libraries need to increase the visibility and the customizability of instruction program, to fill in gaps in digital search skills, and to invest on technical infrastruc-ture that will correspond with users’ new academic realities. Originality/value The study offers empirical evidence on how the various information literacy skills influence library use and satisfaction. It defines areas for service improvement which are actionable in the under-researched setting of Bangladeshi university libraries.

Student dropout is a significant challenge in Bangladesh, with serious impacts on both educational and socio-economic outcomes. This study investigates the factors influencing school dropout among students aged 6–24 years, employing data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The research integrates statistical analysis with machine learning (ML) techniques and explainable AI (XAI) to identify key predictors and enhance model interpretability. Initially, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied to identify significant predictors and guide feature selection. The hybrid feature selection strategy, combining statistical significance and model-based importance measures, revealed key features. Logistic regression was applied to identify statistically significant predictors of school dropout. ML algorithms, Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), were used to build predictive models. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, and an F1 score. The XGB model achieved the best performance with an accuracy of 94.4%, followed by the RF model. To interpret model predictions and ensure transparency, SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) and LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations) were employed in tandem with the statistical analyses. Key factors influencing student dropout included age, sex, completed grade, last education grade, division, wealth index, father’s and mother’s education. These insights offer a data-driven foundation for policymakers to develop targeted intervention strategies aimed at reducing student dropout rates and improving educational outcomes in Bangladesh.

This chapter explores the critical role of advanced cryptographic technologies in securing smart city applications across domains such as e-health, e-commerce, and e-banking. As urban environments become increasingly digitized, safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring transaction integrity, and protecting user privacy emerge as paramount challenges. The chapter explores a spectrum of cryptographic solutions, including blockchain, homomorphic encryption, zero-knowledge proofs, and quantum cryptography, that address these complexities. Through detailed analysis and real-world case studies, it highlights practical implementations and emerging trends that reinforce trust and resilience in smart city infrastructures. Moreover, the chapter discusses the policy and ethical dimensions necessary to balance security with usability and transparency. Finally, it provides a comprehensive framework for integrating cryptographic safeguards into the evolving digital fabric of smart cities, ensuring secure, scalable, and citizen-centric urban services.

Abstract This study investigates the interdependence between global uncertainty indices and ASEAN-5 equity markets. Utilizing the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) and the CBOE Oil Volatility Index (OVX) as proxies for global financial market and oil market uncertainty, respectively, we examine their connectedness with five major Southeast Asian stock markets (Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines). A time-varying copula framework is employed to model non-linear dependencies and extreme tail co-movements, and we complement this with risk metrics (Value-at-Risk and CoVaR) to quantify downside risk spillovers. Our findings reveal that ASEAN-5 markets are highly susceptible to spikes in global volatility, especially during crisis periods. Singapore and Thailand show notably greater sensitivity to oil-market volatility shocks, while Malaysia and the Philippines react more strongly to global financial uncertainty. We also uncover asymmetric tail dependence: negative shocks to global volatility indices exert a more pronounced contagion effect on ASEAN-5 markets than positive shocks of equivalent magnitude. The ΔCoVaR analysis further highlights that systemic risk in ASEAN-5 is amplified under heightened global uncertainty, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring of uncertainty transmission. These results significantly impact policymakers and investors in designing tailored risk management strategies to mitigate regional contagion.

This bibliometric analysis investigates the integration of big data, chatbots, and data mining in academic libraries, aiming to understand current trends, regional disparities, and future implications. Using comprehensive bibliometric methods, the study analyzes publications and citations from 2014 to the present, highlighting the significant growth in research and application of these technologies. The findings reveal a substantial increase in research output, with China leading in publication volume, followed by the United States and other Asian countries. The study identifies the critical role of big data in enhancing operational efficiencies, chatbots in improving user interactions, and data mining in uncovering hidden trends. However, challenges such as the digital divide and data privacy concerns are prominent. The study concludes that while these technologies offer transformative potential, addressing infrastructural disparities and implementing robust data governance frameworks are essential. The implications for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and academic institutions include promoting interdisciplinary research, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering international collaboration. Embracing these technologies can significantly improve the role of academic libraries as dynamic, user-centric centers of knowledge and learning, effectively meeting the evolving needs of their users in the digital age.