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This paper describes a robotic arm with 5 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) which is controlled by human voice and has been developed in the Mechatronics Laboratory, CUET. This robotic arm is interfaced with a PC by serial communication (RS-232). Users' voice command is captured by a microphone, and this voice is processed by software which is made by Microsoft visual studio. Then the specific signal (obtained by signal processing) is sent to control unit. The main control unit that is used in the robotic arm is a microcontroller whose model no. is PIC18f452. Then Control unit drives the actuators, (Hitec HS-422, HS-81) according to the signal or signals to give required motion of the robotic arm. At present the robotic arm can perform a set action like pick & pull, gripping, holding & releasing, and some other extra function like dance-like movement, and can turn according to the voice commands.

Supplementary Material 2

Supplementary Material 1

Background The COVID-19 pandemic jeopardized the traditional academic learning calendars due to the closing of all educational institutions across the globe. To keep up with the flow of learning, most of the educational institutions shifted toward e-learning. However, the students’ e-learning preference and e-learning readiness did not identify, particularly among the Bangladeshi female nursing students, where those can pose serious challenges. A cross-sectional study was carried out among the female nursing students between December 26, 2020, and January 11, 2021. A total of 237 students were recruited who have enrolled in e-learning at least the last 30 days of the participation. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to find the association of students’ preference, e-learning readiness domains, and other variables. Results A cross-sectional study was conducted among the female nursing students to assess perceived e-learning readiness in the subdomains of readiness; availability, technology use, self-confidence, acceptance and training. The findings of the study revealed that the prevalence of preference for e-learning was 43.46%. The students did not prefer e-learning compared to ‘prefer group’ has significantly less availability of technology (β = − 3.01, 95% CI − 4.46, − 1.56), less use of technology (β = − 3.08, 95% CI − 5.11, − 1.06), less self-confidence (β = − 4.50, 95% CI − 7.02, − 1.98), less acceptance (β = − 5.96, 95% CI − 7.76, − 4.16) and less training need (β = − 1.86, 95% CI − 2.67, − 1.06). The age, degree, residence, parents’ highest education, having a single room, and having any eye problems were significantly associated with the variation of availability of technology, use of technology, self-confidence, acceptance, and training need of e-learning. Conclusions The outcomes of the study could be helpful while developing an effective and productive e-learning infrastructure regarding the preparedness of nursing colleges for the continuation of academia in any adverse circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic.

E-learning is relatively an emerging learning system that has been placed over the conventional campus based learning worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to assess e-learning readiness among the university students of a developing country like Bangladesh and to identify the independent predictors of e-learning readiness. Based on the extensive literature review the study plan has been designed. The estimated sample size of the study is 1067. Data will be collected online via “Google Form” with the principles of snowball sampling through available social media platforms in Bangladesh. The E-learning readiness questionnaire will be used for E-learning readiness, and the PELSS for perceived stress will be used to measure the outcome. Demographic factors will be the age, gender, divisional residence, preference of students and their parents, devices used, and having any eye problems Descriptive statistics will be performed. A bivariate and multivariable linear regression model will be applied. A logistic regression model will be used. The data will be analyzed via statistical software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 22.0) and STATA-16. During the prolong stages of COVID-19 pandemic e-learning implication strategies are needed to be assessed systematically with the level of readiness and its’ impact among students for the continuation of a sound learning system. To our best knowledge, this is the very first study attempting to measure the level of stress induced upon the university students by the distance learning system. This study will provide an insight to the current situation of the online learning in Bangladesh and will lead to further researches, helping in future policy making for effective implementation of distance learning.

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled all educational institutions from the conventional campus-based education system to e-learning worldwide. However, adapting to this new platform, e-learning readiness may cause perceived stress among students. This study aimed to examine the association between e-learning readiness and perceived e-learning stress and the relationship between sociodemographic and e-learning related factors. A cross-sectional study was employed, where 1145 e-learning enrolled university students were surveyed. The result indicated that nearly 91% of students reported moderate (76.07%) to the higher level (14.85%) of perceived e-learning stress, whereas more than half of them (58.17%) were at the sub-optimum level of readiness. Furthermore, it was found that students with the sub-optimum level of readiness compared to optimum had a significantly higher chance of reporting moderate and high level of perceived e-learning stress. Besides, parents’ highest education, residence, students’ preference in (e-learning or learning format), and having any eye problems were associated with perceived e-learning stress. A sudden introduction of e-learning during the COVID-19 catastrophe has brought about challenges, including the students' readiness, that might exacerbate the perceived stress level in different ways. This study reported that most of the students were at sub-optimal levels of readiness and suffered from moderate to high levels of perceived e-learning stress. The findings should integrate into the education monitoring system to enhance students' coping strategies, incite readiness, straighten, and nourish existing policies.Key messagesThe moderate and higher level of e-learning stress was 76% and 15%, respectively.Here, 58% of students were at the sub-optimum level of e-learning readiness.Students’ sub-optimum level of e-learning readiness was significantly associated with the perceived moderate and high level of e-learning stress. The moderate and higher level of e-learning stress was 76% and 15%, respectively. Here, 58% of students were at the sub-optimum level of e-learning readiness. Students’ sub-optimum level of e-learning readiness was significantly associated with the perceived moderate and high level of e-learning stress.

The illness cost borne by households, known as out-of-pocket expenditure, was 74% of the total health expenditure in Bangladesh in 2017. Calculating economic burden of diarrhea of low-income urban community is important to identify potential cost savings strategies and prioritize policy decision to improve the quality of life of this population. This study aimed to estimate cost of illness and monthly percent expenditure borne by households due diarrhea in a low-income urban settlement of Dhaka, Bangladesh. We conducted this study in East Arichpur area of Tongi township in Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 17, 2015 to July 26, 2016. We used the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of three or more loose stool in 24 hours to enroll patients and enrolled 106 severe patients and 158 non-severe patients from Tongi General Hospital, local pharmacy and study community. The team enrolled patients between the first to third day of the illness (≤ 72 hours) and continued daily follow-up by phone until recovery. We considered direct and indirect costs to calculate cost-per-episode. We applied the published incidence rate to estimate the annual cost of diarrhea. The estimated average cost of illness for patient with severe diarrhea was US$ 27.39 [95% CI: 24.55, 30.23] (2,147 BDT), 17% of the average monthly income of the households. The average cost of illness for patient with non-severe diarrhea was US$ 6.36 [95% CI: 5.19, 7.55] (499 BDT), 4% of the average monthly income of households. A single diarrheal episode substantially affects financial condition of low-income urban community residents: a severe episode can cost almost equivalent to 4.35 days (17%) and a non-severe episode can cost almost equivalent to 1 day (4%) of household’s income. Preventing diarrhea preserves health and supports financial livelihoods.

The pandemic of COVID-19 took more lives than any pandemic ever, where nonpharmacological preventive interventions like lockdown, school closure, and travel ban, hygiene practice, especially social distancing was hugely practices over the world. Although, with limited resources, these interventions put the education system of a developing country like Bangladesh in an extreme challenge in delivering an uninterrupted education for all children especially in rural areas, wherein the rural area a significant number of students are enrolled. However, school closure initiative for a longer period has affected the children physically, mentally, socially, and in many ways. Protecting the future of the children demands the reopening. The reopening of schools has been started in many countries all over the world. To minimize the impact of the pandemic among them, the policymakers in Bangladesh should think about an evidence-based initiative as early as possible.

The study focused on the analysis of growth and forecasting of BADC and national Boro seed production in Bangladesh. Time series data were obtained from the published annual reports of BADC covering the period from 1990-91 to 2019-20 and national Boro seed production data were collected from seed wing, Ministry of Agriculture for the period of 2005-06 to 2019-20. It was found from the growth analysis that the production of BADC and national Boro seed have been registered positive and significant growth during the above mention period. The exponential growth model revealed that BADC and national Boro seed production have been increased by 11.04% and 5.12% per annum, respectively and their trend coefficients were positive. The prediction of BADC and national Boro seed production were made for the next ten years (2020-21 to 2029-30). ARIMA (0, 2, 1) and the exponential growth model showed that if the present growth rate is continued, BADC and national Boro seed production will be 80447.35 MT and 203512.26 MT, respectively in the year 2029-2030. The study recommended that the adequate supply of Boro seed to the farmers have improved their socioeconomic condition through the increased production of Boro rice in Bangladesh.

India's Muslim community, which accounts for 14.4 percent of India’s vast population and is thus the largest of all religious minorities, has been the subject of considerable development discourse as Muslims have the lowest level of educational attainment and standard of living among socio-religious groups in the country. This study addresses the meaning of education and career opportunities for Muslim youths in relation to their educational credentials and social position in the hierarchy of Muslim class and caste groups, with particular reference to a community in Uttar Pradesh. The author contends that the career opportunities, possibilities, and strategies of Muslim youths in Indian society depend on multiple factors: social hierarchy, opportunities to utilize economic resources, social networks, cultural capital, and the wider structural disparities within which the Muslims are situated and wherein they question the value of higher education in gaining them admission to socially recognized and established employment sectors.

The main objective of the study is to estimate technical efficiency of biogas plants in Bangladesh by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The study employed farm level cross section data from five major biogas producing areas of Bangladesh. The non-parametric DEA approach applied to estimate the technical efficiency of biogas plants in the study areas. This paper developed a theoretical framework of DEA approach. The average technical efficiency of biogas plants in Bangladesh is 86 percent. This indicates a good potential for increasing biogas production by 14 percent with the present technology and level of inputs. Only five farms achieved efficient score 1.00 and remaining fifty five farms having chance to promote their efficiency score with the help of peer groups through DEA approach. Peers groups of perfect efficient farms could be playing a vital role on inefficient farms to direct their inputs for efficiently producing biogas.

The main objective of the study is to estimate technical efficiency of biogas plants in Bangladesh by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The study employed farm level cross section data from five major biogas producing areas of Bangladesh. The non-parametric DEA approach applied to estimate the technical efficiency of biogas plants in the study areas. This paper developed a theoretical framework of DEA approach. The average technical efficiency of biogas plants in Bangladesh is 86 percent. This indicates a good potential for increasing biogas production by 14 percent with the present technology and level of inputs. Only five farms achieved efficient score 1.00 and remaining fifty five farms having chance to promote their efficiency score with the help of peer groups through DEA approach. Peers groups of perfect efficient farms could be playing a vital role on inefficient farms to direct their inputs for efficiently producing biogas.

The present study attempts to determine the neutral technology, non-neutral technology and input use contribution differences between large and small sugarcane farms. Decomposition technique was used to achieve the study objectives. The contributions of neutral and non-neutral technologies were in favour of large farms. The input use contribution difference of large farms appeared to do better than small farms in sugarcane production. The study revealed that the highest input use contributing factor differences obtained by fertilizer followed by labour, pesticides with seed, and capital between large and small farms. The large sugarcane farms were more productive than small farms

The present study attempts to determine the neutral technology, non-neutral technology and input use contribution differences between large and small sugarcane farms. Decomposition technique was used to achieve the study objectives. The contributions of neutral and non-neutral technologies were in favour of large farms. The input use contribution difference of large farms appeared to do better than small farms in sugarcane production. The study revealed that the highest input use contributing factor differences obtained by fertilizer followed by labour, pesticides with seed, and capital between large and small farms. The large sugarcane farms were more productive than small farms