BRAC University Institutional Repository
Preserving Knowledge, Advancing Research, Sharing Scholarship
A digital platform for collecting, preserving, and sharing BRAC University’s scholarly, academic, and institutional outputs.
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Faculty members and students are invited to submit their research publications, theses, dissertations, and scholarly works to increase visibility, access, and long-term preservation.
Recent Submissions
Comparative analysis of diverse architectures for accurate blood cancer cell classification
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024-01-01) Md. Muttakin G.K.; Yesmin F.; Alam S.S.; Ashraf, Md Sadi; Akuthota V.; Quader M.A.; Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Blood cancer cell diagnosis is crucial in medical diagnostics. It demands accurate classification of blood cell images. Proper classification of blood cancer cells is fundamental for accurately diagnosing the specific type and subtype of blood cancer as well as efficient treatment planning. It provides specific information, helping healthcare professionals predict the prognosis, survival rates, and the potential for disease recurrence. On this basis, deep learning models have demonstrated remarkable performance. In this paper, we have introduced a comprehensive research into blood cancer cell classification, employing a diverse dataset encompassing various blood cell types. We explore the effectiveness of VGG19 with batch normalization, Vision Transformer (ViT), Ensemble Adversarial Inception-ResNetV2, DenseNet201, and ResNeXt50 architectures in this challenging task. In order to enhance the model performance, we integrate essential data preprocessing techniques, including resizing, cropping, and normalization. Additionally, novel data augmentation strategies, such as random cropping, and flipping are introduced to augment the training dataset and improve model generalization. Remarkably, VGG19 with batch normalization has shown tremendous success by achieving 99.86% accuracy. Moreover, the DenseNet201 model has performed brilliantly by achieving an accuracy of 98.55%. The ResNeXt50 model shows excellent performance with an accuracy of 98.31%. The Vision Transformer (ViT) achieves a solid accuracy of 98.91%. Lastly, Ensemble Adversarial Inception-ResNet V2 also performed no-tably achieving 96.38%. In this context, VGG19 with batch normalization is able to show more excellent performance than other models by achieving the highest accuracy.
Developing an IoT based wheelchair: Biomedical data logging emergency contingency services
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2021-01-10) Ashraf, Tahmidul; Islam, Nadia; Costa, Shanto Lawrence; Arefin M.S.; Azad, A. K. M. Abdul Malek; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Wheelchair being a common medium of transport among disabled and handicapped people, this paper solely focuses on the development of electrical wheelchair. Both sensor and IoT implementations are considered for a motorized wheelchair. This project was a collaborated attempt to achieve independent operations of the electrical wheelchair, with Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP) and Control Applications Research Centre (CARC), Brac University. The objective of this paper is to provide a module for proximity sensor, heart rate sensor, torque sensor, GPS and posture detection systems for the patient. Heart rate sensors always helps the patient to keep pulses on check while posture detection system gives reminder to change lower body posture periodically. Proximity sensors are attached on the wheelchair to detect any incoming danger and alert the passenger, also in case of any danger the user can call for help pressing the SOS button. The GPS location will be received through an online platform by the caretaker. Torque sensor system allows the wheelchair to actively function longer hours using mechanical energy, and not just being dependent on battery power. Availability of such additional features makes the existing wheelchair safer and more reliable for patients, encouraging a more independent lifestyle with assured safety for outdoor activities like going to job place, marketing and attending educational institute. Supporting CRP to provide medical treatment and rehabilitation for disabled people essential requirements are met.
An integrated framework for waterfront development to recognize nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban areas: Evaluating the condition of two projects in Bangladesh
(IWA Publishing, 2024-12-01) Zaman K.M.U.A.B.; Tumpa R.T.; Chowdhooree, Imon; Department of Architecture
Nature-based solutions (NBS) often suggest improving the degraded urban environment through the implementation of projects for revitalizing water bodies and adjacent areas. Among various concepts of developing waterfront urban spaces, ‘water sensitive urban design (WSUD)’ asks for integrated design and management of urban water resources and water cycle, following a holistic approach. This research proposes a framework that assimilates the components of WSUD with the concept of ‘integrated urban water management (IUWM)’ that mainly focuses on governance, management, and stakeholders’ engagement. This integrated approach emphasizes the need for developing a holistic framework for the management of planning and design of waterfront development projects. The framework includes detailed criteria for water sensitive approach and acts as a holistic checklist for evaluating or designing waterfront development projects. Such comprehensive guidelines that includes planning, governance, and design challenges are rare in the current body of literature. To test the framework, the research conducts a comparative study among two waterfront projects in Bangladesh and through a scored evaluation based on the proposed framework, reveals the lack of water sensitive planning, design and management processes of the projects, which has narrowed down the scope and the opportunities of practicing NBS through reviving lost urban waterbodies.
Jinja Nile Forest Resort (4-star international chain hotel, Jinja)
(BRAC University, 2026) Elvis, Ndhimukika; Mallick, Fuad H.; Reza, Mohammad Habib; Ahmed, Iftekhar; Chowdhooree, Imon; Kabir, Saimum; Department of Architecture
The proposed Jinja Nile Forest Resort intends to enhance and complement Jinja city’s growing tourism profile through the design of a four-star international chain resort hotel that provides world-class accommodation, recreation, and hospitality services while respecting the region’s natural and cultural identity.
The design approach is guided by principles of sustainable hospitality architecture absorbed from the precedent case studies that focus on landscape integration, and context-responsive design. The project responds to the site’s topography, climatic conditions, ecological sensitivity, and regulatory constraints. Strategies used include contour terracing, stepped building forms, courtyard-centered planning, green roof systems, interconnected outdoor spaces, climate-responsive orientation, natural ventilation, and preservation of existing forest character. Environmental interventions such as contour-based drainage systems, reforestation initiatives, passive cooling strategies, and minimal site disturbance contribute to the project's sustainability goals.
The Jinja Nile Forest Resort offers a context-sensitive model for future hospitality developments in Uganda by enhancing visitor experiences, supporting local economic growth, promoting environmental stewardship, and reinforcing Jinja’s position as a premier tourism destination within East Africa.
Re-naturing cities through water-centric development: Evaluating a canal restoration project in Narayanganj city, Bangladesh
(IWA Publishing, 2023-01-01) Chowdhooree, Imon; Aziz, Tasfin; Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Studies; Department of Architecture
The concept of ‘re-naturing cities’ promotes nature-based solutions for sustainable urban design; one of those being water-centric development with networks of blue (water bodies) and green (vegetation areas) aims to generate urban areas that support economic growth, strengthen social cohesion, and restore degraded ecosystems. Projects get implemented for revitalizing urban water bodies with multifunctional areas. This context demands to study water-centric development projects for evaluating the success of ‘re-naturing cities’ in terms of achieving sustainable goals. This research analyzes a part of a canal restoration project of Narayanganj City, Bangladesh, for investigating the development process and understanding its effectiveness in achieving sustainable goals. The study employs multiple qualitative tools for capturing users’ views (emic analysis) and researchers’ views (etic analysis). The combined understanding identifies that the project focuses primarily on adding an aesthetically pleasing element to the urban fabric, overlooking multiple socioeconomic and ecological possibilities of living with water.