Early Detection of Pneumonia and COVID-19 to minimise death rate implementing Artificial

Intelligence & Machine Learning Approach by ANGTHAScope based on IoT (Digital Stethoscope)

Principal -investigator:

Shah Siddiqui

CEO, Time research & innovation.

Co- Principal investigator:

Prof Dr Md Moktel Hossain

Prof & Head Com. Medicine

Dhaka Medical Collage

This proposal is developed by Time research & Innovation.

Date: 22nd June 2021

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 Table of Contents

1. Lay Summary 1
2. Technical summary 2
3. Proposed Research 2
3.1. Background 2
3.2. Research rationale and hypothesis 7
3.3. Aims, research question and objectives. 8
4. Program and methodology 9
4.1. Research design 10
4.4. Modelling and Deployment 15
4.5. Confidentiality, ethical consideration and dissemination 17
4.6. Methods and choice of analysis 17
4.7. Research Philosophy 18
4.8. Research protocol design 18
5. Project Management 19
V.1. Team roles and job description 19
V.2. Track record 23
V.3. Risk categories 33
V.4. Budget Summary 35
6. Dissemination and output 36
7. Anticipated outcomes 36
8. Impact Summary 37
9. Work plan 38
10. Conclusion and future plan 40
11. References: 40

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1. Lay Summary

Lung disease is the most common condition. Here, the mortality rate is higher than any other disease,
and it is various types like Lung Cancer, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases), Asthma. A
significant proportion of the South-East Asian population suffers a form of respiratory disorders (S.-H.
Cho et al., 2016), about 1.2 million deaths annually due to lung cancer (Samuel et al., 2007). Besides,
pneumonia causes more deaths worldwide, and more than 808 000 children under the age of 5 died
in 2017, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under five years [1]. Additionally, every year in
Bangladesh, around 28% of children under the age of five die due to pneumonia, and the overall
death rate is around 50,000 [2]. On the other hand, the world is facing a significant challenge due to
the effect of covid-19 and the death and the transmission rate by this virus are very high and causes
the worst cases of pneumonia [3]. Furthermore, it can survive a few hours to a few days in the
environment. Around 2.9 million people had died due to covid infection by the 8th of April 2021 [4].
On the contrary, some countries are now facing the third wave, and the virus is changing its variant
and spreading so fast that it is hard to imagine what will happen shortly [5]. People at-risk for
pneumonia also include adults over the age of 65 and people with preexisting health problems [1].

Hence, the early detection of pneumonia, corona virus-infected person and other lung disease is of
great importance to slow down the spread and death [2, 8]. We propose our intelligent
ANGTHAScope (digital stethoscope) and lung monitoring system to minimise these gaps. It will be
portable, user-friendly, web and app based. It can help in the early detection of lung-related disease
like pneumonia and COVID-19 to minimise the death rate by implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) &
Machine Learning (ML) based on IoT (Internet of Things). Additionally, IoT has been globally known as
one of the most potential solutions to enhance and boost healthcare systems [5].

This system can be available for people from all walks of life, especially hard to reach areas where the
medical system and treatment are rarely available. We will collect patient's data remotely and are
aiming to conduct a pilot study to understand the usability and the feasibility of our system. Thus, the
availability of our proposed system can reduce the health-related sufferings and inappropriate
therapies throughout the communities.

Therefore, the early detection of lung-related disease aims to minimise severe health damage.
Additionally, it can create a bridge between patient and healthcare professionals, clinicians and health
care providers. It will also give people the required knowledge and freedom to consider/discuss
treatment choices between different societies and health care professionals. Therefore, the results of

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this project will enrich the growth of the socio-economic impact in Bangladesh. Moreover, it will also
reduce hospital crises, home treatable problems and medical costs. After successfully running our
system in Bangladesh, we aim to roll out this internationally in low and middle-income countries to
build the GDP.

2. Technical summary

The main goal of our digital stethoscope is to amplify the signal and remove the noises to detect the
abnormality quickly. Moreover, we are aiming to detect lung-related disease automatically through
Machine learning algorithms. Through our system, heart and lung sound can be examined from a
distance by the physicians and doctors to diagnose the disease even in the early stage. We aim to
build affordable digital Stethoscopes that will be highly computable to the existing expensive devices
and will provide the same results with a Phonocardiogram (PCG) signal or the heartbeat.

To diagnose pneumonia and Covid-19, we will use ML techniques, Natural Language Processing (NLP)
and neural networks. This Neural network technique is associated with the relations between the
input variables, hidden layers and outcomes. It will also work with multiple numbers layers to discover
more complex non-linear data patterns [6,7].

Deep neural network

Figure 1: A deep neural network [6,7]

3. Proposed Research

3.1. Background
In the healthcare paradigm, various diseases are seen around the world. Accompanying 235 million
people (most of them are children) suffer from Asthma. Furthermore, 3 million people die each year,

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with chronic respiratory illness (COPD) accounting for 90% of mortality in developing nations [8]. In
summary, CVDs and COPD account for the bulk of fatalities in developing and middle-income nations
and globally. A stethoscope is essential equipment for preliminary auscultation and detecting
abnormalities in the heart and lungs. By hearing the heart and lung sound, the physician and doctor
can diagnose the disease even in the early stage [9].

However, it might be difficult to identify an anomaly using an analogue stethoscope at times due to
different sounds and low amplitude sound. It is nearly hard to correctly analyse heart and lung sound
using a traditional analogue stethoscope [10]. An acoustic stethoscope has a low frequency which
hinders the diagnosis process for a physician. Along with that, The Diaphragm and tube can transmit
the Bacteria and virus from one patient to another patient. In addition, during the Covid-19
pandemic, clinicians required specific protective clothing for patient care. Because doctors must wear
PPE, they must contend with difficulties in detecting heart and lung sound abnormalities. With the
protective cloth on, it becomes impossible to utilise the conventional stethoscope [11].

From our findings, we have observed that an electronic stethoscope is 65 percent better than an
analogue stethoscope for healthy individuals. Furthermore, it is about 96 percent better than a
standard stethoscope for murmur detection, and the murmur may be readily recognised. Overall, the
digital stethoscope outperforms the traditional stethoscope by 95%. [12]. The main purpose of a
digital stethoscope is to enhance the signal and eliminate disturbances to detect abnormalities
rapidly. It may, however, be used to identify illness automatically using signal processing and machine
learning algorithms [13].

The main issue with the existing stethoscope is its expense, and they required an accompanying
device, such as a cell phone or computer, for data analysis. Furthermore, the shortage of doctors and
physicians in rural areas impedes preliminary monitoring because most of these systems lack a
Graphical Interface System (GUI) and only a few digital stethoscopes show a correct Phonocardiogram
(PCG) signal or the heartbeat [14].

Overall, this study aims to explore the need for low-cost digital stethoscopes to provide continuous
assistance to persons living in distant locations. As a result, the issues discovered in prior work on the
digital stethoscope have been identified in this research study. In addition to analysing recent work in
this area, we have represented data analysis based on signal kinds, heart and lung sound types, and
illness detection for global deployment.

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Healthcare Information Technologies (HIT) and the Health Informatics Application (HIA) play a shared
role in many aspects of healthcare services, including decision making. They have created the fourth
industrial revolution, "cyber-physical systems". Precision medicine is a specialised approach to
individual patient care, allowing clinicians to tailor and select a most likely treatment to help patients
based on their genetic understanding and disease. It is also called personalised medicine and
implementation science. The recent development of precision medicine has been described as a
breakthrough in the field of medicine. Implementation science is the study method of the LHS to
recommend the implementation and integration of evidence-based practices into routine healthcare
and public health settings to get a patient-tailored prescription [15].

Our system interconnects patients and doctors from all over the world in addition to other
health-related services. In published research, a clinical decision support system (CDSS) is a crucial
part of the electronic health record (EHR). The CDDS mechanism helps to enhance health-related
decision making. The evolution of these systems started in 1990 and was described as
'state-of-the-art' by worldwide researchers [15].

The growth of the HIT, the growing and accessible healthcare data, and including AI in various health
analytic programmes, most of the current healthcare settings are changing their paradigm towards
AI-supported technology (D. Y. Cho & Przytycka, 2013). At present, in the substantial disease areas like
cancer, neurology and cardiology are using AI for early detection and diagnosis, treatment, outcome
prediction and prognosis evaluation. The clinical data were grouped with the medical notes,
electronic recordings, physical examinations, clinical laboratory data and images for better treatment
outcome. Furthermore, at present, data are mapped with diagnostic imaging, electrodiagnosis, and
genetic information and testing [16, 6 ].

At present, substantial growth of telemedicine application and AI-assisted technology in medicine,

medical diagnosis, medical statistics, human biology and more are visible worldwide. In every sector
of healthcare, AI is widespread. The architectural thinking and development of a universal CDS,
including AI, have also emerged in modern healthcare settings [17]. Various data to advice pipelines
are characterised using logic, formal, and scientific approaches [18].

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 Data-to-Advice Pipeline

Figure 2: General case of a Data-to-Advice Pipeline that features compound digital objects [19].

Although AI was active in computer scientists and psychologists for 60-70 years [20, 21], up until
recent times, the use of AI assistive technology was not well established in the medical domain. It is
seen in the vast expansion of HIT and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and device-related specialist
software, eHealth and mHealth systems. The mobile penetration rate for developed and some
developing countries is close to 100%, and the unprecedented proliferation in mobile apps will reach
6.95 billion by 2020. Higher-income countries like in Europe and the USA have more AI-based or
non-AI e/mHealth initiatives than lower-income countries like in Africa and Asia. Therefore, many
governments in the developing countries recognise the importance of the e/mhealth and its benefits
and are aligning towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN) [22].

However, the categorisation of apps and their contents is based upon the decision of the developers.
Sometimes this information is not reliable and useful to the users. These massive volumes of apps and
embedded information are frequently fragmented and have the absence of appropriate references
and supportive scientific knowledge [23]. HCI (human-computer interaction) is commonly used by the
practitioners even though there is clear evidence of a lack of empirical research [24]. Due to the lack
of medical knowledge and inaccessible immediate emergency medical support, the users are in
jeopardy of getting standard advice and have to go through severe difficulties or lose their lives.

The Telecare systems and telemedicine worldwide involved about 7m people in 2018, which was
350,000 in 2013. The size of the telehealth market will grow to $95.72 billion during 2020-2024 [25,
26]; there were more than 400,000 healthcare apps available in the app stores [27]. The US, European
Union and the UK have recognised the importance of such social tools and are actively supporting it
for further research and development [28]. A recent study showed that skilled clinicians had 30%-40%
sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 80%-90% diagnosability against autonomous AI. This exceeded all
three superiority endpoints, at 87% sensitivity, 91% specificity, and 96% diagnosability [29].

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Considering the pandemic of Covid-19, many people may believe that COVID is the leading cause of
mortality in our global population. However, cardiovascular illnesses remain to be the first silent
majority of fatalities worldwide. 17.9 million individuals are killed as a result of cardiovascular
illnesses (CVDs). Most notably, 75 percent of these CVD fatalities occur in impoverished nations (low
and middle-income countries). Most significantly, 75% of these CVDs deaths occur in underprivileged
countries (low and middle-income countries) [30].

A stethoscope is essential for preliminary auscultation and detection of abnormalities in the heart and
lungs. By hearing the heart and lung sound, the physician and doctor can diagnose the disease even in
the early stage [9] But sometimes, it gets challenging to detect the abnormality with an analogue
stethoscope due to various noises and low amplitude sound. To solve this problem digital
stethoscopes are introduced but digital stethoscopes remain at a high-cost end or require some
devices (mobile/computer) to diagnose the patient [11].

With a conventional analogue stethoscope, it is almost impossible to investigate precisely heart and
lung sound [10]. Acoustic Stethoscope has a low frequency which hinders the diagnosis process for a
physician. Along with that, The Diaphragm and tube can transmit the Bacteria and virus from one
patient to another patient. Moreover, In this Covid-19 pandemic, doctors required special safety dress
for patient treatment. Since doctors need to wear PPE, they have to face problems to detect heart
and lung sound abnormalities. It becomes difficult to use the traditional stethoscope with the safety
cloth put on. Where it is essential to know the respiratory condition of a Covid patient for proper
treatment [9].

The Bangladesh government has established about 13,000 community clinics (CCs) to provide critical
healthcare to around 78,000,000 people. The initiation of CCs around the country has revolutionised
the healthcare conveyance to reach the doorstep of individuals. The healthcare arrangement through
CCs is really participatory because community members provide land for the construction structure
and also participate in the administration process [31]. However, the healthcare facility and
physician-people ratio, doctor-people ratio are insufficient to provide basic health care services to the
mass individuals [32].

Table 01: Distribution of doctors, nurses and dentists per 10 000 people in various Bangladeshi
divisions [33].

Division Doctors Nurses Dentists All Nurse per

Doctor ratio

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Barisal 1.7 0.9 0.3 3.08 0.5
Chittagong 4.8 3.6 0.3 8.8 0.7
Dhaka 10.8 2.8 0.5 14.2 0.2
Khulna 1.3 1.9 0.05 3.3 1.4
Rajshahi 2.1 1.1 0 3.2 0.5
Sylhet 2.2 0.4 0 3.2 0.1
Location
Rural 1.1 0.8 0.08 2.1 0.7
Urban 18.2 5.8 0.8 24.9 0.3
Sex
Male 4.5 0.2 0.2 5 0.05
Female 0.8 1.8 0.03 2.7 2.1
All 5.4 2.1 0.3 7.7 0.4

The scarcity of doctors and nurses in every division of Bangladesh is so much visible on the table. This
study has also mentioned that there are limited qualified doctors in the village. Most of the village
people are encouraged to take advice from the medicine retailer ( pharmacy owner) [33]. Adding to
that, Professor Dr AKM Mosharraf Hossain, chairman of the Respiratory Medicine Department at the
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) had pointed on TBS newspaper by saying, "A
community health service provider(CHSP) gets three months of training only. They cannot accurately
identify any problem of a patient" [34]. Moreover, In this COVID pandemic, it is necessary to know the
patients' heartbeat, body temperature, and oxygen level. As the CHSP does not have Any safety
dresses like PPI, it becomes difficult to measure these components without going close to the
patients. The lack of knowledge and no support from the professional doctor is hampering the proper
treatment not only for covid patients but also for the general patients. It seems pretty inconvenient
for village people to get proper treatment from the 13,000 Community Clinic in the current scenario.

A wireless digital stethoscope can unravel those problems [11] The main goal of a digital stethoscope
is to amplify the signal and remove the noises to detect the abnormality quickly. Although, it can be
used to detect the disease automatically through some signal processing and Machine learning
algorithm [13]. Existing digital Stethoscopes are highly expensive, and they require an assisting
device, for example, mobile and computer, for analysing data.

3.2.Research rationale and hypothesis

Early detection of pneumonia, corona infected people and other lung diseases will have a greater
global impact [2, 8]. Therefore, our proposed prototype ANGTHAScope will have an advantage over

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conventional stethoscopes in terms of power consumption, wireless communication, compact
capabilities, power efficiency, cost efficiency and simplifying operations which is an example of
originality study. Since we are using the deep neural network, the hidden layers will improve the
learning performance to detect pneumonia and corona successfully through the neural network data
preprocessing technique. We will also collect patients' lung status in person and remotely to study.
Our supreme emphasis for this proposed research is to predict Pneumonia and COVID-19 to minimise
death rate implementing AI & ML approach by a nationwide pilot study to understand targeted users
and project's to understand the usability and the feasibility of our system.

3.3. Aims, research question and objectives.

Aims

The primary aim is to identify pneumonia and covid in Bangladesh to minimise the death rate and
severe health damage to a targeted audience by developing a cloud-based AI and ML embedded
intelligent system. Our secondary aim is to build an innovative, low-cost and affordable digital
Stethoscope (ANGTHAScope) to aid our intelligent system and bridge the gap between locality,
people, clinicians and technology.

Key Research Questions: 

Our primary research question is "How can we successfully identify pneumonia and covid with an
intelligent stethoscope?"

And our second research question is "How can we build the most cost-effective digital
stethoscope?"

Based on the research questions, this study leads to several additional aims. The first aim is to
investigate the performance, efficacy, digital footprint and cost-effectiveness of existing digital
stethoscopes worldwide. The secondary aim is to analyse the results received from the first aim to
determine the scopes where the existing system can be improved.

We have observed various published literature to identify a low cost and considerably more
user-oriented digital stethoscope. We have found various microcontrollers, algorithms, IoT-, AI-based
clinical studies for disease detection and patient monitoring. Moreover, our investigation aims to
determine if the prototypes derived in these numerous research studies are appropriate for practical
use.  Therefore, we have asked some additional research questions:

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 1. What are the new approaches for identifying or classifying patients based on various
microcontrollers, algorithms, IoT-, AI-based clinical studies for disease detection and patient
monitoring? 

2. What are the current reviewed or peer-reviewed common AI, ML lung disease recognition
applications?

3. Does this prototype meet the demand of detecting early pneumonia of the Bangladeshi
population?

4. What are the fundamental principles of an app, website and software's usability and
accessibility?

Objectives

This research has several objectives. The core objective of this research is to build an AI embedded
system to successfully identify pneumonia and covid to minimise death rate and physical damage. The
secondary objective of this research is to design and develop a prototype of a low-cost stethoscope
that will help the doctor and physician wirelessly check up the patient's heart and lung sound, body
temperature and heartbeat. The tertiary objective of this research is to build a cloud-based system for
urban and rural areas where the data from our stethoscope will directly store and send an alarm to
the patients and doctor to prevent lung-related severe damage and treatment delays. Our final
objective of this research is to observe the different targeted audiences and collect their data to build
an independent, intelligent and versatile system.

4. Program and methodology

To comprehend the research problem of this study, a practical method is being utilised, which helps
the author recognise many ideas and clarifications while also understanding the research problem
and quality. As a result, the approach was developed based on the findings of the first literary
analysis, key and supplementary research questions. The initial 'stage one' 'the Primary research'
consists of three sections: planning, configuration and reporting.

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 Figure 03: Research methodology

The research questions, literature search protocol, and inclusion and exclusion criteria are defined to
address all the research questions in the planning stage. In the configuration stage, the initial search
results and studies were identified, selected, and evaluated according to the initial inclusion and
exclusion criteria and project theme. In the reporting stage, all the literature is revised and included
for the review, and a literature review is prepared.

4.1. Research design

This study will mainly focus on the previous research at the initial stage of the project to find out the
gaps in the literature to identify the need for a prototype disease prediction and forecast creation.
Therefore a combination of both qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered throughout this
study for a mixed-method research approach. From the literature review and observation of the
existing healthcare applications and inventions, the concept of further research was developed. It is
divided into two essential parts:

i) Core research design: It is the second research stage, and it consists of four different sections:
A) Methodology; B) Reporting; C) Design and build; D) Test and rebuild; E) Test and run.

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A prototype research model is proposed to carry out all the activities shown in the following figure 4:

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 Figure 04: Evaluation of the research

ii) Evaluation of the research: It is the final research stage. All the data gathered throughout the study
will be analysed and synthesised to present the research findings. A mixed-method approach will be
used to build a comprehensive report. This section will have two phases: 1) Analysing and 2)
Embedding

The following diagram, figure 6, will give an overview of the stages:

Figure 05: Evaluation of the research

In the Analysing phase, all the result will be analysed and synthesised with participants' feedback. It
will have four sections: A) Analysing the literature review results; B) Data grounding and modelling; C)
Data synthesis; D) Participants' feedback.

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 Figure 06: Evaluation of the research: analysing phase one.

In the Embedding phase, all the data from the analysing stage will be evaluated, and a detailed
correction plan for the study and the development will be set for them to be implemented through a
rebuilding process. It will have three sections: A) Evaluation; B) Embed and C) Analysing new results.

Figure 07: Evaluation of the research: embedding phase two.

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4.2. Study selection

The University of Portsmouth library database, Google Scholar and PubMed database are used to
identify relevant published papers. The Web of Science and IEEE Xplore databases will also be
searched for Conference proceedings. All of these databases are well established and have a wide
range of peer-reviewed journal information. They are always kept up to date. An effective literature
searches strategy will be developed by following  'A structured approach to documenting a search
strategy for the framework (13) and  'Preferred reporting items for systematic review and
meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement' (14). On the search, it will try to find the search
terms' healthcare AI applications', 'AI healthcare applications', 'natural language processing/NLP
healthcare applications', 'machine learning/ML healthcare applications',  'image recognition
healthcare applications', 'sound recognition healthcare applications,' 'web accessibility,  'web
performance and speed', 'usability testing tools', 'accessibility and usability, 'web content accessibility
guidelines, 'web experience', 'user-centred design', 'user interface design', 'UI', 'UX', 'HCI and usability
related papers. The search will also include all the search terms to generate MeSH (15) terms for
searching the NIH databases. All the questions are divided into a sub-topic, and only full quotation
marks "" (like "web accessibility") and their systematic review, literature review, scoping review,
peer-reviewed, cited by another literature will be included. Any literature that is not available in the
selected databases or cannot be obtained by the University of Portsmouth interlibrary loan will be
excluded. This review will consider the Mendeley-Desktop-1.19.4, and Mendeley Web software will
manage all the papers published in the English language. 

4.3. Data description

The data of ANTHAScope's project will be gathered from various clinical and personal home
environments in Bangladesh. The designed prototype stethoscope will be distributed to hospitals in
Bangladesh based on the sample size and budget. Our first option for the initial data collection survey
will have 20,000.00 data, covering the entire Dhaka district. Our second option for the data collection
survey will have 40,000.00 data, covering the entire Dhaka district and two nearby districts,
Narayangong and Norshindi. Our third option for the data collection survey will have 60,000.00 data,
covering the entire Dhaka district and six national districts, Khulna, Mymensingh, Chittagong, Sylhet,
Rangpur and Rajshahi. A collecting booth will be set up in each of those locations. Necessary
technical assistance, including scanning equipment, will be provided to acquire the anonymised data
set for the project's illness prediction and forecast module. The preliminary data set will include the

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participants' age, ethnicity, vital signs, medical information, XRAY, and ultrasound. There will be two
polls to collect data. The first one will be based on software usability and efficacy to the user and the
developer community that use and build online medical applications. The second one will focus on
increasing registered users' and patients' healthcare awareness and knowledge. Except for application
development methods, essential engineering datasets and plans, and sensitive patient and private
data, the research data will be maintained as open access / publically available to enable others to
reuse it via a dedicated research website and the connected server.

Figure 08: Data collection centre all over Bangladesh

4.4. Modelling and Deployment

At the initial literature review and the data analysis of signal type, it is observed that prototypes
produced a very high percentage for only real-time image and audio signal. Here, we understand that
for limiting the cost and keeping up with the best performance, both actual time image and audio
signal features are inefficient to be included simultaneously. A similar case is noticed when
distinguishing between Heart sound and Heart and Lung sound i.e., only putting the heart sound
output shows more compatibility to our primary considerations of a low-cost digital stethoscope.

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Correspondingly, both PCG and heartbeat results are obtained in very few cases. But it is
recommendable to discern any one factor at a time.

Additionally, we have spotted a significant finding that only if a machine learning algorithm is
introduced to detect diseases be obtainable. However, when implementing such algorithms, the cost
increases due to high-cost devices such as Raspberry pi or smartphones. Thus, the review's outcome
shows a prototype can be suggested that generates either real-time or audio signals or output signals
appearing in PCG. Lastly, devise an Arduino with machine learning algorithms for disease detection.
This overall hypothesis can help produce a very low-cost and high performing digital stethoscope.

The digital medical stethoscope is designed to overcome the shortcomings of the acoustic
stethoscope. An ordinary acoustics-based stethoscope is limited in its ability to provide high-quality
sound in noisy environments. To hinder the problem, digital stethoscopes have been developed. As
opposed to a traditional stethoscope, a digital stethoscope allows for sophisticated noise cancellation
technology, resulting in higher quality sound. Still, conventional stethoscopes are widely used by
doctors since they are less expensive than digital stethoscopes. Therefore, in this study, we have to
consider the most cost-effective electronic stethoscope without limiting its performance.

Figure 09: Workflow diagram for the digital stethoscope.

The research will follow the hybrid approach for modelling and deployment by combining data
grounding and modelling, data synthesis, participants' feedback, evaluation and output. These
processes will help the research to be more accurate and systematic. This study will follow a firm set

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of crucial rules fingerprinting-based detection framework (16, 17). It will discuss and set by a group of
qualified clinicians to determine each respiratory disease sample. All the included samples will be
levelled as a valid key material which the study should follow to reproduce production and forecast.
This study will explore open source available sound and image recognition medium to understand the
rules and techniques. Furthermore, it will follow a set of simulations which will include Natural
Language Processing (NLP), CNN, Neural Networks (NN), Deep Neural Networks (DNN), k-Means
clustering, and Machine Learning (ML). These simulations and data-driven structure will ensure a
decent performance and accuracy for the entire study.

4.5. Confidentiality, ethical consideration and dissemination

This project will have human participants and their information records. For data sharing consents
from the participants, this project will notify corresponding individuals and discuss its practical
concerns. Additionally, it will need to seek ethical approval from the 'BMRC' dept of Bangladesh
Government and the participants.  The project will follow the Time research & innovation ethical
guideline. During the project time, If we need further ethical consideration to carry out any of the
activities, the project will apply and take necessary actions as per the ethical guidelines.

Furthermore, additional ethical applications and participants' consent forms will be designed and sent
before each development and test to fulfil regulatory needs. It will follow the GDPR (General Data
Protection Regulation) and HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and other
international ethical guidelines. Consent will be taken from the patients and users before engaging
with the project and before their registration.

In any circumstances, the service user of the project can withdraw their consent at any time: 

● At the participant's request, s/he will be free to withdraw from any service and the project
study at any time. 

● As part of the project research data collection, the researcher will exercise mental judgment
in physical or psychological distress.

● The researcher will also act on the instruction of the independent medical officer (or any
other independent monitor) or any supervising medical personnel.

4.6. Methods and choice of analysis

This research is designed to accomplish a pragmatic study of quantitative and qualitative data. It will
inspect the performing applications and record the data for a mixed-method analysis in future

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extended research references. There are several methodologies involved in this research. These
methods are formulated to get an in-depth knowledge of the published literature and the context to
implement them in the forthcoming investigation. 

First, it will inspect the previous similar studies to collect data and observe their endorsement in the
healthcare systems.

Second, it will address the findings to formulate a survey by involving the creators and the facilitators
for a mixed-method analysis.

Third, it will design and develop a framework and algorithms to create a system.

Fourth, it will observe the performance of the established system in the care delivery to enable it for
improved and satisfying functionality.

4.7. Research Philosophy

This study will mainly rely on prior research conducted at the beginning of the project to identify gaps
in the literature to reveal the performance of a digital stethoscope while keeping cost in mind. As a
result, several articles have been evaluated to help readers comprehend the most recent technology
of a digital stethoscope. By evaluating the papers and articles, only credible and up-to-date technical
publications are chosen, allowing readers to learn about the technical aspects of a digital stethoscope
in past work.

Consequently, we observed in the dataset that Asia has conducted the greatest research on low-cost
digital stethoscopes compared to America and Africa. According to the data analysis of signal type,
prototypes produced a very high percentage of just real-time picture and/or audio signal. Similarly,
the Heart and Lung sound output is better compatible with our critical requirements of a low-cost
digital stethoscope. Similarly, both PCG and heartbeat findings are achieved in a relatively small
number of instances.

4.8. Research protocol design

The main concern of this project is to build a low-cost digital stethoscope device to overcome the
scarcity of doctors in rural areas. Our device will help to make a proper healthcare system in a remote
area of Bangladesh. In addition, It will overlook the security issues of IoT based healthcare systems. In
the future, we will work with the limitations we have found in reviewing previous work in this field.
First, we will make a low-cost digital stethoscope device that can provide noble solutions to remote
areas. Then we will provide a cloud-based Model that will help the doctor remotely diagnose the

18 | Page
patient from a rural area. Finally, we will use a machine-learning algorithm to modify the
ANGTHAScope for detecting the disease automatically.

I. Phase one: In phase one of our development stage, we will review the existence of
stethoscopes and propose a low-cost stethoscope model. Research on existing system and
device.

II. Phase two: In phase two of our development stage, we will develop a portable prototype of a
low-cost stethoscope that will help doctors and physicians to check the patient's Heart and
Lung sound, body temperature, heartbeat and show the parameters on a screen. Our pilot
study will start to collect data for usability and feasibility. We will also submit our report to
the correspondence department of the project to let them know the project findings and our
next steps.

III. Phase three: In this stage, we will make a Cloud base system for rural areas, the collected
data from our stethoscope will directly go to the doctor, and doctors can observe the patient's
data through mobile GUI and web HIC System. Our dada collection volunteer will inspect the
patient, and a targeted self assistant volunteer patient will be engaged to test our device and
system. We will also submit our report to the correspondence department of the project to
let them know the project findings and our next steps.

IV. Phase four: In this stage, we will implement the Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning
algorithm to our ANGTHAScope for detecting lung and heart disease. Hence, it can Measure
the disease's probability of a patient, and our system will automatically send an alarm to the
patients and doctor for a quick recovery. Our dada collection volunteer will inspect the
patient, and a targeted self assistant volunteer patient will be engaged to test our device and
system. We will also submit our report to the correspondence department of the project to
let them know the project findings and our next steps.

V. Phase five: We will transform our prototype and system based on the data collection in the
final stage. We will then prepare our results for the conference and publication. We will also
submit our final report to the correspondence department of the project to finalise the
project findings.

5. Project Management

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V.1. Team roles and job description
There will be various significant positions in the project team, they are in the following:

Table 02: Management and team

SN Groups Position Qty

1 Supervisory group Principal Investigator (Shah Siddiqui) 1
They will be responsible supervising the Co-Principal Investigator (Prof. Dr MD 1
entire work. Moktel Hossain)
Lead Researcher (Prof. Dr. Muhammad 1
Samad )
Co-Lead Researcher (Dr. Tahmina Akhtar) 1
Co-Lead Researcher (Kamrun Nahar)
International Advisor (Prof. Dr. Adrian 1
Hopgood)
2 Project management group International consultant (Dr. Shamsul 1
They will be responsible for running the Masum)
project, doing all the relevant work, and Research Associate (Akteri Begum) 1
producing the report and publication Project Manager (Tanvir Rahman)
related documents. Assistant Project Manager (Rezowan 1
Hossain)
3 Research group Research Associate (Dr. Golam Rabbani) 1
They will be responsible for all the research Research Manager (Murshedul Arifeen) 1
related works like conducting surveys,
writing papers, simulation, and modelling.  Asst. Research Manager (Wahidur 1
Rahman)
Research Assistant (Elias Hossain ) 1
Research Assistant (Oishee Ghosh) 1
4 Development Front end Developer 1
This group will be responsible for all sorts UI designer 1
of developing tasks starting from web Apps Developer (2(Android+ios)) 1
development, mobile app development, Software Quality Assurance Engineer 2
machine learning model embedding and Backend developer (Zakir Khan) 1
others. Electronic Engineer (S M Asaduzzaman) 1
Electronic Engineer (Alif B Ekram) 1
ML Engineer (Trinath Saha) 1
Graphic designer (Sanjeeda Razzak)
5 Analyst Data Analytics (Moontahina Huda) 1
They will be responsible for business Doctor (Consultant) 1
decision making, data management and Doctor (Junior) 4
analysis. Nurse 50
Trainer 2
6 Administration Administrator (Shanzeeda Yesmin) 1

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 They will be responsible for office Finance Manager 1
management and HR. Asst Finance Manager 1
Accountant 1
Trainer 3
7 Office Management Office assistant 1
They will be responsible for office look HR Manager 1
after the office, cleaning, and security. HR Executive 1
Office assistant 2
Peon 2
Cleaner 2
Security Guard 2
Table 03: Job description

No 1 Position

Chair

Job This position will have all the section one responsibilities, and it will be the supervisory
Description position to oversee the overall progress of the project

Expertise Leadership and team management skills, researching, report and writing skills, coding,
programming and mathematical skill, data manipulation and relevant computer
programs like python, ML, R and SPSS

No 2 Position

Lead researcher/Project manager

Job Team administration, project evaluation, annual appraisal, risk assessment and
Description migration, research and collect information, analysing and reporting, designing and
developing the survey questionnaire

Expertise Leadership and team management skills, researching, report and writing skills, coding,
programming and mathematical skill, data manipulation and relevant computer
programs like python, ML, R and SPSS

No 3 Position

Ast. Project Manager

Job Research and collect information, data entry, analysing and reporting information,
Description contact participants, and distributing the questionnaire, supporting the lead and
co-lead applicant

Expertise Computing skills, researching, report and writing skills, coding, programming skills,
understanding of questionnaire and survey skills, Excel, Microsoft word and powerpoint
skills

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No 4 Position

Research associates

Job Research and collect information, data entry, analysing and reporting information,
Description contact participants, and distributing the questionnaire, supporting the lead and
co-lead applicant

Expertise Computing skills, researching, report and writing skills, coding, programming skills,
understanding of questionnaire and survey skills, Excel, Microsoft word and powerpoint
skills

No 6 Developer

Mobile Application Developer

Job Mobile app developers use the suitable programming languages to and development
Description skills to create, test and develop applications for mobile devices. They will work on iOS
and Android operating system and take design from UI/UX designers

Expertise Agile methodologies, Analytical skills, Android platforms, Android programming

language, Android Software Development Kit (SDK), C/C++, C#, Create Android
applications based on UI/UX requirements and mockups,
Create iOS applications based on UI/UX requirements and mockups, Data structures
and algorithms

Web Application Developer (back-end)

Job A back-end web developer is responsible for server-side web application logic and
Description integration of the work front-end developers do. Back-end developers are usually write
the web services and APIs used by front-end developers and mobile application
developers.
Expertise Python, Java, SQL, NoSQL, and Git

Web Application Developer (front-end)

Job A front-end web developer is responsible for implementing visual elements that users
Description see and interact with in a web application. They are usually supported by back-end
web developers, who are responsible for server-side application logic and integration
of the work front-end developers do.
Expertise HTML/CSS, JavaScript (JS), jQuery, CSS and JavaScript framework, Version control
software, Responsive design, Unit testing
UI/UX designer

Job UX-UI Designers are generally responsible for collecting, researching, investigating, and
Description evaluating user requirements. An UI-UX Designer will be responsible for delivering the
best online user experience, which makes the role extremely important for our success
and ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.

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Expertise UX research, Collaboration, Wireframing and UI prototyping, UX writing, Visual
communication, User empathy, Interaction design, Coding, Analytics, Communication
skills.
ML Developers

Job A machine learning (ML) developer is an expert on using data to train models. The
Description models are then used to automate processes like image classification, speech
recognition, and market forecasting.
Expertise Computer Science Fundamentals and Programming, Probability and Statistics, Data
Modeling and Evaluation, Applying Machine Learning Algorithms and Libraries,
Software Engineering and System Design.

V.2. Track record

Supervisory team: 

This team will be responsible for supervising the entire work.

Principal Investigator:

Shah Siddiqui:
He is a broadcast systems engineer and computing researcher. He has graduated from Southampton
Solent University and will complete his MRes Technology from the University of Portsmouth in
September 2019. He has a good understanding of academic research methods and has the skills to
design, evaluate, organise and deliver a project. He has expertise in mathematics, coding and
programming languages, graphic design, system design, TV studio, and software development
combined with gaining enhanced practical experience. He is a research assistant at the University of
Portsmouth and working on the MONAD (Modeling Next-generation heAlthcare Decision support)
project to support healthcare delivery using innovative methods and emerging technologies under Dr
Philip Scott.  

Table 04: Projects of Shah SIddiqui

Publication title Co-author Year

A Next Generation Telemedicine and Health Advice Adrian Hopgood, Alexander Gegov, 202
System Alice good, Murshedul Arifeen 1

Deep learning models for the diagnosis and Adrian Hopgood, Alexander Gegov, 202
screening of the COVID-19: A systematic review Alice good, Murshedul Arifeen 1

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Co-Principal Investigator 

Prof. Dr. Moktel Hossain 

He is self-motivated, optimistic, confident with presenting and hardworking, which have helped him
to succeed in his career and education. To serve in a hospital with a strong Internal Medicine
department in the capacity of an Internal Medicine Doctor where many years of broad experience in
delivering first rate medical attention will be deployed. He has interpersonal skills and can resolve
problems. In addition to these, he has experience in nose, ear, throat, skin, sex, and various diseases
and is currently employed as a Professor at Dhaka Medical College.

International Advisor 
Professor Adrian Hopgood:
He is Professor of Intelligent Systems, Director of Future & Emerging Technologies, and Director of the
South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications at the University of Portsmouth. He is also a
visiting professor in the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Engineering & Mathematics at the Open
University and in the Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University.  

His main research interests are in artificial intelligence and its practical applications. He also maintains
an interest in materials engineering and optoelectronic devices. He has supervised 19 PhD projects to
completion and published more than 100 research articles. His textbook Intelligent Systems for
Engineers and Scientists is ranked as a bestseller. The third edition was published by Taylor & Francis
in 2012 and a fourth edition is expected in 2021.

The following table will provide a detailed overview of his recent external funded projects:
Table 05: Projects of Professor Adrian Hopgood

Name of the project Funding body Award Awarding

date fund

Miscellaneous ESA Regional Ambassador Running £

Platform for the UK

Miscellaneous  ESA Regional Ambassador 01/03/18 £

Platform for the UK

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Intelligent Disruption Analysis and University of Portsmouth  22/02/18 £
Response tool 
South Western Railway

The following table will provide a detailed overview of his recent publications:
Table 06: Publications of Professor Adrian Hopgood

Name of the publication Co-authors Year

Artificial Intelligence in clinical decision support: Xian Wei Liu & Professor Adrian Alan 25 Sep
challenges for evaluating AI and practical Hopgood 2020
implications

Self-adaptive learning for hybrid genetic Tarek A. El-Mihoub, Professor Adrian 25 May
algorithms Alan Hopgood & Lars Nolle 2020

Fuzzy-logic controlled genetic algorithm for the Elena Khmeleva, Professor Adrian Alan 3 Feb
rail-freight crew-scheduling problem Hopgood, Lucian Tipi & Malihe 2018
Shahidan

Learning of interval and general type-2 fuzzy logic Majid Almaraashi, Robert John, 10 Sep
systems using simulated annealing: theory and Professor Adrian Alan Hopgood & 2016
practice Samad Ahmadi

Tracking a table tennis ball for umpiring purposes Hnin Myint, Patrick Wong, Laurence 28 Jul
using a multi-agent system Dooley & Professor Adrian Alan 2016
Hopgood

International Consultant

Dr. Shamsul Masum

Analysis of time series data and the development of prediction models using machine learning
techniques are my research's prime interest. In my PhD thesis, I analysed the patient's physiological
time's series data in developing critical event prediction model using machine learning techniques.
My passion lies in teaching and developing models using Artificial Intelligence to solve real-life

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problems. My future research plans are to build on the foundations of my PhD thesis and continue to
research in time series data and machine learning techniques. 

Table 07: Projects of Dr. Shamsul Masum

Name of the Publication Co author Year

Comparative analysis of the outcomes of  differing time series Liu, Y. and Chiverton, J 201
forecasting strategies 7

Multi-step time series forecasting of  electric load using Liu, Y. and Chiverton, J 201
machine learning models 8

Investigation of Machine Learning Techniques in Forecasting of Chiverton, J.P., Liu, Y. and 201
Blood Pressure Time Series Data Vuksanovic, B 9

Data analytics  and artificial intelligence to predict length of Hopgood, A., Stefan, S., 202
stay, readmission and mortality after  colorectal cancer surgery Flashman, K., and Khan, J.S 1

Machine Learning of  Physiological Time Series Data and Chiverton, J., Liu, Y. and 202
Dangerous Clinical Event Prediction Vuksanovic, B. 1

Lead researcher 
● Prof. Dr. Muhammad Samad

Muhammad Samad was born in a remote village in 1956 in the Jamalpur District of Bangladesh. He
earned his Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) with honors and master’s degrees in Social Welfare
(mostly known as Social Work) from the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (ISWR), University of
Dhaka, Bangladesh. He completed his PhD on the participation of the rural poor in development
programs of government and NGOs in Bangladesh.  

Dr. Muhammad Samad has served as the Vice Chancellor, University of Information Technology &
Sciences (UITS). He is Professor and former Director at the Institute of Social Welfare & Research,
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has done extensive research on the rural poor, indigenous
peoples and the underprivileged classes in Bangladesh. He has more than 30 articles published in
national and international journals. A well-known social scientist Dr. Muhammad Samad has authored
and edited more than 10 books in the field of social science and development. Highlights include
Social Service Activities of Religious Institutions in Bangladesh: The Perspective of Social Work
Education and Practice, Journeyman Books, Dhaka, 2019; The Invisible People: Poverty and Resiliency

26 | Page
in the Dhaka Slums (2008; Jointly with Dr. Cathleen Jo Faruque), Publish America, Baltimore, USA;
Participation of the Rural Poor in Government and NGO Programs: A Comparative Study (2002);
Awareness About the Role of UN in Bangladesh: An Opinion Survey (2000); The Santal Community in
Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects (2003; Jointly); Human Rights: 50 Years of Advancement 1999
(Ed. in Bengali); The Fourth World Conference on Women: Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action
(Ed. 1997 in Bengali); Role of NGOs in Rural Poverty Alleviation of Bangladesh (1984, in Bengali) and
The Struggle of Poets and Poems (A collection essays ed. in Bengali, 1994). He is widely published in
America, China, India, Japan and Korea.

Dr. Samad has taught the course Globalization of Social Welfare as a visiting Professor at the
Department of Social Work of Winona State University (WSU), Minnesota, USA twice in 2005 and
2009 respectively. He has worked as a Fellow of Katherine A. Kendall Institute of International Social
Work Education, CSWE, USA in 2009. In Bangladesh, he teaches Social Development, Rural
Development and International Social Work at his school. Dr. Samad has been serving as Secretary
General of Bangladesh Council for Social Work Education (BCSWE) since 2007. 

Muhammad Samad has been writing poems since his school days. The first book of his verses Ekjan
Rajnaitik Netar Menifesto (Manifesto of a Political Leader) was published in 1983 and won the Trivuj
Literary Award in the same year among the young poets aged 25 years in Bangladesh. His other
published books of verses are  Ami Tomader Kobi (I am Your Poet), Selected Poems (bi-lingual),
Premer Kabita (Love Poems) Kabitasangraha (Selected Collection of Poems), Aaj Sharter Akashe
Purnima  (The Full Moon in the Autumn Sky) Cholo, Tumi Bristite Bhiji (Let Us Be Drenched in
Torrential Rain), Podabe Chandan Kaath (Will Burn Sandal Wood) Ami Noi Indrajit Megher Adale (I am
not Indrajit Behind the Clouds) and  Utsaber Kabita (Poems From Festival ed. Bengali poems rendered
in the National Poetry Festival). 

He has received number of awards for his contribution to Bengali poetry and literature that made him
widely known and honored. Among them are Poet Jasimuddin Literary Award, Poet Jibanananda Das
Award and the Poet Sukanta Literary Award. His poetry eloquently addresses the love, pain, plight and
human life in many faces of the people of Bangladesh as well as other societies of the world. He has
served as General Secretary of National Poetry of Bangladesh for 5 years (1997-2001).

He has visited China, Denmark, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Norway, South Korea, Thailand, Sweden, Vietnam, United Kingdom and United State of America on
invitation as academic and poet.

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Co-lead researcher
● Dr. Tahmina Akhtar
I am a Professor of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (ISWR), University of Dhaka,
Bangladesh and now continuing as a Director of this Institute. I have more than 30 years of teaching
and research experience in Social Work and Social Development issues. I supervised many M.Phil and
Ph.D. students to obtain their degrees. As a supervisor, I guided and supervised them to award their
degrees about different social problems and development issues e.g. women empowerment, the
impact of microcredit programs on women, livelihood development of indigenous people and tea
gardens labour, climate change, etc. Not only am I the supervisor of M.Phil and Ph.D. students but
also the supervisor of the thesis and practice research of Honors and Masters Students. I received a
fellowship training programme on Research Methodology from Birmingham University, UK in 2001
and was also visiting professor of this University. My current research interest focuses on gender
issues, community development, social development, livelihood development of the special
community, climate change, clinical social work, and mental health problems, social capital, and social
safety-net programmes. As a team leader recently I have completed two big national development
project in Bangladesh e.g. Coastal Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (CCRIP), Conduct of Local
Government Engineering Department (LGED), Funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and KfW in
2019, and Padma Multipurpose Bridge: Impacts on Lives and Livelihoods of Affected People, Funded
by Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Bridge Division, Government People's Republic of Bangladesh in
2020. I have published more than 50 research and journal articles about different social and
development issues from the reputed national and international journals e.g. Palgrave Macmillan
(Malaysia), Social Science Review (DU), Public Administration Journal (BPATC), Social Development
Journal (ISWR), etc. I have participated in and organised many national and international conferences,
seminars, workshops as well as I am also the paper presenter, keynote speaker, discussant, and chair
of the various important sessions. I am actively involved in expanding social work education and
professional development of social work in Bangladesh. Now I am working as a Secretary-General of
the Bangladesh Council for Social Work Education (BCSWE) & President of the Bangladesh Clinical
Social Workers Association (BCSWA). I am the pioneer of introducing Clinical Social Work in
Bangladesh and founder of Specialized Masters Programme of Clinical Social Work (CSW), ISWR, DU. I
have colossal experiences to perform administrative and residential duties and responsibilities,
worked as elected representative from a different body of the University of Dhaka, Provost of Begum
Rokeya Hall, Bangladesh Kuwait Maitree Hall, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall; worked as

28 | Page
a student advisor, ranger Guider of University of Dhaka; advisor of Z.H. Sikdar Women Medical College
and Hospital; Elected Member of UCEF Bangladesh; executive member of Association for Correction
and Social Reclamation (ACSR) in Bangladesh. 

 Table 08: Major Publications of Dr. Tahmina Akter

Name of the Publication Co Year

author

Socio-Economic Vulnerability of Riverbank Erosion of Displaces: Case Study Coastal 201

Villages in Bangladesh 9

Psychosocial factors and Consequences of Relapse: Experience of Bangladesh 201

4

Attitude towards HIV/AIDs and STD among the client sex workers and drug addicts, 201
a study of Dhaka city 0

Rethinking of Approaches to women empowerment: Bangladesh perspectives 200

6

The Elderly care services and their situation in Bangladesh: An Understanding from 200
theoretical perspective 6

●Kamrun Nahar
A born civil servant with an illustrious career served at different positions of the Government of
Bangladesh for more than 34 years. With visionary and charismatic leadership served two years as the
Secretary of two different ministries- Ministry of Information and Ministry of Women and Children
Affairs. Joined Bangladesh Civil Service 84th batch (Information cadre) and worked in various
capacities both at field and central level. As the Secretary, formulated policy, set vision and achieved
target for LDC Graduation, SDG and other National and International target. Played key role for overall
rights of women and children, empowerment, gender parity, mass communication, building social and
legal awareness. Acted as Deputy Project Manager in Communication activities for the development
of children and women phase II project jointly funded by the Ministry of Information and    UNICEF
from 2001 to 2005. Conducted training nationally and internationally on planning and project
management, mass communication development process, disaster management, gender related
courses, digital archiving, transportation and road management system and other topics. Served as
member of the Film Censor Board and Jury Board for "National Film Award." Besides this worked as
freelance writer on Nutritional Maternal and Child Health Care, Children and Women's Rights,

29 | Page
Welfare and Environment. Travelled USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Hong
Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, France, Netherlands and Kenya on
official visits.

Research associates

● Akteri Begum
She is the Treasurer at Tri and the treasurer of the TAF. Through her past work as an additional
secretary of agriculture of the Government of Bangladesh. Her interest is to work with women,
children and digital health. She appreciates Tri for their innovative thinking and creating a
collaborative partnership between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. 
● Dr. Golam Rabbani
Dr. Rabbani completed Bachelor of Social Science (honours) in Social Welfare from the University of
Dhaka, securing first class (first position) in both the academic programs. Dr. Rabbani joined as a
lecturer at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka in 1998 and went on to
become Professor in 2014. Since 1998, he has provided leadership in different academic,
administrative and co-curricular development activities at the University level, including: Professor
(from 2014 to till), Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka; Program Coordinator,
Industrial Relations and Labour Studies, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka;
House Tutor, Kabi Jasimuddin Hall (2001-2005), University of Dhaka; Secretary (2014-15) and Vice
President (2017-2018), Dhaka University Club; Member, Academic Council, University of Dhaka;
Member, Editorial Board, The Journal of Social Development; Former Executive Member, United
Nations Association of Bangladesh; Advisor, International Human Rights Organization. Dr. Rabbani has
been awarded Gold Medal in recognition of securing the First Class (First Position) at the Master of
Social Science Examination at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka,
Bangladesh. His research interests span over social development, disaster management, Poverty
Alleviation and livelihood, Industrial relation and labour Welfare. Dr. Rabbani has achieved a very
good academic record and he has been involved in many collaborative research projects of national,
international and university level. He has significant experience of doing research projects of the
Bangladesh Government and International Organization (ADB, IFAD, JICA etc.) in the field of
livelihood, resettlement, social safety net, climate resilience etc.

Table 09: Major Publications of Golam Rabbani

30 | Page
Name of the Publication Co Year
authors

The role of Development organisations in socio-economic development of 2011

Chakma Community- A Study

The Situation of Reproductive Health of Pregnant Women: A Sociological Study 2009

Ethnic Background, Settlement Pattern and Life Style of Chakma in Chittagong Hill 2012
Tracts

Socio-economic and cultural life of rural Tripura Community 2013

Socio-economic Status of Santal Women in Bangladesh 2016

Project Manager
● Tanvir Rahman
Specialising in strategy formulation, project management, corporate performance management
and risk management. Experienced with all phases of project cycle from initiation, planning,
executing, monitoring - controlling and closing.  Strong background of management reporting and
storytelling presentation.

Asst Project Manager

● Rezowan Hossain:

He is a computer science researcher and developer. He has graduated from Bangladesh

University of Professionals, Dhaka Bangladesh.  He is an expert in programming and problem
solving, he has worked in several software companies and published several research papers in
various international conferences. Currently he is working as a Project Manager in Time research
and innovation.

Table 10: Publication by Rezowan Ferdous

Name of the publication Co-authors Year

Performance Analysis of Different Loss Function in Face Murshedul Arifeen, Shamim December-20
Detection Architectures Al Mamun 20

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Naive Bayes based Trust Management Model for S M Rakibul Islam, S M January -2020
Wireless Body Area Networks. Salim Reza

Research Management 

Research Manager
● Murshedul Arifeen:
He is a computer science researcher. He has graduated from Bangladesh University of 
Professio:nals, Dhaka Bangladesh.  He is an expert in academic research and published several
research papers in various international journals and conferences. Currently he is working as a
Senior researcher in Time research and innovation.

Table 11: Publication by Murshedul Arifeen

Name of the publication Co-authors Year

A Blockchain-Based Scheme for Sybil Abdullah Al Mamun,M. Shamim Kaiser,Mufti January

Attack Detection in Underwater Mahmud 2021
Wireless Sensor Networks

Performance Analysis of Different Rezowan Hossain, Shamim Al Mamun January

Loss Function in Face Detection 2021
Architectures

A lightweight security scheme for S M Salim Reza, Afida Ayob, Nowshad Amin, April 2020
advanced metering infrastructures in Mohamad Hanif Md Saad, Aini Hussain
smart grid

Salsa20 based lightweight security S M Salim Reza, Afida Ayob, Md February

scheme for smart meter Akhteruzzaman,Nowshad Amin,  Mohammad 2020
communication in smart grid Shakeri,Afida Ayob, Aini Hussain

Hidden Markov Model based Trust Dip Bhakta, Sm Rakibul Hasan Remu,Md. Maynul January
Management Model for Underwater Islam,Mufti Mahmud,  M. Shamim Kaiser 2020
Wireless Sensor Networks

Assistant Research Manager

● Wahidur Rahman:
Wahidur Rahman studied at the Computer Science and Engineering Department in Mawlana Bhashani
Science and Technology University. His research interests include internet of things (IoT), automation
and control, wireless networking, artificial intelligence and android based hardware controlling, image

32 | Page
processing, signal processing. Currently, he is working as a Researcher at Time Research & Innovation,
Bangladesh. He specialises in academic research and has published several research articles in various
international journals and conferences.

Table 12: Publication by Wahidur Rahman

Name of the publication Co-authors Year

LoRa and server-based home Rahabul Islam, Md. Wahidur Rahman, Rahmina January
automation using the internet of Rubaiat, Md. Mahmodul Hasan, Md. MahfuzReza 2021
things (IoT) ,Mohammad Motiur Rahman

The architectural design of smart Md. Wahidur Rahman, Saima Siddique Tashfia, December
blind assistant using IoT with deep Rahabul Islam, Md. Mahmodul Hasan, Sadee Ibn 2020
learning paradigm Sultan, Shisir Mia, Mohammad Motiur Rahman

Intelligent waste management Md. Wahidur Rahman, Rahabul Islam, Arafat September
system using deep learning with Hasan, Nasima Islam Bithi, Md. Mahmodul Hasan, 2020
IoT Mohammad Motiur Rahman

IoT Based Smart Assistant for Md. Wahidur Rahman, Rahabul Islam, Md. September
Blind Person and Smart Home Mahmodul Hasan, Shisir Mia & Mohammad 2020
Using the Bengali Language Motiur Rahman 

Real-time and Low-cost IoT based Md. Wahidur Rahman, Md. Elias Hossain, Rahabul January
farming using raspberry Pi Islam, Md. Harun Ar Rashid, Md. Nur A Alam, Md. 2020
Mahmodul Hasan

V.3. Risk categories

Risk categories:

Risk categories Extended Categories

Technical Requirements, technology, interfaces, performance, quality
Organisational Project dependencies, logistics, resources, budgets
Project management Planning, scheduling, estimation, controlling, communication
Table 12: Risk categories

Risk calculation parameters:

Probability 4 = High 3 = Medium high 2 = Medium low 1 = Low

Impact 4 = High 3 = Medium high 2 = Medium low 1 = Low
Total score Probability X Impact = Result

33 | Page
Action required 4X4, 4X3, 4X2, 3X2 16, 12 , 8, 6
Action not required 1X4, 3X1, 2X1, 4, 3, 2, 1

Table 13: Risk calculation parameters

Risk calculation:
Impac Risk Action
Risks Probability t Score Required
Technical
Computer failure 4 4 16 Yes
Computer data loss 4 4 16 Yes
Some data is corrupted 3 2 6 Yes
Computer is slow 2 2 4 No
Network and IP problem 3 1 3 No
Computer hard drive has no space 2 1 2 No
External computer source not available 2 2 4 No
Organisational
University lab computers unavailable 2 4 8 Yes
The research goes over budget 3 4 12 Yes
One of the phenotype resources become unavailable 2 2 4 No
NHS hospital withdraw their support 3 4 12 Yes
Project management
Lead or co-lead applicant leave the job 4 4 16 Yes
Communication from one of the outside sources not
received on time 3 1 3 No
Research assistant leave the job 3 3 9 Yes
Data coding taking longer than expected 3 3 9 Yes
Reporting results taking longer than expected 3 3 9 Yes
Questionnaire design takes longer than expected 2 3 6 Yes
Survey participants more than 60% 2 2 4 No
Survey participants less than 50% 3 3 9 Yes
Survey participants less than 60% 3 2 6 Yes
The research goes over time 3 3 9 Yes
Table 14: Risk calculation

Risk mitigation
Risks Score Migration Action plan
Technical
Try to troubleshoot the problem, and if it is not resolved, the
Computer failure 16 University technical team will be contacted to fix the problem.

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Computer data loss
Some data is corrupted
Organisational
University lab computers
unavailable
The research goes over budget
NHS hospital withdraw their
support
Project management
Lead or co-lead applicant and
Research assistant leave the job
Communication from one of
the outside sources not
received on time
Questionnaire design, Data
coding and Reporting results
taking longer than expected
The research goes over time
Survey participants less than
60% & 50%
V.4. Budget Summary
Human resources
Total stuff
Salary
Equipements
New cost
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Check the drive to see any technical fault to prevent is
happening again and recapture the data. Will have a second
16 hard drive to back up the data.
Check the drive to see any technical fault to prevent is
6 happening again and recapture the data
Other available options will be in the contingency plan to face
8 this kind of situation.
There will be a proper budgeting plan including budget mishap
12 option not to face this kind of situation
The lead applicant will try to manage it professionally to resolve
this kind of situation and will try to get other support in place
12 without interrupting the study.
Any of the employees must let the project know two months in
advances to leave the project. The project will have contingency
16 plans reviewed every month to face this issue.
9 The project will have other resources in place to face it
There are scheduled meeting every week in the Gantt chart to
check the project progression. If a situation arises, the lead
9 applicant will oversee the matter to finish it on time. Extra help
9 will be managed to keep the study on schedule.
If the participants are below 60% & 50%, the study will try to
manage more to get the target to fulfil. As this survey is part of
9 the study, it will continue without interruption.
Table 15: Risk mitigation
1st Year Cost Total Project Cost
100 100
৳36,528,000.0
0 ৳79,176,000.00
৳12,326,000.0
0 ৳13,700,000.00
 Logistics

Total cost ৳6,375,000.00 ৳12,375,000.00

Miscelleneous

Total cost ৳7,390,800.00 ৳14,731,600.00

Grand total without ৳62,619,800.0

vat 0 ৳119,982,600.00

৳16,907,346.0
Vat and Tax (27%) 0 ৳32,395,302.00

৳79,527,146.0
Grand total with vat 0 ৳152,377,902.00

Table 16: Budget Summary

6. Dissemination and output

In the two years of the research settings, this study will produce four research papers: 1) Systematic
review, 2) Qualitative analysis of the project online survey and 3) A technical paper on prototyping
and system design, 4) Quantitative analysis of the project field survey. All the papers will be published
on a hard profile medical journal. There will be an initial protocol for systematic review in the first
phase of the project, which will address the specific conditions, algorithms, and frameworks. At the
end of each year, it will produce a year end report to the correspondence authority.

All the data and project activities will be saved and logged so that other researcher can follow to the
advancement of this study for developing other framework and multimorbidity phenotype in the
other parts of the UK or global health service.

7. Anticipated outcomes

This system can be available for people from all walks of life, especially hard to reach areas where the
medical system and treatment are rarely available. We will collect patient's data remotely and are
aiming to conduct a pilot study to understand the usability and the feasibility of our system. Thus, the

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availability of our proposed system can reduce the health-related sufferings and inappropriate
therapies throughout the communities.

It will also help the Government create a telemedicine network through this device as we plan to
build a cloud-based system that will eventually detect heart and lung disease and send the report to
the doctor. In that case, Government do not have to force the doctor to shift in the rural area. Instead
of that, the Government can emphasise a daily/weekly schedule for every doctor to check up on the
patients from the community clinic. Our ANGHTAScope will help them to make a proper treatment for
the Village patients.

Therefore, the early detection of lung-related disease aims to minimise severe health damage.
Additionally, it can create a bridge between patient and healthcare professionals, clinicians and health
care providers. It will also give people the required knowledge and freedom to consider/discuss
treatment choices between different societies and health care professionals. Therefore, the results of
this project will enrich the growth of the socio-economic impact in Bangladesh. Moreover, it will also
reduce hospital crises, home treatable problems and medical costs. After successfully running our
system in Bangladesh, we aim to roll out this internationally in low and middle-income countries to
build the GDP.

8. Impact Summary

The proposed project will have a significant impact on Bangladesh and the global population. The
long-term impact will be to contribute to the Bangladesh and global AI initiative, which will benefit
citizens and care practitioners locally and internationally to detect and reduce respiratory infection
rates. It will improve healthcare effectiveness to deal with respiratory infection and other specific
conditions to save lives, time, and money. The medium-term impact will be to build the Bangladeshi
and international community. That will benefit Bangladeshi citizens and patients/users of the NHS
(National Health Service) and social care, clinicians of all professions, Bangladesh health industry and
academia. The short-term impact will be to network with the Bangladesh and global initiative. This
project will focus more to grow the Bangladesh and international research attention helping
healthcare deprived areas to make an impact on the care providers, care workers, developers and
research communities.

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9. Work plan

Table 13: Milestones of this work

WBS START DUE DURATION

TASK TITLE
NUMBER DATE DATE (DAYS)

1.1 Phase 01
1.1.1 Initial Preperation 7/1/21 8/1/21 30
1.1.2 Study design 7/1/21 9/1/21 60
1.1.3 Advertise 7/1/21 9/30/21 89
1.1.4 Select group member 7/20/21 9/30/21 70
1.1.5 Apply for ethics 7/1/21 7/20/21 19

1.2 Systematic Review

Conduct a structured literature review and collect
1.2.1 8/1/21 10/1/21 60
data

1.2.2 Identify existing computable multimorbidity, 8/1/21 11/1/21 90

frameworks and algorithms
1.2.3 Prepare for the protocol for systematic review 8/1/21 9/1/21 30
1.2.4 Online survey 8/1/21 11/1/21 90

1.2.5 8/1/21 8/10/21 9

Prepare and design the online survey questionnaires
1.2.6 Launch the online survey 10/1/21 11/1/21 30
1.2.7 Publication: a protocol for systematic review 11/1/21 12/31/21 60

1.2.8 12/1/21 2/1/22 60

Prepare for the systematic review result publication
1.2.9 Survey end 11/1/21 3/1/22 120
1.2.10 Data collection 1/1/22 5/1/22 120
1.2.11 Publication: systematic review result 3/1/22 6/1/22 90
1.2.12 Progress Report 3/1/22 4/1/22 30

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2.1 Phase 02: Prototype Low-cost Stethoscope
Explore the developed frameworks, phenotypes and
2.1.1 2/1/22 5/1/22 90
algorithms to find how they are implemented
2.1.2 Develop prototype for low cost Stethoscope 1/1/22 7/1/22 180
2.1.3 Prepare for the qualitative data analysis 6/1/22 8/1/22 60
Checking the experimental Result meets with
2.1.4 6/1/22 9/1/22 90
Expected Result
2.1.5 Check feasibility for the end user 3/1/22 7/1/22 120
2.1.5 Publication: Low-cost Stethoscope 7/1/22 10/1/22 90
2.1.6 Reporting 9/1/22 10/1/22 30

Phase 03 and 04: Prototype of cloud-based System

Prepare for the Next level prototyping to build the

4.2 3/1/22 6/1/22 90
cloud system
Develop prototype For Cloud based low-cost
0.3 5/1/22 11/1/22 180
Stethoscope
3.4 Checking the experimental Result 9/1/22 12/1/22 90

3.7 Check beta version feasibility for the end user 10/1/22 1/1/23 90

3.8 Analyse and interpret data 1/1/23 2/1/23 30

Publication: Prototype of cloud-based System 1/1/23 4/1/23 90
Reporting 3/1/23 4/1/23 30

Phase 05: Prototype for Auto heart and lung disease

5.1
detection

5.1.1 Prepare for prototype For Prototype for lung disease 10/1/22 1/1/23 90
detection
Develop prototype For Prototype for Auto heart and
5.1.2 7/1/22 5/1/23 300
lung disease detection
Checking the experimental Result meets with
5.1.3 5/1/23 6/1/23 30
Expected Result
5.1.4 Check alpha version feasibility for the end user 5/1/23 6/1/23 30

5.1.5 Analyse and interpret data 6/2/23 6/30/23 28

Publication: Prototype for Auto heart and lung
5.1.6 6/1/23 6/30/23 29
disease detection
5.1.7 Reporting 6/1/23 6/30/23 30

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10. Conclusion and future plan

Respiratory or lung diseases are the most common disease for elderly patients as well as for children.
Among all the lung diseases, pneumonia causes more death. Moreover, the recent pandemic COVID
19 is also a respiratory disease. To reduce respiratory disease-related issues, in this project we have
proposed a low-cost digital stethoscope and lung monitoring systems. We will also integrate
intelligent algorithms with the stethoscope to make it more effective in terms of abnormality
detection.

Our proposed digital stethoscope will also be able to amplify the signal and reduce the noise.
Furthermore, the health monitoring system will enable doctors and clinicians to examine the patients
remotely. Our system will create both long-term and short-term impacts. The major impact will be to
reduce respiratory disease-related health issues throughout Bangladesh and worldwide.

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