bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality of the able-bodied population of the Arctic region from external causes
Authors: Ivanova A. A. , Klimova E. M. , Potapov A. F. , Aprosimov L. A. , Bulatov A. V.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of the study. The purpose of the study is to study the level and dynamics of mortality of the able-bodied population of the Arctic zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) from external causes in 2020–2022.

Materials and methods. The object of the study is the mortality of the able–bodied population of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the subject of the study is the mortality of the able–bodied population of the Arctic region of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The analytical method, methods of expert assessment, methods of mathematical analysis were applied and the data of the Federal State Statistics Service for 2020–2022 were studied.

Results. It was established that despite a positively decreasing trend by 18.0% (from 327.2 to 268.4 per 100,000 able-bodied population), the mortality rate from external causes for the able-bodied population in the Arctic districts of Yakutia in 2021 was double the regional average (141.7); 2.5 times higher than the all-Russian number (116.4); and by 74.6% higher than that of the FEFD (166.4). The issue remains urgent due to the high mortality rate from cold injury (24.6 per 100,000 able-bodied population against the regional average at 13.5), accidental drowning (43.8 against 11.9), suicides (30.1 against 22.1), and murders (38.3 against 16.1).
Die Lust am Leiden und die Macht durch Opfertum – Über Masochismus
Authors: Pötz Hermann
Published: February 2025

Nach einem kurzen Abriss über das Leben von Leopold von Sacher-Masoch wird der Begriff Masochismus theoretisch umschrieben und definiert. Anhand einer Heiligengeschichte wird danach die komplexe Psychodynamik dieses Phänomens dargestellt. Masochistisches Verhalten und masochistische Charakterzüge werden als Kompromissbildungen aufgefasst, wobei dem Über-Ich eine bedeutsame Rolle zukommt. Typische Abwehrmaßnahmen sowie die Rolle des Narzissmus und der Aggression werden erläutert. Ein Fallbericht schildert masochistisches Agieren in der psychotherapeutischen Situation, der Umgang mit der negativen therapeutischen Reaktion wird erörtert.
Traiter de « l’irrationnel » en HSR : la pensée critique à l’épreuve de l’Ordre du Temple Solaire (OTS)
Authors: Baumgartner Aline , Gilbert Philippe , Rouiller Sybille
Published: February 2025

Comment mobiliser la pensée critique des élèves dans une approche d’Histoire et sciences des religions et selon quelles démarches spécifiques ? Comment les aider à appréhender dans ce cadre disciplinaire des événements, des groupes, des pratiques ou des croyances irrésistiblement qualifiées dans différents contextes de « sectes » et labellisées comme « irrationnelles » ? Quels outils théoriques et méthodologiques proposer aux étudiant·e·s et élèves pour problématiser des objets complexes pouvant être qualifiées de Questions socialement vives ? A partir d’une étude de cas (le traitement médiatique de l’affaire de l’Ordre du Temple Solaire (OTS) avec sa fin funeste en 1994), le présent article présente une proposition de séquence didactique menée dans deux classes d'étudiant·e·s en formation en didactique de l’Histoire et sciences des religions pour le secondaire II (HEP) et qui a donné lieu à une séquence d’enseignement dans quatre classes de gymnases vaudois en Option complémentaire Histoire des religions (Ecole de Maturité) (élèves de 18-20 ans).texte
Exploitation of Child Rights in Islamic Family Law Perspective
Authors: Sri Asmita  , Muhammad Abdillah  , Ifrohati  , Lusiana  , Hana Pertiwi
Published: February 2025

Exploitation of children has changed the perspective and morality of humans towards criminal law, at the same time government policies have made a clear regulation on the enforcement of legal protection for children who are victims of exploitation. The study is based on the argument that there is no law enforcement on the practice of child exploitation so that exploitation continues to occur continuously. This study applies a literature study approach and policy review and various data sourced both online and offline which will later be able to provide an objective picture of how child exploitation is in law from the perspective of Islamic family law. As has been found in previous research on punishment for perpetrators of child exploitation, it has ignored the justice of children victims of exploitation by their parents, close people and community agencies. Law enforcement cannot guarantee absolute rights for children autonomously, this is due to many considerations so that legal protection for child victims of exploitation is very difficult to enforce. Thus, a discussion is needed to provide legal protection for child victims of exploitation with the perspective of Islamic family law.
Fulfilling Husband's Livelihood Obligations As A Migrant
Authors: Farah Ratu Octaviana
Published: February 2025

The husband is the leader of the household so that the husband as the head of the household has the obligation to provide physical and spiritual support. However, in reality, not all married people can fulfill their respective rights and obligations due to certain reasons. This is what happened in Sidorejo Village in families where the husband had to migrate, the husband had not been able to fully carry out his obligations in terms of providing support, both physical and mental support, so that the wife's rights had not been fulfilled. This neglect of providing a living results in various problems in their household life. This research aims to describe and analyze the fulfillment of husband's support obligations as a migrant as well as to explain and analyze the review of Islamic law regarding the fulfillment of husband's support obligations as a migrant in Sidorejo Village, Warungasem District, Batang Regency.
This research is field research, where the researcher observes a phenomenon in a natural setting. The research approach used by researchers is a qualitative method. The data sources used are primary data sources and secondary data sources. Data collection techniques are interviews, observation and documentation. Data analysis in this research uses interactive model data analysis.
The results of this research conclude that in terms of fulfilling the obligation of birth support (money), one of the migrant husbands in Sidorejo Village, Warungasem District, Batang Regency has carried out his obligations well, while the other two people have not been able to fulfill them. In terms of providing housing, everything has been fulfilled. In terms of good treatment, one of the husbands has done it well, while the other two people have not treated their wives well. Furthermore, regarding the issue of whether or not only one husband can guide his wife, the other two husbands have not been able to guide their wives well. Some migrant husbands in Sidorejo Village have fulfilled their husband's support obligations and are in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law and Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage and the Compilation of Islamic Law, but there are also those who are not in accordance with the provisions of Islamic law and Law Number 1 of 1974. 1974 Concerning Marriage and the Compilation of Islamic Law.
Guarantee of Constitutional Rights for Legal Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Brebes Regency
Authors: Khasanah Karimatul , Wahyuningsih Sri
Published: February 2025

Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) are an important part of contributing to the country's economic development. However, the constitutional rights of migrant workers are often neglected and adequate legal protection is often not met. Brebes Regency, as one of the areas that sends many migrant workers, requires strong guarantees to protect the constitutional rights of migrant workers. The research aims to determine the form of constitutional rights to legal protection in Brebes Regency and the Brebes Regency Government's efforts to provide constitutional rights in the form of legal protection to migrant workers. This research is empirical juridical research with a conceptual and statutory approach. The research results show that First ; There are four factors that cause why migrant workers have not maximally received their constitutional rights to legal protection in Brebes Regency, namely : There are no special regional regulations in Brebes Regency, there is no complete database of workers in Brebes Regency, lack of budget, there is no Unit Team. Duties (Task Force) in Brebes Regency. Second: There are various efforts made by the Brebes Regency Government to provide constitutional rights in the form of legal protection to migrant workers, such as: The Brebes Regency Government is trying as quickly as possible to create or ratify the latest Regional Regulations. Propose a budget to support legal protection. Immediately create a task force team to provide legal protection for Indonesian migrant workers in Brebes Regency, trying to improve services to increase legal protection in Brebes Regency.
Ratio Decidendi Penolakan Permohonan Pengujian Norma Undang-Undang pada Putusan Nomor 47/PUU-XXI/2023
Authors: Saputri Tiara Ika , Pratama Agung Barok
Published: February 2025

This research aims to explore the ratio decidendi in the Constitutional Court Decision Number 47/PUU-XXI/2023 and analyze the application of constitutional values contained in the decision. This research uses a normative method with statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. This approach aims to understand the legal basis on which the Constitutional Court's decision is based and its implications for the protection of constitutional rights. The results showed that the Constitutional Court rejected the petition for norm testing in Article 509 letter a of the latest Criminal Code. The rejection was based on the provision that the new Criminal Code will be enacted after three years since its enactment, so the petition was considered premature. In its decision, the Court emphasized the importance of the principle of legal certainty and the protection of advocates' rights from unconstitutional criminal threats. However, the petition could not be accepted due to the lack of concrete harm experienced by the petitioner. This finding underscores that the Constitutional Court continues to prioritize basic constitutional principles in its decision-making, even though the petition did not proceed to material examination. Thus, this research makes an important contribution in understanding how constitutional values are applied in the Constitutional Court's decisions, particularly in relation to the review of criminal law norms. The implications of this research are expected to be a reference in the development of the study of constitutional law and the protection of human rights in Indonesia.
La enseñanza del vibrato en el saxofón: análisis de las percepciones pedagógicas de los docentes
Authors:   Centro Universitario SAFA (adscrito a la Universidad de Jaen), Moreno Fuentes Elena , Ruiz Estrada Manuel
Published: February 2025

The article addresses discrepancies in vibrato teaching among saxophone teachers at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música “María de Molina.” Through student audition observations, significant differences in vibrato application were identified. To investigate this, a diagnostic test using a questionnaire covering socio-demographic and methodological aspects was conducted, ensuring confidentiality. The results were analyzed to extract pedagogical implications and prepare an educational intervention proposal. Common methodological aspects were highlighted, and alternatives were explored to address the identified disparities. The goal is to develop an effective methodological proposal for the conservatory. This approach aims to improve vibrato teaching on the saxophone by establishing consensus criteria among teachers and promoting uniform learning among students.
Colaboraciones de diferentes disciplinas en el estudio de materiales en la Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño de Huelva
Authors:   Escuela de Arte y Superior de Diseño de Huelva, Álvarez Gallardo Eulalia
Published: February 2025

In Higher Design Education, research and experimentation with new materials and non-traditional approaches are fundamental. The exploration of innovative forming methods, prototyping, applying technologies to different textures and components is a challenging method in teaching. The group created has set out to investigate various supports to develop original end products. Ten teachers from different departments have collaborated in an interdisciplinary approach, pursuing a shared goal. The students involved come from Design Higher Education and various Training Cycles, participating in their respective subjects or modules. The findings have been compiled in written and graphic documents that the group has shared and disseminated as open access Learning Resources and through the School of Art’s social networks. The research conducted by the group concludes with the creation of physical and digital resources that can be consulted by other professionals to implement in their classrooms.
دراسة شعاعية لتأثير حقن نخاع العظم داخل الثقوب المحدثة في الصفيحة ‏المشاشية القاصية لعظم الفخذ في الكلاب
Authors: شاكر الحسيني رباب
Published: February 2025

تضمن البحث دراسة شعاعية لمعرفة تأثير الزرع الذاتي (Autogenous Graft) لنخاع العظم على سرعة غلق الصفيحة المشاشية القاصية لعظم الفخذ المثقبة تجريبيا باستعمال تقنية فمستر المحورة للصفيحة المشاشية في 6 كلاب من السلالة المحلية قسمت عشوائيا الى مجموعتين ضمت كل مجموعة 3 كلاب الاولى اجريت عليها عملية تثقيب الصفيحة المشاشية باستخدام تقنية فمستر المحورة و كانت هي مجموعة السيطرة اما المجموعة الثانية ( مجموعة المعاملة ) تم فيها حقن مادة النخاع داخل الثقوب المحدثة بنفس التقنية السابقة و تمت متابعة الحيوانات سريريا و شعاعيا لمدة 6 اشهر .
        أظهرت النتائج بأن زرع نخاع العظم ادى الى حدوث غلق مبكر للصفيحة المشاشية  مع وجود فرق في الطول بين الطرفين و ثباته خلال اربعة اشهر فقط
Analysis of regional potential and carrying capacity of food crop waste feed and beef cattle development in boalemo regency
Authors: Selvi, Muhammad Mukhtar  , Syamsul Bahri
Published: February 2025

This study aims to determine the production and carrying capacity of livestock feed derived from agricultural plant waste in supporting beef cattle development in Boalemo Regency. The research was conducted in Boalemo Regency by selecting three (3) sub-districts. The selection of these locations was based on the number of cattle population and the area of rice fields and plantations. Primary data was obtained directly in the field by conducting direct interviews with beef cattle farmers and local government officials, as well as conducting field surveys. The sample represents the population characteristics and meets the sampling technique requirements. The determination of the area or sub-district was carried out by grouping the level of cattle population with the area of rice fields and plantations. Data collection techniques were conducted through interviews and observations. The research found that the implementation of an integrated crop-livestock system has a multiplier effect for livestock, farmers, and the environment, including providing adequate feed for livestock from agricultural waste, facilitating farmers in providing feed, increasing farmer income from agricultural and plantation waste, which was previously considered economically less valuable, and preventing environmental pollution and damage due to the burning of agricultural waste. This research is expected to facilitate the acquisition of information about the production and carrying capacity of agricultural plant waste feed sources in Boalemo Regency, as well as providing information on the accessibility of agricultural plant waste feed resources in Boalemo Regency.
Microscopic polyangiitis: Diagnostic challenges and pulmonary manifestations: A case study
Authors: Lamia Chakib  , Oussama Fikri  , Mohamed Ijim  , Lamyae Amro
Published: February 2025

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis that primarily affects small-caliber vessels. Previous studies have reported a pulmonary involvement frequency of 22% to 29%. Glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage are common features. It is usually associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) directed against myeloperoxidase (MPO), which are considered pathogenic. The presence of positive p-ANCA is a guiding element in the diagnosis of MPA. We provide a detailed description of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and treatment of MPA in a 62-year-old man who presented with alveolar hemorrhage but no renal involvement. The treatment included the use of high-dose corticosteroids to suppress the autoimmune response. Life-threatening or organ-threatening diseases are treated with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide (in bolus). If renal function is preserved, methotrexate may be considered to induce remission, and maintenance therapy is recommended with azathioprine, while mycophenolate mofetil can be used as a second-line medication.
The role of entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s economic development: Perspectives from university students
Authors: Irene Nkechi Onwuka  , Emmanuel Munachi Nwachuya  , Chika Maureen Okaforocha  , Chika Priscilla Imoagwu  , Agbachukwu Okeife Ezeife
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the impact of entrepreneurship on the economic development of Nigeria, focusing on its implications for job creation, innovation, and wealth generation. Employing a descriptive statistical approach, data from questionnaire responses were analyzed to address the research questions. The objectives of the study were threefold: firstly, to assess the relationship between entrepreneurship and job creation and employment, thereby elucidating its effects on the country's economic development; secondly, to identify and analyze the key challenges and barriers encountered by entrepreneurs in Nigeria, and to examine their repercussions on economic growth, innovation, and wealth generation; and finally, to evaluate the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and government policies on the sustainability of entrepreneurial ventures and their influence on Nigeria's economic development. The study recommends that policymakers should prioritize the formulation and implementation of policies that directly support and motivate entrepreneurial activities. These policies should be designed in a manner that encourages entrepreneurship by addressing key challenges and barriers faced by entrepreneurs, such as access to finance, regulatory hurdles, and infrastructure deficiencies.
Online Calibration for Multidimensional CAT With Polytomously Scored Items: A Neural Network–Based Approach
Authors: Yuan Lu , Huang Yingshi , Chen Ping
Published: February 2025

Online calibration is a key technology for calibrating new items in computerized adaptive testing (CAT). As multidimensional polytomous data become popular, online calibration methods applicable to multidimensional CAT with polytomously scored items (P-MCAT) have been proposed. However, the existing methods are mainly based on marginal MLE with an expectation-maximization algorithm (MMLE/EM), making it difficult to accurately estimate parameters in high-dimensional scenarios without sufficient calibration sample size or suitable initial values. To conquer these challenges, a neural network (NN)-based online calibration framework was put forward. The new NN-based methods differ profoundly from the traditional ones in that the parameter estimates of new items are obtained by learning the patterns between input and output data instead of finding solutions to the log-marginal likelihood. Moreover, an alternative solution was proposed for traditional methods to obtain appropriate initial values. Simulation studies were conducted to compare the NN- and MMLE/EM-based methods under various conditions, and further explore the properties of the NN-based methods. Results showed that both the NN-based methods and the alternative solution found their strengths in recovering the item parameters of new items, while the MMLE/EM-based methods struggled to converge when more than three dimensions were involved in the test.
THE EPENTHETIC VOWEL QUALITY IN DAGBANI LOANS: A FEATURE GEOMETRY ACCOUNT
Authors:   University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, Fuseini Kadir
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the epenthetic vowel quality in Dagbani loanwords adapted from English and Arabic within the Feature Geometry (FG) model of Clements & Hume (1995). The findings reveal that vowel epenthesis plays a pivotal role as a syllable repair strategy in Dagbani. Three distinct strategies, namely vowel harmony, local/consonantal assimilation, and default vowel epenthesis, were identified to account for the quality of epenthetic vowels in Dagbani loanwords. Default vowel insertion emerged as the primary strategy, with the insertion of the central high vowel /ɨ/ and the front high vowel /i/. Vowel harmony was employed when the intervening consonant was a liquid or dorsal, occurring in word-initial, word-medial, and word-final positions. Conversely, the consonantal assimilation strategy was applied primarily in word-final position. In the context of vowel harmony, only labial features were observed to harmonize, while the consonantal assimilation strategy entailed the spreading of both coronal (palato-alveolar) and labial features. Finally, a segmental representation is provided of the Dagbani place feature in borrowed words, in which both left-to-right and right-to-left feature spreading are attested
NEGATIVE BI IN ROMANI . INDIC AND IRANIAN CONNECTIONS
Authors:   University of Bucharest, “Languages and Cultural Identities” Doctoral School, Bucă Alin Gabriel
Published: February 2025

Negative bi- is the primary indicator of caritivity in Romani and has been invariably recognized as belonging to the pre-European component of the language. Most lexicographic sources and related studies trace it back to OIA वि vi- ‘un-’, but also acknowledge that an Iranian origin is plausible. In Romani, bi- can function as a preposition, non-verbal privative prefix, conjunction, and verbal prefix. This paper argues that these various constructions can be ascribed to different stages in the development of the language and to different contact scenarios. The limited set of verbs containing a reflex of OIA preverbal वि- vi- and the prototypical circumpositional bi…qo template correspond to an early proto-Romani stage (perhaps late MIA or apabhraṃśa), most certainly prior to the departure from the Indian subcontinent. Strongly adjectival compounds (prefixal bi…qo, bi- + adjectives, bi- + adjectival participles) are more likely to have arisen in a post-Indian context, as a result of contact with Persian or other Iranian languages. Finally, the use of bi as a conjunction with subjunctive verbs must be the result of a later, localized convergence within the Balkan Sprachbund. Drawing on the existing literature and the analysis of various Romani texts, the paper also attempts to disambiguate the morphological status of bi- in genitive nominal formations. The lexical-semantic approach proposed by Lieber (2004) and the picture of overlapping and competing negative prefixes in IE languages outlined by Wackernagel (2009) help explain the functional flexibility and diversity of this lone productive negative prefix as the result of subsequent semantic and functional reconfigurations in various contact scenarios.
Renewal and Memory Properties in Complex Systems: Justifying the existence of Crucial Events in Heartbeat.
Authors: Kalaga Rama
Published: February 2025

This paper tries to address the issue of self-organization and the role of memory in heartbeat. It first reviews some of the methods used to study self-organization and memory in heartbeat and connects this to the state of extended criticality in physiological time series. Criticality is a unique organizational phase of matter where local interactions generate observable global properties. This state is characterized by a long-range order characterized by correlations in the order parameters that decay very slowly in time. It then investigates the presence of memory in such correlations and comments on the nature of physiological time series employing the two-point time correlation function technique as a method of analysis and experimentally establishing the presence of memory and crucial events in physiological time series. It then uses diffusion entropy analysis (DEA) to help experimentally verify the existence of memory in crucial events. It tries to explain how these results support the idea of a particular class of renewal events known as Crucial Events. This work shows that complex time series containing Crucial Events are characterized by the presence of memory and Self Organized Temporal Criticality, leading us to believe that Self Organized Temporal Criticality provides the most comprehensive description of a complex system like a heartbeat. Keywords: Memory, Renewal, Self Organized, Complexity
Murburn theorization for cellular/organellar trans-membrane potential
Authors: Manoj Kelath Murali
Published: February 2025

The long-standing “intelligent membrane” electrogenically pumping and channelling cations (sponsored by proteins’ binding-based selectivity) was critiqued by many physicists’ groups earlier. Since the 2020s, my group’s pursuits had afforded an alternate view for cellular electrophysiology, founded in murburn concept. Murburn concept is a new theorization which postulates that effective charge separation (ECS) forms the fundamental drive for doing useful work in/by cells, obligatorily leading to the production/utilization of diffusible reactive (oxygen) species (DRS/DROS) in the process, which govern the cellular powering, coherence, homeostasis, electro-mechanical and sensing-response (PCHEMS) activities, enabling the cells to work as simple chemical engines (ECS). In this communication, I drive in the last few nails on the coffin of “intelligent membrane” theorization and provide the first tangible mathematical model to explain the resting trans-membrane potential (TMP) in a cell/neuron.
Increased complexity of social category markers leads to reduced intergroup bias and diverse rule-based categorizations
Authors: Hertz Uri
Published: February 2025

Social categories are fundamental to human social life. Studies using clear-cut and binary social markers show the prevalent and sustained effect of intergroup bias and stereotypes. However, markers of social identity may be more complex, including multiple dimensions or lying on a continuum. It is not clear whether such complexity leads to the formation of complex social categories or to less cognitively demanding binary rules. In three experimental conditions, participants played a video game where they competed with other players for stars and could remove other players from their path by zapping them. Players’ appearances were manipulated to either follow a binary color categorization, include multi-dimensions of shape and color, or lie on a continuous color gradient. In all conditions, participants showed an intergroup bias, zapping players who were similar to them less than dissimilar players. This effect was reduced when social markers were complex and even diminished during the Gradient condition experimental block. Clustering analysis showed that participants followed idiosyncratic binary rules in their behavior, and that rule diversity increased with social marker complexity, making overall social categories less salient. These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of social category formation and the way exposure to complex markers of social identity scales up to shape collective intergroup bias.
Kierkegaardian anxiety in modern psychological research
Authors: Sohail Aamir
Published: February 2025

The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard argued in his 1844 work ‘The Concept of Anxiety’ that anxiety is a vital aspect of the human condition, a consequence of freedom and choice. In this article I argue that this, along with other key concepts of anxiety identified by Kierkegaard including the avoidance of past negative experiences, and education in choice outcomes, are supported by modern theories of anxiety using evidence from social and experimental psychology as well as psychiatry. A proposed future body of work involving anxiety and free will stemming from Kierkegaard’s philosophy is also discussed.
Utility of computational approaches for precision psychiatry: Applications to substance use disorders
Authors: Vassileva Jasmin , Lee Jeung-Hyun , Psederska Elena , Ahn Woo-Young
Published: February 2025

Revolutionary advances in neuroscience and genetics over the past two decades have provided unprecedented opportunities for increasing our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Despite these advances, the translation of this knowledge into clinical practice has been hindered by the significant heterogeneity within disorders and the neurobiologically-imprecise categorization of patients. Traditional diagnostic categories do not capture the underlying neurobiological processes and etiological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and cannot adequately inform prognosis and treatment. To address this gap, the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) has proposed an alternative research framework based on Research Domain Criteria (RDoC), which yields psychiatric classification grounded on discoveries from neuroscience and genomics. Recently, the RDoC approach has been adapted for the study of addictions with the Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment (ANA) framework (1), which proposes that the assessment of addictions should cover multiple systems and focus on three key neurofunctional domains: Executive Function, Incentive Salience, and Negative Emotionality. Building upon the aims of the RDoC framework, a new field of “precision psychiatry” has emerged, considered to be a paradigm shift in psychiatry. Both the RDoC framework and precision psychiatry are predicated on precise measurement, which has necessitated the development of novel analytic approaches for classification and novel dimensional tools for phenotyping that can identify the unique mechanisms of psychiatric disorders at an individual level. In this chapter, we make the case that theory-driven and data-driven computational approaches have enormous potential for increasing the precision and reliability of measurement, and the accuracy of diagnosis and prognosis in psychiatry. We review three types of computational approaches and their utility for precision psychiatry: (1) Theory-driven approaches, such as computational modeling; (2) Data-driven approaches, using various machine learning methods; and (3) Hybrid approaches, such as joint modeling and adaptive design optimization. We focus more narrowly on the application of these approaches to substance use disorders (SUD), where we attempt to map them on the current RDoC framework for addictions.
Remittances as a Means of Poverty Reduction in Selected VDCs of Nepal
Authors: Rajkarnikar Rashmi Shilpakar
Published: February 2025

There are two different views regarding utilization of remittance-one advocates remittance as giving rise to consumerism, the other claims it as a core agents in the development process. In Nepal, the two most reported uses of remittances received are: "for daily consumption" and "repayment of the loan". However, in general it is considered that international migration and remittances significantly reduce the level, depth, and severity of poverty in the developing world. Various studies shows that remittances help lift households out of poverty. This paper aims at exploring poverty reducing impact of the remittances income in some of the VDCs of Nepal using primary data.
Three VDCs from hill, tarai and semi-urban areas of Nepal were selected for the study. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach was used to compare the status of the remittances receiving households (RRHH) with that of the remittances non-receiving households (RNRHH). The study assumes differences in the socio-economic status between the RRHH and the RNRHH as the visible and tangible impact of remittance on poverty reduction. For ascertaining the socio-economic differences in the selected VDCs, three broad indicators of people’s well-being: Economic Security; Human Development; and Empowerment and Social Inclusion were analyzed.
Result of the analysis shows improved socio-economic status of the RRHH compare to the RNRHH in the study area. This enabled the RRHH in seeking good education, better health facilities/services. It can be hoped that if the RRHH continuously adopts foreign employment as their occupation and invest the remittance earning in productive sector, in the long run these investments will benefit changing attitude to realize standard of living.
Agricultural Aid to Smallholder Farmers and Food Security in Cameroon
Authors: Tambe Mbu Daniel , Ibrahim Manu , Ngetleh Ngesang Ngiqueh
Published: February 2025

This study is aimed at analyzing the effects of agricultural aid to smallholder farmers on food security in Cameroon, the case of Santa Subdivision. Data was collected using questionnaires administered to 202 smallholder farmers from simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics, logistic model and covariance matrix. The results on the socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder farmers revealed that the majority of smallholder farmers’ aid beneficiaries were mostly educated married men. Results from the logistic regression showed that, agricultural aid is strongly correlating with food security, while the covariance matrix revealed that the major constraints faced by smallholder farmers are: access to farms, farm to market infrastructure, storage facilities, access to credit and application of agricultural inputs. Policy aiming at improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, infrastructure, capacity building, participatory management and access to credits will accelerate agricultural production in Cameroon.
Role of Agricultural Foreign Aid on Agricultural GDP of Nepal
Authors: Ranjit Yogesh , Dhungana Lok Raj
Published: February 2025

The paper mainly analyzed the trend and examined the role of agricultural foreign aid on agricultural GDP of Nepal. Although agricultural sector is taken as the backbone of Nepalese economy, its productivity is not at satisfactory level. Unless and until the market-oriented commercial farming and diversification of agriculture are initiated, the production and productivity of agriculture will not increase. But due to low national saving, it is possible only through foreign aids. Nepal started receiving foreign aid officially since 1951 from USA. The study used secondary data covering 19 years from the FY 1996/1997 AD to 2014/2015 AD. It is an analytical study using deductive method, coefficient of determinants, ARDL approach, ADF unit-root test, LM test, heteroscedasticity, Jarque-Bera statistics, and CUSUM test for short and long run effects of independent variables to the dependent variable. The study concluded that both real agricultural foreign aid and real agricultural GDP are fluctuating and the contribution of agricultural sector to GDP has continued to decline. Similarly, there is a positive impact of agricultural foreign aid on agricultural GDP. There is long run co integration between real agricultural foreign aid and real agricultural GDP. Therefore, the government of Nepal should focus on effective use of foreign aid in agricultural development.
Problems and Prospects of Manufacturing Industries in Nepal
Authors: Mainali Pradip Kumar
Published: February 2025

This study aims to examine the problems and prospects of manufacturing industries in Nepal based upon the responses obtained from investors, regulators, and independent intellectuals. Chi-square test is performed to check the validity of views from different groups of respondents and weight basis responses are ranked. It is perceived that the power outage, labour related problems, poor infrastructural development, shortcomings on industrial policies as being the major problems of Nepalese manufacturing despite there are bureaucratic impediment and poor managerial skills of manufacturer. Internal resource based production and internal market based production following comparative advantage productions are opined as prospects of Nepalese manufacturing. Problems inside the industrial estates such as poor infrastructure, less electricity facilitation and low voltage, no place for extension are also the subsequent causes of poor manufacturing development.
Remittance Inflows and Economic Growth of Nepal: An Error Correction Approach
Authors: Kunwar Keshar Bahadur
Published: February 2025

The basic purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of remittance on economic growth of Nepal including gross domestic product, foreign direct investment, export and import in current price. This study applies Ordinary least square method (OLS) on time series data from 1990/91 to 2013/14. The results have shown the fact that a positively significant impact of remittance on gross domestic product of a country (Model I). The coefficients of remittance, foreign direct investment and export positive signs. However, observed negative signs of import. Engle- Granger co integration test revealed long run relationship among the variable. Engle- Granger error correction test has been applied correcting the previous year disequilibrium by 1.8 percent annually. The null hypothesis are not serially correlated, residuals are homoscedasticity, residuals are normally distributed which is desirable for the Error Correction Model. So in conclusion this error correction model is accepted. Granger causality test finds there is no causality exist among the variables.
Is Banks' Profitability Affected by Monetary and Investment Freedom of the Economy? Nepalese Prospective
Authors: Arjun Kumar Dahal  , Prem Bahadur Budhathoki  , Sagar Pokhrel
Published: February 2025

This study tries to navigate the impact of total loan volume, net interest margin, non-interest income, number of branches of banks, and monetary and investment freedom on determining the profit of commercial banks in Nepal. It is based on secondary data from the World Bank and World Heritage Index, with 27 data points from 1998 to 2024. The co-integration test and fully modified least square method explore the long-run impact of independent variables on dependent variables. It is based on the causal correlational research design. It follows the positivist research philosophy and deductive reasoning. The co-integration analysis confirms the validity of long-run equilibrium relationships among the variables, thus pointing out their interrelationship and continuing influence on profitability. The profitability of Nepalese commercial banks is significantly positively influenced by total loan volume, non-interest revenue, net interest margin, and investment freedom. The profitability of Nepalese banks rises by 0.671, 0.061, and 0.737 percent for every one percent growth in total loan amount, non-interest income, and net interest margin, respectively. Similarly, bank profitability rises by 0.022 percent for every one percent increase in investment freedom. On the other hand, branch numbers adversely affect profitability, suggesting possible inefficiencies or financial strains associated with branch growth. The commercial banks' profit decreased by 0.654 percent with the one percent increase in branches of commercial banks. However, monetary freedom has not significantly impacted banks' earnings in Nepal. Policymakers and banking regulators should focus on enhancing loan portfolio management, optimizing net interest margins, promoting digital banking, ensuring efficient branch expansion, and aligning monetary policy reforms with broader economic goals to boost banking sector profitability.
Does Financial Constraints Matter to Youth Entrepreneurship in Kathmandu?
Authors: Narayan Prasad Aryal  , Elmira Siska  , Gobind Kumar Singh
Published: February 2025

This study aims to investigate the financial barriers faced by young entrepreneurs in Kathmandu. A quantitative methods approach was employed. The survey targeted a sample of 215 young entrepreneurs, while in-depth survey were conducted with participants to gain deeper insights into their experiences with accessing finance. The result showed that entrepreneurial skill has significant positive relationship with youth entrepreneurship development. Likewise, rules and regulation has a positive and significant effect. Similarly, access to finance showed a significant positive contribution to youth entrepreneurship development. Education and training demonstrated a positive and statistically significant impact on youth entrepreneurship development in Kathmandu. The study concludes that financial barriers severely limit the potential for youth entrepreneurship in Kathmandu. Without adequate financial support and resources, young entrepreneurs struggle to establish and maintain viable businesses. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies that enhance access to financial resources for young entrepreneurs, such as microfinance options and government-backed loans. Furthermore, promoting entrepreneurial education and training can empower youth to navigate these challenges effectively, ultimately contributing to economic growth in Nepal.
Does Temperature and Rainfall Asymmetrically affect Wheat Production in Nepal? Using NARDL Model Approach
Authors: Omkar Poudel  , Yadav Mani Upadhyaya  , Pradeep Acharya  , Deep Raj Sharma  , Daya Simkhada
Published: February 2025

Wheat production in Nepal is highly sensitive to climatic variability, particularly temperature and rainfall. This study examines the asymmetric impacts of these climatic factors on wheat yields using the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model. A quantitative research design was employed, analyzing time-series data from 1990 to 2022. The NARDL model was used to capture both short- and long-term asymmetric effects of temperature and rainfall on wheat yield. Diagnostic and stability tests ensured the robustness of the model. The findings reveal that positive temperature changes significantly reduce wheat yields in the short term (coefficient: -2483.80, p < 0.01), followed by a compensatory positive effect in subsequent periods (coefficient: 2935.31, p < 0.01). Negative temperature changes and rainfall variability, both positive and negative, were statistically insignificant in their impacts. The model’s R-squared value of 0.972 highlights its strong explanatory power. The results underscore the critical role of temperature in influencing wheat productivity, with rainfall’s limited impact suggesting effective water management practices. These findings align with global studies on climate resilience but highlight unique adaptation mechanisms in Nepal. This study emphasizes the need for heat-tolerant wheat varieties and enhanced irrigation systems to mitigate climatic stressors. The use of the NARDL model offers novel insights into the asymmetric dynamics of climatic factors, advancing methodologies in climate-agriculture research.
Demographics-Urbanization Interrelationship in Nepal
Authors: Suman Kharel  , Prajwal Man Pradhan  , Susmita Gautam
Published: February 2025

In order to understand demographic-urbanization interrelationship in the Nepalese context based on three sources of data (e.g., World Bank, UN and 2021 National Population and Housing Census), the article presented some demographic variables (e.g., crude birth rate, fertility rate, life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, and migration) and percentage of urban population residing in Nepal during 1960-2022. These demographics played vital role in the level of urbanization. The plausible reason is that crude birth rates, fertility rates, and infant mortality rate have been declining gradually whereas life expectancy at birth and migration rates have been rising since 1960-2022. The paper also reviewed definition of urbanization in Nepal, indicating there is problems of definition of urbanization in Nepal. The sister organization of Government of Nepal (GoN), e.g., National Statistics Office (NSO) has introduced 3-categrory of new classification (e.g. urban, per-urban and rural) based on wards of municipals. The paper suggests that such classifications are significant to carry out research in the future in addition to restructuring the existing urban-rural definitions.
Disability and Poverty: Impacts on Families in Nepal
Authors: Tek Nath Subedi
Published: February 2025

People with disabilities are rarely seen as relaxed. Barriers, illnesses, shortage, neglect, stigma, stress, marginalization, oppression, exclusion, and similar adversities are very common conditions, which these people do typically encounter. Furthermore, families must also respond to disability – through either adaptation or resistance. Families adapting to disability must strive to maintain equilibrium despite potential challenges and stigma they may encounter, while rejecting the notion of disability denies its existence as a socially constructed disadvantaged reality. In many respects, families in Nepal assume the entire social and financial burden associated with disability, indicating that they have been compelled to adapt to the challenges of disability while enduring significant hardships due to the limited responsibilities assumed by the state. Thus, the role of disability in influencing family dynamics emerges as a crucial area of research, which this paper seeks to elucidate. This paper analyzes the ways in which disability impacts households and the extent to which these households adjust to the presence of disability. Drawing on some qualitative data gathered through comprehensive interviews, this study contends that persons with disabilities have endured a distressing life and their families have gradually become entwined with poverty. Therefore, disability should be viewed as a macro social concern, rather than solely an individual issue, when considering its impact on the family.
सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा गुणस्तर अभिवृद्धिः सैद्धान्तिक तथा व्यवहारिक विश्लेषण {Improving Quality of Public Service Delivery: Theoretical and Practical Analysis}
Authors: रिजाल Rijal मेघनाथ Meghnath
Published: February 2025

यस अध्ययनले नेपालको सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा गुणस्तर अभिवृद्धिको सैद्धान्तिक र व्यावहारिक विश्लेषण गर्दछ। विशेषत: राज्यको एकल कार्यको रूपमा सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहको विकास र बहुसरोकारवाला निकायहरूको सहकार्यको अवधारणागत परिवर्तनमा ध्यान केन्द्रित गरिएको छ। यस अध्ययनको प्रमुख उद्देश्य सार्वजनिक सेवाको गुणस्तर मापनका सैद्धान्तिक र व्यावहारिक ढाँचाहरूलाई अध्ययन गर्नु, साथै नेपालको सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा गुणस्तर अभिवृद्धिका प्रयासहरूको विश्लेषण गर्नु हो। यसले सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा देखिएका कमजोरीहरू र सुधारका लागि आवश्यक उपायहरू पहिचान गर्न मद्दत पुर्याउँछ। प्रस्तुत अध्ययनमा सैद्धान्तिक अध्ययन र प्रायोगिक (व्यावहारिक) विश्लेषणको संयोजन गरिएको छ। अध्ययनमा प्रमुख रूपमा विद्वानहरूको मापदण्ड र सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहको गुणस्तर सुधारको लागि विभिन्न वैचारिक तथा व्यावहारिक ढाँचाहरूलाई समेटिएको छ। नेपालको सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा गुणस्तर अभिवृद्धिका लागि नयाँ अवधारणात्मक तथा व्यावहारिक ढाँचाहरूको आवश्यकता छ। सार्वजनिक सेवामा देखिएका कमजोरीहरू, प्रक्रियामुखी सेवा प्रवाह र अप्रत्यक्ष उत्तरदायित्वजस्ता समस्याहरूले सेवाको गुणस्तरलाई न्यून बनाएका छन्। नेपालको सार्वजनिक सेवा प्रवाहमा गुणस्तर अभिवृद्धिका लागि नयाँ दृष्टिकोण र सुधारका उपायहरू प्रदान गर्नेमा छ। यसले सार्वजनिक प्रशासन र राजनीतिक निकायहरूको सहकार्यात्मक प्रयास आवश्यकताबारे सन्देश प्रवाह गर्छ र गुणस्तरीय सेवा प्रवाहका लागि उपयुक्त रणनीतिहरू विकास गर्न मद्दत पुर्‍याउँछ।