bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food insecurity, hoarding behavior, and environmental harshness do not predict weight changes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Eder Stephanie Josephine , Stefańczyk Michał , Pieniak Michał , Molina Judit Martínez , Binter Jakub , Pešout Ondra , Smela Patrick , Scharnowski Frank , Steyrl David
Published: October 2020

Final publication (Open Access): http://ishe.org/volume-35-2020/food-insecurity-hoarding-behavior-and-environmental-harshness-do-not-predict-weight-changes-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ (DOI: https://doi.org/10.22330/he/35/122-136)The COVID-19 pandemic not only presents a medical and psychological stressor but has also led to alterations in public life that many perceived as threatening, including lowered incomes and job insecurity. A symptom of collective worrying were so-called panic- or ‘hamster purchases’, where people stockpiled food in large amounts as governmental restrictions in response to the pandemic were introduced.This behavior indicated subjective ‘food insecurity’ in many individuals at a time when loss of income could also lead to potential real food insecurity for some. Since both perceived and actual food insecurity as well as stress is thought to facilitate weight gain as an adaptive response, this study aims at investigating body weight during these uncertain times. Specifically, we model the effects of both psychological and environmental factors such as food insecurity, hoarding behavior and loss of income on body on weight as lockdown measures are introduced and loosened in four European countries.While there are no systematic changes in body weight over the observed period, there is inter-individual variation in weight changes. However, contrary to our hypothesis, results show that neither food insecurity, hamster purchases, nor loss of income are predictors of weight change or BMI, and none of our machine learning models outperformed a trivial predictor.In conclusion, this study does not provide support for the notion that perceived food insecurity can predict weight gain or a higher BMI at a time of environmental uncertainties. This suggests that acute alterations in appetite reported upon triggering environmental harshness have no effect beyond that moment. Rather, life-history strategies acquired early on seem to remain stable during this crisis with respect to food consumption and weight.
Understanding Replication in a Way That is True to Science
Authors: Haig Brian
Published: October 2020

In this article, I critically examine a number of widely held beliefs about the nature of replication and its place in science, with particular reference to psychology. In doing so, I present a number of underappreciated understandings of the nature of science more generally. I contend that some contributors to the replication debates overstate the importance of replication in science and mischaracterize the relationship between direct and conceptual replication. I also claim that there has been a failure to appreciate sufficiently the variety of legitimate replication practices that scientists engage in. In this regard, I highlight the tendency to pay insufficient attention to methodological triangulation as an important strategy for justifying empirical claims. I argue, further, that the replication debates tend to overstate the closeness of the relationship between replication and theory construction. Some features of this relationship are spelt out with reference to both the hypothetico-deductive and the abductive accounts of scientific method. Additionally, an evaluation of the status of replication in different characterizations of scientific progress is undertaken. I maintain that viewing replication as just one element of the wide array of scientific endeavors leads to the conclusion that it is not as prominent in science as is often claimed.
When nomenclature matters: Is the “new paradigm” really a new paradigm for the psychology of reasoning?
Authors: Knauff Markus , Castañeda Lupita Estefania Gazzo
Published: October 2020

For most its history, the psychology of reasoning was dominated by binary exten-sional logic. The “new paradigm” instead puts subjective degrees of belief centre stage, often represented as probabilities. The term “new paradigm” refers to Thomas Kuhn’s popular theory of science, which describes scientific progress as discontinues process of alternating "normal" and "revolutionary" phases. We argue that the “new paradigm” is too vaguely defined and therefore does not allow a clear decision on what falls within its scope and what does not. We also show that before the new de-velopments, the psychology of reasoning was neither in a phase of normal science, nor is the alleged new paradigm as revolutionary as the term suggests. Based on this analysis, we argue that the supposed opposition between a “new” and “old” para-digms hinders progress in the field. A more productive view is that current progress is developing in continuities where rival research programs stimulate each other in a fruitful way. The article closes with some topics where further connections between competing research programs are likely to promote progress in the psychology of reasoning.
Do we measure or compute polygenic risk scores? Why language matters
Authors: Penders Bart , Janssens A. Cecile J.W.
Published: October 2020

Here, we argue that polygenic risk scores (PRSs) are different epistemic objects as compared to other biomarkers such as blood pressure or sodium level. While the latter two may be subject to variation, measured inaccurately or interpreted in various ways, blood flow has a pressure and sodium is available in a concentration that can be quantified and visualised. In stark contrast, PRSs are calculated, compiled or constructed through the statistical assemblage of genetic variants. How researchers frame and name PRSs has consequences for how we interpret and value their results. We distinguish between the tangible and inferential understanding of PRS and the corresponding languages of measurement and computation, respectively. The conflation of these frames obscures important questions we need to ask: what PRS seeks to represent, whether current ways of ‘doing PRS’ are optimal and responsible, and upon what we base the credibility of PRS-based knowledge claims.
Factsheet: Parental awareness of children’s experiences of online risks and harm. Evidence from Ngā taiohi matihiko o Aotearoa – New Zealand Kids Online
Authors: Pacheco Edgar , Melhuish Neil
Published: October 2020

Research suggests that parents tend to largely underestimate their child’s engagement in risky and/or hurtful behaviours as well as their experiences of harm online. While helpful, the available international evidence is not only limited but also does not reflect the New Zealand context. In addition, understanding parental knowledge of the online experiences of children is important as parents play a critical role in helping their child to prevent or deal with bothering experiences and risky behaviours as well as providing children with emotional support when things go wrong online. To help close the gap of New Zealand-based evidence on the topic, this factsheet presents findings from a quantitative study conducted with New Zealand parents and their children. The objectives of the study are to measure parental knowledge of children’s experiences of risks and harm online, and to compare parents’ level of awareness with their child’s self-reported experiences. The study found a mismatch between parents’, caregivers’ and whānau awareness and their children’s reports of bothering or upsetting experiences online.
Fundamentals-Based State-Level Forecasts of the 2020 US Presidential Election
Authors: Nollenberger Clemens , Unger Gina-Maria
Published: October 2020

Forecasts of US presidential elections have gained considerable attention in recent years. However, as became evident in 2016 with the victory of Donald Trump, most of them consider presidential elections only at the national level, neglecting that these are ultimately decided by the Electoral College. In order to improve accuracy, we believe that forecasts should instead address outcomes at the state-level to determine the eventual Electoral College winner. We develop a political economy model of the incumbent vote share across states based on different short- and long-term predictors, referring up to the end of the second quarter of election years. Testing it against election outcomes since 1980, our model correctly predicts the eventual election winner in 9 out of 10 cases – including 2016 –, with the 2000 election being the exception. For the 2020 election, it expects Trump to lose the Electoral College, as only 6.2 percent of simulated outcomes cross the required threshold of 270 Electoral Votes, with a mean prediction of 106 Electoral Votes.
Outsurvival as a measure of the inequality of lifespans between two populations
Authors: Vaupel James W , Bergeron-Boucher Marie-Pier , Kashnitsky Ilya
Published: October 2020

Background: Inequality in lifespans between two populations, e.g., males and females or people with low and high SES, is a focus of demographic, economic and sociological research and of public policy analysis. Inequality is usually measured by differences in life expectancy.Objective: To devise a cogent measure of how much distributions of lifespans differ between two populations.Results: We propose an outsurvival statistic, φ, that measures the probability that an individual from a population with low life expectancy will live longer than an individual from a population with high life expectancy. This statistic can also be interpreted as an underdog probability—the chance that a random value from a distribution with a low mean will exceed a random value from a distribution with a higher mean.Contribution: Our outsurvival probability complements life expectancy to provide a more nuanced view of the inequality of lifespans between two populations. Our similar underdog probability provides a perspective on the more general question of how different two distributions are.
Suburbanization of transport poverty
Authors: Allen Jeff , Farber Steven
Published: October 2020

Many cities have undergone spatial re-distributions of low-income populations from central to suburban neighborhoods over the past several decades. A potential negative impact of these trends is that low-income populations are concentrating in more automobile oriented areas and thus resulting in increased barriers to daily travel and activity participation, particularly for those who are unable to afford a private vehicle. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is to analyze the links between increasing socio-spatial inequalities, transport disadvantage, and adverse travel behaviour outcomes. This is examined first from a theoretical perspective, and second via a spatio-temporal analysis for the Toronto region from 1991 to 2016. Findings show that many suburban areas in Toronto are not only declining in socioeconomic status, but are also suffering from increased barriers to daily travel evidenced by longer commute times and decreasing activity participation rates, relative to central neighborhoods. Because of these adverse effects, this evidence further supports the need for progressive planning and policy aimed at curbing continuing trends of suburbanization of poverty while also improving levels of transport accessibility in the suburbs.
A Global Online Content Quality Check Solution
Authors: Omoregie Uyiosa , Ryall Kirsti
Published: October 2020

A global online analytical quality check system (and method) for online content analysis is presented. Web-based information (articles, commentary etc.) is analysed then scored based on criteria designed to evaluate the quality of analytical content. Content is then categorised as ‘analytical’ or ‘non-analytical’. Further labelling of the intrinsic nature of the content (e.g. ‘satire’ ‘political’ ‘scientific’) and users’ (content consumers) ratings completes the process. Applied to Web browsers and online social media platforms: the rating produced by the quality check can help users discern quality content, avoid being misinformed and engage more analytically with other users. This system can also be viewed as a theory of information quality.
The network structure of scientific revolutions
Authors: Ju Harang , Zhou Dale , Blevins Ann Sizemore , Lydon-Staley David M. , Kaplan Judith , Tuma Julio Roberto , Bassett Danielle S
Published: October 2020

Philosophers of science have long postulated how collective scientific knowledge grows. Empirical validation has been challenging due to limitations in collecting and systematizing large historical records. Here, we capitalize on the largest online encyclopedia to formulate knowledge as growing networks of articles and their hyperlinked inter-relations. We demonstrate that concept networks grow not by expanding from their core but rather by creating and filling knowledge gaps, a process which produces discoveries that are more frequently awarded Nobel prizes than others. Moreover, we operationalize paradigms as network modules to reveal a temporal signature in structural stability across scientific subjects. In a network formulation of scientific discovery, data-driven conditions underlying breakthroughs depend just as much on identifying uncharted gaps as on advancing solutions within scientific communities.
Framework for Achieving Sustainable Micro Grid Systems in Rural Communities
Authors: Acharya Ayush , Watson Hugh , Shrestha Devashis , Karki Vabish
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a concise framework for achieving sustainable and well-grounded mini-grid system across rural communities by interpreting various critical determinants which directly/indirectly affect a localized energy grid and draws a co-relation between them. The end product is a matrix that guides private sectors to rate an area in terms of its viability to cater an autonomous energy generation system by blending technology with economic and social aspects. More importantly the framework also addressed methodology for scaling a plant – circumstances such as post-grid arrival, rise in energy demand, conjunction with new generation plants required to meet the rise. Furthermore, the paper provides a commentary on business models and blend of financial indices suitable for decentralized system for long term financial viability for private sectors. GoN has been supporting rural micro-grids through Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). Until recently, rural off-grid areas of Nepal had community led projects that would become defunct after arrival of national grid, fragmented planning, substandard technology, O&M issues etc. Now, with concept of private sector led projects opening up, the paper provides a skeleton for establishing mini-grid systems designed by negating those downsides that are practically feasible.

This study was performed in various micro-grid sites in Makawanpur District. Research was carried out beforehand via online technology. This was to gain a sense of understanding before visiting the district. A field visit took place from April 24-26, 2018 to verify the research and to perform further analysis. Details were gathered firsthand through empathizing with locals, who filled out a questionnaire set Benchmarks were established in relation to technology, economics and social factors. Analysis was carried out, with the villages ranked against each other.
Grid Integration of Solar and Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Projects: A Case of Solar/Wind Hybrid Mini-Grid Project Implemented by AEPC
Authors: Bhandari Khem Raj , Adhikari Narayan Prasad
Published: October 2020

Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) has been scaling up renewable energy technologies through Mini-grid power supply in Nepal’s off-grid areas in order to fulfill community electricity demands for both households and electricity-based enterprises. It is likely that, in some of the off-grid renewable energy (RE) mini-grid service areas, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) grid line might reach in near future. The objective of this study is to highlight success stories of solar and solar/wind mini-grids implemented by AEPC and for their longer-term sustainable operation grid integration policy of isolated mini-grid systems will require. Till the date AEPC has successfully electrified more than 20 rural communities through solar and solar/wind hybrid mini-grid systems. Some of these isolated mini-grid projects will seek grid interconnections in near future due to NEA distribution system expansion trend. When the isolated mini-grids will be connected to the national grid power network in future, the mini-grid can feed surplus electricity to the local utility grid line and will receive deficit electricity from the local utility grid system to serve the consumers connected to the local grid network. The methodology applied to this study is assessment of existing solar and solar/wind mini-grid projects, technological intervention required for grid integration, reviewing grid-connection policy of distributed renewable generations in the country and recommendation of relevant policy option for grid connection of rural mini-grids. Grid integration of isolated solar and solar/wind mini-grids will have positive impacts to the sustainability of the present isolated mini-grids, will help in retaining existing mini-grids end users, energy produced by mini-grid systems will be optimally utilized, the existing mini-grid power will contribute to stabilize weak national grid electrical parameters. The outcome of the study will recommend need of policy options as well as technological interventions in order to do grid integration of solar and solar/wind hybrid mini-grid systems in Nepal.
Future of Renewable Energy Use in Pakistan in the Context of Agrifood-Energy Nexus
Authors: Bhandari Ramchandra , Kumar Bhunesh
Published: October 2020

Pakistan is facing a serious energy supply problem due to lack of energy that results in a shortfall of power supply from 6–10 hours/day, especially outside the big cities. The energy demand is expected to increase in every sector such as industrial, agricultural, household and transport in the years ahead due to population growth, economic development and modern lifestyle. Agricultural sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy contributing around 20% share in GDP. At present the direct energy consumption in the agricultural sector is 2%. To avoid a worse situation in the future years renewable energy resource potential exploitation is needed. This requires also proper planning and implementation of energy policies. In this work present and future electrical energy consumption, demand and supply gap of the country is presented. A sustainable agricultural productive system has become a major priority to maintain food security for the increasing population. Both direct and indirect electrical and energy consumption has emerged in agrifood sector with farm machinery, production, packing and transport of fertilizers, food processing and transport, crop production, animal product production, poultry production, etc. In addition to this excel based model is developed to integrate the renewable energy into the agrifood – energy nexus supply chain and to fulfil the current and future energy demand of the sector.
Analysis of Flow Dynamics of Carbon Monoxide Emitted from Cook Stoves in Closed Room Using CFD
Authors: Bista Saurav Raj , Baral Bivek , Aryal Utsav Raj , Chaulagain Nischal
Published: October 2020

Wood being one of the major sources for cooking in developing countries has also been key for indoor air pollutions. Many studies and improvements on the stove have been conducted to enhance combustion efficiency and minimize emission. Although many Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) programs has been widespread, due to design limitation together with operational and fuel factors have hindered the targeted emission reduction. Several studies in developing countries have shown that the even ICS have not been able to reduce the adverse impact on human health due to the use of solid biomass fuel. Despites the limitation in stove performance, alternatives have to be used to reduce the indoor air pollution till better cooking and heating system is in place in the developing countries. Proper ventilation and stove placement might be one of the few solutions. To provide an effective passive ventilation scheme, flow dynamics of the pollutants from stove to indoor space and outdoor needs to be predicted. This paper discusses about the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool to predict the pollution flow pattern and dispersion dynamics with different ventilation placement and stove location. The study also considers potential thermal energy conservation in the living space with optimum ventilation.
Thermo-Structural Analysis of High-Pressure Turbine Blade
Authors: Dahal Chiranjivi , Tharu Janak Kumar , Dura Hari Bahadur
Published: October 2020

Turbine blade tip clearance plays major role in smooth running of axial turbines. The turbine blade clearance contributes 20-40% of total loss in gas turbine. In Rolls Royce MT2 Turbine with 2% tip to span clearance ratio, tip clearance accounts for 40% of total losses. Turbine blade clearance is necessary as the turbine blade operates at very high temperature up to 1700 ºC and very high centrifugal load. Small turbine tip clearance may forbid expansion of turbine blade which will result in turbine tip rubbing with the casing.

High pressure turbine blade experiences high thermal and centrifugal stress. The objective of this paper is to study the individual and combined effect of these stress. The material used for analysis is cast based nickel alloy IN-738. The melting range of this alloy is 1230-1315 ºC with thermal expansion coefficient of 15.39E-6 per ºC. The turbine blade geometry with height 120 mm is used for analysis. The Mathematical modelling of above geometry shows that the centrifugal force with rotation velocity 100 rad/s produces 0.00252424 mm elongation and combined thermal-centrifugal loading produces 1.46520576 mm elongation.

The results form ANSYS is used for verification and the elongation due to centrifugal stress is 0.0014885 mm and combined stress produces elongation of 1.2608 mm. The total elongation from analytical method and ANSYS are similar. It shows that the effect due to centrifugal force on turbine blade is less compared to thermal effect. For operating condition of 816 ºC temperature and 100 rad/s rotational velocity, the overall stress contributes around 1.22 % elongation of turbine blade span.
Energy Security and Scenario Analysis of Province One of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Authors: Dulal Sujan ` , Shakya Shree Raj
Published: October 2020

This paper presents the current energy security status of the Province One of Federal Democratic Republic Nepal using numerous indicators. In addition to that, with the development of five economic growth scenarios i.e. Normal growth (NOR) (5.80%), Low growth (LOW) (4.20%), High growth (HIG) (6.80%), Accelerated growth (ACC) (8.50%), and Intervention scenario (INT) on Normal growth scenario (NOR), the future energy mix and energy security indicators for the year 2040 are also calculated. The thesis also gives an overview of the variation/progress of the different indicators during the considered period of study (2017-2040). On the basis of compilation of data published by Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) and use of model developed in Long Range Energy Alternative Planning (LEAP), the study shows the increase in demand of the final energy consumption of province in Normal growth scenario to 101.8 million GJ at 2040 from 80.2 million GJ at 2017, whereby residential sector being the largest energy consuming sector with share of 68% in the total energy mix. However, the energy consumption increases to only 86.8 million GJ at the end year in the Intervention scenario. Similarly, the electricity consumption/demand increases by 120% and 390% in the normal and intervention economic growth scenario respectively. The study also shows that the, energy intensity in the intervention scenario is brought down to 4.44 GJ/USD1000 compared to that of 15 GJ/USD1000 in the base year. Also, the electricity consumption per capita is increased to 574 kWh from 116 kWh in the base year in INT scenario. Moreover, the GHG emission in the normal growth scenario at the end year will be 592.8 kg/Capita i.e. 59.5% increase from the base year. However, with the intervention scenario adopted, the GHG emission can be limited to only 385.2 kg/Capita in the end year, which is 8% increase from the base year value of 371.8 kg/Capita. However, these values are only achieved if the provincial government helps implementing federal government's plan of promoting the renewable energy systems and technologies instead of traditional fuel woods and fossil fuels system.
Assessment and Containment of Aflatoxin Impact on the Health by Solar Drying
Authors: Gupta Smriti , Verma Shishir Kumar , Kumar Sanjay
Published: October 2020

Solar drying is well known to human being since time immemorial. Its impact on our life is multidimensional. However, gradual changes in our life style have consistently reduced its positive impact during last century. It is more evident in towns. One of them is contamination of dietary items by fungi, which produces carcinogens. The ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus flavus is notorious for contaminating many important crops and food stuffs with the carcinogenic mytoxin, aflatoxin. The Aspergillus spp., are widely spread in nature and contaminated food supplies of humans and animals resulting in health hazards and even death. A detail survey of wholesale depots was made to assess the impact of aflatoxin on the health of the human and other animals by the natural contamination of the dietary items. Samples of different dietary items collected from different wholesale depots belonging to five different mohallas of Darbhanga town (Bihar, India) during 2012 were brought to the laboratory for further studies. The findings suggest that Aspergillus flavus appeared as the most dominant mycoflora in general. Present bioassay on Daphnia magna subjected to static exposure of different concentration of A. flavus crude extract clearly indicate the stain to be potential toxic producer. The rate of mortality increased with increased in amount of toxin. Solar drying is a cost-effective solution to overcome this serious problem. The technology is well developed and tested. In this paper, appropriate solar dryer design is further proposed for households to eliminate this serious health hazard.
Study on the Stochastic Model for Excessive Air Conditioning Use in Japanese Dwellings
Authors: Imagawa Hikaru , Rijal Hom Bahadur , Shukuya Masanori
Published: October 2020

Thermal adjustment is one of the most important behaviours. In daily life, we use some behavioural adjustments. It is not always obtained the optimal condition by the thermal adjustments. For example, it happens to use excessive air conditioning for thermal adjustments. Especially, the excessive air conditioning use is important issue not only for the human comfort but also for the energy use. The occupant behaviour stochastic model was proposed by some previous researches around the world. However, these models show only the state of the occupant behaviour, and thus the excessive adjustments are not known. The objective of this research is to clarify quantitatively the excessive thermal adjustments which are happened to be in the stochastic model. The thermal measurement and occupant behaviour survey was conducted in 120 dwellings during 4 years period in Kanto region of Japan. The number of samples collected was 36,114. We analysed the occupant behaviour stochastic model of the excessive cooling and heating use. The thermal sensation vote (TSV) and the thermal preference vote (TP) were used to classify the excessive air conditioning use. The proportion of excessive cooling use were increased when outdoor air temperature was increased. In addition, there were no significant difference between TSV and TP for calculating the proportion of the excessive air conditioning use in Japanese dwellings. These models are useful to understand the possibility of the energy saving. In the future, the model will be implemented in the building thermal simulation to predict the energy use in building.
Importance of Behavioral Adjustments for Adaptive Thermal Comfort in a Condominium with HEMS System
Authors: KC Rajan , Rijal Hom Bahadur , Shukuya Masanori , Yoshida Kazui
Published: October 2020

The energy use in residential dwellings has been increasing due to increasing use of modern electric appliances to make the lifestyle easier, entertaining and better. One of the major purposes of indoor energy use is for improving indoor thermal environment for adjusting thermal comfort. Along with the use of passive means like the use of mechanical devices, the occupants in any dwellings use active means such as the use of natural ventilation, window opening, and clothing adjustment. In fact, the use of active means when the outdoor environment is good enough might be more suitable to improve indoor thermal environment than the use of mechanical air conditioning units, which necessarily require electricity. Therefore, the people in developing countries like Nepal need to understand to what extent the occupants can use active means to manage their own indoor thermal comfort. The use of active means during good outdoor environment might be an effective way to manage increasing energy demand in the future. We have made a field survey on the occupants’ adaptive behaviors for thermal comfort in a Japanese condominium equipped with Home Energy Management System (HEMS). Online questionnaire survey was conducted in a condominium with 356 families from November 2015 to October 2016 to understand the occupants’ behaviors. The number of 17036 votes from 39 families was collected. The indoor air temperature, relative humidity and illuminance were measured at the interval of 2-10 minutes to know indoor thermal environmental conditions. The occupants were found using different active behaviors for thermal comfort adjustments even in rather harsh summer and winter. Around 80% of the occupants surveyed opened windows when the outdoor air temperature was 30⁰C in free running (FR) mode and the clothing insulation was 0.93 clo when the outdoor air temperature was 0⁰C. The result showed that the use of mechanical heating and cooling was not necessarily the first priority to improve indoor thermal environment. Our result along with other results in residential buildings showed that the adaptive behaviors of the occupants are one of the primary ways to adjust indoor thermal comfort. This fact is important in enhancing the energy saving building design.
Design of Solar Water Pasteurization System with Slow Sand Filtration
Authors: Khadka Pratik Raj , Gautam Bibek , Acharya Nayan , Bhattarai Basanta , Kandel Subham , Lohani Sunil` Prasad
Published: October 2020

Solar water pasteurization system with slow sand filtration works by integration of filtration unit and pasteurization unit. The system can be utilized in rural as well as the urban areas of the country to produce reliable drinking water source. The filtration unit has layers of gravels and sand, and the pasteurization unit works by use of solar collector utilizing solar energy. The final output water is drinkable by treatment of water pathogens through the integrated units. The use of two systems: Pasteurization unit and Filtration unit independently checks and corrects the flaw of the other to produce clean and pure drinking water. The output water from the integrated system is tested and found to have reduced TDS from 159 mg/l to 137 mg/l, E. coli count from 6 CFU/100ml to 0 CFU/100ml and Total coliform count from 52 CFU/100ml to 0 CFU/100ml. This hybrid system uses solar energy for water pasteurization so it can be utilized effectively for drinking water purposes.
Possibilities of Biogas in Urban Context
Authors: Koirala Srijana
Published: October 2020

Increasing population and rapid development in the planet earth have resulted in increasing demand of energy sources. Developed countries have adopted renewable sources in their policy for a sustainable future but, developing countries like Nepal are still lagging behind. Petroleum gas is used by all the city dwellers which is imported from neighboring countries and is not sustainable for a long term. Rapid urban growth has brought solid waste management and energy demand as a great challenge. Production of energy through biogas can help in management of bio-degradable waste as well as fulfill energy demands. This paper highlights study of large-scale biogas plant in and outside Nepal and explains how they have helped in managing waste, fulfilling energy demands and made positive impact in the community. This paper also suggests on possibilities of biogas as an alternative energy in developing scenario of Nepal.
Design and Development of Low Temperature Community Solar Dryer for Oily and Hard Edible Produces
Authors: Kumari Shruti , Kumari Renu , Choudhary Shilpa , Kumar Sanjay
Published: October 2020

Horticulture produce have very high-water content, sometimes more than 90% by volume. Several of them are oily and hard. These horticulture produce have very high count of free radicals and are medicinal in nature. Usually, these are grown in scattered places in rural areas on sidelines of regular agriculture, far from the market place. Their price slumps during seasons and increase exponentially after it, due to short lifetime and absence of good transportation network, cost-effective proper preservation technology as well as specialized transportation vehicles. In this paper, Small state of the art family size solar dryer of 5 kg per day is designed to dry these produces in a single day and validated in real time experiments. The dryer is capable of maintaining desired temperature range to extended period even after sunshine, with the help of High Heat Capacity Material and Phase Change Material. Humidity removal mechanism is also introduced to reduce drying time by at least two hours.
Experiences in Improving Efficiency of Energy and Other Resources in Metal Industries in Nepal
Authors: Manandhar Amar B , Karanjit Durga B , Tiwari Govinda , Shrestha Gopal K , Byanju Deepsikha , Deo Parashar K , Karna Priyanka , Singh Vikas , Pachauri Ranu , Kumar Devesh , Balakrishnan Malini , Melnitzky Stefan
Published: October 2020

The construction sector uses various metals like steel (for frames, reinforced concrete), iron (wrought iron for beams, trusses, girders), aluminium (ceiling and walls, window frames, HVAC systems etc.) and copper (cladding, electrical wiring, oil & gas lines). Due to increasing pressure on various resources like energy, chemicals and raw materials, economic edge can be sustained only through high resource efficiency. Adopting resource efficient cleaner production (RECP) measures will improve economic and environmental performance, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions; in turn, this will make them less vulnerable to changes in external conditions and more competitive. With co-funding from the EU SWITCH-Asia Programme, the project METABUILD (www.metabuild-southasia.org) aims at implementing sustainable production processes and practices in 400 SMEs across Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka besides creating a conducive environment for further adoption of sustainable production processes in the metal products supply chain for the building and construction sector. In Nepal, the project has already engaged with 82 metal industries. These cover different sectors such as fabrication, wire drawing, electrical cables, re-rolling, galvanizing/electroplating, casting etc. and are in multiple locations viz. Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Morang, Sunsari, Rupandehi, Bara, Parsa, Kaski districts. RECP measures such as use of daylight, replacement of inefficient lights by LED lights, power factor improvement, furnace modification, waste heat recovery, insulation etc. have been implemented. These have led to savings in energy and raw materials, at the same time reducing generation of wastes from these participating industries and improvement of occupational health and safety (OHS). This paper will explain the mode of engagement with industries, details of the resource efficiency measures implemented and estimated saving.
Public Bus Accessibility and its Implications in Energy and Environment: A Case Study of Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Prajapati Anita , Bajracharya Tri Ratna , Bhattarai Nawraj , Froyen Yngve Karl
Published: October 2020

Growing demand for transport activities has raised numerous transport problems, mainly traffic congestion, environmental and energy issues. Efficient public bus services can be one of the sustainable solutions for meeting local transport demands. But the inefficient operation of public bus services in most of the developing countries has worsened the situation. The multiple service providers, in such open market, compete with each other for their own benefits by adding the number of bus services rather than providing excellent services to users. Accordingly, the number of buses increases that result in higher energy demand and GHG emission. This paper thus aims to analyze the impact of such informal and unregulated transport system prevalent in most of the developing countries focusing mainly on energy and the environment point of views. The study is carried out for the case of Kathmandu valley where the public bus service is owned and operated by multiple service providers. ArcGIS is used to model a public bus network using data available from an open street map. Potential Impact on energy and environment is analyzed using energy modeling tool LEAP. Results show that considerable improvement in energy and emissions can be achieved by improving the public bus services. This paper thus highlights the need for investment in improving access to good public bus services for the sustainable transport planning of the valley.
Role of Nuclear Electricity in Low Carbon Economy
Authors: Sadekin S. M. Sirazam , Zaman Sayma , Sarkar M. A. Rashid , Hossain Md. Altab
Published: October 2020

To deal with climate change, low carbon economy is an utmost necessity for the present world. Energy requirement is growing faster exponentially in each decade. Over the long term some of the traditional sources (coal, gas, oil) have become inadequate to meet up the increasing demand. Current consumption rate of fossil fuel will make them extinct by year 2050 to 2100. Based on these facts nuclear power plant is a strategic choice to develop a clean energy. This paper presents - the role of nuclear electricity in low carbon economy. Though nuclear energy can't be called as 'carbon neutral' but it gives rise to much less emission of carbon dioxide than fossil fuels. Comparing with other energy structures, nuclear electricity chain emits a limited amount of greenhouse gas emission. Despite the uncertainty of building future nuclear power plants, this paper further discussed climate policies have larger impact than the policies that are against nuclear electricity production. The safety issue which is a public concern is also discussed here in short.
Revisiting Ecovillage as a Sustainable Settlement from a System's Perspective- A Case of Bandipur, Nepal
Authors: Singh Bijay , Shrestha Mahesh , Bajracharya Sushil Bahadur , Keitsch Martina Maria
Published: October 2020

Many ecovillage advocates, especially from academic and grey literature, emphasise that intentional community like ecovillage (EV) represents a local level sustainable settlement of living as a response to the widely discussed unsustainability of modern lifestyles. From the researchers' point of view, theoretically, it bypasses existing planning policies and development processes that cover the broader area and includes stakeholders such as government, experts, and other authorities. Practically, EV focuses on short term local projects often developed separately in each dimension of sustainability. It often leads EV to be an oddity in broader surroundings. Based on a system perspective, the article aims to analyse EV as a sustainable settlement within a broader region. The approach considers that the dynamic regional structures and relationships influence the ecological, economic and social aspects at the local level. The article presents the historical development of Bandipur as a case example. The researcher assesses the system theory as a strong methodological framework for understanding EV concept in an integrative manner, spatially and temporally. The article starts with the literature review of scientific journals, narratives, conference papers on sustainability, ecovillage, and system perspective. The article uses observation and open-ended interviews with various stakeholders conducted in Bandipur and then triangulated with other secondary sources on Bandipur. The findings indicate that to broaden the spectrum of EV and SD, spatially, the components of EV are represented as sustainable interconnectedness and relationship and then scaled up to the regional level. Temporally, cultural values represent the relationship and interconnectedness that could be handed over to future generations. The article concludes that from a system's perspective, it seems that the EV strategies need to correspond to polices and vice versa for sustainable relationships.
Is Solar Powered Irrigation Technology Sustainable Option for Groundwater Irrigation Management in Nepal’s Terai?
Authors: Thapa Bhesh Raj , Paudel Baburam , Karki Rabindra , Raut Manita , Scobie Michael , Schmidt Erik
Published: October 2020

The most densely populated Terai Plains of Nepal with poor access to irrigation water in the dry season resulting the food insecure community. Several initiatives have been carried out to improve the irrigation facilities by extracting the ground water resources using solar, diesel, and grid operated electric pumps. Sustainability of all those initiatives and identifying the most viable solution is always in question. In this context, this study attempts to assess the cost effectiveness of these pumping technologies considering life cycle cost (LCC) in the context of Terai region of Nepal. Observation, Key informant interview (KII), in depth interview, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted in 14 different sample sites to assess the performance of technology, life cycle cost and unit water cost (UWC) in different capacity utilization factors (CUFs), farmer’s perception, affordability, and profitability. The characteristics considered while selecting the sample sites were of size of pumping system, date of installation, beneficiary households, grid situation, solar vendor, implementing organization, major application of solar pumped water, and major cost associated. Low utilization factor of solar pumps has been observed in almost all sites. Solar pumps become expensive than diesel pump, if it is operated at less than 45% CUF. Grid operated electric pumps are found cost effective than diesel and solar, if gridline is near to pump site. If solar pump is operated at 10% CUF, the per unit water cost is NPR. 24.4, and the cost is reduced to NPR. 2.83, if it is operated at 90% CUF. Solar pumps need to be operated at least 700 hours per year to compete with diesel pump. The payback period for solar pump was calculated considering cost per unit of water at three different price NRs 5.51, 7.92, and 10 and found as 6.97, 4.1, and 3.14 year respectively for 70% utilization factor. High upfront cost of solar powered system, poor access to financing and technology seems to be hindering factor to popularize the system. Effective supply chain network, easy access to repairing service, introduction of cash crops instead of traditional crops, promotion of micro irrigation techniques, better access to finance and technology, operation of solar pump at high CUF through grid connection to sell/buy surplus/deficit energy, and subsidized price of solar operated irrigation technology could help to become solar powered techniques as sustainable option in near future to popularize and easy operation for irrigation water management in Terai Region of Nepal. However, Government needs to formulate and implement the policy for utilization and overexploitation of groundwater resources with expansion of solar, diesel, and electric operated pumps in near future to make groundwater resources sustainable.
Solid Particle Erosion Models and their Application to Predict Wear in Pelton Turbine Injector
Authors: Bajracharya Tri Ratna , Shrestha Rajendra , Timilsina Ashesh Babu
Published: October 2020

Analysis of water quality of Himalayan originated rivers reveals the heavy sediment loading with a major portion of the sediment being hard mineral, quartz. Despite the incorporation of desanders to reduce the sediment content passing through hydro mechanical parts, significant wear is being reported in south-Asian hydroelectric projects. Repeated impact of such solid particles which are harder than the material of mechanical parts (mostly steel) is known to cause the erosion. Flow parameters, impact angle, mechanical properties of wall and particle, particle shape and size are commonly explored variables that affect the erosion of solid by the sediment-laden flow. In order to predict such erosion, starting with Finnie erosion model, several other erosion models considering aforementioned variables are proposed but are mostly case dependent. Application of numerical methods to understand flow problems constitutes the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Due to enclosed flow, reactions turbines took accelerated development in the investigations by CFD modeling. However, free surface jet and complex flow mechanism in buckets have been a major barrier to the application of CFD in case of Pelton turbines. Recent advancements in computational techniques, technological advancements have enabled to investigate flow in Pelton turbine by CFD. However, it is least understood which among the proposed erosion models will predict erosion occurring in Pelton turbine and assembly. This article explores about erosion in Pelton turbine, various erosion models and state of the art in modeling erosion of Pelton turbine injector. It is discussed which among the erosion models shall best predict the erosion occurring in the Pelton turbine injector. A short list of erosion models is then given which can be applied for the case of erosion in Pelton turbine injectors.