bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does AI based techniques in self driving cars help improve safety?
Authors: Hikmet F. Bisen  , Salyh Agaberdiyev
Published: December 2024

This brief investigation cognition self-driving cars are considered the future of transportation where the safety of the vehicles is of great significance as they become more prominent in society. This article goes deep in discussing the approaches to safety assessment of autonomous systems and the focus is made on the concept of black-box safety validation algorithms. These algorithms are based on probabilistic models of system operation. Therefore, they estimate a broad spectrum of possible failure situations for analyzing the system’s reliability, as opposed to the white-box approaches which are usually more time-consuming. However, the usage of such black-box approaches has its drawbacks concerning the guarantee of safe operations. To meet these challenges, the article discusses compositional validation techniques which involve testing of the components of the system to help come up with a comprehensive safety validation. In future development, black-box simulations combined with compositional validation may serve as potential approaches for improving the rigorous safety requirements that are vital to the viability of AVs. These ongoing pieces of study and developments in these fields are expected to increase the robustness and credibility of self-driving technologies in transportation.
AI and Genotype Testing on HIV patients for better prediction rates of drug resistance
Authors: Shaun Moju  , Omer Dokan  , Florence Mariga  , Yakup Bayar
Published: December 2024

Through the use and support of other peer-reviewed evidence and sources, this paper aims to characterize, explore, and feature strategies for monitoring and managing drug resistance among different methods of HIV treatment more effectively. Utilizing a comprehensive review of current methodologies, including genotypic and phenotypic resistance testing, we identified important impacting factors contributing to resistance developments over recent years of different Mutations and strands of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Commonly patients for HIV-2 have shown signs of resistance toward many popular forms of antiretroviral medications aimed to target different organelles of infected leukocytes. Combined with the lack of current testing of patients for this commonly developed resistance many patients have been left taking expensive treatments without knowledge of the lack of efficiency it has on them. With the use of modern artificial intelligence and new methods of DNA Genotyping patients, such as the use of INSTI’s testing as highlighted through the peer-reviewed journal “Clinical Outcomes of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors Containing Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-2,” the large heterogeneity pool of patients with higher risk factors for developing this resistance could be mitigated. These findings suggest an approach that combines regular resistance testing, personalized treatment regimens, and patient education programs on Retroviral drug immunities can significantly enhance the management of drug resistance as well. Implementing these strategies, HIV treatment programs can improve patient outcomes and sustain the long-term effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy for many years to come.
Tariqa Naqshbandiyyah-Mujaddidiyah-Husayniyyah in modern Tatarstan: representatives and spiritual practice
Authors: Sabirov N. R.
Published: December 2024

Recently, there has been increased interest in studying the history of tasawwuf and its spiritual schools in the Volga-Ural Region, particularly in Tatarstan. The interest in this topic is caused by the development of religious self-awareness, the desire for spirituality against the backdrop of various civil strife occurring in the modern world. Since time immemorial, the sincere followers of tasawwuf have made a great contribution to the preservation and development of traditional spiritual and moral values. The article is devoted to the activities of one of the few branches of the Naqshbandi tariqa (al-Tariqah al-Naqshbandiyyah) – Husayniyyah in modern Tatarstan. This branch is predominantly widespread in Central Asia. The author analyzes the connection between the Tatars and the Central Asian sheikhs of the Naqshbandiyyah-Mujaddidiyah-Husayniyyah tariqa. The article presents biographies of the representatives of this tariqa, their infl uence and spiritual practice, and also examines their literature.

   The relevance of the article is due to the fact that it contributes to an adequate perception of the processes of revival and development of the traditions of the Naqshbandiyyah tariqa in Tatar society.
Navigating Unchartered Territory: Implication of Access to Financial Services on Non-Financial Performance of Youth Owned MSMEs in Mukono District, Uganda
Authors: Immaculate Nakalembe , Muathe Stephen M. A , Maina Samuel
Published: December 2024

Youth-owned micro, small, and medium businesses face various constraints while accessing financial services in Uganda. Various stakeholders have assisted these enterprises in accessing finance at better conditions but their non- financial performance has continued to deteriorate. This study tried to investigate the effect of access to financial services on non-financial performance of youth-owned MSMEs in Mukono district, Uganda. Specific objectives included effect of bank, branch network, financial information, loan accessibility and financial technology on non-financial performance of youth-owned micro, small and medium enterprises. The study's guiding theories were the resource-based view, dynamic capability, and innovation of entrepreneurship theories. A positivism research philosophy and explanatory research design were used. The target population was 3717 registered MSMEs. A sample size of 400 was obtained using both stratified and simple random sampling methods. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The study's findings revealed that financial information, bank branch networks, loan accessibility, and financial technology had a positive and significant effect non-financial performance of youth-owned MSMEs. The study concluded that access to financial services is critical to non-financial performance of youth-owned MSMEs in Mukono district, Uganda. The study recommends that youth-owned MSMEs should first gather reliable information about operations of financial service providers to avoid being charged hefty penalties and interests, branch expansion to provide greater supply of credit in order to improve the non-financial performance of youth-owned MSMEs. The study further recommends that financial institutions should reduce collateral requirements in order to increase micro-credit loan uptake by the youth who own MSMEs.
Fuel Behavior Implications of Reactor Design Choices in Pressurized Water SMRs
Authors: Halimi Assil , Shirvan Koroush
Published: December 2024

Small pressurized water reactors (PWRs) can feature boron free operation, natural circulation mode, reduced height assemblies and/or long refueling cycles. This paper attempts to explore core design optimization for each of these design evolutions. In consequence, five core design layouts are developed incorporating boron free operation with continuous control rods insertion, natural circulation with low burnup/low power density design, natural circulation with high burnup/low power density design, forced circulation with standard core power density design, and forced circulation with high power density design. These cores’ performance is compared to a standard 4-loop PWR. The design process aims to improve the fuel cycle cost under safety constraints through core design optimization using CASMO4E/SIMULATE3 reactor physics codes and FRAPCON4.1 fuel performance assessment tool. Core modeling assumes standard 17x17 PWR fuel assemblies loaded with low enriched uranium (LEU) up to 5wt% or LEU+ (i.e., below 10wt% enrichment) pellets with gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) as the burnable poison. Satisfactory core and fuel performances are obtained for all the designed cores under steady state and considered overpower transients. For low power density operation, long cycle lengths are achieved reaching a 2.5- and a 5-year cycles and peak rod-average burnup is pushed to 83 MWd/kgU. Other cycle lengths are maintained at 18 months. Boron free operation exhibits the ability to achieve longer cycle lengths at the cost of higher peaking factors leading to high local power and fuel temperatures which prevents sizable power uprates and is deemed uneconomical. Fuel assembly height reduction allows coolant velocity retrofit which enables higher core power density without violating structural integrity of the fuel assembly. As a result, a core power density of 123 kW/l is reached where total cladding hoop strain becomes the limiting parameter.
A Comprehensive Approach to Behavioral Data Analysis and Machine Learning within Unified Systems
Authors: Hota Ashish
Published: December 2024

The integration of behavioral data analysis and machine learning (ML) within unified systems has become increasingly vital for enhanced decision-making and system optimization across various industries, including healthcare, marketing, and finance. Behavioral data—comprising user actions, preferences, and interactions—provides valuable insights into emerging trends, enabling adaptive and intelligent system functionalities. Coupling this with ML allows systems to continuously learn and improve their performance. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to integrating behavioral data analysis and ML within unified systems, covering key methodologies, technical challenges, applications, and a roadmap for future developments. Additionally, the article includes technical facts, tables, diagrams, and comparisons to aid in understanding the technical aspects and advantages of this integration.
The Role of Media In Shaping and Amplification of Gender Equality Movements
Authors: Savaroliyaei Kosar
Published: December 2024

The media has emerged as a powerful catalyst in the global movement for gender equality and feminist advocacy. From the historic #MeToo movement to the shifting portrayals of women in cinema and sports, media platforms have amplified feminist voices, exposed systemic injustices, and influenced public discourse and policy. This article critically examines the multifaceted role of media in promoting gender equality, analyzing its strengths in amplifying marginalized voices, and highlighting its limitations, such as perpetuating stereotypes and biases. It also explores the evolving representation of women across industries, particularly in journalism and Bollywood, reflecting on progress and persisting challenges. Additionally, the study investigates how feminist themes in media have shaped educational curricula and inspired younger generations to challenge societal norms. The findings underscore the importance of media in fostering inclusivity and advancing gender equality, while advocating for a nuanced approach that recognizes its potential to both empower and hinder the feminist movement.
Self-Reconfiguring Semantic Lattices for Context Preservation in Large Language Models
Authors: Vibes Sebastian , Brookshire Octavius , Dandelion Marguerite
Published: December 2024

A novel architectural framework, Self-Reconfiguring Semantic Lattices, introduces a graph-based approach to addressing the persistent limitations of semantic retention and long-sequence comprehension in transformer models. By employing dynamic restructuring mechanisms, the framework adapts to evolving contexts through real-time adjustments of node importance and relationship weights, ensuring that semantic coherence is preserved even as sequence lengths increase. Empirical evaluations reveal significant improvements in semantic similarity scores and computational scalability, highlighting the framework's ability to manage extensive inputs without overwhelming memory or processing resources. Comparative analyses demonstrate its superiority over baseline models, particularly in handling hierarchical text structures and maintaining contextual alignment across extended narratives. The framework's robustness is further validated through its performance on noisy and domain-diverse datasets, where it effectively mitigates information loss while maintaining efficiency. Its integration into open-source large-scale architectures demonstrates its practical utility and compatibility with existing infrastructures. Experiments indicate that the proposed approach significantly reduces redundant token representations, enhances generalization to unseen domains, and achieves near-linear scalability across multiple processing units. With its potential to redefine the boundaries of long-sequence processing, the methodology contributes to both theoretical advancements and practical innovations in semantic modeling and contextual reasoning. The results demonstrate the critical role of adaptive semantic frameworks in driving the next generation of transformer-based systems.
Audiovisual (a)synchrony perception of speech: a reliable, yet individual construct
Authors: Gijbels Liesbeth , Lalonde Kaylah , Shen Yi , Wallace Mark , Lee Adrian KC
Published: December 2024

Audiovisual (AV) (a)synchrony perception, measured by a simultaneity judgment task, provides a proxy measure for the temporal binding window (TBW), the interval of time within which participants perceive individual auditory and visual events as synchronous. The TBW is a sensitive measure showing group level differences across the lifespan. However, the significance of these findings hinges on whether AV synchrony perception is characteristic to an individual and whether it is reliable across sessions. As there is little evidence to this latter assumption, this work aimed to establish test-retest reliability the TBW. Eighteen participants completed a simultaneity judgment task, twice, on different days, where they judged whether or not the audio and video of word-length speech stimuli were presented at the same or different times. Results showed effects of task familiarity indicated by significantly faster response times observed at the second timepoint. The slope and amplitude asymptote of the TBW also increased, however no change in TBW suggests no change in sensitivity to AV (a)synchrony. The combination of high within-subject correlations (R = 0.71) and substantial intersubject variability provide strong support for the TBW as a robust measure of AV temporal perception, and suggest a conserved mechanistic underpinning within individuals.
Parenting and Parental Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kluwer Esther , Snijdewint Joyce , Karremans Johan , Dingemanse Pieter , van der Wal Reine C
Published: December 2024

This study examines changes over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in parenting and parental well-being as important indicators of family functioning. Based on the Family Stress Model, the current study tests the prediction that parents who experienced more stress and had less personal, couple, and social resources early in the pandemic were more likely to experience negative changes in their parenting and parental well-being at later stages. Latent class growth analysis was conducted using three waves of data during the first year of the pandemic (July 2020, October 2020, and February 2021) from a Dutch sample of 188 parents and their partners, with children living at home. Most groups showed stable parenting and parental well-being across the first year of the pandemic, but 13% to 16% of the parents showed moderate and increasing parenting problems and parent-child relationship problems. These families were characterized by higher stress levels and less personal resilience and dyadic coping, and to a smaller degree also less secure attachment and social support early in the pandemic. Early detection of families that risk increasing parenting problems may benefit family interventions and policy in the event of new disease outbreaks.
Reform Windfall as Redistribution: A Survey Experiment on Redistributive Preferences in Contemporary China
Authors: Belguise Margot , Chen Nora Yuqian , huang yuchen , Mo Zhexun
Published: December 2024

China has experienced a remarkable rise in living standards over four decades of economic reforms, alongside a tremendous increase in inequalities. In this context, do Chinese people support redistribution of wealth gained through reform windfalls? To answer this question, we conducted an online survey experiment with a nationally representative sample from China (N = 2,000). The treatment group was shown examples of wealth acquired through typical reform-era pathways requiring minimal ability or effort. This exposure led to a 0.1 standard deviation decrease in their support for redistribution. We propose a “reform windfall as redistribution” mechanism to explain this reduction: the treated group perceives the reform era as inherently redistributive, providing opportunities to escape systemic inequalities tied to the political system, thereby reducing the perceived need for formal redistribution. This decline in support is not driven by changes in fairness perceptions, as respondents do not attribute the wealth acquisition scenarios to ability or effort, nor do they view them as distinctly fair or unfair. Furthermore, we find limited evidence of heterogeneity, with one exception: individuals reporting higher economic pressure show an even greater reduction in redistributive support when exposed to the treatment. We hypothesize that this occurs because unmet expectations for upward mobility exacerbate their reactions to the treatment scenarios. (Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality Working Paper)
Enhanced Ulcer Detection Using GAN-Augmented Image Processing and Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Bhandari Mohan , Bhusal Darshan , Singh Kishor , Bashyal Bishnu
Published: December 2024

Ulcers, especially chronic wounds and pressure sores, create significant healthcare challenges and need early detection for effective treatment. Due to the persistent challenges posed by human error in manual detection and classification processes, there is a need for automated methodologies that can offer robust and reliable solutions. To enhance the accuracy and generalization of the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) based image augmentation technique is used in this study to classify the Kvasir dataset. With an initial 1512 ulcer images selected from the dataset, after stable 70 epochs, 70000 images were generated using GAN for 2 classes: Ulcer or Non-Ulcer. To remove the noise from an enhanced batch of images and classify the set of newly generated datasets, GAN-based CNN (G-CNN) was employed to get 99.00% training and 96.04% validation accuracy. The study was compared with conventional CNN which achieved a training accuracy of 98.5% and validation accuracy of 94.34%. A significant improvement has been observed in f1-scores of 0.94 and 0.97 for CNN and the proposed algorithm, respectively. The study is replicable across datasets with a limited number of images, thereby facilitating heightened accuracy levels.
Fire Detection And Extinguishing System
Authors: Gurung Krish , Maharjan Sarbagya Ratna , Pokhrel Shubham , Sigdel Yaman , Bhatta Bharat
Published: December 2024

Advanced detection and suppression systems are imperative for early intervention in various environments where fire incidents pose significant risks. A comprehensive fire detection and extinguishing system that uses computer vision and image processing techniques to address important fire safety issues is presented in this project. Using an SSD-MobileNet-v2-FPNLite object detection model to analyze video feeds, the system uses a webcam to detect fires in real-time. The system acts quickly minimizes damage and possible loss by automatically initiating a suppression mechanism upon detecting fire. With automated detection, suppression, and improved situational awareness, integrating advanced technologies facilitates proactive fire management. To ensure the system's usefulness, effectiveness and feasibility analysis considers technical, operational, and financial factors. An incremental development model is used, with a focus on feedback integration and continuous improvement. This emphasizes continuous improvement through the integration of feedback. Metrics from the performance evaluation show how well the system detects fire incidents and launches suppression actions promptly, on time. This offers a significant advancement in automated fire management by demonstrating the potential of using cutting-edge image processing and machine learning techniques to address fire safety issues. This system is a significant advancement in fire safety technology that may shorten response times and lessen the effects of fires in a various context.
Advancements in Nepali Speech Recognition: A Comparative Study of BiLSTM, Transformer, and Hybrid Models
Authors: Kafle Ankit , Rajlawat Jenith , Shah Nawaraj , Paudel Neetish , Thapa Bishal
Published: December 2024

In today's world, leveraging Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology to process and understand spoken language is highly desirable. Our proposed Nepali Speech Recognition employs an advanced generation to recognize and interpret spoken Nepali language. It approaches Nepali speech, allowing it to reply to user queries effectively. To attain this, we rent a mixture of superior neural network fashions. We extract Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) from the preprocessed audio information; these MFCCs capture crucial spectral characteristics of Nepali speech and serve as essential input features for our neural network model. To design a top-rated version for textual content-based query processing, we make use of convolutional neural networks (CNN), residual networks (ResNet), and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) layers. The CNN layers excel at extracting neighborhood patterns and spatial features from the MFCC input; the ResNet layers capture deeper representations to enhance performance. The BiLSTM layers are also employed to model temporal dependencies in the textual content-based query processing, we make use of convolutional neural networks (CNN), residual networks (ResNet), and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) layers. The CNN layers excel at extracting neighborhood patterns and spatial features from the MFCC input; the ResNet layers capture deeper representations to enhance performance. The BiLSTM layers are also employed to model temporal dependencies in the textual content records. We hired the Connectionist Temporal classification (CTC) loss feature to enable sequence-to-series mapping, aligning the input speech with corresponding text outputs. This approach permits our gadget to successfully process textual content queries and provide correct responses, enhancing the user's usefulness. The model, after being trained with 1.55 million parameters in about 1 lakh 57 thousand audio datasets for 47 epochs, achieved a CTC of 17.98% (82.02%-character accuracy rate) with this model.
Content-Based Image Retrieval and Recommendation Based on User Reviews
Authors: Kafle Anup , Timsina Anushil , Sedai Rochak , Subedi Sandeep , Neupane Upendra Prasad , Prasad Prakash Chandra
Published: December 2024

Effective search functionality is crucial for enhancing user experience and boosting sales on e-commerce sites. However, relying on specific product names instead of common names can cause potential customers to be lost while searching for products, as many platforms still depend on text-based search engines. While text searches effectively find keywords, Search Engine fall short when customers do not know the exact product identity or only have an image of desired product. With the rise of multiple E-commerce sites, customers often feel confused about where to buy the best product. This paper proposes a novel architecture for recommending the desired product based on image search. The input image provided by the user is processed through YOLO models to extract the brand, category, and color of the shoe, which serve as keywords. Data about shoe with similar keywords is retrieved from multiple e-commerce sites using APIs. The SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) algorithm is employed to compare the input image with the extracted images and assign a score. Additionally, reviews, ratings, and price analyses are conducted on the extracted data, and scores are assigned accordingly. The TextBlob library is used for sentiment analysis of reviews. Based on these scores, the best product is recommended to the customer. The architecture is deployed on an EC2 instance on the AWS platform, demonstrating its practical applicability. The result is a model that is able to suggest similar product wanted by the user which has the most positive reviews and ratings from other users and has the most competitive price in the market. The project suggests an easier and comparatively better way to improve the online shopping experience of users by providing what they want which is liked by others as well and are priced competitively.
Enhancing Electric Bicycle Efficiency: Investigating Regenerative Braking and Pedal Charging Systems
Authors: Mainali Ram Krishna , Kafle Kushal , Bhattarai Sagar , Buyo Rujan , Karn Rupesh Lal
Published: December 2024

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are gaining global popularity as part of the broader shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). This research presents a regenerative electric bicycle designed to maximize energy efficiency, aiming for a top speed of 45 km/h and a range of 50 km. The bicycle incorporates two key energy recovery systems: a downhill regenerative system that captures braking energy and converts it into electricity, and a pedal charging system that converts pedaling kinetic energy to recharge the battery. A digital signal processing system seamlessly switches between charging and electric drive based on rider input. This study examines the effectiveness of these systems. The regenerative braking system achieved an impressive 30.9% efficiency in capturing energy during testing. The pedal charging system initially demonstrated an efficiency of 2.98%. MATLAB simulations revealed clear trends in force and power requirements across different grades (0°, 2.5°, 5°, 7.5°, and 10°), highlighting the crucial role of aerodynamic drag and gradient resistance in influencing performance and energy efficiency. While controlled testing environments require further real-world evaluation, these findings underscore the promising potential of regenerative braking and pedal charging for enhancing electric bicycle efficiency. This research paves the way for the development of more efficient and accessible electric bicycles, promoting sustainable transportation solutions through the selection of durable, efficient, and environmentally friendly components.
Assessment of Stratified Speed Characteristics and Compliance with Posted Speed Limit in an Urban Area: A Case Study of Section of Karnali Highway, Nepal
Authors: Bist Trilok Chandra , Tiwari Hemant
Published: December 2024

Speed is the fundamental element of traffic engineering which is related to safety, time, comfort, convenience, and economics of the transportation system. Speed tends to reduce while the vehicles enter the urban areas even within the highway. Urban areas even have posted speed limits to control the speed characteristics, but the obeyance of the posted limit is still questionable. This research examines the speed characteristics of various means of transportation within urban areas. Section of roads within urban areas of Surkhet district along Karnali Highway (NH58) is considered as a study area and a manual method of data collection was adopted. The stratified samples of speed covering all means of transportation were collected during off-peak hours. Even a small section of roads has varying speed limits ranging from 20 to 40kmph. The collected data were used to calculate different kinds of speeds for each category of vehicles and further combined based on volume proportion to come up with average speed. The road is divided into four lanes, which motivates speeding, and it was observed the average speed of 2-wheelers, cars, and utility vehicles was between 30-40kmph. Data assessment shows the average speed limit was within 40kmph, which is legally mandated by the Motor Vehicle and Transport Management Act 2049, which is even taught during the process of licensing to drivers. Hence, the installation of other speed limit signs needs proper education and awareness followed by proper enforcement techniques for effective implementation of the posted speed limit.
Assessing the Impacts of Queue Jump Lanes at a Signalized Intersection: A Case Study of Narayan Gopal Intersection
Authors: Aryal Kiran , Shrestha Pradeep Kumar , Khatiwada Pragya
Published: December 2024

One of the main causes of congestion in Nepal's urban areas is the preference for private transportation over public transportation. In other contexts, research on bus priority measures has demonstrated their potential to reduce transit delays, enhance bus reliability in mixed-traffic conditions, and optimize travel times. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of introducing queue jump lanes in an isolated signalized intersection of Kathmandu Valley, applying these concepts to Nepal's heterogeneous traffic conditions. VISSIM microsimulation software was used to model the existing scenario and four different QJL configurations at the Maharajgunj intersection to assess the impacts on travel time and delay. Results reveal that adding a left-turn-only lane adjacent to a QJL with pre-signal can significantly save travel time and reduce delay at the Maharajgunj intersection.
Study of hemodynamic and airway reflexes during emergence from general anaesthesia and tracheal extubation with and without using dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: KC Gaurav , Amatya Bishwo Ram , Bista Sachhyatkar
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The emergence phase and tracheal extubation are critical due to potential hemodynamic changes and airway reflexes. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Dexmedetomidine in mitigating these responses during extubation.
Method: Forty-eight American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS) I and II patients, aged 18-60 years , undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled at Shree Birendra Hospital, Kathmandu after Institutional Review Committee approval. Group D received 0.25 mcg/kg Dexmedetomidine in 100 ml saline, while Group N received 100 ml saline over 10 minutes at the end of surgery. Heart rate and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) were recorded at different time intervals. Extubation smoothness was rated on a 5-point scale. Statistical analysis used Fisher’s exact test/chi-square test for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney test or independent t-test for continuous variables. Repeated measures were assessed with RM ANOVA. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.
Result: Demographic profiles and ASA-PS statuses were similar between groups. Group D had a lower Heart rate compared to Group N at 10 minutes post-administration and showed more stable Heart rate changes around extubation. Significant differences in Heart rate were observed at 10 minutes post-administration, during extubation, and at 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes post-extubation. Group N had higher MAP levels during and after extubation. Extubation smoothness was better in Group D, with 54.17% achieving a score of 1 versus 4.17% in Group N.
Conclusion: Pre-emptive Dexmedetomidine effectively reduces hemodynamic reflexes and facilitates smoother extubation.
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Abuse among Elderly in a Community of Kirtipur Municipality
Authors: Basnet Saraswati , Rai Aishwarya , Silwal Suvekshya
Published: December 2024

Elderly Abuse is a public Health concern. Elderly people in a community may only perceive physical abuse as an abuse and may not think other abuse as abuse to them therefore is left unrecognized and unreported. According to World Health Organization, 2021 around 1 in 6 people of age 60 years above experienced some form of abuse in community setting during past year. More research and depth study is needed regarding elderly abuse. The main objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of elderly abuse and its associated factors in community of Kirtipur municipality. A Cross-sectional study on prevalence and associated factors of abuse among elderly in a community of Kirtipur municipality was conducted. Semi-structured interview schedule was used. Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 25.0 in descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics chi- square test was used to find out association between level of awareness and selected demographic variables. The findings of the study show prevalence of elderly abuse to be 11.4%. Caregiver neglect (9.5%) and psychological abuse (9.5%) were found to be most experienced by elderly. Among the socio-demographic variables the present study showed elderly abuse significantly associated (p<0.05) with elderly’s health status, elderly’s dependency level in daily living activities and involvement in income generating activities. The study concluded that elderly with poor health status, who are dependent for daily living activities and those who are not involved in income generating activities are more vulnerable to abuse. Although this study shows lower prevalence rate in elderly abuse measures need to be taken to prevent it.
Practices of Curriculum Differentiation in Community Schools of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Chandra Bahadur
Published: December 2024

The curriculum differentiation practice implies a separate type of design used to secure social justice and inclusion in the school. It has different dimensions i.e. content, methods and strategies, environment, output, and teacher. Nepalese community schools have some practice of integrated curriculum approach except the well-defined practice of differentiated curriculum. This study explores the status of the usage of differentiated practices of the curriculum in the deaf and community secondary schools along with the challenges and the coping strategies. Qualitative design and case study approach entail in this study in which the deaf and community secondary schools are selected purposively and similar numbers of teachers. The respondents along with the observation checklist are the information generation tools. Thematic analysis and the theoretical backup support to justify the information and its validation. There are no well-defined and mentioned differentiated curriculum practices in community schools except the integrated approach. Lacking a defined practice and the proper training for the teachers are some challenges of its practices and to cope with the challenges the well-defined design of curriculum differentiation should be stated by the authorized body along with the proper training for the sign language teachers and the normal language teachers. If there would be adding technology to the defined practice of differentiation, it would be easier to ensure social justice, inclusion, and 21st-century skills in the learners.
Comparative Analysis of Institutional Capacity Self-Assessment among Local Governments in Dhankuta
Authors: Trital Nodanath
Published: December 2024

This study compares local governments' institutional capacity self-assessment (LISA) scores in Dhankuta over four fiscal years.  The objective is to compare and analyze the LISA scores and determine the status of institutional capacity of local governments to service delivery in Dhankkuta. It focuses on comparative analysis of institutional capacity self-assessment. The methodology used in this study is descriptive and analytical approach. The secondary data from self-assessment reports are collected and analyzed with comparing the data of all local governments in Dhankuta over the four fiscal years. This study adopts an analytical descriptive approach and uses document review. The finding reveals that the overall status of local governments has gradually increased in LISA scores over the period. The findings reveal that Pakhribas municipality, Mahalaxmi municipality and Chhatar Jorpati rural municipality have claimed the highest institutional capacity in service delivery area with more than 90 percent self-assessed scores. Similarly, Pakhribas municipality has self-assessed the highest institutional capacity in overall score in FY 2077-78. Shahidbhumi rural municipality has self-assessed the highest process score in FY 2079-80. The Chhatar Jorpati rural municipality has self-assessed the highest quantitative scores among the local governments in FY 2079-80 among all the fiscal years.
Impact of the Internet on the Life of a Student
Authors: Basnet Bed Bahadur
Published: December 2024

The modernization and difficulty of Internet technology not only benefit users but also have unfavorable effects on users, particularly on students. It is based on the following objective: to find out the times of using of internet and Impact of internet use. According to a study of 125 students, Internet use has become addictive, more likely to have negative effects, and provide less support for academic activities. This research adopted a survey-based design for the collection of all the questionnaire used. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 statistical software. The research found a negative relationship between internet addiction and motivation to study. Those having internet addiction are found to be more depressed, stressed and anxious, as compared to those who are not having internet addiction. In a study conducted at private secondary school in Udayapur district of Triyuga Municipality, researchers found that those who rely on the internet, 45.6% respondents access time in internet during the meal time and 35% student use internet for more than 6 hour, 38% students frequently use internet for social media and 80% students internet to watch YouTube as well as 44% student use the internet for online games activity. Internet's impact on education is that students may spend more time on internet than on learning.
Consumer Attitude and Purchase Intention towards Organic Food in Kritipur, Kathmandu
Authors: Guragain Chudamani
Published: December 2024

This study examined the relationship between consumer attitudes and purchase intentions toward organic products in Kritipur, Kathmandu. Using a 5-point Likert scale survey, data from 57 respondents were analyzed through correlation and regression techniques. The results reveal a considerable positive impact of consumer attitudes, specifically health concerns and environmental care, on purchase intention, with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.854 (p < .001). Consumer attitudes explained 64.7% of the variance in purchase intention, confirming the critical role of favorable attitudes in promoting organic product purchases. However, contrary to the hypothesis, subjective norms had a negative influence on purchase intention (β = -0.261, p = .004), indicating that social pressures may decrease consumer willingness to buy organic products. The findings suggest that marketers should focus on increasing consumers' trust in organic products and emphasize the health and environmental benefits to increase sales. This study expands existing theoretical models by incorporating health concerns and environmental care as crucial factors influencing consumer attitudes towards organic food.
Examining Gender Diversity in Local Government Elections in Nepal: A Review
Authors: Guragain Govinda Prasad
Published: December 2024

In Nepal, women's involvement in politics has historically been constrained by entrenched traditional gender roles. Despite these limitations, several remarkable women have managed to rise above these constraints and become influential leaders within their communities. These instances highlight that simply implementing laws is not enough to ensure women's participation; continuous monitoring is necessary to ensure the effective enforcement of these laws. This study employed a mixed research design, incorporating both liberal and representative political science theories, alongside a descriptive and analytical approach, which proved to be particularly effective under pragmatist philosophy. In 2017 local elections, women represented 40.95 percent of the elected officials. By 2022, this figure had seen a slight increase, with women comprising 41.21 percent of all elected representatives. This progress suggests that the 2022 elections offered a valuable opportunity to enhance women's representation in politics, building on the significant achievements of 2017. This progress not only benefits political parties but also supports social justice. Many women, particularly those who have served in local government over the past four years, are eager to advance their political careers. Increasing female representation in public life is an important step toward achieving gender equality. Despite the Election Commission's efforts to address concerns about women's electoral participation, their actions have been insufficient, and political parties have exploited existing loopholes.
Class, Gender, and Patriarchy: The Status of Women in Ancient Nepal
Authors: Chetri Neel Kumar , Karki Chakra Bahadur
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the status of women in ancient Nepal during the Kirata and Lichhavi periods examining how the socio-economic framework, political systems, and cultural norms intersected to perpetuate gender inequalities. By analyzing published archives, including Sanskrit and Pali Buddhist religious texts, Vamshavalis, and Licchhavi inscriptions, the study reveals how patriarchal control was maintained and legitimized through laws and social practices. Except for the Khasa women kingdom of western Nepal, where there was matrimonial society, the broader societal framework systematically excluded women from political participation and economic autonomy. The caste system and early marriage customs further reinforced women's subordination. This paper argues that the intersection of class and gender dynamics, driven by economic interests, played a crucial role in maintaining male dominance, unraveling the historical foundations of gender inequality in ancient Nepal. This study offers some valuable insights into the persistent system of gender oppression, informing contemporary discussions on women's rights and social justice in Nepal that would encourage the future scholars to look into the issue from different perspectives for a holistic understanding of the condition of Ancient Nepali women.
English Study in Nepal: Journey from Past to Future
Authors: Paudel Rajendra
Published: December 2024

English is a popular language in Nepal. Its use is increasing day by day. English in Nepal is used as the foreign language but its importance is not less than that of second language. This study reports on the growing popularity of English language in Nepali academia, socio-economic as well as political showground. Further, the study explores that English in the past was called elites’ language, however this notion has been changed and now it has become everyone’s language. The study was conducted using archived resources such as journals, articles and books. Findings of the study highlight the past history, present situation and future prospect of English language in Nepal with the conclusion that English language has become everybody's language from the elites' language.
Enhancing Quality of Basic Level Education through Demonstration Method
Authors: Adhikari Toyanath
Published: December 2024

The article, ‘Enhancing Basic Level Quality Education Through Demonstration Method’ explores the different aspects of demonstration method. The use of suitable and effective teaching methods plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experiences of basic school students. This study aims to explore the implementation of the demonstration method in basic education. Among various teaching methods in the field of education, the demonstration method is notable for engaging students through experiential learning. This article employs a qualitative research design, incorporating interviews with teachers, focus group discussions with students, and literature reviews to gather data. Empirical evidence is presented to support the findings, offering insights into the application of the demonstration method in diverse educational contexts. The study reveals that the demonstration method enhances students' learning outcomes when utilized in classroom teaching. It ensures that all students have the opportunity to understand the material presented by the teacher. This method is particularly effective for subjects that involve practical skills and processes, such as science experiments and mathematical problem-solving.
Scope and Career Opportunities of Web Technology Subject of BICTE Program
Authors: Choudhary Rajesh K.
Published: December 2024

Web technology refers to the various tools and techniques used in the process of communication between different types of devices used on the Internet. This research paper explores the importance of web technology and opportunities related to web technology in Information Communication Technology and Education (BICTE) program. This article provides Importance of subject matter related to web technology to the students completing this degree and explores the career prospects after completing this degree. This article also highlights the evolving state of web technologies and their relevance in shaping the modern information technology industry.
भाषिक दर्शनका आधारभूत पक्ष र निहित अन्तरवस्तु {Fundamental aspects and inherent content of language philosophy}
Authors: लम्साल तिलकप्रसाद
Published: December 2024

जीवन, जगत्​सम्बन्धी मान्छेका कौतूहल, आश्चर्य, जिज्ञासा र तर्कका आधारमा निराकरणका उपायसमेत पत्ता लगाउने चिन्तन वा दृष्टिकोणका रूपमा दर्शनलाई लिइन्छ । दर्शनका विविध प्रकारमध्ये भाषिक दर्शनमा आधारित प्रस्तुत अनुसन्धानको उद्देश्य भाषिक दर्शनको अवधारणा स्पष्ट पार्दै तिनका विविध पक्ष र अन्तर्वस्तुको निरूपण गर्नु रहेको छ । भाषिक दर्शनका विविध पक्ष र विशेषता छन् भन्नु प्रस्तुत अनुसन्धानको दाबी हो । प्रस्तुत अनुसन्धान गुणात्मक ढाँचा, उत्तरआधुनिक दर्शन र व्याख्यावादी पद्धतिमा आधारित छ । यसका लागि पुस्तकालयीय कार्यमा आधारित भई द्वितीयक स्रोतका सामग्री सङ्कलन गरी तिनको वर्णनात्मक र तुलनात्मक अध्ययन विधिका सहायताले विश्लेषण र मूल्याङ्कन गरिएको छ । सूचनाको विश्लेषणमा साक्ष्य वा उदाहरण र तालिकाको उपयोग आवश्यकतानुसार गरिएको छ । पूर्वअध्येतासँग संवाद गर्दै लेखकीय दृष्टिकोण पनि प्रस्तुत गरी उद्देश्यको पुष्टि गरिएको छ । दाबीमा आधारित तर्कलाई लम्बीय र क्षितिजीय रूपमा प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ । दर्शन जीवन र जगत्का समग्र पक्षको अध्ययन गर्ने ज्ञानको शाखा हो । दर्शन र भाषाको सम्बन्ध घनिष्ठ छ । यसका आधारमा पूर्व र पश्चिममा भाषा, व्याकरणसम्बन्धी विविध चिन्तन, दर्शन, सिद्धान्तको अविर्भाव भएको छ । दर्शन वा चिन्तनलाई आलोकित बनाउने सशक्त माध्यम नै भाषा हो । भाषा र आध्यात्मिक तथा भौतिक दर्शन, भाषा र मन, सत्य र अर्थ, भाषा र तर्क, मानव भाषा र मानवेतर भाषा तथा भाषाको उत्पत्तिसम्बन्धी सिद्धान्त भाषिक दर्शनमा नै केन्द्रित छन् । ईश्वर, जगत्, मन, माया, आत्मा, जीव, ज्ञान, कर्म, वैराग्य, मुक्तिजस्ता विषयसँग पनि भाषिक दर्शनको परोक्ष सम्बन्ध देखिन्छ । भाषिक दर्शन र यसका पक्षगत अन्तर्वस्तुप्रति रुचि राख्नेहरूका लागि प्रस्तुत अनुसन्धानबाट सहयोग मिल्ने देखिन्छ ।