bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Intentional Stance Beliefs and Agent Appearance on Gaze Use during Joint Attention
Authors: Hechler Friederike Charlotte , Cross Emily S. , Perez G Ann , Blanco Aitor Miguel , Nalepka Patrick , Caruana Nathan
Published: August 2024

Interactions with artificial agents (e.g. robots and avatars) are becoming increasingly commonplace. While research has established that user beliefs, or an artificial agent’s appearance, can shape social outcomes with artificial agents, little is known about how these factors interact. We used virtual reality (VR) with eye- and motion-tracking, to examine the extent to which people attend to and use an agent’s gaze in a collaborative task. Participants initiated and responded to joint attention bids using hand gestures, while coordination could be implicitly facilitated by attending to the agent’s eye gaze. However, this did not result in any behavioural differences. Participants persistently used these gaze cues, reflected in coordination accuracy, face-looking frequency, and reaction times. Participants who *believed* their partner was human, rather than an AI system, subjectively reported more gaze-following and positive social experiences. When the agent *looked* like a human, rather than a robot, participants looked less frequently at the eyes, responded faster, and reported more negative social experiences. Our data suggests that social AI systems are approached more like humans than computers, irrespective of explicit beliefs about their humanness. Furthermore, when the artificial agent appeared with a non-human form, believing that it was human- rather than AI-controlled improved subjective experiences, highlighting how beliefs about AI systems may shape subjective social outcomes. This suggests that disclosure around the true intentional stance of artificial agents (e.g., in online VR contexts) may be important for shaping subjective social outcomes.
A Scoping Review Protocol: Decision-Aid Tools for Disclosure and Help-Seeking of Mental Health Concerns
Authors: Hon Kassandra , Boyes Mark Edward , Lewis Stephen , Hasking Penelope
Published: August 2024

Objective: This scoping review aims to capture and synthesise the growing literature on decision-aid tools designed to support people in the decision to disclose or seek help for their mental health concerns. Introduction: Globally, there is a large discrepancy between the prevalence of mental health concerns and the proportion of people who disclose or seek help for their mental health. As such, decision-aid tools have recently emerged in the mental health context to facilitate the disclosure and help-seeking process. Given recent developments in this field, a synthesis of the literature is needed to consolidate the existing decision-aid tools and assess their effectiveness, particularly in facilitating the disclosure or help-seeking process. This may help identify research gaps and guide future developments in decision-aid tools. Inclusion criteria: The review will consider empirical studies and theses/dissertations that match the following criteria: 1) focus on populations with a mental health concern, 2) report the development and/or evaluation of a decision aid tool, and 3) the decision aid tool was specifically designed to facilitate the disclosure or help-seeking process, or report on at least one disclosure or help-seeking related outcome. Methods: The review will be guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines for scoping reviews. The search will be conducted in Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest Central, and ProQuest Dissertation and Theses database. Results and Conclusion: This scoping review will provide a narrative synthesis of the types and effectiveness of decision-aid tools relevant to the research objectives. The review will also outline the gaps in the existing literature and offer recommendations for future research on decision-aid tools to support people in deciding to disclose or seek help for their mental health concerns.
Evaluating the Effects of Artificial Intelligence Homework Assistance Tools on High School Students’ Academic Performance and Personal Development
Authors: Journal Arab World English
Published: August 2024

Technological advancement in various aspects of life has led to integrating artificial intelligence into educational practices. Students’ use of artificial intelligence assistance tools has become more fundamental in academic settings, which evolved a range of positive and negative perspectives. The current study explores the impact of artificial intelligence assistance tools on students’ overall personal and academic performance. Hence, this article is significant as it evaluates how Moroccan high school students use artificial intelligence assistance tools to solve their homework assignments. The study attempts to answer to what extent these students rely on these tools and examine the teachers’ attitudes and concerns toward the impact of these evolving changes that artificial intelligence has brought to their classrooms. A mixed-method approach is used to achieve the study’s objectives, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Therefore, the findings indicate that students rely heavily on artificial intelligence to complete their everyday homework tasks, which impedes their learning process and skills acquisition. These findings provide several recommendations to policymakers, parents, educators, and learners to be aware of the adverse effects of the overuse of artificial intelligence assistance tools on students’ learning outcomes
Community of Inquiry as an Instructional Framework: How Teaching, Social and Cognitive Presences Impact EFL Speaking in a Blended Setting in Bangladesh
Authors: Journal Arab World English
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the impact of the community of inquiry framework on enhancing English as a foreign language proficiency in a blended learning context in Bangladesh. The primary aims are to examine how integrating teaching, social, and cognitive presences improves EFL speaking skills and to identify teachers’ perspectives and recommendations on implementing blended learning and community of inquiry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a qualitative case study approach with ten teachers from a private university after a two-day professional development workshop and a subsequent four-week application of CoI principles in their classes. The findings reveal a positive influence on students’ speaking skills, notably boosting motivation, confidence, and peer collaboration. However, challenges like better teacher training in technology and pedagogy and insufficient institutional support for online resources were identified. Despite these obstacles, the study emphasizes how the community of inquiry can revolutionize Bangladeshi education by promoting the idea that English should be viewed as a communication tool outside of the classroom. The paper concludes with recommendations for effective community of inquiry and blended learning implementation, stressing the importance of comprehensive training and institutional backing.
Using the ADDIE Model to Develop an Online Professional Development Program for Non-Specialist ESL Teachers
Authors: Journal Arab World English
Published: August 2024

The present article reports a study that employed the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation instructional design model to develop an e-speaking skills upskilling programme. It is guided by the research question: How do subject matter experts rate the Instructional Design, Content, User Control, and Technical components of the online learning platform prototype? The study is significant because it addresses the gap in research regarding the development of an Online Teacher Professional Development programme specifically targeted at enhancing the speaking skills of a group of non-specialist English language teachers. It describes the development of the prototype that involves several stages: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. At the Implementation stage, expert validation was conducted where five subject matter experts were asked to rate the Instructional Design, Content, User Control and Technical components of the online learning platform. The findings indicate that the Content component requires revision, especially on items concerning bias and suitability with the learning objectives. Some suggestions to address the issues were provided. It is concluded that expert validation is important at the Implementation stage as it aligns with the continuous improvement that is fundamental to the ADDIE model.
Exploring the Impact of Email-Based Vocabulary Instruction on Saudi Adult EFL Students’ Technology-Integrated Learning
Authors: Journal Arab World English
Published: August 2024

This research investigates the perspectives and experiences of Saudi EFL students as a Foreign Language students between the ages of 20 and 24 regarding using email as a technologically enhanced approach to studying vocabulary. The research’s aim is to investigate the opinions of students regarding using email as a technology-based method of instruction to study vocabulary. The significance of the study lies in its potential to inform curriculum development and instructional strategies in English programs, especially increasing digital integration in education. The research question guiding this research is: What are the experiences and attitudes of Saudi adult EFL students regarding using email as a technology-enhanced method of instruction to study vocabulary? During five weeks, three groups of students from Albaha University, were divided into three groups and taught using three instructional approaches. Likert scales and closed-ended and open-ended questions, the survey gauged students’ perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of the teaching methods. The findings revealed that the participants held favorable views regarding using email to learn vocabulary. They recognized advantages which included increased motivation, the ability to learn independently, and the ease of storing and accessing materials. Conversely, some students experienced technical obstacles and reported a possible adverse effect on their handwriting ability. This study reveals the impact of the digital divide, which has been further exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on learning. The study’s discoveries will aid in developing curricula and instructional English major programs, improving the overall quality of language learning environments.
Factors related to complementary feeding practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Alma Ata, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Rahayu Herwinda Kusuma , Paratmanitya Yhona ,   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Alma Ata, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Herawati Herni Dwi ,   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Alma Ata, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Nurhayati Eka ,   Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Alma Ata, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Nuryani Rindi ,   Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Alma Ata, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Complementary feeding practice is critical for adequate growth and development in children. Appropriate practices should be maintained, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse complementary feeding practices and their related factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household economic aspects. Data were collected via online questionnaires involving 574 mothers of children aged 6–23 months in Indonesia from April to May 2022. Results: In total, 63.6%, 64.6%, 86.6%, and 57.7% of children met the criteria for timely introduction of complementary feeding (INTRO), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF), and minimum acceptable diet (MAD), respectively. Households that had no impact on their ability to provide food during the pandemic had higher odds of meeting MDD and MAD. Having a high household income level, high maternal education, and being a housewife increased the odds of INTRO. The odds of MDD increased in children who lived in Java, had older age, and whose mother had high education level. Older children had higher odds of having appropriate MMF. MAD was associated with mother’s high education level and being a housewife. Conclusion: Several factors during the pandemic, including economic aspects, influenced complementary feeding practices. To prevent child malnutrition, besides ensuring household food security, other strategies to increase complementary feeding quality are also needed.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a child after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kumar Shrestha Saurav , Subedi Shradha , Shekhar Bhagat Chandra , Singh Danuwar Sunil , Tamrakar Karuna
Published: August 2024

Pediatric brain is anatomically and physiologically different from adult brain.  Child's brain is more vulnerable to the effects of a brain injury and takes longer to recover.  Because the child’s brain is still developing, injury may alter the course of development of the brain and its functions. The child's brain is less "set" than the adult's, its plasticity offers hope to damaged tissue and areas. It is very rare to have posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as a complication of traumatic brain injury in children.
Unlocking the Impact of Chemicals on the Health and Safety of Pharmaceutical Workers: A Concise Review
Authors: Otitolaiye Victor Olabode , Al-Naaimi Maryam , Rasha Abdelrahim
Published: August 2024

The paper presents a concise review of the historical development of the pharmaceutical industry and the problems related to chemical exposure on the health and safety of employees. The industry has greatly improved healthcare worldwide, but it is one of the riskiest due to problems like exposure to dangerous chemicals. Herein, we provide evidence of the health repercussions of pharmaceutical exposure. The paper notes that a diversified approach is required to address these issues. Firstly, there is a need to extensively examine and understand the degree of chemical exposure and its long-term health implications. Tighter laws are necessary to implement higher environmental and safety standards, whereas employee education and training will help to raise awareness of possible hazards. Green chemistry and sustainable methods will curb or mitigate the use of hazardous chemicals and waste generation. Moreover, there is a need to promote sustainable and safer work cultures through safer behaviours, increased public awareness, and community interaction. Pharmaceutical companies must commit to continuous enhancement of their operations, decrease the risks associated with chemical exposure, and put worker and environmental health first. This strategy contributes to a safer and more sustainable pharmaceutical future by being in line with the industry’s commitment to innovation and safety.
Nurses’ Knowledge regarding Infection Prevention in Neutropenic Patients at Tertiary Cancer Hospital, Nepal
Authors: Koirala Sushila , Upreti Shila , Upadhyay Hari Prasad
Published: August 2024

Background:Neutropenia is one most common risk factor for infection and the leading causes of death in cancer patientsthat may results in unexpected hospitalizations and disruption in treatment plans and regimens.Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 100 nurses to assess the knowledge regarding infection preventionin neutropenic patients to those who are working least 6 months in chemotherapy of B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital(BPKMCH). A non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the sample and the data was collectedthrough a structured self- administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) version 22.Result: The study findings summarized the level of knowledge into three categories where more than half (51%) of therespondents had good level of knowledge, 46% had moderate knowledge and 3% had poor knowledge regarding infectionprevention in neutropenic patients.Conclusion: Though majority of the respondents had good and moderate level of knowledge regarding infection preventionin neutropenic patients but there is still lack of Guideline/Protocol on infection prevention measures and gap in knowledgeregarding daily nursing assessment. So, there is still need to develop and implement infection prevention guidelines/protocols and regular trainings on infection prevention from concern authority of hospital management.
Nursing Students’ Experience and Perception towards Online Education during Covid-19 Pandemic in Nepal
Authors: Sah Bimala Kumari , Silwal Suvekshya , Adhikari Bibhav , Pandey Apsara , Gupta Bipasha
Published: August 2024

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic forced educational institutions worldwide to adapt swiftly. This study explorednursing students’ experiences and perceptions towards online education during the pandemic in Nepal.Method: Using a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected from 416 nursing students across the country usingnon probability convenient sampling technique via a google form questionnaire. Ethical approval was obtained from NHRCand for the data analysis, descriptive analysis was done by using appropriate statistical tools and SPSS version 20.Result: Key findings on online class experience, 93.5% participated in live online classes, 62.3% preferred a blend ofsubjective and objective evaluation methods and 58.9% favored pre- and post-classroom assignments. Similarly, regardingbenefits of online education 25.0% strongly agreed that technical skills (email, internet, apps) improved, 53.1% recognizedteachers’ facilitative role in student learning and 45.2% believed online classes reduced psychological stress. There werechallenges on theory classes and clinical practicum where 38.8% acknowledged skill gaps for effective online teaching and44.0% strongly agreed on curriculum redesign respectively.Conclusion: Online learning is crucial for a variety of reasons, including time savings and learning flexibility. Despite these,constrained technology infrastructures, connectivity issues and clinical practicum continued to be obstacles. Effective onlineeducation requires increased internet access, faculty and student digital training, and the support of regulatory authorities.
Correlation of Cause of Death Issued in Medico Legal Deaths in Hospitals and Cause of Death Found at Autopsy
Authors: Shrestha Kaschev , Neupane Kabin , Yadav Yoveen Kumar , Pradhan Sumee
Published: August 2024

Background:The death certificate is essential for legal investigations and public health planning. This study examines theaccuracy of causes of death reported by hospitals versus post-mortem findings and evaluates the completeness of deathcertificates.Method: A prospective, descriptive study was conducted in 99 cases, with hospital-issued death certificates, broughtfor medico-legal autopsy to the Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj Medical Campus.Cases which were brought dead to the hospital but still were issued with death certificates and cases where the cause ofdeath remained undetermined even after autopsy were excluded. Data was recorded in a pro-forma and analyzed using theSPSS software Version 20.Result: The study involved individuals aged 13 to 30 years, mostly male. Private hospitals issued 66.7% of death certificates,with 55.6% by house officers. Only 62.6% met WHO standards. Autopsies were performed within 24 hours in 67.7% ofcases, revealing blunt force head injury as the leading cause of death (26.3%). There was a 67.7% discrepancy betweenhospital and autopsy causes of death, with house officers and government hospitals showing notable inconsistencies.Conclusion: Factors like the use of standard or non-standard death certificates, the designation of doctors, and the typeof hospital issuing the certificates influence the discrepancies between the causes of death listed by hospitals and thosedetermined after autopsies. This study aims to enhance the existing knowledge on the accuracy of death certificates and islikely the first systematic study of its kind in Nepal, laying the groundwork for future research.
Challenges of Madheshi Women’s Feminists in Nepal
Authors: Yadav Ranju Kumari
Published: August 2024

Nepalese society is patriarchal, and the concept of an egalitarian society is not well understood by its people. The Madheshi feminists have been fighting against oppression, discrimination, and inequality between the sexes. This article looks at what challenges, Madheshi women feminists’ have encountered to achieve gender equality in society. The methodology used for this article is a face-to-face in-depth interview and Key informant interview. The writer argues that the number of Madheshi women feminists has been gradually increasing. However, there are still several challenges to feminism. One of the major challenges is identified as the mainstream feminist movement’s tendency to homogenize women’s experiences that cannot address the diverse experiences of women from different castes, classes, sexual orientations, religions, and regions. The issues of marginalized women, including Madheshi are often not acknowledged by the mainstream feminist movements. The paper concludes that feminism is important for Nepalese and integrating all different voices is one of the challenges. The author suggests that the intersectionality perspectives of the mainstream feminist movement in Nepal could solve the barriers of Madheshi women. The research helps to understand the dilemmas experienced by Madheshi feminists. The study’s findings contribute to the existing literature on Madheshi women, providing valuable insights for policymakers to advocate for equal opportunities for marginalized women including Madheshi. The affirmative policy will increase their participation in politics as well as executive positions. It also helps to build a more inclusive and representative feminism in Nepal.
Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 11, Issue-3: 58-65.
Analyzing the Risk-Return Tradeoff in Commercial Banks' Common Stock: A Case Study of Nepalese Banks
Authors: Thapa Narad Kumar , Modi Devendra Kumar
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the risk-return tradeoff in the common stock of Nepalese commercial banks over a five-year period from 2018/19 to 2022/23. By analyzing financial data from four prominent banks listed on the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) i.e. Global IME Bank Limited (GBIME), Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB), Nabil Bank Limited (NABIL), and Kumari Bank Limited (KBL). The study depends on the closing prices of these four commercial banks, which were generously provided through the NEPSE Index and annual general meeting (AGM) reports of each respective bank.  The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of their risk profiles and expected returns using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). The study employs descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and maximum/minimum returns. The findings reveal significant variations in performance and risk levels: GBIME and KBL show positive average returns with high volatility, whereas NIMB and NABIL exhibit negative average returns, indicating losses. GBIME’s stock is slightly less volatile than the market, while NIMB’s low beta suggests it is suitable for conservative investors. NABIL’s and KBL’s higher betas indicate more volatility, appealing to high-risk tolerant investors. The study underscores the importance of portfolio diversification and continuous monitoring of market conditions for informed investment decisions. These insights are valuable for investors, financial regulators, and policymakers in developing effective risk management strategies and enhancing financial stability in Nepal's banking sector.
Combine Study of Technical Indicator Bollinger Bands and Moving Average Convergence Divergence in Nepal Stock Exchange Limited
Authors: Joshi Dushyant Lal , Modi Devendra Kumar
Published: August 2024

Stock price forecasting involves predicting a company's future condition based on time series analysis. Investors need precise forecasts of future indices or stock price changes to address the Buy-Sell-Hold problem effectively. Data were collected for Nepal Stock Exchange Limited, Nepse Alpha, and Chukul. For this study, data were collected over six months (December 2023 to May 2024), utilizing technical trading tools like Bollinger Bands (BB) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). Combining BB and MACD on a single chart yields better results than analyzing each indicator separately. This integrated approach provides a more thorough understanding of market dynamics, improves decision-making accuracy, and leads to more profitable outcomes. Integrating the analysis of BB and the MACD on one chart can provide more benefits than using each indicator independently. This method offers market behavior and improves decision-making precision, resulting in more profitable outcomes.
Impact of Home Assignment on the Achievement of Students in Makawanpur District, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Ram Bahadur , Mishra Savita
Published: August 2024

The main goal of the study is to analyze the impact of home assignment on the achievement of students. The null hypothesis states there is no association between practices of home assignment and the achievement of the students. The study was guided by Achievement Goal Theory of Nicholls as well as descriptive and analytical research design was applied. At the same time, the cross-sectional data collection method was administered. The study was carried out among 386 students of 14 sampled schools of Makawanpur district, Nepal 2024 AD. The students were selected with the stratified random sampling method. The study shows that the students of educated parents spent less time in doing home assignment as compared with the students of illiterate parents. The parental support seems to have positive result on doing home assignment of the students. The location of school and students did not have any effect on doing home assignment. The result shows that there was the positive impact of home assignment on the achievement of the students and statistically, there significant association (p=0.022≤ 0.05) between home assignment and the achievement of students. Home assignment for both the students and parents is a burden. There was a debate on home assignment that it harmed the mental health of the children, at the same time some studies claimed that it had a positive impact on the achievement of the students if administered effectively. The study also emphasized the importance of home assignment for the better achievement of the student in school life. The study helps educational institutions to form a strategic plan and develop the model of home assignment that enhance the achievement of students.
Profiling of Phytochemicals in the Leaves of Asystasia gangetica (L) T. Anderson using GC-MS and HPLC Analysis
Authors: Odion Emmanuel Eimiomodebheki , Elakhe Deborah Evelyn , Ambe Daniel Akpe-Efiak , Osigwe Chinyelu Clementina , Odiete Eravweroso Congrat
Published: August 2024

Asystasia gangetica is a perennial herb that has naturalized in Africa and Asia, where it is use in treatment of varying ailments such as lowering of blood sugar, sexually transmitted infections, reduce swelling and ear disease. The presence of phytochemicals in this plant may be responsible for its acclaimed effects. This study aims to identify the phytoconstituents in the leaves of Asystasia gangetica. Preliminary phytochemical screening was achieved by standard methods, GC-MS and HPLC analyses were utilized to determine volatile and non-volatile compounds. Phytochemicals identified include alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, and glycosides. GC-MS analysis identified twenty-eight compounds with Z-(13,14-Epoxy)tetradec-11-en-1-olacetate  (8.72 %); Octadecane, 1-(ethenyloxy)- (8.77 %); Cycloheptano[d]imidazolidine, 1,3- (9.81 %); cis-Vaccenic acid (10.20 %); 15-Hydroxypentadecanoic acid (11.94 %)  as the prominent compounds and HPLC evaluation reported the most prominent compounds  such as proanthocyanidin (6.69 %), flavone (7.51 %), spartein (7.64 %), aphylidine (10.33 %) and cyanogenic glycoside (10.51 %) respectively. Identification of these compounds with documented evidence of pharmacological activities, thus validate the use of Asystasia gangetica, in many disease conditions.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Potential, Enzyme Inhibition, and Chemical Profiling Through Mass Spectrometry on Bark Extract of Berberis aristata
Authors: Bhattarai Keshab , Pandey Indira , Sharma Khaga Raj
Published: August 2024

Berberis aristata, a plant from the Berberidaceae family, is renowned for its medicinal properties. The presence of bioactive metabolites in its bark underscores its importance in traditional medicine and pharmacology. This study primarily focuses on the biological activities of the plant bark extract, specifically its antioxidant properties and alpha-glucosidase inhibition. In addition to these activities, mass spectrometry-based compound annotation was conducted to explore the metabolites present in the plant bark extract. In this study, the bark samples were collected and extracted using the cold percolation method with methanol. Subsequently, an ethyl acetate fraction was obtained from the methanol extract using a separating funnel. The methanol extract of the bark showed a total phenolic content (TPC) of 70.056 ± 2.52 mg GAE/g and a total flavonoid content (TFC) of 11.89 ± 0.16 mg QE/g. To determine the antioxidant activity of the samples, a DPPH assay was used. The ethyl acetate fraction of the bark showed potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 188.93 ± 8.35 μg/mL, while the methanol extract of the bark showed radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 242.89 ± 4.62 μg/mL. In terms of alpha-glucosidase inhibition, the methanol extract of the bark had low enzyme inhibition activity, but the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited potential inhibition with an IC50 value of 112.99 ± 10.28 µg/mL. These results indicate that the plant bark extract is rich in phenolic content compared to flavonoid content. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction of the plant bark exhibits potent radical scavenging activity and inhibition of the digestive enzyme alpha-glucosidase. Mass spectrometric-based identification of metabolites revealed that the methanol extract of the bark contains compounds such as Palmatin, columbamine, and berberal. The presence of these metabolites further supports the medicinal use of this plant bark. These findings enhance the plant's potential in the drug discovery process in the future.
Chemical Separation of Copper from the Printed Circuit Board of Dead Electronic Gadget Cell Phone Set (Samsung J-2)
Authors: Aryal Geeta , Giri Jyoti
Published: August 2024

The increasing popularity of electronic devices among the public has increased electronic waste (e-waste). Most electronic devices become obsolescent after their use and generate hazardous chemicals if not disposed properly. The conducting networks in all electronic gadgets are made up of Copper (Cu) that can be retrieved by the chemical segregated method. In this experiment, a hydrometallurgical technique was used as acid leaching, selective recovery of Cu from the leachate using the group separation methods and measured the Cu metal separated from the acid leach. 5.05 g CuO is extracted which is equivalent to 4.03 g of Cu from the Samsung J-2 cell phone having an initial weight of 18.33 g PCBs. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Energy Dispersed X-ray analysis (EDX) techniques are used for the characterization of the extract. The recovery of Cu from this technique is about 93 % of the PCB board of Samsung J-2 mobile set.
Effect of Abdominal Girth and Vertebral Column Length in Spread of Spinal Anesthesia for Lower Limb Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Bhattarai Rupak , Sah Parasmani , Chetry Neelam , Dev Rajeev , Sharma Prabin , Pokharel Anish
Published: August 2024

Background: Subarachnoid spread of local anesthetics is quite erratic and is determined by several factors. There is a high predictive for the spread of spinal anaesthesia in terms of abdominal girth and vertebral column length. Our study is designed to determine the effect of abdominal girth and vertebral column length with cephalad spread of spinal anaesthesia for a given dose of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine in Nepalese patients.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, a total 100 patients of ASA PS I-II, aged16-65 years and undergoing lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. 2.8 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was injected intrathecally at L3-4 interspace in sitting position. Extent of sensory blockade was assessed for 60 min. Simple linear regression, multiple linear regression and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed to determine the correlation between patient variables viz abdominal girth, vertebral column length, height, weight, body mass index and age and maximum sensory block height.
Results: Abdominal girth and vertebral column length correlated significantly with the maximal sensory block height after intrathecal administration of a fixed dose of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine by all the three statistical tools used.
Conclusion: Abdominal girth and vertebral column lengthcorrelate significantly with the maximal sensory block height in Nepalese patients receiving a fixed dose subarachnoid block with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine
Outcome of Cataract Surgery among Eye Camp Patients of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Karn Rajiv Ranjan , Adhikari Pankaj Ray , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Roshan Abhishek , Thakur Sudhir Kumar
Published: August 2024

Background: Outreach camp is helpful for reducing the prevalence of blindness due to cataracts and refractive error. The objective was to evaluate the visual outcome of cataract surgery among camp patients operated at a high volume center of Eastern Nepal. 
Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study design was used. The comprehensive eye screening program was conducted and those having cataracts were referred to base hospital for cataract surgery, patients were reexamined at the base hospital again and a small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted at Biratnagar Eye Hospital, Biratnagar and Sagarmatha Choudhary Eye Hospital, Lahan. The pre-operative vision was taken during screening and post-operative vision was taken after one-month by performing refraction by trained personnel. Data were extracted from the hospital record; analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0. Descriptive analysis by using frequency, parent age and association was done by using Chi square test with a P-value <0.05 considered as significant. 
Results: A total of 1426 camp patients were operated. Among them 1113 (78%) were visited after one month post operative follow up at the campsite. There were 744 (52%) female and bilateral affected eyes were 735(52%). Pre-operative presenting visual acuity was <3/60 (37%), which was reduced to (0.2%) after one month follows up of cataract surgery. There was a significant association in pre-operative VA with aided one month to follow up VA. 
Conclusion: The outcome of the cataract surgery of camp patients operated at base hospitals was good in high-volume hospitals. Follow up after one month was good practice to provide services and measure the outcome of cataract surgery.
Comparison of Workplace Posture on Heart Rate Variability between Exercising and Non-Exercising Traffic Police
Authors: Ghimire Nisha , Mukhopadhyay Soumitra , Limbu Rekha
Published: August 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate heart rate variability among traffic police officers and compare these parameters between exercising and non-exercising groups. Heart rate variability is an important marker of cardiac autonomic function. Understanding the impact of exercise on heart rate variability among traffic police officers can provide valuable insights into strategies for improving their cardiovascular well-being.
Materials and Methods: This comparative correctional study was conducted among forty-two healthy traffic police officers. The participants were divided into exercising and non-exercising groups based on their physical activity levels. Heart rate variability was measured using standard technique. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 16. The heart rate variability values were non parametric. So, data were expressed as median interquartile range and comparison between two groups was done with Mann-Whitney U test. p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results revealed that a higher proportion of traffic police officers were in the exercising group. Heart rate variability analysis showed significantly higher median values of RMSSD (58.42 ms vs. 41.30 ms), NN50 (80.00 vs. 24.00), pNN50% (36.56% vs. 11.820%) and HF power (1079.40 ms² vs. 368.000 ms²) in the exercising group. Additionally, the exercising group exhibited a lower LF/HF ratio (0.61 vs. 1.60). Although not statistically significant, heart rate was less in exercising group (73.61±6.93bpmvs. 72.93± 7.79bpm).
Conclusion: The study suggests that even with prolonged workplace posture, exercise among traffic police can have higher heart rate variability and parasympathetic dominance, a positive indicator for cardiovascular health.
Determinant of Bronchoarterial Ratio in a Patient Undergoing Computed Tomography Chest
Authors: Mahato Amrendra Kumar , Khatiwada Alina , Poudel Saurav , Mahato Sailendra Kumar , Yadav Dipak Kumar , Dev Namrata
Published: August 2024

Background: Respiratory diseases pose a significant challenge in Nepali clinical settings due to elevated smoking rates and environmental risks. This study explores the structural changes in conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis, utilizing noninvasive multi-detector computed tomography to assess airway remodeling. Despite conflicting western literature on bronchoarterial ratios, this research emphasizes the importance of evaluating these ratios in the Nepalese context for predicting airway disease severity.
Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study conducted at Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital involved 129 participants aged over 20 undergoing chest computed tomography. It aimed to measure the bronchoarterial ratio and investigate its associations with age, gender, smoking history, and altitude of residence. Bronchoarterial ratios was calculated using averaged short-axis diameters of the right apical and right posterior basal segmental bronchi, excluding the left lung due to motion artifacts.
Results: Analysis indicated a Mean Bronchoarterial Ratio of 0.823 (SD 0.151), with the apical and basal segment BARs at 0.832 (SD 0.148) and 0.814 (SD 0.153), respectively. Notably, individuals aged over 65 who were smokers exhibited a significant increase in BAR. Additionally, a higher altitude of residence demonstrated a significant correlation with the Bronchoarterial ratio in the apical lung segment.
Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the bronchoarterial ratio within the Nepalese population, considering age, gender, smoking history, and altitude of residence. The findings underscore the potential relevance of these ratios in conditions involving airway remodeling, contributing to the understanding of respiratory diseases in this specific demographic.
A Case Study on Hemorrhage Due to Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Gautam Araya , Gautam Araju , Sabanantham Saravanan
Published: August 2024

Cerebrovascular disease includes some of the most common and devastating disorders: ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with 6.2 million dying from stroke in 2015, an increase of 830,000 since 2000. Stroke remains the most common disabling disease worldwide and in many forms is preventable. A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident, is defined as an abrupt onset of a neurologic deficit that is attributable to the focal vascular cause. Thus, the definition of stroke is clinical, and laboratory studies including brain imaging are used to support the diagnosis.
Motivating Factors to the Success of Youth Enterprise Startups: A Study of Nepali Enterprises
Authors: Kafle Roshni
Published: August 2024

Youth entrepreneurship emphasizes enterprising qualities such as initiative, innovation, creativity, and risk-taking in the work environment using appropriate knowledge and skills necessary for success in a given environment and culture. The research work is expected to provide a breakthrough in studying youth-centric entrepreneurial and new venture creation efforts as the majority of studies put youth and adult entrepreneurs with substantial experience and exposure into the same basket. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of entrepreneur’s exposure, government entrepreneurial policy and support, banking/ finance accessibility, risk propensity, and family and social support, training and education on the motivation of youth enterprise startup. The study is based on descriptive and analytical research design.  Data was collected in Kathmandu Valley through structured questionnaire from 140 respondents which includes various entrepreneurs from Kathmandu Valley. The study used convenience sampling technique for the selection of sample respondents. Various statistical tests such as Karl Pearson’s correlation, and regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data with the help of statistical software SPSS. It was found that entrepreneurial exposure and training and education are the significant factors impacting the motivation of youth entrepreneurship startups. The youth startups seem particularly vulnerable to failure due to the lack of motivation and support and a conducive environment. Moreover, the skill set of conducting interaction of business ideas is an added advantage that comes as a result of entrepreneurial exposure and is key for the success of youth enterprise startups and further implied to government and managerial perspectives.
Soft Adventure and Spiritual Tourism: A Case Study of Khaptad National Park
Authors: Badal Bharat Prasad
Published: August 2024

Tourism for lifetime pride is adventure tourism. Khaptad National Park and its core area are the land of meditation of renounced (sage) Yogi Khaptad Baba. It is a natural beauty hub and centre of soft adventure tourism in Far West Nepal. The land is adventurous from different dimensions of tourism. Thus, to find out the elements of adventure tourism in the Khaptad area the study has been conducted. To explore the elements, the study has analyzed the attraction component of adventure tourism in the zone. It is a case study of Khaptad National Park, Nepal. The facts were collected through field observation, focus group discussion, and qualitative interviews on qualitative exploratory approach. From the review, discussion, and analysis, it was found that the land is perfectly suitable for high-altitude hiking, trekking, bird and butterfly watching, rock climbing, yoga, meditation, and snow sports. Any type of outdoor sports (Cricket, football, mountain biking, running, skiing, and many more) at cool high altitudes can be organized in the Khaptad. The land can be the milestone for Nepalese soft adventure sports tourism including spiritual, cultural, and eco-tourism. However, infrastructure tourism development in the pristine land must be as much as environmentally friendly. One ring road around the Khaptad National Park is advisable but motorable roads should be constructed upward to the plateau. It is the land like a natural heaven that must not be indulged by concretization and modernization.
Drivers of Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Lamichhane Pitammbar
Published: August 2024

Customer satisfaction is essential for businesses to encourage them to share positive responses in buying products. It stands as a crucial factor in determining long-term success of any organization reflecting the extent to which their offerings satisfy customer expectations. The economic progress and business success rely on customer satisfaction affected by the empathy, assurance, responsiveness, tangibility, reliability etc. especially in banking sector. Therefore, this study examines how bank customers perceive service quality and impact on their satisfaction. It utilizes a descriptive and causality research design to explore the relationship between drivers of service quality and customer satisfaction based on primary survey data from Kathmandu valley. This paper concludes reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness as service quality drivers play a significant role in shaping customer satisfaction within the banking sector. Notably, tangibility, assurance, and empathy stand out as key influential drivers in determining customer satisfaction level in commercial banks within Kathmandu valley. The significance of this research lies in its relevance to policymakers in the banking sector, urging them to develop and execute diverse bank policies aiming to enhance customer satisfaction, thereby fostering the business and economic success of commercial banks in Nepal.
Factors Influencing the Sustainability of SMEs in Marginalized Areas: A Study of Dullu Municipality, Dailekh
Authors: Kathayat Bhupal Bikram
Published: August 2024

This research scrutinizes the underlying factors influencing the sustainability of SMEs in marginalized areas, with a particular focus on dimensions such as creativity and innovation, resource availability, regulatory compliance, networking and collaboration, and market competitiveness. It is conducted in Dullu Municipality, Dailekh, and employs an explanatory research design complemented by quantitative methods. Convenience sampling methodology is employed to gather data from a sample of 225 SME proprietors, who are selected as respondents for the study, utilizing survey questionnaires. Inferential statistics, including correlation and regression analysis, reveal the significant impact of creativity and innovation, efficient resource availability, regulatory compliance, networking and collaboration, and market competition on sustainable SMEs. The findings of the study recommend that owners of SMEs give more priority to innovation, optimal utilization of resources, and fostering networks and collaboration among SMEs. Furthermore, policymakers are urged to design initiatives supporting regulatory compliance and incentivizing innovation. Future research is recommended to explore market dynamics and compliance barriers, informing strategies for sustainable SMEs in marginalized locales.