bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Strategic Plan to Improve Police Response and Decision-Making during Major Incidents
Authors: Tzenios Nikolaos
Published: November 2022

Improving situational awareness among police officers responding to major incidents implies enhanced effectiveness and reduced injuries and deaths. The strategic plan outlines the mission and vision of the program with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to U.S. police agencies. The rationale for the program relates to the challenges associated with the effectiveness of police response in situations when decisions must be made quickly. The absence of situational analysis is one of the factors contributing to poor response and adverse effects on the civilian population. The new organization managed by the government will be responsible for improving situational awareness and require integrating diverse technologies. Headquartered in New York City, the organization will collaborate with field trainers to help police officers gain the skills needed to operate and read AI-powered devices. The ultimate objective is to ensure that all police departments across the country use AI-enabled systems for situational analysis. The pilot study will be conducted on 1000 randomly selected police departments to test the program's effectiveness. The program's implementation will require a workforce of 2000 persons and the IT infrastructure. The budget estimated for the program will be distributed among organization establishment, equipment acquisition, personnel hiring and compensation, pilot study running, data collection and evaluation, and extended implementation across the country. The program’s effectiveness will be measured by evaluating the impact of AI-enabled situational awareness systems on violent crimes. It is expected that the implementation of the system will lead to extensive improvement in the decision-making speed and type of decisions made by police officers during major incidents. The potential challenges accompanying program implementation may include infrastructural barriers, lack of a police workforce in rural areas, and political opposition.
''Covid-19 Pandemic and Early Childhood Care: Assessing the Impact on Children Enrolled with Sangini BalSEWA Centres''
Authors: Trust Institute of Social Studies , Banerjee Monika , Mukhopadhyay Prama
Published: November 2022

While mothers across the world struggled with the sudden closure of institutional childcare facilities due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown called thereafter, its impact on children, especially those below the age of 6, remained comparatively unknown.The present study aims to fill this gap to an extent, by attempting to ascertain the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown on children below the age of six who belong to poor and marginalised households. The study specifically focuses on children who have been attending the BalSEWA centres run by SEWA in Ahmedabad, Gujarat through their Sangini Co-operative and aims to highlight the benefits that a full-day childcare centre can have not only for children in terms of holistic growth and development but also for their mothers and the larger community, if it is nurtured with the sense of 'being there for each other'. While the study primarily was designed to assess the impact of the closure on the physical well-being and mental disposition of the children, as they were locked inside their houses with no specific routine and little adult supervision, it also ended up highlighting the support that Sangini Sevikas provided to these families even during the lockdown months.The study was conducted through a mixed method approach. All data has been rounded off to the nearest whole number
Supporting diabetic self-management behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Upadhya Neha , Das Amar , Foreman Morgan , Gruen Daniel , Harris Jon , Hendler Jim , Monti Marco , Chen Ching-Hua
Published: November 2022

This study provides a qualitative analysis of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional and physical activity self-management of adults with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 adults with T2D living in the United States, and recorded their experiences maintaining and/or modifying their self-management behaviors as they faced new challenges presented by the pandemic and social distancing (e.g., working from home, lack of access to gyms, online grocery shopping). Interview transcripts were coded using concepts based on the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework. A thematic analysis was then performed to identify common challenges experienced by our participants, and common adjustments they made in an attempt to maintain healthy self-management behaviors. Drivers of behavior were also captured using the COM-B model framework. Based on these results, we propose categories of behavioral interventions and policy options to support self-management activities by Type 2 diabetic adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Broken Record: The Leisure–Health Nexus in Prison
Authors: Marcoux Rouleau Alexis
Published: November 2022

As a sociocriminologist studying women’s prisons, I have contended that leisure needs to be rethought as a component of its environment and therefore as subjected to prisons’ functioning and goals (Marcoux Rouleau, 2020). In the following pages, I build on this to argue that despite its many benefits to incarcerated women and people in general, leisure has a limited capacity to fix that which is cracked and broken by the institution itself. Indeed, poverty, homelessness, victimization, and addiction are pathways to poor health and to criminalization, especially among women (Chesnay, 2016, 2017). Incarceration amplifies and creates issues with health and wellbeing, leading critical scholars to conclude that such problems are constitutive of the institution (Robert and Frigon, 2006). I infer that emphasis on leisure as the penultimate answer to poor health in prison does a disservice to incarcerated individuals, who are held accountable for improving their wellbeing while government responsibility is deflected, and discuss what practitioners, scholars, and advocate can do about this.
Attitudes towards filial responsibility between 2001 and 2017 in Europe
Authors: Kääriäinen Juha , Danielsbacka Mirkka , Tanskanen Antti O
Published: November 2022

This study examines how attitudes towards filial responsibility (AFR) have changed in 11 European countries between 2001 and 2017, based on data from the International Social Survey Programme. The countries represent different types of welfare states and family traditions. The study also analysed the interconnectedness of age and gender. Results show that in 2017 people felt less filial responsibility than in 2001 in 10 countries. Only in Great Britain did the AFR show a positive change. Negative changes were most evident in Hungary, France, Denmark, and Finland. The negative change appear to have occurred in both genders and across all age groups and was predominent among late middle-aged women. However, although the intensity of AFR change varied, it was difficult to determine clear patterns in the country-by-country variations. The results have negative implications for political proposals on long-term care for older adults supported by younger generations.
''Locating the Processes of Non-State Relief Work During the Covid-19 Lockdown in Delhi''
Authors: Trust Institute of Social Studies , Zaidi Mubashira , Ramachandran Risha , Datta Ayesha , Jha Sneha , Kaur Ashmeet
Published: November 2022

‘Locating the Processes of Non-state Relief Work during the Covid-19 Lockdown in Delhi’, uses a gender-responsive intersectional framework to highlight the critical role played by communities and civil society in four slum areas of Delhi, in order to reduce human suffering during the Covid-19 lockdown. The study is also an effort to understand the various gendered and intersectional vulnerabilities that came to the fore, the mechanisms of relief work and care that were undertaken through local collective action, as well as the collaborations and networks that were locally built to respond to the crisis. Further, the study is centred on the concepts of social reproduction and care and aims to understand the critical role played by communities in extending care within the institutional framework represented by the ‘Care Diamond’. Thus, the study draws lessons from the experiences of local slum communities in responding to the care crisis during the lockdown and aims to throw light on the wider structural inequalities in society. The findings from the study respond to the policy needs of both the government and civil society in terms of averting a care crisis and/or addressing such a scenario.
Beyond protests: Using computational text analysis to explore a greater variety of social movement activities
Authors: King Brayden , Nelson Laura K.
Published: November 2022

Social movement scholars use protest events as a way to quantify social movements, and have most often used large, national newspapers to identify those events. This has introduced known and unknown biases into our measurement of social movements. We know that national newspapers tend to cover larger and more contentious events and organizations. Protest events are furthermore a small part of what social movements actually do. Without other readily available options to quantify social movements, however, big-N studies have continued to focus on protest events via a few large newspapers. With advances in digitized data and computational methods, we now no longer have to rely on large newspapers or focus only on protests to quantify important aspects of social movements. In this paper we use the environmental movement as a case study, analyzing data from a wide range of local, regional, and national newspapers in the United States to quantify multiple facets of social movements. We argue that the incorporation of more data and new methods to quantify information in text has the potential to transform the way we both conceive of and measure social movements in three ways: (1) the type of focal social movement organization included, (2) the type of tactics and issues covered, and (3) the ability to go beyond protest events as the primary unit of analysis. In addition to demonstrating ways that the focus on counting protest events has introduced specific biases in the type of tactics, issues, and organizations covered in social movement research, we argue that computational methods can help us extract and count meaningful aspects of social movements well beyond event counts. In short, the infusion of new data and methods into social movements, peace, and conflict studies could lead us to a substantial shift in the way we quantify social movements, from protest events to everything that occurs outside of them.
Nutrition Status of Cancer Patients Attending Oncology Unit at Birat Medical College
Authors: Priyadarshini Mona , Karki Gyanendra Man Singh , Sapkota Sulav
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Malnutrition is a major problem in cancer patients which results in high morbidity and mortality. There are lack of comprehensive centers providing nutritional support to cancer patients in eastern region of Nepal.
Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the malnutrition status of cancer patients at Birat Medical College. It aimed to calculate the prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients.
Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional observational study of six months duration was conductedfrom 15th January 2021 to 15th July 2021 in the department of Oncology at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital.All the histologically proven cancer patients during the study period were taken as study population whose body mass index were calculated. The relevant data were maintained inexcel sheet and analysis was done with the help of statistical software SPSS version22.
Results:  A total of 70 cases attended oncology unit during the study duration at Birat Medical College. The mean age of the cases were60 years (range 21-85) with the proportion of female patients almost equal(53%) to that of males. There was total 28 (40%) malnutrition cases out of which 22% were overweight,17% were underweight and only 1% obese. During the study period total 50% of the malnutrition cases were alive and 50% cases expired due to disease progression.
Conclusion: Malnutrition is a major concern worldwide and even in cancer patients of Nepal. There is a need of comprehensive cancer center providing nutritional support to cancer patients in eastern region of Nepal.
Large Radicular cyst disfiguring the midline face; a case report
Authors: Sigdel Brihaspati , Sah Kuseshwar , Neupane Bhima
Published: November 2022

A radicular cyst is an inflammatory odontogenic cyst of the jaw commonly found at the apices of the tooth of the anterior maxilla. It develops as a sequel of untreated dental caries with pulp necrosis and periapical infection. Different treatment includes surgical endodontic treatment, extraction of the involving tooth, marsupialization, and enucleation with primary closure followed by rehabilitation. We presented a case of a huge midline radicular cyst of a 52 years lady who presented with increasing size of swelling at the midline of the upper lip region which makes patients ugly for 25 years. It leads to the mass effect at the philtrum of the upper labium at midlines leads to elevation and ugly looking face making her socially embarrassing. Endoscope-assisted complete excision was performed via midline mini visor incision and with no evidence of recurrence found at three-month follow-up.
Factors affecting the Adoption of Improved Management Practices of Mandarin in Gorkha, Nepal
Authors: Pant Bishnu Prasad
Published: November 2022

Gorkha is one of the leading mandarin producing districts located on the Hilly ecological belt in the north south of Nepal. The general objective the research was to assess adoption level of improved orchard practices of mandarin recommended through PMAMP which has high scope to improvise farming practices and mandarin productivity. Household survey was conducted at the major citrus producing wards of Gorkha Municipality and Sahid Lakhan Rural Municipality of Gorkha. Primary data were collected by the use of pretested interview questionnaire from 120 respondents selected at random to represent farmers of mandarin zone area. Data were processed and analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics through Ms-excel and SPSS. Chi-square tested the significant difference between independent and dependent variables. The analysis showed that majority of the respondents were middle age group, male, literate, had medium family size and medium level of income. Majority of them were affiliated to the farmers’ groups but lacked training. Majority of the respondents had medium level adoption of improved orchard management practices of mandarin. Among the socio-demographic parameters observed, significant relationship was found in case of age, education, membership in farmer’s group/organization, training and extension contact. Lack of knowledge and irrigation facility, insect-pest and disease problem and climatic uncertainty are the major problems in mandarin production. The medium scale farmers should be intervened by planners and extension agents for improving farming practices and productivity of mandarin provided with input resources.
Determinants of Organic Tea Cultivation and Selection of Efficient Marketing Channels by the Orthodox Tea Growers in Nepal
Authors: Simkhada S. , Kattel R. R. , Dhakal S. C. , Koirala A.
Published: November 2022

The trend of organic agriculture in developing countries has increased due to increasing health consciousness of consumers and high demand for organic products in developed countries. However, the rate of conversion to organic production is much slower than in other countries and the tea farmers who work hard all-around a year have not got proper market share due to several reasons. The study was conducted in Suryodaya municipality, Sakejung, Jasbire, Maipokhari, and Sandakpur area of the Ilam district by purposively and randomly selecting 160 tea farmers for questionnaire survey to determine the socio-economic and institutional factors that play a significant role in organic cultivation practice and selection of effective marketing channels. The data were collected from the interview with farmers, direct observation, focus group discussions and key informant interviews using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. The average gross margin per kilogram green leaf was NRs. 17.16 for organic and NRs. 13.15 for conventionally produced ones. The decision of farmers to practice organic orthodox tea production and selection of efficient marketing channel in the study areas was estimated through the Logit model. The involvement of farmers in cooperative and marketing channels followed for the marketing of green leaves and farming years significantly affected the organic cultivation of orthodox tea. The study revealed that the marketing channel; producers–cooperatives–processors–retailers– consumers was found to be the most efficient. The ethnicity, farming experience, and organic production of tea significantly affected the selection of an efficient marketing channel by orthodox tea farmers.
Profitability and Resource Use Efficiency of Polycarp Production in Morang, Nepal
Authors: Poudel D. , Pandit N. P.
Published: November 2022

The study was designed to portray the resource use efficiency of polycarp production in Morang district of Nepal during December 2017 to April 2018. Total of 30 commercial and 30 subsistence farmers were selected for primary data collection. Cobb-Douglas non-linear regression function was used to determine inputs that affect productivity. Empirical results illustrated the enterprise to be profitable as indicated by Benefit Cost Ratio, 1.87 in commercial and 1.33 in subsistence farms. The income of commercial farms was significantly higher (NRs. 76.94/kg) than subsistent farms (p<0.01). Estimates suggested feed and labor to be reduced; proper use of lime, fertilizer, other cost and pond rent to be increased. Therefore, the fishery enterprise is in the stage of higher potentiality to increase its production in the study area.
Changing Pattern of Employment in Nepal
Authors: KC P. , Dhakal S. C. , Chhetri R. K.
Published: November 2022

Employment is for livelihood and securing the lives of people. Unemployment is most raised issue in Nepalese economy but remaining unsolved. Poverty reduction and employment creation had been raised in each past periodic plan. Study was done to assess the changing pattern of employment for analyzing the sectoral involvement of labour force, efficacy of policies, strategies and implication of policies for addressing the labour and migration issues in Nepal. Relevant secondary data from different sources were used for the study. Study shows youth unemployment rate is decreasing. About 66% of the total employment is dependent on agricultural sector which is in the decreasing rate as the slow transformation of agriculture- based economy to modern economy. Around 56% of household receives the remittance, inflow of remittance is in increasing trend to fiscal year 2016/2017 but it shrinks in 2017/2018. Bagmati and Karnali province had higher and lower number of working age population respectively.Similarly, greater unemployment rate found in Province 2. In first eight months of the Fiscal year 2017/18, 12,622 people have been provided the orientation training and 658 people have been provided skill-based training through youth and Small Entrepreneurship Self-employment Programs. Government launched Prime Minister Employment Program (PMEP) at national level in fiscal year 2019/2020. Vicious cycle of remittance, poor sectoral growth, low labor productivity, poor policy implementation are key factors for unemployment. There is urgent need for domestic job to absorb labour force. Youth and marginalized community targeted program, skill development and enhancement program should be emphasized from government level.
Simulation of Growth and Yield of Rice under Different Agronomic Management and with Changing Climatic Parameters in Central Terai, Nepal
Authors: Bastola A. , Karki T. , Marahatta S. , Amgain L. P.
Published: November 2022

An experiment was conducted in Chitwan, Central Tarai, Nepal in three factorial strip-split plot design to simulate the effect of agronomic management and climate change parameters on growth and yield of rice under two crop establishment methods (transplanted in puddling and direct seeded in zero tillage); two residue retention levels (residue kept at 3 t/ha and no residue); and two nitrogen (N) levels (recommended dose: 100 kg N/ha and farmers dose: 50 kg N/ha) using the variety ‘Ramdhan’ during the rainy season of 2016. Soil of the experiment site was sandy loam and moderately acidic. Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) ver. 4.6 was used to validate the datasets of field experiment. File-A, File-T, File-W, File-X and Soil file were prepared and genetic coefficient of the variety was determined as P1 (900.00), P2O (70.00), P2R (800.00), P5 (12.60), G1 (99.00), G2 (0.035), G3 (0.02), G4 (0.85) and PHINT (83.0). Crop geometry (row spacing from 20 cm × 20 cm to 15 cm × 15 cm) increased the simulated grain yield from 5406 kg/ha to 5539 kg/ha, and simulated straw yield from 5410 kg/ha to 5797 kg/ha. Either early or late planting from 22 June decreased the simulated grain yield of rice. The increase in temperature by the years 2020, 2050 and 2080 A.D. decreased the simulated grain yield to 4518, 4098 and 2543 kg/ha, respectively, and increase in the level of CO2 concentration and solar radiation can increase the yield slightly with increase in the minimum and maximum temperature’s.
Grain Yield and Agro-Climatic Indices of Rice Cultivars Transplanted in Different Dates in Mid-Western Tarai, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari S. , Amgain L. P. , Acharya P. , Shrestha A.
Published: November 2022

An experiment was conducted to assess the productivity and agro-climatic indices of different rice cultivars under staggered transplanting dates in farmers’ field at Lamahi, Dang during May to November 2018. The experiment was laid in a two factorial randomized complete block design with 9 treatments and 3 replications. Two factors included were: three rice cultivars; Arise-6444, Sarju-52, and Sukkha-3, and three transplanting dates; 19th June, 29th June, and 9th July. Phenological observation and yield attributing characters were recorded and statistical analysis was done. Cultivars under different transplanting dates showed significant variation in yield, yield attributes, and agro-climatic indices, individually and in interaction. Variety Arise-6444 attained early booting, panicle initiation, heading and flowering followed by Sukkha-3 and Sarju-52, respectively. Cultivar Arise-6444 showed the highest panicle weight (4.84g), effective tillers m-2 (242), grains panicle-1 (201) and grain yield (9213 kg ha-1). Early transplanting brought the phenological stages late as compared to mid and late transplanting. Cumulative GDD and PTI were significantly higher in Sarju-52 being 2066 and 15.90, respectively, whereas Arise-6444 showed the highest HUE (4.702). Irrespective of transplanting dates, early transplanting exhibited the highest GDD (2150.76) and PTI (16.36). Early transplanting of Sarju-52 showed the highest GDD (2211) while the highest PTI (16.59) was recorded in early transplanting of Arise-6444. Thus, varieties having high HUE should be planted early for better yield and to cope with the adverse effect of climate change.
Genetic Parameters Estimation of Growth and Litter Traits of Crossbred Goats in Surkhet District of Karnali Province, Nepal
Authors: Sapkota S. , Poudel J. , Kolakshyapati M. R. , Devkota N. R. , Sharma M. P. , Gorkhali N. A. , Sharma S. P. , Upadhayaya S. , Bhattarai N.
Published: November 2022

Genetic parameters of litter traits of kids are important for increased production and productivity of goats. The main aim of the study was to determine production performance and to estimate genetic parameters for growth traits of indigenous and Boer crossbred kids of goats in field conditions. Result indicated that the heritability estimates of litter weight at different ages ranges from 0.42 ± 0.05 (at birth) to 0.73 ± 0.14 (at twelve months). Similarly, phenotypic association among litter weight and size at birth and weaning were high whereas genetic correlations among the traits were higher than the phenotypic correlation. Moderate to high heritability suggested that the genetic variance is higher relative to phenotypic variance and thus high potentiality for estimating growth of kids through intense selection. Similarly, strong positive genetic and phenotypic association between the litter weight and size at birth and weaning indicated that these traits could be the most important and effective selection criteria for achieving higher growth at later stage of life
Effect of Organic and Inorganic Sources of Nitrogen on Performance of Hybrid Potato Seed (HPS II/67) in Chitwan
Authors: Bhatta N. P. , Panthi J. , Dhakal D. D. , Shakya S. M.
Published: November 2022

A field experiment was conducted at Meghauli, Chitwan to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen (N) obtained from organic and inorganic sources on ware potato production from the first clonal generation of TPS hybrid (HPS II/67) during September, 2014 to February, 2015. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments consist of three different sources of nitrogen (Biomal, vermicompost and chemical fertilizers) having three different levels (80, 120 and 160 kg N/ha) from each source. Plant height, number of leaves/plant, total biomass/plant, total dry matter/plant and leaf area index were measured at 75 days after planting (DAP). Similarly, days to tuber initiation, number of tubers/plant, number of tubers/plot, tuber yield/plot and total tuber yield (mt/ha) were recorded. Cumulative physiological weight loss, greening percentage and sprouting percentage were observed during storage. B/C ratio of all the treatments were computed and compared. Experimental results revealed highest plant height (42.8cm), no. of leaves (145), biomass (98.9 gm/plant), dry matter (9.17 gm/plant) and leaf area index (3068.5 per plant) were recorded when 160kg N/ha applied through Biomal. The highest tuber yield (47.8 mt/ha) and B/C ratio (2.41) were obtained from Biomal at 160 kg N/ha. From this study, 160 kg N/ha from Biomal is recommended for higher productivity and economic returns for ware potato production from TPS hybrid (HPS II/67) under Meghauli, Chitwan, Nepal. However further study on different levels of N from organic sources is needed under different ecological niches.
Response of Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis L.) to Different Levels of Boron under Maize Based Cropping System
Authors: Panthi J. , Shrestha R. K. , Shrestha S. , Manandhar B. D. , Bhatta N. P. , Devkota S.
Published: November 2022

To assess the effect of Boron (B) application on cauliflower, we conducted a greenhouse pot experiment that consisted of soil application of five levels of nutrient i) no input of fertilizers, ii) N:P2O5:K2O at the rate of 200, 28.6, and 80 kg ha-1 respectively (recommended dose of NPK),iii) recommended dose of NPK plus 1.1 kg ha-1 B, iv) recommended dose of NPK plus 2.2 kg ha-1 B, and v) recommended dose of NPK plus 4.4 kg ha-1 B. Total plant biomass was 106 gplant-1 at 4.4 kg B ha-1 compared to 79 g plant-1 at the control of no nutrient inputs. Relative to the control treatment, there was a two-fold increase in fresh curd yield at 1.1 Kg B ha-1 application. Boron application improved the shoot B content as well as its partitioning towards curd and was associated with higher B concentration in the curd. While the soil residual B was 0.26 mg Kg-1 when no B was applied, it was 0.3 mg Kg-1 at 4.4 Kg B ha-1 application. It is concluded that soil B application tends to improve the yield and quality of cauliflower cultivated at the upland maize based system in mid-hill areas of Nepal.
Assessment of the Relationship Between Soil pH and Macronutrients at Baseshwor, Sindhuli
Authors: Paudel M. , Adhikari K. R. , Subedi B. , Gairhe J. J. , Vista S. P. , Lamichhane S.
Published: November 2022

Macronutrients are the nutrients required by plants in relatively large amount. Nutrients availability is dependent on soil reaction, which is one of the most important chemical parameters. This study was carried out in Baseshwor area of Sindhuli District to determine the relationship between soil pH and soil macronutrients: total Nitrogen, available Phosphorus, exchangeable Potassium, extractable Calcium, and extractable Magnesium. A total of 30 representative soil samples was collected from the Baseshwor area and were analyzed following the standard procedures. A simple linear correlation and regression were performed by using MS EXCEL  to compute the relationship between soil pH and the macronutrients. The result showed that there was a significant positive correlation between soil pH and total N (r=0.7310*), available phosphorus(r=0.6466*), extractable potassium (r=0.5569*), extractable Ca (r=0.6088*) and extractable Mg (r=0.5945*). Similarly, with the increase by one unit in soil pH; total N, available Phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, calcium, and magnesium increased by 0.3123, 72.29, 528.32, 906.37, and 108.42 units, respectively. It was also found that pH accounted for the change in about 53.4%, 41.8%, 31.0%, 37.1%, and 36.4% N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. Since most of the nutrients are available in the optimum pH range (6.5-7.5), maintenance of optimum soil pH is necessary for tackling the problems of unavailability of macronutrient from the soil in Baseshwor area, Sindhuli
Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in Provincial and Local Government of Nepal: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Tamang K. , Neupane A. , Jaishi M.
Published: November 2022

Three tiers government system as new structured governance transformation in Nepal has opened up an opportunity for making agricultural policies especially at the province and local level to promote bottom-up approach of agricultural extension delivery system. Restructuring of extension system has also leaded the way to multiple challenges in achieving the goals and vision of various strategies and plans. The paper discusses the emerging issues and challenges of agricultural extension service delivery in the changing institutional and policy context. Through an integrative review of literatures, the paper discusses the prospects of agricultural extension service system in federal context and highlights the gaps in current extension service delivery mechanism. The paper concluded that with the implementation of federal system based on the rule of law, federal governance, balanced power-sharing and values, it has opened up an opportunity for making agricultural policies at the province and local government level and thus promoting the participatory, demand driven agriculture planning and implantation. However, Nepalese agriculture extension service delivery has been facing difficulties in transforming itself in the changed context due to lack of the coordination between the layers of government, niche- based expertise, long term visualization and capitals. There are very few studies and research regarding the structural reorganization of extension system in Nepal. In this context the paper aims to identify the background, prospects and challenges faced by agricultural extension system of Nepal in federal context.
Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) Management Strategies: A Synopsis
Authors: Khatri S. , Tiwari S. , Ghimire D.
Published: November 2022

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous pest with a host range, native to North and South America. This pest was formally reported for the first in January 2016 in Africa and in May 2018 in India. On 9 May 2019, this pest was first noticed in Nawalpur Nepal. 20-35% losses have been reported in maize crops. Since the outbreak of this pest from Africa, entomologists are working for their strategic management. This review aims to compile the fall armyworm (FAW) management works carried in the world and discuss their relevancy in Nepalese context. Of the various practices, chemical pesticides are one of the most commonly used tools followed by habitat management and other cultural practices. Insect pheromones are used for pest monitoring, and thereby to improve pest management decisions. Trap cropping, cover cropping, intercropping, maintaining floral diversity are some examples of habitat pest manipulation. Push-pull strategy uses Napier crop as a ‘Pull’ component and Desmodium crop as a ‘Push’ crop. These agro-ecological strategies change the behavior of FAW and able to trap or manage them in a certain area or certain crop, where pest can be managed manually or using other non-insecticidal strategies. This review work will be useful for the academicians, extension workers and plant protectionist to design a sustainable FAW management protocol.
Demographic Dividend: An Asset for India
Authors: Kaur Ushvinder , Hasija Anupama M. , Chaudhary Sambhawna , Chandna Vaneeta
Published: November 2022

Demographic dividend is the acceleration in the economic growth which is brought about as a result of a fall in fertility and mortality rate in the population of a country. This leads to a subsequent change in the age structure of the population of a country. With the decline in the birth rate, the young dependent population of the country declines in relation to the working age population. Due to an increase in the productivity of working population, the per capita income of a country rises. It is the period during which the population of the country experience the age structure that is highly favourable for development. India has more than half of its population falls in the age group of working population which is young, i.e. 15 to 64 years and also the most potential and productive as a human resource. Hence, demographic dividend can be an asset if it is used reasonably and rationally. This will lead to expanding the labour force, the level of urbanisation and industrialisation and henceforth creating rapid development of the country. The expanded workforce increases the efficiency of the country’s economy. The main aim of the paper is to discuss the trend of demographic dividend with respect to population structure and composition in India and also to understand the existing governmental policies and programmes for promoting youth to benefit as demographic dividend for economic growth of the nation. For this study, population data from various sources such as Census Data of India and world population data for various years has been collected. The data is then tabulated, analysed and represented through line graph, bar graph and pyramids. There are certain challenges which India will face during this phase of demographic dividend which includes informal economy, low human capital, and even demography and unskilled labour. Various suggestions to combat these challenges have been suggested.
Identifying opportunities for hepatic encephalopathy self-management: A mixed methods systematic review and synthesis
Authors: Ismond Kathleen P , Spiers Jude A , Tandon Puneeta
Published: November 2022

Background:

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in cirrhosis is an extremely challenging complication for patients and care partners. To identify potentially modifiable factors to enhance HE self-management strategies, we conducted a synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research about real-world HE behaviours, knowledge, and experiences.

Methods:

Using the EPPI-Centre’s mixed methods synthesis procedure, a systematic literature search in five databases was completed; methods of selected articles underwent critical appraisal followed by descriptive analysis and coded line-by-line of content. Through refutational translation, the findings from the quantitative and qualitative syntheses were juxtaposed to highlight congruencies, incongruencies, or gaps. These findings informed generation of cross-analytical themes that were transformed into action statements.

Results:

The quantitative narrative review of synthesis ( n = 17) generated four themes (patients had low awareness of HE and low treatment adherence rates, physicians had a non-uniform approach to non-pharmaceutical therapies). Meta-aggregation of qualitative data from six articles yielded three themes (patients and care partners had low levels of HE awareness, were unfamiliar with HE self-management, and were adherent to treatments). Comparison of findings revealed three congruencies, two gaps, and one incongruency. The combined synthesis yielded two self-management themes: universal patient-oriented cirrhosis HE education and ensuring each health care encounter systematically addresses HE to guarantee health care is continuously modified to meet their needs.

Conclusions:

By drawing on elements of Bloom’s Taxonomy and distributed knowledge networks, deliberate patient-oriented HE messaging at all health care encounters is greatly needed to improve health outcomes and reduce care burdens related to HE.
Políticas públicas contra la mortalidad materna en Colombia
Authors: GOENAGA CARDENAS Nasly , DÍAZ-BARRIOS Jazmín
Published: November 2022

La Mortalidad materna tiene impacto social tanto en el ámbito Internacional, como nacional, constituyéndose en un problema de salud pública y poniendo en evidencia las inequidades en salud. Este trabajo reflexiona sobre los esfuerzos que se realizan en Colombia para disminuir en cada región, la mortalidad materna.  Metodológicamente, es una investigación cualitativa con revisión documental, análisis de contenido y hermenéutica como herramientas de recolección y procesamiento de información. Se revisaron los diferentes instrumentos de política pública existentes en Colombia para hacer frente al problema [Constitución, Leyes 715 (2001), 1122 (2007),  1438 (2011), 1841 (2013) y 1751(2015), entre otros], igualmente, la infraestructura en salud para apoyar la ejecución. Se encontró que existe un soporte legal orientado a preservar la vida materna, así como rutas de atención integral para esta población, pero los resultados muestran grandes diferencias en las cifras de las distintas zonas del país. Siendo un problema multifactorial, los determinantes sociales juegan un papel preponderante y la prestación de servicios, sobre todo en las zonas más deprimidas del país es compleja, requiriendo una intervención intersectorial en esos determinantes sociales y un fortalecimiento en el control de la gestión en la política pública, si se quiere que las cifras positivas abarquen todo el país y no sigan escondiendo profundas inequidades.
Adsorption Purification of Used Industrial Oil Using Natural Aluminosilicates
Authors:   Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University (ASOIU), Baku, Azerbaijan, Guseinova E.A.
Published: November 2022

The results of adsorption purification of used industrial oil in the presence of natural aluminosilicates, benton-ite and mordenite, are discussed. It was found that the maximum degree of purification was achieved in the presence of mordenite and reached 61.68 % at an oil, adsorbent ratio of 2.3 at a temperature of 70 °C. The da-ta of the structural-group analysis of the oil showed that the main share of the hydrocarbon components re-moved during purification is accounted for by highly condensed aromatic ones. The supposed reasons for the different adsorption activity of bentonite and mordenite samples were judged from the data of chemical, min-eralogical, textural, and IR spectroscopic analysis. Based on the results of the IR spectra of mordenite sam-ples, it was concluded that energetically active hydroxyl groups can be responsible for their increased adsorp-tion activity. The used oil before purification is characterized by a high cyclicity of the hydrocarbons which included in the composition (aromatic hydrocarbons account for 38 % of the total), while the oil subjected to adsorption purification with mordenite (M-50) mainly becomes free of aromatic rings (the proportion of aro-matic hydrocarbons decreases up to 19.6 %). This is a consequence of the high polarizability of aromatic hy-drocarbons, in which, compared with other oil components, a dipole moment is easily induced under the in-fluence of the electrostatic field of the adsorbent.
The Effect of Polybrene on an aPTT-based Lupus Anticoagulant Test in the Plasma of Patients Receiving Unfractionated Heparin
Authors: Kongkan Chulalak , Srinoun Kanitta , Kaewmaneerat Titirat , Penglong Tipparat
Published: November 2022

Objective: Heparins can interfere with lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing, especially when the detection assays do not contain a heparin neutralizer. In this study we evaluated whether hexadimethrine bromide commonly known as polybrene was able to neutralize the effects of unfractionated heparin (UFH) on activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-based LA determination. Material and Methods: The influence of polybrene on the aPTT-based LA testing results of 14 patients receiving UFH therapy was studied. Measurements were performed using Dade Actin FSL (aPTT-LA screen) and Dade Actin FS (aPTT-LA confirm) reagents on a Sysmex CS-1600 analyzer. The aPTT-LA screen/confirm ratios before and after the polybrene treatments were compared. Results: The UFH treatment affected the aPTT-LA screen/confirm ratio in four patterns, 1) no coagulation (NC code), 2) false positive, 3) false low, and 4) unchanged interpretation. After adding polybrene in the patient plasmas, the aPTT-LA screen/confirm ratios returned nearly to baseline without false positive or negative results. Conclusion: The best practice for LA testing should be done outside anticoagulant therapies, but if necessary, the tests can be performed by adding the proper concentration of polybrene.
From white to blue light: evolution of endoscope-assisted intracranial tumor neurosurgery and expansion to intraaxial tumors
Authors: Ruzevick Jacob , Cardinal Tyler , Pangal Dhiraj J. , Bove Ilaria , Strickland Ben , Zada Gabriel
Published: November 2022

OBJECTIVE

Intraoperative use of the endoscope to assist in visualization of intracranial tumor pathology has expanded with increasing surgeon experience and improved instrumentation. The authors aimed to study how advancements in endoscopic technology have affected the evolution of endoscope use, with particular focus on blue light–filter modification allowing for discrimination of fluorescent tumor tissue following 5-ALA administration.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing craniotomy for tumor resection at a single institution between February 2012 and July 2021 was performed. Patients were included if the endoscope was used for diagnostic tumor cavity inspection or therapeutic assistance with tumor resection following standard craniotomy and microsurgical tumor resection, with emphasis on those cases in which blue light endoscopy was used. Medical records were queried for patient demographics, operative reports describing the use of the endoscope and extent of resection, associations with tumor pathology, and postoperative outcomes. Preoperative and postoperative MR images were reviewed for radiographic extent of resection.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients who underwent endoscope-assisted craniotomy for tumor were included. Thirty patients (57.7%) were men and the average age was 52.6 ± 16.1 years. Standard white light endoscopes were used for assistance with tumor resection in 28 cases (53.8%) for tumors primarily located in the ventricular system, parasellar region, and cerebellopontine angle. A blue light endoscope for detection of 5-ALA fluorescence was introduced into our practice in 2014 and subsequently used for assistance with tumor resection in 24 cases (46.2%) (intraaxial: n = 22, extraaxial: n = 2). Beyond the use of the surgical microscope as the primary visualization source, the blue light endoscope was used to directly perform additional tumor resection in 19/21 cases as a result of improved fluorescence detection as compared to the surgical microscope. No complications were associated with the use of the endoscope or with additional resection performed under white or blue light visualization.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic assistance to visualize intracranial tumors had previously been limited to white light, assisting mostly in the visualization of extraaxial tumors confined to intraventricular and cisternal compartments. Blue light–equipped endoscopes provide improved versatility and visualization of 5-ALA fluorescing tissue beyond the capability of the surgical microscope, thereby expanding its use into the realm of intraaxial tumor resections.
The transfrontal isthmus approach for insular glioma surgery
Authors: Sun Guo-Chen , Shu Xu-Jun , Zheng Xiao-Que , Ma Xiao-Dong , Cheng Gang , Liu Jia-Lin , Chen Ling , Zhang Jian-Ning
Published: November 2022

OBJECTIVE

The classic transopercular or transsylvian approach to insular gliomas removes the tumor laterally through the insular cortex. This study describes a new anteroposterior approach through the frontal isthmus for insular glioma surgery.

METHODS

The authors detailed the surgical techniques for resection of insular gliomas through the transfrontal isthmus approach. Fifty-nine insular gliomas with at least Berger-Sanai zone I involvement were removed with the new approach, and extent of resection and postoperative neurological outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in the study, including 35 men and 24 women, with a mean (range) age 44.3 (19–75) years. According to the Berger-Sanai classification system, the most common tumor was a giant glioma (67.8%), followed by involvement of zones I and IV (18.6%). Twenty-two cases were Yaşargil type 3A/B, and 37 cases were Yaşargil type 5A/B. The average angle between the lateral plane of the putamen and sagittal line was 33.53°, and the average width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point was 33.33 mm. The average angle between the lateral plane of the putamen and the sagittal line was positively correlated with the width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point (r = 0.935, p < 0.0001). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) preoperative tumor volume was 67.82 (57.64–92.19) cm3. Of 39 low-grade gliomas, 26 (66.67%) were totally resected; of 20 high-grade gliomas, 19 (95%) were totally resected. The median (IQR) extent of resection of the whole group was 100% (73.7%–100%). Intraoperative diffusion-weighted imaging showed no cases of middle cerebral artery– or lenticulostriate artery–related stroke. Extent of insular tumor resection was positively correlated with the angle of the lateral plane of the putamen and sagittal line (r = −0.329, p = 0.011) and the width of the isthmus near the anterior insular point (r = −0.267, p = 0.041). At 3 months postoperatively, muscle strength grade exceeded 4 in all cases, and all patients exhibited essentially normal speech. The median (IQR) Karnofsky performance score at 3 months after surgery was 90 (80–90).

CONCLUSIONS

The transfrontal isthmus approach changes the working angle from lateral-medial to anterior-posterior, allowing for maximal safe removal of insular gliomas.
Evaluating the efficacy of isolated bacterial strain on the biodegradation of polystyrene (thermocol)
Authors: JAMUNASRI M. , M. LAKSHMI PRABHA , ISSAC REYA
Published: November 2022

Polystyrene (thermocol) is a widely used plastic in many aspects of human life and in industries due to various useful characteristics, however, it is very stable and extremely hard to degrade in the environment after disposal causing evolution of secondary pollutants. Biodegradation could be a sustainable approach in managing the disposal of these wastes wherein microorganisms through their enzymatic activity could degrade polystyrene. With this view, a study was designed during 2021 at Karunya Institute of Technology and Science to evaluate the potential of bacteria harbouring in polystyrene waste dumped. Our present investigation reveals the studies on biodegradation of polystyrene and has potential to explore and give direction for future studies