Economics of Rice Production in Pyuthan District of Nepal

A research was conducted at Pyuthan district in order to access the profitability of rice production in Pyuthan during the summer season of 2018-2019. Altogether of 70 respondents were selected randomly and surveyed with semi-structured interview schedule. The results revealed that the average land holding was 0.45 hectare, and the average rice cultivation area was 0.34 hectare. On the basis of average rice cultivation area, farmers were categorized as small (39) and large (31). The cost and return was calculated among both the category. t- test was used to compare the mean costs of inputs between small and large farmers. Cost for agronomic operations was found far higher (more than 70%) in both the category in compared to the cost of inputs. Contribution of rice grains and straw to overall return was 72.65% and 27.35% respectively. Benefit Cost ratio was found greater among large farmers. The average B:C ratio was 1.51, which was fairly higher than 1.14 in Dang district indicating the investment of rice production is expected to deliver a positive net return to the farmers of the study area. In a nutshell, rice cultivation is an important enterprise that should be encouraged, considering the fact that it is a major staple crop

Comparative structural and vibrational study of the two low energy conformers of neurotransmitter molecule: Norepinephrine [(R)-4-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl) benzene-1, 2-diol]

A computational investigation of the two lowest energy conformers of norepinephrine has been carried out at the level B3LYP using the basis set 6-311++G**. Out of the 11 possible lowest energy conformers, the two lowest energy conformers have been investigated thoroughly for the optimized geometries, fundamental frequencies, PEDs, APT charges, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, MEP, contour map, total density array, HOMO-LUMO energies. The second conformer is energetically at higher temperature by 293 K with respect to the first conformer. The bond angles and lengths do not show much variation while the dihedral angles vary significantly in going from conformer first to the conformer second. Some of the vibrational modes of the benzene moiety are conformation dependent to some extent whereas most of the normal modes of vibration of ethanolamine side chain vary significantly in going from one conformer to the other one. The MEP for the two lowest energy conformers suggests that the sites of the maximum positive and negative ESP change on changing the conformation. The atomic charges have also changed significantly from conformer C-I to the conformer C-II

Is there Evidence for a Hubble bubble? The Nature of Type Ia Supernova Colors and Dust in External Galaxies

We examine recent evidence from the luminosity-redshift relation of Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) for the $\sim 3 \sigma$ detection of a ``Hubble bubble'' -- a departure of the local value of the Hubble constant from its globally averaged value \citep{Jha:07}. By comparing the MLCS2k2 fits used in that study to the results from other light-curve fitters applied to the same data, we demonstrate that this is related to the interpretation of SN color excesses (after correction for a light-curve shape-color relation) and the presence of a color gradient across the local sample. If the slope of the linear relation ($\beta$) between SN color excess and luminosity is fit empirically, then the bubble disappears. If, on the other hand, the color excess arises purely from Milky Way-like dust, then SN data clearly favors a Hubble bubble. We demonstrate that SN data give $\beta \simeq 2$, instead of the $\beta \simeq 4$ one would expect from purely Milky-Way-like dust. This suggests that either SN intrinsic colors are more complicated than can be described with a single light-curve shape parameter, or that dust around SN is unusual. Disentangling these possibilities is both a challenge and an opportunity for large-survey SN Ia cosmology.Comment: Further information and data at http://qold.astro.utoronto.ca/conley/bubble/ Accepted for publication in ApJ

Optical Spectroscopy of Type Ia Supernovae

We present 432 low-dispersion optical spectra of 32 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that also have well-calibrated light curves. The coverage ranges from 6 epochs to 36 epochs of spectroscopy. Most of the data were obtained with the 1.5m Tillinghast telescope at the F. L. Whipple Observatory with typical wavelength coverage of 3700-7400A and a resolution of ~7A. The earliest spectra are thirteen days before B-band maximum; two-thirds of the SNe were observed before maximum brightness. Coverage for some SNe continues almost to the nebular phase. The consistency of the method of observation and the technique of reduction makes this an ideal data set for studying the spectroscopic diversity of SNe Ia.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, 109 pages (including data table), 44 figures, full resolution figures at http://www.noao.edu/noao/staff/matheson/Iaspec.ps.g

Evolving willingness and ability interfaces: An innovation led transformation journey

This paper discusses evolving willingness and ability during transformation initiatives in public sector organisations, a novel perspective contributing to addressing the need for better assessment and improved practice in managing transformation journeys. Propositions are formed by synthesising research, providing brief scenarios, and then through a summary narrative of transformation at a public sector organisation labelled PSO. A variation in willingness and ability levels and a divergence in these two variables across stakeholders comes across as an undercurrent to negotiate when the transformation is en-route. How it manifests is captured in propositions, providing a view of key interactions and consequences

Multi-core job submission and grid resource scheduling for ATLAS AthenaMP

AthenaMP is the multi-core implementation of the ATLAS software framework and allows the efficient sharing of memory pages between multiple threads of execution. This has now been validated for production and delivers a significant reduction on the overall application memory footprint with negligible CPU overhead. Before AthenaMP can be routinely run on the LHC Computing Grid it must be determined how the computing resources available to ATLAS can best exploit the notable improvements delivered by switching to this multi-process model. A study into the effectiveness and scalability of AthenaMP in a production environment will be presented. Best practices for configuring the main LRMS implementations currently used by grid sites will be identified in the context of multi-core scheduling optimisation

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and measurement properties of the Nepali version of the central sensitization inventory (CSI)

Background: Central sensitization is thought to be an important contributing factor in many chronic pain disorders. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a patient-reported measure frequently used to assess symptoms related to central sensitization. The aims of the study were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the CSI into Nepali (CSI-NP) and assess its measurement properties. Methods: The CSI was translated into Nepali using recommended guidelines. The CSI-NP was then administered on 100 Nepalese adults with sub-acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain with additional demographic and pain-related questions. The CSI-Nepali was administered again about 2 weeks later. Four measurement properties of the CSI-NP were evaluated: (1) internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha, (2) test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), (3) measurement errors, and (4) construct validity testing five a priori hypotheses. Confirmation of construct validity was determined if a minimum of 75% of the hypotheses were met. Results: The CSI was successfully translated into Nepali. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were both excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91, and ICC = 0.98). The standard error of measurement was 0.31 and the smallest detectable change was 0.86. Four out of five (80%) a priori hypotheses were met, confirming the construct validity: the CSI-NP correlated strongly with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale total scores (r = 0.50); moderately with the total number of pain descriptors (r = 0.35); weakly with the Numerical Rating Scale (r = 0.25); and women had significantly higher CSI scores than men. However, the CSI scores did not correlate significantly with the total duration of pain, as hypothesized (r = 0.10). Conclusions: The Nepali translation of the CSI demonstrated excellent reliability and construct validity in adults with musculoskeletal pain. It is now available to Nepali health care providers to help assess central sensitization-related signs and symptoms in individuals with musculoskeletal pain in research or clinical practice to advance the understanding of central sensitization in Nepalese samples

Heterogeneous expression and functional evaluation of in silico characterized recombinant OmpC of Salmonella Typhimurium as a functional poultry vaccine to eradicate zoonotic transmission

Salmonellosis is one of the major global health concerns leading to millions of deaths annually. The present vaccines not being up to the mark necessitate the need for the development of new generation vaccines. Outer membrane proteins (Omps) of several Gram negative bacteria have been investigated and found to be immunogenic and protective. The present study explores the potential of a major porin protein (OmpC) of Salmonella Typhimurium, as a vaccine candidate. The OmpC 3D structure and its potential to bind effectively with antibodies and generate humoral response was investigated using in silico docking, and expressed in a heterogeneous Escherichia coli M15 host strain. The rOmpC was purified and its immunopotential was evaluated in vitro by western blotting and in vivo in three weeks old chicks. The recombinant OmpC produced a significant humoral response and in vaccinated birds 100% survival rate was observed along with delay in the shedding of organism in droppings. These findings indicate that the rOmpC vaccination prevents mortality in chicken and lowers fecal shedding in droppings.Key words: Outer membrane protein (Omp), Salmonellosis, Salmonella Typhimurium, subunit vaccines, porins,rigid-body docking

What prompts patients to present with delirium?

PURPOSE: To explore the recognition, response and understanding of delirium in families and carers of hospitalised patients. METHODS: All adults with delirium admitted to an acute medical unit were included. Delirium was diagnosed by a specialist geriatrician. The responder who sought medical advice for each patient was interviewed using a delirium recognition questionnaire. Vital status was ascertained at four months. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included (mean age 85, SD 6.8 years). Reported symptoms included drowsiness and lack of responsiveness, though these were less commonly recognised as being due to delirium. 76% received medical advice within 24 h, although two responders took > 1 week. One-third of responders had never heard of delirium. Delirium knowledge among responders was variable. CONCLUSION: Overall awareness and knowledge of delirium was poor. Community delirium education and public health initiatives may improve rapidity of recognition, delirium assessment, and potentially health outcomes