513 research outputs found
Towards portable muography with small-area, gas-tight glass Resistive Plate Chambers
Imaging techniques that use atmospheric muons, collectively named under the
neologism "muography", have seen a tremendous growth in recent times, mainly
due to their diverse range of applications. The most well-known ones include
but are not limited to: volcanology, archaeology, civil engineering, nuclear
reactor monitoring, nuclear waste characterization, underground mapping, etc.
These methods are based on the attenuation or deviation of muons to image large
and/or dense objects where conventional techniques cannot work or their use
becomes challenging.
In this context, we have constructed a muography telescope based on "mini
glass-RPC planes" following a design similar to the glass-RPC detectors
developed by the CALICE Collaboration and used by the TOMUVOL experiment in the
context of volcano radiography, but with smaller active area (16 16
cm). The compact size makes it an attractive choice with respect to other
detectors previously employed for imaging on similar scales. An important
innovation in this design is that the detectors are sealed. This makes the
detector more portable and solves the usual safety and logistic issues for gas
detectors operated underground and/or inside small rooms. This paper provides
an overview on our guiding principles, the detector development and our
operational experiences. Drawing on the lessons learnt from the first
prototype, we also discuss our future direction for an improved second
prototype, focusing primarily on a recently adopted serigraphy technique for
the resistive coating of the glass plates.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, XV Workshop on Resistive Plate Chambers and
Related Detectors (RPC2020
Line tension and structure of smectic liquid crystal multilayers at the air-water interface
At the air/water interface, 4,-8-alkyl[1,1,-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (8CB)
domains with different thicknesses coexist in the same Langmuir film, as
multiple bilayers on a monolayer. The edge dislocation at the domain boundary
leads to line tension, which determines the domain shape and dynamics. By
observing the domain relaxation process starting from small distortions, we
find that the line tension is linearly dependent on the thickness difference
between the coexisting phases in the film. Comparisons with theoretical
treatments in the literature suggest that the edge dislocation at the boundary
locates near the center of the film, which means that the 8CB multilayers are
almost symmetric with respect to the air/water interface.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure
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Developing a scalable training model in global mental health: pilot study of a video-assisted training Program for Generalist Clinicians in Rural Nepal.
BackgroundIn low- and middle-income countries, mental health training often includes sending few generalist clinicians to specialist-led programs for several weeks. Our objective is to develop and test a video-assisted training model addressing the shortcomings of traditional programs that affect scalability: failing to train all clinicians, disrupting clinical services, and depending on specialists.MethodsWe implemented the program -video lectures and on-site skills training- for all clinicians at a rural Nepali hospital. We used Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate pre- and post-test change in knowledge (diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and appropriate treatment). We used a series of 'Yes' or 'No' questions to assess attitudes about mental illness, and utilized exact McNemar's test to analyze the proportions of participants who held a specific belief before and after the training. We assessed acceptability and feasibility through key informant interviews and structured feedback.ResultsFor each topic except depression, there was a statistically significant increase (Î) in median scores on knowledge questionnaires: Acute Stress Reaction (Î = 20, p = 0.03), Depression (Î = 11, p = 0.12), Grief (Î = 40, p < 0.01), Psychosis (Î = 22, p = 0.01), and post-traumatic stress disorder (Î = 20, p = 0.01). The training received high ratings; key informants shared examples and views about the training's positive impact and complementary nature of the program's components.ConclusionVideo lectures and on-site skills training can address the limitations of a conventional training model while being acceptable, feasible, and impactful toward improving knowledge and attitudes of the participants
Maternal, Fetal and Newborn Outcome with Respect to Anemic Status of Women Admitted in Maternity Ward of BPKIHS
Background: Anemia is a common problem in pregnancy particularly in developing countries. In Nepal, the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is 48%. It is defined by WHO as hemoglobin level less than 11gm/dL in pregnancy. It leads to a number of threats to mother, fetus and newborn.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the maternal, fetal and newborn outcome with respect to anemic status of women admitted in maternity ward of BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the 20 to 35 years women admitted in maternity ward of BPKIHS. Total 193 respondents were included in the study by purposive sampling technique. Out of 193 respondents, 78 were anemic and 115 were non-anemic. Maternal, fetal and newborn outcome among all the respondents were assessed by interview and review of records. Pearson Chi-square test was used to find the association between two categorical variables.
Results: Maternal outcomes such as preterm delivery, mode of delivery and fetal and newborn outcomes such as abnormal fetal heart rate, IUGR, LBW, low APGAR scores at 1 minute and at 5 minutes, need for resuscitation and need for admission in ward/nursery/NICU were significantly associated with anemic status of women at p value <0.05. The prevalence of anemia among the pregnant women was 40.5%.
Conclusion: Maternal outcome such as preterm delivery, cesarean section were associated with anemia. Regarding the fetal and newborn outcome; abnormal fetal heart rate, IUGR, low birth weight, APGAR scores below 7, need for resuscitation, need for admission in ward/ nursery/NICU were associated with anemia
Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor in Brassica rapa Reveals QTL Hotspots and Epistatic Interactions
Participatory policy analysis in health policy and systems research: reflections from a study in Nepal.
Background
Participatory policy analysis (PPA) as a method in health policy and system research remains underexplored. Using our experiences of conducting PPA workshops in Nepal to explore the impact of the countryâs move to federalism on its health system, we reflect on the methodâs strengths and challenges. We provide an account of the study context, the design and implementation of the workshops, and our reflections on the approachâs strengths and challenges. Findings on the impact of federalism on the health system are beyond the scope of this manuscript.
Main body
We conducted PPA workshops with a wide range of health system stakeholders (political, administrative and service-level workforce) at the local and provincial levels in Nepal. The workshops consisted of three activities: river of life, brainstorming and prioritization, and problem-tree analysis. Our experiences show that PPA workshops can be a valuable approach to explore health policy and system issues â especially in a context of widespread systemic change which impacts all stakeholders within the health system. Effective engagement of stakeholders and activities that encourage both individual- and system-level reflections and discussions not only help in generating rich qualitative data, but can also address gaps in participantsâ understanding of practical, technical and political aspects of the health system, aid policy dissemination of research findings, and assist in identifying short- and long-term practice and policy issues that need to be addressed for better health system performance and outcomes. Conducting PPA workshops is, however, challenging for a number of reasons, including the influence of gatekeepers and power dynamics between stakeholders/participants. The role and skills of researchers/facilitators in navigating such challenges are vital for success. Although the long-term impact of such workshops needs further research, our study shows the usefulness of PPA workshops for researchers, for participants and for the wider health system.
Conclusions
PPA workshops can effectively generate and synthesize health policy and system evidence through collaborative engagement of health system stakeholders with varied roles. When designed with careful consideration for context and stakeholdersâ needs, it has great potential as a method in health policy and systems research
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