Optical Studies of Zero-Field Magnetization of CdMnTe Quantum Dots: Influence of Average Size and Composition of Quantum Dots

We show that through the resonant optical excitation of spin-polarized excitons into CdMnTe magnetic quantum dots, we can induce a macroscopic magnetization of the Mn impurities. We observe very broad (4 meV linewidth) emission lines of single dots, which are consistent with the formation of strongly confined exciton magnetic polarons. Therefore we attribute the optically induced magnetization of the magnetic dots results to the formation of spin-polarized exciton magnetic polarons. We find that the photo-induced magnetization of magnetic polarons is weaker for larger dots which emit at lower energies within the QD distribution. We also show that the photo-induced magnetization is stronger for quantum dots with lower Mn concentration, which we ascribe to weaker Mn-Mn interaction between the nearest neighbors within the dots. Due to particular stability of the exciton magnetic polarons in QDs, where the localization of the electrons and holes is comparable to the magnetic exchange interaction, this optically induced spin alignment persists to temperatures as high as 160 K.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figs - submitted for publicatio

A study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Human Right of Mentally Ill Patient among Community People in Kaski, Pokhara,Nepal

Introduction: Mental health problems raise many human rights issues. People with mental illness are exposed to human rights violation within and outside the health care context. Because of lack of awareness, people with mental illness and their families do not exercise their rights. Psychiatric patients are most vulnerable groups in community. Incidence of violation of rights of mentally ill patients can be avoided if the community people become aware of them. Objective: To assess knowledge regarding human rights and myth of mental illness among community people. Method: A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted among 140 community people of Ritthepani-27, Kaski, Nepal. Non probability convenient sampling technique was adopted to collect the data. Inclusion criteria included head of the family of the selected community who were willing to participate in the study. Data was collected through face to face interview using a structured questionnaire. Results: In the present study, it was found that 46.40% of the community people had inadequate knowledge regarding human rights of mentally ill patients. There was no significant association between demographic variables and knowledge score of the respondents. The study found that more than half of the respondents (51%) had belief that mental illness is not related to physical health. Likewise 36.4% believed mental illness is caused by supernatural power and evil and 30% believed that marriage can cure mental illness. Conclusion: Based on findings, it is concluded that the level of knowledge regarding rights of mentally ill patient is inadequate and there is a high prevalence of myths and misconceptions related to mental illness among the adult population. So, there is need to conduct awareness raising activities in the community

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers in Pokhara-Lekhnath

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives only breast milk. Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women on exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: The quantitative descriptive research design was used for this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the subjects in community setting. Total 140 subjects were taken as a sample and self-administered structured questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practice of exclusive breast feeding among reproductive age group women was used to collect data. Results: The study shows that out of 140 women, 48 (34.3%) belonged to 26 - 30 age group, 136 (97.14%) were married, 109 (77.9%) women followed Hindu caste, 67 (47.9%) women belonged to Dalit group, 129 (92.1%) women were housewife, 73 (52.1%) women had taken primary education, 68 (48.6%) had monthly income >20000, 116 (82.9 %) had ≤3 children. Among 140 women, 69 (49.3%) had good knowledge and fair knowledge whereas only 2 (1.4%) had poor knowledge. Regarding attitude 122 (87.1%) thought that EBF was better than other artificial feeding, 75 (53.6%) believed that first milk should be discarded, 108 (77.1%) agreed that EBF is enough for child up to 6 months, 77 (55%) didn’t feel comfortable with extra feeding other than breast milk, 51 (36.4) stated that they were not comfortable because of insufficient amount to meet child’s demand, 100 (71.4%) agreed that child less than six months who is exclusively breastfed were healthier than child who took additional foods. Out of 140 women, 139 (99.3%) breastfed her last child, 83 (59.3%) started breastfeeding within 1 hr after delivery, 77 (55%) breastfed on demand of baby, 91 (65%) had not given anything before initiating breastfeeding, 25 (17.9%) had given plain water before breast milk after delivery, 107 (76.4%) had given breast milk only starting from birth to six months of age.  J-GMC-N | Volume 11 | Issue 01 | January-June 2018, Page: 40-4

Effect of temperature variations in anaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactor : membrane fouling and microbial community dynamics assessment

publishedVersionPeer reviewe

From working in the wheat field to managing wheat: women innovators in Nepal

This article presents research conducted in Nepal’s Terai plains in 2014-15 showing that women are innovating in wheat to the extent that wheat farming is experiencing a shift from feminization of agricultural labor towards women taking control over decision making. Processes accounting for this include male out-migration, non-governmental organizations working on promoting women’s equality that has developed women’s confidence, individual support from extension agents, and strong cooperation between women to foster each other’s “innovation journeys.

Service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: a cross-country qualitative study

The aims of this paper are to: (i) explore the experiences of involvement of mental health service users, their caregivers, mental health centre heads and policy makers in mental health system strengthening in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (Ethiopia, Nepal and Nigeria); (ii) analyse the potential benefits and barriers of such involvement; and (iii) identify strategies required to achieve greater service user and caregiver participation. A cross-country qualitative study was conducted, interviewing 83 stakeholders of mental health services. Our analysis showed that service user and caregiver involvement in the health system strengthening process was an alien concept for most participants. They reported very limited access to direct participation. Stigma and poverty were described as the main barriers for involvement. Several strategies were identified by participants to overcome existing hurdles to facilitate service user and caregiver involvement in the mental health system strengthening process, such as support to access treatment, mental health promotion and empowerment of service users. This study suggests that capacity building for service users, and strengthening of user groups would equip them to contribute meaningfully to policy development from informed perspectives. Involvement of service users and their caregivers in mental health decision-making is still in its infancy in LMICs. Effective strategies are required to overcome existing barriers, for example making funding more widely available for Ph.D. studies in participatory research with service users and caregivers to develop, implement and evaluate approaches to involvement that are locally and culturally acceptable in LMICs

Optically Induced Magnetization of CdMnTe Self-Assembled Quantum Dots

We demonstrate that resonant excitation of CdMnTe self-assembled quantum dots creates an ensemble of spin-polarized magnetic polarons at B=0 T. The strong spatial confinement characteristic of quantum dots significantly increases the stability of magnetic polarons so that the optically induced spin alignment is observed for temperatures > 120 K.Comment: accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letter