Regeneration Status and Carbon Accumulation Potential in Community Managed Sal (Shorea robusta) Forests of Far-Western Terai Region, Nepal

Regeneration patterns of species population can address climate change by adaptive evolution or by migrating association to survival in their favorable climate and finally decide the particular forest future. This research examined the status of regeneration and carbon sequestration potential in tropical Sal (Shorea robusta) forest of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. For the study, a total of 63 concentric sample plots were investigated by using systematic sampling with 0.5% sampling intensity. Regeneration status of forest was estimated by calculating the density of each species in each developmental phase. The above-ground carbon stock of trees species were estimated using allometric equations. The studied forests had good regeneration status and Shorea robusta was the dominant species in terms of regeneration and carbon stock. Ramnagar community forest had greater number of seedling, sapling and tree than that of the Ganesh community forest. Reverse J-shaped population curves were recorded at both the study sites. This study provided information about the regeneration status, structure, composition and carbon sequestration potential of tree species which is very necessary for conservation and sustainable management of community forests. Studies indicate that community management has increased the carbon stock of forests and also has promoted the productivity of forests by altering the structure and composition of the community forests

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders among the Nurses of a Tertiary Care Center of Nepal

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries or pain in the human musculoskeletal system which could lead to temporary or permanent impairments. The nature of nursing jobs makes nurses vulnerable to MSDs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and potential risk factors associated with MSDs among nurses. Methods: In between March to June 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 165 nurses using self-administered questionnaires. A standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to measure MSDs. Pearson’s chi-square test and binary logistic regression at a 5% level of significance were performed to identify factors associated with upper extremities and spinal musculoskeletal disorders (UMSD) and lower extremities musculoskeletal disorders (LMSD). Variables associated with UMSD and LMSD in bivariate analysis were subjected to multiple logistic regression.  Results: The prevalence of UMSD and LMSD experienced by nurses was 86.1% (95% CI: 79.4%-90.9%) and 66.1% (95% CI: 58.9%-74.3%), respectively. Among several factors, working in same position for long periods (AOR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.2-13.4), not receiving training in injury prevention programs (AOR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.0-9.2), not enough rest breaks during the day (AOR: 4.65, 95% CI: 1.3-15.9) and moderate to higher job stress (AOR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.2-10.8) were found to be significantly associated with UMSD. Not having enough rest breaks during the day (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.0-4.7) was significantly associated with LMSD. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of MSDs among nurses is a serious concern that threatens individual health as well as the overall healthcare system. Sensitization and capacity enhancement programs on the issue could prevent MSDs among nurses

Depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health sciences students during COVID-19 pandemic in a low resource setting : a cross-sectional survey from Nepal

Background: Mental health is an important issue for students during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty. Students suffer from mental health issues due to delayed academic years and prolong stay at home during the lockdown. This study aimed to identify factors associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate health sciences students of different medical institutions in Nepal. Materials and Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 493 health sciences students between 14 July and 16 August 2020. Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors of mental health outcomes. Results: Overall, 50.5, 52.5, and 44.6% of students had symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Significantly higher odds of experiencing stress symptoms [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.166; 95% CI: 1.075-4.363] were found with the participants whose relatives were infected with COVID-19. Participants with age less than or equal to 21 years among undergraduate health sciences students were significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing symptoms of stress (AOR: 1.626; 95% CI: 1.110-2.383) and anxiety (AOR: 1.6251; 95% CI: 1.110-2.379) in comparison with age above 21. Staying in quarantine was significantly associated with higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (AOR: 2.175; 95% CI: 1.142-4.143). Participants who had internet facilities at the residence had less likely to have depressive symptoms than those who are lacking internet services (AOR: 0.420; 95% CI: 0.195-0.905). Conclusions: Staying in quarantine had higher odds of having depression and students who had internet facilities had lower odds of having depression. While staying in quarantine or isolation, it would be better to provide things to engage like the internet. A focus on improving the mental well-being of health sciences students should be initiated immediately after such a pandemic and lockdown.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Variation in grain zinc and iron concentrations, grain yield and associated traits of biofortified bread wheat genotypes in Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staples in Nepal providing the bulk of food calories and at least 30% of Fe and Zn intake and 20% of dietary energy and protein consumption; thus, it is essential to improve its nutritional quality. To select high-yielding genotypes with elevated grain zinc and iron concentration, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth HarvestPlus Yield Trials (HPYTs) were conducted across diverse locations in Nepal for four consecutive years: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19, using 47 biofortified and 3 non-biofortified CIMMYT-bred, bread wheat genotypes: Baj#1, Kachu#1, and WK1204 (local check). Genotypic and spatial variations were found in agro-morphological traits; grain yield and its components; and the grain zinc and iron concentration of tested genotypes. Grain zinc concentration was highest in Khumaltar and lowest in Kabre. Likewise, grain iron concentration was highest in Doti and lowest in Surkhet. Most of the biofortified genotypes were superior for grain yield and for grain zinc and iron concentration to the non-biofortified checks. Combined analyses across environments showed moderate to high heritability for both Zn (0.48–0.81) and Fe (0.46–0.79) except a low heritability for Fe observed for 7th HPYT (0.15). Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers per m2, while negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity, grain iron, grain weight per spike, and thousand grain weight. The grain zinc and iron concentration were positively correlated, suggesting that the simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients is possible through wheat breeding. Extensive testing of CIMMYT derived high Zn wheat lines in Nepal led to the release of five biofortified wheat varieties in 2020 with superior yield, better disease resistance, and 30–40% increased grain Zn and adaptable to a range of wheat growing regions in the country – from the hotter lowland, or Terai, regions to the dry mid- and high-elevation areas

Experimental Investigations of Alpha Particle Irradiation of Natural Nickel

Attempts have been made to measure the activity in irradiated natural Ni material induced by α-particles in the energy range 10-40 MeV followed by stack foil activation technique. Activity induced has been determined through the cross-sections obtained from various reactions for 58Ni(α, p)61Cu, 58Ni(α,  pn)60Cu, 60Ni(α, p2n)61Cu, 60Ni(α, n)63Zn, 60Ni(α, 2n)62Zn,61Ni(α, 3n)62Zn and 61Ni(α, 2n)63Zn in α+natNi interaction at different beam energies has been found to vary from 10-26 microns

Experimental Investigations of Alpha Particle Irradiation of Natural Nickel

386-390Attempts have been made to measure the activity in irradiated natural Ni material induced by α-particles in the energy range 10-40 MeV followed by stack foil activation technique. Activity induced has been determined through the cross-sections obtained from various reactions for 58Ni(α, p)61Cu, 58Ni(α,  pn)60Cu, 60Ni(α, p2n)61Cu, 60Ni(α, n)63Zn, 60Ni(α, 2n)62Zn,61Ni (α, 3n)62Zn and 61Ni(α, 2n)63Zn in α+natNi interaction at different beam energies has been found to vary from 10-26 microns

The dominant Anopheles vectors of human malaria in the Asia-Pacific region: occurrence data, distribution maps and bionomic précis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The final article in a series of three publications examining the global distribution of 41 dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria is presented here. The first publication examined the DVS from the Americas, with the second covering those species present in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Here we discuss the 19 DVS of the Asian-Pacific region. This region experiences a high diversity of vector species, many occurring sympatrically, which, combined with the occurrence of a high number of species complexes and suspected species complexes, and behavioural plasticity of many of these major vectors, adds a level of entomological complexity not comparable elsewhere globally. To try and untangle the intricacy of the vectors of this region and to increase the effectiveness of vector control interventions, an understanding of the contemporary distribution of each species, combined with a synthesis of the current knowledge of their behaviour and ecology is needed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Expert opinion (EO) range maps, created with the most up-to-date expert knowledge of each DVS distribution, were combined with a contemporary database of occurrence data and a suite of open access, environmental and climatic variables. Using the Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) modelling method, distribution maps of each DVS were produced. The occurrence data were abstracted from the formal, published literature, plus other relevant sources, resulting in the collation of DVS occurrence at 10116 locations across 31 countries, of which 8853 were successfully geo-referenced and 7430 were resolved to spatial areas that could be included in the BRT model. A detailed summary of the information on the bionomics of each species and species complex is also presented.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This article concludes a project aimed to establish the contemporary global distribution of the DVS of malaria. The three articles produced are intended as a detailed reference for scientists continuing research into the aspects of taxonomy, biology and ecology relevant to species-specific vector control. This research is particularly relevant to help unravel the complicated taxonomic status, ecology and epidemiology of the vectors of the Asia-Pacific region. All the occurrence data, predictive maps and EO-shape files generated during the production of these publications will be made available in the public domain. We hope that this will encourage data sharing to improve future iterations of the distribution maps.</p

Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017) includes a comprehensive assessment of incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 354 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. Previous GBD studies have shown how the decline of mortality rates from 1990 to 2016 has led to an increase in life expectancy, an ageing global population, and an expansion of the non-fatal burden of disease and injury. These studies have also shown how a substantial portion of the world's population experiences non-fatal health loss with considerable heterogeneity among different causes, locations, ages, and sexes. Ongoing objectives of the GBD study include increasing the level of estimation detail, improving analytical strategies, and increasing the amount of high-quality data. Methods: We estimated incidence and prevalence for 354 diseases and injuries and 3484 sequelae. We used an updated and extensive body of literature studies, survey data, surveillance data, inpatient admission records, outpatient visit records, and health insurance claims, and additionally used results from cause of death models to inform estimates using a total of 68 781 data sources. Newly available clinical data from India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Nepal, China, Brazil, Norway, and Italy were incorporated, as well as updated claims data from the USA and new claims data from Taiwan (province of China) and Singapore. We used DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, as the main method of estimation, ensuring consistency between rates of incidence, prevalence, remission, and cause of death for each condition. YLDs were estimated as the product of a prevalence estimate and a disability weight for health states of each mutually exclusive sequela, adjusted for comorbidity. We updated the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a summary development indicator of income per capita, years of schooling, and total fertility rate. Additionally, we calculated differences between male and female YLDs to identify divergent trends across sexes. GBD 2017 complies with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting. Findings: Globally, for females, the causes with the greatest age-standardised prevalence were oral disorders, headache disorders, and haemoglobinopathies and haemolytic anaemias in both 1990 and 2017. For males, the causes with the greatest age-standardised prevalence were oral disorders, headache disorders, and tuberculosis including latent tuberculosis infection in both 1990 and 2017. In terms of YLDs, low back pain, headache disorders, and dietary iron deficiency were the leading Level 3 causes of YLD counts in 1990, whereas low back pain, headache disorders, and depressive disorders were the leading causes in 2017 for both sexes combined. All-cause age-standardised YLD rates decreased by 3·9% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 3·1-4·6) from 1990 to 2017; however, the all-age YLD rate increased by 7·2% (6·0-8·4) while the total sum of global YLDs increased from 562 million (421-723) to 853 million (642-1100). The increases for males and females were similar, with increases in all-age YLD rates of 7·9% (6·6-9·2) for males and 6·5% (5·4-7·7) for females. We found significant differences between males and females in terms of age-standardised prevalence estimates for multiple causes. The causes with the greatest relative differences between sexes in 2017 included substance use disorders (3018 cases [95% UI 2782-3252] per 100 000 in males vs 1400 [1279-1524] per 100 000 in females), transport injuries (3322 [3082-3583] vs 2336 [2154-2535]), and self-harm and interpersonal violence (3265 [2943-3630] vs 5643 [5057-6302]). Interpretation: Global all-cause age-standardised YLD rates have improved only slightly over a period spanning nearly three decades. However, the magnitude of the non-fatal disease burden has expanded globally, with increasing numbers of people who have a wide spectrum of conditions. A subset of conditions has remained globally pervasive since 1990, whereas other conditions have displayed more dynamic trends, with different ages, sexes, and geographies across the globe experiencing varying burdens and trends of health loss. This study emphasises how global improvements in premature mortality for select conditions have led to older populations with complex and potentially expensive diseases, yet also highlights global achievements in certain domains of disease and injury