Study of aerosol optical properties in Lumbini, Nepal

The mixture of different sized particles (fine and coarse) with air composition forms aerosols. Increased economic activities, vehicles, and rapid urbanization made Lumbini one of the heavily polluted regions in Nepal. Data are extracted from AERONET websites between 2013 to 2019 with standard deviation. We are mainly focused on understanding variations in aerosol optical properties: aerosol optical depth (AOD), angstrom parameter (α and β), visibility, single-scattering albedo (SSA), refractive index (real and imaginary), and asymmetry parameter (AP) in the Lumbini region. The maximum value of AOD (675nm) in Lumbini occurred mostly during post-monsoon season (0.61 ± 0.38) whereas, the values of AOD were found to be lower during the monsoon season (0.18 ± 0.12). Most of the AOD values  are found to be greater than 0.4, indicating the higher level of pollution in the study area. There is a positive correlation between perceptible water and AOD, maximum correlation (0.4) occurs at the lowest AOD (440nm) while the minimum (0.1) at the highest AOD (1020nm). The turbidity coefficient (β) has an adverse effect on visibility. The Visibility over Lumbini was found to be highest (20 km) during monsoon. Single-scattering albedo (SSA) accretions occur at wavelengths between 440 and 675 nm, but the pattern changes from 675 to 1020 nm. All parameters were found to be distinct and seasonal fluctuations among this station are mainly due to the different aerosols availability such as biomass burning, mixed aerosols, and anthropogenic aerosols over the Lumbini site

Study of aerosol optical properties in Lumbini, Nepal

The mixture of different sized particles (fine and coarse) with air composition forms aerosols. Increased economic activities, vehicles, and rapid urbanization made Lumbini one of the heavily polluted regions in Nepal. Data are extracted from AERONET websites between 2013 to 2019 with standard deviation. We are mainly focused on understanding variations in aerosol optical properties: aerosol optical depth (AOD), angstrom parameter (α and β), visibility, single-scattering albedo (SSA), refractive index (real and imaginary), and asymmetry parameter (AP) in the Lumbini region. The maximum value of AOD (675nm) in Lumbini occurred mostly during post-monsoon season (0.61 ± 0.38) whereas, the values of AOD were found to be lower during the monsoon season (0.18 ± 0.12). Most of the AOD values  are found to be greater than 0.4, indicating the higher level of pollution in the study area. There is a positive correlation between perceptible water and AOD, maximum correlation (0.4) occurs at the lowest AOD (440nm) while the minimum (0.1) at the highest AOD (1020nm). The turbidity coefficient (β) has an adverse effect on visibility. The Visibility over Lumbini was found to be highest (20 km) during monsoon. Single-scattering albedo (SSA) accretions occur at wavelengths between 440 and 675 nm, but the pattern changes from 675 to 1020 nm. All parameters were found to be distinct and seasonal fluctuations among this station are mainly due to the different aerosols availability such as biomass burning, mixed aerosols, and anthropogenic aerosols over the Lumbini site

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Media Reporting on Suicide among Media Persons of a Province

Introduction: Suicide is a global public health problem. Sensible media reporting on suicide could be useful in suicide prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding media reporting on suicide among media persons of a province. Methods: A qualitative study was done among media persons of the province after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Data was collected through online platform using Google form from 15 April 2022 and 15 January 2023. A convenience sampling method was used. Descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. Results: Among 165 media persons, 54 (32%) of the participants either agreed to or were neutral about prominently reporting suicide news, and 47 (28.48%) were undecided or agreed about mentioning the details of the event. Only 50 (30.30%) thought that it is always possible to help a person with suicidal thoughts. A total of 48 (29.09%) always reported providing information about where to seek help in case one is suicidal. Conclusions: Media personnel were found to possess better knowledge about suicide reporting but exhibited inadequate practice in terms of providing method and site details and promoting support services, alongside maintaining an unfavorable attitude towards suicide. There is an urgent need to focus on coordination, standardisation, evidence generation and capacity building of media persons on suicide