The Social World of Nepalese Women

Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology - Volume 7, 200

An Examination of the Relation between State Fiscal Health and Amnesty Enactment

Assuming a normal distribution of hazards, Dubin, Graetz, and Wilde (1992) analyze state tax amnesties in the 1980s and conclude that states run amnesties in response to revenue yield motive. Given the increased frequency with which states enacted amnesties during and after the 2001 recession, we investigate if there is a possible shift from revenue yield motive to fiscal stress motive. We find that the normal distribution of hazards assumption along with the multicollinearity problem led prior research to an erroneous conclusion, and that fiscal stress is indeed the main determinant of initial and repeated tax amnesties enacted by states between 1982 and 2005.Tax Amnesty; Fiscal Pressure; Duration Analysis

Evaluation of the integration of mental health services into the primary and community healthcare system in Nepal

Globally, there is a huge gap between the number of people who need mental health care and those who receive it. In recent years, a large body of evidence has been generated indicating the effectiveness of the task-shifting approach where mental health services are delivered by primary and community health care providers. In the task-sharing approach, mental health specialists are involved in designing and managing mental health services, building clinical capacity of the primary health care providers, and providing supervision and quality assurance. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates integration of mental health services into the primary health care system as a practical and effective means to lower the treatment gap on mental health care. In this direction, WHO has developed the Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) to help to facilitate the effective integration of mental health services into the primary health care system, particularly in low-and-middle income countries. Although integration of mental health services into primary health care has been widely advocated, this has not been systematically evaluated in a real-world setting. This dissertation presents studies conducted to generate new evidence in implementation and evaluation of mental health services in the primary and community health care system in Nepal

Application of surface chemistry at the interface of mesoporous TiO2 films for stable and high efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells.

Solar energy is widely believed to be the most promising renewable energy source to fulfill the ever-increasing energy demand from human society now and into the future. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been explored as a potentially low-cost alternative to silicon solar cell technology due to their lower fabrication costs compared to crystalline semiconductor photovoltaics. However, the optimized efficiency for DSSCs has not been achieved yet, and the chemical stability between dye and semiconductor has also not been addressed completely. In this research, we applied the following four main strategies to prepare photoanodes used in DSSCs with the aim of improving stability and efficiency: 1) utilizing surface chemistry to modify the porous semiconductor films, 2) linking covalently [Di-tetrabutylammoniumcis-bis (isothiocyanato) bis (2, 2’-bipyridyl-4, 4’dicarboxy-lato) ruthenium (II), N719] dye on the surface of semiconductor films, and study the charge injection dynamics by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, 3) doping the semiconductor films with micro-sized neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) particles, and (4) incorporating metal nanoparticles through molecular linkers to the semiconductor films. The objectives of this work are to address the limitations of chemical stability existing between TiO2/N719 dye systems, to explore the charge dynamics in TiO2/N719 system for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of DSSCs, and to prepare high efficiency DSSCs. We for the first time created a strong covalent amide bond between TiO2 mesoporous films and N719 by chemically modifying TiO2 with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. The results show the dye is air stable for more than 60 days and more resistant to UV light, thermal stress, acid, and water when compared to traditional PAs. The experiments led to another unexpected result, which was the dramatic preservation of the SCN ligand of N719 on the TiO2 surface. In most cases, there is a loss of the ligand which causes the instability of N719 on TiO2. This is clearly observed in the ATR-FTIR data, where the CN stretch of the SCN ligand remained present for covalently-linked dye for more than 6 months, while the CN stretch disappeared completely after 17-20 days from the surface of directly adsorbed N719 on TiO2. Similar results showing no degradation of the CN stretch in the ATR-FTIR data were obtained when TiO2 was chemically modified with an aromatic linker, p-aminophenyltrimethoxysilane (APhS), and covalently-linked with N719. The efficiency of these devices was low initially. When the charge injection dynamic at the interface of dye and TiO2 was investigated by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy for covalently- linked dye, the injection rate was slower than that of traditionally-linked dye, which occurs because the linkers (APTES or APhS) increase the distance between the dye and TiO2 surfaces. However, a large amount of dye injecting very slowly was observed in the case of covalently-linked dye, which results in a higher baseline in the time region of ps. The larger baseline base clearly suggests that there were multilayers of dye on the covalently-linked dye. When these multilayers of dye were removed by dipping in acid (or water), the efficiency of the device went back to values similar to traditional photoanodes, but with an improved fill factor. This is an important advance in DSSC technology, allowing us to prepare more stable devices while maintaining the same efficiency. To study the effect of plasmonic Au NPs on the surface of mesoporous TiO2, we synthesized 4 nm diameter Au nanoparticles (NPs) and electrostatically attached them to the mesoporous TiO2 film through APTES prior to sensitization with N719 dye. Results showed an overall improvement of all photoelectrochemical parameters (PEC): short-circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc), fill factor (FF), and percentage efficiency (%η). Injection dynamics performed by UTAS clearly showed the lowest baseline in the optical density and time plot suggesting that Au facilitates the monolayer dye coverage with an increased amount of adsorbed dye and assists all dye molecules to contribute to the injection dynamics. This is in agreement with the results that both Jsc and Voc were increased in these Au NP-modified photoanodes, leading to overall better PEC performance than conventional photoanodes. We fabricated TiO2-Nd2O3 nano-micro (20 nm TiO2, 400 μm Nd2O3) composite films to make PAs for DSSCs. This unique combination showed a 10-30% improvement compared to traditional TiO2 films only. The Nd-doping led to a high dye-loading capacity on the photoanodes that helped to increase the short circuit current and efficiency of the devices. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the impedance for charge transport through the composite anode is substantially reduced compared to TiO2 alone. This decrease in resistance is possibly due to the filling of trap states in TiO2 by the Nd2O3 f-states

Applications of swarm, evolutionary and quantum algorithms in system identification and digital filter design

The thesis focuses on the application of computational intelligence (CI) techniques for two problems - system identification and digital filter design. In system identification, different case studies have been carried out with equal or reduced number of orders as the original system and also in identifying a blackbox model. Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass and Bandstop FIR and Lowpass IIR filters have been designed using three algorithms using two different fitness functions. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Differential Evolution based PSO (DEPSO) and PSO with Quantum Infusion (PSO-QI) algorithms have been applied in this work --Abstract, page iii

The Study of Numerical Method for Heat Transfer in Living Tissue Insulated by Protective Clothing

Skin is an important organ which contains thermal sensors that takes part in the thermoregulatory control. Protective Clothing, on the other hand is used outside the skin that plays a vital role working as thermal insulation and controlling the heat transfer in the human body. The human thermal comfort is affected by body’s heat exchange mechanism conduction convection, radiation and evaporation. The mode of heat transfer between these two different materials depends on the thickness of clothes and the boundary conditions. The main aim of this paper is to study numerical solution of one dimensional Pennes’ bio-heat equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The solution is used to observe the heat transfer in the living tissue specially in the human body insulated by protective clothing. Various Physical and physiological factors across the layers of skin along with clothing area factors and clothing insulation in the protective layer have been incorporated in the model. These results are illustrated in graph to clear that the protective layers maintain a suitable temperature at the skin surface no matter of the outside temperature

Treatment coverage, barriers to care and factors associated with help-seeking behaviour of adults with depression and alcohol use disorder in Chitwan district, Nepal

Introduction: Globally, there is a substantial gap between the number of individuals in need of mental health care and those who receive treatment. It is reported that 86.3% people with anxiety, mood, or substance disorders in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) received no treatment in the 12 months preceding the survey. The Programme for improving mental health care (PRIME) aims to generate new evidence on implementation and scale up of mental health programs in primary health care settings to minimize this enormous treatment gap on mental health care, especially in the LMICs. The aim of this study was to report on the change in treatment coverage, barriers and other factors associated with help-seeking behaviour of adults with depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Chitwan district, Nepal before and three years after implementation of the PRIME district mental health care plan (MHCP). Methods: The study was conducted in 10 Village Development Committees of Chitwan district in southern Nepal. The repeat population-based cross-sectional community survey applied a random sampling technique to select 1983 and 1499 adults in the baseline and the follow-up survey, respectively. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) were used to screen people with depression and AUD. Barriers for seeking mental health care were assessed by using a standardized tool, the Barriers to Care Evaluation Scale (BACE). Results: Overall, 11.7% (n=13) people with depression in the follow-up survey reported that they had received mental health treatment from any provider in the 12 months preceding the survey; this proportion was not significantly different from the proportion reported at the baseline (n=18; 8.1%;χ2=1.02, p=0.424). Similarly, the proportion of the participants receiving treatment for AUD from any provider at the follow-up survey (n=9; 10.3%) was also not significantly different than that found at baseline (n=5; 5.1%; χ2=1.68, p=0.235). Significant reductions were found in the overall BACE score (p=0.004) and the specific BACE domains scores pertaining to financial barriers (p<0.001); stigma (p=0.004) and lack of support (p<0.001) in the follow-up survey among participants with depression. In the AUD group, there was also a significant reduction between the baseline and follow-up survey in the overall BACE score (p=0.011) and the specific BACE domains scores pertaining to financial barriers (p<0.001) and lack of support (p<0.001). There was no association between socio-demographic characteristics and help seeking behaviour of the participants at the follow-up survey. Participants who reported greater cultural practices and beliefs were less likely (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 – 0.92) to receive mental health care compared to those who reported less cultural beliefs and practices (p=0.015). Conclusion: The study found non-significant improvements in treatment coverage and significant reductions in barriers to mental health care following implementation of the PRIME district mental health care plan. The non-significant improvements in the treatment coverage could be explained by a number of potential factors, including lack of targeted community level interventions for specific barriers in the PRIME MHCP, the distal nature of the outcome in relation to the intervention, and the small number of screen positive participants. The key areas for improvement in the implementation of the district mental health care plan include establishment of confidential place for consultation in each health facility and targeted community awareness and sensitization programmes to improve help-seeking attitudes, intention and behaviour

Prevalence and patterns of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption assessed using the AUDIT among Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.

AIMS: This study sought to ascertain the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption among Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and to identify predictors of elevated risk in order to better understand intervention need. METHODS: Hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) administered in a face-to-face interview in a census of two camps comprising ∼8000 refugees. RESULTS: Approximately 1/5 men and 1/14 women drank alcohol and prevalence of hazardous drinking among current drinkers was high and comparable to that seen in Western countries with longstanding alcohol cultures. Harmful drinking was particularly associated with the use of other substances including tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the alcohol-related needs of Bhutanese refugees has permitted the design of interventions. This study adds to the small international literature on substance use in forced migration populations, about which there is growing concern

Reasons for non- use of condoms and self-efficacy among female sex workers: A qualitative study in Nepal

Background Heterosexual contact is the most common mode of transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Nepal and it is largely linked to sex work. We assessed the non-use of condoms in sex work with intimate sex partners by female sex workers (FSWs) and the associated self-efficacy to inform the planning of STI/HIV prevention programmes in the general population. Methods This paper is based on a qualitative study of Female Sex Workers (FSWs) in Nepal. In-depth interviews and extended field observation were conducted with 15 FSWs in order to explore issues of safe sex and risk management in relation to their work place, health and individual behaviours. Results The main risk factor identified for the non-use of condoms with intimate partners and regular clients was low self efficacy. Non-use of condoms with husband and boyfriends placed them at risk of STIs including HIV. In addition to intimidation and violence from the police, clients and intimate partners, clients’ resistance and lack of negotiation capacity were identified as barriers in using condoms by the FSWs. Conclusion This study sheds light on the live and work of FSWs in Nepal. This information is relevant for both the Government of Nepal and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) to help improve the position of FSWs in the community, their general well-being and to reduce their risks at work

Culture, worldview and transformative philosophy of mathematics education in Nepal: a cultural-philosophical inquiry

This thesis portrays my multifaceted and emergent inquiry into the protracted problem of culturally decontextualised mathematics education faced by students of Nepal, a culturally diverse country of south Asia with more than 90 language groups. I generated initial research questions on the basis of my history as a student of primary, secondary and university levels of education in Nepal, my Master’s research project, and my professional experiences as a teacher educator working in a university of Nepal between 2004 and 2006. Through an autobiographical excavation of my experiences of culturally decontextualised mathematics education, I came up with several emergent research questions, leading to six key themes of this inquiry: (i) hegemony of the unidimensional nature of mathematics as a body of pure knowledge, (ii) unhelpful dualisms in mathematics education, (iii) disempowering reductionisms in curricular and pedagogical aspects, (iv) narrowly conceived ‘logics’ that do not account for meaningful lifeworld-oriented thinking in mathematics teaching and learning, (v) uncritical attitudes towards the image of curriculum as a thing or object, and (vi) narrowly conceived notions of globalisation, foundationalism and mathematical language that give rise to a decontextualised mathematics teacher education program.With these research themes at my disposal my aim in this research was twofold. Primarily, I intended to explore, explain and interpret problems, issues and dilemmas arising from and embedded in the research questions. Such an epistemic activity of articulation was followed by envisioning, an act of imagining futures together with reflexivity, perspectival language and inclusive vision logics.In order to carry out both epistemic activities – articulating and envisioning – I employed a multi-paradigmatic research design space, taking on board mainly the paradigms of criticalism, postmodernism, interpretivism and integralism. The critical paradigm offered a critical outlook needed to identify the research problem, to reflect upon my experiences as a mathematics teacher and teacher educator, and to make my lifetime’s subjectivities transparent to readers, whereas the paradigm of postmodernism enabled me to construct multiple genres for cultivating different aspects of my experiences of culturally decontextualised mathematics education. The paradigm of interpretivism enabled me to employ emergence as the hallmark of my inquiry, and the paradigm of integralism acted as an inclusive meta-theory of the multi-paradigmatic design space for portraying my vision of an inclusive mathematics education in Nepal.Within this multi-paradigmatic design space, I chose autoethnography and small p philosophical inquiry as my methodological referents. Autoethnography helped generate the research text of my cultural-professional contexts, whereas small p philosophical inquiry enabled me to generate new knowledge via a host of innovative epistemologies that have the goal of deepening understanding of normal educational practices by examining them critically, identifying underpinning assumptions, and reconstructing them through scholarly interpretations and envisioning. Visions cultivated through this research include: (i) an inclusive and multidimensional image of the nature of mathematics as an im/pure knowledge system, (ii) the metaphors of thirdspace and dissolution for conceiving an inclusive mathematics education, (iii) a multilogical perspective for morphing the hegemony of reductionism-inspired mathematics education, (iv) an inclusive image of mathematics curriculum as montage that provides a basis for incorporating different knowledge systems in mathematics education, and (v) perspectives of glocalisation, healthy scepticism and multilevel contextualisation for constructing an inclusive mathematics teacher education program