Visualizing Sustainability of Selective Mountain Farming Systems from Far-eastern Himalayas to Support Decision Making

Mountain farming systems rely on both empirical and academic knowledge. Their sustainability depends on how effectively diverse knowledge is used for solution-oriented decision making. For mountains, decisions must be conducive to rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and related activities. Adopting transdisciplinary research approach, we define a composite Sustainability Space indicator that will help decision makers better understand the ingredients for sustainability, and formulate policy and management decisions to reinforce on-the-ground sustainability. Sustainability Space was derived through analysis of the positive and negative impact factors co-defined by community and disciplinary experts, and visualized through a radar diagram. We used Principal Component Analysis to understand relationships between factors. The results on Sustainability Spaces for eight cases of farming systems from the far-Eastern Himalayas indicated that the sustainability of farming systems is strengthened if decisions holistically cater to (i) geophysical pre-requisites, (ii) ecological foundations, (iii) integrated processes and practices, (iv) resources, knowledge, and value systems, (v) stakeholders’ development and economic aspirations, (vi) well-being of farming communities, and (vii) government support mechanisms. More equitable the attention to these seven components, the higher the sustainability of farming systems in this region could be

A Multiscale Transdisciplinary Framework for Advancing the Sustainability Agenda of Mountain Agricultural Systems

Mountain agricultural systems (MASs) are multifunctional andmultidimensional sociocultural systems. They are constantlyinfluenced by many factors whose intensity and impacts areunpredictable. The recent Hindu Kush–Himalayan AssessmentReport highlighted the need to integrate mountain perspectivesinto governance decisions on sustaining resources in the HinduKush–Himalayan region, emphasizing the importance ofsustainable MASs. Our reflective literature review identified 3barriers to advancing the agenda for sustainable MASs: (1) thedisconnect of normative orientations for sustainability at differentscales, (2) inadequate alignment between stakeholders’sustainability orientation and scientific evidence, and (3) weakintegration of scientific evidence into the formulation of mountain-specific solutions for sustainability. To address these barriers, wepropose a conceptual, regional (mountain specific),transdisciplinary framework with an interscale science–policyinterface. This will help scientific evidence to be incorporated infuture policies and programs on sustainable MASs while beingresponsive to the needs of mountain farming communities andstakeholders who benefit from broader services. The frameworkemphasizes the connection between normative orientations for sustainability, science evidence, and solutions for sustainabilitythrough the use of iterative transdisciplinary knowledge-generationand knowledge-integration multiscale feedback processes. Thus,the key to advancing the agenda for sustainability of MASs lies inaligning scientific evidence with existing normative orientations forsustainability at local, subnational, national, regional, and globallevels. The alignment triggers sustainability-oriented solutions. Thisshould highlight MASs globally, increasing investment whileacknowledging MAS specificities and niche opportunities. In turn,this will strengthen national policies and programs specific toMASs and facilitate integrated farm management throughinterdisciplinary extension and delivery services

Ecosystem services valuation for conservation and development decisions: A review of valuation studies and tools in the Far Eastern Himalaya

There has been an increasing focus on the valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in global research, which has improved our understanding of how nature benefits humanity and what actions can help sustain ecosystem services. This, however, is not true for the transboundary Far Eastern Himalaya – a landscape shared by China, India, and Myanmar – even though the three countries have a significant amount of research on ecosystem services valuation. We conducted a systematic review of ecosystem services valuation research in these three countries to: i) understand what ecosystem services have been valued, ii) what valuation methods and tools have been used, and iii) how valuation studies have been linked with conservation and development decision making. In our analysis of 195 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2021, we found a progressive trend in valuation research, especially in China. About 77% of the literature focused on economic valuation of ecosystem services related to recreation, water regulation, provisions from forest ecosystems, and carbon sequestration, while 13% focused on biophysical and socio-cultural valuation. Given that the environmental degradation and economic development challenges in the landscapes are governed by diverse stakeholder values and perspectives, we recommend that valuation exercises consider a full range of ecosystem services covering both tangible and intangible values. More importantly, we propose that valuation of ecosystem services that are a shared priority, or those of global and regional value, could strengthen regional cooperation among countries in the Far Eastern Himalayan Landscape

Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a pediatric patient: A typical presentation with oral manifestations

Key Clinical Message Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare hematological disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells. Head and neck region is commonly involved with oral manifestations appearing first in many instances. A thorough knowledge of the disorder and an interdisciplinary approach warrant for the better outcome of the condition

Association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake among women of Dhulikhel and Banepa, Nepal.

BackgroundCervical cancer ranks as the most common cancer among Nepalese women with a high incidence and mortality. Despite evidence that effective screening programs reduce disease burden, screening services are under-utilized. Cancer stigma can be a major barrier to cervical cancer screening uptake among Nepalese women.ObjectivesThis study assessed the association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake among women residing in semi-urban areas of Kavrepalanchok district (Dhulikhel and Banepa), Nepal.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among 426 women aged 30-60 years using telephone interview method from 15th June to 15th October 2021. A validated Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) was used to measure cancer stigma and categorized women as presence of cancer stigma if the mean total score was greater than three. We obtained information on cervical cancer screening uptake through self-reported responses. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to assess the association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake. We adjusted socio-demographic: age, ethnicity, occupation, religion and education, and reproductive health variables: parity, family planning user, age of menarche and age at first sexual intercourse during multivariable logistic regression.ResultsTwenty-three percent of women had cancer stigma and 27 percent reported that they had ever been screened for cervical cancer. The odds of being screened was 0.23 times lower among women who had stigma compared to those who had no stigma (95% CI: 0.11-0.49) after adjusting for confounders: age, ethnicity, occupation, religion, education, parity, contraceptive use, age of menarche and age at first sexual intercourse.ConclusionWomen residing in semi-urban areas of Nepal and had cancer stigma were less likely to have been screened for cervical cancer. De-stigmatizing interventions may alleviate cancer stigma and contribute to higher uptake of cervical cancer screening