A Resilient and Optimal Microgrid Scheduling Portfolio in Linear Programming Platform

In recent year, alarming rate of natural disasters around the world have demanded the need for operative solution in field of power generation, to control polluted energy sources which are major cause of global warming. Microgrid facilitates penetration of renewable energy sources into the existing distribution systems to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the globe by reducing the dependency on the main grid. Efficient but linear microgrid resource scheduling algorithms are gaining interest in present time due to its simplicity and fast computation. This research paper aims to serve the purposes by designing a mixed integer linear programming based microgrid scheduling problem while various types of scenario, minimize the electricity cost for the utilities also maintain the generation and load balance. The strategy is implemented on a small microgrid  to prove its efficacy .In this paper mainly optimal scheduling of microgrid has been done in various scenario, and obtained there global minimum electricity cost to the help of mixed integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm.  Microgrid is a small scale type of power grid, which provides the energy locally, its offers integration between distributed energy resources and the locally connected loads. Microgrid able to be operated with the main grid and in standalone mode also ability to transitions between these two modes, the mode of operation of microgrid is depends on the system operating condition. The reliability of power grid is improving more when it’s integrated with the Microgrid and works together. Power exchange with the upper stream grid is done through the point of common coupling (PCC). Microgrid having renewable energy resources i.e. PV, Wind and non-renewable energy resources, DG, FC, and MC connected with the Battery storage type system and locally connected loads. So it is a very reliable scenario, main grid with the microgrid, it is more beneficial, economy and stable types of system. Keywords: Optimal Microgrid Scheduling, Linear Programming DOI: 10.7176/APTA/76-05 Publication date:March 31st 2019

Drivers of healthy eating in a workplace in Nepal: A qualitative study

To explore the perceptions, enablers and barriers to employees' healthy eating in a hospital site. Design A qualitative study including focus group discussion and in-depth interview, data were analysed using thematic analysis method. Setting The study was carried out among employees of Dhulikhel Hospital-Kathmandu University Hospital, located about 30 km east of Nepal's capital Kathmandu. Participants Focus group discussions were conducted among the 33 participants, who were divided into four groups: (a) support staff (drivers, cook, laundry, gardeners and ward boys), (b) hospital administrators and managers, (c) health personnel (doctors, nurses and assistants) who work 8-12 hours shifts and (d) health personnel who work during office hours. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted among six canteen operators and three managers. Results The major factors for promoting healthy eating were identified as the availability of affordable healthy food options in the cafeterias, a commitment to such promotion by the cafeteria manager, operators, staff and hospital administration and the level of education of the employees. The most commonly reported barriers for healthy eating were the unavailability of healthy options, including the lack of food supply from local market, the higher cost of healthy foods, individual food preferences and limited human resources in the cafeteria. Conclusion The availability of affordable healthy foods, supply of healthy foods from the market, commitment from cafeteria managers, hospital administrators and health awareness among cafeteria operators may promote healthy eating among employees in a Nepali hospital setting.</p

Nepal Pioneer Worksite Intervention Study to lower cardio-metabolic risk factors: design and protocol

Abstract Background To increase cardiovascular disease prevention efforts, worksite interventions can promote healthy food choices, facilitate health education, increase physical activity and provide social support. This pioneer study will measure the effectiveness of a cafeteria and a behavioral intervention on cardio-metabolic risk in a worksite in Nepal. Methods The Nepal Pioneer Worksite Intervention Study is a two-step intervention study conducted in Dhulikhel Hospital in eastern Nepal. In the first step, we will assess the effectiveness of a 6-month cafeteria intervention on cardio-metabolic risk using a pre-post design. In the second step, we will conduct a 6-month, open-masked, two-arm randomized trial by allocating half of the participants to an individual behavioral intervention based on the ‘diabetes prevention program’ for the prevention of cardio-metabolic risk. We will recruit 366 full time employees with elevated blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, or glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). At baseline, we will measure their demographic variables, lifestyle factors, anthropometry, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c,and lipid profiles. We will measure cardio-metabolic outcomes at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. At 12 months, we will compare the proportion of participants who have attained two or more cardio-metabolic risk factor reduction goals (HbA1c decrease ≥0.5%; systolic blood pressure decrease ≥5 mmHg; or triglycerides decrease ≥10 mg/dL) during the cafeteria intervention period and the control period using generalized estimating equations. At 18 months, we will compare the proportion from the ‘cafeteria only arm’ to the ‘cafeteria and behavior arm’ for the same outcome using a chi-square test. Discussion This pioneer study will estimate the effect of environmental-level changes on lowering cardio-metabolic risks; and added benefit of an individual-level dietary intervention. If the study demonstrates a significant effect, a scaled up approach could produce an important reduction in cardiovascular disease burden through environmental and individual level prevention programs in Nepal and similar worksites worldwide. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered on clincaltrials.gov (Identification Member: NCT03447340; Date of Registration: February 27, 2018)

Facilitators and barriers to healthy eating in a worksite cafeteria: a qualitative study from Nepal

Objective: Worksite interventions can serve as a potential platform for translating existing knowledge of diabetes prevention and facilitate healthy food choices. The study explored perceptions about healthy eating as well as potential facilitators and barriers to healthy eating among employees in a wire manufacturing factory in Nepal. Methods and materials We conducted a cross-sectional exploratory qualitative study in a wire manufacturing industry in eastern Nepal. We conducted three focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 26 employees and four in-depth interviews (IDIs) with cafeteria operators/managers from a wire manufacturing factory in eastern Nepal. FGDs and IDIs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic method. Results: Most employees defined healthy eating as the consumption of food prepared and maintained using hygienic practices and fresh foods in general. Major barriers to healthy eating included unavailability of healthy foods, difficulty in changing eating habits, the preference for fried foods in Nepali culture and the high costs of some healthy foods. The most commonly reported facilitator of healthy eating was the availability of affordable healthy food options in worksite cafeterias. Conclusion: Availability of healthy food options at an affordable price could lead to healthier food choices in the worksite

The Resistance Patterns in <i>E. coli</i> Isolates among Apparently Healthy Adults and Local Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Mixed-Methods Study in a Suburban Area of Nepal

Evidence-based decision-making to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mandates a well-built community-based surveillance system for assessing resistance patterns among commensals and pathogenic organisms. As there is no such surveillance system in Nepal, we attempted to describe the antimicrobial resistance pattern in E. coli isolated from the fecal samples of apparently healthy individuals in Dhulikhel municipality and also explored the local drivers of AMR. We used a mixed-method design with a cross-sectional quantitative component and a descriptive qualitative component, with focus group discussion and key informant interviews as the data collection method. Fecal samples were collected from 424 individuals randomly selected for the study. E. coli was isolated from 85.9% of human fecal samples, of which 14% were resistant to ≥3 class of antimicrobials (multidrug resistant). Of the 368 isolates, resistance to ampicillin (40.0%), tetracycline (20.7%) and cefotaxime (15.5%) were most prevalent. The major drivers of AMR were: lack of awareness of AMR, weak regulations on sales of antimicrobials, poor adherence to prescribed medications, and incomplete dosage due to financial constraints. These findings indicate the need for strict implementation of a national drug act to limit the over-the-counter sales of antimicrobials. Additionally, awareness campaigns with a multimedia mix are essential for educating people on AMR

Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli Isolated from Chicken Cecum Samples and Factors Contributing to Antimicrobial Resistance in Nepal

Microorganisms with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are prevalent among humans and animals, and also found in the environment. Though organisms with AMR can spread to humans via food from animal sources, the burden of AMR in food-producing animals remains largely unknown. Thus, we assessed the resistance pattern among Escherichia coli isolated from chicken cecum samples and explored issues contributing to AMR in animals in the Dhulikhel Municipality of Nepal. We conducted a mixed-methods study, comprising a cross-sectional quantitative component, with collection of chicken cecal samples from slaughter houses/shops. In addition, a descriptive qualitative component was undertaken, with a focus group discussion and key informant interviews among stakeholders involved in animal husbandry. Of the 190 chicken cecum samples collected, 170 (89%) were subjected to culture and drug sensitivity testing, of which E. coli was isolated from 159 (94%) samples. Of the 159 isolates, 113 (71%) had resistance to &ge;3 antimicrobial class. Resistance to tetracycline (86%) and ciprofloxacin (66%) were most prevalent. Overuse of antimicrobials, easy availability of antimicrobials, and lack of awareness among farmers about AMR were major issues contributing to AMR. The high prevalence of resistance among E. coli in chicken cecal samples calls for rational use of antimicrobials, educating farmers, and multi-sectoral coordination

Change in cardio-metabolic risk factors after cafeteria intervention (n = 257).

Change in cardio-metabolic risk factors after cafeteria intervention (n = 257).</p

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BackgroundWorksite-based health programs have shown positive impacts on employee health and have led to significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factor profiles. We aimed to determine the effect of cafeteria intervention on cardio-metabolic risk factors diet in a worksite setting (Dhulikhel Hospital) in Nepal.MethodsIn this one-arm pre-post intervention study, we recruited 277 non-pregnant hospital employees aged 18–60 with prediabetes or pre-hypertension. The study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03447340; 2018/02/27). All four cafeterias in the hospital premises received cafeteria intervention encouraging healthy foods and discouraging unhealthy foods for six months. We measured blood pressure, fasting glucose level, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol in the laboratory, and diet intake (in servings per week) using 24-hour recall before and six months after the intervention. The before and after measures were compared using paired-t tests.ResultsAfter six months of cafeteria intervention, the median consumption of whole grains, mono/polyunsaturated fat, fruits, vegetable and nuts servings per week increased by 2.24(pConclusionOverall, we found a decrease in consumption of refined grains and an increase in consumption of whole grains, unsaturated fats, fruits, and nuts observed a modest reduction in blood pressure and LDL cholesterol following a 6-month cafeteria-based worksite intervention incorporating access to healthy foods.</div

Characteristics of the study participants at baseline (n = 277).

Characteristics of the study participants at baseline (n = 277).</p