Correlation of Alfvén Mach number with field aligned current, polar cap potential and dawn dusk electric field during Quiet and extreme solar wind conditions

128-138This paper has been performed to study the Alfvenic Mach number (M­A) in relation to Field Aligned Currents (FACs), Polar Cap Potential (PCV), Dawn Dusk Electric Field (Ey) during different geomagnetic conditions. The relations of M­A with FACs, PCV and interplanetary electric field (IEF)-EY not solely dependent on any solar wind parameter but also associate with prior, main, and post conditions of geomagnetic storms. This study has shown that Prior to the arrival of interplanetary shock (IS),  and  show good relationship with FAC, PCV, EFY, and solar wind parameters, as the space weather seems unperturbed. The positive correlations among the various parameters have obtained due to the merging of two different interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) driven solar storms and consequential intense southward interplanetary magnetic field. The negative relationships among the selected parameters may have been due to the slow recovery of the IMF-Bz component. This study indicate that the preceding solar winds could be associatedon the variance of M­A of a geomagnetic event, in turn might have its effects on FACs, PCV, Ey and in other solar wind parameters

Unzipping flood vulnerability and functionality loss:tale of struggle for existence of riparian buildings

Floods pose significant risk to riparian buildings as evidenced during many historical events. Although structural resilience to tsunami flooding is well studied in the literature, high-velocity and debris-laden floods in steep terrains are not considered adequately so far. Historical floods in steep terrains necessitate the need for flood vulnerability analysis of buildings. To this end, we report vulnerability of riparian-reinforced concrete buildings using forensic damage interpretations and empirical/analytical vulnerability analyses. Furthermore, we propose the concept and implications of functionality loss due to flooding in residential reinforced concrete (RC) buildings using empirical data. Fragility functions using inundation depth and momentum flux are presented for RC buildings considering a recent flooding event in Nepal. The results show that flow velocity and sediment load, rather than hydrostatic load, govern the damages in riparian RC buildings. However, at larger inundation depth, hydrostatic force alone may collapse some of the RC buildings

Studies on the accumulation and composition of organic matter in grassland soils, with particular reference to organic phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen and sulphur : A thesis submitted for the Degree of Master of Agricultural Science with Honours in Soil Science

An attempt was made to study the effect of the time factor on the accumulation of organic carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and organic phosphorus, and the relationship between carbon and nitrogen, carbon and sulphur, carbon and organic phosphorus, total phosphorus and organic phosphorus, and carbon and cation exchange capacity. A study was also made on the amount of organic phosphorus in the surface layer of different soils in Canterbury and a positive correlation between carbon and organic phosphorus, and total phosphorus and organic phosphorus was obtained. It is suggested that because high levels of organic phosphorus are associated with level of phosphorus in the parent material the phosphorus situation of the whole profile is worthy of further study

Study of outcome of patients sustaining depressed skull fracture following blunt head trauma

ABSTRACTBackground: One of the common neurosurgical conditions is depressed skull fracture. It could be simple or compound type. This study aims to assess the outcome of the patients with depressed skull fracture.Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study of the patients admitted with depressed skull fracture after sustaining blunt head trauma was done. Data were collected with regard to age, sex, mode of injury, time delay, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), epilepsy, focal neurological deficit, CT scan findings, treatment given, infection and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). Results: Total of 50 patients were included, of which 68% were male and 32% were female with mean age of 21.02 ± 18.78 years. Fall was the commonest mode of injury constituting 60% of patients, 80% of the patients presented within 12 hours of injury and 86% of them sustained mild head injury. Fracture was of compound type in 56% and simple type in 44%. Wound debridement and suturing was performed in 26% and Craniotomy and elevation was done in 42%. Dural tear was observed in 47% who were operated. Early epilepsy was seen in 4% and late epilepsy in 2% and infection rate of 2%. Outcome was Favorable in 98% patients. Significant correlation noted between admission GCS with GOS (p=0.006) whereas no correlation was seen between time of presentation with infection (p=0.09).Conclusion: Mild head injury was the commonest form of presentation. Most of the patients have unfavorable outcome and with low risk of infection and epilepsy. Good admission GCS correlated with favorable outcome.Keywords: blunt head trauma; depressed skull fracture; epilepsy; infection; outcome. </p

Correlation of Alfvén Mach number with field aligned current, polar cap potential and dawn dusk electric field during Quiet and extreme solar wind conditions

This paper has been performed to study the Alfvenic Mach number (MA) in relation to Field Aligned Currents (FACs), Polar Cap Potential (PCV), Dawn Dusk Electric Field (Ey) during different geomagnetic conditions. The relations of MA with FACs, PCV and interplanetary electric field (IEF)-EY not solely dependent on any solar wind parameter but also associate with prior, main, and post conditions of geomagnetic storms. This study has shown that Prior to the arrival of interplanetary shock (IS), M୑ୗ and M୅ show good relationship with FAC, PCV, EFY, and solar wind parameters, as the space weather seems unperturbed. The positive correlations among the various parameters have obtained due to the merging of two different interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) driven solar storms and consequential intense southward interplanetary magnetic field. The negative relationships among the selected parameters may have been due to the slow recovery of the IMF-Bz component. This study indicate that the preceding solar winds could be associatedon the variance of MA of a geomagnetic event, in turn might have its effects on FACs, PCV, Ey and in other solar wind parameters

Economic assessment of a women's group intervention to improve birth outcomes in rural Nepal.

We did a cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a participatory intervention with women's groups to improve birth outcomes in rural Nepal. The average provider cost of the women's group intervention was US0.75 dollars per person per year (0.90 dollars with health-service strengthening) in a population of 86,704. The incremental cost per life-year saved (LYS) was 211 dollars (251 dollars), and expansion could rationalise on start-up costs and technical assistance, reducing the cost per LYS to 138 dollars (179 dollars). Sensitivity analysis showed a variation from 83 dollars to 263 dollars per LYS for most variables. This intervention could provide a cost-effective way of reducing neonatal deaths

A Prospective Epidemiological Study of Acute Mountain Sickness in Nepalese Pilgrims Ascending to High Altitude (4380 m)

<div><p>Background</p><p>Each year, thousands of pilgrims travel to the Janai Purnima festival in Gosainkunda, Nepal (4380 m), ascending rapidly and often without the aid of pharmaceutical prophylaxis.</p><p>Methods</p><p>During the 2012 Janai Purnima festival, 538 subjects were recruited in Dhunche (1950 m) before ascending to Gosainkunda. Through interviews, subjects provided demographic information, ratings of AMS symptoms (Lake Louise Scores; LLS), ascent profiles, and strategies for prophylaxis.</p><p>Results</p><p>In the 491 subjects (91% follow-up rate) who were assessed upon arrival at Gosainkunda, the incidence of AMS was 34.0%. AMS was more common in females than in males (RR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.23, 2.00), and the AMS incidence was greater in subjects >35 years compared to subjects ≤35 years (RR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.36, 1.95). There was a greater incidence of AMS in subjects who chose to use garlic as a prophylactic compared to those who did not (RR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.26, 2.28). Although the LLS of brothers had a moderate correlation (intraclass correlation = 0.40, p = 0.023), sibling AMS status was a weak predictor of AMS.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The incidence of AMS upon reaching 4380 m was 34% in a large population of Nepalese pilgrims. Sex, age, and ascent rate were significant factors in the development of AMS, and traditional Nepalese remedies were ineffective in the prevention of AMS.</p></div

Statistical relationships between the use of pharmaceutical and dietary prophylaxis and the incidence of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in Nepalese pilgrims upon arrival to Gosainkunda (4380 m).

*<p>This result is statistically significant (<i>i.e.</i>, p<0.05).</p

The ascent profile from Dhunche (1950 m) to Gosainkunda (4380 m).

<p>All subjects ascended to Gosainkunda via this route in 1, 2, or 3 days. The average grade of the ascent was approximately 12%.</p

The results of multiple binary logistic regression for the individual predictors of AMS in Nepalese pilgrims upon arrival to Gosainkunda (4380 m).

†<p>Males, subjects ≤35 years, and the 2-day ascent group were used as the reference categories for the calculation of odds ratios.</p>*<p>This result is significant (<i>i.e.</i>, p<0.05).</p