Local Services Through E-Governance In Nepal: An Assessment Of Municipal Websites

This paper presents the explanatory analysis of municipality’s e-governance project in Nepal. Objectives of e-governance projects were to improve administrative processes, connecting citizens and building external integrations. This study attempts to provide deeper insight to e-government landscape at local level in Nepal. Website of each municipality was assessed on its usability, navigability, trust and credibility and its legal policies. The promptness in service delivery was measured by email responsiveness to the user’s questions. E-readiness and Nepal government’s master plan 2006 has also been considered in assessment of local e-governance. The assessment of websites indicated its under-utilization as an e-government tool and a very minimal adoption of e-governance. Result clearly showed lack of transparency, slow service delivery and under estimation of existing websites by government. This study suggests that government need to work seriously and extensively hard to achieve the benefits offered by ICT. This paper has identified some important factors which can improve the success of local government’s website. This study might prove useful for other developing countries with similar initiatives

Complex formation between nickel(II) and some pentamine (substituted salicylato)cobalt(III) ions

The kinetics of reversible complexation of NiII with pentamine(substituted salicylato)cobalt(III) ions, [Co(N5){O2CC6H3(X)OH}]2+[N5= 5NH3, (en)2(NH3)(cis isomer, en = ethane-1,2-diamine) or tetren (tetraethylenepentamine), X = 3-NO2; N5= 5NH3, X = 5-NO2], was investigated by the stopped-flow technique at 15–35 °C, pH 5.70–6.90 and I= 0.30 mol dm−3(ClO4−). The formation of [(Co(N5){O2CC6H3(X)O}Ni]3+ occurs via the reaction of [Ni(OH2)6]2+ with the phenoxide form of the cobalt(III) substrates. The rate and activation parameters have been determined for the formation and dissociation of the binuclear species in which nickel(II) is chelated by the salicylate moiety. The data are consistent with and Id mechanism. The rate constant for spontaneous dissociation of the binuclear species to the reacting partners is sensitive to the nature of the pentamine moiety and decreases in the sequence tetren > (en)2(NH3)− 5NH3. The acid-catalysed dissociation of cis-[(en)2(NH3)Co{O2CC6H3(NO2−3)O}Ni]3+ conforms to a two-step process

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to streptococcus pneumoniae: a case report

Despite not being a normal gastrointestinal flora, Streptococcus pneumoniae can be the causative agent of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) in clinical setting. Patient present with fever, progressive abdominal pain, swelling of limbs, abdomen or both. It is mainly diagnosed by ascitic fluid tapping and its cell count along with culture and sensitivity. This condition has very good response with antibiotics as per culture reports. Here, we present a common case of SBP caused by an uncommon pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae

Coupling Between Magnetic and Transport Properties in Magnetic Layered Material Mn2-xZnxSb

We synthesized single crystals for Mn2-xZnxSb and studied their magnetic and electronic transport properties. This material system displays rich magnetic phase tunable with temperature and Zn composition. In addition, two groups of distinct magnetic and electronic properties, separated by a critical Zn composition of x = 0.6, are discovered. The Zn-less samples are metallic and characterized by a resistivity jump at the magnetic ordering temperature, while the Zn-rich samples lose metallicity and show a metal-to-insulator transition-like feature tunable by magnetic field. Our findings establish Mn2-xZnxSb as a promising material platform that offers opportunities to study how the coupling of spin, charge, and lattice degrees of freedom governs interesting transport properties in 2D magnets, which is currently a topic of broad interest.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures, Figures are at the end of the manuscrip

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation with Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids (CLIPPERS Syndrome): A Case Report and Literature Review

CLIPPERS is a rare, chronic inflammatory neurological syndrome affecting multiple regions of the brain including the brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord. More than 100 cases have been documented globally since its initial description in 2010. This article reports the first case of the CLIPPERS syndrome in Nepal. Clinical and radiological evidences of the patient lead to the diagnosis of this disease. Brain MRI reveals punctate and curvilinear gadolinium enhancement in the pons and cerebellum, which is diagnostic for the disease. Steroid therapy has been reported to be effective in treating CLIPPERS syndrome. Although its pathophysiology indicates an immune-mediated process, the etiology is yet unknown. The treatment and prognosis of this illness depend on an early and accurate diagnosis

Kinetics and mechanism of complex formation between (oxalato)pentaamminecobalt(III) and Ni(II) in aqueous medium

769-772The kinetics of the reversible complexation of oxalatopentaamminecobalt(III) with Ni2+ has been investigated at 15-30° C and I = 0.30 mol dm-3] At 25°C, kf, = (2.98±0.31) 103 dm3mol-1s-1, ∆H = 54.5 ±3.7 kJmol-1, ∆S = +3.3 ± 12.3 JK-1 mol-1 , and Kr, = (57.9 ± 2.2)s-1, ∆H = (60.4 ± 1.5) kJ mol-1, ∆S = - 8.8 ± 5.0 JK -1 mol-1, where kf and kr denote the rate constants for the formation and dissociation of the binuclear species,(NH3)5CoC2O4Ni3+ respectively. It is likely that the binuclear species exists in equilibrium between its monodentate and chelated forms, the half bonded oxalate moiety of the cobalt (III) substrate acting as a chelating ligand. This dissociation of Ni2+ from themonodentate form of the binuclear species is rate-limiting while the formation of such a species from the reactants is predominantly governed by the rate-limiting water dissociation from Ni(OH2)

Kinetics and mechanism of acid and base hydrolysis of cis-(bioxalato) (imidazole)bis(ethylenediamine)cobalt (III) ion: A study of the role of the coordinated imidazole and its anion

832-837The aquation and base hydrolysis of cis-[(en)2(imH)CoC2O4H]2 + (imH = imidazole) have been investigated in 1.0 mol dm-3 (CIO), ionic strength. The aquation of the complex at [H+] = 0.50-1.0 mol dm-3 (60°C) proceeds via spontaneous and H+ catalysed paths, kobs = k + KH[H+], with k = (1.2± 0.2) x 10-6 s-1 and kH= (3.2± 0.4)10-6 dm3 mol-1 s-1. In the range [OH-]T = 0.010-1.0 mol dm-3 and 15-35°C, the complex exists in doubly deprotonated form, cis-[(en)2Co(im)C2O4] and the pseudo-first order rate constant fits the relationship, kobs, =  k0 + k1[OH-] + k2[OH-]2. The rate constants (k0, k1, and k and the associated activation parameters (H≠ and S≠) arc reported. Comparison of k0 and k show that imidazolate anion (im-) has stronger σ-bonded labilisation of Co - O bond relative to imidazole. Base hydrolysis in 50%  medium results in rate acceleration relative to aqueous medium, and kobs = k1[OH-l]T is obeyed at [OH-] T = 0.050-0.70 mol dm-3 (30°C)

Base catalysed hydrolysis of β2-cis-(chloro)(benzimidazole)(trienthylenetetramine)cobalt(III)cation: A comparison of the reactivities of the benzimidazole and benzimidazolato species of the complex

747-751The base hydrolysis of β2-cis-(chloro)(benzimidazole)(triethylenetetramine)cobalt(III) obeys the rate law: -dln[complex]total/dt=(k [OH-] + k kOH[OH-]2)/(1 + KOH[OH-]) in the range of pH = 7.40-12, for which k, k and KOH denote the second order rate constants of the benzimidazole, benzimidazolato form of the complex, and the equilibrium constant for the OH- promoted formation of the benzimidazolato species from the parent complex respectively. At 25°C and 1= 0.05 mol dm-3, k = (4.79±0.15) x 106 dm3 mol-1 S-1, k = (9.2±0.6) x 104 dm3 mol-1 S-1 and KOH = (2.64 ± 0.07) x 105 dm3 mol-1. At [OH-] = (2.6-11.6) x 10-3 mol dm-3 (l = 1.0 mol dm-3) and 10-30°C, kobs,= k [OH-] is valid with k (25°C) = (4.42 ± 0.04) x 104 dm3 mol-1 S-1, H≠ = 67.6 ± 1.0 kJ mol-1 and S≠ = 71 ± 3 JK-1 mol-1. There is no general base catalysis discounting the possibility of the rate limiting NH-deprotonation mechanism. Comparison of the rate data shows that the benzimidazole form of the complex ((trien)Co(bzmH)Cl2+) base hydrolyses ~ 40 times faster than its benzimidazolato analogue despite the fact that the conjugate base of the latter (net charge zero) is likely to be more reactive than the same derived from the former (net charge + 1). This reactivity trend (i.e. k > k) reflects the perturbation of the pK of the NH proton of the coordinated trien forming the reactive conjugate base. In the conventional SN1CB mechanism the reactive conjugate base is believed to be generated by the deprotonation of the planar secondary N - H of the trien ligand trans to the coordinated benzimidazole or its conjugate base (bzm)