The conflict and challenge of integrating the “others” in Europe

From facing issues related to cultural conflict and integration of immigrants and minorities to religious fundamentalism, uncertainties and economic slowdown Europe is confronting challenges like never before in past fifty years. Among these, the integration of the ‘others’, particularly the immigrants, is a major challenge. The process of integration and differentiation of ‘others’ is happening in social, cultural, economic, and political sphere leading to conflict and friction among people. With multiculturalism being pronounced as failure by many European countries, policy of inter-culture is seen as an alternative. This paper attempts to identify who constitute ‘others’ in Europe. Further it explores the nature and reasons for conflict and tension between the natives and the ‘others’. The paper also discusses issues pertaining to social integration, particularly discussing and multiculturalism and inter-culture as policy options for social integration of the ‘others’ in Europe.peer-reviewe

Removal of High and Low Density Impulse Noise from IRIS Images By 5*5 Matrix

In the field of processing of images in a digital format, the suppression of noise by image of IRIS is the main point to focus. Noise of impulsion may be incurred while the process of accession of image, storage or relay. The defamation of noise should be done by adopting such methodology that the data which is cardinal must not be lost. A several quantity of algorithms are deployed to attain the actual image & removal of noises from pepper & salt from the images which are vandalized. In this document, we will suggest an algorithm that will refurnish the images on scale of gray which are erupted by noise of impulse. Here a matrix of 5*5 is recommended that will identify the addition of noise in the pixels. This algorithm is comprised of two sections. The section one identifies if there is any alteration in pixel which is being processed. While reformation of pixel is done in second section of the algorithm. The outcomes of images attained on various grayscales attained by this reveals that this algorithm as suggested furnish greater PSNR & minimal time in computation. It also works finely for removal of pepper & salt noises and densities of various levels

Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World

The urban landscape has many impacts on the local climate such as reduced average wind speed due to the blocking effect of buildings and greater frequency of flash flooding owing to the higher proportion of ground sealed with concrete and asphalt and a corresponding reduction in natural drainage. Detailed estimate of climate change impacts and landscape modifications on water resources at the regional and local level are currently inaccurate due to inadequate data for water cycle and hydrogeology relations. Physical planning though equipped with modern means and best technologies is still lagging behind from the hands of urban planners due to their insufficient knowledge of natural systems and their correlations. Physical development as part of regional development such as construction of buildings, housings, roads, bridges and public utilities are continuously increasing due to the development in all sectors. Physical developments require land space and give positive impacts for the benefits of the people. However, it also creates negative impacts to the physical environment. It can be understood since a physical development is directly related to the land where constructions stand on, where water occurs as a source for water supply of men living on it and where the air is available for supporting life

Improving neonatal health in Nepal: Major challenges to achieving millennium development goal 4

Background: Globally, more than 40% of all under-five child deaths occur during the neonatal period. Neonatal mortality in Nepal is 33 per 1,000 live births, eight times that of developed regions. So there is an urgent need for neonatal care to prevent these deaths, in order to achieve the fourth Millennium Development Goal by 2015. Objective: The objective of this article was to review the major challenges in improving neonatal health in Nepal and to identify possible keys to achieving Millennium Development Goal 4. Methodology: Key literature searches were conducted of electronic databases and relevant web-sites. Furthermore, personal contact with the local population in Nepal and hand searching of key journals was performed. Results: In Nepal, there exist harmful cultural practices during pregnancy and after childbirth. Under utilization of basic maternal and neonatal healthcare, limited health infrastructure with a shortage of trained health care professionals, poverty, illiteracy, women's low status in the society and political instability are major challenges facing neonatal health in Nepal. Conclusions: In order to improve neonatal health in Nepal, it is imperative to focus on biomedical, nursing and social interventions, in addition to family centred care. Health promotion regarding the practices to be adopted during pregnancy and after childbirth, improving health infrastructure and integrating skilled delivery personnel into local health services are important measures. Longer-term solutions could include: improving mother's nutrition and women's position in society, increasing the proportions of girls attending school, as well as involving men in neonatal health matters

Nonhomologous DNA End Joining in Cell-Free Extracts

Among various DNA damages, double-strand breaks (DSBs) are considered as most deleterious, as they may lead to chromosomal rearrangements and cancer when unrepaired. Nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) is one of the major DSB repair pathways in higher organisms. A large number of studies on NHEJ are based on in vitro systems using cell-free extracts. In this paper, we summarize the studies on NHEJ performed by various groups in different cell-free repair systems

Preservation and digitization in modern and heritage libraries of Jammu Province: an analytical study

Twenty-two heritage and modern libraries in the Jammu province of Jammu & Kashmir were studied to understand the digitization status and types of services offered to users. Much of the data were collected from the respective institutes/library websites wherever these were available. For libraries that did not have websites or where the websites were not updated, the librarians of the institutes were interviewed to gather data. The findings show that most of these libraries maintain a unique collection of manuscripts and rare documents of historical importance that need to be preserved for future generations. A few of the libraries have initiated digitization projects to preserve the rare collection of documents. We recommend that the information scientists in Jammu province should continuously make efforts to take up the process of digitization in libraries to serve their users in an effective manner and preserve the knowledge for future generations

Preservation and digitization in modern and heritage libraries of Jammu Province (J&K): an analytical study

119-126Twenty-two heritage and modern libraries in the Jammu province of Jammu & Kashmir were studied to understand the digitization status and types of services offered to users. Much of the data were collected from the respective institutes/library websites wherever these were available. For libraries that did not have websites or where the websites were not updated, the librarians of the institutes were interviewed to gather data. The findings show that most of these libraries maintain a unique collection of manuscripts and rare documents of historical importance that need to be preserved for future generations. A few of the libraries have initiated digitization projects to preserve the rare collection of documents. We recommend that the information scientists in Jammu province should continuously make efforts to take up the process of digitization in libraries to serve their users in an effective manner and preserve the knowledge for future generations

‘Nepenglish’ or ‘Nepali English’: A New Version of English?

English is a living language and different native and non-native speakers develop English in slightly different ways. This paper argues that it is time to consider whether we should study the English spoken by native Nepali speakers (Nepenglish) as a separately developing variant of English. The question is particularly intriguing since Nepali English bears such a similarity with Indian English, as both are largely based on originally Sanskrit-based languages. The examples of Nepali English used in this paper are from notes taken by the three authors during speeches in English by native Nepali speakers as well as from published articles. Further evidence was found in draft papers and PhD chapters submitted by Nepali students to the third author

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Assessment of Surface Water Quality of a Himalayan Wetland Deoria Tal, India

The Water Quality Index (WQI) is considered as an important method to assess the water quality of a water body for its users. This study was carried out to assess the water quality of a Himalayan wetland Deoria Tal. Deoria Tal is one of the most important wetlands of the Garhwal Himalaya, India. It is the major destination for tourists, trekkers and local inhabitants. The water samples were collected for a period of one year during April, 2014 to March, 2015. In order to develop the water quality index samples were subjected to a comprehensive physico-chemical analysis of 20 parameters which include air temperature, water temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, free CO2, biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, transparency, total alkalinity, hardness, chlorides, sulphates, phosphates, nitrates, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium. The WQI was calculated and the value was obtained as 76.15. Most of the values of physico-chemical parameters are within the prescribed limits of WHO/BIS for drinking water. Water Quality Index (WQI) calculated based on the weight values of these parameters also revealed the ‘good’ quality of lake water. The α-diversity of microbes was found to be 18 in the water of Deoria Tal. The water of the lake is fit for human consumption. Keeping in view the importance of the lake and to provide the sustainable water quality for users its conservation and management is priority in the Himalayan region. Keywords: Himalayan wetland; Deoria Tal; Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand; water quality index; physico-chemical parameter

Measuring what works: a mixed-methods evaluation of women’s groups on maternal health uptake in rural Nepal.

Background: There is a need for more studies that analyse evaluation methods in the context of maternal health promotion. These should assess the effectiveness of health promotion interventions on health outcomes, factors contributing to impact, and transferability. This thesis reports on an evaluation of one such intervention in Nepal targeting rural women to promote maternal health. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used where, first, a Difference-in- Difference (DiD) estimation assessed the effects of the intervention on selected outcome variables while controlling for: 1) a constructed wealth index; and 2) women’s socio-economic characteristics in a five-year controlled, non-randomised, repeated cross-sectional study of a community-based health promotion intervention targeting maternal health in Nepal. Second, the qualitative data were analysed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women post-intervention. Finally, the financial data were analysed to identify resources needed and estimate the cost of the health promotion intervention. Results: After five years, women in the intervention area were more likely to seek antenatal care at least once, to take iron/folic acid, and to attend postnatal care. The intervention did not influence women’s place of birth or likelihood of receiving care from a skilled birth attendant. However, it did improve attendance for the recommended four antenatal visits for the first two and a half years. The qualitative findings helped explain some of the changes or lack thereof, where in the intervention area women were perceived, by the researcher, as empowered, confident, and the family as supportive. The cost of providing the health promotion intervention per group/woman and the evaluation process consisted of only 10% of the total programme cost. Conclusion: This is the first community-based health promotion intervention that has demonstrated a greater impact during pregnancy (i.e., uptake of antenatal care) than around birth (i.e., changes in delivery care). Other factors, not easily resolved through health promotion interventions, may influence birth outcomes, such as financial liquidity or geographical constraints. The evaluation showed that using mixed methods provided valuable information that would not have been extracted through one method alone. While DiD is a precise tool for measurement, the qualitative research provided insight into why the intervention had an impact in pregnancy but not at birth