Youth, politics, and youth-led political violence in Nepal

This article examines how participation and mobilization of youth in politics has led to an unintended consequence: youth‐led violence. We define youth‐led violence as a particular form of political violence that emerged from an interplay between political power, domination, and rent‐seeking behavior. To elaborate on youth‐led violence between 1990 and 2018 in Nepal, we identified and analyzed push and pull factors that explain the dynamics and dimensions of why youth participate in politics and how it creates a condition where political violence is accepted and normalized

High-Precision Micropipette Thermal Sensor for Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanotubes Thin Film

The thesis describes novel glass micropipette thermal sensor fabricated in cost-effective manner and thermal conductivity measurement of carbon nanotubes (CNT) thin film using the developed sensor. Various micrometer-sized sensors, which range from 2 µm to 30 µm, were produced and tested. The capability of the sensor in measuring thermal fluctuation at micro level with an estimated resolution of ±0.002oC is demonstrated. The sensitivity of sensors was recorded from 3.34 to 8.86 µV/oC, which is independent of tip size and dependent on the coating of Nickel. The detailed experimental setup for thermal conductivity measurement of CNT film is discussed and 73.418 W/moC was determined as the thermal conductivity of the CNT film at room temperature

Feto-maternal outcome of second stage cesarean section in B. P. Koirala institute of health sciences: a retrospective study

Background: Cesarean section (CS) is a common surgical procedure performed in obstetrics. The rate of rise of CS can be attributed to the increase in safety of the procedure, enhanced surgical techniques, improved    antibiotics, increase in number of women requesting for CS. In general, caesarean delivery is associated with more severe maternal complications compared to vaginal deliveries. The stage of labour at which CS is undertaken has been shown to influence the rate/risk of complication. Methods: It was an observational and retrospective study that depended on some clinical records related to more than 37 weeks’ gestation. The study was conducted in BP Koirala institute of health sciences, Dharan Nepal from 2021 December to 2022 December. The neonatal as well as maternal outcomes have been evaluated for CS among those who were observing the second stage in their labor period. The test statistics used to analyse the data were descriptive statistics chi-square test. Results:  The total delivery was 16131 out of which there were 6748 cesarean deliveries. Out of 6748 CS 65 patients had cesarean in second stage of labour. The most common cause of CS in second stage of labor was arrest of descent and dilatation (40%), followed by meconium-stained liquor (15.38%), occipito-posterior position (12.30%), and obstructed labour (3.07%) Being the least cause. One patient had to undergo peri-partum hysterectomy and the most common complication of second stage CS was prolong foleys catheterization (15 patients), post-partum febrile illness (20 patients out of 65), followed by wound infection, PPH, blood transfusion. The neonatal admission for NICU were birth asphyxia and respiratory distress were 50% each. Conclusions: CS in the second stage of labor is correlated with considerably improved neonatal and maternal rate of morbidity along with expanded neonatal mortality. A proper judgment and skilled obstetrician are required to perform a second-stage CS. CS in the second stage of labor is a technically demanding procedure with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity compared to the CS in the first stage of labor

Damage and yield loss estimate in maize varieties owing to stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) infestation and insecticidal control

Stem borer (Chilo partellus Swinhoe) is one of the most damaging and yield reducing pest in maize. Field experiments were organized to assess the extent of damage and yield loss due to the infestation of stem borer in maize following two factors randomized complete block design with three replications at National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, during two consecutive spring seasons of 2020 and 2021. Maize varieties; Rampur Hybrid (RH)-8, RH-10, RH-12 (CAH-1715), RH-14 (RML-86/RML-96), RH-16 (RML-95/RML-96), TX-369, Arun-2, ZM-401, ZM-627 and Rampur Composite were used as a test variety (First factor) whereas pest control conditions (spray and non-spray) was considered as the second factor in the experiments. The sprayed plots (protected plots) were kept completely free from stem borer infestation by using three application of standard dose of insecticide (spinosad 45% [email protected]/L) at 10 days interval and non spray (unprotected plots) were selected for natural infestation of stem borers. Standard agronomical practices such as time of planting, row spacing, seed rate, irrigation, weeding and fertilizer application and doses were adopted to raise the crop. Among tested varieties Arun-2 was found most susceptible to stem borer attack in both experimental years resulted in higher % dead hearts (6.04%), higher no of exit hole (4.72), higher % foliage damage at before tasseling stage (12.17%) and higher tunnel length (4.62cm). Quantitative yield loss increased with the increase of the borer's infestation. The yield loss was ranged from 25 to 45% in different maize varieties due to the attack of stem borer. Highest yield loss was quantified for the open pollinated varieties, ZM-401(44.61%) followed by Rampur Composite (41.39%) and Arun-2 (41.22%). Spraying of insecticide enabled the recently introduced maize hybrid RH-14 to produce more yield and to be less vulnerable to stem borer damage

Least squares adjustment computer programs for horizontal and vertical positions

The application of the least squares adjustment techniques to the area of surveying has been considered and two computer programs called HCONTRL and VCONTRL are developed for horizontal and vertical control respectively. The principle of least squares is discussed in chapter II. The observation and condition equations are compared and the observation equations technique is applied in the programs. The general forms of the observation equations for distance and angle (or direction) are derived in chapter III. The solution and the precision of the solution from the least squares adjustment technique are also discussed. A brief discussions on future systems; the satellite positioning, the inertial positioning, and the non-classical method, are included in chapter III. In chapter IV, the development and the procedures to be used in using the computer program HCONTRL are discussed. The least squares application to the various techniques of the horizontal position control; traverse, intersection, resection, triangulation, trilateration, and combined networks, are described in chapter V. The theory of vertical position control is discussed in chapter VI where techniques of direct leveling and trig leveling are described. This chapter also includes a brief description on; gravimetric leveling, barometric leveling, hydrostatic leveling, tacheometric leveling, satellite altimetry, and steric leveling. The development and procedures of the computer program VCONTRL, to adjust the direct leveling and the trig leveling by the least squares technique are discussed in chapter VII. The application of the least squares to the direct leveling and the trig leveling is given in chapter VIII. In chapter IX, practicality of the least squares adjustment is considered. The summary and conclusions are in chapter X. Appendix I consists of the numerical examples of the least squares adjustment of the various techniques in the horizontal position control by the computer program HCONTRL. The numerical examples of direct leveling and trig leveling by the computer program VCONTRL are given in Appendix II. A numerical example of the gravimetric leveling computation to find the geopotential numbers is also presented in Appendix II. Appendix III contains the complete listings of the computer programs HCONTRL and VCONTRL

Variability for growth and yield traits in single cross hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.)

Saabunud / Received 29.09.2021 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 18.11.2021 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 18.11.2021 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Jiban Shrestha [email protected] single-cross hybrids of maize were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications to investigate genetic variability and correlation among growth and yield traits at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal from March 13 to September 05, 2021. The hybrids were grouped into four clusters using Euclidean Average Linkage method. The cluster analysis showed the presence of genetic variability in the evaluated hybrids. The maximum distance between cluster centroids (194.28) was found between cluster 2 and cluster 4, indicating genetic dissimilarity. Grain yield had the maximum values of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) (35.02%), followed by ear height (17.82%) and plant height (12.22%). Similarly, grain yield had the maximum values of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) (26.24%) followed by the number of kernel rows/cob (8.77%) and days to 50% silking (8.72%). Days to 50% silking and days to 50% tasseling had the highest values of heritability (86%) followed by cob diameter (84%) and no. of kernel rows in cob (68%). The leaf area per plant had the maximum values of genetic advance (GA) (74.87 cm2), followed by plant height (27.80 cm) and days to 50% silking (9.66 days). Similarly, the maximum values of genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) was found for grain yield (40.50%) followed by days to 50% silking (16.70%) and days to 50% tasseling (16.17%). The hybrids namely KWM-91 × KWM-93 produced the maximum values of grain yield (9.99 t ha–1) followed by KWM-93 × KWM-91 (9.63 t ha–1) and KWM-92 × KWM-93 (9.40 t ha–1). Grain yield showed positive and significant phenotypic correlation with days to 50% silking (r = 0.41), days to 50% tasseling (r = 0.39), plant height (r = 0.37), cob diameter (r = 0.49) and the number of kernel rows in cob (r = 0.38). Therefore, utilization of present genetic variability along with indirect selection for traits having significant association with grain yield, high heritability and GAM could aid in the improvement of maize productivity

TEM observations of cytoskeletal evolution in CNS axons

Experimental studies of the Nobel Prize Scientists mentioned earlier show how such receptors prefer to be on lipid rafts. The latter are zones of the cell membrane of higher thickness, where lipids are more straight and, hence, in the so-called ordered phase

Effects of Storage Structures and Moisture Contents on Seed Quality Attributes of Quality Protein Maize

The study was aimed to examine the effects of various storage structures and moisture contents on seed quality attributes of quality protein maize seed. The quality protein maize (QPM-1) seed was tested in conventional seed storage containers (Fertilizer sack and earthen pot) and the improved hermetic ones (Metal bin, Super grain bag, and Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag) at Seed Science and Technology Division, Khumaltar, Nepal during February, 2015 to January 2016. Ten treatments comprising 5 storage devices in two moisture regimes (11% and 9%) replicated thrice and laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data on temperature, relative humidity (RH), germination, electrical conductivity (EC), seed moisture content (MC) were collected bimonthly. The conventional containers were found liable to the external environmental condition whereas the hermetic structures observed with controlled RH level below 40% in all combinations. Electrical conductivity (EC) for seed vigor showed that hermetic containers provide higher seed vigor than the conventional ones. Up to 4 months all treatments were found statistically at par for germination. A significant difference was observed in each treatment after 4 months where PICS bag & Super grain bag showed best germination followed by metal bin while fertilizer bag & earthen-pot showed poorer and poorest germination respectively till one year. Almost all treatments with lower MC showed better results than the treatments with higher MC. A negative correlation (R2=69.7%) was found between EC and Germination. All six figures from 2 to 12 months on MC showed statistically different where hermetic plastic bags were found maintaining MC as initial whereas MC of fertilizer bags and earthen pot was spiked than the basal figure. The finding evidenced that the hermetic containers and low MC are the seed storage approaches for retaining the quality of seed even in an ambient environmental condition for more than a year

Efficacy of Combined Antithrombotic, Statins and Anti-Hypertensive Drugs in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs are commonly used for the management of acute ischemic stroke in Nepal but there is no evidence regarding their efficacy in our context. This study aims to explore the efficacy of these combined medications (anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs) in acute ischemic stroke patients for the first time and to assess the risk factors present in those patients. Methods: The study was conducted on 37 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted and treated at the Neurology Department of College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal and they were followed at three months (90±10 days). The initial stroke severity and functional disability were evaluated at admission and at 3 months using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) respectively. The outcome parameters were functional independence (mRS≤2) and mortality at three months (mRS=6). Frequency distribution, Mann-Whitney U-test and χ2 test were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 37 patients, 27 (73%) were Smoker, 22 (59.5%) had hypertension and 19 (51.4%) were alcohol consumer. The stroke severity on admission was statistically significant with functional independence (P=0.003) and mortality (P=0.015) at three month. Similarly, Rankin grade on admission was statistically significant with functional independence (P=0.001) and mortality (P=0.048) at three month. At three months, 20 (69%) survived patients were independent while mortality was seen in eight (21.6%) patients. Conclusions: The management of acute ischemic stroke with combined anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs seems promising and efficacious in mild to moderately severe ischemic stroke. Keywords: antihypertensive; anti-thrombotic; efficacy ; statins; stroke