DEVELOPMENT OF A PATIENT SPECIFIC IMAGE PLANNING SYSTEM FOR RADIATION THERAPY

A patient specific image planning system (IPS) was developed that can be used to assist in kV imaging technique selection during localization for radiotherapy. The IPS algorithm performs a divergent ray-trace through a three dimensional computed tomography (CT) data set. Energy-specific attenuation through each voxel of the CT data set is calculated and imaging detector response is integrated into the algorithm to determine the absolute values of pixel intensity and image contrast. Phantom testing demonstrated that image contrast resulting from under exposure, over exposure as well as a contrast plateau can be predicted by use of a prospective image planning algorithm. Phantom data suggest the potential for reducing imaging dose by selecting a high kVp without loss of image contrast. In the clinic, image acquisition parameters can be predicted using the IPS that reduce patient dose without loss of useful image contrast

ENERGY USE EFFICIENCY (EUE) FOR HYBRID MAIZE UNDER DIFFERENT TILLAGE SYSTEMS AND PLANT DENSITY IN CHITWAN, NEPAL

To assess energy use efficiency of hybrids maize as influenced by tillage methods and plant density. A field experiment was carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter season of 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design comprising two hybrids as horizontal factor (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6), two tillage methods as vertical factors (zero and conventional tillage) and four plant populations as sub-sub plot factors (55,555, 69,444, 85,470 and 1,01,010 plants ha-1). Zero tillage recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (238.98 and 217.48 MJ ha-1) as compared to conventional tillage (193.65 and 172.22 MJ ha-1, respectively). Similarly, the plant population of 85 thousand plants ha-1 recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (233.98 and 212.45 thousand MJ ha-1) than 55 (184.10 and 162.87 thousand MJ ha-1) but remained at par with 69 (206.63 and 185.24 thousand MJ ha-1) and 101 thousand plants ha-1 (240.55 and 218.83 thousand MJ ha-1).To assess energy use efficiency of hybrids maize as influenced by tillage methods and plant density. A field experiment was carried out at research field of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during winter season of 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design comprising two hybrids as horizontal factor (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6), two tillage methods as vertical factors (zero and conventional tillage) and four plant populations as sub-sub plot factors (55,555, 69,444, 85,470 and 1,01,010 plants ha-1). Zero tillage recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (238.98 and 217.48 MJ ha-1) as compared to conventional tillage (193.65 and 172.22 MJ ha-1, respectively). Similarly, the plant population of 85 thousand plants ha-1 recorded significantly higher energy output and net energy balance (233.98 and 212.45 thousand MJ ha-1) than 55 (184.10 and 162.87 thousand MJ ha-1) but remained at par with 69 (206.63 and 185.24 thousand MJ ha-1) and 101 thousand plants ha-1 (240.55 and 218.83 thousand MJ ha-1)

IDENTIFYING THE BEST DECENTRALIZED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN NEPAL

Access to electricity is generally recognized as an important factor for economic and social development. Moreover, the world energy consumption depends on the use of limited resources like fossil fuels that induce adverse impact on the environment and society. As an alternative, renewable energies turn into crucial alternative energy ensuring sustainable energy needs and taking care of society, economy and the environment. In order to combat such issues, the United Nations has declared universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for by 2030. In many cases, different types of renewable energy systems are being developed to serve energy need without considering the best alternative. Thus, this paper tries to prioritize the installed Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) systems for rural electrification in Nepal by analyzing nineteen sustainability indicators related to four sustainability dimensions - technical, social, economic and environmental. An Analytical Hierarchy Process-Online Software (AHP-OS) model is used for ranking various DRE systems. Suitable goals, criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives are developed after reviewing pertinent literature and consultation of the experts. The results reveal that micro-hydropower is the best electrification option followed by the solar home system, solar mini-grid, and wind-solar hybrid for decentralized electrification in Nepal. Biomass is found to be the least prioritized alternative in Nepal. The outcome of the research can help the policy-makers and decision-makers in shaping energy policies, plans, and programs, and foster sustainable energy development in the country. Similarly, the relevant stakeholders will be benefited by improving their products and services in the future

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of Talus

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of talus is rare benign, expansile and osteolytic bone growth. Cyst contains bloody fluid lined with variable amount of osteolytic giant cells. This is common in epiphyseal ends of long bone and rare in small bones like talus. Here a 20 years’ male with aneurysmal bone cyst of talus managed with wide intralesional curettage with autologous bone graft mixed with synthetic bone graft been presented

Prioritizing the Weightage of Sustainability Criteria and Sub-Criteria of Decentralized Micro-Hydropower Projects for Rural Electrification in Nepal

In many cases, sustainability of renewable energy systems (RES) is being analyzed by identifying certain criteria and sub-criteria considering equal weightage among the respective groups. However in reality, relative weightage of criteria and sub-criteria vary due to many reasons. Thus, this paper tries to prioritize the weightage of criteria and sub-criteria of decentralized micro-hydropower projects for rural electrification by analyzing sustainability indicators related to four dimensions- technical, social, economic, and environmental. An Analytical Hierarchy Process –Online Software (AHP-OS) model is used to prioritize the weightage of respective criteria and sub-criteria through expert opinion. Suitable goal, criteria and sub-criteria are developed after reviewing pertinent literature and consultation of the experts. The results reveal that technical criteria (0.362) is the most crucial sustainability criteria followed by economic (0.290) and social (0.226). Environmental criteria (0.122) is found to be the least preferred criteria. The results reveal that ‘energy availability’ (10.8%) is observed to be the most preferred and ‘GSI inclusion’ (2.4%) is ranked to be the least preferred sub-criteria among the 19 sub-criteria. Nepal, being a developing country, shows a trend of people preferring the development of energy services first at a relatively low cost without considering the environment and gender/social inclusion. As a result, technical and economic criteria and sub-criteria are preferred more than that of environmental and social. The outcome of the research can help decision-makers and policy-makers in shaping energy policies, plans, and programs, and foster future pathways for providing sustainable rural electrification in the country. Keywords: Indicators, Sustainability, Multi-criteria analysis, Prioritizing, Pairwise DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-9-02 Publication date: December 31st 201

Variation in grain zinc and iron concentrations, grain yield and associated traits of biofortified bread wheat genotypes in Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staples in Nepal providing the bulk of food calories and at least 30% of Fe and Zn intake and 20% of dietary energy and protein consumption; thus, it is essential to improve its nutritional quality. To select high-yielding genotypes with elevated grain zinc and iron concentration, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth HarvestPlus Yield Trials (HPYTs) were conducted across diverse locations in Nepal for four consecutive years: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19, using 47 biofortified and 3 non-biofortified CIMMYT-bred, bread wheat genotypes: Baj#1, Kachu#1, and WK1204 (local check). Genotypic and spatial variations were found in agro-morphological traits; grain yield and its components; and the grain zinc and iron concentration of tested genotypes. Grain zinc concentration was highest in Khumaltar and lowest in Kabre. Likewise, grain iron concentration was highest in Doti and lowest in Surkhet. Most of the biofortified genotypes were superior for grain yield and for grain zinc and iron concentration to the non-biofortified checks. Combined analyses across environments showed moderate to high heritability for both Zn (0.48–0.81) and Fe (0.46–0.79) except a low heritability for Fe observed for 7th HPYT (0.15). Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers per m2, while negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity, grain iron, grain weight per spike, and thousand grain weight. The grain zinc and iron concentration were positively correlated, suggesting that the simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients is possible through wheat breeding. Extensive testing of CIMMYT derived high Zn wheat lines in Nepal led to the release of five biofortified wheat varieties in 2020 with superior yield, better disease resistance, and 30–40% increased grain Zn and adaptable to a range of wheat growing regions in the country – from the hotter lowland, or Terai, regions to the dry mid- and high-elevation areas

Ethno-medicinal uses of vertebrates in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal.

Traditional knowledge on the use of animal products to maintain human health is important since time immemorial. Although a few studies reported food and medicinal values of different animals, a comprehensive ethno-medicinal study of vertebrates in Nepal is still lacking. Thus, present study is aimed at documenting the ethno-medicinal knowledge related to vertebrate fauna among different ethnic communities in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, central Nepal. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed by using Use Value (UV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL). Results showed a total of 58 (53 wild and 5 domestic) species of vertebrate animals. They were used to treat 62 types human ailments. Four animals were also used for veterinary diseases and agriculture benefits. The most widely used species was Felis chaus (UV = 0.25) with 3 use-reports by 10 informants. Cardiovascular and dental problems had the highest ICF value (0.974) with cardiovascular problems having 351 use-reports for 10 animal species and dental problems having 77 use-reports for 3 animal species. The least ICF was found in ophthalmological problems (ICF = 0.833, use reports = 7 for 2 species). We concluded that the different animals were an important part of traditional medicine for the local people living in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape. However, the majority of animals and most likely to be threatened due to their uses. The present documented ethnozoological knowledge can be used in conservation and management of vertebrates so that they could be protected for future generations

Impact of Social Fund on the Welfare of Rural Households: Evidence from the Nepal Poverty Alleviation Fund

The Nepal Poverty Alleviation Fund is a World Bank supported community-driven development program. Its objective is to improve rural welfare, particularly for groups that have traditionally been excluded for reasons of gender, ethnicity, caste, and location. Since its launch in 2004, the Fund has covered the 40 poorest districts of the country, supported some 15,000 community organizations, and benefited more than 2.5 million people. This paper attempts to estimate the impact of this large-scale program using a randomized phase-in approach, in which certain localities are randomly selected for earlier intervention than others. Using two rounds of survey data and a difference-in-difference combined with instrumental variable estimation method, it finds statistically significant causal impact of the program on key welfare outcomes. The treatment-on-the-treated estimate on real per capita consumption is 19 percent growth. Other impacts include a 19 percentage points decline on incidence of food insecurity (defined as food sufficiency for six months or less) and a 15 percentage points increase in the school enrollment rate among 6-15 year-olds. Impacts (positive or negative) are yet to be detected on indicators associated with child malnutrition, social capital, and empowerment. The policy implications of these results should be of interest to the government and to development partners in determining what may be effective instruments to deliver services to marginalized communities in what remains a fragile and difficult political environment

Determinants of abundance and habitat association of mammals in Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal

Barandabhar Corridor Forest (BCF), the biologically functional corridor, is surrounded by the large human settlements that exploit the corridor where large mammals such as tigers, leopards and their prey such as ungulates, primates, and rhinoceros occur. This study aimed to evaluate major determinants that affect the distribution of large mammals in BCF, Chitwan, Nepal that connects the biologically significant Chitwan National Park with the Mahabharat range. The status and distribution of large mammals along the habitat and disturbance gradients were determined by using 29 line transects (mean length = 4.59 ± 0.38 km) that covered a linear distance of 133.13 km. The chital were the most abundant mammals (density per km2 (D) = 8.9095 ± 1.4570 and encounter rate per km (ER) = 1.49) followed by rhesus monkey (D = 38.896 ± 16.013, ER = 0.28), wild boar (D = 14.814 ± 3.57, ER = 0.62), northern red muntjac (D = 9.6566 ± 2.9514, ER = 0.62) and sambar (D = 5.392 ± 2.319, ER = 0.38). Similarly, the sign encounter rate of tiger and leopard was 0.435 and 0.503 respectively. Habitat types, human disturbances, and coverage of invasive and alien plant species (IAPs) played a key role in the distribution of large mammals. The occurrence of mammals was low nearer to the settlements and roads and coverage of IAPs and more nearer to the water resources. However, degradation of foraging grounds such as grasslands by succession and invasion of alien plant species added more threats to the survival of large mammals. Therefore, such a situation can be improved through the scientific management of forests and grasslands

COVID-19 and Comorbidities: A Summary of Findings

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a global pandemic which first originated in the Wuhan City of China has affected nearly 12.2 million individuals leading to a devastating death toll of 553,438 globally