Nepali Women in Politics: Success and Challenges

This paper is based on an extensive three-year research project employing qualitative methods. In this paper we will discuss women\u27s struggle for equality in Nepal, their current successes in the political process, and remaining underlying challenges. The aim of this paper is to share with a wider audience that establishing equality and equity is hard but not impossible if and when constant efforts are made in a concerted way by bringing all likeminded people (men and women, politicians and parliamentarians), together. Nepal has been undergoing tremendous socio-political transformations over the past two decades, from civil war to negotiated peace, unitary to federal and monarchical government, and ultimately to the current republican political system, where the role of women is eminent. Historically, despite unfavourable circumstances, Nepali women have established themselves as key actors of socio-political changes. Under the leadership of Yogmaya Neupane (1860-1941), Nepali women began their struggle during the Rana Regime and advanced since the 1950s, by engaging both in popular peaceful political movements to armed insurgency and parliamentary competition with their male political counterparts. As a result, the new constitution of Nepal in 2015, ensured 33 % of seats, guaranteed to the parliaments and all other government positions as well as provision of male-female alternate seat provisions in the highest positions such as President and Vice President, Chief and Deputy Chief of Parliament (in both upper and lower houses), Mayor and Deputy Mayor where two of one must be female. Further, it has ensured inclusive provisions in all state structures. As a result, from the national and local elections of 2017-18, women have come to occupy 41.8% of political positions across the country. One of the key factors to ensure higher and meaningful participation of women in politics were these favourable electoral provisions. We found that despite numerous challenges that women face in political and electoral processes, they have demonstrated success in achieving higher participation in political positions. However, what has been achieved so far is not enough and continued concerted action among all actors is essential

Algebraic level sets for CAD/CAE integration and moving boundary problems

Boundary representation (B-rep) of CAD models obtained from solid modeling kernels are commonly used in design, and analysis applications outside the CAD systems. Boolean operations between interacting B-rep CAD models as well as analysis of such multi-body systems are fundamental operations on B-rep geometries in CAD/CAE applications. However, the boundary representation of B-rep solids is, in general, not a suitable representation for analysis operations which lead to CAD/CAE integration challenges due to the need for conversion from B-rep to volumetric approximations. The major challenges include intermediate mesh generation step, capturing CAD features and associated behavior exactly and recurring point containment queries for point classification as inside/outside the solid. Thus, an ideal analysis technique for CAD/CAE integration that can enable direct analysis operations on B-rep CAD models while overcoming the associated challenges is desirable. ^ Further, numerical surface intersection operations are typically necessary for boolean operations on B-rep geometries during the CAD and CAE phases. However, for non-linear geometries, surface intersection operations are non-trivial and face the challenge of simultaneously satisfying the three goals of accuracy, efficiency and robustness. In the class of problems involving multi-body interactions, often an implicit knowledge of the boolean operation is sufficient and explicit intersection computation may not be needed. Such implicit boolean operations can be performed by point containment queries on B-rep CAD models. However, for complex non-linear B-rep geometries, the point containment queries may involve numerical iterative point projection operations which are expensive. Thus, there is a need for inexpensive, non-iterative techniques to enable such implicit boolean operations on B-rep geometries. ^ Moreover, in analysis problems with evolving boundaries (ormoving boundary problems), interfaces or cracks, blending functions are used to enrich the underlying domain with the known behavior on the enriching entity. The blending functions are typically dependent on the distance from the evolving boundaries. For boundaries defined by free form curves or surfaces, the distance fields have to be constructed numerically. This may require either a polytope approximation to the boundary and/or an iterative solution to determine the exact distance to the boundary. ^ In this work a purely algebraic, and computationally efficient technique is described for constructing signed distance measures from Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) boundaries that retain the geometric exactness of the boundaries while eliminating the need for iterative and non-robust distance calculation. The proposed technique exploits the NURBS geometry and algebraic tools of implicitization. Such a signed distance measure, also referred to as the Algebraic Level Sets, gives a volumetric representation of the B-rep geometry constructed by purely non-iterative algebraic operations on the geometry. This in turn enables both the implicit boolean operations and analysis operations on B-rep geometries in CAD/CAE applications. Algebraic level sets ensure exactness of geometry while eliminating iterative numerical computations. Further, a geometry-based analysis technique that relies on hierarchical partition of unity field compositions (HPFC) theory and its extension to enriched field modeling is presented. The proposed technique enables direct analysis of complex physical problems without meshing, thus, integrating CAD and CAE. The developed techniques are demonstrated by constructing algebraic level sets for complex geometries, geometry-based analysis of B-rep CAD models and a variety of fracture examples culminating in the analysis of steady state heat conduction in a solid with arbitrary shaped three-dimensional cracks. ^ The proposed techniques are lastly applied to investigate the risk of fracture in the ultra low-k (ULK) dies due to copper (Cu) wirebonding process. Maximum damage induced in the interlayer dielectric (ILD) stack during the process steps is proposed as an indicator of the reliability risk. Numerical techniques based on enriched isogeometric approximations are adopted to model damage in the ULK stacks using a cohesive damage description. A damage analysis procedure is proposed to conduct damage accumulation studies during Cu wirebonding process. Analysis is carried out to identify weak interfaces and potential sites for crack nucleation as well as damage nucleation patterns. Further, the critical process condition is identified by analyzing the damage induced during the impact and ultrasonic excitation stages. Also, representative ILD stack designs with varying Cu percentage are compared for risk of fracture

Interactions between Nanospheres and Lipid Membranes

Potential applications of nanoparticles in various field including medicine and industries demand careful investigations of the interaction between nanoparticles and the plasma membrane and the resulting effect this has on the structural, mechanical and thermal properties of the plasma membrane. Furthermore, understanding the interactions between nanoparticles and bio membranes will allow us to design nanoparticles for optimal transmembrane transport. Using large-scaleLangevin molecular dynamics simulations, we systematically investigated the adsorption of spherical nanoparticles on lipid membranes, their effect on the morphological changes of the membrane, and the clustering of the nanoparticles. Our study is performed with changing the parameters such as the diameter of the nanoparticle, the strength of their interaction with the biomembrane and the surface coverage of the nanoparticles. We observed endocytosis in the membrane for single spherical nanoparticle at high interaction potential and small radius and relatively low interaction potential and high radius. Our results also indicate that for high nanoparticle density and for strong adsorption interactions the nanoparticles can lead to membrane lysis. However, for moderate adsorption interaction, the nanoparticles form long-lived linear clusters that are due to an effective curvature-driven attraction between the nanoparticles

Factors Affecting Economic Growth in Developing Countries

This paper aims to identify the factors affecting economic growth in developing countries. It uses cross-country data for 76 countries from 2010, 2005, 2000, and 1995. A high volume of exports, plentiful natural resources, longer life expectancy, and higher investment rates have positive impacts on the growth of per capita gross domestic product in developing countries. Much research needs to be done to distinguish the causes of growth in developing countries, as the scope of existing research is limited due to a lack of reliable data

STUDY OF ADVANCED FRICTION MATERIAL FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Manufacturing/casting defects and the corroding nature of grey cast iron require the attention of researchers to search for a better alternative to grey cast iron rotors. The increasing demand and market of electric, hybrid vehicles draw the attention of scientists and car manufacturers to conduct more research to find suitable and sustainable braking material that can overcome the issues related to grey cast iron rotors brakes. A modern alternative for grey cast iron rotors may be 3D-printed stainless steel rotors. The promising future of 3D printing technology has propelled the manufacturing industry into a new era of customized fabrication. Thus, choosing 3D printing technology which can automate the manufacturing of rotors could be a good alternative to address the manufacturing defects related to grey cast iron rotors. Also, with a paradigm shift with regenerative braking, there is a need for a lightweight, non-corroding brake that can replace regular cast iron rotors. The goal of this research is to address the friction performance of the brake system with an NAO commercial pad and laboratory 3D-printed stainless steel brake rotor. The friction testing was conducted using a scaled-down ISO/SAE J2522 procedure on a benchtop friction tester (Brucker UMT) equipped with an environmental chamber controlling temperature. The relative humidity was kept at a constant value of 50%. Scaled-down samples were manufactured from commercially available NAO brake pads with a diameter of 13 mm were rubbed against rotors with a diameter of 90 mm. The friction and wear mechanisms were studied by analyzing the surfaces of tested pads and rotors using scanning electron microscopy in secondary and backscattered electron modes (SEM, Quanta FEG 450 by FEI). The results showed that a more stable and smooth friction layer was formed on stainless steel rotors (Ra=1.2 m). This was responsible for a very stable and high friction level detected in systems with 3D printed rotors (average ~ 0.4 0.1). Wear of the 3D printed rotor was measured after completion of the entire procedure and was extremely low (avg 0.28 g). However, the wear of NAO pad was high (avg 0.9 g). Noise generated during section 4.5 speed/ pressure sensitivity of SAEJ2522 for the stainless-steel rotor was high with a maximum noise level of 108 dBA. A further study of friction performance of 3D printed stainless-steel rotors is recommended to better understand its suitability for its commercial applications

A Model for Sustaining New Technology Based on Government Incentives

The diffusion of new technology that provides environmental benefits may require government incentives for a duration of time, especially when the technology is expensive. The Center of Systems Research and Education (CASRE) model is developed that analyzes the impact of incentives in sustaining new technologies to allow their social acceptance. The CASRE model includes both demand and supply variables associated with incentive policy to sustain new technology. The key to market dissemination and sustainability is the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) levels provided by the government. The level of ITC is based on the current cost to the customer and the customer acceptance of the cost. The cost of the technology decreases over time due to the effect of learning, scale, and technological progress impacting the level the market demand and therefore the tax credit investments required to sustain the technology. A sensitivity analysis is utilized to predict the impact of cost reductions on tax incentives required. The CASRE model is applied to a case study on non-automotive Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) for the Backup Power (BuP) and Material Handling Equipment (MHE) applications. The termination of ITC in 2018 is projected to cause a sharp sales reduction of PEMFCs for BuP but minimum impact on MHE. The gradual phase-out policy of ITC seems to be provide greater probability of sustaining PEMFCs for both applications

Twin pregnancies: incidence and outcomes in a tertiary health centre of Uttarakhand, India

Background: The frequency of twin pregnancies varies among different regions, countries and populations mostly due to the variation in dizygotic twinning. Twin pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. This study was aimed to find out the frequency and outcome of twin pregnancies in a tertiary health centre of Uttarakhand.Methods: This is a retrospective hospital record-based study of the twin deliveries (with gestational age of 28 weeks and above) which took place in a tertiary health care centre of Uttarakhand from January 2016 to December 2017. Data regarding age, parity and registration status of women who delivered twins, factors associated with twin pregnancy, gestational age, fetal presentation, mode of delivery, pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome was collected and analyzed.Results: The frequency of twin pregnancy was found to be 1 in 52 pregnancies or 1.9%. Majority (56.4%) of the participants were in the age group of 21-25 years. 52.8% were multipara. 74.3% were unbooked. 3.7 % conceived after ovulation induction and 8.2% had family history of twins. Pre-term labour (58.3%) was the most common complication followed by malpresentation (around 37%). Cephalic-cephalic was the commonest fetal presentation (43.8%).58.3% neonates were premature at birth and 83.4% had low birth weight. Male-male was the commonest sex combination of twin pair (30.4%) followed by female-female (28.6%).Conclusions: Twin pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes

Untangling the Application of Text-mining Methods in Information Systems Domain

The advent of digitalization has brought a massive proliferation of unstructured data, producing vast repositories of textual data, from various sources, such as Web sites, academic publications, news articles, blog posts, e-mail, corporate communication platforms, reports, and social media feeds. This proliferation coupled with the upsurge in mobile and Web technologies alongside ever-improving connectivity has led to various digital platforms and applications rapidly achieving mass-market penetration. With the production of textual and other forms of unstructured data certain to continue at unprecedented rates for the foreseeable future, this availability on massive scale presents both opportunities and challenges that researchers and practitioners must address. Ability to utilize text data on a large scale not only provides better coverage in terms of sample size but also opens opportunities to build a deeper understanding of phenomena that otherwise are simply unobservable, "hidden in the noise.'' However, as the world races towards high-volume production, distribution, and consumption of digital text, information systems (IS) researchers are proving slow to start reaping the potential of analyzing textual data. There is an urgent need for methods and techniques that can meet the challenge of analyzing vast bodies of textual data. In an effort to demonstrate potential application of text-mining methods in information systems research, the dissertation presents essays that address large-scale text-based datasets' use in literature analysis and studies of system-specific behavioral outcomes. The first essay deals with identifying the research themes presented in a large body of publications on cloud computing, and the second essay demonstrates the machine-based classification of papers in leading information-systems journals. Of the behavior-focused pieces, the third essay utilizes user-generated content to illustrate system-driven viewing outcomes in the context of binge watching of television shows, and the final essay examines a large volume of content connected with a business-to-business Web portal, reporting on a study of browsing-device-linked differences in interest in marketing material. In addition to the individual essays, the dissertation contributes to the scholarly discussion of text-mining research issues in three important ways. Firstly, it presents a conceptual framework that aids in revealing the fundamentals of text-mining research in terms of two dimensions: research objective and level of text analysis. Secondly, the four essays provide concrete demonstrations of various suitable applications of text-mining. Finally, the dissertation examines the implications of the work, highlighting specific issues and challenges pertaining to text-mining research. The findings and implications of this work should benefit IS researchers and practitioners striving to exploit large volume of textual data