Genomics and Population History of Black-headed Bulbul (Brachypodius atriceps) Color Morphs

Intraspecific polymorphism in birds, especially color polymorphism, is an area of active research in evolutionary biology. In this dissertation, I applied WGS to uncover the potential genetic underpinnings of color polymorphism in the Black-headed Bulbul (Brachypodius atriceps) of Southeast Asia. This species was selected because of the heterogeneous dispersion of two morphs across its range: a yellow form predominating on mainland Asia and the Greater Sunda Islands and a gray morph on two islands—Bawean and Maratua. I approached this project from three angles. First, I reconstructed the phylogeny of the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae, to examine patterns of coloration among all species and infer the commonality of color changes relevant to B. atriceps. To build the phylogenetic tree, I used a super-matrix approach, which allowed the inclusion of 121 of the 130 known species of bulbuls. Using the tree, I determined the most appropriate outgroups for comparison with B. atriceps in subsequent genomic study. Next, I generated a high-quality reference genome of a yellow individual of B. atriceps and, subsequently, sequenced low-coverage genomes of multiple gray and yellow individuals, and three outgroup taxa. I compared Fst values between genomes of gray and yellow individuals to locate peaks of divergence and identify potential candidate loci for the color polymorphism. I also tested the protein-coding genes between yellow and gray birds for signs of selection. Among genes potentially responsible for the color polymorphism, several involved in lipid uptake, transport, and deposition—processes fundamental to carotenoid expression. In the final chapter, I assessed characteristics among B. atriceps populations across the species range in Sundaland with an emphasis on Bawean and Maratua islands. The Bawean population was barely discernable genetically from that on mainland Borneo. The Maratua population, however, was notably divergent from the mainland Bornean and other populations. Therefore, I modelled its demographic parameters and used the information to gain a better idea of the historical processes that have led to its unique, singular coloration. The Maratua population was originally isolated from other Sundaic populations c. 1.9 Ma, but c. 1000 years ago began to experience a small amount of gene flow

Social Norms and Adolescents' Sexual Health: An Introduction for Practitioners Working in Low and Mid-income African countries

Donors, practitioners and scholars are increasingly interested in harnessing the potential of social norms theory to improve adolescents' sexual and reproductive health outcomes. However, social norms theory is multifaceted, and its application in field interventions is complex. An introduction to social norms that will be beneficial for those who intend to integrate a social norms perspective in their work to improve adolescents' sexual health in Africa is presented. First three main schools of thought on social norms, looking at the theoretical standpoint of each, are discussed. Next, the difference between two important types of social norms (descriptive and injunctive) is explained and then the concept of a -reference group‖ is examined. The difference between social and gender norms are then considered, highlighting how this difference is motivated by existing yet contrasting approaches to norms (in social psychology and gender theory). In the last section, existing evidence on the role that social norms play in influencing adolescents' sexual and reproductive health are reviewed. Conclusions call for further research and action to understand how norms affecting adolescents' sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) can be changed in sub-Saharan Africa

AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF PRAJASTHAPAN MAHAKASHAYA ON VANDHYATWA W. S. R. TO FEMALE INFERTILITY

In Charaka samhita, among the fifty important decotives, Prajasthapan mahakashaya (fertility promoters) was introduced according its Doshaj prabhav (specific action) of the drugs and promotes strength and conceiving by removing Doshas to female reproductive system. These drugs are also having Rasayana properties, which improve the quality of all body elements. These herbs can be used all together or individually or in permutation combinations of each other on the patient's condition. In short, Prajasthapan mahakashaya can be used in all conditions involving obstruction in the path of conception and help in fixing or lead to excellence in progeny. Female Vandhyatwa (Infertility) may cause twenty Yoni vyapad (gynaecological disorders), infections, weakness, psycological factors like anxiety, depression etc., may leads disturbance in the Ritu (fertile period), Ambu (nourishment for developing the zygote), Beeja (activated ovum), Kshetra (Physiological maturity and healthy organs of reproductive system). The objective of the present study is an analytical study of Prajasthapak mahakashay on Vandhyatwa with special reference to female infertility and to analyse all ten drugs of Prajasthapan Mahakashaya to collect the information on latest studies on above mentioned factors

Initial Experience of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy at Lumbini Medical College

  Introduction: Renal stone disease is a challenging problem in urologic practice especially in our locality because of large stone burden and recurrence. Since ,the early 1980s when percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was established for management of renal stones, open surgical procedures have virtually been replaced. PCNL is a safe, effective and minimally invasive approach compared to open surgery for patients with large single, multiple or staghorn stones. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and to review our experience with PCNL in management of renal and upper ureteric stones.   Methods: Prospective study carried out at Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital during 1stJanuary 2011 to 31st October 2011. Sixty patients were evaluated and subjected to PCNL. After clinical investigations like ultrasonography (USG) and intravenous urography (IVU), once patients were found to have renal or upper ureteric stones they were informed and explained about PCNL, its likely complications, probable hospital stay, the cost of treatment and data were recorded along with the operative time, estimated blood loss, stone burden, stone-free rate, length of hospitalization and complications .Patients were followed up after three months to rule out recurrence of stones by plain abdominal x-ray of kidney, ureter and bladder and USG.   Results: Out of 60 patients 35 were male and 25 were female (M: F=1.4:1) with mean age of 37 years and were subjected to PCNL monotherapy. With the average stone size of 3.26cm, the mean operative time was 78 minutes. Complete stone removal achieved by PCNL alone in 60 cases, with insignificant residual small stones we achieved 97% stone clearance rate. The mean hospital stay was 3.7 days. No Serious complications were encountered, 9 (15%) patients required blood transfusion and 3 (5%) patients developed transient post-operative pyrexia.   Conclusion: PCNL is the first line treatment option for management of large renal stones which as monotherapy has advantages in removal of renal and upper ureteric stones and achieving excellent results with minimal morbidity

Reference guide for data collection: Qualitative social network interviews

The purpose of this document is to guide researchers who plan to use qualitative social network methods drawing on our experiences implementing a qualitative study entitled, “The End of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Senegal: Tracing Social Networks, Investigating the Role of Gender and Intergenerational Influence.” Qualitative fieldwork was carried out in two contrasting settings in Senegal: 1) a region with a low prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) characterized by ethnic heterogeneity, and 2) a region with a high prevalence of FGM/C characterized by relative ethnic homogeneity. The goal of this research was to investigate the ways in which social interactions and social influence vary along dimensions including gender, class, and generation, and how they influence the dynamics of decisionmaking regarding FGM/C

Development of a 1 kW Gravitational Water Vortex Hydropower Plant Prototype

A pilot testing of a Gravitational Water Vortex Hydropower Plant (GWVHP) has been done to evaluate the applicability in a real-world scenario and validate the results from the lab-scale model. A scaled-up model of a capacity of 1 kW was constructed for the evaluation purpose. The test provided data in good agreement with a lab-scale model and a proper visualization to install Gravitational Water Vortex in real-world scenarios. The project lasted for nearly four months and thus provided important information on the problems that might arise in scaling up the lab model to a micro-hydro system. The pilot testing shows an overall plant efficiency of 49%, validating the lab-based studies conducted beforehand. The information obtained from this pilot study shall be implemented in a micro-hydro project on a larger scale