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The experiment was conducted in Banke, Nepal, from February 2021 to May 2021 to find suitable spacing and weed management practices for spring maize. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design in which main plots consisting of two spacings (S1:60 cm × 25 cm and S2:60 cm × 30 cm) and subplots consisting of five weed management practices as, W1: weedy check, W2: weed free, W3: atrazine @ 2 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre-emergence herbicide, W4: atrazine as pre-emergence herbicide followed by single-hand weeding at 30 DAS, and W5: straw mulch. Observations were taken for different parameters, that are, cob length, cob circumference, number of grains per cob, number of ears per hectare, thousand-grain weight, and grain yield. Based on spacing non-significant variations were found for all traits except for the number of ears per hectare. The highest number of ears per hectare (61667 ears ha-1) was found in S1 (60 cm × 25 cm). Based on weed management practices all the traits were significantly different, except the number of ears per hectare and thousand grain weight. The highest value of grain yield (6.15 mt ha-1) was found in straw mulch, and the lowest grain yield (3.72 mt ha-1) was found in the weedy check. A positive correlation was observed between yield and different weed management practices (WEM) (r = 0.5**) and other yield-attributing traits, that are, number of ears per hectare (NE) (r = 0.62**), the number of grains per cob (NK) (r = 0.82**), cob length (CL) (r = 0.47**), cob diameter (CD) (r = 0.68**), and total grain weight (TGW) (r = 0.52**). A negative correlation was observed between yield and spacing (S) (r = -0.41*).

This study examines the determinants of credit risk in Nepalese commercial banks, emphasizing macroeconomic and bank-specific factors. The study utilizes a random effects regression model to investigate the impact of various factors on non-performing loans using panel data from 10 commercial banks in Nepal from 2013–2022. The study's theoretical framework draws on established economic theories, including Kalecki's business cycle theory and Diamond & Dybvig's banking theory. It aims to contextualize the relationship between credit risk and various influencing factors. The theory sets the stage for analyzing credit risk determinants in Nepalese banks. The findings demonstrate that non-performing loans are significantly and positively associated with bank size and return on assets, whereas asset quality and bank age have a negative and significant impact. The capital adequacy ratio exhibits a positive but insignificant impact. Among macroeconomic variables, the inflation rate has a positive and significant impact on non-performing loan, whereas real gross domestic product growth reveals a positive but insignificant relationship. These findings are of utmost importance for bank managers and policymakers in Nepal, as they provide valuable insights to enhance credit risk management practices and maintain financial stability in the banking sector.

Employee performance in the organizational realm is indispensable for the perpetual sustainability of an entity. Performance deterioration is inclined to leadership styles embraced by leaders in the organization. The dilemma is still depicted with the absence of a conclusive statement regarding which leadership philosophies are essential for raising the performance and quality of the organization. When linking to this theoretical gap, this study investigates the impact of transformational, transactional, and ethical leadership on employee performance in the banking sector of Nepal. This research proposes and empirically examines three hypotheses, namely, a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and employee performance, a positive and significant relationship between transactional leadership and employee performance, and a positive and significant relationship between ethical leadership and employee performance. These hypotheses were examined in reference to the employees working in commercial and development banks in Kathmandu, Nepal. Convenience sampling-based data was collected for the study to test hypotheses. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed to the targeted respondents, who were bank employees. 140 questionnaires were received useful for the study, representing 87.50 percent of respondents who voluntarily participated in the survey. Leadership styles and employee performance were measured using Likert scale items. Internal consistency and reliability were tested with Cronbach’s alpha. The Cronbach’s alpha for transformational leadership is 0.841, transactional leadership is 0.616, ethical leadership is 0.795, and Cronbach’s alpha for employee performance is 0.869. The study employed a descriptive and causal-relational research approach. The analysis of data was based on the use of statistical software SPSS and STATA packages. The statistical methods and tests employed in the study were descriptive statistics: frequency and percentage for demographic data, correlation and regression analysis were adopted for testing hypotheses. The analysis results depicted a positive and significant effect on transformational and transactional leadership concerning employee performance. Ethical leadership has a positive impact on employee performance but is found insignificant. Moreover, the findings of the study support research from others depicting that leadership styles affect the employee performance.

Background: Mitochondria are semiautonomous cell organelles having its own nucleic acid. Mitochondrial DNA (Mt-DNA) remain in hypomethylated (CpG) state and impose an immunogenic response by binding to the toll-like receptor (TLR-9) through the NF-kB pathway. Innate immune cells recognize the hypomethylated pattern of mt-DNA and quickly trigger the innate immune response. The immunomodulatory effects of urinary mt-DNA derived from renal transplant recipients with COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) have not been studied. Materials and Methods: Healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was cultured with the urinary Mt-DNA derived from the renal transplant recipients, who previously developed SARS-CoV-2 infection associated AKI. Cell activation was measured by the flow cytometry. In cell pellets, interleukin IL-6, IL-10, and Myd88, TLR-9 mRNA transcript expression was measured by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in culture supernatants. Results: The urinary mitochondrial DNA (umt-DNA) significantly induces the activation of > 75% of PBMCs. The m-RNA transcript expression of the inflammatory gene in control versus umt-DNA treated PBMCs was for IL-6 (0.99 ± 0.05 vs. 2.18 ± 1.15 au; P = 0.004), MYD88 was (1.00 ± 0.05 vs. 1.55 ± 0.31; P < 0.001), TLR-9 (1.00 ± 0.05 vs. 3.33 ± 1.37 au; P < 0.001) was upregulated, and the IL-10 (1.00 ± 0.13 vs. −1.73 ± 0.58; P < 0.001) level was downregulated. However, in PBMC culture supernatants, IL-6 level in control versus umt-DNA-treated groups were (37.50 ± 13.79 vs. 186.9 ± 15.50 pg/mL; P < 0.001), which was significantly higher in umt-DNA-treated groups and the IL-10 (8.80 ± 2.16 vs. 7.60 ± 3.12 pg/mL; P = 0.32) level was similar between the control- and umt-DNA-treated groups. Conclusions: Urinary Mt-DNA significantly induces the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 secretion from the PBMCs through the Myd88-dependent pathway.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are at a high risk of tuberculosis (TB), with a relative risk of developing active TB of 10%–25%. Similarly, glomerular disease increases the risk of TB due to diminished glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and immunosuppression use. Further, the first-line anti-TB drugs are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) even in patients with normal kidney functions. Methods: We retrospectively identified 10 patients hospitalized with unusual adverse effects of antituberculosis therapy (ATT) from 2013 to 2022. Results: We found three cases of AKI caused by rifampicin: acute interstitial nephritis, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and heme pigment-induced acute tubular necrosis. We observed rifampicin-induced accelerated hypertension and thrombocytopenia in two patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Isoniazid caused pancreatitis and cerebellitis in two CKD patients, respectively. In a CKD patient, we detected acute gout secondary to pyrazinamide-induced reduced uric acid excretion. We also observed cases of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms and hypercalcemia due to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients with glomerular disease on ATT. Immediate discontinuation of the offending drug, along with specific and supportive management, led to a recovery in all cases. Conclusion: The adverse effects of ATT may be unusually severe and varied in kidney patients due to decreased renal elimination. Early recognition of these adverse effects and timely discontinuation of the offending drug is essential to limit morbidity and mortality.

The liquid drop model is an empirical hypothesis established on the idea that nuclei can be thought of as incompressible liquid droplets. The AME2020 dataset was used in this work to determine binding energy using a semi-empirical mass formula and compare it with binding energies predicted by a machine learning algorithm. Random forest regressor, MLPRegressor, and XGBoost models were employed. In terms of accuracy, root mean square error, and mean absolute error, machine learning models performed better than the semi-empirical mass formula. Compared to RFR, XGBoost, and SEMF, MLPRegressor performed better in predicting binding energies for lighter nuclei. Using estimated binding energies, nuclear masses were computed, and it was shown that all three models adequately predicted nuclear masses with minimal error. This finding highlights how machine learning can be applied to nuclear physics to predict various nuclei’s properties.

In this article, we aim to study how astrocytes control electrophysiological activity during neuronal network formation. We used a combination of spike/burst analysis, classification of spike waveforms based on various signal properties and tools from information theory to demonstrate how astrocytes modulate the electrical activity of neurons using microelectrode array (MEA) signals. We cultured rat primary cortical neurons and astrocytes on 60-electrode MEAs with different neuron/astrocyte ratios ranging from ‘pure’ neuronal cultures to co-cultures containing 50% neurons and 50% astrocytes. Our results show that astrocytes desynchronize the network and reduce predictability in the signals and affect the repolarization phase of the action potentials. Our work highlights that it is crucial to go beyond standard MEA analysis to assess how astrocytes control neuronal cultures and investigate any dysfunction that could potentially result in neuronal hyperactivity.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common hereditary kidney diseases. In addition to renal involvement, vascular complications including intracranial arterial, aortic aneurysms and dissections are common in these patients. We report the case of a 35-year-old male patient with ADPKD who presented with hematuria and was diagnosed with two intrarenal arterial pseudoaneurysms. Endovascular embolization using coils was performed to resolve these symptoms. Vascular complications are often encountered in patients with ADPKD; hence, sufficient clinical suspicion and timely diagnosis can help manage the disease. The most common causes of hematuria in ADPKD patients are cyst hemorrhage or infection; however, vascular aneurysms should also be considered a possibility.

CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is an architectural protein that plays a crucial role in global chromatin organization and remodeling via its interaction with several protein partners. The interaction between Kaiso and CTCF regulates the enhancer-blocking function of CTCF. Despite the important biological function of their interactions, structural characterization of the Kaiso-CTCF complex has yet to be carried out. In this work, we have employed modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to predict the complex between Kaiso and CTCF and investigate its structural features. We have employed the neural network-based modeling method Alphafold2 to predict the complex between Kaiso and CTCF, and the MD simulation was used to explore the detailed dynamics of the interactions involved in complex formation and stabilization. We predicted the key residues and their role in the binding of Kaiso to CTCF. Our results show that the hydrophobic interactions between the inter-facial residues play a significant role in forming the Kaiso-CTCF complex. In addition, several non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and van der Waals interactions, stabilize the complex. The significant value of hydrophobic contact area and binding free energy signifies the stability of the predicted Kaiso-CTCF complex.

The utilization of advanced polymeric materials has indeed emerged as a significant trend in sustainable agriculture, offering a range of innovative applications aimed at enhancing productivity, minimizing environmental impact, and promoting resource efficiency. Smart polymeric materials enable the controlled release of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, thereby enhancing their efficacy while reducing the quantities needed. Superabsorbent polymeric materials act as soil conditioners, assisting in alleviating the negative impacts of drought by retaining moisture and enhancing soil structure. This fosters improved plant growth and resilience in water-scarce environments. Polycationic polymers play a role in plant bioengineering, facilitating genetic transformation processes aimed at enhancing crop productivity and disease resistance. Advanced polymeric systems contribute to the arsenal of precision agriculture tools by enabling precise delivery and targeted application of agricultural inputs. This approach enhances resource efficiency, reduces waste, and minimizes environmental impact while optimizing crop yields. In reviewing recent developments in the design and application of advanced polymeric systems for precision agriculture, several key considerations emerge.

Paraoesophageal hernias are an extremely rare variety of hiatal hernias commonly encountered in elderly. This article illustrates the case of a 3-year-old child with features of urinary tract infection but incidentally diagnosed with paraesophageal hiatal hernia with associated organoaxial gastric rotation and a preprandial intrathoracic stomach with no symptoms congruent with his diagnosis. The diagnosis was suspected initially on ultrasonography of the right hemithorax and confirmed with barium studies and computed tomography with oral contrast. Although an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was advised by the clinician, the patient never underwent the procedure during our follow-up period.

Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a biphasic type of skin inflammation characterized by a predominance of type-2 (TH2) and type-1 (TH1) helper T cell-biased immune responses at the acute and persistent chronic phases, respectively. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Artemisia dubia folium extract (ADFE) on AD-like skin lesions through developing a murine model for acute and chronic stages of AD. To induce acute phase AD, the dorsal skin of BALB/c mice was sensitized twice a week with 1% 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), followed by challenge (twice) in the following week with 0.2% DNCB. To induce persistent chronic AD, some mice were challenged twice a week for 4 more weeks. After the second challenge, the dorsal skin was exposed to 3% ADFE (five times per week) for 2 weeks (acute phase) or 4 weeks (persistent chronic phase). Results The paradigm of TH2 or TH1 predominance at the acute and chronic phase, respectively, was observed in this mouse model. During the acute phase, we observed an increased IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in splenic culture supernatants, an increased IgG1/IgG2a ratio in serum, and elevated serum IgE levels; however, the skew toward TH2 responses was diminished during the chronic stage. Compared with vehicle controls, ADFE reduced the IL-4/IFN-γ and IgG1/IgG2a ratios in acute AD, but both ratios increased during the chronic stage. Conclusions Our results suggest that ADFE concomitantly suppresses the TH2 predominant response in acute AD, as well as the TH1 predominant response in chronic AD. Thus, ADFE is a candidate therapeutic for AD.

Nepal’s non-life insurance sector holds immense potential to drive economic growth and boost the nation towards a secure financial future. Embracing this potential is a goal and a pivotal catalyst for substantial change. The study aims to determine how the non-life insurance sector can drive economic growth in Nepal. The methodology of this study uses quantitative analysis of financial data from 2013 to 2022 from 20 non-life insurance companies in Nepal and econometric modeling to assess the sector’s impact on economic growth. Using Panel EGLS (Estimated Generalized Least Squares) regression analysis, the findings show that with one-unit increments in total investment, total premium, and total tax paid, GDP is expected to change by approximately 591.52, –920.54 and 8,470.65 units, respectively. In contrast, the coefficient for total profit is –910.3477 and is not statistically significant. The study’s main conclusion implies that the insurance sector contributes to the country’s economic growth by investing in productive activities and paying taxes to the government. Still, it also imposes a cost on the economy by charging high premiums to the insured. The profitability of the insurance sector does not affect the GDP, which indicates that the insurance sector is competitive and efficient or that other factors determine the GDP besides the insurance sector. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the non-life insurance sector’s role in Nepal’s economic development and informs evidence-based policy decisions.

ABSTRACTObjectives The objectives of this paper are to (a) explore stakeholders’ opinions regarding Nepal’s existing medicines pricing practices/situation and (b) build and present a set of medicines pricing policies for Nepal.Methods A review of the literature and field visits to community retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, wholesalers, and distributor outlets in Kathmandu were conducted to assess the medicines pricing situation. Following the literature review, preliminary meetings with stakeholders and field visits were held and a draft interview guide was prepared. Consultative sessions subsequently were undertaken in Kathmandu, Nepal, in January 2023 with representatives from the Department of Drug Administration, Ministry of Health and Population, Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal, consumer groups, Transparency International, Medicines Importers Association of Nepal/ Pharmaceutical Distributors Association of Nepal, Nepal Chemist and Druggist Association, and Nepal Pharmaceutical Association. Notes were taken during these meetings regarding issues and concerns raised as well as experiences and recommendations for the future, as outlined in the interview guide.Results The stakeholders in general stated that they do not have any objection to price regulation; however, they believe such regulation should be subject to periodic review. Both the importers and the Ministry of Health and Population have the view that an independent body/authority should be charged with regulating the prices of medicines. A set of policy options to be considered for use in Nepal include cost-plus pricing, external price referencing, internal reference pricing, and mark-up regulations.Conclusion Key issues related to pricing were identified and suggest that a set of pricing policies and updated regulations need to be considered to establish changes that are transparent, rational, and acceptable to the related stakeholders. Hence, suggestions made in this paper could be useful to inform a rational and fair pricing structure and to improve access to medicines.

Traditionally, leopards (Panthera pardus) and snow leopards (P. uncia) occupy distinct habitats. This study explored the coexistence of snow leopards and leopards within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area in Lapchi Valley, Nepal. Both leopard species are crucial for ecosystem stability as apex predators. Camera trapping data from 2018 to 2023 confirmed twenty species of wild mammals and two species of domesticated livestock in Lapchi Valley, where snow leopards have strong spatio-temporal overlap (Δ=0.74) with leopards. Snow leopards exhibited distinct temporal patterns before and after the leopards’ arrival in the study area. Generalized Linear Mixed Effect Models (GLMM) revealed seasonal and prey-type associations with leopard presence, highlighting the snow leopards' preference for cold season and wild prey. Leopards, however, did not show a significant seasonal preference. The findings highlight Lapchi Valley's ecological richness as well as the need for comprehensive conservation strategies. The record of spatial and temporal overlap between the leopards and snow leopards provides important insights into the behavioral dynamics of apex predators and the need for targeted biodiversity conservation in the face of changing ecosystems. The study emphasizes the valley's transboundary significance, calling for collaborative efforts between Nepal and China to help promote effective conservation management. Lapchi Valley's isolation, traditional and religious importance, and recent infrastructure developments further impact the conservation challenges.

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Zinc finger (ZF) protein Kaiso mediates the transcription repression by binding with methylated DNA through ZF domains and recruiting the nuclear receptor co-repressor (NCoR) complex via its BTB/POZ (Broad complex, Tramtrack, Bric-à-brac/Pox virus and Zinc finger) domain. Investigating the molecular mechanism of interactions of Kaiso with the NCoR protein is essential to understand the role of Kaiso in the transcription repression process. A detailed study on the binding mechanism of Kaiso with the NCoR complex is still lacking due to the intrinsically disordered nature of the NCoR protein. In this work, we employed molecular modeling, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the formation of the Kaiso–NCoR complex. We modeled the complex and predicted the key interacting residues as well as the interfacial interaction involved in the binding of Kaiso with NCoR. Our results reveal that various inter-protein interactions, such as salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions between the interfacial residues, play crucial roles in forming and stabilizing the Kaiso–NCoR complex. Our investigations provide molecular insights into how Kaiso recruits the NCoR complex via its BTB/POZ domain and mediates transcription repression.

The integration of Decentralized Energy Resources (DERs), Energy Storage Systems (ESS), and Electric Vehicles (EVs) into grid-connected networks presents a transformative paradigm in modern power systems. This article introduces a synergistic control framework tailored for optimizing frequency stability within grid-integrated distributed networks. The proposed approach leverages advanced control algorithms to orchestrate the dynamic interaction between DERs, ESS, and EVs, ensuring seamless operation and enhanced grid resilience. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is demonstrated in mitigating frequency deviations, thereby contributing to a more stable and reliable grid infrastructure. This article introduces a novel approach utilizing the Selfish Herd Optimization (SHO) algorithm to address this critical issue. Inspired by the self-preservation behavior observed in animal herding, the SHO algorithm is adapted to coordinate the operation of DERs with loads within a distributed network. By dynamically adjusting their output based on local frequency measurements, DERs collectively exhibit a self-organizing behavior, resulting in improved frequency stability. The SHO based PID controller is also proven to be far more effective at controlling frequency than the traditional PI controller. The findings underscore the potential of bio-inspired algorithms in enhancing the resilience of grid-integrated DER systems, offering a promising avenue for future grid control methodologies.

Abstract The Hindu Kush Himalaya region is experiencing rapid climate change with adverse impacts in multiple sectors. To put recent climatic changes into a long-term context, here we reconstructed the region’s climate history using tree-ring width chronologies of climate-sensitive Cedrus deodara and Pinus gerardiana. Growth-climate analysis reveals that the species tree-growth is primarily limited by moisture stress during or preceding the growing season, as indicated by a positive relationship between the chronology and precipitation and scPDSI, and a negative one with temperature. We have reconstructed 635 years (1384–2018 CE) of February–June precipitation using a robust climate reconstruction model that explains about 53% variance of the measured precipitation data. Our reconstruction shows several dry and wet episodes over the reconstruction period along with an increase in extreme precipitation events during recent centuries or years. Long, very wet periods were observed during the following years: 1392–1393, 1430–1433, 1456–1461, 1523–1526, 1685–1690, 1715–1719, 1744–1748, 1763–1767, 1803–1806, 1843–1846, 1850–1855, 1874–1876, 1885–1887, 1907–1909, 1921–1925, 1939–1944, and 1990–1992, while long dry periods were observed during the following years: 1398–1399, 1464–1472, 1480–1484, 1645–1649, 1724–1727, 1782–1786, 1810–1814, 1831–1835, 1879–1881, 1912–1918, 1981–1986, 1998–2003, and 2016–2018 CE. We found predominantly short-term periodicity cycles of 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6–2.7, 2.9, 3.3, 4.8, 8.1–8.3, and 9.4–9.6 years in our reconstruction. Spatial correlation analyses reveal that our reconstruction is an effective representation of the precipitation variability in the westerly climate-dominated areas of Pakistan and adjacent regions. In addition to the influence of regional circulation systems like western disturbances, we found possible teleconnections between the precipitation variability in northern Pakistan and broader-scale climate modes or phases like AMO and ENSO. The study also highlights the prospects of tree-ring application to explore linkages between western disturbance, increasing intensity and frequency of extreme climate events, and analysis of long-term atmospheric circulation over the western Himalayan region.

Introduction: Monogenic urinary stone disease (MUSD) tends to be more severe with early onset of symptoms and a higher risk of chronic kidney disease than sporadic USD. The literature on the outcome after renal transplant in patients with certain MUSD is scarce. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective single-center observational study conducted in a tertiary care renal transplant unit in North India between 2018 and 2021. The renal transplant recipients who developed an end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to renal calculus disease/nephrocalcinosis were included in the study. All the patients presented to us in an anuric state, and hence, a 24-h urine metabolic profile could not be performed. Ear, nose, and throat and ophthalmological evaluations were done to rule out extrarenal manifestations. These patients were subjected to genetic analysis, i.e., clinical exome sequencing using next-generation sequencing. Results: Out of 283 live renal transplants, 11 patients developed ESRD due to nephrocalcinosis/renal calculus disease. Out of 11, only 4 had genetic mutations and the rest did not have any identifiable genetic mutations. The gene mutations were identified in ADCY10, CLDN16, CaSR, and SLC3A4. The patient with ADCY10 mutation had a strong family history. The clinical phenotype and in silico parameters analysis predicted the variant to be damaging except the one with CaSR mutation which causes Hypocalciuric hypercalcemia syndrome, type 1. Three of four underwent surgical intervention at younger age. All underwent successful live-related renal transplantation, with good graft function on follow-up, without any recurrence of calculus in the allograft. Conclusion: Renal transplantation can be safely proceeded in patients with the above monogenic mutations. Genetic analysis should be a part of pretransplant evaluation in young onset nephrolithiasis and end-stage kidney disease patients to look for a monogenic cause, to assess the risk of recurrence postrenal transplant.

Intestinal parasitic infections such as amoebiasis, ascariasis, hookworm infection, and trichuriasis are the most common infections among non-human primates (NHPs). There are always the possibilities of transmission these parasites between humans and NHPs. Multiple groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) live in the urban area of Kathmandu Valley near human settlements, however the gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in those macaques are understudied. This study aimed to explore the GI parasites in free-ranging macaques from Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Tripureshwor, Nilbarahi temples and a group of captive rhesus macaques in the Central Zoo, Kathmandu. Fecal samples were collected from the macaques between October 2021 to September 2022 and assessed for parasites by the both wet mount method and concentration technique. There is high prevalence of GI parasite infection; out of 121 fecal samples examined, 87.6% of samples were positive. Six species of protozoans and eight species of helminths were identified from the fecal samples including the first report of Iodamoeba butschlii in monkeys of Nepal. Among the protozoan parasites, Entamoeba coli (54.71%) showed the highest prevalence followed by Balantioides coli (44.33%), E. histolytica (19.81%), and Iodamoeba butschlii (10%). Among the helminths, Trichuris spp. (31.13%) and Strongyloides spp. (31.13%) showed the highest prevalence followed by Hookworm (24.52%), and Strongyle spp. (23.58%). The likelihood ratio test suggested that the prevalence differed significantly with the seasons for Iodamoeba butschlii, Giardia spp., Strongyles spp., Hookworm, and Trichostrongylus spp. The prevalence of E. histolytica, E. coli, Iodamoeba. butschlii, Trichuris spp., Trichostrongylus spp., and Unknown spp.1 differed with sampling localities. The high prevalence of GI parasites found in the macaques living in the densely urbanized Kathmandu presents a potential threat to humans and warrants further study as well as increased education of the public and management of the human-macaque interface in the urban landscape of the Valley.

Background The necessity of self-esteem is often discussed and taught but measurements of self-esteem are lacking in Nepal and a locally validated tool is a needed to measure self-esteem among Nepalese people. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability, validity and factorial structure of the Self Esteem Inventory (SEI). Methods A total of 560 undergraduate students participated in the study. Explorative factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying structure of the SEI. Concurrent validity evidence was gathered by correlating the Self Esteem Inventory with the established Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES). Results The factor analysis suggested a four-factor solution labelled as Childhood and Family Background, Likeability, Wealth and Financial Background, and Purpose Needs. The SEI showed an overall internal consistency (? = 0.75) with a coefficient alpha of range 0.52–0.71 for the subscales and found a low correlation of the SEI with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (r=0.368). Conclusion This study provides psychometric properties of 15 items retained from 56 on the original self-esteem scale, developed for the context of Nepal. The SEI is a valid and reliable measure that can be used to study self-esteem.

Ultra-high pressure has recently led to the observation of high Tc superconductors. The exploration of superconducting properties under high pressure conditions offers valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing superconductivity and opens avenues for the synthesis of novel materials with enhanced superconducting properties. In this study, the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, for niobium and vanadium has been investigated to maximum pressures of 250.0 and 70.0 GPa, respectively. Density functional theory and density functional perturbation theory were used to undertake first-principles computations to investigate the variations of superconducting properties under pressure. For both the metals niobium (Nb) and vanadium (V), we observed that the density of states at the Fermi level decreased, while the overall phonon frequency generally increased with pressure. For Nb, we find that the electron–phonon coupling constant (λ) and the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) decrease steadily with pressure; however, for V, we find that λ and Tc decrease smoothly up to 26.0 GPa, and then gradually increase to 70.0 GPa pressure. The observed phonon spectrum nature for both Nb and V is in good agreement with the neutron scattering approach’s output.

Reducing lattice thermal conductivity (κl) that reflects the material’s heat-carrying capacity through lattice phonon vibrations is crucial for optimizing the figure of merit (zT). Using density functional theory (DFT) and density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), present work considers the structural, electronic, magnetic, and phonon properties of the XNiSn (X=Ti, Zr, Hf ) half Heusler (hH) compounds. TiNiSn, ZrNiSn, and HfNiSn are identified as semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 0.43 eV, 0.47 eV and 0.39 eV, respectively, exhibiting dynamical stability. The temperature- dependent κl of hH XNiSn are compared using Slack’s model with two approaches for analyzing phonon velocity: elastic constants from quasi- harmonic approximation (QHA) as implemented in the Thermo_pw code and slope of phonon bands based on DFPT. At room temperature, TiNiSn, ZrNiSn and HfNiSn have κl values of 28.61 Wm−1K−1, 34.61 Wm−1K−1 and 29.85 Wm−1K−1 respectively using phonon velocity from slopes of phonon bands based on DFPT. These values show deviation of 1.48%, 6.29%, and 5.82% to those κl values 29.01 Wm−1K−1’, 36.79 Wm−1K−1 and 31.59 Wm−1K−1 for TiNiSn, ZrNiSn and HfNiSn respectively using QHA.

Abstract Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that bind to ribosomal RNA and exert pleiotropic effects on ribosome function. Amikacin, the semisynthetic derivative of kanamycin, is commonly used for treating severe infections with multidrug-resistant, aerobic Gram-negative bacteria. Amikacin carries the 4-amino-2-hydroxy butyrate (AHB) moiety at the N1 amino group of the central 2-deoxystreptamine (2-DOS) ring, which may confer amikacin a unique ribosome inhibition profile. Here we use in vitro fast kinetics combined with X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM to dissect the mechanisms of ribosome inhibition by amikacin and the parent compound, kanamycin. Amikacin interferes with tRNA translocation, release factor-mediated peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis, and ribosome recycling, traits attributed to the additional interactions amikacin makes with the decoding center. The binding site in the large ribosomal subunit proximal to the 3’-end of tRNA in the peptidyl (P) site lays the groundwork for rational design of amikacin derivatives with improved antibacterial properties.

Wheat is staple food for more than thirty percent of the world population and is also a rich source of minerals, proteins, vitamins and dietary fibers. Quality seed is the major reason behind the low productivity of wheat in Nepal. The study was design to investigate the cost, return, and resource use efficiency of wheat seed production in Chitwan district of Nepal. The study used 160 randomly sampled sample of wheat seed producer. Cobb-Douglas production function and benefit cost ratio were used to estimate the resource use efficiency during wheat seed production through data collected using semi-structured interview schedule to meet the objective. The average total cost of wheat seed production with subsidy was NRs. 59440 per hectare and average total cost of wheat seed production without subsidy was NRs. 60731 per hectare. The yield in study area was found 2771.02 kg. The return, profit with subsidy and profit without subsidy from wheat seed production was NRs. 69275.49, NRs. 9835.04 and NRs. 8544.46 in the study area respectively. The benefit cost ratio of wheat seed production in the study area with subsidy was found 1.31 and 1.28 without subsidy. The wheat seed production was found increasing return to scale (RTS = 1.106) in the study area. Seed and Machine were underutilized and other inputs like Farmyard Manure (FYM), chemical fertilizer, labor and other cost were over utilized while producing wheat seed in Chitwan district. The study revealed we can increase profit by optimization of input uses.

Abstract Himalayan Musk deer, Moschus chrysogaster is widely distributed but one of the least studied species in Nepal. In this study, we compiled a total of 429 current presence points of direct observation of the species, pellets droppings, and hoofmarks based on field‐based surveys during 2018–2021 and periodic data held by the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation. We developed the species distribution model using an ensemble modeling approach. We used a combination of bioclimatic, anthropogenic, topographic, and vegetation‐related variables to predict the current suitable habitat for Himalayan Musk deer in Nepal. A total of 16 predictor variables were used for habitat suitability modeling after the multicollinearity test. The study shows that the 6973.76 km2 (5%) area of Nepal is highly suitable and 8387.11 km2 (6%) is moderately suitable for HMD. The distribution of HMD shows mainly by precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the warmest quarter, temperature ranges, distance to water bodies, anthropogenic variables, and land use and land cover change (LULC). The probability of occurrence is less in habitats with low forest cover. The response curves indicate that the probability of occurrence of HMD decreases with an increase in precipitation seasonality and remains constant with an increase in precipitation of the warmest quarter. Thus, the fortune of the species distribution will be limited by anthropogenic factors like poaching, hunting, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation, and long‐term forces of climate change.

Summary: Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI), is a major health concern globally. The International Society of Nephrology's “0 by 25” initiative to reduce preventable deaths from AKI to zero by 2025 is not achievable in low and middle income countries, such as India, possibly due to a lack of data and measures to tackle this urgent public health issue. In India, CA-AKI predisposes younger patients to hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. This is the first multicenter, prospective, cohort study investigating CA-AKI and its consequences in India. Methods: This study included data from patients with CA-AKI (>12 years of age) housed in the Indian Society of Nephrology-AKI registry, involving 9 participating tertiary care centers in India, for the period between November 2016 and October 2019. The etiological spectrum and renal and patient outcomes of CA-AKI at the index visit and at 1-month and 3-month follow-ups were analyzed. The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on outcomes was also analyzed. Findings: Data from 3711 patients (mean [±SD] age 44.7 ± 16.5 years; 66.6% male) were analyzed. The most common comorbidities included hypertension (21.1%) and diabetes (19.1%). AKI occurred in medical, surgical, and obstetrical settings in 86.7%, 7.3%, and 6%, respectively. The most common causes of AKI were associated with sepsis (34.7%) and tropical fever (9.8%). Mortality at the index admission was 10.8%. Complete recovery (CR), partial recovery (PR), and dialysis dependency among survivors at the time of discharge were 22.1%, 57.7%, and 9.4%, respectively. Overall, at 3 months of follow-up, mortality rate, CR, PR, and dialysis dependency rates were 11.4%, 72.2%, 7.2%, and 1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age >65 years, alcoholism, anuria, hypotension at presentation, thrombocytopenia, vasopressor use, transaminitis, and low SES were associated with mortality at the index admission. Interpretation: Sepsis and tropical fever were the most common causes of CA-AKI. Presentation of CA-AKI to tertiary care units was associated with high mortality, and a significant number of patients progressed to CKD. Individuals with a low SES had increased risk of mortality and require immediate attention and intervention. Funding: This study was funded by the Indian Society of Nephrology.

The transmission of prions across species is a critical aspect of their dissemination among mammalian hosts, including humans. This process often necessitates strain adaptation. In this study, we sought to investigate the mechanisms underlying prion adaptation while mitigating biases associated with the history of cross-species transmission of natural prion strains. To achieve this, we utilized the synthetic hamster prion strain S05. Propagation of S05 using mouse PrPC in Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification did not immediately overcome the species barrier. This finding underscores the involvement of factors beyond disparities in primary protein structures. Subsequently, we performed five serial passages to stabilize the incubation time to disease in mice. The levels of PrPSc increased with each passage, reaching a maximum at the third passage, and declining thereafter. This suggests that only the initial stage of adaptation is primarily driven by an acceleration in PrPSc replication. During the protracted adaptation to a new host, we observed significant alterations in the glycoform ratio and sialylation status of PrPSc N-glycans. These changes support the notion that qualitative modifications in PrPSc contribute to a more rapid disease progression. Furthermore, consistent with the decline in sialylation, a cue for “eat me” signaling, the newly adapted strain exhibited preferential colocalization with microglia. In contrast to PrPSc dynamics, the intensity of microglia activation continued to increase after the third passage in the new host. In summary, our study elucidates that the adaptation of a prion strain to a new host is a multi-step process driven by several factors.

Introduction: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) results in technique failure in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Peritoneal fibroblasts are characterized by increase in the ACTA2 gene, responsible for alpha smooth muscle actin (α−SΜΑ), extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and inflammatory cytokines production, which are the are key mediators in the pathogenesis of PF. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) induces ECM synthesis in fibroblasts in a transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) dependent manner. The purpose of our study was to identify the potential mechanism and role of sildenafil and 5HT2B receptor inhibitor (SB204741) combination in attenuating PD-associated peritoneal fibrosis.Methods: Studies were performed to determine the effect of TGF-β1, sildenafil, and SB204741 on human peritoneal fibroblasts (HPFBs) isolated from the parietal peritoneum of patients in long-term PD patients (n = 6) and controls (n = 6). HPFBs were incubated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) for 1 h and later with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL)/[sildenafil (10 µM) or SB204741 (1 µM)] and their combination for 24 h (post-treatment strategy). In the pre-treatment strategy, HPFBs were pre-treated with sildenafil (10 µM) or SB204741 (1 µM) and a combination of the two for 1 h and later with only TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) for 24 h.Results: The anti-fibrotic effects of the combination of sildenafil and SB204741 were greater than that of each drug alone. In TGF-β1-stimulated HPFBs, pro-fibrotic genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, ACTA2, CTGF, FN1, and TGFB1) exhibited higher expression than in controls, which are crucial targets of sildenafil and SB204741 against peritoneal fibrosis. The synergistic approach played an anti-fibrotic role by regulating the pro- and anti-fibrotic gene responses as well as inflammatory cytokine responses. The combination treatment significantly attenuated peritoneal fibrosis, as evident by the almost complete amelioration of ACTA2 expression, restoration of anti-fibrotic genes (MMP2/TIMP1), and, at least, by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1) along with an increase in IL-10 levels.Discussion: Taken together, the above research evidences that the combination of sildenafil and SB204741 may have therapeutic potential in suppressing peritoneal fibrosis due to peritoneal dialysis.

AbstractProtected vegetable farming has emerged as a potential approach to improve the yield and quality of produce around the globe. In Nepal, it has a short history since 1996, but over the past decade, investment in protected structures has been gaining momentum. This paper discusses the findings of the study in the area of profitability and the determinants of protected vegetable farming in Nepal. The study was conducted in seven districts of Nepal by selecting 90 respondents growing vegetables under protected structures. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze data. The financial analysis showed a significantly higher benefit–cost ratio and payback period in temporary structures than those in semi-permanent and permanent structures. The productivity of vegetables under different types of protected structures was statistically similar to average productivity of 191.55 mt./ha/year. The multinomial logistic regression studied among 15 explanatory variables found 10 explanatory variables to be significant whether at 1% or 5% or 10% probability level. The variables, namely, gender, education, family type, household members involved in agriculture, experience in vegetable farming and subsidies received, were found to have a significant and positive influence on the adoption of semi-permanent and permanent structures, whereas the variables, namely, age, membership in farmers group, record keeping and technician visit, were found to have a significant and negative influence. The findings of the study would have implications for the policymakers, suppliers of the structure installment materials and farmers regarding the promotion and adoption of different types of protected structures.

The Agriculture Development Strategy of the Government of Nepal (2015-2035) has identified maize as one of the key commodities for commercialization. Maize constitutes at least 50% of the total ingredients in poultry feed, with approximately 3,000 tons of poultry feed consumed daily in Nepal. However, while the demand for feed is increasing at about 10.0% per annum, maize production is only growing at 2.5% per annum. The low productivity with inferior grain quality and a lack of value chain coordination mechanisms starting from inputs (seeds) to output (grains) have hindered the commercialization of the domestic maize sector. Because of the inefficient market mechanism and competitive market structure, farmers are not able to pursue commercial maize production. To address this issue, action research on the value chain was conducted by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), focusing mainly on Sudurpaschim and Lumbini provinces, to implement the maize commercialization model (MCM) between 2020 and 2022. Results demonstrate that public-private partnership approach can increase maize production, improve farm gate prices and farmers’ incomes, improve value chain coordination; improve access to services to farmers and enhance information flow among stakeholders. The study recommends that policies aimed to streamline commercial maize production should adopt a value chain approach, with a focus on chain upgrading and governance and promote coordination among actors to scale up commercial maize production throughout the maize-growing areas of Nepal.

Abstract Background In recent years a growing number of manufacturers and medical abortion products have entered country markets and health systems, with varying degrees of quality and accessibility. An interplay of factors including pharmaceutical regulations, abortion laws, government policies and service delivery guidelines and provider’s knowledge and practices influence the availability of medical abortion medicines. We assessed the availability of medical abortion in eight countries to increase understanding among policymakers of the need to improve availability and affordability of quality-assured medical abortion products at regional and national levels. Methods Using a national assessment protocol and an availability framework, we assessed the availability of medical abortion medicines in Bangladesh, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and South Africa between September 2019 and January 2020. Results Registration of abortion medicines—misoprostol or a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol—was established in all countries assessed, except Rwanda. Mifepristone and misoprostol regimen for medical abortion was identified on the national essential medicines list/standard treatment guidelines for South Africa as well as in specific abortion care service and delivery guidelines for Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and Rwanda. In Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone—countries with highly restrictive abortion laws and no abortion service delivery guidelines or training curricula—no government-supported training on medical abortion for public sector providers had occurred. Instead, training on medical abortion was either limited in scope to select private sector providers and pharmacists or prohibited. Community awareness activities on medical abortion have been limited in scope across the countries assessed and where abortion is broadly legal, most women do not know that it is an option. Conclusion Understanding the factors that influence the availability of medical abortion medicines is important to support policymakers improve availability of these medicines. The landscape assessments documented that medical abortion commodities can be uniquely impacted by the laws, policies, values, and degree of restrictions placed on service delivery programs. Results of the assessments can guide actions to improve access.

Background. The range of motion prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a key determinant of the postoperative range of motion. The chance that the accompanying stiffness of the extensor mechanism may lead to limited flexion following surgery increases with how restricted the preoperative range of motion was. It would make sense to enhance knee ROM before surgery in order to optimize flexion following TKA. Final flexion following TKA is affected by a number of factors, although preoperative range of motion is the most important. The aim of the study to evaluate the functional performance and efficacy of the preoperative exercise programme on the osteoarthritic knee during the exercise period, following arthroplasty, during immediate postoperative recovery, and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Methods. For the study, 156 patients with knee arthritis were collected over a period of one and a half years. In this prospective study, they were divided into a treatment group and a control group. Preoperative knee exercise was given to 78 patients for at least one month. Prior to and following the treatment groups workouts, all patients were observed. The time in days before reaching 90 of knee flexion and the length of the hospital stay were the data that were gathered. At 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, each subject had their knee ROM and KSS reevaluated. Results. Knee workouts were unquestionably helpful in achieving early knee flexion up to 90 in comparison to that of the control group. When the treatment group was compared to the control group, knee flexion to about 90 and more was attained in about 4 weeks; this difference was statistically significant (p0.01). However, there were no appreciable variations in the knee range of motion achieved on long-term follow-up for 6 months and a year. Conclusion. In conclusion, prehabilitation significantly improves the KSS for the treatment group both before surgery and three months after surgery. Exercises done before to surgery help patients recover more quickly from TKA and may speed up the process of achieving a good flexion and extension range of motion. However there is no significant difference in functional outcome after one year post surgery in both groups.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of appropriate interventions on key infection control parameters subsequent to baseline assessment in dialysis unit with objectives to ascertain the current status of knowledge, attitude, and practice for key hospital infection control (HIC) parameters, to develop and execute appropriate interventions, to assess the impact of interventions, and to recommend an evidence-based HIC module. Methodology: An interventional, longitudinal study was conducted from April 2018 to May 2019 in dialysis unit of SGPGI. Study samples were nurses and technicians. The questionnaire was designed to assess knowledge and attitude. To evaluate practices, a checklist was drafted and graduated by scoring from 0 to 10. Interventions made were on-site training and workshop, IEC, and placement of alcohol-based hand rub. Data analysis was done by SPSS 23. For normally distributed data of the study, Descriptive Statistics was presented in the form of mean ± 2 standard deviation. Paired Sample t-test was used to compare the mean score and Chi Square test was used to compare the Knowledge between pre and post-intervention. Results: The overall improvement in knowledge was from 55% to 70% (P = 0.017–0.000). For attitude, the mean scores changed from 4.61 ± 0.562, 4.63 ± 0.582, 4.40 ± 0.756, and 4.36 ± 0.889 to 69 ± 0.493, 4.76 ± 0.428, 4.73 ± 0.449, and 4.64 ± 0.621. Regarding practices, prior to intervention, the mean scores were 20.49 ± 5.699, 48.75 ± 18.185, 63.25 ± 22.376, and 23.03 ± 10.036, and following intervention, it was found to be 22.98 ± 6.614 (2.49% increase, t = −2.990; P = 0.004), 52.81 ± 19.074 (4.06% increase, t = −1.473; P = 0.145), 68.00 ± 21.955 (4.75% increase, t = −1.472; P = 0.145), and 31.06 ± 13.400 (8.03% increase, t = −4.270; P = 0.000). Conclusions: Hemodialysis patients are vulnerable to severe infections for many reasons in dialysis setting including the failure to comply with appropriate hand hygiene, contamination of the instrument, or improper disinfection practices.

This research aims to comprehensively examine the clearness index (KT), total ozone column (TOC), and ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) over Lumbini, Nepal (27°28’ N, 83°16’ E, and 150 m above sea level) throughout the 11 years of solar cycle 24 (2008 to 2018). The Lumbini, a highly polluted region, is important in advancing the identification and analysis of TOC variations across regions with similar geographical and climatic attributes. Data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) of the EOS-AURA satellite of NASA were used to analyze the daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual trends in the clearness index (KT), ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and TOC from the Comprehensive Environmental Data Archive (CEDA). The study found that the yearly averages for KT, TOC, UVA, and UVB were 0.55 ± 0.13, 272 ± 14 DU, 12.61 ± 3.50 W/m2, and 0.32 ± 0.11 W/m2, respectively. These values provide insights into the long-term variations in atmospheric parameters at Lumbini. The study also applied the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to analyze KT, TOC, UVA, and UVB temporal variations. The power density peak of 35,000 DU2 in the TOC was observed from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011, within 8.5 years, underscoring the significance of analyzing TOC dynamics over extended durations to understand atmospheric behavior comprehensively.

This study examined the effect of Tc & Nb impurity atoms on MoS2 (Tc-MoS2 & Nb-MoS2 ), and adsorption of water molecule on impurities defected MoS2 (Tc-W-MoS2 & Nb-W-MoS2) material from first-principles calculations. By the estimation of their ground state energy and binding energy, they are stable 2D materials. From band structure and density of states (DoS) calculations, Tc & Nb impurities affect the nature of pristine MoS2. It is found that Tc-MoS2 has n-type & Nb-MoS2 has p-type semiconducting nature. Water interaction on Tc-MoS2 & Nb-MoS2 slightly changes the electronic properties and impacts the bandgap, which enhanced the electronic performance of material than that of pristine MoS2. The magnetic properties of Tc-MoS2, Nb-MoS2, Tc-W-MoS2, and Nb-W-MoS2 are analyzed and found to exhibit an uneven distribution of up-spin and down-spin states of electrons in the orbital of atoms near the Fermi level. It reflects that they have magnetic properties. The non-magnetic MoS2 material changes in to weak magnetic defected-MoS2 materials due to the presence of Tc, Nb and adsorbed water molecule. It means, impurity defects add to magnetic properties of pristine MoS2. Magnetic properties on defected MoS2 occurred due to the dominant contributions of spin states of 4d-orbital of Mo, Tc, Nb atoms, and 3p-orbital of S atoms in the structures. This study highlights the impact of Tc & Nb impurity atoms and adsorbed water molecule on impurities defected MoS2. The studied materials have potential applications in the fields of catalysis, nanoelectronics, biomedicine, and magnetic sensors on the basis of their electronic and magnetic properties.

The phonon spectra of Ni, Al, and NiAl, as well as their electronic characteristics, are investigated using density functional theory and density functional perturbation theory. Our research on phonon dispersion has concentrated on every high symmetry point of NiAl, both with and without defects. The phonon gap of NiAl is measured to be 1.78 THz between the lowest value of the optical branch and the top bound of the acoustic branch. The NiAl supercell with a center Al vacancy was built to investigate the effects of defects on its vibrational characteristics. The phonon gap of a NiAl crystal at the center of the Brillouin zone with no defect is calculated to be 1.06 THz. This value of the phonon gap is affected by the Al vacancy defect and decreases by 7.67%. The development of phonon spectrum is investigated using electronic structure and properties. The majority of free electrons accumulated at the Fermi level contribute to promoting the vibration. The importance of a heavier element in a compound has also been explored in terms of gap tuning. Reduced thermal conductivity by narrowing the gap between optical and acoustic modes raises the figure of merit (zT) value, which improves the thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency.

Abstract The escalating impact of climate change on global terrestrial ecosystems demands a robust prediction of the trees' growth patterns and physiological adaptation for sustainable forestry and successful conservation efforts. Understanding these dynamics at an intra‐annual resolution can offer deeper insights into tree responses under various future climate scenarios. However, the existing approaches to infer cambial or leaf phenological change are mainly focused on certain climatic zones (such as higher latitudes) or species with foliage discolouration during the fall season. In this study, we demonstrated a novel approach (INTRAGRO) to combine intra‐annual circumference records generated by dendrometers coupled to the output of climate models to predict future tree growth at intra‐annual resolution using a series of supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms. INTRAGRO performed well using our dataset, that is dendrometer data of P. roxburghii Sarg. from the subtropical mid‐elevation belt of Nepal, with robust test statistics. Our growth prediction shows enhanced tree growth at our study site for the middle and end of the 21st century. This result is remarkable since the predicted growing season by INTRAGRO is expected to shorten due to changes in seasonal precipitation. INTRAGRO's key advantage is the opportunity to analyse changes in trees' intra‐annual growth dynamics on a global scale, regardless of the investigated tree species, regional climate and geographical conditions. Such information is important to assess tree species' growth performance and physiological adaptation to growing season change under different climate scenarios.

Background: The incidence of epilepsy (recurrent unprovoked seizures) in children and adolescents seems relatively constant across different populations studied, ranging from 50 to 100/l00,000 person-years. The prevalence of epilepsy as a major public health problem worldwide is estimated to be 0.5- 1% of the population in industrialized countries. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can impair thyroid hormone homeostasis by changing its biosynthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, and excretion, which may cause growth and developmental disorders in children. Materials and methods: This prospective study included children of 1 to 14 years with seizure disorder on AEDs over two years. Clinical and laboratory details were recorded in pre-designed proforma. Thyroid hormone levels were measured by ECLIA (Electro Chemiluminescent Immuno Assay). Ultrasound of the thyroid gland was performed for size measurement. Results: A total of 50 children were included. The majority of the children were in the 7 to 10 years age group (48%). The mean (±SD) age was 7.36(±2.59) years, and there were 72% males. Forty-six (92%) children had TSH levels within the normal range, and 4(8%) had increased levels. The TSH level was progressively increasing while on monotherapy with all AEDs except levetiracetam. A significant increase in TSH level was found with valproic acid. There was no clinical hypothyroidism, and no significant change in thyroid gland size was noted. USG of the thyroid gland shows mild hypoechogenicity and increased vascularity in children with altered TSH levels. Conclusion: Subclinical hypothyroidism with elevated TSH levels without any signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism was noted in children on all AEDs except levetiracetam, which had no effects on thyroid function. Recommendations: Subclinical hypothyroidism has been found to affect cognition of the growing brains in children. Thus, periodic monitoring of Thyroid function and volume may be needed in children on anticonvulsants.

Background: Impairment of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is considered to be a common feature among neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and prion diseases. In prion disease, increased BBB permeability was reported 40 years ago, yet the mechanisms behind the loss of BBB integrity have never been explored. Recently, we showed that reactive astrocytes associated with prion diseases are neurotoxic. The current work examines the potential link between astrocyte reactivity and BBB breakdown. Results: In prion-infected mice, the loss of BBB integrity and aberrant localization of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a sign of retraction of astrocytic endfeet from blood vessels, were noticeable prior to disease onset. Gaps in cell-to-cell junctions along blood vessels, together with downregulation of Occludin, Claudin-5 and VE-cadherin, which constitute tight and adherens junctions, suggested that loss of BBB integrity is linked with degeneration of vascular endothelial cells. In contrast to cells isolated from non-infected adult mice, endothelial cells originating from prion-infected mice displayed disease-associated changes, including lower levels of Occludin, Claudin-5 and VE-cadherin expression, impaired tight and adherens junctions, and reduced trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Endothelial cells isolated from non-infected mice, when co-cultured with reactive astrocytes isolated from prion-infected animals or treated with media conditioned by the reactive astrocytes, developed the disease-associated phenotype observed in the endothelial cells from prion-infected mice. Reactive astrocytes were found to produce high levels of secreted IL-6, and treatment of endothelial monolayers originating from non-infected animals with recombinant IL-6 alone reduced their TEER. Remarkably, treatment with extracellular vesicles produced by normal astrocytes partially reversed the disease phenotype of endothelial cells isolated from prion-infected animals. Conclusions: To our knowledge, the current work is the first to illustrate early BBB breakdown in prion disease and to document that reactive astrocytes associated with prion disease are detrimental to BBB integrity. Moreover, our findings suggest that the harmful effects are linked to proinflammatory factors secreted by reactive astrocytes.

Thermorubin is a ribosome-targeting antibiotic. Here, using fast-kinetics and cryoEM, the authors reveal that thermorubin primarily blocks ribosome-recycling by tethering the ribosomal subunits besides impeding translation elongation and termination steps.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the common manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. An early identification of AKI is of paramount importance to modulate the management of AKI, limiting the severity, avoiding nephrotoxic medicines, and modifying the drug dose depending on renal function. Aim: To determine the utility of urinary mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (umt-DNA) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in predicting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated AKI and mitochondrial stress. Materials and Methods: Live-related renal transplant recipients (RTRs) (n = 66), who acquired SARS-CoV-2 infection and were admitted to a COVID hospital were included and subclassified into AKI (n = 19) with > 1.5-fold rise in serum creatinine level from the pre-COVID-19 serum creatinine level, and non-AKI (n = 47) whose serum creatinine value remained stable, or a rise of

Vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) has been recently linked with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines. It becomes crucial for the transplant communities to have a rigorous approach for accepting VITT donors, as the reports of such transplantation have been associated with thrombotic complications, graft loss, and deaths. The magnitude of facing a VITT donor in transplantation practices is unknown and also the management protocol. However, as per the limited data, it is better to avoid such transplants, and in the case of emergency transplants, the risk-benefit ratio should be weighed. All transplantation from VITT donors should be appropriately counseled before procurement. The organs should undergo deliberate examination for functionality by clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters. In doubtful cases, a preimplantation biopsy is mandated to rule out any thrombosis. VITT donors are suggested to be treated with newer oral anti-coagulation and intravenous immunoglobulin. Platelet transfusion is best avoided in a VITT donor. There is no established protocol for any modification in surgical procedure, anesthesia, or immunosuppressive medicines in the recipients. The recipients should undergo extensive clinical and laboratory monitoring for any possible complications. No prophylactic therapy is recommended at present but candidates with a history of any COVID-19 vaccine within 30 days, should be avoided. In summary, the evidence for diagnosis and management of VITT donors is based only on a few reports, but with current knowledge, it is advisable to take a multidisciplinary approach to assess all benefits and risks before accepting or discarding organs.

Introduction: Transversus Abdominis Release is a noble technique for the repair of complex ventral hernia, where the posterior component separation allows a huge pre-peritoneal space advantageous for the placement of large-sized mesh. It has less wound morbidity as compared to anterior component separation due to the preservation of skin perforators. The main objective of this study was to evaluate one-year follow-up results in terms of recurrence, wound morbidity, and various techniques for managing complications of Transversus Abdominis Release. Methods: This is a descriptive crosssectional study that was conducted at the department of surgery, College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital. Among 41 patients with complex ventral hernia, 34 patients met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, intra-operative events like bleeding, operative duration, intraoperative complications, post-operative events like duration of hospital stay, wound morbidity, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: Posterior rectus sheath closure at midline was possible in 30 (88.2%) patients. In patients, where posterior rectus sheath closure was not possible, the peritoneum of hernia sac was tailored to patch the defect or in some omentum was placed below the raw surface of mesh. The average operative duration and blood losses were 130±12 minutes and 301±133 ml respectively. The semilunar line injury occurred in one case that was diagnosed and repaired at the same time and the TAR plane was re-established. Wound morbidity occurred in three cases that were managed by dressing with commercially available collagen and mupirocin granule. No recurrence was observed in one-year follow-up. Conclusions: Transversus Abdominis Release has a better result with no recurrence in short term follow up and fewer complications which are easily manageable.

Plain Language Summary The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been studied previously in several settings, including reducing childhood mortalities due to viral infections and induction of trained immunity and reducing upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia in older adults. This multi-centre trial has tried to evaluate the efficacy of BCG revaccination in reducing the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infections in adults between 18 and 60 years of age belonging to the high-risk group owing to the presence of comorbidities including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease and chronic lung diseases. A single dose of BCG vaccine produced significantly high titres of BCG antibodies lasting for six months. While there was no significant reduction in the incidence of COVID-19 infection, there was an 8.4% reduction in the incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 disease at the end of 9 months of follow-up. In addition, there were significantly fewer severe COVID-19 infections requiring hospital stay and oxygen support. However, the overall numbers of severe COVID-19 infections were low. Thus, the study shows that BCG can protect against symptomatic and severe COVID-19 disease. However, it might not reduce the incidence of new infections. The study results are significant for low- and middle-income countries without adequate coverage of primary doses of COVID-19 vaccination, let alone the booster doses. Future studies should evaluate the BCG vaccine’s efficacy as a booster compared with routine COVID-19 vaccine boosters.

Introduction: During hanging maneuver liver resection, a tunnel is created at the interface of the liver and Inferior venacava (IVC). Gap between the middle and right hepatic vein is known as Fossa venacava. A gap between the Inferior right hepatic vein and the Caudate vein is known as a Vein gap. The Fossa venacava and Vein gap provide a safe plane for the insertion of forceps during tunneling. The aim of this study is to determine the topography of this safe plane. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. Twenty livers were used in our study. Major hepatic veins, distance of Vein gap, Fossa venacava, and each vessel present at the interface between liver and IVC was measured by a Vernier caliper. All the collected data was entered and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 (SPSS-20). Results: The average length of retro hepatic IVC was 49.5±10.5 mm and the diameter of 25.6±4.4 mm. The inferior right hepatic vein was present in 60% of cases while the Caudate vein was present in 85% of cases. Fossa venacava had an average distance of 12.3±3.46 mm and the Vein gap was 18.9±7.1 mm. Conclusion: While tunneling between IVC and the liver, Fossa venacava could be as small as 4.6 mm. The shortest distance of the Vein gap could be as small as 5.8 mm. The intermediate course of forceps insertion is safer than the right or left course.

In sustainable operation of electrical energy network, it is necessary to compute in real-time power flows and voltages at nodes for prioritizing power injection from clean energy resources. Intermittent renewable energy sources are likely to create voltage and power balancing issues and to maintain the voltage security of electrical network, real-time information of network power flows and bus voltages are required accurately and instantaneously. This paper presents an approach based on decision trees (DT) for real-time estimation of power flows within the electrical energy network and node voltages. A single tree structure is built for estimation of discrete (or categorical) as well as continuous values of line flows and node voltages of each line and node separately. A simple binary decision tree (BDT) and regression tree (RT) are used for estimation of discrete values and continuous values respectively. The training and testing patterns are generated by performing power flow analysis on an electrical energy network. Once the DT is trained, it estimates the line power flows and bus voltages with desired accuracy. The accuracy of the DT model is tested on a typical IEEE 30-bus system, using test patterns. Result shows that mean absolute error in case of line flow estimation for line number 1 and 10 are found to be 0.0028 p. u. and 0.0017 p. u. Also mean absolute error in case of bus voltage estimation for bus number 3 and 10 are found to be 0.0019 p. u. and 0.0016 p. u. Above results are suggestive of instantaneous estimationwith desired accuracy of line flow and bus voltages, which is the need of the hour for sustainable electrical energy network with integration of cleaner energy resources.Since, DT gives instantaneous result therefore suitable for real-time applications in sustainable electrical energy management system.

Introduction: High-risk neonates are always an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. They contribute to as high as 15% of all morbidities and mortalities in newborns independently. Hence identifying them early and appropriate management of these high-risk newborns is important. Cranial ultrasonography (CUS) is a reliable tool for detecting congenital and acquired abnormalities of the perinatal brain and the most frequent patterns of brain injury in preterm and full-term neonate. Aim& Objective: To study cranial ultrasound findings in high-risk neonates and to correlate the clinical manifestations with cranial ultrasonogram findings. Material& Method: This study was a prospective observational study carried out at Department of Paediatrics, SVPPGIP & SCBMCH between October 2019 to October 2021. Observation: The incidence of CUS abnormalities in high-risk neonates in the present study was 54.5%. There was a statistically significant correlation between birth asphyxia and abnormal CUSfindings(p