Intussusception is one of the common conditions in children presenting with abdominal pain. The exact etiology of intussusception is unknown. Lead point is not identified in the majority of cases in ...children. Commonly, radiographic evidence suggests the presence of a target sign is diagnosis of intussusception. However, the presence of a double target sign in the case of intussusception is rare and depicts the presence of double intussusception. We present a case report of a 1-year-old child who presented to the emergency department with excessive crying for more than 10 hours. After the initial clinical assessment and acute management, an abdominal ultrasound revealed a double target sign on the sub-hepatic and left para-umbilical region which suggested double intussusception. No lead point was identified in our case. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the mainstay of management in such cases.
Machine learning represents an emerging branch of artificial intelligence, centering on the enhancement of algorithms in computer programs through the utilization of data and the accumulation of ...research-driven knowledge. The requirement for artificial intelligence in materials science is essential due to the significant need for innovative high-performance materials on a large scale. In this report, the gradient boosting regression tree model of machine learning was applied to predict the lattice constants of cubic and trigonal MX2 systems (M=transition metal and X=chalcogen atoms). The theoretical/experimental values of the materials were compared to the predicted values to calculate the standard errors such as RMSE (root mean square error) and MAE (mean absolute error). The features used to predict lattice constants were ionic radius, lattice angles, bandgap, formation energy, total magnetic moment, density and oxidation states. The features versus contribution barplot has been drawn to reveal the contribution level of each parameter in the degree of 0,1 to obtain the predictions. This report provides a precise account of the prediction methodology for lattice parameters of the transition metal dichalcogenides family, a process that was previously not reported.
The β-diversity studies reveal diversity patterns at a spatial scale and strengthen the process of regional diversity conservation. The aim of the current study was to understand the pattern of local ...contribution to β-diversity (LCBD) and species contribution to β-diversity (SCBD) of odonates in the Ganga River. We selected 27 sites along the banks of the Ganga River for the study, with an average distance between sites of 75 km, and recorded 30 species of odonate (species richness between 5 and 24) at these sites. Using β-regression analysis, we examined the impact of species richness and habitat variables on the LCBD. The LCBD was found to be negatively correlated with species richness and influenced by creeping macrophytes, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity. We found that species with high SCBD scores (above 0.05) had intermediate occupancy (between 10 and 16 sites), including 5 species of dragonfly and 5 species of dragonfly, and that the second-degree term the relationship between SCBD and the number of declared locations better stocked with species than in the first degree. Since the SCBD is responsible for identifying species that make the greatest contribution to β-diversity and the LCBD is responsible for identifying sites with particular combinations of species, the combined approach using both should be included for ecological assessments, river biodiversity restoration and maintenance plans.
Background:
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), one of the most infectious diseases in the modern history, is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) ...and has had a profound health and economic toll, globally. This paper identifies the overall health status associated with COVID-19 pandemic in all 7 provinces of Nepal, a developing country in South Asia, analyzing data from January 2020 to February 2022. It focuses on the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence, transmission through wastewater and other routes, diagnostics, treatment options, and alternative medicines, thereby offering key perspectives for its management.
Materials and Methods:
Studies regarding coronavirus spanning the 2017 to 2022 period were searched on the web, Nepalese database, and Web of Science. Refined criteria included SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater of Nepal or worldwide. Demographic data (sex, age-group, and geographic location) were also obtained from websites and relevant reports of the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of Nepal, ranging from January 2020 to February 2022. Moreover, trends concerning lockdown, business, and border activities in Nepal between February 2020 and October 2020 were evaluated. The viral dissemination pathways, diagnosis, and available treatment options, including the Ayurvedic medicine, were also examined.
Results:
Aerosols generated during the hospital, industrial, recreational, and household activities were found to contribute to the propagation of SARS-CoV-2 into environmental wastewater, thereby putting the surrounding communities at risk of infection. When lockdown ended and businesses opened in October 2020, the number of active cases of COVID-19 increased exponentially. Bagmati Province had the highest number of cases (53.84%), while the remaining 6 provinces tallied 46.16%. Kathmandu district had the highest number of COVID-19 cases (138, 319 cases), while Manang district had the smallest number of infections (81 cases). The male population was found to be predominantly infected (58.7%). The most affected age groups were the 31 to 40 years old males (25.92%) and the 21 to 30 years old females (26.85%).
Conclusion:
The pandemic impacted the public health and economic growth in our study duration. SARS-CoV-2 was prevalent in the wastewater of Nepal. The Terai districts and the megacities were mostly affected by SARS-CoV-2 infections. Working-age groups and males were identified as the highest risk groups. More investigations on the therapeutic and alternative cures are recommended. These findings may guide the researchers and professionals with handling the COVID-19 challenges in developing countries such as Nepal and better prepare for future pandemics.
Dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and their deleterious impacts on human health and the global environment have intensified the search for substitute energy sources. Biodiesel has been identified as ...a promising renewable energy substitute for diesel fuel due to several comparable and sustainable properties. However, approximately 95% of biodiesel is derived from edible oil crops, threatening the current food supplies. Therefore, the biodiesel production potential from inexpensive, non-edible, and non-conventional bioenergy crops, such as Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), has attracted the attention of many researchers, policymakers, and industries globally. Jatropha is considered to be the second-generation biofuel feedstocks for biodiesel production. However, sustainable biodiesel generation from J. curcas oil has not yet been attained, owing to different socio-economic, ecological, and technical factors. This study aimed to synthesize the information from the existing literature on the present status and to identify the knowledge gaps for future research on Jatropha by providing comprehensive information regarding its origin and distribution, morphology, phenology, and reproduction, genetic diversity, its productivity, oil content, and fatty acid composition, the methodology used for extracting biodiesel, and agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects of biodiesel production. The germplasm screening of J. curcas and the exploration of its adaptability and agronomic potential across diverse climates are highly desired to promote this crop as an alternative biofuel crop, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Moreover, future research should focus on developing, optimizing, and modernizing the technologies involving seed collection, the processing of seeds, oil extraction, and the production of biodiesel.
Background: PBL (problem based learning) is new active learning educational strategy that has been extensively tested and used in recent years. Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) is one of ...medical schools from Nepal, a Low Income Country (LIC) implementing PBL for undergraduate medical education. This study aims to compare PAHS students' understanding and knowledge retention when taught through PBL and lecture-based classes and compare students' perceptions of PBL and lectures in medical education.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of medical students of a PBL based medical school in Nepal, a non-Western low-income country. Ethical approval was given by the institutional research committee of the Patan Academy of Health Sciences. Understanding and knowledge retention was assessed with 50 vignette-based multiple-choice questions, half of which were taught through PBL sessions, and the remaining half were taught in didactic lectures during basic science years of medical school. A separate pre-validated perception questionnaire was used to assess students' preferences regarding PBL and lectures.
Results: Out of 107 students, 99 participated in the understanding and knowledge retention questionnaires and 107 completed perception questionnaires. Understanding and knowledge retention of students was found to be the same for topics taught by PBL and lectures, with median scores of 17 and s16, respectively. PBL were mostly preferred for the physiology (59.81%), pathology (51.40%) and pharmacology (53.27%) concepts, and lectures were mostly preferred for the anatomy (78.50%), biochemistry (45.79%), and microbiology (42.99%) topics. Students wanted the same concepts to be taught through both PBL and lectures, especially for anatomy.
Conclusions: Understanding and knowledge retention is the same for topics taught by either PBL or lectures during the basic science years of undergraduate medical education. Students prefer PBL for physiology, pathology, and pharmacology-related concepts, conventional didactic lecture for physiology and microbiology, and a combination of lecture and PBL sessions for anatomy.
Brown bear‐mediated conflicts have caused immense economic loss to the local people living across the distribution range. In India, limited knowledge is available on the Himalayan brown bear (HBB), ...making human–brown bear conflict (HBC) mitigation more challenging. In this study, we studied HBC in the Lahaul valley using a semi‐structured questionnaire survey by interviewing 398 respondents from 37 villages. About 64.8% of respondents reported conflict in two major groups—crop damage (30.6%) and livestock depredations (6.2%), while 28% reported both. Conflict incidences were relatively high in summer and frequently occurred in areas closer to the forest (<500 m) and between the elevations range of 2700 m to 3000 m above sea level (asl). The dependency of locals on forest resources (70%) for their livelihood makes them vulnerable to HBC. The “upper lower” class respondents were most impacted among the various socioeconomic classes. Two of the four clusters were identified as HBC hot spots in Lahaul valley using SaTscan analysis. We also obtained high HBC in cluster II with a 14.35 km radius. We found that anthropogenic food provisioning for HBB, livestock grazing in bear habitats, and poor knowledge of animal behavior among the communities were the major causes of HBC. We suggest horticulture crop waste management, controlled and supervised grazing, ecotourism, the constitution of community watch groups, and others to mitigate HBC. We also recommend notifying a few HBB abundant sites in the valley as protected areas for the long‐term viability of the HBB in the landscape.
1. About 64.8% of respondents reported conflict into two major groups ‐ crop damage (31.4%) and livestock depredations (6.2%) and were relatively high in summer and frequently occurred in areas closer forest between the 2700m to 3000m asl. We identified four clusters of HBC, and the hotspots lies in clusters 2 and 4. #10; #10;2. We found that anthropogenic food provisioning of bears, livestock grazing in bear habitats and poor knowledge of animal behaviour among the communities are the major causes of HBC. #10;3. We suggest proper disposal of horticulture crop waste, mass awareness among communities, controlled and supervised grazing as an immediate management strategy to reduce the HBC.
Background
A central aim in ecological research is to improve understanding of the interactions between species and their environments; these improvements will prove crucial in predicting the ...ecological consequences of climate change for isolated montane species, such as Royle's pika. We studied the influence of habitat microclimatic conditions on the activity patterns of Royle's pika in the period May to August (2008 to 2011) within six permanently marked plots deployed along an attitudinal gradient (2,900 to 3,680 m) within the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Pika activity was recorded through direct observation during the period from 0600 to 1900 on each observation day and normalised as the percentage of individuals observed in an hourly interval relative to the maximum number of individuals sighted in a particular plot during the observation day. Microclimatic data in pika habitat were recorded across the altitudinal zones using automatic data loggers, a soil thermometer and a hygrometer deployed within the site during each observation interval.
Results
Using linear mixed effect models, we simulated pika activity as the number of active versus inactive individuals with logical alternate combinations of habitat microclimatic parameters, altitudinal zone and daily time interval. The pika had a bimodal activity pattern with high activity in the morning and evening hours and low activity during midday hours. The best fit candidate model demonstrated that pika activity increased with ambient humidity and decreased with increasing temperature.
Conclusions
The reduction of activity due to an increase in temperature was significantly higher in the subalpine zone (2,900 to 3,200 m) than in the alpine zone (3,400 to 3,680 m). Thus, Royle's pika avoids heat stress by reducing activity during warm midday hours and taking shelter in microclimatically favourable cooler talus habitat. We showed that changes in habitat microclimatic conditions (specifically, increases in temperature) might significantly restrict Royle's pika daytime activity.
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We present a sodium trifluoroacetate (CF3CO2Na) mediated copper-catalyzed aza-Michael addition of aromatic amines with activated olefins under mild, aqueous reaction conditions. This ...simplistic protocol employs a copper catalyst (10 mol%) and water as solvent. This transformation occurs precisely with aromatic substituted amines containing both electron-donating (EDG) and electron-withdrawing (EWG) groups. A broad range of substrates were tested under the optimized conditions, which are producing good to moderate yields.
This paper reports the microwave hydrothermal synthesis and infrared to visible upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Bi2MoO6 nanopowder. Crystal structure, morphology and chemical ...composition were analyzed by means of X-ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy. Upconversion luminescence properties were studied in detail. The infrared to visible upconversion luminescence has been investigated in Er3+/Yb3+ doped Bi2MoO6 with different Yb3+ concentrations. Intense green and red upconversion emissions around 532, 545, and 655nm corresponding to the 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 transitions, respectively, to the 4I15/2 ground state were observed when excited by CW laser radiation at 980nm. The effect of Yb3+ on the upconversion luminescence intensity was analyzed and the upconversion luminescence mechanism was explained in terms of the energy transfer process. From this study, it confirms that the like fluorides, and germinate glasses, metal oxide nanoparticles could also be a potential host to achieve desired upconversion luminescence.
•Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped bismuth molybdate nanopowder was successfully synthesized.•Infrared to visible upconversion luminescence was observed at 980nm excitation.•Green and red emissions at 532nm, 546nm and 656nm were investigated.•Bismuth molybdate could be a potential host material for upconversion luminescence.
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