Factors of Production Influencing Gross Domestic Product in Nepal

This study has analysed the factors of production, viz; agricultural land, working force and gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) of Nepal between 2000/01-2017/18 AD and has determined their effects on national income, viz; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by using Cobb-Douglas regression function. The results showed an average growth rate of GDP, agricultural land, working force and GFCF to be 3.9%, 0.8%, 1.5% and 7.9%, respectively, with the values plummeting in 2015/16, due to occurrence of the devastating earthquake in 2015, but then again variable values skyrocketed following years. The regression analysis found that GDP was affected significantly by agricultural land and working force, but insignificant with GFCF. On an average, with the increase in agricultural land and working force by 1 %, GDP increased by 1.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Thus, policy regarding an increment of agricultural land use and employment of labour force must be framed to improve the Nepalese economy.

Evaluation of Potato Genotypes for Plant and YieldCharactersin Field at Dailekh

A field experiment was conducted at Horticulture Research Station (HRS), Dailekh, in Mid-Western hills of Nepal during 2019 and 2020, to evaluate the performance of ten potato genotypes for plant, and tuber yield characters. The potato genotypes were evaluated during spring season in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The genotypes showed highly significant difference for all the traits except tuber emergence. The mean squares for the year were also significant for all the traits except tuber emergence, stem numberplant -1 and total tuber yield. The interaction between genotypes and years did not show significant differences in all the traits except stem numberplant -1. Genotype CIP392797.22 produced more marketable yield (27.5 tha -1) and total tuber yield (30.2tha -1) than all other genotypes. The genotype CIP392797.22 is characterized as medium maturing, oval-shaped and dark red-skinned one with shallow eye depth in the tuber, and it imparted 13.2% higher marketable yield than Kufri Jyoti (24.3 tha -1). Thus, the genotype CIP392797.22 is recommended to evaluate on-farm for the verification and up-scaling among farmers at Mid-Western Nepal.

Applications of Multiparameter Eigenvalue Problems

It was mainly due to Atkinson works, who introduced Linear Multiparameter Eigenvalue problems (LMEPs), based on determinantal operators on the Tensor Product Space. Later, in the area of Multiparameter eigenvalue problems has received attention from the Mathematicians in the recent years also, who pointed out that there exist a variety of mixed eigenvalue problems with several parameters in different scientific domains. This article aims to bring into a light variety of scientific problems that appear naturally as LMEPs. Of course, with all certainty, the list of collection of applications presented here are far from complete, and there are bound to be many more applications of which we are currently unaware. The paper may provide a review on applications of Multiparameter eigenvalue problems in different scientific domains and future possible applicatios both in theoretical and applied disciplines.

Comparative Study of Cleansing Action of Some Detergents Available in Nepalese Market

Detergents commercially available in the Nepalese market were studied and several parameters such as surface tension, pH, critical micelle concentration, foaming stability test, hard water test, emulsions stability test were performed. Different medium such as ground water (G.W.), tap water (T.W.), distilled water (D.W.) and 5% ethanol in distilled water were selected for this study. The decrease in surface tension and critical micelle concentration (CMC) in ground water, tap water, distilled water and 5% ethanol in distilled water, ease of cleansing action of the detergents in this medium have been found of the following order: 5% ethanol in distilled water > distilled water (D.W.) > tap water (T.W.) > ground water (G.W.). Among the four detergents, the D1 have shown the least surface tension, CMC value, foam collapsing time, the weight of scum formed when treated with hard water. And maximum emulsion stability of the detergent D1 determines good quality detergent.

Potential Lethal Co-infections in COVID-19: A Study Based on Literature Review

Co-infection with other respiratory pathogens has been reported in patients with COVID-19. Common respiratory pathogens can infect as co-pathogens during SARS-nCoV-2 infections. The aim of this article is to spread knowledge regarding possible co-infections during COVID-19, and reduce their occurrence. Google scholar was used to search the literature for possible co-infections in the people with COVID-19 and reviewed the existing published data. In most cases, co-infections are common due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumonia, Legionella pneumophila, and Acinetobacter baumannii.Prevalence of fungal and viral co-infections is low. However, Candida species and Aspergillus flavusare the common co-infective fungi. Viruses such as Influenza, Corona virus, Rhinovirus/ Enterovirus, Parainfluenza, Metapneumo virus, Influenza B virus, and Human immunodeficiency virus have also been reported as co-infecting agents during COVID-19. Influenza A was one of the most common co-infective viruses, which may have caused initial false-negative results of a real-time RT-PCR for severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The prevalence of co-infections could be up to 50% among non-survivors. Only newly developed syndromic multiplex panels that incorporate SARS-CoV-2 may facilitate the early detection of co-infections. The suitable antimicrobial agents can be recommended for the co-infections caused by other respiratory pathogens during COVID-19.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Medicinal Plants BerberisAsiatica and Cassia Fistula and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-bacterial Activities

The application of silver nanoparticles in various sectors including health related field is remarkably profound. Nowadays, the research of synthesizing metal nanoparticles (MNPs) using plant extracts is fascinating field as it offers the eco-friendly and cost-effective method for nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using methanolic extract of B.asiatica and C. fistula regarding their ethnomedical importance. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). UV-vis spectroscopy exhibited the characteristic Surface Plasmon Peak of silver nanoparticle~420 nm.FTIR data were measured to get a preliminary idea on the functional groups responsible for the stabilization of AgNPs. XRD data confirmed the natural crystal structure with a face centered cubic of AgNPs. The antibacterial activity of biosynthesized AgNPs was assessed by testing promptly available gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli bacterial strain and antioxidant activity was calculated by DPPH assay. The overall outcomes of the studies concluded that the application of the biogenic synthesis of AgNPs of B. asiaticaas an antioxidant and antibacterial agent is more potent showing IC50 value 65.1±1.30 μg/mL and the highest zone of inhibition 15 mm in diameter against S. aureus.

Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Mahonia napaulensis (Jamanemandro) Bark Extract

Mahonia napaulensis also known as “Jamanemandro” in Nepali is a medium-sized stiff evergreen shrub widely distributed in South East Asia at an altitude of 1000-2000m, is traditionally used to treat dysentery and eye inflammation. This research focuses on screening of the phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of this plant. The methanolic extract was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. The antioxidant properties of extract were carried out by 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values from 2-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging. The phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of terpenoids, reducing sugars, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides including cardiac glycosides and steroids. The antimicrobial activity was studied using the disc diffusion method in five different human pathogens named Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spps. The methanol extract was compared with standard chloramphenicol and showed that methanolic extract of is M.napaulensis exhibit maximum effect against S. aureus with higher growth inhibition zones (27.3 mm), followed by P. aeruginosa, Shigella spps., E. coli and S. typhi. These antimicrobial properties showed similar effect to that of positive control, chloramphenicol. The IC50 values from DPPH radical scavenging were 230.89 µg/mL and 182.73 µg/mL of methanol extract and ascorbic acid, respectively. Due to this antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of M. napaulensis it was widely applicable in biomedical field.

Investigation on Lateral Loading on Masonry Walls

5) Though a traditional material used for construction for ages, masonry is a complex composite material, and its mechanical behavior is influenced by a large number of factors, is not generally well understood. This research aims to study the methodology available in the literature to evaluate the increase in performance of masonry by applying different reinforcement options under in-plane lateral loading. Nonlinear static analysis has been carried out as part of this research to achieve the above objectives. Different unreinforced masonry wall panels were analyzed at various load conditions. Material properties for the masonry wall were taken from the experimental test results of previous literature. The walls were first checked for two failure mechanisms. The stress distributions of walls were checked in each step of analysis and shear failure, and rocking failure was found. Each wall was then analyzed for six different reinforcement options. The comparison of results obtained from the reinforced wall analysis with that of the unreinforced wall indicated significant increase in lateral load-bearing capacity and decreased wall displacement with reinforcement. The maximum increase in load-bearing capacity was achieved by adding chicken wire mesh or CFRP bands throughout the wall while the maximum decrease in displacement was achieved by adding 12 mm diameter bars at the spacing of one meter.

Militarisation and Privatisation of Outer Space: A Grave Threat to Humanity

Nations are spending millions of amounts in amassing arms and nuclear weapons on Earth and even in Space. Such a situation is bound to lead humanity to the brink of a catastrophic war on Earth and even in Space. In this context, sensible human beings should oppose all war-mongering activities that could ultimately invite the very extinction of humanity. This paper tries to emphasize the consequences of the misuse of arms and ammunition on Earth and in Space. This paper focuses on spreading the need for co-existence of people worldwide and eschews the thoughts of waging a war that may wipe out the humanity’s face from the Earth.

Fuel Briquettes from Sal (Shorea robusta) Forest Litter as an Alternative Cooking Fuel

Sal (Shorea robusta) forest leaf litter strongly influences seed germination and seedling survivorship. Therefore, it is crucial to open up the litter layer in such a forest with abundant leaf litter. Briquetting of Sal forest leaf litter can be an option for its management and meet the increasing energy demand. This research work is performed to quantify the amount of Sal forest litter and study the briquette’s combustion properties. The study was carried out in the Namuna Community Forest of Jhapa district. The average weight of leaf litter in the field was observed to be 851 g/m2 . Five varieties of briquettes were produced using different briquetting technologies. Proximate analysis results, calorific value and water boiling tests show these briquettes have good fuel characteristics and can be used as alternative cooking fuel.