Initial Number Research Articles

India - Nepal Foreign Relations in the Context of Economics: Late 20th- Early 21st Century

In the context of the economy, India's foreign policy toward Nepal is defined by a complicated mix of cooperation and rivalry, with both nations attempting to strike a balance between their different interests while navigating a variety of political, economic, and strategic problems. Through a number of initiatives over the past few years, including the extension of a line of credit to support infrastructure development, the creation of an India-Nepal Joint Economic Commission, and the promotion of cross-border trade and investment, India has sought to deepen its economic ties with Nepal. These efforts have been aimed at boosting economic growth and development in Nepal while enhancing India's regional influence. However, India's foreign policy towards Nepal has also faced criticism, with some arguing that it prioritizes its own interests over Nepal's. This has led to tensions between the two countries, with Nepal seeking to diversify its economic and diplomatic ties beyond India. In this study, the trade, investment, aid, and tourism relations between India and Nepal are examined. It looks at how the economic hegemony of India and Nepal shaped the two countries' economic ties. The study also looks into the challenges and opportunities for the India-Nepal economic partnership. It investigates the issues related to trade barriers, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation. Additionally, this study examines the impact of political and diplomatic factors on the economic relationship between India and Nepal. The research is based on a combination of primary and secondary sources, including interviews with key stakeholders, economic data analysis, and a review of relevant literature. The findings of this study suggest that the economic relationship between India and Nepal has been significant and mutually beneficial, but there are several challenges that need to be addressed to realize the full potential of the partnership. Overall, this study offers insights into the prospects and challenges for deepening the economic relationships between the two countries as well as a better knowledge of the economic aspects of India-Nepal foreign relations.

Forecasting local hospital bed demand for COVID-19 using on-request simulations

Accurate forecasting of hospital bed demand is crucial during infectious disease epidemics to avoid overwhelming healthcare facilities. To address this, we developed an intuitive online tool for individual hospitals to forecast COVID-19 bed demand. The tool utilizes local data, including incidence, vaccination, and bed occupancy data, at customizable geographical resolutions. Users can specify their hospital’s catchment area and adjust the initial number of COVID-19 occupied beds. We assessed the model’s performance by forecasting ICU bed occupancy for several university hospitals and regions in Germany. The model achieves optimal results when the selected catchment area aligns with the hospital’s local catchment. While expanding the catchment area reduces accuracy, it improves precision. However, forecasting performance diminishes during epidemic turning points. Incorporating variants of concern slightly decreases precision around turning points but does not significantly impact overall bed occupancy results. Our study highlights the significance of using local data for epidemic forecasts. Forecasts based on the hospital’s specific catchment area outperform those relying on national or state-level data, striking a better balance between accuracy and precision. These hospital-specific bed demand forecasts offer valuable insights for hospital planning, such as adjusting elective surgeries to create additional bed capacity promptly.

Guiding decisions on the future of dams: A GIS database characterizing ecological and social considerations of Dam decisions

In the United States and elsewhere, there are a growing number of dams which have exceeded their design life and will need to be repaired or removed in the coming decades. Most of these dams no longer serve their original purpose and removal can provide ecological benefits and eliminate future maintenance costs and hazards. However, many decision-makers have been ill-prepared by community resistance to proposals to remove dams. Given the number of dam removal initiatives that have failed or been delayed due to community resistance, both ecological and social attributes of dams need to be better mapped and conveyed in understandable ways. The goal of this study was to support future decisions regarding dams by 1) developing a set of metrics to assess the social and ecological dimensions of dams, and 2) using these metrics to develop a GIS database, for the 1000+ dams in the Narragansett Bay/Rhode Island area of southern New England. The database characterizes the ecological benefits of dam removal or modification, in terms of fish passage, and the social dimensions that may need to be considered when engaging a community in discussions about the future of a dam. Our emphasis was on small-head dams (i.e. <5 m tall) which comprise most dams in the study area. We created social value metrics that used GIS data to assess dams and their impoundments for potential benefits to waterfront properties, history, sense-of-place, and recreation. We modeled our ecological metrics and ranking system after the Nature Conservancy's Northeast Aquatic Connectivity study which considered factors relating to river connectivity and watershed quality. We evaluated our social and ecological metrics using case studies of dams in the study area that had been previously removed or modified. We assumed that both sets of dams were ecologically important, but the modified dams had higher social value that prohibited their removal. Dams that had been removed or modified were both ranked as high priority in terms of value for fish passage, particularly for diadromous fish. Dams that were modified to include fish passage had substantially larger impoundments, more waterfront properties, and more features associated with recreational or cultural value (e.g. boating opportunity, visibility, etc.). Our social metrics were consistent with expectations based on the limited case studies (7 removals, 19 modifications) available in the study area. We made the dam assessment metrics readily accessible to stakeholders through an interactive ArcGIS Online web map.

Patterns of change in restrictive measures in residential care: Trauma-informed staff training benefits children and youth who need it the Most

BackgroundImplementation of trauma-informed staff training is promising to reduce restrictive measures (restraints, seclusions, and time-outs) used to address problem behaviors in youth in residential care. Previous mixed results may be explained in part by the heterogeneity in the use of restrictive measures among youth. ObjectiveThe objective was twofold: (1) to examine whether heterogeneity in the initial number of restrictive measures experienced by youth, before implementing trauma-informed staff training, moderates the effect of the training and (2) to explore whether children and youth's characteristics are associated with the number of restrictive measures. Participants and settingA trauma-informed staff training was implemented in 44 residential care units in Quebec, Canada. MethodsThis study used administrative data. The sample (n = 297 youth) was divided into three subgroups based on the number of restrictive measures experienced in the six-month period prior to the training: 1) absence or low (52 % of the sample); 2) moderate (23 %); 3) high (25 %). ResultsThe use of restrictive measures was compared between the subgroups. Main and interaction effects were all significant. None of the slopes for groups 1 and 2 were significant. In contrast, significant decreases from T1 were observed at T2 (−0.18 (0.02), p < .000) and T3 (−0.22 (0.02), p < .000) in group 3. Several children and youth's characteristics distinguished groups. ConclusionsImplementation was more beneficial to youth who experienced a high number of restrictive measures. Training opportunities can lead to positive changes in measures used to address problem behaviors in youth.

#390 : Why Our Clinical Pregnancy Rates Have Improved Over the Past Two Years: Exploring Key Points of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocol in Fresh Embryo Transfer Cycles

Background and Aims: GnRH-ant protocol is effective in preventing a surge of pituitary luteinising hormone during controlled ovarian stimulation. In recent years, GnRH-ant protocol has been optimised to improve in vitro fertilisation outcomes. However, firstly, the success rate of frozen embryo transfer is consistently better than that of fresh embryo transfer and secondly, the success rate of GnRH-ant protocol on fresh embryo transfer is lower than that of the long protocol. This study aims to draw out a comparison of before and after data from our own centre to find the reasons for the gradual maturation of GnRH-ant protocol on fresh embryo transfer. Our study proposed to investigate the determinants affecting fresh embryo transfer in gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocols. Method: We reviewed 2464 fresh embryo transfer cycles for IVF/ICSI-ET assisted reproduction techniques performed at our centre from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The exclusion criteria were as follows: endometriosis grade III to IV (American Fertility Society classification of endometriosis); adenomyosis; severe male oligospermia or obstructive azoospermia. Firstly, we compared the single-cycle clinical pregnancy rates between 2015 to 2017 and 2018 to 2019. Next, we performed a multifactorial regression analysis to understand what changes our centre had made between the five years in terms of years. Finally, data from 2015 to 2019 were grouped as a whole and then subjected to understand exactly where the differences in clinical pregnancy rates were affecting the GnRH-ant protocol for fresh embryo transfer. Results: A total of 1,388 cycles were included from 2015 to 2017, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 51.42% (688/1388). 1,076 cycles were included from 2018 to 2019, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 57.43% (618/1076). 2018 to 2019 compared to 2015 to 2017 for first-time IVF/ICSI. There was a 6.01% increase in clinical pregnancy rate for women who had assisted conception and performed GnRH-ant protocol with fresh embryo transfer. The results of the univariate analysis conducted suggested that the factors influencing the classification of clinical pregnancy included female basal E2 base, LH base, FSH base, P base, female Gn initiation date E2 start, LH start, FSH start, P start, Gn initiation volume and number of Gn days, antagonist addition date E2 add, LH add, FSH add, P add, plate machine day E2 trigger, LH trigger, P trigger, plate machine day number of different follicles in the meridian follicles 10-14 mm, follicles 14-16 mm, follicles 16-18 mm, follicles 18mm or more. Multifactorial regression analysis after correction suggested that age, BMI, endometrial thickness on the day of transfer, number of embryos transferred and progesterone level on HCG Day were independent influencing factors for successful pregnancy with antagonist regimen and fresh embryo transfer. Conclusion: Age, BMI, endometrial thickness on the day of transfer, number of embryos transferred and progesterone levels on HCG Day were independent influences.

Analysis of the effects of bench-scale cell culture platforms and inoculum cell concentrations on PSC aggregate formation and culture.

Introduction: Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide many opportunities for application in regenerative medicine due to their ability to differentiate into cells from all three germ layers, proliferate indefinitely, and replace damaged or dysfunctional cells. However, such cell replacement therapies require the economical generation of clinically relevant cell numbers. Whereas culturing hPSCs as a two-dimensional monolayer is widely used and relatively simple to perform, their culture as suspended three-dimensional aggregates may enable more economical production in large-scale stirred tank bioreactors. To be more relevant to this biomanufacturing, bench-scale differentiation studies should be initiated from aggregated hPSC cultures. Methods: We compared five available bench-scale platforms for generating undifferentiated cell aggregates of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) using AggreWell™ plates, low attachment plates on an orbital shaker, roller bottles, spinner flasks, and vertical-wheel bioreactors (PBS-Minis). Thereafter, we demonstrated the incorporation of an hPSC aggregation step prior to directed differentiation to pancreatic progenitors and endocrine cells. Results and discussion: The AggreWell™ system had the highest aggregation yield. The initial cell concentrations had an impact on the size of aggregates generated when using AggreWell™ plates as well as in roller bottles. However, aggregates made with low attachment plates, spinner flasks and PBS-Minis were similar regardless of the initial cell number. Aggregate morphology was compact and relatively homogenously distributed in all platforms except for the roller bottles. The size of aggregates formed in PBS-Minis was modulated by the agitation rate during the aggregation. In all cell culture platforms, the net growth rate of cells in 3D aggregates was lower (range: -0.01-0.022h-1) than cells growing as a monolayer (range: 0.039-0.045h-1). Overall, this study describes operating ranges that yield high-quality undifferentiated hESC aggregates using several of the most commonly used bench-scale cell culture platforms. In all of these systems, methods were identified to obtain PSC aggregates with greater than 70% viability, and mean diameters between 60 and 260mm. Finally, we showed the capacity of hPSC aggregates formed with PBS-Minis to differentiate into viable pancreatic progenitors and endocrine cell types.

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of neutrally buoyant circular slip particle motion in a clockwise double-lid-driven square cavity

This paper is on the motion of a neutrally buoyant but circular slip particle in a clockwise double-lid-driven square cavity. The slip flow at the particle surface is implemented by the lattice Boltzmann method with corrected slip boundary schemes. The effects of slip length (Ls), initial particle position, Reynolds number (Re), and particle size (D) are studied on the migration of the slip particle. The motion of the circular slip particle is dominated by the centrifugal and boundary-repulsion forces. The results show that the cavity center is the unique fixed point, and once the slip particle initially deviates from the cavity center, it is always stabilized at the same limit cycle. With the increase in slip length, the limit cycle of the circular slip particle is closer to the cavity boundaries, which brings a stronger centrifugal force to balance the increased boundary-confinement effect. As the slip length, Ls, exceeds 0.02D, the limit cycle forms more quickly than the circular no-slip particle. When Re increases to within 1000, the limit cycle is squashed along the leading diagonal of the cavity and pushed toward the boundaries; however, when Re increases beyond 1000, two developing secondary vortices confine the limit cycle to shrink toward the cavity center. With the increase in particle size, the enhanced boundary confinements lead to the shrinkage of the limit cycle toward the cavity center.

Designing Intersectoral Environments to Address Isolation/Loneliness as a Risk Factor for Dementia: A Mixed Methods Health Promotion Program

AbstractBackgroundIntersectoral partnerships are critical for effective and sustainable health promotion programs. The aim of our Public Health Agency of Canada Dementia Community Investment project, What Connects Us∼Ce Qui Nous Lie (2020‐2023) was to collaboratively cultivate sociocultural environments worth living in using shared activities and events. In this paper, we present initial results on the effectiveness of using shared activities and events to link academic, arts/culture, mental health, and community‐based organizations and generate a sustainable web of resources for, while positively impacting on, the quality of life and connectivity as a protective factor for persons living with Alzheimer’s and related disorders (PLWA) and their carers.MethodWe used a mixed methods ethnographic approach to describe and measure the impact of shared activities and events on the intersectoral networks by fielding pre‐/post‐partner social network surveys distributed across four social sectors using standard intersectoral network metrics such as density, clustering, centralization, and average path length; as well as measures of centrality and bridging among partners. We measured the impact of this intervention se with pre‐/post‐activity participant surveys using the UCLA Loneliness scale and the CDC health quality of life instrument. All partners and participants answered demographic questions.ResultNetwork measures showed an increase from the initial number of organizations who submitted letters of support for the project (N = 16), as well as increases in network density at the intersectoral level. Patterns of centrality and bridging in the partner data are still emerging, with arts/cultural organizations being the most engaged in facilitating activities and events. For the participants in activities who completed surveys, emerging data demonstrate that those who participated in multiple activities had lower loneliness scores (N = 117 of the 370). Descriptions of context across the project support its upscaling, including the mechanisms that supported the continued growth in number, variety, and modifications of activities despite the impact of Covid‐19 on social distancing.ConclusionCommunity‐based efforts to create environments to reduce loneliness are possible but require effort to create sustainable intersectoral networks amidst structural and other leadership changes.

The Implementation of E-Governance Initiatives Plays a Crucial Role in Ensuring the Realization of a Digital Bangladesh

The ideas of e-governance and Digital Bangladesh are intricately interconnected. E-governance pertains to the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) with the aim of enhancing the provision of government services to the general populace. Digital Bangladesh, on the other hand, is a vision for a technologically advanced society where ICT is used to foster a knowledge-based environment and improve the lives of all citizens. The implementation of e-governance initiatives plays a crucial role in ensuring the realization of a Digital Bangladesh. By providing citizens with convenient and efficient access to government services online, e-governance can help to reduce corruption, improve transparency, and promote accountability. It can also help to bridge the digital divide and make government services more accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. In order to realize Digital Bangladesh, the government of Bangladesh is dedicated to e-governance. A number of e-governance initiatives have already been implemented, such as the National Portal, the Digital Center Network, and the One Stop Service (OSS) Centers. These initiatives have made it easier for citizens to access a wide range of government services online, such as paying taxes, applying for passports, and registering businesses. Nevertheless, certain obstacles must be confronted to effectively achieve the goal of Digital Bangladesh. One challenge is the lack of digital literacy among a large section of the population. Another challenge is the need to improve the reliability and affordability of internet access. Furthermore, it is essential to devise and execute e-governance initiatives that are customized to cater to the distinct requirements of various segments of the population, including those experiencing poverty, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Despite the challenges, the government of Bangladesh is making significant progress in the implementation of e-governance and the realization of Digital Bangladesh. The adoption and execution of e-governance projects are significantly benefiting both individuals and companies across the nation. The primary objective of this study is to examine the many programs and efforts implemented by the Government of Bangladesh in its pursuit of establishing Digital Bangladesh. To conduct a comprehensive and thorough study, the following goals have been identified: To get information about the initiatives. To analyze the roles of the programs.

Development of a passive strategy for buildings’ sustainability using green roofs techniques in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Buildings’ sustainability can strongly contribute towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals which set forth a challenge for humanity in existing and modern Saudi societies. Recently, large numbers of initiatives and strategies have been recently developed and adopted with a focus on the green architecture which relates the real estate and clean energy industries in Saudi Arabia. This is considered as an important step to the diversity in the Saudi economy, which is not built on oil revenues and towards the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030. Consequently, the application of different passive sustainability strategies in residential building projects, e.g., green roofs technology, can boost sustainable building ratings. In the present paper, the feasibility and probable health and environmental benefits associated with green roofs technology in Saudi residential buildings have been described. Moreover, different perspectives have been presented related to the green roofs industry, such as: types, recent technology, and the current challenges. In addition, the contributions of green roofs to the sustainable building’s certification via Saudi rating system, MOSTADAM, has been explored. The method adopted in the present research is based on relating the characteristics of the green roof technology and its environmental effects to the different categories of the “Mostadam” rating system. It is found that the green roofs technology can boost the sustainable building ratings through contribution to the major categories of MOSTADAM rating system a potential of 32% credits total. This encourages stakeholders to apply green roofs in Saudi residential buildings supporting the sustainable development goals of the Saudi government’s ongoing initiatives that advocates for more sustainable and resilient cities considering vision 2030. Moreover, the present study would assist the “Mostadam” responsible in evaluating the sustainable buildings projects and making the right decisions on such projects.

Clustering-based value investing strategy in the Helsinki Stock Exchange: k-means algorithm

The purpose of this research is to study the possibility of combining quantitative clustering of stocks and value investing. The feasibility of this approach is tested using Finnish market data from the period 2005 to 2021. The benchmark index used in this research is the OMX Helsinki Growth Index. The strategy is based on the combination of P/E, P/CF, and P/B ratios, which serve as the basis for the k-means algorithm. The data is pre-processed by removing stocks that have not generated positive earnings and cash flow during the previous 12 months. The k-means algorithm assigns stocks to clusters, and the cluster with the lowest financial ratios is chosen as the value portfolio. The research also includes a sensitivity analysis of value portfolios, where the initial number of clusters in the clustering phase ranges from three to ten. Returns of different value portfolios are compared to each other and the benchmark index. The quality of results is evaluated using the Sharpe ratio and Jensen's alpha. According to the findings, the value portfolio constructed using nine clusters generated the highest risk-adjusted return, with an annual return of 30.27% over the 2005 to 2021 period. Furthermore, the best-performing value portfolio from 2005 to 2017 was compared to the benchmark index from 2018 to 2021. The value portfolio achieved an annual return of 26.05% during the 2018-2021 period, while the corresponding return of the benchmark index was 11.74%.

Validation of genetic risk scores for obesity on a sample of the population of Russian regions

Aim. To validate and evaluate the accuracy of 15 genetic risk scores (GRSs) for obesity, created in populations of European origin in the sample of two European Russia regions. Material and methods. Genetic testing has been performed using next generation sequencing on a sample from the Russian population (n=1179). The study included 15 GRS associated with body mass index (BMI) or waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI (WHRadjBMI).Results. The predictive power of 8 out of 9 GRSs for obesity based on BMI remains the same for the Russian population. The predictive power of 6 GRSs for obesity based on WHRadjBMI is lower in the Russian population than in the reference sample. GRS reproducibility increases with the size of initial samples and number of variants included in the GRS increase. The use of GRSs for obesity based on BMI in the Russian population created on European populations is justified.Conclusion. For the first time in Russia, 15 obesity GRSs developed in European populations have been validated. The data obtained on the effectiveness of the considered GRS can be used in the future to improve the obesity prediction and prevention in Russia.

Numerical study of submerged hydraulic jumps over triangular macroroughnesses

Abstract The hydraulic jump is a phenomenon that occurs in open channels. In past studies, hydraulic jumps over smooth and macrorough beds have been investigated to enhance energy dissipation, but triangular macroroughness, specifically the right-angled triangular macroroughness, has not been dealt with. The objective of this article is to numerically investigate submerged hydraulic jumps over right angle and isosceles triangular macrorough beds. To achieve this, a numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been utilized. Numerically obtained jump characteristics such as submerged depth ratio, tailwater depth ratio, longitudinal velocity profile, flow pattern in the cavity region, and energy dissipation have been presented in detail. In particular, initial Froude number reduction in both tailwater and submerged depth ratios as well as an increase in the energy dissipation of submerged hydraulic jumps have been noticed on isosceles triangular macroroughness with different arrangements, as compared to smooth beds. The present numerical model has been validated with the experimental model, and the mean error between the two for submerged depth and tailwater depth ratios was found to be below 6%. This confirms the adequacy of the present CFD model in predicting relevant submerged hydraulic jump characteristics over macrorough beds.

The legal foundation of responsible research assessment: An overview on European Union and Italy

Abstract During the past decade, responsible research assessment (RRA) has become a major science policy goal to advance responsible research and innovation and open science. Starting with the DORA declaration in 2012, common understanding of the needs and demands of RRA has been shaped by a growing number of initiatives, culminating in a European Commission supported Agreement on reforming research assessment published in July 2022. In this paper, we outline and investigate the normative framework for RRA, ranging from binding legal norms (hard law), rules of conduct which, in principle, have no legally binding force but which nevertheless may have practical effects’ (soft law) to self-regulation in supranational (the European Union) and one national (Italy) context. As shown by our analysis of hard and soft legal sources for RRA, apart from constitutional and legal provisions regarding freedom of research, autonomy of universities and non-discrimination and gender equality, the legal foundation for RRA rests mainly on soft law and policy norms. In the discussion we relate the normative framework for RRA to research integrity guidelines and consider the challenges of ensuring coherent RRA implementation across countries and research funding and performing institutions. We conclude that self-regulation and soft law are good starting points and may pave the way for hard law down the line: this can be seen as the optimum mix of regulatory mechanisms to mainstream RRAs.

Seasonality as a driver of pH1N12009 influenza vaccination campaign impact

Although the most recent respiratory virus pandemic was triggered by a Coronavirus, sustained and elevated prevalence of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses able to infect mammalian hosts highlight the continued threat of pandemics of influenza A virus (IAV) to global health. Retrospective analysis of pandemic outcomes, including comparative investigation of intervention efficacy in different regions, provide important contributions to the evidence base for future pandemic planning. The swine-origin IAV pandemic of 2009 exhibited regional variation in onset, infection dynamics and annual infection attack rates (IARs). For example, the UK experienced three severe peaks of infection over two influenza seasons, whilst Australia experienced a single severe wave. We adopt a seasonally forced 2-subtype model for the transmission of pH1N12009 and seasonal H3N2 to examine the role vaccination campaigns may play in explaining differences in pandemic trajectories in temperate regions. Our model differentiates between the nature of vaccine- and infection-acquired immunity. In particular, we assume that immunity triggered by infection elicits heterologous cross-protection against viral shedding in addition to long-lasting neutralising antibody, whereas vaccination induces imperfect reduction in susceptibility. We employ an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) framework to calibrate the model using data for pH1N12009 seroprevalence, relative subtype dominance, and annual IARs for Australia and the UK. Heterologous cross-protection substantially suppressed the pandemic IAR over the posterior, with the strength of protection against onward transmission inversely correlated with the initial reproduction number. We show that IAV pandemic timing relative to the usual seasonal influenza cycle influenced the size of the initial waves of pH1N12009 in temperate regions and the impact of vaccination campaigns.

Improved Quantum-Classical Treatment of N2-N2 Inelastic Collisions: Effect of the Potentials and Complete Rate Coefficient Data Sets.

In this study, complete (i.e., including all vibrational quantum numbers in an N2 vibrational ladder) data sets of vibration-to-vibration and vibration-to-translation rate coefficients for N2-N2 collisions are explicitly computed along with transport properties (shear and bulk viscosity, thermal conductivity, and self-diffusion) in the temperature range 100-9000 K. To reach this goal, we improved a mixed quantum-classical (MQC) dynamics approach by lifting the constraint of a Morse treatment of the vibrational wave function and intramolecular potential and permitting the use of more realistic and flexible representations. The new formulation has also allowed us to separately analyze the role of intra- and intermolecular potentials on the calculated rates and properties. Ab initio intramolecular potentials are indispensable for highly excited vibrational states, though the Morse potential still gives reasonable values up to v = 20. An accurate description of the long-range interaction and the van der Waals well is a requisite for the correct reproduction of qualitative and quantitative rate coefficients, particularly at low temperatures, making physically meaningful analytical representations still the best choice compared to currently available ab initio potential energy surfaces. These settings were used to directly compute the MQC rates corresponding to a large number of initial vibrational quantum numbers, and the missing intermediate values were predicted using a machine learning technique (i.e., the Gaussian process regression approach). The obtained values are reliable in the wide temperature range employed and are therefore valuable data for many communities dealing with nonlocal thermal equilibrium conditions in different environments.

A Situational Analysis of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Health Research Initiatives in South Asia.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate and compare the quantity and sustainability of digital health initiatives in the South Asia region before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a two-step methodology of (a) descriptive analysis of digital health research articles published from 2016 to 2021 from South Asia in terms of stratification of research articles based on diseases and conditions they were developed, geography, and tasks wherein the initiative was applied and (b) a simple and replicable tool developed by authors to assess the sustainability of digital health initiatives using experimental or observational study designs. The results of the descriptive analysis highlight the following: (a) there was a 40% increase in the number of studies reported in 2020 when compared to 2019; (b) the three most common areas wherein substantive digital health research has been focused are health systems strengthening, ophthalmic disorders, and COVID-19; and (c) remote consultation, health information delivery, and clinical decision support systems are the top three commonly developed tools. We developed and estimated the inter-rater operability of the sustainability assessment tool ascertained with a Kappa value of 0.806 (±0.088). We conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on digital health research with an improvement in the number of digital health initiatives and an improvement in the sustainability score of studies published during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viability of Nodule Bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicummon Soybean Seeds by Treatment With Fungicides During Extended Storage

Background. With the increase in soybean cultivation areas, inoculants are becoming increasingly sought after. They are not only compatible with the original preparations for seed treatment of soybean but also offer the possibility of applying them for several days or even months before sowing into the soil. Objective. The viability of new strains of nodule bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum (strain PC07 and strain B78) was investigated on the surface of soybean seeds treated with fungicides Fever and Maxim XL during the extended storage of inoculated seeds. Additionally, their ability for nitrogen fixation under symbiotic conditions was evaluated. Methods. Сultivation, serial dilution method, determination of bacterial titer of inoculants, quantification of colony forming units (CFU), gas chromatography. Results. In laboratory conditions, on the soybean seeds of Almaz and Vasylkivska varieties, the viability of the nodule bacteria B. japonicum PC07 and B78, which are more resistant to the active substances of these fungicides in pure culture, decreased. This reduction was dependent on the storage period, the fungicide used, and the strain of inoculant. One day after inoculation on the seeds without the use of fungicide, 68.6–75.4% CFU of the initial number was retained. Seeds treated with the fungicide Fever contained 36.5–38.3% CFU, and those treated with Maxim XL contained 26.2–27.0% CFU. The use of inoculants based on fungicide-resistant strains of B. japonicum PC07 and B78 also provided high cell viability – 2.41–2.8×106 (on the seeds without treatment), 1.40–1.70×106 (with Fever) and 0.8–1.17×106 (with Maxim XL) CFU/seed after 5 days of storage. The nitrogen-fixing activity of root nodules in soybean plants of Almaz and Vasylkivska varieties, whose seeds were treated with Fever, decreased on both varieties by 18.4–22.4% and 32.1–39.5%, respectively and for treatment with Maxim XL, the reduction was 24.5–33.7% and 47.7–75.2%, respectively, during the storage of seeds for 5 and 7 days before sowing, compared to control variants (seeds without fungicide treatment). Conclusions. The utilization of fungicide-resistant strains of B. japonicum PC07 and B78 for bacterization of soybean seeds treated with fungicides Fever and Maxim XL provides a high inoculation titer during 5 days of storage. Viability of microbial cells on seeds treated with fungicides significantly diminishes during storage for more than 7–14 days. Insufficient titer of CFU of B. japonicum strains PC07 and B78 on the seed surface after 14 days of storage can considerably impede the efficacy of biopreparations. Therefore, it is crucial to seek substances that can enhance the resistance of rhizobia on seeds to the adverse effects of fungicide seed treatment, ensuring a longer period of their viability.

Perception Level of Farm Women towards Entrepreneurial Development in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura Districts of Karnataka, India

Women entrepreneurs are the business owners participating in economic activity to empower themselves economically and enhance their status in the society. The perception of the farm women in entrepreneurial development is equally important in addition to availability of number of initiatives and resources to promote and develop women’s entrepreneurship. Hence to assess the perception of the farm women, a study was conducted in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura districts of Karnataka state during the year 2021-2022. The results revealed that the mean score for the perception statement “I am not the decision maker in the family” ranked first (2.98) about self, in Tumkuru district Where as “higher education is required to start an enterprise” (2.95) in Chikkaballapura district. Under, perception about family and family members “If startup fails there will be huge loss and it will affect my family” stands first rank (2.72) in Tumkuru and “I will not be able to spend quality time with my children if I start enterprise” (2.69) in Chikkaballapura district. Perception about people indicated “People may feel jealous of my startup venture” stood first with a mean score of 2.84 and 3.05 in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura respectively. “I am uncertain about the returns from my enterprise” stood first (3.14 and 3.07) in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura district respectively regarding enterprise. However, perception about financial institutions indicated “Banks may require collateral security to give loan” was the first priority (3.11 and 3.09) in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura district. Dimension wise perception indicated low preference for family and family members, about people and enterprise (54.20%, 47.80% and 36.60%) respectively in Tumkuru where as in Chikkaballapura it was 33.80, 49.20 and 38.00 per cent respectively. Overall perception of farm women regarding entrepreneurial development was found to be good in Tumkuru (38.40%) where as in Chikkaballapura it was in better category (38.80).

A Biochemical Corrosion Monitoring Sensor with a Silver/Carbon Comb Structure for the Detection of Living Escherichia coli.

For the detection and monitoring of live bacteria, we propose a biochemical corrosion monitoring (BCM) sensor that measures galvanic current by using a Ag/C sensor comprising silver and carbon comb electrodes. The deposition of an Escherichia coli suspension containing an LB liquid medium on the Ag/C sensor increased the galvanic current. The time required for the current to reach 20 nA is defined as T20. T20 tends to decrease as the initial number of E. coli in the E. coli solution increases. A linear relationship was obtained between the logarithm of the E. coli count and T20 in a bacterial count range of 1-108 cfu/mL under culture conditions in which the growth rate of the bacteria was constant. Hence, the number of live E. coli could be determined from T20. Ag2S precipitation was observed on the surface of the Ag electrode of the Ag/C sensor, where an increase in the current was observed. This generation of galvanic current was attributed to the reaction between a small amount of free H2S metabolized by E. coli in the bacterial solution during its growth process and Ag-the sensor anode. The Ag/C sensor can detect a free H2S concentration of 0.041 μM in the E. coli solution. This novel biochemical sensor can monitor the growth behavior of living organisms without damaging them.