Measuring multi-dimensional disparity index: A case of Nepal.

This study introduces Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) to measure multi-form of disparity in different level of governments referencing Nepal. The measurement scale of MDI was developed by adopting Santos and Alkire's (2011) approaches. A wide range of thematic experts was consulted, employing the Semi-Delphi approach to determine its dimensions and indicators. The MDI in this study includes six dimensions and 34 indicators composited with dimension-wise indices like Economy Disparity Index [ECODI], Educational Disparity Index [EDUDI], Health Disparity Index [HDI], Geography and Climatic Vulnerability Index [GCVI], Living Standard Disparity Index [LSDI], and Demography Disparity Index [DDI]. Overall, the study revealed the extent of multi-dimensional disparity across three tiers of government in Nepal. More specifically, Nepal scored 0.388 MDI value. Karnali and Bagmati provinces are accounted as the highest and least deprived. This study contributes essential knowledge, particularly in exploring the dimensions and their indicators and develops an approach to measure multi-dimensional disparities. Most existing approaches for assessing disparities are mono-dimensional and measure the disparities in a single aspect. In this context, MDI provides a broader approach to consider multiple dimensions and measures multiple aspects in a country like Nepal, where disparity manifests at multiple levels.

Ventilated acoustic metasurface with low-frequency sound insulation.

A ventilated acoustic metasurface consisting of a membrane covered with a combination of different depth sub-chambers is proposed. It can achieve at least a 5 dB sound insulation acoustic performance in the wide frequency range from 100 to 1700 Hz, in particular a 10 dB noise reduction in the range from 100 to 200 Hz and from 437.4 to 1700 Hz, which can therefore cover the low-frequency range of the environmental noise. The physical mechanism of membrane-acoustic coupling for noise reduction in the low-frequency range is further explored.

Nepal - exploited by older married man - young unmarried mother accused of infanticide.

In Nepal, it is considered sinful for a woman to have sexual intercourse before marriage while the male is exonerated. The female will be branded a loose character outcast by family and society. Only a small percentage of women who feel the other way and stand mentally strong or who have family support come out to seek justice. Despite the stringent law, the loopholes in the justice mechanism re-victimise female victims. We report a case where a young unmarried pregnant woman who gave birth alone was charged with infanticide.

Transparent Tunable Acoustic Absorber Membrane Using Inkjet-Printed PEDOT:PSS Thin-Film Compliant Electrodes.

Window glasses can block noise from outdoor, but they reverberate sound within a large indoor space. Microperforated glass absorbers have been developed to absorb sound over a fixed but narrow bandwidth. To tune the frequency spectrum of acoustic absorption, we developed a transparent tunable acoustic absorber based on microperforated dielectric elastomer actuator (MPDEA) and transparent compliant electrodes. Such transparent compliant electrodes were inkjet printed from Triton X-plasticized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) ink, which shows improved wettability on the acrylate dielectric elastomer substrate. These transparent polymeric electrodes are softer with uptake of moisture while being self-clearable and durable. A single layer of MPDEA using two inkjet-printed electrodes is 78.64% clear, but the clarity of a two-layer MPDEA decreases to 61.8%. Among the two designs, the two-layer MPDEA exhibits a broader acoustic absorption bandwidth of 444 Hz for absorbing more than 80% of the sound energy. Inactivated resonant frequency of this MPDEA is 1170 Hz, whereas the 6 kV activation can reduce the resonant frequency for 15.2% by causing 9% hole-diameter contraction. This transparent tunable acoustic absorber can be fitted to window glass; its acoustic performance is better than that of translucent curtains.

Inter-caste lovers' suicide pact - Case report from Nepal.

Discrimination on cultural and ethnic grounds is a crime in Nepal. [Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068 (2011) * * There are two different dates which reflect the Bikram Sambat which is the official Hindu calendar in Nepal. This calendar is 57 years ahead of Gregorian calendar. For example, 19 August 2017 AD is 03 Bhadra 2074 Bikram Sambat. Thus, the date 2068 is in Bikram Sambat, 2011 is per Gregorian calendar which is unofficial so kept in parenthesis. This text is available online from: http://www.ilo.org/aids/legislation/WCMS_190732/lang-en/index.htm . ]. However, cases of caste-based discrimination continue and have been reported in the newspapers. They occur because most families refuse to accept inter-caste marriages in Nepal as they fear they will become social outcasts. We present a tragic case where a young couple in their 20s made a pact to end their lives by jumping from Nepal's highest suspension bridge. Preliminary police investigation suggested their inter-caste relationship was the reason.

Tunable window device based on micro-wrinkling of nanometric zinc-oxide thin film on elastomer.

This Letter presents a tunable window device based on microscopic wrinkling of a transparent elastomeric surface. "Crack-free" microscopic wrinkling of a 50-nm ZnO thin film is possible on a highly adhesive acrylic elastomer membrane (VHB 4910) upon partial release from a large radial pre-stretch of membrane. This ZnO-based tunable window device demonstrates reversible tunability between transparent and translucent states. At zero compression with a flat surface, the device is transparent with a 93% in-line transmittance at 550-nm wavelength. At 14% radial compression with wrinkled surface, the device appears translucent with a 3% in-line transmittance. Analysis shows that a large amplitude and a small wavelength of transparent micro-wrinkles are good for refracting light diffusely. This method and material system are promising to make a low-cost, high-performance smart window.

Chorea-acanthocytosis: a case report.

Neuroacanthocytosis is a group of rare disorders. We report a 36-year-old right-handed female who presented with gradually progressive abnormal facial movements, generalized weakness, and lower-lip biting starting 4 years ago. On examination, she had lower-lip ulcer, orofacial dyskinesias, and peripheral neuropathy. Her peripheral blood smears showed acanthocytosis and magnetic resonance imaging revealed atrophied head of caudate nuclei and putaminal hyperintensities on T2-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. Work-up for autoimmune and metabolic causes was negative. She was diagnosed with chorea-acanthocytosis, an entity under neuroacanthocytosis syndrome and the patient was offered symptomatic treatment.