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Transitional Stress to Grade One Students in Academic Writing
Full text linkThis study explores the stress experienced by Grade One students in private schools in Lalitpur as they transition from preschool to more structured writing activities. While early writing skills are essential for academic success, there is limited research on how writing interventions affect young learners in low-resource settings. Using Bridges’ Transition Model (2011) and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), the study explores key questions: How do first graders experience the shift to structured writing? Are teachers aware of this stress, and are they trained to support systematic writing? How do teachers address this stress in the classroom? The research used critical hermeneutics, combining classroom observations, teacher interviews, and collection of student work. The researcher also drew on personal experience working with Grade One students during their writing transition to understand the stress they face. The findings offer useful insights into reducing student stress, supporting academic success, and helping teachers and school staff improve the classroom environment. The study also provides recommendations for curriculum developers and policymakers to design effective, evidence-based educational interventions
Modeling COVID-19 dynamics in Nepal: SEIQR compartmental model with quarantine
Full text linkMathematical modeling is crucial to understand the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases and to develop effective control strategies. In this study, we introduce a compartmental SEIQR model (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Quarantine-Recovered) that incorporates quarantine measures to analyze the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Nepal. The next generation approach is used to compute the model’s basic reproduction number. The model’s equilibrium points are obtained, and their stability is assessed with the help of the basic reproduction number. Sensitivity analysis is used to examine the importance and influence of the model parameters on the spread of disease
Assessing flood susceptibility and frequency analysis in himalayan river basins: A GIS-based multi-criteria approach
Full text linkFlooding is a recurrent issue in Nepal during the monsoon season. This study assesses flood susceptibility zones in Himalayan River basins, specifically Tamakoshi and Indrawati River Basin, Nepal utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis. Additionally, it employs Gumbel’s distribution method for flood frequency analysis, estimating potential flood discharges for different return periods (2, 5, 10, 50, and 100 years). The critical flood causative factors like slope, elevation, land use/land cover, rainfall intensity, and river proximity are analyzed in this study using weighted multi-criteria overlay methods to produce flood-prone areas. Because the study areas are part of mountainous catchment areas, these regions have steep slopes, meaning surface runoff velocity is increased, ground infiltration of water decreases, and flood risks increase. GIS-based weighted overlay analysis identified approximately 26.6% of the Indrawati Basin and 25.4% of the Tamakoshi Basin as highly flood susceptible zones. The predicted flood discharges for a 100-year return period are 1566.59 m³/s for Indrawati River Basin and 1821.87 m³/s for Tamakoshi River Basin. The findings will support regional flood hazard management strategies and contribute to disaster risk reduction efforts in Nepal
Oral Narrative Studies in Assam: Exploring Three Tantric Myths
No full textIntegral to folklore studies, oral narratives have garnered significant academic attention since the previous century, particularly among Western academia. These academic discourses largely influence the methodologies adopted for studying oral narratives worldwide. However, upon examining the diversity of indigenous oral narratives, particularly in regions such as the Northeast of Assam, several genres are identified that have not yet become significant documents in folklore studies. One such variety of oral narratives is the Tantric myths in Assam, India. The accessible tantric myths in Assam are important materials for folkloristic analysis as they represent a virgin area of folkloristic investigation. An integral part of the everyday practices of various tribes inhabiting Assam, their existence and relevance inform us of two major things about the people. First, the people of Assam have an intrinsic belief system, where they believe in the power of tantra as a magic-inducing factor. This is not only a result of 'fear' of the unexplained/unpredictable, but also a faith that the omnipotent and omniscient, if there is any, is Nature herself. Humans need to be in harmony with Nature at all times if they want to achieve their desired objectives, results, or protection. The 'magical' in Assam is not about the miraculous or the impossible, but actually about a 'wonder' to be gifted as a blessing by Nature, if/when appeased. Secondly, there is a sense of relevance in these myths among the people of Assam, as they are still practiced and performed, often with a sense of secrecy to preserve their mystical nature. A folkloristic investigation is attempted here, utilizing three available Tantric myth texts. The investigation includes a structural analysis, adopting Claude Levi-Strauss's concept of breaking down a myth into its smallest units, along with an exploration of the forms of the myth using the epic laws of folk narrative by Axel Olrik. I carried out the functional analysis of the myths using the participant observation method, the basis of which is formed by Bronislaw Malinowski, A. R. Radcliffe Brown, and William Bascom's conceptions of the functions of folklore. Additionally, the investigation also ponders the process of transmitting narratives to establish the relevance of such myths in folk life
Development and characterization of sustainable clay-cement composite bricks reinforced with coconut fibre and rice husk ash
No full textThis study investigates the development of clay-cement composites reinforced with coconut fibre and cement partially replaced with rice husk ash (RHA) for brick applications. Conventional fired and unfired clay bricks are often limited by high energy consumption, environmental impact, and low mechanical strength. To address these challenges, this study explores the incorporation of agricultural wastes (coconut fibre) and RHA to enhanced mechanical and microstructural performance. Clay-based composite bricks were developed by partially replacing cement with rice husk ash (RHA) and reinforcing the mixture with 0–25 vol.% coconut fibre. The composite system incorporates coconut fibre as the primary reinforcement, while rice husk ash functions solely as a pozzolanic partial replacement for cement. Physical, chemical and microstructural characterization of the clay and RHA was conducted using hydrometer analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The XRD analysis revealed that the clay was rich in kaolinite, while RHA contained 66.95% SiO2, providing pozzolanic activity for improved bonding. The effects of varying fibre volume fractions (0–25% coconut fibre) on the mechanical properties were evaluated, with optimal compressive strength (2.89 MPa) obtained at 20 vol.% coconut fibre, while the optimum flexural strength and fracture toughness were obtained at 15 vol.% with values of 4.61 MPa and 1.23 MPa√m respectively. Microstructural analysis by SEM revealed enhanced fibre-matrix interaction and reduced porosity. Comparisons with conventional sandcrete and fired clay bricks demonstrated that the optimized composite exhibited competitive performance. These findings demonstrate the potential for utilizing coconut fibre and RHA in sustainable brick production, offering improved mechanical performance while contributing to environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness in building materials
Simplified design and CFD analysis of Francis turbine components for low-head micro-hydropower applications
No full textThis paper presents a simplified design methodology for Francis turbine components for the low-head micro-hydropower applications. The runner is developed using the Bovet method, while the remaining components are designed taking the runner as the reference. For the design ofa free vortex-type of spiral casing with circular cross-section, the guidelines provided by UNIDO are considered. Likewise, the guide vanes aremodeled using the NACA airfoil profile, and the draft tube adopts a Bend-Spacer-diffuser arrangement to enhance pressure recovery. CFD simulations are performed in ANSYS FLUENT to analyze flow characteristics, pressure distributions, and performance metrics across the distributor,runner, and draft tube. The distributor shows favorable pressure and velocity distributions with a minor head loss of 0.46 m. The runner produces a power output of 17.11 KW with a hydraulic efficiency of 92%, though it operated in off-design conditions, while the draft tube achieveseffective pressure recovery despite a major head loss of 1.26 m. The turbine attains an overall efficiency of 83.5%, highlighting the feasibility ofa simplified and cost-effective design for small-scale hydropower systems
Literature’s Engagement with the Environment Some Ruminations
Full text linkThis paper attempts an introspection on the role of literature in an era of human-induced climate crisis. It is aware that from a purely material or tangibly measurable point of view literary-critical studies exerts a negligible impact to the environment and its studies; yet, through concrete literary examples it endeavours to imply that since the primary agent wreaking havoc on genuine wilderness, and the environment thus triggering the Anthropocene is the human, literature – since ages – has been both a keeper of records (much before the advent of scientific discourse and dystopic narratives) and conscience imploring a balance between the human and the non-human worlds. The paper also advocates towards the end a plan of pedagogic action
Influence of heat input and shielding gas flow-rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar welded AA1100 and AA6070
Full text linkThis study examined the influence of heat input and shielding gas flow-rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of V-joint welded aluminium alloys of 1100 and 6070 plates. The as-received AA6070 was an off-cut billet and was cast into a flat plate of 5 mm using the green sand moulding technique. AA1100 was used in the as-received condition. Plates of dimension 50 x 50 x 5 mm were prepared for the Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding with heat input ranged between 52.5 J/mm and 69.1 J/mm and shielding gas (argon) flow rate of 7 and 13 L/min. The visual inspection indicated that welds were free common defects with no distortion. The results obtained from the experiments showed that the predominant phases in the microstructure of the samples were α − Al, AlSiO2 and AlFeSiO2, which characterised the strengthening mechanism of the weld joints. At a currentof 70A, and shielding gas flow rate of 7L min,the microstructure showed more of dendritic structure, which mainly contained α − Al and AlSiO2. When the gas flow rate increased to 10 L/min, the dendritic structure broke into platelets with no oxygen gas diffusion. The weld joint demonstrated the highest hardness value of 72 HV at 70 A and 13 L/min gas flow rate. The weld joint demonstrated the highest ultimate tensile strength of 86 MPa at 130 A and 10 L/min
Linguistic Landscape and Language in Education in South Asia: A Critical Appraisal
Full text linkThis article examines the linguistic diversity, language hegemony, and policy initiatives aimed at resisting the dominance of English and other mainstream national languages, while promoting indigenous languages, cultures, and epistemologies in South Asia. The article critically assesses the adverse impact of British Raj and its education policies, which aimed to produce “Brown Englishmen,” as well as the recent multilingual turn taken by South Asian countries through their language education and language-in-education policies. Additionally, the article discusses the prevailing influence of English due to globalization and general public perception of English proficiency that provides linguistic, cultural, and economic capital. Nine authors from various countries in South Asia critically reflect on the language in education policies and practices, sharing the shortcomings and the way forward. The article reports on the policy practice gap, that despite numerous efforts by South Asian countries to promote and revitalize local languages through policy interventions, many private and public schools are shifting towards English-medium instruction, thereby further marginalizing indigenous languages. The article argues for the decolonial reimagination of language policies and practices. It advocates for the thoughtful implementation of language in education policies to promote local languages, cultures, and epistemologies. The article concludes that, although macro-level policies are progressive, celebrating pluralism and linguistic diversity, these policies do not align with the meso-level (institutional) and micro-level classroom practices of teachers, hindering the preservation of linguistic heritage in South Asia
Split-up Identity: Reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake Geo-critically
Full text linkJhumpa Lahiri’s writings are often marked by the constant tension between domesticity and foreignness, and she has explored this theme through her own multicultural self, which emerges from the crossroads of three different continents. She was born in London to Bengali parents, brought up in New England, USA, and is currently living in Italy, where she writes in the Italian language to forge a deeper connection with it. Her multicultural perspective influences the characters in her fiction and short stories, constantly challenging cultural monopolies and the constraints of identity politics. Her debut fiction, titled The Namesake, explores the problem of ambivalence in multicultural situations, which leads its protagonists into a space of identity crisis. Despite being originally Indian diaspora, Gogol, the male protagonist, looks upon himself as an American. At the same time, his mother Ashima Ganguli remains in the cleavage of anxiety and ambivalence. This predicament can be interpreted as a consequence of the conflict between dominance and disavowal. They work in parallel, leading them to a situation where they are thrown into the site located between becoming and non-becoming. This qualitative paper, which appears to inspire subsequent researchers to explore this field further, seeks to demonstrate geocritically how split identities are constructed in the current context of glocalization and transnationalism. The research will draw on the theoretical frameworks of postcolonial diaspora theories and geocriticism