TECH PRIOR

Sunday, July 16, 2017

An Explorer of the Gobi Desert

Dr. Roy Andrews and his party of forty men have traveled in a great caravan, of seven automobiles and one hundred twenty-five camels, into the Gobi Desert of China. The are searching for skeletons of men and animals that are supposed to have lived millions of years ago. They are examining the rocky places and digging deeply into the sand for relics.

First the explorers found bits of jewelry that were made of ostrich egg shells. There were holes in the shells where they had been fastened together. Soon after this the party discovered dinosaur eggs in a ledge of rock. Those eggs were the first ones that had ever been found although the skeletons of dinosaurs have been discovered in many parts of the world. Today you may see this ledge of rock containing the eggs in the museum in New York City.

Lately they discovered the skull and bones of the largest animals that lived. These bones were sent to the New York museum, too. since there was no picture of this strange beast called the baluchiterium, it was a puzzle to match and fit the bones together.

When it was finished it looked like an elephant without a trunk. It is like a giraffe without a long neck. It is like each one and yet it is very different. Although Dr. Andrews has not found the skeletons of men his work is very valuable for he thinks that he has found the place where the oldest race in the world once lived.

Sheep, Autumn

9:37 AM By Sujan Neupane

“Sheep, Autumn”, was painted by a Dutch artist whose name was Anton Maure. A weary white-haired farmer is returning home from the hills where he has been watching his flock of sheep. In his right arm he has a baby lamb.

He holds a crooked stick in his left arm. Running along beside the shepherd is a brave helpful dog. The tired lambs trudge along behind because they can’t keep up with the others. I think this picture is very interesting because it shows a shepherd in Holland.

Jack Edwards

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Edgar Small The heroes of this story by Mark Twain are Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Tome and Huck were treasure hunting. They decided to try the haunted house first. Upon entering they crept upstairs to explore. They went into a closet which promised mystery. But the promise was a fraud -- ther was nothin in it. The wer about to go down stairs when ---- “Sh ! ---

There !---Hear it?” “Yes!---Oh, my ! Let’s run!” “Keep still! Don’t budge they’re coming toward the door.” The boys stretched themselves upon the floor with their eyes glued to knot-holes in the planking, and lay waiting in misery and fear for the worst to happen. If you would like to know the outcome of this incident read, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, by Mark Twain.

- Edgar Small

How The Discovery of Electricity Took Place?

8:21 AM By Sujan Neupane

In the old Quaker city of Philadelphia the people were laughing at a man named Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin who is now known as the famous discoverer of electricity. One day the people brought news that Mr. Franklin was making a kite.

The people did not laugh because they thought it was a kite that was being made for a boy. Another day the people that passed Benjamin’s house said that he was flying it. The people laughed because it seemed foolish for a grown man to fly a kite. Mr. Franklin made his kite out of silk handkerchiefs, with a hemp string fro flying.

At the bottom of the string he attached a metal key and a silk cord to hold on to. One day when it was thundering and lightning Benjamin flew his kite. he was happy because no one saw him. As the first cloud passed by nothing happened. When the second cloud passed, he felt a shock as he touched the key. At last he had proven to himself that lightning was electricity.

Later he built lightning rods to protect the houses from burning. His name then became known all over the United Sates and Europe. We still honor the name of Benjamin Franklin.

Dairy Development in Nepal

1:45 AM By Sujan Neupane

Overview of the sector

Livestock sector significantly contributes to national AGDP by nearly one third and the dairy sub-sector shares more than half of the livestock sector contribution.
The annual production of milk is 1.35 million metric ton per year. Buffaloes contributes more than two third of the total .production and rest by cows.
About 13 percent of the total population of cattle (0.9 million) and 26 percent of buffaloes (1.19 million) are in milking conditions. Crossbreeding with Jersey and Holstein Friesian cattle and Murrah buffaloes is the major breed improvement activity.
There is predominance of small holder production system. Nearly 125 thousand farm families are engaged in milk production and are organized in about 1500 primary cooperatives.

Production system is crop-livestock-forest integrated especially in hills. In the high mountains regions, yak and chauries are reared in transhumance system. There is seasonal fluctuation in milk production and collection which affects supply of pasteurized milk in the market (flush season; August-September to January-February; lean season; rest of the months). The ratio of lean to flush season production is about 1:3 in most of the country and 1:1.5 in areas where the feed supply is better. Seasonal breeding pattern of buffaloes and avilability of green forages in monsoon season are the main reasons.

Dairy development efforts started in early fifties with assistance from FAO. Initiatives were focused in Himalayan region with establishment of yak cheese factories.
Besides FAO, bilateral assistance from the governments of Switzerland, New Zealand and Denmark has made remarkable contribution.
Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) was established under corporation Act in 1964. DDC started functioning from 1969. DDC is the pioneer in dairy development in Nepal a fully government state owned corporation DDC was initiated for the economic advancement of the poor small milk producing farming communities. It is still one of the major players in the milk market and handles about half of the total milk marketed in the formal sector (about 13 percent of the total milk produced in the country is believed to be marketed through formal marketing channel.
Private sector investment in dairy has increased over the years and in past two decades their share has increased to nearly half of the total milk marketed in formal sector. Main operation area is in and around Kathmandu which is the major market for milk and milk products.
The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) was established as apex body to oversee that dairy sector in the country 1992. The DANNIDA Support Project funded by the Royal Danish Government supported to prepare and implement Ten Year Dairy Development Plan (1990-2000) and strengthened NDDB.

Status and the structure of the current dairy strategy

Promoting private sector investment in dairy sector has resulted in establishment of two milk powder plants with installed capacity to utilize nearly 200 thousand liter milk per day.
Public-private partnership strategy promoted by the DLS in ADB supported TLDP and CLDP projects has been useful in expansion of milk collection networks, raising awareness in hygienic milk production, products diversifications, improving keeping quality of milk and strengthening management capabilities of dairy cooperatives and private dairies (small and medium scale).
Milk Producers Cooperatives Societies involvement in milk processing and marketing (large scale) is constrained by limited investment capacity and technical capability.
Provisions of the Agribusiness Policy on promotion of dairy industry are not fully operational (for e.g. waiver of customs duties on import of dairy equipment, refrigerated vehicles and so on for first 10 years of establishment of the industry).
Human resources development in dairy sector have not received due priority there is lack of qualified professionals in the public as well as in the private sector.
Forage based milk production system although found remunerative to the producers has not widely been expanded and is limited in some of the production pockets.
Adoption of code of practices in dairy industries and its monitoring/ regulation has not been implemented effectively. There are wide variations in the quality of milk and milk products in the market.

Policies affecting dairy sector

Dairy Development Policy 2008; main policy document of the government; guided by the provisions and the spirit of the Agriculture Perspective Plan (1995-2015), National Agriculture Policy 2004, National Milk marketing and Strategy Study 2001, Agri-business Promotion Policy 2006. The Three Year Interim Plan (2007-2009) of the Government of Nepal has also projected to have fairly higher growth rate in milk production (4.6 percent per annum).
Policies of the government on meeting food security arising from the global food grain crisis and the priorities accorded for securing food grains production will affect the public sector investment in dairy sector.
Improvement in access to institutional credit and the associated credit insurance/ livestock insurance schemes/ policies of the financial institutions will have positive implications on dairy production.

Major constraints

Scientific milk pricing policy is lacking. A persistent problem the dairy industry faces is poor milk quality. This is associated with a lack of farmer awareness in clean milk production. Unhygienic milk production starts with the farmer and causes loss of income along the milk chain.
Predominance of small holder producers or subsistence production systems and scattered production; no commercial orientation, higher production cost and also increased collection cost
Large number of low producing animals; cattle produce about 400 liters milk per lactation and a buffalo produce about 834 liters per lactation.
NDDB (2001) estimated that during the next decade, milk demand from the urban sector will grow by 11.1% per annum (NDDB, 2001). This indicates that the present growth rate in milk production must increase from 3% per annum to 17% per annum (when imports are excluded).
Problems in disposal of unproductive cattle on religious ground.
Weak in implementation of policy provisions.
Lack of human resources and technology support in private sector

Long term vision for the sector

Substitute the import of milk and milk products in the country through increased production and productivity of milk
Encourage private sector investment in dairy sector; product diversification, export of niche products.
Emphasis on quality improvement in whole chain from farm to fork (introduction of code of hygienic practices, GMP, HACCP in dairy industries).
Implement scientific milk pricing policies that encourage quality milk production
Improve the competitiveness of Nepalese dairy producers/ entrepreneurs; efficient animal breeding and veterinary services, promotion of forage based production etc.
Strengthening of farmers institutions and improving their capabilities.
Continuously review and update the policies to make Nepalese dairy sector competitive.
Nationwide detailed market survey study on milk and milk products should be carried out to undertake appropriate dairy development strategies and program.
NDDB has to formulate and recommend policies on import and export of goods necessary for production and promotion of milk and milk products and to or cause to implement approved policies.

Diabetes in Nepal – Future and Perspectives

1:42 AM By Sujan Neupane

Before We Start Think Yourself
• What are the three main diabetes-related problems in your area?

• Which groups are the worst-affected or the most vulnerable in relation to each of these problems?

• What solutions to these problems are already in place?

• From your point of view, what solutions could be implemented? What are your expectations in relation to the management of this disease?

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

• Genetic susceptibility
• Increasing age
• Reduced physical activity
• Central obesity
• CV disease & HTN
• Low birth weight
• Medications

800,000 diabetic people in Nepal

• Almost Half undiagnosed

• Estimated cost to economy 10,000,000,000 NRs (140 million US$) every year

• Those undiagnosed develop complications

• Premature death of adult at the peak of their career

NATIONAL LIST OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS

NEPAL (Third Revision) 2002 18.5 Insulins & Antidiabetic drugs
• Insulin - injection (soluble) - injection, 40 IU / ml in 10- ml vial,
• Intermediate acting insulin - injection, 40 IU / ml in 10- ml vial,
(as compound insulin zinc suspension or isophane insuline ) • Metformin - tablet, 500mg
• Glibenclamide - tablet, 2.5mg, 5 mg
• Protamine Zinc Insulin – injection - 40 IU / ml (long acting) 100 IU / ml in 10- ml vials
• Complementary list: – Glipizide - tablet, 2.5 mg, 5 mg
Local Self Governance Act (LSGA) 1999 Health Systems Decentralization
• Decentralizing local health facilities to local bodies to
– promote efficiency
– generate financial resources
– encourage people’s participants
– Enhance management capacity.
• 1433 health facilities from 28 districts have been handed over to local bodies
• Encouraging results but political process stuck at the local level which has impeded this Diabetes clinics
• Bir Hospital
• TU Teaching Hospital
• Patan Hospital
• Ganga Lal Hospital
• Other private hospital

MANGO - Is is good for health?

1:33 AM By Sujan Neupane

The mango is a stone fruit which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, which are flowering plants that produce fruits. Mangos are native to south Asia and is the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Since the mango leaves are considered toxic and can kill cattle or other grazing livestock, mango growers and livestock owners need to be mindful about not locating grazing areas near mango groves and not feed production discards to animals. Global production of mangos has doubled in the last thirty years. Most mango production is centered in India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, and Mexico, but there are currently more than 90 countries that grow mangos commercially. Countries in the Americas and Africa produce a small percentage of the world’s mango crop each year—13 percent Fig 1 - Top Mango Producing States in the US and 10 percent, respectively. Asia, where the mango is native, is the largest mango-producing region, producing 77 percent of global supply annually. Within the U.S., a limited number of mangos are grown in Florida, Hawaii, California, and Puerto Rico (Fig 1). U.S. commercial production of mangos began with the introduction of the Haden variety of mango in 1863 in Miami. International mango trade is increasing, with exports sold to European and U.S. markets. Most of the mangos sold in the United States are imported from Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, Haiti, and Mexico. Eighty-six percent of the mangos imported into the U.S. are supplied by Mexico, making this country the largest supplier to the United States. Mango trees are deep-rooted evergreens that can grow to be very large. Depending on the variety, these trees can grow as tall as 90 feet with a canopy width of up to 80 feet and have leaves that are 12 to 16 inches long. Today the most popular cultivated mango varieties include: Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Kent, Osteen, Haden, and Valencia Pride. Mangos have two growing seasons - spring through summer and fall through winter. Due to the alternate harvest times in the various growing regions around the world, the fruit is available year-round to U.S. consumers. The immature fruit has green skin that gradually turns yellow, orange, purple, red, or combinations of these colors as the fruit matures. Mature fruit has a characteristic fragrance and a smooth, thin, tough skin. The pale yellow or orange flesh of ripe mangos is juicy, sweet, and sometimes fibrous.

Looking Back Tech 2016

10:31 AM By Sujan Neupane

This was a historic year, but not always in a good way. Trump was elected, Brexit happened, there were repeated terror attacks in Europe, Aleppo was turned to rubble and David Bowie died. These were events that shook the world, but it was also a year in which the media itself became the news. Post-truth, the Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year, reflects a world where “objective facts have become less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion”. Experts and commentators were denigrated and at least some the news itself turned out to be not just biased but fake. BuzzFeed’s forensic uncovering of the mechanics of this phenomenon1 marked giant steps for this emerging news brand and a huge statement too about how journalistic investigations are now increasingly about following and interrogating data. In sharp contrast, we saw intense soul-searching by traditional media over how they could have become so out of touch and how they missed/misjudged these stories – with trust amongst old and young falling to historic lows. For many this was evidence of the corrupting nature of the internet. Were media companies too distracted by trends and technology? Were they part of their own filter bubble? Did they forget to talk to real people? But part of the analysis also reminded us of the structural and economic backdrop; how hollowed out journalism has become, particularly outside metropolitan centres. A double-digit drop in print advertising revenues in many markets led to consolidation, job cuts and closures in the traditional media while it has become ever clearer throughout the year how big tech platforms are able to leverage their scale to drive the majority of online advertising revenue. In the United States, almost all the growth (99%) in digital advertising went to Google or Facebook between the third quarter of 2015 and the same period in 2016. Publishers ended the year desperately trying to work out how they can make money as we move faster than ever from print to digital and from an internet of websites to an internet of smartphone apps and social platforms.