EPISODE - 20

Patterns of Ordering: Sudden Cooling of Liquids to Form Textured Crystals

Abstract

The discussion will focus on phase transitions, or spontaneous ordering of interacting atoms, on cooling below a transition temperature. Then will show pictures of how sudden cooling of liquids below the crystallization temperature, results in oriented patterns of Domain Walls, that separate domains of competing crystal structures. And how this spontaneous pattern formation can be theoretically understood, through the thermodynamic mantra: Do whatever lowers the Free Energy.

SRS
Prof. Subodh R. Shenoy*, PhD

*Prof. Subodh R. Shenoy is a condensed matter physicist currently working as a Visiting Professor of Physics at TIFR Center for Interdisciplinary Sciences, India. Prof. Shenoy is an elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. He is recepient of numerous prestigious science awards including Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, one of the highest Indian science awards, for his contribution in physical sciences in 1992. He did his B.Sc in Physics at the University of London, and his PhD at Yale University. After a return to India, he has been at TIFR Bombay; the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar; the University of Hyderabad; the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, and IISER Trivandrum. His interests over the past few decades includes a broad canvas of theoretical condensed matter and statistical mechanics.

Date: 26 May, 2018
12 Jestha, 2075

EPISODE - 19

Modern Mass Spectrometry: Applications and Future

Abstract

The mass spectrometer (MS) emerged from physicist research laboratories and was first widely used by chemist and later on by biochemist. The first commercial mass spectrometers were available in the late 1940s. In the last 70 years, the application of MS widened from space research to single cell analysis. These were possible due to the instrumentation advancement on ionization, fragmentation and complex mixture analysis. New generation MS provide high mass accuracy and high mass resolution. The instruments are widely used in food chemistry, quality control, pharmaceutical industry, bacterial identification, label free MS imaging, -omics etc. in future the instrument will be widely used in clinics and development in mini MS with better high mass accuracy, low limit of detection, sensitivity and high mass resolution will open the door for on-site chemical analysis.

DrA
Dhaka Ram Bhandari, PhD*

*Dhaka Ram Bhandari is currently working in Germany as scientific co-worker at Justus Liebig University Giessen. He has completed his Bachelor of pharmaceutical sciences from Pokhara University. He was awarded Erasmus mundus scholarship to study M.Sc. in advance spectroscopy in Chemistry. After his master degree, he joined the mass spectrometry group of Prof. Spengler. Then as a post-doctoral candidate he worked with various companies in europe. His present research of interest include mass spectrometry imaging, metabolomics, lipidomics. He has published around 12 research articles in international peer-review journals.

Date: 03 February, 2018
20 Magh, 2074

EPISODE - 18

Conquering Cancer: A Carcinogenic Story of Habit, Gene, and Beyond

Abstract

The global burden of cancer is steadily increasing with 14 million new cases reported in 2012 which is expected to rise by 70 percent over the next 2 decades. As of now, it is the second leading cause of death. Globally, it was responsible for 8.8 million deaths in 2015 which was nearly 1 out of 6 deaths. Current data suggest that one third of deaths from cancer are because of 5 leading dietary and behavioral risks: tobacco use, alcohol use, lack of physical activity, high body mass index and low fruit and vegetable intake. In low- and middle income countries (LMIC) like ours, cancer causing infections such as hepatitis and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which are largely preventable, account for up to 25 percent of cancer cases. On the other hand, the currently available therapeutic approaches are mostly inadequate especially in advanced cancers. The cost of treatment is a huge issue especially in LMIC where the cancer care remains inaccessible to a large majority. In this context, the importance of cancer prevention can not be overemphasized. Here, we sought to discuss the prevention strategies for some of the most common cancers in order to reduce the morbidities and mortalities associated with them.

NG
Devendra KC*, MD

*Devendra KC, MD is a cancer specialist and a medical practitioner currently based in Houston, Texas, USA. He has over ten years of experience as a medical doctor in Nepal and USA. He has completed MBBS from IOM, TU; Internal Medicine Residency from Nassau University Medical Center, New York; and Leukemia Fellowship from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA. He has authored above eight research articles in international peer-reviewed journals. His research interests and expertise include, but not limited to, Gastroenterology, Hematology, and Clinical Oncology.

Date: 20 January, 2018
06 Magh, 2074

EPISODE - 17

Conservation Research in Nepal: A Case Study of Gyps Vulture

Abstract

More than a decade has passed since the mass mortality or catastrophic population decline in Gyps species was reported from South Asia, but much uncertainty remains about quantifying their short term extinction risk. To monitor the population size and breeding success, we conducted counts at 7 nesting or breeding colonies in Rampur, Palpa, Western Nepal between 2002 to 2012 AD. We compared three methods of estimating abundance based on count data and calculated mean population growth rates and cumulative probabilities of extinction given the abundance estimates from each method. Two traditional methods of abundance estimation were mean and maximum values of all counts. The result of these counts was uncertainty. The mixture modeling approach provided more reliable results. Based on this method there was a 51% of probability of quasi-extinction in 13 years and a 99% probability of quasi-extinction in 18 year. For conservation of species from their disappearing with in 2 decades, conservation managers could use some tools to prevent the loss of species.

MT
Ramji Gautam*

*Ramji Gautam is a conservation biologist currently based in Pokhara. He has over two decades of experience in conservation science and higher education in life science. He is currently a lecturer of zoology in Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara. He has led over six research projects in conservation science with more than twenty peer-reviewed research articles published in national and international research journals. He has been awarded with numerous international grants for his research works.

Date: 13 January, 2018
29 Poush, 2074

EPISODE - 16

Smart “Dhiki-Jaato”: Reviving Indegenious Knowledge Base in Modern Age

Abstract

One half of the talk will mainly focus on research activities in Muroran Institute of Technolgy, Japan, and the existing & future possible research collaboration with Nepalese researchers. The second half of the talk will be on implementation of modern technology to preserve, improvise and continue the use of indegenious traditional knowledge.

KS
Kazuhiko Sato*, PhD
BPG
Bishnu Prasad Gautam*, PhD

*Kazuhiko Sato, PhD is associate professor division of Information and Electronics Engineering, Mororan Institute of Technology, Japan
*Bishnu Prasad Gautam, is professor Faculty of Integrated Media, Wakkanai Hokusei Gakuen University, Japan

Date: 30 December, 2017
15 Poush, 2074