Domestic Violence against Women

PEMA DEMA 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2015 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 학술대회자료집 Vol.2015 No.1

The prevalence of domestic abuse against women has been estimated as high as one in four. The risk is particularly high for women who are younger, economically dependent, unemployed and with children. Research about the factors that maintain situations of abuse has generally focused separately on the coping strategies of women, barriers to leaving the relationship and the perpetrators’ means of abuse. In this paper I will share different types of violence and different causes of domestic violence.

Membrane capacitive deionisation as an alternative to the 2nd pass for seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant for bromide removal

Dorji, Pema,Choi, Jongmoon,Kim, David Inhyuk,Phuntsho, Sherub,Hong, Seungkwan,Shon, Ho Kyong Elsevier 2018 Desalination Vol.433 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Most Australian surface and ground waters have relatively high concentration of bromide between 400 and 8000 μg/L and even higher concentration in seawater between 60,000–78,000 μg/L. Although bromide is not regulated, even at low concentrations of 50–100 μg/L, it can lead to the formation of several types of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) during the disinfection process. One of the major concerns with brominated DBPs is the formation of bromate (BrO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP>), a serious carcinogen that is formed when water containing a high concentration of bromide is disinfected. As a result, bromate is highly regulated in Australian water standards with the maximum concentration of 20 μg/L in the drinking water. Since seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plays an important role in augmenting fresh water supplies in Australia, SWRO plants in Australia usually adopt 2nd pass brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) for effective bromide removal, which is not only energy-intensive to operate but also has higher capital cost. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of membrane capacitive deionisation (MCDI) as one of the alternatives to the 2nd pass BWRO for effective bromide removal in a more energy efficient way.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Energy efficient SWRO was investigated. </LI> <LI> Demonstrated practical application of MCDI for bromide removal </LI> <LI> A significant reduction in energy consumption compared to 2nd pass RO </LI> <LI> Significantly low concentration of bromide can be obtained in the product water. </LI> <LI> RO-MCDI hybrid is proposed as a favourable alternative to 2nd pass RO. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Domestic Violence in Bhutan

Yangchi Pema 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 2017 이화여자대학교 아시아여성학센터 학술대회자료집 Vol.2017 No.7

There is a well-known Bhutanese proverb “Kha dha lhab thab dha lu kili dzu kha” which literally means when the mouth and hand argues the elbow is a nuisance. The mouth and hand signifies husband and wife while the elbow is an outsider interfering in a family quarrel. This proverb summarizes a common Bhutanese person`s take on Domestic Violence (DV). DV has always been considered a “personal” affair. We are advised by our elders to remain oblivious to a man beating his wife. Once the couple reconciles, which they will, you become the enemy. However, to eradicate this “personal” problem, it is very crucial that we look at it from a wider angle. DV has today become a biggest form of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country, it is closely related with the growing suicide problem in the country1; attributing towards the increasing violence on children ; high interrelatedness with alcohol and substance abuse; is one the factors of the rising crime rates among Bhutanese youth4. Keeping this is mind, a broader perspective in terms of political means, actions and solutions is required and not a sweep under the carpet.

Bromide and iodide selectivity in membrane capacitive deionisation, and its potential application to reduce the formation of disinfection by-products in water treatment

Dorji, Pema,Kim, David Inhyuk,Jiang, Jiaxi,Choi, Jongmoon,Phuntsho, Sherub,Hong, Seungkwan,Shon, Ho Kyong Pergamon Press 2019 Chemosphere Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The formation of toxic disinfection by-products during water disinfection due to the presence of bromide and iodide is a major concern. Current treatment technologies such as membrane, adsorption and electrochemical processes have been known to have limitations such as high energy demand and excessive chemical use. In this study, the selectivity between bromide and iodide, and their removal in membrane capacitive deionisation (MCDI) was evaluated. The results showed that iodide was more selectively removed over bromide from several binary feed waters containing bromide and iodide under various initial concentrations and applied voltages. Even in the presence of significant background concentration of sodium chloride, definite selectivity of iodide over bromide was observed. The high partial-charge transfer coefficient of iodide compared to bromide could be a feasible explanation for high iodide selectivity since both bromide and iodide have similar ionic charge and hydrated radius. The result also shows that MCDI can be a potential alternative for the removal of bromide and iodide during water treatment.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Bromide and iodide selectivity in MCDI were systematically assessed. </LI> <LI> MCDI can significantly reduce bromide and iodide concentration in the water. </LI> <LI> Iodide showed preferential adsorption compared to bromide. </LI> <LI> Electronegativity of ions can also affect ion selectivity in MCDI. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Supplementation of Type 1 Diabetic Rats with Carrot Powder Lowers Blood Glucose without Improving Cardiac Structure and Function

Xavier Lieben Louis,Pema Raj,Kathleen J. McClinton,Liping Yu,Miyoung Suh,Thomas Netticadan 한국식품영양과학회 2018 Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Vol.23 No.2

Foods and food bioactives have shown to be effective in preventing some human disease conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of carrot powder, rich in carotenoids, as a dietary supplement for the prevention of cardiac anomalies in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 1 diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were fed either control or carrot powder containing diet for 3 weeks. Type 1 diabetes was induced with STZ injection (65 mg/kg body weight) in half of the rats in each group. All rats were continued on their respective diet for a further 9 weeks. Cardiac structural and functional parameters were measured using echocardiography at 8 weeks post STZ administration. In comparison to non-diabetic rats, diabetic rats showed significant increase in isovolumetric relaxation time and a significant decrease in systolic function parameter, cardiac output. Left ventricular internal dimension and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were significantly higher in diabetic animals. Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in carrot supplemented diabetic rats when compared with non-treated diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated and untreated had elevated level of lipid peroxidation. Catalase levels were significantly elevated in the carrot powder supplemented diabetic rats when compared to the control rats. Carrot supplementation lowered blood glucose levels significantly but did not normalize it to control levels. It had no effect on cardiac abnormalities and anti-oxidant status in rats with type 1 diabetes.

Reuse of municipal wastewater via membrane capacitive deionization using ion-selective polymer-coated carbon electrodes in pilot-scale

Kim, David Inhyuk,Dorji, Pema,Gwak, Gimun,Phuntsho, Sherub,Hong, Seungkwan,Shon, Hokyong Elsevier 2019 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL -LAUSANNE- Vol.372 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigated membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) at a pilot-scale using ion-selective polymer-coated carbon electrodes for wastewater reuse. Several issues have been addressed to verify the suitability of MCDI for wastewater reclamation: electrosorption performance, removal efficiency and selectivity of ions present in wastewater, optimization of operating conditions, and performance degradation in long-term caused by the accumulation of organic contaminants. The coated electrodes had better adsorption capacities and charge efficiencies than the conventional MCDI system, which was attributed to their low electrical resistance induced by the thin coated layer. The pilot-scale MCDI test cell involved 50 pairs of anion- and cation-selective electrodes and achieved good removal efficiency of ions from the wastewater effluent, particularly for problematic charged impurities, such as nitrate (NO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP>) (up to 91.08% of NO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> was removed). Increasing the flow rate and reducing the applied potential were shown to be efficient for achieving better water quality by enhancing the NO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> selectivity. Last, the 15 d operation showed good reproducibility in electrosorption and regeneration for the coated electrodes, despite the fact that high concentrations of organics were contained in the wastewater feed solution (12.4 mg/L of dissolved organic carbon).</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> MCDI was probed for wastewater reuse in pilot-scale using ion selective electrodes. </LI> <LI> The coated electrodes showed better performance attributing to its low resistivity. </LI> <LI> NO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> was selectively removed attributing to its high permselectivity through AEM. </LI> <LI> Faster flow rate and lower potential enhanced NO<SUB>3</SUB> <SUP>−</SUP> selectivity in single-pass mode. </LI> <LI> The flat coated layer kept organic substances from accumulating on the surface. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Knowledge and Awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccine among Women in Two Distinct Nepali Communities

Johnson, Derek Christopher,Bhatta, Madhav Prasad,Gurung, Santosh,Aryal, Shilu,Lhaki, Pema,Shrestha, Sadeep Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.19

Background: This study assessed human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine knowledge and awareness among women in two sub-populations in Nepal - Khokana, a traditional Newari village in the Lalitpur District about eight kilometers south of Kathmandu, and Sanphebagar, a village development committee within Achham District in rural Far-Western Nepal. Methods: Study participants were recruited during health camps conducted by Nepal Fertility Care Center, a Nepali non-governmental organization. Experienced staff administered a Nepali language survey instrument that included questions on socio-demographics, reproductive health and knowledge on HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Results: Of the 749 participants, 387 (51.7%) were from Khokana and 362 (48.3%) were from Sanphebagar. Overall, 53.3% (n=372) of women were aware of cervical cancer with a significant difference between Khokana and Sanphebagar (63.3% vs 43.0%; p=0.001). Overall, 15.4% (n=107) of women had heard of HPV and 32% (n=34) of these women reported having heard of the HPV vaccine. If freely available, 77.5% of the women reported willingness to have their children vaccinated against HPV. Factors associated with cervical cancer awareness included knowledge of HPV (Khokana: Odds Ratio (OR)=24.5; (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.1-190.2, Sanphebagar: OR=14.8; 95% CI: 3.7-58.4)) and sexually transmitted infections (Khokana: OR=6.18; 95% CI: 3.1-12.4; Sanphebagar: OR=17.0; 95% CI: 7.3-39.7) among other risk factors. Conclusions: Knowledge and awareness of HPV, cervical cancer, and the HPV vaccine remains low among women in Khokana and Sanphebagar. Acceptance of a freely available HPV vaccine for children was high, indicating potentially high uptake rates in these communities.