scholarly journals Environmental factors and hygiene behaviors associated with facial cleanliness and trachoma in Kongwa, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. e0009902
Author(s):  
Xinyi Chen ◽  
Beatriz Munoz ◽  
Meraf A. Wolle ◽  
Geordie Woods ◽  
Michelle Odonkor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Piped Water ◽  
Clean Face

Background Having a clean face is protective against trachoma. In the past, long distances to water were associated with unclean faces and increased trachoma. Other environmental factors have not been extensively explored. We need improved clarity on the environmental factors associated with facial cleanliness and trachoma prevalence, especially when the disease burden is low. Methodology/Principle findings A cross-sectional survey focusing on household environments was conducted in all 92 villages in Kongwa, Tanzania, in a random selection of 1798 households. Children aged 0–5 years in these households were examined for facial cleanliness. In each of the 50 randomly-selected villages, 50 children aged 1–9 years were randomly selected and examined for trachoma. In a multivariate model adjusting for child age, we found that children were more likely to have clean faces if the house had a clean yard (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.37–1.91), an improved latrine (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.22), and greater water storage capacity (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04), and if there were clothes washed and drying around the house (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54). However, measures of crowding, wealth, time spent on obtaining water, or the availability of piped water was not associated with clean faces. Using a cleanliness index (clean yard, improved latrine, washing clothes, ≥1 child in the household having a clean face), the community prevalence of trachoma decreased with an increase in the average value of the index (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.17–4.80). Conclusions/Significance Access to water is no longer a significant limiting factor in children’s facial cleanliness in Kongwa. Instead, water storage capacity and the way that water is utilized are more important in facial cleanliness. A household cleanliness index with a holistic measure of household environment is associated with reduced community prevalence of trachoma.

scholarly journals Laboratory model test study of the hydrological effect on granite residual soil slopes considering different vegetation types

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Xue-wen Lei ◽  
Han-lin Zhang ◽  
Zhi Lin ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root System ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Granite Residual Soil ◽  
Stem Leaf

AbstractThe problems caused by the interaction between slopes and hydrologic environment in traffic civil engineering are very serious in the granite residual soil area of China, especially in Guangdong Province. Against the background of two heavy rainfall events occurring during a short period due to a typhoon making landfall twice or even two typhoons consecutively making landfall, laboratory model tests were carried out on the hydrological effects of the granite residual soil slope considering three vegetation types under artificial rainfall. The variation in slope surface runoff, soil moisture content and rain seepage over time was recorded during the tests. The results indicate that surface vegetation first effectively reduces the splash erosion impact of rainwater on slopes and then influences the slope hydrological effect through rainwater forms adjustment. (1) The exposed slope has weak resistance to two consecutive heavy rains, the degree of slope scouring and soil erosion damage will increase greatly during the second rainfall. (2) The multiple hindrances of the stem leaf of Zoysia japonica plays a leading role in regulating the hydrological effect of slope, the root system has little effect on the permeability and water storage capacity of slope soil, but improves the erosion resistance of it. (3) Both the stem leaf and root system of Nephrolepis cordifolia have important roles on the hydrological effect. The stem leaf can stabilize the infiltration of rainwater, and successfully inhibit the surface runoff under continuous secondary heavy rainfall. The root system significantly enhances the water storage capacity of the slope, and greatly increases the permeability of the slope soil in the second rainfall, which is totally different from that of the exposed and Zoysia japonica slopes. (4) Zoysia is a suitable vegetation species in terms of slope protection because of its comprehensive slope protection effect. Nephrolepis cordifolia should be cautiously planted as slope protection vegetation. Only on slopes with no stability issues should Nephrolepis cordifolia be considered to preserve soil and water.

scholarly journals Urban water storage capacity inferred from observed evapotranspiration recession

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harro Joseph Jongen ◽  
Gert-Jan Steeneveld ◽  
Jason Beringer ◽  
Andreas Christen ◽  
Krzysztof Fortuniak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Storage Capacity

Urban water storage capacity inferred from observed evapotranspiration recession 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harro Jongen ◽  
Gert-Jan Steeneveld ◽  
Jason Beringer ◽  
Krzysztof Fortuniak ◽  
Jinkyu Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Vegetation Fraction ◽  
Local Climate Zones ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Neighborhood Scale

<p>The amount and dynamics of urban water storage play an important role in mitigating urban flooding and heat. Assessment of the capacity of cities to store water remains challenging due to the extreme heterogeneity of the urban surface. Evapotranspiration (ET) recession after rainfall events during the period without precipitation, over which the amount of stored water gradually decreases, can provide insight on the water storage capacity of urban surfaces. Assuming ET is the only outgoing flux, the water storage capacity can be estimated based on the timescale and intercept of its recession. In this paper, we test the proposed approach to estimate the water storage capacity at neighborhood scale with latent heat flux data collected by eddy covariance flux towers in eleven contrasting urban sites with different local climate zones, vegetation cover and characteristics and background climates (Amsterdam, Arnhem, Basel, Berlin, Helsinki, Łódź, Melbourne, Mexico City, Seoul, Singapore, Vancouver). Water storage capacities ranging between 1 and 12 mm were found. These values correspond to e-folding timescales lasting from 2 to 10 days, which translate to half-lives of 1.5 to 7 days. We find ET at the start of a drydown to be positively related to vegetation fraction, and long timescales and large storage capacities to be associated with higher vegetation fractions. According to our results, urban water storage capacity is at least one order of magnitude smaller than the known water storage capacity in natural forests and grassland.</p>

scholarly journals Awareness Regarding Implant Supported Dental Prosthesis; A Survey In Tertiary Care Set Up

2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 250-253
Author(s):  
Anum Baqar ◽  
Saman Hakeem ◽  
Farnaz Ilyas ◽  
Abid Mohsin ◽  
Fatima Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dental Implant ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dental Hospital ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Systemic Health ◽  
Implant Treatment

Objective: This research was aimed to assess the awareness and attitude regarding implant-retained prosthesis as the most advanced option for tooth replacement amongst residents of Karachi visiting tertiary care centre. Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the department of Prosthodontics at Bahria University Dental Hospital, Karachi. Undertaking the demographic characteristics of patients, the objective was to determine the awareness and attitude toward implant supported prosthesis. Results: Amongst 380 responses retrieved, 9.8% of respondents were aware about the dental implant treatment. While correlating awareness with demographics features, awareness statistically increased with educational level (p= 0.00) and occupational category(p=0.01) of the participants. The friends and relative s(40.5%) were the main source of information regarding dental implant treatment modality. 54.1% were unwilling to undergo treatment with dental implant whereas high cost (55.2%)was the major limiting factor for implant treatment. 64.9% demanded dental insurance for getting the treatment. 45.9% had no knowledge regarding maintenance of implant supported prosthesis .73.0% had no idea regarding longevity of dental implant where as 86.5% were unaware of it’s impact on systemic health. Conclusion: The overall awareness regarding implant supported prosthesis was found to be minimal. This underlines the need of efforts and measures that should be made to raise the awareness and thus alter attitude towards dental implant therapy. Expensive rates (55.2%) was found to be the major limiting factor that should be relieved in the form of health insurance policies, especially in the developing countries like ours.

scholarly journals Does Mixing Tree Species Affect Water Storage Capacity of the Forest Floor? Laboratory Test of Pine-Oak and Fir-Beech Litter Layers

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1674
Author(s):  
Anna Ilek ◽  
Małgorzata Szostek ◽  
Anna Mikołajczyk ◽  
Marta Rajtar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Pine Needles ◽  
Litter Layer ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Organic Debris

During the last decade, tree species mixing has been widely supported as a silvicultural approach to reduce drought stress. However, little is known on the influence of tree species mixing on physical properties and the water storage capacity of forest soils (including the forest floor). Thus, the study aimed to analyze the effect of mixing pine needles and oak leaves and mixing fir needles and beech leaves on hydro-physical properties of the litter layer during laboratory tests. We used fir-beech and pine-oak litter containing various shares of conifer needles (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100%) to determine the influence of the needle admixture on bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, water storage capacity, the amount of water stored in pores between organic debris and the degree of saturation of mixed litter compared to broadleaf litter (oak or beech). We found that the admixture of fir needles increased the bulk density of litter from 7.9% with a 5% share of needles to 55.5% with a 50% share (compared to pure beech litter), while the share of pine needles < 40% caused a decrease in bulk density by an average of 3.0–11.0% (compared to pure oak litter). Pine needles decreased the water storage capacity of litter by about 13–14% with the share of needles up to 10% and on average by 28% with the 40 and 50% shares of pine needles in the litter layer. Both conifer admixtures reduced the amount of water stored in the pores between organic debris (pine needles more than fir needles).

scholarly journals Teacher Qualifications and Academic Performance of Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Hargeisa District

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulled M. Yasin
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Teacher Qualifications ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Teacher Qualification

This study investigated effect of teacher qualifications on the academic performance of pupils in primary schools in Hargeisa districts. Teacher qualifications were operationalized as Formal education, certification and teaching experience. The study emerged from the deteriorating academic achievement of pupils in Somaliland National Primary Examinations. The deteriorating academic performance was well demonstrated from increase number of failures in Somaliland National Exams. The study employed cross sectional survey research design, on a sample of 160 teachers, the study found out that, Fo = 15.838 &gt; F (2,157) = 3.06; p = .000. The eta-square returned an average value of η 2 = 16.8%. Therefore, teacher qualification accounts for 16.8% of the variance in academic performance of pupils in pubic primary schools in Hargeisa. The rest 83.2% are due to factors not investigated here, and errors in measurements. The study findings indicate that teacher qualifications affect to the academic performance of pupils in public primary schools in Hargeisa District.

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