Use of effective microorganisms to enhance cost-effective biogas purification at the household level

Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are effective and tolerant. However, the continuous development of <em>Plasmodium</em> strains resistance to cost effective monotherapies such as chloroquine and sulphadoxinepyrimethamine, remains the greatest setback to the global fight against malaria. Recent studies indicate that <em>Plasmodium</em> parasites are already becoming resistance to ACTs. A number of factors such as poor adherence can cause drug failure. Non-adherence is one of the major challenges facing optimal use of ACTs in real life settings. The objective of this study was to describe and identify factors associated with non-adherence to artemisinin lumefantrine (AL) among malaria-ailing caretakers seen in Nyando district hospital who also had children under the age of five ailing from malaria. From our study we concluded that the consents, follow-ups, strict adherence to the Kenya National Strategy for Control and Treatment of Malaria guidelines and availability of AL during the study may have influenced the observed high adherence rates. Therefore, it is critical to adequately stock health facilities with AL to enhance adherence. More specifically, healthcare providers need to educate malaria-ailing caretakers on the AL regimen as well as its possible side effects to promote adherence to the antimalarial at a household level.

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Handwashing: a household social vaccine against COVID 19 and multiple communicable diseases

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20202565 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 2708

Author(s):

Swayam Pragyan Parida ◽

Vikas Bhatia

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Effective Measure ◽

Household Level ◽

Cost Effective Measure ◽

Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis

Handwashing is the most cost-effective measure for prevention of a wide spectrum of diseases from respiratory, intestinal, soil transmitted helminthiasis, health-care associated illness to infection with pandemic potential like SARS, MERS and COVID 19. Experts view that handwashing can be the greatest investment in the mankind as it reduces under nutrition, morbidity, mortality and paves way for growth, development, educational attainment of people and thereby achieving healthier communities. Though the evidence of handwashing on health is two centuries old but change in human behaviour seems critical in both developing and developed countries. Hand hygiene is rarely practiced during crucial moments and even rarely soap is used. Therefore emphasis should be given towards a societal shift in behaviour change among children, caretakers and people of all age groups. Every school, community and hospital should be provided with Safe water, Sanitation and adequate Hygiene (WASH) services. Hand hygiene to be given top priority in national health plans by which millions of unnecessary deaths and burden on health care system can be avoided. Nevertheless under the looming threat of the current COVID 19 pandemic, where the exact epidemiology is still evolving and a vaccine doesn’t seem feasible as an immediate measure to control the disease, handwashing should be considered as a ‘social vaccine’ for everyone at every household level.

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Hydrogen Sulfide Adsorption by Iron Oxides and Their Polymer Composites: A Case-Study Application to Biogas Purification

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13214725 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (21) ◽

pp. 4725

Author(s):

Camilla Costa ◽

Matteo Cornacchia ◽

Marcello Pagliero ◽

Bruno Fabiano ◽

Marco Vocciante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Surface Area ◽

Fixed Bed ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Chemical Precipitation ◽

Breakthrough Curves ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Precipitation Method ◽

Inert Matrix ◽

Biogas Purification

An experimental study of hydrogen sulfide adsorption on a fixed bed for biogas purification is proposed. The adsorbent investigated was powdered hematite, synthesized by a wet-chemical precipitation method and further activated with copper (II) oxide, used both as produced and after pelletization with polyvinyl alcohol as a binder. The pelletization procedure aims at optimizing the mechanical properties of the pellet without reducing the specific surface area. The active substrate has been characterized in its chemical composition and physical properties by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and N2 physisorption/desorption for the determination of surface area. Both powders and pellets have been tested as sorbents for biogas purification in a fixed bed of a steady-state adsorption column and the relevant breakthrough curves were determined for different operating conditions. The performance was critically analyzed and compared with that typical of other commercial sorbents based on zinc oxide or relying upon specific compounds supported on a chemically inert matrix (SulfaTreat®). The technique proposed may represent a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to commercial sorbents in conventional desulphurization processes.

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Emergency Food Assistance in Northern Syria: An Evaluation of Transfer Programs in Idleb Governorate

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572117700755 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 240-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Shannon Doocy ◽

Hannah Tappis ◽

Emily Lyles ◽

Joseph Witiw ◽

Vicki Aken

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Food Assistance ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Level ◽

Transfer Programs ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Household Food ◽

Voucher Programs ◽

The Impact

Background: The war in Syria has left millions struggling to survive amidst violent conflict, pervasive unemployment, and food insecurity. Although international assistance funding is also at an all-time high, it is insufficient to meet the needs of conflict-affected populations, and there is increasing pressure on humanitarian stakeholders to find more efficient, effective ways to provide assistance. Objective: To evaluate 3 different assistance programs (in-kind food commodities, food vouchers, and unrestricted vouchers) in Idleb Governorate of Syria from December 2014 and March 2015. Methods: The evaluation used repeated survey data from beneficiary households to determine whether assistance was successful in maintaining food security at the household level. Shopkeeper surveys and program monitoring data were used to assess the impact on markets at the district/governorate levels and compare the cost-efficiency and cost-effectiveness of transfer modalities. Results: Both in-kind food assistance and voucher programs showed positive effects on household food security and economic measures in Idleb; however, no intervention was successful in improving all outcomes measured. Food transfers were more likely to improve food access and food security than vouchers and unrestricted vouchers. Voucher programs were found to be more cost-efficient than in-kind food assistance, and more cost-effective for increasing household food consumption. Conclusion: Continuation of multiple types of transfer programs, including both in-kind assistance and vouchers, will allow humanitarian actors to remain responsive to evolving access and security considerations, local needs, and market dynamics.

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Community-Based versus Statistical Targeting of Anti-Poverty Programs: Evidence from Burkina Faso

Journal of African Economies ◽

10.1093/jafeco/ejz026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 271-305

Author(s):

Michael Hillebrecht ◽

Stefan Klonner ◽

Noraogo A Pacere ◽

Aurélia Souares

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Low Income ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Household Survey ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Original Data ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Community Based ◽

Household Level ◽

Poor Households

Abstract Targeting of governmental welfare programmes in low-income countries commonly relies on statistical procedures involving household-level data, while smaller-scale programmes often employ community-based targeting, where village communities themselves identify beneficiaries. Combining original data from community-based targeting exercises in Burkina Faso with a household survey we compare the targeting accuracy of community-based targeting with four common statistical targeting methods when the objective is to target consumption-poor households. We find that community-based targeting is substantially less accurate than statistical targeting in villages, while it is as accurate as the much more costly statistical methods in semi-urban areas. We show that this difference is due to differences in poverty concepts held by rural and urban communities. Its large cost advantage makes community-based targeting far more cost-effective than statistical targeting for common amounts of welfare programme benefits.

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Constraints and opportunities of raw jute production: a household level analysis in Bangladesh

Progressive Agriculture ◽

10.3329/pa.v25i0.24070 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 38-46

Author(s):

S Sheheli ◽

B Roy

Keyword(s):

Production Cost ◽

Impact Analysis ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Structured Interview ◽

High Price ◽

Peak Period ◽

Household Level ◽

Fiber Extraction ◽

The Impact ◽

Level Analysis

The study was conducted to investigate the existing status and practices of jute cultivation. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed by using a structured interview schedule from two villages (Damor and Nathpara) of Kishoregonj sadar upazila of Kishoregonj district at their houses and/or farm sites during April to June 2014. The study confirmed that most farmers have improved their socio-economic conditions through jute cultivation. The impact analysis of jute cultivation on livelihood of jute farmers shows that overall 61% jute farmers have increased overall livelihood from jute cultivation during the last four years (2011-2014). Deshi variety of jute has been widely grown across the region due to its wider adaptability and quality fiber. Jute area has been increased and some rice field has been replaced by jute due to its high demand in country. In addition, farmers are motivated to cultivate jute. But study revealed that productivity ranged from 750 kg to 1022 kg per hectare that are lower than other jute growing areas of Bangladesh. Average cost of production of fiber was estimated at Tk 15/kg. The study indicates that the maximum production cost has involved in fiber extraction (20%) and weeding (20%). The study also revealed that lack of quality seed, high cost of jute production, lack of training facilities, inadequate credit facilities, high disease infestation, high price of inputs, unstable jute price, shortage of labor at peak period, lack of retting water and weed problem were the main constraints in jute production and processing. For the sustain of jute cultivation in the study area, it would be better to provide subsidies on seeds and fertilizer to jute farmers thereby profit margin becomes high and will encourage growers in producing more raw jute within the country for the fulfillment of raw jute requirement of local jute industries. Cost effective technologies have to be developed in jute production and processing aspects for lowering the production cost and increasing the profit margin.Progress. Agric. 2014. 25: 38-46

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A study on water seepage losses for ponds and reservoirs

International Journal of Agricultural Invention ◽

10.46492/ijai/2020.5.2.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (02) ◽

pp. 150-156

Author(s):

Attia El Gayar

Keyword(s):

Water Loss ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Runoff Water ◽

Household Level ◽

Benefit Cost Ratio ◽

Seepage Losses ◽

Agricultural Yield

Irrigation is main factor for agricultural production. Our aim is to increase agricultural yield by increasing area under irrigation. It is very important to see that more water available for irrigation is completely used as far as possible to avoid water loss during conveyance through canal. Seepage loss is major water loss during transit. Rainwater harvesting is the artificial collection, storage and use of runoff or rain water. The water harvesting with tanks and ponds is one option to increase water availability and agricultural production at the household level. Rain fed agriculture can be protected by adopting farm ponds. The harvested runoff water in a farm pond creates salinization / water logging problems so; it has to be lined to control the seepage losses. The article presents a review on the type of lining materials viable and to explore for a cost effective sealant which can be adapted. In comparison to clay lining, Bentonite, polymers like HDPE, LDPE, Silpoulin, LLDPE in combination with concrete increases the durability along with the 100% seepage control with benefit cost ratio for HDPE lining in combination with concrete showed highest value of 10.4:1. Bentonite, though costly has shown significant results by reducing the seepage losses by 72% to 96% respectively, depending on the thickness of application. In vertisols, lining did not show any significant variation. Whereas alfisols, luvisols of arid and semi-arid regions require lining materials with diversified crops and conservative irrigation practices.

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Associations of Nutritional Status with Full Immunization Coverage and Safe Hygiene Practices among Thai Children Aged 12–59 Months

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

Chisa Shinsugi ◽

Ann Mizumoto

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Immunization Coverage ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Child Growth ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Household Level ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

Poor Nutritional Status ◽

Full Immunization

Prevailing prevention measures against morbidity, such as vaccination and safe hygiene practices, vary among local cultural contexts, and little is known about the extent to which these behaviors mitigate poor nutritional status in young children in Southeast Asia. We examined the associations between nutrition status with full immunization coverage, and water, sanitation and hygiene status among children aged 12–59 months in the 2015–2016 Thailand Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (n = 9060). When adjusted for confounding factors, children with incomplete immunization status were more likely to be stunted (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24–1.75, p < 0.001), wasted (aOR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.31–2.12, p < 0.001), and overweight (aOR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.01–1.51, p < 0.05), whereas children who used unimproved water sources were more likely to be overweight (aOR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.27–4.64, p < 0.01). The further implementation of simple and cost-effective health promotion activities and practices at the household level may be important interventions for healthy child growth and development, particularly under restricted living conditions due to COVID-19.

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Socioeconomic and Agroecological Determinants of Conserving Diversity On-farm: The Case of Rice Genetic Resources in Nepal

Nepal Agriculture Research Journal ◽

10.3126/narj.v6i0.3370 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 89-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Devendra Gauchan ◽

Melinda Smale ◽

Nigel Maxted ◽

Mathew Cole ◽

Bhuwon R Sthapit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Resources ◽

Effective Means ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Diversity Indices ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Household Decision ◽

Household Level ◽

On Farm Conservation ◽

On Farm ◽

Rice Diversity

Conservation of crop genetic resources presents a challenge of identifying specific determinantsdriving maintenance of diversity at farm and agroecosystems. The objectives of this study were toidentify socioeconomic, market and agroecological determinants of farmers’ maintenance of ricediversity at the household level and derive implications for policies in designing on-farmconservation programs. We assess spatial rice diversity at farm level using household surveydata. A household decision making model is conceptualised using microeconomic theory to assessand identify factors influencing on-farm rice diversity. The model is then tested econometrically byusing various factors affecting farmers’ variety choice and diversity decisions. The findings showthat household-specific socioeconomic, agroecological and market factors are important indetermining on-farm rice diversity. The significant variables in explaining richness and evenness ofrice diversity include distance to the nearest market, subsistence ratio, modern variety sold, landtypes and adult labour working in agriculture. The statistical signs of the factors determining ricediversity are consistent in explaining the richness, dominance and evenness among rice varieties.Finally, the study implies that the cost-effective means of promoting and sustaining on-farmconservation programmes is to target them in market isolated geographic locations of high cropdiversity where farm households have more heterogeneity of agroecological conditions and moreactive family adult labour working on-farm.Key words: Diversity indices; dominance; evenness; on-farm conservation; rice diversity; richnessDOI: 10.3126/narj.v6i0.3370Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol.6 2005 pp.49-5

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Adsorption Studies for Arsenic Removal Using ActivatedMoringa oleifera

International Journal of Chemical Engineering ◽

10.1155/2014/430417 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

T. Sumathi ◽

G. Alagumuthu

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Langmuir Isotherm ◽

Moringa Oleifera ◽

Arsenic Removal ◽

Low Cost ◽

Freundlich Isotherm ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Batch Experiments ◽

Household Level ◽

Kinetics Studies

A new low cost adsorbent, activatedMoringa oleiferahas been developed for aqueous arsenic removal. Batch experiments were revealed that As removal was up to 71.3% using activatedMoringa oleifera. Kinetics studies revealed that Langmuir isotherm was followed with a better correlation than the Freundlich isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters such asΔH,ΔS, andΔGwere computed from the experimental data. These values show that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous in nature. Thus, this recently developed cost-effective novel biosorbent, activatedMoringa oleiferacan be used as household level to mitigate the arsenic problem.

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