ABSTRACT Oil refinery sludge (ORS) management is a global concern, yet information on its low-cost biotransformation possibility is fairly limited. We present a novel approach for ORS mitigation by ...Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae and aerobic composting (AC) in producing clean aqueous extracts (compost teas). Detailed physicochemical characterization, phytotoxicity assays, economic feasibility comparisons, and mathematical equation-based environmental and human health hazard prediction studies were done for all the earthworm and non-earthworm processed compost teas. The E. eugeniae-compost tea reduced Cr, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn contents by 52.7, 61.2, 41.8, 80, and 93.8%, respectively. The earthworm-sourced teas showed lower ecological risk (<300) than their aerobic counterparts. Seed germination in Pisum sativum and Cicer arietinum was 2–2.5 folds higher with vermi-derived tea application. Economic assessments illustrated the superiority of E. eugeniae-based biotransformation with higher cash flow and a lower payback time of 1.53 years. The mathematical predictions on human health showed no alarming status for any of the vermi/aerobic compost teas. Overall results implied that vermicomposting is safer and more beneficial than AC in the ORS bioconversion. However, this study warrants further research in exploring the efficiency of other earthworm species, feedstock selection, or seasonal variability in ORS management.
This study of the effect of a microbiota-directed supplement on the growth of young children with moderate acute malnutrition included tests of association between changes in growth and changes in ...the plasma proteome and fecal microbiota.
The gradient for any point on the land surface can be calculated using the digital-elevation model. Only some empirical correlations are available to determine gradients. Therefore, the prime ...objective of the present study is to find an improved method for accurately determining gradients on a plain surface that can help identify key areas affected by run-off, subsequent flow accumulation, and waterlogging. Here, Kolkata city as a deltaic plain surface is selected for this study. Grid sizes of up to 600 m × 600 m are used on the DEM map to calculate the run-off pattern using four techniques (a) D8 algorithm, and (b) second-order, (c) third-order, (d) fourth-order finite differences of computational hydrodynamics. After gradient estimations, the run-off pattern is determined from relatively higher to lower gradient points. Based on such run-off pattern, waterlogging points are accurately determined. All results, thereafter, are compared with the actual waterlogging map of Kolkata. The D8 algorithm and fourth-order finite-difference techniques are found as the most accurate while determining the waterlogging areas of a plain surface. Next, true gradients of identified waterlogging points are calculated to determine the relationship and error between the true and calculated gradient using various statistical analysis methods. The relationship between true and calculated gradients is observed from weak to strong when the D8 algorithm is replaced by the newly introduced fourth-order finite difference technique. Better accuracy and stronger relationships can be achieved using a smaller grid size.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A population exceeding 3.8 million people in the western region of 24-Parganas (South) is directly or indirectly reliant on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood. The agricultural trend ...shows a clear lack of multi-cropping with a drop of nearly 30% in rice cultivation during the winter season. Nearly 50% of the region is directly dependent on canals. The introduction of tidal water in the canal network provides an exceptionally economical and highly effective mode of irrigation water supply. The primary aim of the study was to identify the cartographic characteristics and channel hydraulics in the summer season. It was noted that the canals have a wide discharge range of 0.03-540.03 m
/s, average evaporation loss of 9.07 mm/day with a seepage loss ranging from 0.04 to 6.36 m
/s. The tidal water ingress quantity was calculated to be 4.17 Mm
, 5.32 Mm
, 1.88 Mm
at Diamond Harbour sluice (Sl.), Kulpi Sl. and Kholakhali Sl. respectively. It was denoted that the augmentation of tidal backwater six times monthly would suffice the winter crop water requirement for the majority of the basins. This would result in the production of 172.13 kt which was previously 17.6 kt resulting in an increase of production by 878.01%. The per capita income would also be increased by nearly 978% for the season, resulting in the macro-socioeconomic upliftment of the region.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
An important aspect of economic considerations is the routing and safety of hydraulic storage facilities such as dams for extreme probable water flooding. The routing of dam reservoirs requires more ...attention for determining the magnitude of extreme probable flooding. Apparently, the type of structure, importance, and economic development of the surrounding area guide the routing criteria for choosing the extreme flood magnitude. The Maithan and Panchet Dams in India have faced several major floods with diversified magnitudes since 1978. The present study aims to estimate the storage and routing of extreme probable floodings for these two dams based on real-time flood data like inflow, outflow, and elevation for the extreme flood years of 1978, 2009, and 2014. Reservoir storages at different elevations are calculated from the initial storage volumes. For both reservoirs, discharge equations are derived and calculated at given elevations during extreme floods. The Modified Puls technique is used for routing extreme floods. At the end of each extreme flood in 1978, 2009, and 2014, the variation in outflow discharges at different elevations and flood hydrographs is predicted. Finally, estimated outflow discharges are compared with the actual outflow discharges for the given inflows during extreme floods. Using this approach, extreme floods that occurred in 1978 are predicted with less than 10% error. Outcomes from this study may help in the future planning and routing of flood-control detention facilities and in predicting the variation in outflow discharges at different elevations. Based on this work, alternative studies and regional drainage planning can also be carried out.
The groundwater modelling tool is an important structural tool for solving many groundwater-related problems. Visual-MODFLOW is one of such tool that uses finite-difference (FD) method to unravel the ...problems. In this paper, Visual-MODFLOW 2000 has been utilized for analysing the groundwater-level simulation in Purba (East) Midnapur, West Bengal, India. The data of pumping well discharge have been collected at two different time periods 2002 and 2012. The simulated pumping well records for 2012 based on the pumping well discharges measured in 2002 and the observed records in 2012 have been critically examined, compared, and correlation coefficients are found out to signify data validity. Also simulated groundwater-level data of 2019 to 2023 based on well discharge records in 2002 and 2012 have also been correlated for its justification. This paper concluded that the groundwater flow occurs from south to north direction of East Midnapur, as the saline water intrusion from the nearby sea takes place into the aquifers towards inland direction. It confirms a good agreement with future simulation data. In the real field situation, saline water encroachments have affected the aquifers and it has covered up to 50 km of location from Kalindi (near seashore) to Nandakumar (inland) location. This paper focuses on the groundwater-level forecasting in prospective groundwater managing scenarios in the region concern.
Duodenal and plasma biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction that were identified through analyses of duodenal biopsy samples and the plasma of growth-stunted children were found to induce ...enteropathy of the small intestine in gnotobiotic mice.
To measure the efficacy of school-based nutrition education on dietary diversity of the adolescent girls in Bangladesh.
A matched, pair-cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from July ...2019 to September 2020. Randomization was done to select intervention and control schools. There were 300 participants (150 in the intervention and 150 in the control arm) at baseline. We randomly selected our study participants (adolescent girls) from grades six, seven, and eight of each school. Our intervention components included parents' meetings, eight nutrition education sessions, and the distribution of information, education, and communication materials. An hour-long nutrition education session was provided using audio-visual techniques in a class of intervention school once a week by trained staffs of icddr,b for two months. Data on dietary diversity, anthropometry, socio-economic and morbidity status, a complete menstrual history, and haemoglobin status of adolescent girls were collected at recruitment and after five months of intervention. We calculated the mean dietary diversity score of adolescent girls at baseline and at the endline. As the dietary diversity score was incomparable between the control and intervention arm at baseline, we performed the difference-in-difference analysis to assess the effect of the intervention.
Mean age of the adolescent girls was 12.31 years and 12.49 years in the control and intervention arms respectively. Percentages of consumption of organ meat, vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds were higher in the intervention arm than in the control arm at the end-line. The mean dietary diversity score remained unchanged in the control arm at 5.55 (95% CI: 5.34-5.76) at baseline and 5.32 (95% CI: 5.11-5.54) at the endline. After the intervention, mean dietary diversity increased from 4.89 (95% CI: 4.67-5.10) at baseline to this mean was 5.66 (95% CI: 5.43-5.88) at the endline. Result from the difference-in-difference analysis revealed that the mean dietary diversity was likely to increase by 1 unit due to intervention.
The shorter duration of the intervention in our study could not show whether it could change the behavior of adolescent girls in increasing dietary diversity through school-based nutrition education, but it showed a pathway for increasing dietary diversity at school. We recommend including more clusters and other food environment elements in retesting to increase precision and acceptability.
This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, trial registration no: NCT04116593. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04116593.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Globally more than 150 million children under age 5 years were stunted in 2018, primarily in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the impact of early-onset, persistent stunting has not been ...well explored. To explore the association between early-onset persistent stunting in children and cognitive development at 5 years of age, and to identify the factors associated with early-onset stunting.
Children from the MAL-ED cohort study were followed from birth to 5 years of age in six LMICs. The Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence (WPPSI) was used to assess cognitive abilities (fluid reasoning) at 5 years and was adapted for each culture. Stunting was categorized as early-onset persistent (first stunted at 1-6 months and persisting at 60 months), early-onset recovered (first stunted at 1-6 months and not stunted at 60 months), late-onset persistent (first stunted at 7-24 months and persisting at 60 months), late-onset recovered (first stunted at 7-24 months and not stunted at 60 months), and never (never stunted). Mixed effects linear models were used to estimate the relationship between stunting status and cognitive development. Children with early-onset persistent stunting had significantly lower cognitive scores (-2.10 (95% CI: -3.85, -0.35)) compared with those who were never stunted. Transferrin receptor (TfR) was also negatively associated with cognitive development (-0.31 (95% CI: -0.49, -0.13)), while the HOME inventory, an index of quality of the home environment (0.46 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.72)) and socio-economic status (1.50 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.98)) were positively associated with cognitive development.
Early-onset persistent stunting was associated with lower cognitive development in children at 5 years of age in this cohort of children.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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