Water Sources Research Articles

Water quality characteristics and ecological risk evaluation of a landscaped river replenished by three reclaimed water sources in Qingdao, China.

The water crisis may be solved by utilizing reclaimed water. Three reclaimed water sources have restored the lower sections of the Licun River, forming a landscaped river. In this paper, the river's water quality was monitored for a year, and the ecological concerns were analyzed using luminescent bacteria, chlorella, and zebrafish. The results indicated that although basic water quality indicators like COD and ammonia fluctuated along the river, the classification of water quality was primarily affected by factors such as flow rate and water depth. Under experimental conditions, the toxic inhibitory effect of river water on luminescent bacteria, chlorella, and zebrafish was related to the treatment process of reclaimed water. It was found that the reclaimed water produced by the MBR, along with the UV disinfection process, showed no detectable toxicity. In contrast, the MBBR process, when combined with coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, ozonation, and chlorination, seemed to be the source of this toxicity. Along the river, the results of water quality assessments and ecological risk assessments were different, indicating that both should be conducted to evaluate rivers replenished with reclaimed water.

Paracetamol in diverse water sources: health hazards and treatment efficacy emphasizing adsorption techniques—a review

Paracetamol in diverse water sources: health hazards and treatment efficacy emphasizing adsorption techniques—a review

Biological response to Przewalski’s horse reintroduction in native desert grasslands: a case study on the spatial analysis of ticks

BackgroundReintroduction represents an effective strategy for the conservation of endangered wildlife, yet it might inadvertently impact the native ecosystems. This investigation assesses the impact of reintroducing endangered Przewalski's horses into the desert grassland ecosystem of the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (KNR), particularly its effect on the spatial distribution of ticks. In a 25 km2 core area of Przewalski's horse distribution, we set up 441 tick sampling sites across diverse habitats, including water sources, donkey trails, and grasslands, recording horse feces and characteristics to analyze the occurrence rate of ticks. Additionally, we gathered the data of 669 fresh feces of horses. To evaluate the spatial dynamics between these feces and ticks, we used methods such as Fixed Kernel Estimation (FKE), Moran’s I spatial autocorrelation index, and Generalized Linear Models (GLM).ResultsThe dominant species of ticks collected in the core area were adult Hyalomma asiaticum (91.36%). Their occurrence rate was higher near donkey trails (65.99%) and water sources (55.81%), particularly in areas with the fresh feces of Przewalski's horses. The ticks’ three risk areas, as defined by FKE, showed significant overlap and positive correlation with the distribution of Przewalski's horses, with respective overlap rates being 90.25% in high risk, 33.79% in medium risk, and 23.09% in low risk areas. Moran's I analysis revealed a clustering trend of the fresh feces of Przewalski's horses in these areas. The GLM confirmed a positive correlation between the distribution of H. asiaticum and the presence of horse fresh feces, alongside a negative correlation with the proximity to water sources and donkey trails.ConclusionsThis study reveals the strong spatial correlation between Przewalski's horses and H. asiaticum in desert grasslands, underlining the need to consider interspecific interactions in wildlife reintroductions. The findings are crucial for shaping effective strategies of wildlife conservation and maintaining ecological balance.

Linking Upwelling Dynamics and Subsurface Nutrients to Projected Productivity Changes in the California Current System

AbstractGiven the importance of coastal upwelling systems to ocean productivity, fisheries, and biogeochemical cycles, their response to climate change is of great interest. However, there is no consensus on future productivity changes in these systems, which may be controlled by multiple drivers including wind‐driven and geostrophic transport, stratification, and source water properties. Here we use an ensemble of regional ocean projections and recently developed upwelling indices for the California Current System to disentangle these sometimes‐competing influences. Some changes are consistent among models (e.g., decreased mixed layer depth), while for others there is a lack of agreement even on the direction of future change (e.g., nitrate concentration in upwelled waters). Despite models' diverging projections of productivity changes, they agree that those changes are predominantly driven by subsurface nitrate concentrations, not by upwelling strength. Our results highlight the need for more attention to processes governing subsurface nutrient changes, not just upwelling strength.

Exploring the Prevalence of Microorganisms in Selected Water Sources in Benue South of Nigeria using Selected Environmental Factors and Microbial Counts

In this study, we assessed the water and microbial qualities of major water sources in nine sites within three Local Government Areas (LGAs-Otukpo, Ohimini and Apa LGAs) in Benue South between January and March, 2023. Water samples were collected monthly for the analyses of selected physico-chemical variables and microbial constituents in the studied sites following standard procedures. The results of the physico-chemical variables showed that most of the variables were proportionately higher than the maximum standards by appropriate regulatory bodies. For instance, electrical conductivity (EC) was highest in S2-Upu borehole, Otukpo LGA (1,181+285 µS/cm) and lowest in S4-Okpokwu River, Ohimini LGA (19.35+6.35 µS/cm). The concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in all the sites showed less aerated water except for S2 (5.37+0.34 mg/l) and 5S-Awulema borehole, Ohimini LGA (5.06+0.14 mg/l). On the microbial quality, the results of the total coliform counts from the nine sampling sites (water sources) showed that the highest coliform count (>1,600 MPN/100mL) was recorded in S1 in January 2023 while the lowest coliform count (12 MPN/100mL) was recorded in S2. The total bacteria viable counts (TVC) detected in the water sources sampled in the three LGAs in showed that the highest bacteria count (204 cfu per mL) was recorded in S3-Depot well, Otukpo LGA in January 2023, and the lowest bacteria count (36 cfu per mL) was recorded in S2 in January 2023. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacteria as it occurred in all the sites sampled except S6- Ijami well, Ohimini LGA and S9- Amoke well, Apa LGA. Our finding based on the concentration of pollution indicating physico-chemical variables (e.g., EC, BOD5, and COD) showed the water sources studied in the three LGAs in Benue South were relatively perturbed. This was also confirmed by the prevalence of microbial loads which in most cases exceeded the minimum standard set by WHO for drinking water.

The impact of commingling preconditioned calves on mortality, morbidity and performance in a feedlot

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most important disease in the North American beef industry, causing substantial eco­nomic losses due to morbidity and mortality, including treat­ments, reduced performance, and increased antimicrobial use. Preconditioning (PC) to mitigate BRD was proposed as early as 1967 and constitutes management practices that reduce stressors and optimize resilience through vaccination against bacterial and viral pathogens, optimized timing of dehorning, castration, best weaning strategy, and training calves to eat from a bunk and drink from a water source at least 45 d before transport to the feedlot. Despite proven profits for precondi­tioning of beef calves, PC hasn’t been established in the current beef industry. Besides the lack of premiums paid, there is also the question if commingling of PC and auction-derived (AD) calves in the feedlot can hamper PC calves’ expected growth and health advantages. Therefore, our objective was to evalu­ate the impact of optimally preconditioned calves on mortality, morbidity and average daily gain (ADG) during the first 40 days in the feedlot when PC calves where commingled with different proportions of AD calves (25, 50, 75%).

Simultaneous determination of eight neonicotinoid insecticides and five metabolites in water samples by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry unveils an overlooked risk

AbstractNeonicotinoids (NEOs), highly selective toward insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, are extensively used due to their effectiveness against pests and relative non‐toxicity to vertebrates. However, their prolonged persistence in soil and water has led to frequent detection in food and environmental samples, posing significant environmental and health concerns. Recent research indicates these pesticides infiltrate aquatic ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human health. Here, we improved the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method for detecting NEOs in water samples, increasing its sensitivity to fulfill forthcoming detection needs. This approach enables the simultaneous quantification of eight NEOs and five NEO metabolites in diverse water sources, including tap, surface, groundwater, sewage, and seawater. Our method achieves remarkably low detection limits for direct injection (0.78–1.7 ng/L) and solid‐phase extraction methods (0.13–0.25 ng/L). Critically, our findings reveal that boiling domestic drinking water doesn't degrade NEOs; instead, it increases their concentration due to water evaporation. A 6‐min boiling period can amplify pesticide concentration by 4–5 times, presenting a significant hazard in culinary practices of specific regions where prolonged cooking could lead to alarmingly high levels of these insecticides. This research underscores the importance of monitoring and mitigating NEO contamination in water sources to safeguard environmental and public health.

Multiple sources of water preserved in impact glasses from Chang'e-5 lunar soil.

The existence of molecular H2O and evolution of solar wind-derived water on the lunar surface remain controversial. We report that large amounts of OH and molecular H2O related to solar wind and other multiple sources are preserved in impact glasses from Chang'e-5 (CE5) lunar soil based on reflectance infrared spectroscopy and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses. The estimated water content contributed by impact glasses to CE5 lunar soil was ~72 ppm, including molecular H2O of up to 15 to 25 ppm. Our studies revealed that impact glasses are the main carrier of molecular H2O in lunar soils. Moreover, water in CE5 impact glasses provides a record of complex formation processes and multiple water sources, including water derived from solar wind, deposited by water-bearing meteorites/micrometeorites, and inherited from lunar indigenous water. Our study provides a better understanding of the evolution of surficial water on airless bodies and identifies potential source and storage pathways for water in the terrestrial planets.

Metal–Organic Framework Fe-BTC as Heterogeneous Catalyst for Electro-Fenton Treatment of Tetracycline

This study explores the use of the iron-containing metal–organic framework (MOF), Basolite®F300, as a heterogeneous catalyst for electrochemically-driven Fenton processes. Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have shown promise on the abatement of recalcitrant organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals. Tetracyclines (TC) are a frequently used class of antibiotics that are now polluting surface water and groundwater sources worldwide. Acknowledging the fast capability of EAOPs to treat persistent pharmaceutical pollutants, we propose an electrochemical Fenton treatment process that is catalyzed by the use of a commercially available MOF material to degrade TC. The efficiency of H2O2 generation in the IrO2/carbon felt setup is highlighted. However, electrochemical oxidation with H2O2 production (ECO-H2O2) alone is not enough to achieve complete TC removal, attributed to the formation of weak oxidant species. Incorporating Basolite®F300 in the heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) process results in complete TC removal within 40 min, showcasing its efficacy. Additionally, this study explores the effect of varying MOF concentrations, indicating optimal removal rates at 100 mg L−1 due to a balance of kinetics and limitation of active sites of the catalysts. Furthermore, the impact of the applied current on TC removal is investigated, revealing a proportional relationship between current and removal rates. The analysis of energy efficiency emphasizes 50 mA as the optimal current, however, balancing removal efficiency with electrical energy consumption. This work highlights the potential of Basolite®F300 as an effective catalyst in the HEF process for pollutant abatement, providing valuable insights into optimizing electrified water treatment applications with MOF nanomaterials to treat organic pollutants.

Case-area targeted interventions during a large-scale cholera epidemic: A prospective cohort study in Northeast Nigeria.

Cholera outbreaks are on the rise globally, with conflict-affected settings particularly at risk. Case-area targeted interventions (CATIs), a strategy whereby teams provide a package of interventions to case and neighboring households within a predefined "ring," are increasingly employed in cholera responses. However, evidence on their ability to attenuate incidence is limited. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in 3 conflict-affected states in Nigeria in 2021. Enumerators within rapid response teams observed CATI implementation during a cholera outbreak and collected data on household demographics; existing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure; and CATI interventions. Descriptive statistics showed that CATIs were delivered to 46,864 case and neighbor households, with 80.0% of cases and 33.5% of neighbors receiving all intended supplies and activities, in a context with operational challenges of population density, supply stock outs, and security constraints. We then applied prospective Poisson space-time scan statistics (STSS) across 3 models for each state: (1) an unadjusted model with case and population data; (2) an environmentally adjusted model adjusting for distance to cholera treatment centers and existing WASH infrastructure (improved water source, improved latrine, and handwashing station); and (3) a fully adjusted model adjusting for environmental and CATI variables (supply of Aquatabs and soap, hygiene promotion, bedding and latrine disinfection activities, ring coverage, and response timeliness). We ran the STSS each day of our study period to evaluate the space-time dynamics of the cholera outbreaks. Compared to the unadjusted model, significant cholera clustering was attenuated in the environmentally adjusted model (from 572 to 18 clusters) but there was still risk of cholera transmission. Two states still yielded significant clusters (range 8-10 total clusters, relative risk of 2.2-5.5, 16.6-19.9 day duration, including 11.1-56.8 cholera cases). Cholera clustering was completely attenuated in the fully adjusted model, with no significant anomalous clusters across time and space. Associated measures including quantity, relative risk, significance, likelihood of recurrence, size, and duration of clusters reinforced the results. Key limitations include selection bias, remote data monitoring, and the lack of a control group. CATIs were associated with significant reductions in cholera clustering in Northeast Nigeria despite operational challenges. Our results provide a strong justification for rapid implementation and scale-up CATIs in cholera-response, particularly in conflict settings where WASH access is often limited.

Classification of Pollution Sources and Their Contributions to Surface Water Quality Using APCS-MLR and PMF Model in a Drinking Water Source Area in Southeastern China

Identifying the potential pollution sources of surface water pollutants is essential for the management and protection of regional water environments in drinking water source areas. In this study, absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) models were applied to assess water quality and identify the potential pollution sources affecting the surface water quality of Xin’an River Basin. For this purpose, a 10-year (2011–2020) dataset of eight water quality indicators (including pH, EC, DO, COD, NH3-N, TN, TP, and FC) covering eight monitoring stations and 7248 monthly observations was used. The results indicated that Pukou section had the worst water quality among the eight monitoring stations, and TN was the most serious water quality index. Both the APCS-MLR and PMF models identified agricultural nonpoint source pollution, urban nonpoint source pollution and rural domestic pollution, and meteorological factors. The sum of these three sources was very close, accounting for 60% and 58%, respectively. The APCS-MLR results demonstrated that for EC, COD, and NH3-N, the major pollution sources were urban nonpoint sources and rural domestic pollution. The major contamination source of TN was agricultural nonpoint source pollution (30.4%). Meanwhile, the major pollution sources of pH, DO, TP, and FC were unidentified factors. The PMF model identified five potential sources, and pH and DO were affected by meteorological factors. NH3-N and TP were influenced mainly by agricultural nonpoint source pollution. Atmospheric deposition was the major pollution source (87.9%) of TN. FC was mostly derived from livestock and poultry breeding (88.3%). EC and COD were mostly affected by urban nonpoint sources and rural domestic pollution. Therefore, receptor models can help managers identify the major sources of pollution in watersheds, but the major factors affecting different pollutants need to be supplemented by other methods.

A brief instrument measuring the water, sanitation and hygiene domain of menstrual health among women who inject drugs.

Domains of adequate menstrual health (MH) include access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). People who menstruate with social disadvantages-such as homelessness or drug injection practices-often face barriers to WASH access. However, validated instruments to measure MH are limited among marginalized populations, and available instruments involve lengthy surveys. We developed and evaluated psychometric properties of a novel 'MH WASH Domain Scale-12' among people who menstruate and who inject drugs in the Tijuana-San Diego region and identified correlates of MH access using this scale. We constructed a MH-scale based on access to twelve WASH-related items: (1) menstrual products, (2) body hygiene (bathing per week), (3) water sources for bathing, (4) improved, (5) non-shared, (6) available, (7) private, (8) nearby, (9) and safe sanitation facilities, (10) availability of soap, (11) water source for handwashing, and (12) handwashing facilities with soap/water. Variables were dichotomized and summed, with scores ranging from 0-12 points and higher scores indicating better MH access. We assessed the scale's reliability and construct and content validity using data from a binational cross-sectional study. The sample included people who inject drugs (PWID) who had ever menstruated in their lifetime and were 18+ during 2020-2021. MH-WASH items were described, and the scale was further used as an outcome variable to identify correlates. Among 125 (124 cis-female and 1 trans-male) PWID that reported menstruating, our 'MH WASH Domain Scale-12' was reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.81, McDonald's Omega total = 0.83) and valid. We identified two sub-domains: Factor-1 included items describing 'WASH availability' and Factor-2 contained items related to 'WASH security'-encompassing physical and biological safety. Scale scores were significantly lower among participants experiencing unsheltered homelessness compared to participants experiencing sheltered homelessness or living in permanent housing. We constructed and validated a novel and reliable scale to measure MH-related WASH access that can be used to assess MH among marginalized populations in English- and Spanish-speaking contexts. Using this scale we identified disparities in MH-WASH access among PWID and who menstruate in the US-Mexico border region.

Interpretable baseflow segmentation and prediction based on numerical experiments and deep learning

Baseflow is a crucial water source in the inland river basins of high-cold mountainous region, playing a significant role in maintaining runoff stability. It is challenging to select the most suitable baseflow separation method in data-scarce high-cold mountainous region and to evaluate effects of climate factors and underlying surface changes on baseflow variability and seasonal distribution characteristics. Here we attempt to address how meteorological factors and underlying surface changes affect baseflow using the Grey Wolf Optimizer Digital Filter Method (GWO-DFM) for rapid baseflow separation and the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network model for baseflow prediction, clarifying interpretability of the LSTM model in baseflow forecasting. The proposed method was successfully implemented using a 63-year time series (1958–2020) of flow data from the Tai Lan River (TLR) basin in the high-cold mountainous region, along with 21 years of ERA5-land meteorological data and MODIS data (2000–2020). The results indicate that: (1) GWO-DFM can rapidly identify the optimal filtering parameters. It employs the arithmetic average of three methods, namely Chapman, Chapman-Maxwell and Eckhardt filter, as the best baseflow separation approach for the TLR basin. Additionally, the baseflow significantly increases after the second mutation of the baseflow rate. (2) Baseflow sources are mainly influenced by precipitation infiltration, glacier frozen soil layers, and seasonal ponding. (3) Solar radiation, temperature, precipitation, and NDVI are the primary factors influencing baseflow changes, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients exceeding 0.78 in both the LSTM model training and prediction periods. (4) Changes in baseflow are most influenced by solar radiation, temperature, and NDVI. This study systematically analyzes the changes in baseflow and response mechanisms in high-cold mountainous region, contributing to the management of water resources in mountainous basins under changing environmental conditions.

Effects of Ca<sup>2+</sup>/Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions in recycled water on the reverse flotation properties of iron oxides

Water quality, particularly hardness, plays an important role in affecting the floatability of minerals as it interferes with the chemical/electro-chemical characteristics of mineral surfaces and their interactions with flotation reagents. It could become unpredictable when water sources characterized by different calcium or magnesium ion distributions were involved. This study aimed to identify the role of Ca<sup>2+</sup>/Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions in the recycled water on the cationic reverse flotation selectivity of iron oxides through a series of bench/micro flotation tests, zeta potential, powder contact angle, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), etc. The results pointed out that the use of recycled tailing water deteriorates the flotation selectivity and dilutes the concentrates. This can be largely attributed to the presence of Ca<sup>2+</sup> ions at higher concentrations as they induce a drop in the Fe recovery and an increase in SiO2 content while an increase in the content of Mg<sup>2+</sup> ions seems to have little effect on the quality of concentrate. As evidenced by the data from micro-flotation, powder contact angle, zeta potentials, and FTIR, a hydrophilic colloidal layer formed by Ca-based hydrolyzed compounds, such as Ca(OH)<sup>+</sup> or, CaCO<sub>3(s)</sub>, etc., on quartz could change its zeta potentials and disturb its interactions with a cationic collector. They also play a role in weakening the flocculation of starch on hematite probably by pre-locking the acidic groups on the starch remnants and contracting their configurations, thus preventing their adsorption on mineral surfaces. However, magnesium ions seem to be beneficial to in strengthening the flocculation of starch on hematite as magnesium-based species could act as adsorption bridges of between starch and mineral surfaces.

Pepper mild mottle virus intended for use as a process indicator for drinking water treatment: Present forms and quantitative relations to norovirus and rotavirus in surface water

Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) has been proposed as a potential indicator of human enteric viruses in environmental water and for viral removal during drinking water treatment. To investigate the occurrence and present forms of PMMoV and quantitative relations to norovirus GII and rotavirus A (RVA) in surface waters, 147 source water samples were collected from 21 drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in Japan between January 2018 and January 2021, and the concentrations of viruses in suspended and dissolved fractions were measured using real-time RT-PCR. PMMoV was detected in 81–100 % of samples in each sample month and observed concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 7.0 log10 copies/L. The concentrations of PMMoV were higher in dissolved fraction compared to suspended fractions, while different partitioning was observed for NoV GII depending on seasons. The concentrations of PMMoV were basically higher than those of norovirus GII (1.9−5.3 log10 copies/L) and RVA (1.9−6.6 log10 copies/L), while in 18 samples, RVA presented higher concentrations than PMMoV. Partial regions of VP7, VP4, and VP6 of the RVA in the 18 samples were amplified using nested PCR, and the genotypes were determined using an amplicon-based next-generation sequencing approach. We found that these source water samples included not only human RVA but also various animal RVA and high genetic diversity due to the existence of animal RVA was associated with a higher RVA concentration than PMMoV. Our findings suggest that PMMoV can be used as an indicator of norovirus GII and human RVA in drinking water sources and that the indicator performance should be evaluated by comparing to zoonotic viruses as well as human viruses.

Assessment of the potential occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in various water sources in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt

Assessment of the potential occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in various water sources in Sharqia Governorate, Egypt

Water-Filling Characteristics and Water Source of Weakly Rich Water and Weakly Conducting Water Aquifers in the Changxing Formation after Mining Damage

The escalation of mining activities in the karst regions of Guizhou Province has heightened the occurrence of water-inrush incidents in deep coal mines. This study focused on water-inrush phenomena within the Xinhua mining area of Jinsha County, Guizhou Province, aiming to investigate the sources of these incidents. The findings indicated that the overlying limestone of the Changxing Formation in the coal seam served as a vulnerable aquifer under certain conditions, leading to water inrushes. The analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of water-inrush incidents at the working face indicated that previous mining operations damaged the shallow Changxing Formation limestone, resulting in the accumulation of goaf water and the formation of numerous mining-induced fractures. These fractures served as rapid conduits for water inrushes from both atmospheric precipitation and underground sources at the deep working face. The examination of surface water and mine water quality demonstrated that both exhibited similar characteristics, predominantly featuring bicarbonate, sulfate, and sodium compositions. Investigation into the relationship between mine water inflow and atmospheric precipitation established that atmospheric precipitation influenced the mine water supply cycle, with a replenishment period of ~10 months during the operational phase of the Jinyuan Coal Mine and about one month post-closure. The fractures induced by mining activities within the Changxing Formation limestone facilitated water flow, with atmospheric precipitation serving as the primary water source for the mine. This study offered a valuable scientific foundation for addressing water-related damage resulting from atmospheric precipitation in mines susceptible to water inrushes under analogous hydrogeological conditions.

The magnitude of stunting and its determinants among late adolescent girls in East Africa: Multilevel binary logistics regression analysis.

Stunting poses a significant health risk to adolescent girls aged 15-19 in low- and middle-income countries, leading to lower education levels, reduced productivity, increased disease vulnerability, and intergenerational malnutrition. Despite the inclusion of adolescent nutrition services in the Sustainable Development Goals, little progress has been made in addressing malnutrition among adolescent girls in several African nations. Limited evidence exists in East Africa due to small sample sizes and methodological limitations. To overcome these constraints, this study utilizes the latest Demographic and Health Survey data to estimate the prevalence and factors influencing stunting among late adolescent girls in ten East African countries. This study utilized the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 10 East African countries, including a total sample weight of 22,504 late-adolescent girls. A multilevel mixed-effect binary logistic regression model with cluster-level random effects was employed to identify factors associated with stunting among these girls. The odds ratio, along with the 95% confidence interval, was calculated to determine individual and community-level factors related to stunting. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in determining the factors influencing stunting among late-adolescent girls. The prevalence of stunting among late adolescent girls in East Africa was found to be 13.90% (95% CI: 0.13-0.14). Religion, relationship to the head, presence of under-five children in the household, lactating adolescent, marital status, Time to get water source, and country of residence were significantly associated with Stunting. This study highlights the complexity of stunting in East Africa and identifies key factors that need attention to reduce its prevalence. Interventions should focus on improving water access, supporting lactating girls, addressing socioeconomic disparities, promoting optimal care practices, and implementing country-specific interventions to combat stunting and improve adolescent girls' nutrition.

Evaluation of integrated community case management of the common childhood illness program in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia: a case study evaluation design

BackgroundIntegrated Community Case Management (ICCM) of common childhood illness is one of the global initiatives to reduce mortality among under-five children by two-thirds. It is also implemented in Ethiopia to improve community access and coverage of health services. However, as per our best knowledge the implementation status of integrated community case management in the study area is not well evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the implementation status of the integrated community case management program in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA single case study design with mixed methods was employed to evaluate the process of integrated community case management for common childhood illness in Gondar town from March 17 to April 17, 2022. The availability, compliance, and acceptability dimensions of the program implementation were evaluated using 49 indicators. In this evaluation, 484 mothers or caregivers participated in exit interviews; 230 records were reviewed, 21 key informants were interviewed; and 42 observations were included. To identify the predictor variables associated with acceptability, we used a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistically significant variables were identified based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value. The qualitative data was recorded, transcribed, and translated into English, and thematic analysis was carried out.ResultsThe overall implementation of integrated community case management was 81.5%, of which availability (84.2%), compliance (83.1%), and acceptability (75.3%) contributed. Some drugs and medical equipment, like Cotrimoxazole, vitamin K, a timer, and a resuscitation bag, were stocked out. Health care providers complained that lack of refreshment training and continuous supportive supervision was the common challenges that led to a skill gap for effective program delivery. Educational status (primary AOR = 0.27, 95% CI:0.11–0.52), secondary AOR = 0.16, 95% CI:0.07–0.39), and college and above AOR = 0.08, 95% CI:0.07–0.39), prescribed drug availability (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI:1.14–4.10), travel time to the to the ICCM site (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI:1.99–7.35), and waiting time (AOR = 2.80, 95% CI:1.16–6.79) were factors associated with the acceptability of the program by caregivers.Conclusion and recommendationThe overall implementation status of the integrated community case management program was judged as good. However, there were gaps observed in the assessment, classification, and treatment of diseases. Educational status, availability of the prescribed drugs, waiting time and travel time to integrated community case management sites were factors associated with the program acceptability. Continuous supportive supervision for health facilities, refreshment training for HEW’s to maximize compliance, construction clean water sources for HPs, and conducting longitudinal studies for the future are the forwarded recommendation.

Bifunctional titanium boron-phosphate glass containing Ag nanoparticles for the detection and photocatalysis of organic compounds

This study delves into the structural characterization of a composition comprising Ag-NPs/phosphate plasmonic glass. Additionally, it explores two applications aimed at addressing one of the numerous challenges facing the modern world. The continuous technological progress of society has led to the proliferation of chemicals in natural water sources, posing a significant threat to ecosystems due to their low concentrations, making them difficult to detect and remove. The findings presented herein showcase the potential of Ag-NPs/sodium/titanium-phosphate glasses as a promising solution for detecting and degrading organic pollutants in freshwater. To achieve this, Ag nanoparticles were integrated into the glass surface via the ion exchange method, followed by thermal treatment. Subsequently, the detection of crystal violet solutions, applied dropwise onto the sample surface, was successfully carried out using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, reaching a detection limit as low as 10−6 M. Furthermore, the glass composition demonstrated heterogeneous photocatalytic properties for UV degradation of methylene blue, with enhanced photoactivity attributed to the presence of silver nanoparticles, resulting in a 111 % increase in the kinetic constant compared to unmodified glass. Thus, these newly developed Ag-NPs sodium titanium-phosphate glasses exhibit remarkable bifunctional capabilities, offering improved optical detection and efficient photodegradation of organic molecules.