38 research outputs found
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Characterizing hydrogeologic heterogeneity using lithologic data
Large-scale (>1 m) variability in hydraulic conductivity is usually the main influence on field-scale groundwater flow patterns and dispersive transport. Incorporating realistic hydraulic conductivity heterogeneity into flow and transport models is paramount to accurate simulations, particularly for contaminant migration. Sediment lithologic descriptions and geophysical logs typically offer finer spatial resolution, and therefore more potential information about site-scale heterogeneity, than other site characterization data. In this study, a technique for generating a heterogeneous, three- dimensional hydraulic conductivity field from sediment lithologic descriptions is presented. The approach involves creating a three-dimensional, fine-scale representation of mud (silt and clay) percentage using a stratified interpolation algorithm. Mud percentage is then translated into horizontal and vertical conductivity using direct correlations derived from measured data and inverse groundwater flow modeling. Lastly, the fine-scale conductivity fields are averaged to create a coarser grid for use in groundwater flow and transport modeling
Homestead food production model contributes to improved household food security and nutrition status of young children and women in poor populations
Micronutrient malnutrition is a serious public health problem among women and children in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and the Philippines. Helen Keller International has been implementing homestead food production (HFP) programs (coupled with nutrition education) in these countries to increase and ensure year-round availability and intake of micronutrient-rich foods in poor households, particularly among women and children.  Between 2003 and 2007, the HFP program was implemented among ~30,000 households in these four countries. Data collected from representative samples taken for evaluations of HFP programs in these countries illustrated the benefit of the program for households. Data were collected through interviews with households in villages that had the HFP program and from control households in non-HFP program villages. Blood samples collected from ~1000 children aged 6-59 months and ~1200 non-pregnant women before and after program implementation were analyzed for hemoglobin. The review showed that the HFP program significantly improved dietary diversification. The combined data from all four countries showed improved animal food consumption among program households, with liver consumption increasing from 24% at baseline to 46% at endline and the median number of eggs consumed by families per week increasing from 2 to 5.  The sale of HFP products also improved household income. Anemia prevalence among children in program households decreased in all the countries; however, the decrease was only significant in Bangladesh and the Philippines.  Although anemia prevalence also decreased among control households in three countries, the magnitude of change was higher in program households compared with control households.Les carences en micronutriments représentent un grave problème de santé publique chez les femmes et les enfants au Bangladesh, au Cambodge, au Népal et aux Philippines. Helen Keller International met en Å“uvre dans ces pays un programme de production alimentaire en exploitations familiales (homestead food production - HFP) associé à une éducation à l'alimentation afin d’augmenter et de garantir la disponibilité et la consommation d'aliments riches en micronutriments tout au long de l'année dans les foyers pauvres, et plus particulièrement chez les femmes et les enfants. Entre 2003 et 2007, le programme HFP a été mis en Å“uvre dans environ 30 000 foyers de ces quatre pays. Les données fournies par les échantillons représentatifs utilisés pour l'évaluation de ce programme mettent en évidence les bénéfices qu'il représente pour les familles. Ces données sont le résultat des entretiens conduits avec des familles appartenant à des villages participant au programme HFP, ainsi qu’avec des familles de contrôle dans des villages non concernés par le programme. Des analyses de l’hémoglobine ont été réalisées sur des échantillons sanguins prélevés avant et après la mise en Å“uvre du programme sur environ 1 000 enfants âgés de 6 à 59 mois et environ 1 200 femmes (non enceintes). L’évaluation du programme HFP a montré qu’il avait amélioré significativement la diversification alimentaire. Les données combinées des quatre pays montrent une amélioration de la consommation de produits d’origine animale chez les familles du programme. La consommation de foie est passée de 24 % à 46 %, et le nombre médian d’œufs consommés par semaine et par famille est passé de 2 à 5. La vente des produits issus du programme HFP a également amélioré les revenus de ces foyers. La prévalence de l’anémie chez les enfants participant au programme a diminué dans tous les pays. Cette diminution n'était cependant significative qu'au Bangladesh et aux Philippines. Bien que, dans trois pays, la prévalence de l’anémie ait également diminué chez les familles de contrôle, la différence était plus grande chez les familles participant au programme en comparaison avec les familles de contrôle.La malnutrición en micronutrientes es un problema de salud pública serio entre las mujeres y los niños en Bangladesh, Camboya, Nepal y Filipinas. En estos paÃses Helen Keller International ha implementado programas de producción de alimentos en casa (PAC), conjuntamente con una educación en nutrición, para aumentar y asegurar la disponibilidad y el consumo todo el año de alimentos ricos en micronutrientes en hogares desfavorecidos, en particular entre las mujeres y los niños. Entre 2003 y 2007, el programa PAC fue aplicado en unos 30.000 hogares en estos cuatro paÃses. Los datos obtenidos de las muestras representativas tomadas para la evaluación de los programas PAC en dichos paÃses mostraron los beneficios del programa para los hogares. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de entrevistas con hogares en los pueblos en los que se aplicó el programa PAC y con hogares de control en pueblos sin el programa PAC. Antes y después de la implementación del programa, se tomaron muestras de sangre de unos 1000 niños entre 6 y 59 meses de edad y de unas 1200 mujeres no embarazadas; dichas muestras fueron analizadas para ver la hemoglobina. El estudio revela que el programa PAC mejoró de manera significativa la diversificación en la dieta. Los datos combinados de los cuatro paÃses mostraron una mejorÃa en el consumo de alimentos de origen animal entre los hogares afiliados al programa, con un aumento del consumo de hÃgado de 24 % al comienzo a 46 % al final, y un aumento de 2 a 5 del número medio de huevos consumidos por familia y por semana. La venta de productos PAC también mejoró los ingresos del hogar. La prevalencia de anemia en los niños de hogares afiliados al programa disminuyó en todos los paÃses; sin embargo, la disminución sólo fue significativa en Bangladesh y Filipinas. Aunque la prevalencia de anemia también disminuyó entre los hogares de control en tres paÃses, la magnitud del cambio fue mayor en hogares del programa que en hogares de control
Homestead food production model contributes to improved household food security and nutrition status of young children and women in poor populations
Micronutrient malnutrition is a serious public health problem among women and children in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and the Philippines. Helen Keller International has been implementing homestead food production (HFP) programs (coupled with nutrition education) in these countries to increase and ensure year-round availability and intake of micronutrient-rich foods in poor households, particularly among women and children.  Between 2003 and 2007, the HFP program was implemented among ~30,000 households in these four countries. Data collected from representative samples taken for evaluations of HFP programs in these countries illustrated the benefit of the program for households. Data were collected through interviews with households in villages that had the HFP program and from control households in non-HFP program villages. Blood samples collected from ~1000 children aged 6-59 months and ~1200 non-pregnant women before and after program implementation were analyzed for hemoglobin. The review showed that the HFP program significantly improved dietary diversification. The combined data from all four countries showed improved animal food consumption among program households, with liver consumption increasing from 24% at baseline to 46% at endline and the median number of eggs consumed by families per week increasing from 2 to 5.  The sale of HFP products also improved household income. Anemia prevalence among children in program households decreased in all the countries; however, the decrease was only significant in Bangladesh and the Philippines.  Although anemia prevalence also decreased among control households in three countries, the magnitude of change was higher in program households compared with control households.Les carences en micronutriments représentent un grave problème de santé publique chez les femmes et les enfants au Bangladesh, au Cambodge, au Népal et aux Philippines. Helen Keller International met en Å“uvre dans ces pays un programme de production alimentaire en exploitations familiales (homestead food production - HFP) associé à une éducation à l'alimentation afin d’augmenter et de garantir la disponibilité et la consommation d'aliments riches en micronutriments tout au long de l'année dans les foyers pauvres, et plus particulièrement chez les femmes et les enfants. Entre 2003 et 2007, le programme HFP a été mis en Å“uvre dans environ 30 000 foyers de ces quatre pays. Les données fournies par les échantillons représentatifs utilisés pour l'évaluation de ce programme mettent en évidence les bénéfices qu'il représente pour les familles. Ces données sont le résultat des entretiens conduits avec des familles appartenant à des villages participant au programme HFP, ainsi qu’avec des familles de contrôle dans des villages non concernés par le programme. Des analyses de l’hémoglobine ont été réalisées sur des échantillons sanguins prélevés avant et après la mise en Å“uvre du programme sur environ 1 000 enfants âgés de 6 à 59 mois et environ 1 200 femmes (non enceintes). L’évaluation du programme HFP a montré qu’il avait amélioré significativement la diversification alimentaire. Les données combinées des quatre pays montrent une amélioration de la consommation de produits d’origine animale chez les familles du programme. La consommation de foie est passée de 24 % à 46 %, et le nombre médian d’œufs consommés par semaine et par famille est passé de 2 à 5. La vente des produits issus du programme HFP a également amélioré les revenus de ces foyers. La prévalence de l’anémie chez les enfants participant au programme a diminué dans tous les pays. Cette diminution n'était cependant significative qu'au Bangladesh et aux Philippines. Bien que, dans trois pays, la prévalence de l’anémie ait également diminué chez les familles de contrôle, la différence était plus grande chez les familles participant au programme en comparaison avec les familles de contrôle.La malnutrición en micronutrientes es un problema de salud pública serio entre las mujeres y los niños en Bangladesh, Camboya, Nepal y Filipinas. En estos paÃses Helen Keller International ha implementado programas de producción de alimentos en casa (PAC), conjuntamente con una educación en nutrición, para aumentar y asegurar la disponibilidad y el consumo todo el año de alimentos ricos en micronutrientes en hogares desfavorecidos, en particular entre las mujeres y los niños. Entre 2003 y 2007, el programa PAC fue aplicado en unos 30.000 hogares en estos cuatro paÃses. Los datos obtenidos de las muestras representativas tomadas para la evaluación de los programas PAC en dichos paÃses mostraron los beneficios del programa para los hogares. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de entrevistas con hogares en los pueblos en los que se aplicó el programa PAC y con hogares de control en pueblos sin el programa PAC. Antes y después de la implementación del programa, se tomaron muestras de sangre de unos 1000 niños entre 6 y 59 meses de edad y de unas 1200 mujeres no embarazadas; dichas muestras fueron analizadas para ver la hemoglobina. El estudio revela que el programa PAC mejoró de manera significativa la diversificación en la dieta. Los datos combinados de los cuatro paÃses mostraron una mejorÃa en el consumo de alimentos de origen animal entre los hogares afiliados al programa, con un aumento del consumo de hÃgado de 24 % al comienzo a 46 % al final, y un aumento de 2 a 5 del número medio de huevos consumidos por familia y por semana. La venta de productos PAC también mejoró los ingresos del hogar. La prevalencia de anemia en los niños de hogares afiliados al programa disminuyó en todos los paÃses; sin embargo, la disminución sólo fue significativa en Bangladesh y Filipinas. Aunque la prevalencia de anemia también disminuyó entre los hogares de control en tres paÃses, la magnitud del cambio fue mayor en hogares del programa que en hogares de control
Incidence and trends of blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations in the United States
We used the State Inpatient Databases from the United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to provide state-specific age-adjusted blastomycosis-associated hospitalization incidence throughout the entire United States. Among the 46 states studied, states within the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys had the highest age-adjusted hospitalization incidence. Specifically, Wisconsin had the highest age-adjusted hospitalization incidence (2.9 hospitalizations per 100,000 person-years). Trends were studied in the five highest hospitalization incidence states. From 2000 to 2011, blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations increased significantly in Illinois and Kentucky with an average annual increase of 4.4% and 8.4%, respectively. Trends varied significantly by state. Overall, 64% of blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations were among men and the median age at hospitalization was 53 years. This analysis provides a complete epidemiologic description of blastomycosis-associated hospitalizations throughout the endemic area in the United States
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Groundwater modeling of the proposed new production reactor site, Savannah River Site, South Carolina
This report addresses groundwater modeling performed to support the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that is being prepared by the Department of Energy (DOE). The EIS pertains to construction and operation of a new production reactor (NPR) that is under consideration for the Savannah River Site (SRS). Three primary issues are addressed by the modeling analysis: (1) groundwater availability, (2) changes in vertical hydraulic gradients as a result of groundwater pumpage, and (3) migration of potential contaminants from the NPR site. The modeling indicates that the maximum pumpage to be used, 1000 gpm, will induce only minor drawdown across SRS. Pumpage of this magnitude will have a limited effect on the upward gradient from the Cretaceous into the Tertiary near Upper Three Runs Creek. Potentiometric surface maps generated from modeled results indicate that horizontal flow in the water table is either towards Four Mile Creek to the north or to Pen Branch on the south. Particle tracking analysis indicates that the primary flow paths are vertical into the Lower Tertiary Zone, with very little lateral migration. Total travel times from the NPR site to the edge of the model (approximately 3 miles) is on the order of 50 years. The flow direction of water in the Lower Tertiary Zone is relatively well defined due to the regional extent of the flow system. The Pen Branch Fault does not influence contaminant migration for this particular site because it is in the opposite direction of Lower Tertiary Zone groundwater flow. 20 refs., 27 figs., 2 tabs
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Characterizing hydrogeologic heterogeneity using lithologic data
Large-scale (> 1 m) variability in hydraulic conductivity is usually the main influence on field-scale groundwater flow patterns and dispersive transport. Sediment lithologic descriptions and geophysical logs typically offer finer spatial resolution, and therefore more potential information about site-scale heterogeneity, than other site characterization data. In this study, a technique for generating a heterogeneous, three-dimensional hydraulic conductivity field from sediment lithologic descriptions is presented. The approach involves creating a three-dimensional, fine-scale representation of mud (silt + clay) percentage using a stratified interpolation algorithm. Mud percentage is then translated into horizontal and vertical conductivity using direct correlations derived from measured data and inverse groundwater flow modeling. Lastly, the fine-scale conductivity fields are averaged to create a coarser grid for use in groundwater flow and transport modeling. The approach is demonstrated using a finite-element groundwater flow model of a Savannah River Site solid radioactive and hazardous waste burial ground. Hydrostratigraphic units in the area consist of fluvial, deltaic, and shallow marine sand, mud and calcareous sediment that exhibit abrupt facies changes over short distances
Homestead food production model contributes to improved household food security and nutrition status of young children and women in poor populations
Micronutrient malnutrition is a serious public health problem among women and children in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal and the Philippines. Helen Keller International has been implementing homestead food production (HFP) programs (coupled with nutrition education) in these countries to increase and ensure year-round availability and intake of micronutrient-rich foods in poor households, particularly among women and children. Â Between 2003 and 2007, the HFP program was implemented among ~30,000 households in these four countries. Data collected from representative samples taken for evaluations of HFP programs in these countries illustrated the benefit of the program for households. Data were collected through interviews with households in villages that had the HFP program and from control households in non-HFP program villages. Blood samples collected from ~1000 children aged 6-59 months and ~1200 non-pregnant women before and after program implementation were analyzed for hemoglobin. The review showed that the HFP program significantly improved dietary diversification. The combined data from all four countries showed improved animal food consumption among program households, with liver consumption increasing from 24% at baseline to 46% at endline and the median number of eggs consumed by families per week increasing from 2 to 5. Â The sale of HFP products also improved household income. Anemia prevalence among children in program households decreased in all the countries; however, the decrease was only significant in Bangladesh and the Philippines. Â Although anemia prevalence also decreased among control households in three countries, the magnitude of change was higher in program households compared with control households
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Uranium in the Savannah River Site environment
The purpose of this report is to consolidate the history of environmental uranium studies conducted by SRS and to describe the status of uranium in the environment. The report is intended to be a ``living document`` that will be updated periodically. This draft issue, February 1992, documents studies that occurred from 1954 to 1989. Data in this report are taken primarily from annual and semiannual environmental reports for SRS. Semiannual reports were published from 1954 through 1962. Annual reports have been published since 1963. Occasionally unpublished data are included in this report for completeness