Filter Media Layers Contribution in Removal of Pollutants from Concentrated Greywater by Vermifiltration.

The contribution from each filter medium layer in the removal of pollutants from the concentrated greywater treatment by vermifiltration was studied for 7 months. The two filters were made up of cylindrical DN200-PVC pipes and were filled with 10 cm gravel, 20 cm sand and 30 cm fine sawdust from bottom to top. Two hundred Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms were inoculated to one of the filters and the other was used as a control unit. The sample, first, at the outlet was collected, then the outlet was closed to collect samples from the other sampling ports, which were created at the bottom of each layer. Analysis were done for ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), orthophosphate (PO43-), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total suspended solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, and Temperature. The results showed that there were significant differences (<0.05) for removal efficiencies of all parameters among the different layers of the vermifilter and the control unit. However, for concentrations, there were significant differences only for COD, TSS, PO43-, and DO among the layers. When the performances of the respective layers of the vermifilter and control unit were compared, there was no significant differences (>0.05) except for COD and DO concentrations but with a slightly less average effluent concentration of nitrate and orthophosphate in the control unit. To conclude, major removal of NH4+, NO3-, NO2-, PO43-, COD and TSS were occurred at the fine sawdust layer. Keywords: Concentrated greywater; Eudrilus eugeniae; Filter materials; Vermifiltratio

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in people living with HIV attending antiretroviral clinic at Fitche Zonal Hospital, Central Ethiopia: cross-sectional study conducted in 2012.

BackgroundDepression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with the prevalence rate ranging from 5% to 10% in the general population and about 60% in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). It has been reported to be more common among women living with HIV. In HIV patients, depression can have negative impacts on their quality of life.ObjectiveThis study was aimed at identifying the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among PLHIV attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic at Fitche Zonal Hospital.MethodsIt was a cross-sectional study conducted among PLHIV in Fitche Zonal Hospital from February 15 to March 15, 2012. Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression tool was used to collect data from 390 respondents. Both the bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out and variables with PPResultsOf the total 390 respondents included in the analysis, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 76.7%, ranging from mild to moderate (33.6%) to major (43.1%), and the highest proportion was observed among individuals with food insecurity accounting for 287 (79.3%). Food insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =3.832 [1.575-9.322]), non-ownership of livestock (AOR =2.17 [1.157-4.104]), and opportunistic infections (AOR =5.20 [1.342-20.156]) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.Conclusion and recommendationsDepressive symptoms were prevalent in PLHIV. Social disparities were important factors of depressive symptoms. Integration of mental health care services with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome-related health care services at all health care levels was necessary. It was recommended that government and non-government organizations should provide assistance to the PLHIV to encourage their involvement in income-generating activities

Newborn care seeking practices in Central and Southern Ethiopia and implications for community based programming

Background: In Ethiopia, close to 120,000 newborns die annually and newborn mortality now constitutes 42% of under-five deaths. The use of health care for newborn illnesses is very limited.Objective: To investigate local perspectives and practices related to newborn care-seeking and the factors affecting them.Methods: Key informant interviews with grandmothers and in-depth interviews with mothers, TBAs and fathers were used to collect data in four communities in Sidama Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region and East Shewa Zone and West Arsi Zone in Oromia Region. Analysis consisted of manual thematic coding of the data and synthesis for write-up.Results: Locally recognized signs and types of illness only partially conform to medically recognized danger signs. Households apply home therapies, traditional healers or health facilities to get treatment for sick newborns. Lack of resources, transportation and appropriate treatment are barriers to making use of health facilities.Conclusion: Local conceptions of newborn illnesses, inadequate recognition of danger signs, using traditional treatment, and lack of financial resources, transportation and appropriate treatment constrain or delay resorting to health facilities for newborn illnesses

Bio-inspired design trends for sustainable energy structures

Researchers and engineers are constantly looking to nature for design inspiration as they work to create novel and effective energy conversion structures. Engineers are developing durable and resilient materials to survive extreme weather conditions and environmental issues using inspiration from the Nenuphar's durability in adverse aquatic environments and the Sunflower's adaptation to vary climatic situations. The analysis of new design ideas in renewable energy systems in this research was inspired by the Nenuphar (Water Lily) and the Sunflower. The Nenuphar's exceptional capacity to float and large leaf surface make it a model for enhanced water-based energy conversion systems. Researchers have been looking into novel concepts like floating solar farms and wave energy collecting platforms after being inspired by the Nenuphar's buoyancy and ability to efficiently use sunlight. Solar panel integration with water features can boost overall energy output while preserving precious land resources. The Sunflower, known for its phototropism and effective sun-tracking mechanism, offers suggestions for improving solar energy harvesting. Advanced heliotropic solar panels have demonstrated promising results in boosting energy production throughout the day by mimicking the Sunflower's ability to follow the trajectory of the Sun. These designs maximize energy outputs and boost overall system efficiency by maximizing solar exposure. Embracing these bio-inspired concepts can lead to the development of sustainable and efficient energy solutions, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Furthermore, the integration of smart technology and artificial intelligence is on the rise to optimize energy conversion structures.publishedVersio

Maternal dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy during pregnancy and related factors in East Gojjam Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016.

BackgroundMonotonous and less diversified diets are associated with micronutrient deficiency. Evidence on maternal dietary intakes during pregnancy is essential to achieve the 2025 global nutrition target and reduce maternal and child mortalities. This study assessed pregnant women's dietary diversity and identified factors associated with inadequate dietary diversity in East Gojjam Zone.MethodsWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional study between April and June 2016. Eight hundred thirty-four pregnant women were randomly sampled. The Women Dietary Diversity Score tool developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) was used. Data were entered into EpiData with double entry verification, and analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 20. Level of significance was set to P ResultsThe mean (±SD) dietary diversity score was 3.68 (±2.10). Inadequate dietary diversity was prevalent in 55% [95% CI (52.3-59.3%)] of pregnant women, or indirectly micronutrient was inadequate in more than half of the pregnant women. Commonly consumed dietary groups were legumes, nuts, and seeds (85.5%) followed by starchy staples (64.7%). Inadequate dietary diversity was higher among non-educated [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.30, 95% CI (2.35-22.68)] compared to college and above completed women. Wealth index had significant association with dietary diversity, in which women in the poorest [AOR = 8.83, 95% CI, (1.60-48.61)], poorer [AOR = 6.34, 95% CI (1.16-34.65)], poor [AOR = 8.46, 95% CI (1.56-45.70)], and richer [AOR = 6.57, 95% CI (2.16-20.01)] had higher odds of inadequate dietary diversity. Those who had not received dietary counseling had three folds [AOR = 3.31, 95% CI (1.49-7.35)] of inadequate dietary diversity compared to their counterparts. Less likelihood of inadequate dietary diversity was among women with an increased meal frequency [AOR = 0.53, 95% CI (0.38-0.74)].ConclusionConsumption of less diversified food during pregnancy is common in the study area. Adequacy of micronutrients is insufficient for more than half of the studied pregnant women. We conclude that being non-educated affects pregnant women to depend on less diversified diet. Providing dietary counseling during pregnancy can improve nutritional practice for pregnant women

The genetic overlap between mood disorders and cardiometabolic diseases: a systematic review of genome wide and candidate gene studies

© The Author(s) 2017 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material.Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies (meta-GWASs) and candidate gene studies have identified genetic variants associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases and mood disorders. Although previous efforts were successful for individual disease conditions (single disease), limited information exists on shared genetic risk between these disorders. This article presents a detailed review and analysis of cardiometabolic diseases risk (CMD-R) genes that are also associated with mood disorders. First, we reviewed meta-GWASs published until January 2016, for the diseases ‘type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension’ and/or for the risk factors ‘blood pressure, obesity, plasma lipid levels, insulin and glucose related traits’. We then searched the literature for published associations of these CMD-R genes with mood disorders. We considered studies that reported a significant association of at least one of the CMD-R genes and ‘depression’ or ‘depressive disorder’ or ‘depressive symptoms’ or ‘bipolar disorder’ or ‘lithium treatment response in bipolar disorder’, or ‘serotonin reuptake inhibitors treatment response in major depression’. Our review revealed 24 potential pleiotropic genes that are likely to be shared between mood disorders and CMD-Rs. These genes include MTHFR, CACNA1D, CACNB2, GNAS, ADRB1, NCAN, REST, FTO, POMC, BDNF, CREB, ITIH4, LEP, GSK3B, SLC18A1, TLR4, PPP1R1B, APOE, CRY2, HTR1A, ADRA2A, TCF7L2, MTNR1B and IGF1. A pathway analysis of these genes revealed significant pathways: corticotrophin-releasing hormone signaling, AMPK signaling, cAMP-mediated or G-protein coupled receptor signaling, axonal guidance signaling, serotonin or dopamine receptors signaling, dopamine-DARPP32 feedback in cAMP signaling, circadian rhythm signaling and leptin signaling. Our review provides insights into the shared biological mechanisms of mood disorders and cardiometabolic diseases