Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/27658511.2021.1951017
Thokozani Hanjahanja-Phiri
Abstract The effects of adverse prenatal conditions are not only experienced over the life course but can be passed on intergenerationally. The present study took advantage of a natural experiment from three drought periods of 1981/82, 1987/88, and 1992/93 that occurred in Malawi with varying severity and used data from a randomized clinical trial (RCT), conducted between 2011–2015 (Protocol #NCT01239693). The present study aimed to assess the effect of the interactions between maternal exposure to drought in early life and prenatal supplementation with a novel supplement [small quantity (SQ), lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS)], the standard of care prenatal supplement [iron-folic acid or IFA], or a close substitute of the standard of care [multiple micronutrients or MMN], on subsequent infant birth outcomes. During data analysis, ordinary least squares were used to run multiple regressions. The regression results were as follows. When there was no maternal exposure to drought, SQ-LNS compared to IFA appeared to improve subsequent infant birth outcomes for length-for-age Z score or LAZ (0.403 standard deviation (SD), Confidence interval CI [0.099, 0.708]), for subsequent infant weight-for-age Z score or WAZ (0.372 SD, CI [0.053, 0.691]), and for imputed infant birthweight or BTW (125.900 g, CI [2.901, 248.899]). In conclusion, the results show a pattern emerging whereby some positive associations can be observed, specifically, when maternal non-drought exposure variables and the SQ-LNS variable interact. Their combined effects on subsequent infant birth outcomes notably subsequent infant LAZ, subsequent infant WAZ, and subsequent infant imputed BWT appear to be positive.
{"title":"A conceptual framework of the impact of maternal early life drought exposure on newborn size in Malawi","authors":"Thokozani Hanjahanja-Phiri","doi":"10.1080/27658511.2021.1951017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1951017","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The effects of adverse prenatal conditions are not only experienced over the life course but can be passed on intergenerationally. The present study took advantage of a natural experiment from three drought periods of 1981/82, 1987/88, and 1992/93 that occurred in Malawi with varying severity and used data from a randomized clinical trial (RCT), conducted between 2011–2015 (Protocol #NCT01239693). The present study aimed to assess the effect of the interactions between maternal exposure to drought in early life and prenatal supplementation with a novel supplement [small quantity (SQ), lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS)], the standard of care prenatal supplement [iron-folic acid or IFA], or a close substitute of the standard of care [multiple micronutrients or MMN], on subsequent infant birth outcomes. During data analysis, ordinary least squares were used to run multiple regressions. The regression results were as follows. When there was no maternal exposure to drought, SQ-LNS compared to IFA appeared to improve subsequent infant birth outcomes for length-for-age Z score or LAZ (0.403 standard deviation (SD), Confidence interval CI [0.099, 0.708]), for subsequent infant weight-for-age Z score or WAZ (0.372 SD, CI [0.053, 0.691]), and for imputed infant birthweight or BTW (125.900 g, CI [2.901, 248.899]). In conclusion, the results show a pattern emerging whereby some positive associations can be observed, specifically, when maternal non-drought exposure variables and the SQ-LNS variable interact. Their combined effects on subsequent infant birth outcomes notably subsequent infant LAZ, subsequent infant WAZ, and subsequent infant imputed BWT appear to be positive.","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81030093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/27658511.2021.1935532
J. Kihila, Kris Wernsted, M. Kaseva
ABSTRACT Waste segregation is an important component in the waste management chain as it makes it possible to realize effective Reuse, Recycling and Recovery (RRR). Unfortunately, it has received little attention and is normally informally practiced in most developing countries (DC). It is also affected by lack of awareness, weak regulatory frameworks and enforcement, lack of economic incentive and a low priority in planning. This study was conducted in Kimara ward in Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania. It employed interviews, household surveys and waste measurements, to establish the potential for RRR as well as the underlying factors that are related to the community perspectives and strategies for enhancement of RRR. Results show that the generation rate was 0.53 kg/Cap.day and the main type was food waste (>60% of the composition by weight). The study revealed further that reuse and recycling of plastics, electronics and metals are informally practiced and the selling chain is from household to waste collectors to recycling centers and finally to industries. The potential for RRR was found to be high but, it is affected by lack of facilities, inadequate enforcement of the policy as well as lack of awareness and strategies for its promotion. Community perceptions on what could be done to improve segregation include the provision of facilities for waste segregation and financial returns to the community from recycling business could promote RRR. Formulation of strategies to formalize and mainstream RRR into training programmes and adequate enforcement mechanisms are some of the recommended policy actions.
{"title":"Waste segregation and potential for recycling -A case study in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania","authors":"J. Kihila, Kris Wernsted, M. Kaseva","doi":"10.1080/27658511.2021.1935532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1935532","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Waste segregation is an important component in the waste management chain as it makes it possible to realize effective Reuse, Recycling and Recovery (RRR). Unfortunately, it has received little attention and is normally informally practiced in most developing countries (DC). It is also affected by lack of awareness, weak regulatory frameworks and enforcement, lack of economic incentive and a low priority in planning. This study was conducted in Kimara ward in Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania. It employed interviews, household surveys and waste measurements, to establish the potential for RRR as well as the underlying factors that are related to the community perspectives and strategies for enhancement of RRR. Results show that the generation rate was 0.53 kg/Cap.day and the main type was food waste (>60% of the composition by weight). The study revealed further that reuse and recycling of plastics, electronics and metals are informally practiced and the selling chain is from household to waste collectors to recycling centers and finally to industries. The potential for RRR was found to be high but, it is affected by lack of facilities, inadequate enforcement of the policy as well as lack of awareness and strategies for its promotion. Community perceptions on what could be done to improve segregation include the provision of facilities for waste segregation and financial returns to the community from recycling business could promote RRR. Formulation of strategies to formalize and mainstream RRR into training programmes and adequate enforcement mechanisms are some of the recommended policy actions.","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88709334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/23311843.2021.1875555
G. A. Bogale, Tasisa Temesgen Tolossa
ABSTRACT Invasive alien species (IAS) are the plant species whose introduction and spread outside of their natural past, present and threatens biological diversity. Prosofis juliflora impacts and driver pastoral vulnerability and agricultural lands where reduced biodiversity, loss of livestock forage and culturally valuable of indigenous species. The major adverse impacts of climate variability in Ethiopia include food insecurity arising from droughts and floods, outbreak of diseases, land degradation due to heavy rainfall. Climate change adaptation and mitigation prevent the introduction of new non-native species to minimize the possibility of future invasions. As compared to the current climatic condition, future climate prediction in 2070 will be highly suitable climate for the species by increasing by 73.3% and 80.0% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. Further reviews that consider different climate models with appropriate adaptation management options are necessary to better understand the impact of future invasive species in the study area.
{"title":"Climate change intensification impacts and challenges of invasive species and adaptation measures in Eastern Ethiopia","authors":"G. A. Bogale, Tasisa Temesgen Tolossa","doi":"10.1080/23311843.2021.1875555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/23311843.2021.1875555","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Invasive alien species (IAS) are the plant species whose introduction and spread outside of their natural past, present and threatens biological diversity. Prosofis juliflora impacts and driver pastoral vulnerability and agricultural lands where reduced biodiversity, loss of livestock forage and culturally valuable of indigenous species. The major adverse impacts of climate variability in Ethiopia include food insecurity arising from droughts and floods, outbreak of diseases, land degradation due to heavy rainfall. Climate change adaptation and mitigation prevent the introduction of new non-native species to minimize the possibility of future invasions. As compared to the current climatic condition, future climate prediction in 2070 will be highly suitable climate for the species by increasing by 73.3% and 80.0% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario, respectively. Further reviews that consider different climate models with appropriate adaptation management options are necessary to better understand the impact of future invasive species in the study area.","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75713873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/27658511.2021.1889083
M. Javari, M. Saghaei, Fahime Fadaei Jazi
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess environmental resilience through the analysis of quantitative and qualitative indices on urban settlements in Malayer city, Iran. We used to assess environmental resilience, the natural, accessibility, privacy, and social indices for reducing environmental damages. To analyze the environmental resilience in urban settlements, we use the decision-making matrix, standardization of indicators based on fuzzy method, ideal indicators, matrix coefficient change based on the weight of indices, the ideal positive and negative solutions, distance measure, and the relative proximity of the ideal solution using multi-criteria decision-making method(MCDM). Also, to analyze environmental resilience indexes, we used GIS and TOPSIS software. The results show that the resilience rate in Malayer city shows essential diversity in resilience. Results of the resilience rate show the critical difference from 2.17% in deficient resilience class, 6.14% in low resilience class, 25.67% proper resilience, and 66.02% high resilience. The present study, as a regional pattern, showed the resilience rate in urban settlements using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM).
{"title":"Analyzing the resilience of urban settlements using multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models (case study: Malayer city)","authors":"M. Javari, M. Saghaei, Fahime Fadaei Jazi","doi":"10.1080/27658511.2021.1889083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1889083","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess environmental resilience through the analysis of quantitative and qualitative indices on urban settlements in Malayer city, Iran. We used to assess environmental resilience, the natural, accessibility, privacy, and social indices for reducing environmental damages. To analyze the environmental resilience in urban settlements, we use the decision-making matrix, standardization of indicators based on fuzzy method, ideal indicators, matrix coefficient change based on the weight of indices, the ideal positive and negative solutions, distance measure, and the relative proximity of the ideal solution using multi-criteria decision-making method(MCDM). Also, to analyze environmental resilience indexes, we used GIS and TOPSIS software. The results show that the resilience rate in Malayer city shows essential diversity in resilience. Results of the resilience rate show the critical difference from 2.17% in deficient resilience class, 6.14% in low resilience class, 25.67% proper resilience, and 66.02% high resilience. The present study, as a regional pattern, showed the resilience rate in urban settlements using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM).","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81149586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/27658511.2021.1885185
E. Aboagye, Justice Attobrah, Nana Adwoa Anokye Effah, Sandylove Afrane, F. Mensah
ABSTRACT Air pollution is one of the major causes of health risks as it leads to widespread disease and death each year. Countries have invested heavily in fighting air pollution, arguably without convincing results. The outbreak of the highly infectious disease COVID-19 in December 2019 has been declared a pandemic and a worldwide health crisis by World Health Organization (WHO). Countries resorted to city lockdowns that sternly curtailed personal mobility and economic activities to control the spread of this deadly coronavirus disease. This paper examines the impact of Covid-19 city lockdowns on air quality. The researchers adopted a comprehensive interpretative document analysis for this study, which guided the careful but rigorous examination of air quality and coronavirus data. This method affirmed the authenticity of the information examined and interpreted in the US, Italy and China, the study areas. The study found that Covid-19 city lockdowns have contributed to a significant improvement in air quality within the first four months of the outbreak of Covid-19. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had reported that NO2 concentrations in the study areas had reduced significantly using evidence from their Sentinel-5P instrument. Air quality in Covid-19 cities’ lockdowns also improved because of the enforcement of other types of measures enacted to battle the virus. WHO still believes that the amount of NO2 concentration in the atmosphere is still high per their standards and regulations. Based on this, the researchers recommend that governments and other stakeholders put in much effort in terms of legislation to “win the war” against air pollution.
{"title":"“Fortune amidst misfortune”: The impact of Covid-19 city lockdowns on air quality","authors":"E. Aboagye, Justice Attobrah, Nana Adwoa Anokye Effah, Sandylove Afrane, F. Mensah","doi":"10.1080/27658511.2021.1885185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1885185","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Air pollution is one of the major causes of health risks as it leads to widespread disease and death each year. Countries have invested heavily in fighting air pollution, arguably without convincing results. The outbreak of the highly infectious disease COVID-19 in December 2019 has been declared a pandemic and a worldwide health crisis by World Health Organization (WHO). Countries resorted to city lockdowns that sternly curtailed personal mobility and economic activities to control the spread of this deadly coronavirus disease. This paper examines the impact of Covid-19 city lockdowns on air quality. The researchers adopted a comprehensive interpretative document analysis for this study, which guided the careful but rigorous examination of air quality and coronavirus data. This method affirmed the authenticity of the information examined and interpreted in the US, Italy and China, the study areas. The study found that Covid-19 city lockdowns have contributed to a significant improvement in air quality within the first four months of the outbreak of Covid-19. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had reported that NO2 concentrations in the study areas had reduced significantly using evidence from their Sentinel-5P instrument. Air quality in Covid-19 cities’ lockdowns also improved because of the enforcement of other types of measures enacted to battle the virus. WHO still believes that the amount of NO2 concentration in the atmosphere is still high per their standards and regulations. Based on this, the researchers recommend that governments and other stakeholders put in much effort in terms of legislation to “win the war” against air pollution.","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90090531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-01-01DOI: 10.1080/27658511.2021.1889084
Erana Kebede, Berhanu Amsalu, A. Argaw, S. Tamiru
ABSTRACT Enumeration of the native rhizobia population is important to determine the abundance of rhizobia in the soil and the achievement of inoculation. In Ethiopia, limited information is available on the population abundance of cowpea nodulating rhizobia. This study aimed to evaluate the population abundance of rhizobia nodulating cowpea and their relation with cropping history and soil properties in cowpea producing areas of Ethiopia. The abundance of rhizobia existing in the soils was assessed by the most probable number technique. The study revealed that the population abundance of rhizobia nodulating cowpea is high, ranging from 3.1 × 104 to 1.0 × 107 rhizobia cells g−1 of soil, and the population varied at each location. Besides, there was no statistically significant correlation between soil physicochemical properties and the rhizobial population. All the investigated soils had been cropped with cowpea in monoculture (sole cowpea), intercropping (mostly with sorghum and maize) and crop rotation for many years. Thus, the higher rhizobia population observed in this study is associated with the season factor and cropping history of the areas. In general, the soils of cowpea production areas in Ethiopia harbor adequate levels of rhizobia capable of nodulating cowpea, which are passable to provide satisfactory nitrogen fixation and nodulation.
{"title":"Abundance of native rhizobia nodulating cowpea in major production areas of Ethiopia as influenced by cropping history and soil properties","authors":"Erana Kebede, Berhanu Amsalu, A. Argaw, S. Tamiru","doi":"10.1080/27658511.2021.1889084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/27658511.2021.1889084","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Enumeration of the native rhizobia population is important to determine the abundance of rhizobia in the soil and the achievement of inoculation. In Ethiopia, limited information is available on the population abundance of cowpea nodulating rhizobia. This study aimed to evaluate the population abundance of rhizobia nodulating cowpea and their relation with cropping history and soil properties in cowpea producing areas of Ethiopia. The abundance of rhizobia existing in the soils was assessed by the most probable number technique. The study revealed that the population abundance of rhizobia nodulating cowpea is high, ranging from 3.1 × 104 to 1.0 × 107 rhizobia cells g−1 of soil, and the population varied at each location. Besides, there was no statistically significant correlation between soil physicochemical properties and the rhizobial population. All the investigated soils had been cropped with cowpea in monoculture (sole cowpea), intercropping (mostly with sorghum and maize) and crop rotation for many years. Thus, the higher rhizobia population observed in this study is associated with the season factor and cropping history of the areas. In general, the soils of cowpea production areas in Ethiopia harbor adequate levels of rhizobia capable of nodulating cowpea, which are passable to provide satisfactory nitrogen fixation and nodulation.","PeriodicalId":29858,"journal":{"name":"Sustainable Environment","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78306594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}