New particle formation from isoprene under upper-tropospheric conditions.

Aircraft observations have revealed ubiquitous new particle formation in the tropical upper troposphere over the Amazon and the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Although the vapours involved remain unknown, recent satellite observations have revealed surprisingly high night-time isoprene mixing ratios of up to 1 part per billion by volume (ppbv) in the tropical upper troposphere. Here, in experiments performed with the CERN CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving Outdoor Droplets) chamber, we report new particle formation initiated by the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with isoprene at upper-tropospheric temperatures of -30 °C and -50 °C.

Iodine oxoacids enhance nucleation of sulfuric acid particles in the atmosphere.

The main nucleating vapor in the atmosphere is thought to be sulfuric acid (HSO), stabilized by ammonia (NH). However, in marine and polar regions, NH is generally low, and HSO is frequently found together with iodine oxoacids [HIO, i.e.

Arthroscopic all-inside ligament repair has similar or superior clinical outcomes compared to open repair for chronic ankle instability without concomitant intra-articular pathology at 5 years follow-up.

Purpose: Open ligament repair is widely considered the gold standard treatment for chronic ankle instability. Nevertheless, arthroscopic treatment of ankle instability has gained popularity becoming the preferred technique for many surgeons. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of all-inside arthroscopic versus open lateral ligament repair for chronic ankle instability at 5 years follow-up.

Comprehension of prescription orders with and without pictograms: tool validation and comparative assessment among a sample of participants from a developing country.

Background: Medication errors can often occur due to the patient's inability to comprehend written or verbal medication orders. This study aimed to develop pictograms of selected medication orders and to validate the comprehension of prescription orders index and compare the comprehension scores with and without pictograms. In addition to determine the predictors that could be associated with a better or worse comprehension of prescription orders with pictograms versus that of their written counterparts.

Role of sesquiterpenes in biogenic new particle formation.

Biogenic vapors form new particles in the atmosphere, affecting global climate. The contributions of monoterpenes and isoprene to new particle formation (NPF) have been extensively studied. However, sesquiterpenes have received little attention despite a potentially important role due to their high molecular weight.

The gas-phase formation mechanism of iodic acid as an atmospheric aerosol source.

Iodine is a reactive trace element in atmospheric chemistry that destroys ozone and nucleates particles. Iodine emissions have tripled since 1950 and are projected to keep increasing with rising O surface concentrations. Although iodic acid (HIO) is widespread and forms particles more efficiently than sulfuric acid, its gas-phase formation mechanism remains unresolved.

Synergistic HNO-HSO-NH upper tropospheric particle formation.

New particle formation in the upper free troposphere is a major global source of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). However, the precursor vapours that drive the process are not well understood. With experiments performed under upper tropospheric conditions in the CERN CLOUD chamber, we show that nitric acid, sulfuric acid and ammonia form particles synergistically, at rates that are orders of magnitude faster than those from any two of the three components.

Formation and growth of sub-3-nm aerosol particles in experimental chambers.

Atmospheric new particle formation (NPF), which is observed in many environments globally, is an important source of boundary-layer aerosol particles and cloud condensation nuclei, which affect both the climate and human health. To better understand the mechanisms behind NPF, chamber experiments can be used to simulate this phenomenon under well-controlled conditions. Recent advancements in instrumentation have made it possible to directly detect the first steps of NPF of molecular clusters (~1-2 nm in diameter) and to calculate quantities such as the formation and growth rates of these clusters.

Molecular Composition and Volatility of Nucleated Particles from α-Pinene Oxidation between -50 °C and +25 °C.

We use a real-time temperature-programmed desorption chemical-ionization mass spectrometer (FIGAERO-CIMS) to measure particle-phase composition and volatility of nucleated particles, studying pure α-pinene oxidation over a wide temperature range (-50 °C to +25 °C) in the CLOUD chamber at CERN. Highly oxygenated organic molecules are much more abundant in particles formed at higher temperatures, shifting the compounds toward higher O/C and lower intrinsic (300 K) volatility. We find that pure biogenic nucleation and growth depends only weakly on temperature.

Association Between Smoking Hookahs (Shishas) and Higher Risk of Obesity: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies.

The American Heart Association has published a scientific statement on the effect of hookah smoking on health outcomes; nevertheless, hookah smoking continues to be popular worldwide, especially among the young. Recent reports mention a potential link between hookah smoking and obesity; however, uncertainties still surround this issue. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review to clarify whether hookah smoking is associated with a higher risk of obesity among the general population.

Citizen science in Lebanon-a case study for groundwater quality monitoring.

Over the past decade, several citizen science projects have been launched, with a smaller subset addressing citizen scientists' involvement in water quality monitoring. Most of these projects were conducted in developed countries and focused on qualitative assessment and measurements of a limited number of water quality parameters. Moreover, data generated by citizen scientists were mainly for monitoring purposes and rarely resulted in remedial measures.

Association of Bosworth, Pilon, and Open Talus Fractures: A Very Unusual Ankle Trauma.

Introduction: A Bosworth fracture-dislocation is a rare lesion resulting in a fixed dislocation of the distal fibula behind the posterior tibial tubercle. Only few cases have been reported showing an associated consequent fracture, namely, a pilon or a medial malleolus fracture.

Case Report: We present a case report of a patient with an unusual combination of a Bosworth injury with a pilon fracture and an open multifragmentary talus fracture and our approach for open reduction and internal fixation.

PM Plume dispersion data of the Zouk power plant in Lebanon.

Ambient air pollution is a major risk to the human health and to the environment. The data presented quantifies the (PM) contribution of the Zouk Mikael power plant to the ambient air pollution in Lebanon for the year 2014. The data is the outcome of a computer simulation using The Air Pollution Model (TAPM), taking into account the emission source data, the spatio-temporal meteorological conditions, the terrain height, and the land cover characteristics.

Toxicant inhalation among singleton waterpipe tobacco users in natural settings.

Background: Studies that assess waterpipe tobacco smoking behaviour and toxicant exposure generally use controlled laboratory environments with small samples that may not fully capture real-world variability in human behaviour and waterpipe products. This study aimed to conduct real-time sampling of waterpipe tobacco use in natural environments using an in situ device.

Methods: We used the REALTIME sampling instrument: a validated, portable, self-powered device designed to sample automatically a fixed percentage of the aerosol flowing through the waterpipe mouthpiece during every puff.

Detection of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural in the aerosol of electronic cigarettes.

Significance: The wide availability of sweet flavours has been hypothesised as a factor in the popularity of electronic cigarette (ECIG), especially among youth. Saccharides, which are commonly used to impart a sweet flavour to ECIG liquids, thermally degrade to produce toxic compounds, like aldehydes and furans. This study investigates the formation of furanic compounds in aerosols when ECIG liquid solutions of varying sweetener concentrations are vaped under different power and puff duration.

Nicotine and Carbonyl Emissions From Popular Electronic Cigarette Products: Correlation to Liquid Composition and Design Characteristics.

Introduction: Available in hundreds of device designs and thousands of flavors, electronic cigarette (ECIG) may have differing toxicant emission characteristics. This study assesses nicotine and carbonyl yields in the most popular brands in the U.S.