Changes in the concentration and composition of urban aerosols during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This work investigates the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures on the mass concentrations of PM and PM, and their chemical components (water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, and major and trace metals) at an urban site in the western Mediterranean. The evolution of gaseous pollutants (NO, O and some volatile organic compounds) was also analyzed. The concentrations measured during the lockdown in 2020 were compared to those obtained during the same period over the preceding five years.

Chemistry of dry and wet atmospheric deposition over the Balearic Islands, NW Mediterranean: Source apportionment and African dust areas.

Wet and dry aerosol deposition samples were collected from September 2010 to August 2012 at a remote background site in the Mallorca Isle (Western Mediterranean). Ions and major and trace elements were determined in soluble and insoluble fractions. Temporal variations of chemical components are discussed and interpreted.

Characterization of hydrocarbons in aerosols at a Mediterranean city with a high density of palm groves.

Samples of PM1 and PM10 were collected for 1 year at an urban background station in the city of Elche (southeastern Spain) and analyzed to determine the content of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A few samples were also gathered at a second sampling point established at one of the several palm tree gardens of the city in order to evaluate the influence of biogenic emissions on the urban levels of n-alkanes. Diagnostic parameters obtained for aliphatic hydrocarbons (carbon maximum number (C max), carbon preference index (CPI), and wax n-alkane content (%WNA)) revealed a higher contribution of biogenic n-alkanes in PM10 than in PM1.

Simulation evaluation using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the process of evaluating senior nursing students in the simulation laboratory using a modified Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric (LCJR).

Background: The LCJR is a clinical evaluation tool used to measure outcomes in simulated learning settings. The LCJR was revised to provide numeric grading and clarity regarding expectations of clinical competency.