Cloud condensation nuclei activity of internally mixed particle populations at a remote marine free troposphere site in the North Atlantic Ocean.

This study reports results from research conducted at the Observatory of Mount Pico (OMP), 2225 m above mean sea level on Pico Island in the Azores archipelago in June and July 2017. We investigated the chemical composition, mixing state, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activities of long-range transported free tropospheric (FT) particles. FLEXible PARTicle Lagrangian particle dispersion model (FLEXPART) simulations reveal that most air masses that arrived at the OMP during the sampling period originated in North America and were highly aged (average plume age > 10 days).

Profile observations of the Arctic atmospheric boundary layer with the BELUGA tethered balloon during MOSAiC.

During the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition, the Balloon-bornE moduLar Utility for profilinG the lower Atmosphere (BELUGA) was deployed from an ice floe drifting in the Fram Strait from 29 June to 27 July 2020. The BELUGA observations aimed to characterize the cloudy Arctic atmospheric boundary layer above the sea ice using a modular setup of five instrument packages. The in situ measurements included atmospheric thermodynamic and dynamic state parameters (air temperature, humidity, pressure, and three-dimensional wind), broadband solar and terrestrial irradiance, aerosol particle microphysical properties, and cloud particle images.

Identification of Spatial Clusters of Undervaccination Patterns Among Children Aged <24 Months Using Immunization Information System Data, Montana, 2015-2019.

Objective: Spatial clustering of undervaccination leads to increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases. We identified spatial clustering of undervaccination patterns among children aged <24 months in Montana.

Methods: We used Montana's immunization information system data to analyze deidentified vaccination records of children aged <24 months born from January 2015 through November 2017.

Geographic proximity to immunization providers and vaccine series completion among children ages 0-24 months.

Objectives: In the U.S., vaccination coverage is lower in rural versus urban areas.

Evaluating vaccination coverage and timeliness in American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White children using state immunization information system data, 2015-2017.

Comprehensive estimates of vaccination coverage and timeliness of vaccine receipt among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in the United States are lacking. This study's objectives were to quantify vaccination coverage and timeliness, as well as the proportion of children with specific undervaccination patterns, among AI/AN and non-Hispanic White (NHW) children ages 0-24 months in Montana, a large and primarily rural U.S.

Missed opportunities for human papillomavirus vaccine series initiation in a large, rural U.S. state.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates are lower in rural versus urban areas of the United States. Our objective was to identify the types of vaccination clinic settings where missed opportunities for HPV vaccine series initiation most frequently occurred in Montana, a large, primary rural U.S.

Timeliness of Early Childhood Vaccinations and Undervaccination Patterns in Montana.

Introduction: Early childhood vaccination rates are lower in rural areas than those in urban areas of the U.S. This study's objective is to quantify vaccine timeliness and the prevalence of undervaccination patterns in Montana and to measure the associations between timeliness and series completion by age 24 months.

Particle number emission rates of aerosol sources in 40 German households and their contributions to ultrafine and fine particle exposure.

More representative data on source-specific particle number emission rates and associated exposure in European households are needed. In this study, indoor and outdoor particle number size distributions (10-800 nm) were measured in 40 German households under real-use conditions in over 500 days. Particle number emission rates were derived for around 800 reported indoor source events.

Size-fractioned particulate air pollution and cardiovascular emergency room visits in Beijing, China.

Background: Although short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter has increasingly been linked with cardiovascular diseases, it is not quite clear how physical characteristics of particles, such as particle size may be responsible for the association. This study aimed at investigating whether daily changes in number or mass concentrations of accurately size-segregated particles in the range of 3nm-10μm are associated with daily cardiovascular emergency room visits in Beijing, China.

Methods: Cardiovascular emergency room visit counts, particle size distribution data, and meteorological data were collected from Mar.

Sub-micrometer particulate air pollution and cardiovascular mortality in Beijing, China.

Background: While the link between particulate matter and cardiovascular mortality is well established, it is not fully investigated and understood which properties of the aerosol might be responsible for the health effects, especially in polluted mega-city areas.

Objectives: Our goal was to explore the association between daily cardiovascular mortality and different particle metrics in the sub-micrometer range in Beijing, China.

Methods: We obtained daily counts of cause-specific cardiovascular deaths in the Beijing urban area for the period March 2004 to August 2005.

Associations between size-segregated particle number concentrations and respiratory mortality in Beijing, China.

Numerous studies have described the adverse associations between particle mass and respiratory health. The aim of the study was to analyze the associations of particle properties, especially size-segregated particle number concentrations (PNC), and respiratory mortality in Beijing, P.R.

The effect of particle size on cardiovascular disorders--the smaller the worse.

Background: Previous studies observed associations between airborne particles and cardio-vascular disease. Questions, however, remain as to which size of the inhalable particles (coarse, fine, or ultrafine) exerts the most significant impact on health.

Methods: For this retrospective study, data of the total number of 23,741 emergency service calls, registered between February 2002 and January 2003 in the City of Leipzig, were analysed, identifying 5326 as being related to cardiovascular incidences.

Volatile nanoparticle formation and growth within a diluting diesel car exhaust.

A major source of particle number emissions is road traffic. However, scientific knowledge concerning secondary particle formation and growth of ultrafine particles within vehicle exhaust plumes is still very limited. Volatile nanoparticle formation and subsequent growth conditions were analyzed here to gain a better understanding of "real-world" dilution conditions.

Size-segregated particle number concentrations and respiratory emergency room visits in Beijing, China.

Background: The link between concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and respiratory morbidity has been investigated in numerous studies.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the role of different particle size fractions with respect to respiratory health in Beijing, China.

Methods: Data on particle size distributions from 3 nm to 1 µm; PM10 (PM ≤ 10 µm), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), and sulfur dioxide concentrations; and meteorologic variables were collected daily from March 2004 to December 2006.

[Effects of high temperature, high relative humidity and rain process on particle size distributions in the summer of Beijing].

On-line measurements of particle number size distribution were conducted during 2004-07-13 - 2004-08-23 by using TDMPS-APS system in Beijing; in between the size distributions of particle mass and chemical compositions were measured by using MOUDI cascade impactor under three kinds of weather conditions: (1) high temperature and high relative humidity night, (2) high temperature and high relative humidity day, and (3) clear days. The results indicate that particulate matter, especially fine particle pollution becomes severe under high temperature and high relative humidity conditions, which results in low visibility (2.5km); the average concentrations of PM1.

Weak correlation of ultrafine aerosol particle concentrations <800 nm between two sites within one city.

Ambient aerosol has been identified as a major pollutant affecting human health. Standards to reduce particles mass concentrations have therefore been established in many countries. Recent studies suggest that the number concentration of aerosol particles, which is dominated by the ultrafine size range smaller than 100 nm in diameter, may be independently associated with health effects.

[Assessment of cost-benefit analysis in integration projects on drug addiction].

The purpose of this study is to make a cost-benefit-analysis for integration projects helping drug addicts and substitutes to reintegrate into society. The study is intended to contribute to a better allocation of resources under the trade-off-situation that only a limited number of integration projects can be realized due to budget limitations. This pilot study represents an economic evaluation of health activities on integration based on the example of study projects offered by Mudra e.

How do the indoor size distributions of airborne submicron and ultrafine particles in the absence of significant indoor sources depend on outdoor distributions?

Although almost all epidemiological studies of smaller airborne particles only consider outdoor concentrations, people in Central Europe actually spend most of their time indoors. Yet indoor pollutants such as organic gases, allergens and dust are known to play a prominent role, often affecting human health more than outdoor ones. The aim of this study was to ascertain how the indoor particle size distributions of submicron and ultrafine particles correlate with the outdoor concentrations in the absence of significant indoor sources.

Aerosol number concentrations and size distributions at mountain-rural, urban-influenced rural, and urban-background sites in Germany.

Long-term aerosol measurements have been made at three sites in Germany, representing different levels of pollution: Hohenpeissenberg (mountain-rural), Melpitz (urban-influenced rural), and Leipzig (urban background). (Urban background aerosol represents a mixture of aerosols emitted in the city and aerosols transported into the city measured at a site with no direct emissions nearby.) To provide data that will allow better estimates of the influence of environmental aerosol particles on humans, we review diurnal variations of mean total number concentrations and size distributions of submicrometer environmental aerosol particles (including ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nm) for winter and summer periods in these three regions.

Predictors of treatment outcome in young children with autism: a retrospective study.

This study examined predictors of developmental outcomes in 17 children diagnosed with autism or PDD-NOS, who received generic treatment over a mean period of 37 months. Pre-treatment evaluations occurred at a mean age of 31 months with follow-up evaluations at a mean age of 69 months. Significantly different developmental trajectories were observed among the participants at follow-up, separating the participants into two distinct groups (high and low outcome).

Congenital enterocyte heparan sulphate deficiency with massive albumin loss, secretory diarrhoea, and malnutrition.

Background: The molecular basis of protein-losing enteropathy is unknown. However it has been shown that sulphated glycosaminoglycans may be important in regulating vascular and renal albumin loss.

Methods: We describe three baby boys who presented within the first weeks of life with massive enteric protein loss, secretory diarrhoea, and intolerance of enteral feeds.

Investigation of the thermal stability of Ni/C multilayers by X-ray methods.

Microstructural properties of Ni/C multilayers prepared by PLD (pulsed laser deposition) have been investigated after heat treatment in vacuum at temperatures in the range of 50 degrees C to 500 degrees C. X-ray diffractometry, X-ray reflectometry, fluorescence EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) and HREM (high resolution transmission electron microscopy) have been applied to characterize samples in the initial state and after annealing. The multilayer reflectivity remained unchanged or increased at temperatures below 400 degrees C due to sharpening of the interfaces caused by the formation of alpha-nickel and nickel carbide.

Concentrations of tetrachloroethene in blood and trichloroacetic acid in urine in workers and neighbours of dry-cleaning shops.

Tetrachloroethene concentrations in blood and trichloroacetic acid concentrations in urine were determined--primarily over the course of a week--for 29 persons living in the vicinity of dry-cleaning shops. The mean levels of tetrachloroethene increased during the week. In some neighbours concentrations were exceeding the German biological threshold limit value for tetrachloroethene (1000 micrograms/l blood), persisting over the whole week in one case.