Examining public preferences for wood smoke mitigation policies in the sub-Arctic.

Outdoor air pollution is a significant problem worldwide. Policies developed to mitigate air pollution require support from local residents to be successful. While some research has examined various social and psychological metrics associated with support for some types of pollution mitigation, less is known about what variables are critical in resident support for different types of policies that help mitigate air pollution associated with woodsmoke.

Enhanced aqueous formation and neutralization of fine atmospheric particles driven by extreme cold.

The prevailing view for aqueous secondary aerosol formation is that it occurs in clouds and fogs, owing to the large liquid water content compared to minute levels in fine particles. Our research indicates that this view may need reevaluation due to enhancements in aqueous reactions in highly concentrated small particles. Here, we show that low temperature can play a role through a unique effect on particle pH that can substantially modulate secondary aerosol formation.

Primary Sulfate Is the Dominant Source of Particulate Sulfate during Winter in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Within and surrounding high-latitude cities, poor air quality disturbs Arctic ecosystems, influences the climate, and harms human health. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has wintertime particulate matter (PM) concentrations that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) threshold for public health. Particulate sulfate (SO ) is the most abundant inorganic species and contributes approximately 20% of the total PM mass in Fairbanks, but air quality models underestimate observed sulfate concentrations.

Residential Wood Burning and Vehicle Emissions as Major Sources of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) play an important role in aerosol effects on air quality and public health, but their atmospheric abundance and sources are poorly understood. We measured EPFRs contained in PM collected in Fairbanks, Alaska, in winter 2022. We find that EPFR concentrations were enhanced during surface-based inversion and correlate strongly with incomplete combustion markers, including carbon monoxide and elemental carbon ( > 0.

Digital remote assessment of speech acoustics in cognitively unimpaired adults: feasibility, reliability and associations with amyloid pathology.

Background: Digital speech assessment has potential relevance in the earliest, preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We evaluated the feasibility, test-retest reliability, and association with AD-related amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology of speech acoustics measured over multiple assessments in a remote setting.

Methods: Fifty cognitively unimpaired adults (Age 68 ± 6.

Hydroxymethanesulfonate and Sulfur(IV) in Fairbanks Winter During the ALPACA Study.

Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) in fine aerosol particles has been reported at significant concentrations along with sulfate under extreme cold conditions (-35 °C) in Fairbanks, Alaska, a high latitude city. HMS, a component of S(IV) and an adduct of formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide, forms in liquid water. Previous studies may have overestimated HMS concentrations by grouping it with other S(IV) species.

The anatomy and pathology of the space of Retzius.

The space of Retzius is an important anatomic location for pathology. Pathology in the space of Retzius is more common than previously believed, especially as more cases are discovered with increased use of cross-sectional imaging. Knowledge of the anatomy of the Space of Retzius is crucial for identifying and distinguishing between benign and pathological findings.

Overview of the Alaskan Layered Pollution and Chemical Analysis (ALPACA) Field Experiment.

The Alaskan Layered Pollution And Chemical Analysis (ALPACA) field experiment was a collaborative study designed to improve understanding of pollution sources and chemical processes during winter (cold climate and low-photochemical activity), to investigate indoor pollution, and to study dispersion of pollution as affected by frequent temperature inversions. A number of the research goals were motivated by questions raised by residents of Fairbanks, Alaska, where the study was held. This paper describes the measurement strategies and the conditions encountered during the January and February 2022 field experiment, and reports early examples of how the measurements addressed research goals, particularly those of interest to the residents.

Indoor-Outdoor Oxidative Potential of PM in Wintertime Fairbanks, Alaska: Impact of Air Infiltration and Indoor Activities.

The indoor air quality of a residential home during winter in Fairbanks, Alaska, was investigated and contrasted with outdoor levels. Twenty-four-hour average indoor and outdoor filter samples were collected from January 17 to February 25, 2022, in a residential area with high outdoor PM concentrations. The oxidative potential of PM was determined using the dithiothreitol-depletion assay (OP).

Assessing the Oxidative Potential of Outdoor PM in Wintertime Fairbanks, Alaska.

The oxidative potential (OP) of outdoor PM in wintertime Fairbanks, Alaska, is investigated and compared to those in wintertime Atlanta and Los Angeles. Approximately 40 filter samples collected in January-February 2022 at a Fairbanks residential site were analyzed for OP utilizing dithiothreitol-depletion (OP) and hydroxyl-generation (OP) assays. The study-average PM mass concentration was 12.

Utility of nifedipine use for Doppler ultrasound early after liver transplantation to predict short-term complications and long-term outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the response to nifedipine administration measured by changes in hepatic arterial (HA) flow on post-operative Doppler ultrasound (US) to predict short-term complications and long-term outcomes in liver transplant (LT) patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent LT with post-operative Doppler US within 3 days between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015 were included in this retrospective single center study. The patients who received and did not receive nifedipine during the Doppler US comprised the study and control groups, respectively.

Development of a Speech-based Composite Score for Remotely Quantifying Language Changes in Frontotemporal Dementia.

Background: Changes to speech and language are common symptoms across different subtypes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These changes affect the ability to communicate, impacting everyday functions. Accurately assessing these changes may help clinicians to track disease progression and detect response to treatment.

Evaluating the utility of daily speech assessments for monitoring depression symptoms.

Objective: Depression is a common mental health disorder and a major public health concern, significantly interfering with the lives of those affected. The complex clinical presentation of depression complicates symptom assessments. Day-to-day fluctuations of depression symptoms within an individual bring an additional barrier, since infrequent testing may not reveal symptom fluctuation.

Automated detection of progressive speech changes in early Alzheimer's disease.

Unlabelled: Speech and language changes occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but few studies have characterized their longitudinal course. We analyzed open-ended speech samples from a prodromal-to-mild AD cohort to develop a novel composite score to characterize progressive speech changes. Participant speech from the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) interview was analyzed to compute metrics reflecting speech and language characteristics.

Radiological and pathological assessment with EOB-MRI after Y90 radiation lobectomy prior to liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Radiation lobectomy (RL) utilizes Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization for achieving tumor control and inducing contralateral lobe hypertrophy. Our objective was to evaluate the chronological changes occurring radiologically and histopathologically after Y90 RL.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent Y90 RL prior to planned liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pitfalls and Practical Challenges in Imaging of the Pediatric Scrotum.

Ultrasound is the modality of choice for evaluation of the pediatric scrotum, as it provides excellent image quality without the use of radiation, need for sedation/anesthesia, or use of contrast material and can be used for serial examination. Ultrasound of the scrotum has proven to be useful for assessment of a wide gamut of congenital, infectious, inflammatory, endocrine, neoplastic, and traumatic abnormalities in pediatric patients of all ages from the tiniest premature infant to a fully grown young adult. This review article presents a varied spectrum of conditions that may affect the pediatric scrotum, what the radiologist needs to know to meet the challenge of limiting the differential diagnosis, and how to avoid pitfalls when imaging the scrotum.

Description of the Method for Evaluating Digital Endpoints in Alzheimer Disease Study: Protocol for an Exploratory, Cross-sectional Study.

Background: More sensitive and less burdensome efficacy end points are urgently needed to improve the effectiveness of clinical drug development for Alzheimer disease (AD). Although conventional end points lack sensitivity, digital technologies hold promise for amplifying the detection of treatment signals and capturing cognitive anomalies at earlier disease stages. Using digital technologies and combining several test modalities allow for the collection of richer information about cognitive and functional status, which is not ascertainable via conventional paper-and-pencil tests.

Acoustic and Linguistic Features of Impromptu Speech and Their Association With Anxiety: Validation Study.

Background: The measurement and monitoring of generalized anxiety disorder requires frequent interaction with psychiatrists or psychologists. Access to mental health professionals is often difficult because of high costs or insufficient availability. The ability to assess generalized anxiety disorder passively and at frequent intervals could be a useful complement to conventional treatment and help with relapse monitoring.

Source and Chemistry of Hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Fairbanks, Alaska, is a subarctic city with fine particle (PM) concentrations that exceed air quality regulations in winter due to weak dispersion caused by strong atmospheric inversions, local emissions, and the unique chemistry occurring under the cold and dark conditions. Here, we report on observations from the winters of 2020 and 2021, motivated by our pilot study that showed exceptionally high concentrations of fine particle hydroxymethanesulfonate (HMS) or related sulfur(IV) species (e.g.

Using Digital Speech Assessments to Detect Early Signs of Cognitive Impairment.

Detecting early signs of cognitive decline is crucial for early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Most of the current screening tools for Alzheimer's Disease represent a significant burden, requiring invasive procedures, or intensive and costly clinical testing. Recent findings have highlighted changes to speech and language patterns that occur in Alzheimer's Disease, and may be detectable prior to diagnosis.

Coupled Air Quality and Boundary-Layer Meteorology in Western U.S. Basins during Winter: Design and Rationale for a Comprehensive Study.

Wintertime episodes of high aerosol concentrations occur frequently in urban and agricultural basins and valleys worldwide. These episodes often arise following development of persistent cold-air pools (PCAPs) that limit mixing and modify chemistry. While field campaigns targeting either basin meteorology or wintertime pollution chemistry have been conducted, coupling between interconnected chemical and meteorological processes remains an insufficiently studied research area.

Implementation and Impacts of Surface and Blowing Snow Sources of Arctic Bromine Activation Within WRF-Chem 4.1.1.

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric bromine are known to cause ozone depletion in the Arctic, which is most frequently observed during springtime. We implement a detailed description of bromine and chlorine chemistry within the WRF-Chem 4.1.

Anxiety, depression and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Multiple survey studies have demonstrated a mental health (MH) burden of COVID-19 globally. However, few studies have examined relevant risk factors for pandemic-related MH issues.

Methods: A link to an online survey was posted from April 8th - June 11th, 2020 which included questions regarding COVID-19 experience, perceived impact of the pandemic on life domains (e.