On the heating environment in street canyon

This study investigates the impact of building aspect ratio (building-height-to-street-canyon-width-ratio), wind speed and surface and air-temperature difference (Δθ_s−a) on the heating environment within street canyon. The Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and energy transport equations were solved with Renormalization group (RNG) theory version of k-e{\varepsilon} turbulence model. The validation process demonstrated that the model could be trusted for simulating air-temperature and velocity trends. The temperature and velocity patterns were discussed in idealized street canyons of different aspect ratios (0.5–2.0) with varying ambient wind speeds (0.5–1.5 m/s) and Δθ_s−a (2–8 K). Results show that air-temperatures are directly proportional to bulk Richardson number (R _b ) for all but ground heating situation. Conversely, air-temperatures increase significantly across the street canyon with a decrease in ambient wind speed; however, the impact of Δθ_s−a was negligible. Clearly, ambient wind speed decreases significantly as it passes over higher AR street canyons. Notably, air-temperatures were the highest when the windward wall was heated and the least during ground heating. Conversely, air-temperatures were lower along the windward side but higher within the street canyon when the windward wall was heated.     

An 'artificial mussel' for monitoring heavy metals in marine environments

A new chemical sampling device, artificial mussel (AM), has been developed for monitoring metals in marine environments. This device consists of a polymer ligand suspended in artificial seawater within a Perspex tubing, and enclosed with semi-permeable gel at both ends. Laboratory and field experiments were carried out to examine the uptake of five metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) by the AM. Uptake of metals by AM was proportional to the exposure metal concentrations, and the AM was able to accumulate the ASV labile fractions of metals. Uptake and release of the metals of AM are similar to those of the mussel Perna viridis, but less affected by salinity and temperature. Field studies demonstrated that the AM can not only provide a time-integrated estimate of metals concentrations, but also allows comparisons of metal levels in different environments and geographical areas beyond the natural distribution limits of biomonitors.     

Refinements on the age-dependent half-life model for estimating child body burdens of polychlorodibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans

We modified our prior age-dependent half-life model to characterize the range of child (ages 0-7) body burdens associated with dietary and environmental exposure to polychlorodibenzodioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). Several exposure scenarios were evaluated. Infants were assumed to be either breast-fed or formula-fed from birth to 6 months of age. They then received intakes of PCDD/Fs through age 7 from foods based on weighted means estimates [JECFA, 2001. Joint FAO/WHO Committee on Food Additives. Fifty-seventh meeting, Rome, June 5-14 , 2001, pp. 24-40], and with or without exposures (ingestion and dermal) to urban residential soils at 1ppb TCDD toxic equivalents (TEQ). A one-compartment (adipose volume) toxicokinetic model for TCDD described by Kreuzer [Kreuzer, P.F., Csanady, Gy.A., et al., 1997. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and congeners in infants. A toxicokinetic model of human lifetime body burden by TCDD with special emphasis on its uptake by nutrition. Arch. Toxicol. 71, 383-400] was expanded to include the key non-TCDD congeners in human breast milk and adipose tissues, and two model parameter refinements were examined: (1) use of updated and more detailed age-correlated body fat mass data [CDC, 2000. Centers for Disease Control. CDC Growth Charts: United States. Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Number 314, December 2000]; (2) use of breast milk PCDD/F concentration data from sampling completed in 2000-2003 [Wittsiepe, J., Fürst, P., et al., 2004. PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB in human blood and milk from German mothers. Organohalogen Compd. 66, 2865-2872]. The updated body fat mass data nearly halved the predicted peak body burden for breast-feeding and lowered the time-weighted average (TWA) body burdens from ages 0-7 by 30-40% for breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Combined use of the updated breast milk PCDD/F concentration and body fat mass data increased the contribution of breast-feeding but reduced TWA body burdens from diet and soil. We conclude that further refinements are needed, but reliance on these better data sets for body fat mass and breast milk PCDD/F concentration significantly improves the model's ability to accurately predict body burdens during early childhood.     

Droplet digital PCR is a cost-effective method for analyzing long cell-free DNA in maternal plasma: Application in preeclampsia

Objective

Long cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can be found in the plasma of pregnant women and cancer patients. We investigated if droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) can analyze such molecules for diagnostic purposes using preeclampsia as a model.

Method

Plasma samples from ten preeclamptic and sixteen normal pregnancies were analyzed. Two ddPCR assays targeting a single-copy gene, VCP, and one ddPCR assay targeting LINE-1 repetitive regions were used to measure the percentages of long cfDNA >533, 1001, and 170 bp, respectively. The LINE-1 assay was developed as guided by in silico PCR analyses to better differentiate preeclamptic and normal pregnancies.

Results

Preeclamptic patients had a significantly lower median percentage of long cfDNA than healthy pregnant controls, as determined by the LINE-1 170 bp assay (28.9% vs. 35.1%, p < 0.0001) and the VCP 533 bp assay (6.6% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.014). The LINE-1 assay provided a better differentiation than the VCP 533 bp assay (area under ROC curves, 0.94 vs. 0.79).

Conclusion

ddPCR is a cost-effective approach for unlocking diagnostic information carried by long cfDNA in plasma and may have applications for the detection of preeclampsia. Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts are required to assess the clinical utility of this test.     

Effect of freezing on photoreactivation of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis

The effect of freezing on photoreactivation of two strains of Escherichia coli (ATCC strain 25922 and O157:H7 strain 961019) and two strains of Enterococcus faecalis (strain ATCC 51299, vancomycin-resistant and strain ATCC 29212, vancomycin-sensitive) following ultraviolet irradiation were examined. The level of log photoreactivation of the freezing treated test organisms (frozen at -7, -15, or -30 degrees C then thawed at room temperature prior to ultraviolet irradiation) was compared with that of the samples that had not been frozen. Freezing had obvious impact on the response of the test organisms to visible light following ultraviolet irradiation. Significantly lower levels of photoreactivation were observed in the freezing treated cells. The effect of freezing on the ability of the test microbes to photoreactivate seems to be strain and species dependent. Overall, the experimental results suggest that less photoreactivation could be expected if freezing is used as a treatment method prior to ultraviolet disinfection.     

Preliminary occurrence studies of antibiotic residues in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta

An improved liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to investigate the occurrence of selected antibiotic residues in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta. LC and MS parameters were optimized to produce the maximum analytical responses for each compound. The established method targeted five groups of antibiotics, namely, macrolides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, quinolones, and amphenicols. The method was validated for three types of environmental water matrices, namely, reservoir, river, and estuarine waters. Low detection limits of 0.17–0.18 ng/L for macrolides, 0.22–0.34 ng/L for quinolones, 0.67–1.65 ng/L for tetracyclines, and 0.27–0.56 ng/L for sulfonamides were obtained. No apparent interferences were observed in the chromatograms of all antibiotics groups. The developed method was preliminarily used to analyze water samples collected from Yuen Long River in New Territories, Hong Kong and four sites along the Pearl River Delta. Results showed that high level of tetracycline was found among the groups tested in the local river samples. In Pearl River Delta, we identified significant levels of erythromycin, roxithromycin, and sulfadiazine in Shenzhen Reservoir.     

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus and ambient temperature: a critical review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented public health, and social and economic challenges. It remains unclear...     

An overview on biogas generation from anaerobic digestion of food waste

Food waste is an inevitable type of waste in every city, and its treatment technology evolves with time. Due to the high organic content and high biodegradability of food waste, anaerobic digestion becomes a commonly accepted treatment method to deal with it. This review article summarizes key factors for anaerobic digestion and provides useful information for successful anaerobic digestions. Reasonable temperature and pH are essential for a successful and productive anaerobic digestion process. A good inoculum to substrate ratio triggers a profitable food waste digestion. Good mixing and small particle sizes are important factors too. In addition, the pros and cons of different reactors to food waste digestion are highlighted. Moreover, co-digestion of food waste with animal manures, sewage sludge, and green waste were introduced.     

Review of measured concentrations of triphenyltin compounds in marine ecosystems and meta-analysis of their risks to humans and the environment

The state of scientific knowledge regarding analytical methods, environmental fate, ecotoxicity and ecological risk of triphenyltin (TPT) compounds in marine ecosystems as well as their exposure and health hazard to humans was reviewed. Since the 1960s, TPT compounds have been commonly applied as biocides for diverse industrial and agricultural purposes. For instance, they are used as active ingredients in antifouling systems on marine vessels and mariculture facilities, and as fungicides in agriculture. Due to their intensive use, contamination of coastal waters by TPT and its products of transformation has become a worldwide problem. The proportion of quantified TPT to total phenyltin compounds in the marine environment provides evidence that TPT is photodegradable in water and sediment but resistant to biotransformation. Concentrations of TPT in marine biota are consistently greater than concentrations in water and sediment, which implies potential of TPT to bioaccumulate. TPT is toxic to both marine plants and animals. The predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) for TPT, as determined by use of the species sensitivity distribution approach, is 0.64 ng L⁻¹. In some parts of the world, concentrations of TPT in seawater exceed the PNEC, indicating that TPT can pose risks to marine life. Although there is negligible risk of TPT to average human consumers, TPT has been detected in blood of Finnish people and the concentration was greater in fishermen who ate more seafood. It is, therefore, advocated to initiate regular monitoring of TPT in blood and breast milk of populations that consume greater amounts of seafood.