Does subway expansion improve air quality?

Major cities in China and many other fast-growing economies are expanding their subway systems in order to address worsening air pollution and traffic congestion. This paper quantifies the impact of subway expansion on air quality by leveraging fine-scale air quality data and the rapid build-out of 14 new subway lines and 252 stations in Beijing from 2008 to 2016. Our main empirical framework examines how the density of the subway network affects air quality across different locations in the city during this period. To address the potential endogenous location of subway stations, we construct an instrument based on historical subway planning, long before air pollution and traffic congestion were of concern. Our analysis shows that an increase in subway density by one standard deviation improves air quality by two percent and the result is robust to a variety of alternative specifications including the distance-based difference-in-differences method. The total discounted health benefit during a 20-year period from reduced mortality and morbidity as a result of 14 new subway lines amounts to $1.0–3.1 billion, or only 1.4–4.4 percent of the total construction and operating cost.     

Microbial quality and physical–chemical characteristics of thermal springs

Microbial quality and physical–chemical properties of recreational spas were surveyed to investigate the health aspect of the spas’ water. A total of 195 samples were collected from pools and springs of the spas in five sites from Ardebil Province of Iran. The effects of an independent factor defined as ‘condition’ and its component sub-factors (i.e., sampling point, location, and sampling date) on microbial quality and physical–chemical properties of the spas were studied by applying path analysis. The influence of physical–chemical properties on microbial quality was also considered. The percentage of samples exceeding the ISIRI (Swimming pool water microbiological specifications (vol 9412), Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran, Tehran, 2007) limits for Staphylococcus (spp.) was up to 55.8 in the springs and 87.8 in the pools, 58.1 and 99.2 for HPC, 90.7 and 97.8 for total coliform and fecal coliform, and 9.3 and 34.4 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. There were significant differences between the pools and springs for both physical–chemical properties and microbial quality. From the path analysis, sampling point was the most effective sub-factor of ‘condition’ on both the physical–chemical properties and microbial quality. Among the physical–chemical properties, water color had the most enhancing or additive influence on microbial pollution, while EC indicated a reducing or subtractive effect.     

Air quality improvement in Los Angeles—perspectives for developing cities

Air quality improvement in Los Angeles can inform air quality policies in developing cities. Emission control efforts, their results, costs and health benefits are briefly summarized. Today's developing cities face new challenges including regional pollution. Air quality issues in Beijing are briefly compared and contrasted with Los Angeles. Opportunities for co-benefits for climate and air quality improvement are identified. Air quality improvement in Los Angeles, California is reviewed with an emphasis on aspects that may inform air quality policy formulation in developing cities. In the mid-twentieth century the air quality in Los Angeles was degraded to an extent comparable to the worst found in developing cities today; ozone exceeded 600 ppb and annual average particulate matter <10 mm reached ~150 mg·m⁻³. Today's air quality is much better due to very effective emission controls; e.g., modern automobiles emit about 1% of the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emitted by vehicles of 50 years ago. An overview is given of the emission control efforts in Los Angeles and their impact on ambient concentrations of primary and secondary pollutants; the costs and health benefits of these controls are briefly summarized. Today's developing cities have new challenges that are discussed: the effects of regional pollution transport are much greater in countries with very high population densities; often very large current populations must be supplied with goods and services even while economic development and air quality concerns are addressed; and many of currently developing cities are located in or close to the tropics where photochemical processing of pollution is expected to be more rapid than at higher latitudes. The air quality issues of Beijing are briefly compared and contrasted with those of Los Angeles, and the opportunities for co-benefits for climate and air quality improvement are pointed out.     

Is benthic trophic structure affected by food quality? The Dogger Bank example

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between food quality and trophic structure of macrobenthic communities of the Dogger Bank. Therefore, 21 stations along different depth gradients (a transect across the central Dogger Bank and at a station cross in the north-eastern part) were sampled and analysed for macrofauna trophic structure and food supply, indicated by phytopigment composition and organic matter contents of the sediment. The study revealed differences in the trophic structure of the benthic community in areas with contrasting food supply. The trophic structure reflected differences in relative quality of organic matter. The sandy sediments on top of the bank receiving intermediate quantities of high food quality were inhabited by high abundances of interface feeders and sand-licking amphipods of the genus Bathyporeia. The southern stations characterised by a comparatively high amount of intermediate food quality were dominated by interface feeders such as Amphiura filiformis. The northern and north-eastern stations showing the highest diversity of feeding types were characterised by a comparatively low, but highly variable input of intermediate-quality organic matter consisting of both fresh and degraded organic matter. Results are discussed with a special emphasis on specific Dogger Bank features such as benthic primary production and frontal system characteristics.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Do kin always make better neighbours?: The effects of territory quality

Summary The effects of territory quality on kin-biased territorial defence behaviour and fitness of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined by manipulating food and predation risk levels in an artificial stream channel. Groups of related (full sibling) or unrelated fry were observed in the channel under one of four treatments: (1) high food-low predator (high territory quality); (2) high food-high predator; (3) low food-low predator; and (4) low food-high predator (low territory quality). Fish within kin groups always initiated fewer aggressive interactions, defended smaller territories, exhibited higher proportions of threat type territorial defence behaviours (as opposed to overtly aggressive behaviours) and had a higher mean weight increase than non-kin groups. Within both kin and non-kin groups, decreasing territory quality significantly increased the frequency of aggressive interactions, the size of territories and decreased growth. It is argued that while kin-biased territorial defence behaviours are always present, decreased availability of resources and increased predation risk serve to reduce the magnitude of this kin bias. However, even in low-quality territories, the benefit of associating with kin may increase the probability of overwintering survival (increased fitness) of the young fish by increasing body size.     

Differences in the quality of steamed hull-less barley and wheat cakes北大核心CSCD

In this study, three different hull-less barley varieties were used to prepare steamed cakes, and their nutritional value, sensory qualities, textural properties, and in vitro starch hydrolysis were evaluated. The results showed that the contents of total dietary fiber (4.50%-5.12%), β-glucan (2.96%-3.96%), total flavonoids (12.56-38.73 mg/100 g), and γ-aminobutyric acid (5.08-9.53 mg/100 g) in the steamed hull-less barley cakes were significantly higher than that in the steamed wheat cake, which were 0.65%, 0.23%, 3.93 mg/(100 g), and 2.63 mg/(100 g), respectively. The sensory properties of steamed ordinary hull-less barley and wheat cakes were not significantly different, but the steamed 08-1127 (waxy hull-less barley) cake was softer and out of shape. The springiness, resilience, cohesiveness, gumminess, and adhesiveness of steamed ordinary hull-less barley cakes were similar to those of steamed wheat cake, while those of steamed 08-1127 cakes were significantly lower than those of steamed ordinary hull-less barley cakes. Steamed hull-less barley cake also showed a maximum starch hydrolysis rate (38.76%-42.74%) that was lower than that of steamed wheat cake (49.92%), and the contents of rapidly (11.58%-13.16%) and slowly digested starch (5.34%-7.56%) were lower than that of steamed wheat cake (17.21% and 15.97%, respectively). In addition, the glycemic (59.37-61.67) and hydrolysis indexes (35.82-40.00) were lower than those of steamed wheat cake (76.66 and 67.30, respectively), and the contents of resistant starch (2.74%-3.55%) were higher than those of wheat steamed cake (1.68%). Therefore, the steamed cakes of ordinary hull-less barley had a higher content of nutritional components than the steamed cake of wheat, and the in vitro starch hydrolysis parameters were better than those of steamed wheat cake. When it is necessary to consider both nutritional and sensory qualities, ordinary hull-less barley can be selected as the raw material for steamed cakes, but waxy hull-less barley is not suitable for making steamed cakes. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Are yolk androgens and carotenoids in barn swallow eggs related to parental quality?

Recently, evidence is mounting that females can adaptively engineer the quality of their offspring via the deposition of yolk compounds, including carotenoids and androgens. In this study, we simultaneously consider how both carotenoids and androgens in egg yolk relate to parental quality in barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster). First, we found no relationship between concentrations or amounts of yolk androgens and carotenoids. Yolk carotenoids decreased with laying order, whereas we found no relationship between yolk androgens and laying order. Second, we tested the Investment Hypothesis, which predicts that high-quality females or females paired to high quality mates, allocate differentially more of these yolk compounds to their offspring. For carotenoids, we mostly found evidence to counter predictions of the Investment hypothesis: (1) Carotenoid concentrations varied among females, (2) heavier eggs contained lower carotenoid concentrations, although heavier yolks contained greater amounts of carotenoids, (3) eggs of earlier-laying females had lower concentrations in their eggs, and (4) yolk carotenoids were not correlated with clutch size or male plumage ornamentation. For androgens, we found weak support for the Investment Hypothesis: (1) Yolk androgens varied among females, (2) heavier eggs and yolks contained greater amounts, although not concentrations of androgens, (3) females paired to more colorful males laid eggs with greater concentrations of androgens, and (4) no effects of laying date or morphological correlates of female quality on androgen concentrations in egg yolks. Overall, these findings suggest that each yolk compound may have different functions and therefore may be regulated by different mechanisms.     

Background metal levels determination in bivalves – quality assessment of the European Water Framework Directive

Background levels of metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in biomonitors (Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels and Crassostrea gigas oysters), in estuarine waters within the Basque Country (south-east Bay of Biscay) are estimated using non-parametric statistical tools and data are presented graphically, with the aim of being used in assessing the ecological status, within the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The basis for this study was the statistical analysis of data compiled from monitoring programmes undertaken along the Basque coast, between 1990 and 2008. For this analysis, a heuristic method was adapted and used. Results showed different metal background ranges throughout the year for both mussels and oysters. Values corresponding to the upper limit of the background range (i.e. value of the upper whisker of the box-plot) are proposed as the ‘high/good’ status boundary, according to the WFD.     

Effect of different pearling times on the quality of hull-less barley rice北大核心CSCD

Hull-less barley is a special food crop rich in various nutrients in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Six-pearling is often used to produce commercial hull-less barley rice in order to improve its rough taste and inferior cooking quality. This study evaluated the differences in the nutritional, cooking, sensory, and storage qualities of hull-less barley rice with different pearling times to obtain suitable processing conditions for the production of high-quality hull-less barley rice. With increasing pearling time, the contents of vitamin B6, vitamin E, dietary fiber, iron, zinc, phenols, and flavonoids significantly decreased to a large extent, protein and vitamin B3 decreased slightly, the contents of total starch and β-glucan increased significantly, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) initially increased and then decreased. The peak, trough, and final viscosity of whole grain barley were 1 860.50 cP, 914.50 cP, and 2 150.00 cP, respectively, and increased after six-pearling to 4 219.00 cP, 2 628.00 cP, and 5 074.00 cP, respectively. At the same time, the water absorption and volume expansion of the pearled hull-less barley increased significantly. The hardness of pearled hull-less barley reduced from 4 708.50 g to 2 282.00 g, its adhesiveness increased from 0.00 to -7.33, and its taste and sensory quality exhibited better. The activities of α-amylase, polyphenol oxidase, lipase, and catalase in pearled hull-less barley slightly decreased. Hull-less bran flour is rich in a variety of nutritional components and could be a potential resource with great developmental value. In general, hull-less barley rice obtained from three-pearling has high nutritional value, high cooking quality, low enzyme activity, and low energy consumption; therefore, it can be used to produce high-quality barley rice. This study provides important information for high-quality pearled hull-less barley and further utilization of barley bran flour. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Response of the grain yield and quality of hybrid rice to weak light stress北大核心CSCD

In this study, three rice varieties, Byou268 (low light-sensitive type), Nei5you768 (intermediate type), and Yixiangyou1108 (low light-tolerant), were used as experimental materials to investigate the yield and quality responses of different rice varieties to low light stress under normal light (CK) and low light (SH). The results showed the following: (1) Compared with normal light, the decrease in Yixiangyou1108’s 1 000-grain weight, grain number per spike, and seed setting rate under low light treatment were much lower than those of Nei5you768 and Byou268. The yield decline of Yixiangyou1108 (46.5%) was significantly lower than that of Nei5you768 (56.5%) and Byou268 (69.8%). Yixiangyou1108 showed strong tolerance to low light stress in terms of 1 000-grain weight, seed setting rate, grain number per panicle, and yield. (2) Compared with normal light, the reduction in grain length and width of Yixiangyou1108 under low-light treatment was significantly greater than that of Byou268; however, the reduction in the length-width ratio did not reach a significant level. The amylose content and gel consistency of the rice were significantly reduced. The reduction in amylose content of Yixiangyou1108 (24.5%) was significantly lower than that of Nei5you768 (28.1%) and Byou268 (30.6%); however, the decrease in gel consistency of Yixiangyou1108 (14.7%) was significantly higher than that of Nei5you768 (9.8%) and Byou268 (8.1%). After low light treatment, the characteristic values of the RVA curve of rice changed. The peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity of Yixiangyou1108, Nei5you768, and Byou268 were significantly decreased, but the cold glue viscosity and setback viscosity were significantly increased, while there was no significant difference in the peak time and peak temperature. The response of 1 000-grain weight, grain number per spike, and seed setting rate under low light stress can be used as a yield index of rice breeding with low light tolerance; rice grain type, amylose, and gel consistency; and peak viscosity and hot paset viscosity in RVA characteristic values can be used as quality indexes of low-light-tolerant rice material breeding. © 2022 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

The relationship between maternal phenotype and offspring quality: do older mothers really produce the best offspring?

Maternal effects are increasingly recognized as important drivers of population dynamics and determinants of evolutionary trajectories. Recently, there has been a proliferation of studies finding or citing a positive relationship between maternal size/age and offspring size or offspring quality. The relationship between maternal phenotype and offspring size is intriguing in that it is unclear why young mothers should produce offspring of inferior quality or fitness. Here we evaluate the underlying evolutionary pressures that may lead to a maternal size/age-offspring size correlation and consider the likelihood that such a correlation results in a positive relationship between the age or size of mothers and the fitness of their offspring. We find that, while there are a number of reasons why selection may favor the production of larger offspring by larger mothers, this change in size is more likely due to associated changes in the maternal phenotype that affect the offspring size-performance relationship. We did not find evidence that the offspring of older females should have intrinsically higher fitness. When we explored this issue theoretically, the only instance in which smaller mothers produce suboptimal offspring sizes is when a (largely unsupported) constraint on maximum offspring size is introduced into the model. It is clear that larger offspring fare better than smaller offspring when reared in the same environment, but this misses a critical point: different environments elicit selection for different optimal sizes of young. We suggest that caution should be exercised when interpreting the outcome of offspring-size experiments when offspring from different mothers are reared in a common environment, because this approach may remove the source of selection (e.g., reproducing in different context) that induced a shift in offspring size in the first place. It has been suggested that fish stocks should be managed to preserve these older age classes because larger mothers produce offspring with a greater chance of survival and subsequent recruitment. Overall, we suggest that, while there are clear and compelling reasons for preserving older females in exploited populations, there is little theoretical justification or evidence that older mothers produce offspring with higher per capita fitness than do younger mothers.     

Data quality assessment for studies investigating microplastics and nanoplastics in food products: Are current data reliable?

● Data quality assessment criteria for MP/NPs in food products were developed. ● Data quality of 71 data records (69 of them only focused on MPs) was assessed. ● About 96% of the data records were considered unreliable in at least one criterion. ● Improvements need to be made regarding positive controls and polymer identification. ● A mismatch between MP/NPs used in toxicity studies and those in foods was recorded. Data on the occurrence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MP/NPs) in foods have been used to assess the human health risk caused by the consumption of MP/NPs. The reliability of the data, however, remains unclear because of the lack of international standards for the analysis of MP/NPs in foods. Therefore, the data quality needs to be assessed for accurate health risk assessment. This study developed 10 criteria applicable to the quality assessment of data on MP/NPs in foods. Accordingly, the reliability of 71 data records (69 of them only focused on MPs) was assessed by assigning a score of 2 (reliable without restrictions), 1 (reliable but with restrictions), or 0 (unreliable) on each criterion. The results showed that only three data records scored 2 or 1 on all criteria, and six data records scored 0 on as many as six criteria. A total of 58 data records did not include information on positive controls, and 12 data records did not conduct the polymer identification, which could result in the overestimation or underestimation of MP/NPs. Our results also indicated that the data quality of unprocessed foods was more reliable than that of processed foods. Furthermore, we proposed a quality assurance and quality control protocol to investigate MP/NPs in foods. Notably, the characteristics of MP/NPs used in toxicological studies and those existing in foods showed a remarkable discrepancy, causing the uncertainty of health risk assessment. Therefore, both the estimated exposure of MP/NPs and the claimed potential health risks should be treated with caution.     

Groundwater quality in the major industrial area of Thessaloniki,Greece part 1: Chemical composition‐geochemical processes

Adsorption rates of Sb(V) ions on an activated alumina (AA) were analyzed by batchwise experiments, while the continuous adsorption, desorption, regeneration of AA, and multiple reuse cycles were studied by flow column tests. The adsorption rates increased quickly with the increases of shaking speed and operation temperature. The adsorbed Sb(V) ions were desorbed easily by a 50 mM NaOH solution, and a 41–90 times concentrated Sb(V) solution was yielded correspondingly. AA was effectively regenerated by desorption operation and ca. 93% of the initial adsorption capacity was retained after six times adsorption/desorption cycles.     

Halogenated organic compounds (volatile and non volatile) as parameters for the evaluation of drinking water quality)†

Trihalomethanes are a well known parameter of water quality, but the determinations of the other volatile organochlorine compounds and of total organic halogen can give us more complete informations. Results are given about their use for ground waters and for treated surface waters. Ground waters may be polluted by halogenated solvents. The choice of an oxidizing agent has a great influence upon the quality of treated river water.     

Organic carbon and environmental quality of riverine and off-shore sediments from the Gulf of Cádiz,Spain

Here we show that heavy metal geoaccumulation is apparent in the Tinto and Odiel estuary and, at a lower magnitude, in off-shore sediments. Values above probable effects level (PEL) are recorded for As, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn in the Tinto and Odiel estuary, for As and Hg in the associated off-shore sediments and for As in the Guadiana River. Significant correlations were found between total organic carbon (TOC) and Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn in the Tinto and Odiel estuary, and Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Hg and As in the Guadiana River. PCA analysis differentiated the three studied locations.     

Effects of water velocity on bulk water quality and biofilm population structure in drinking water distribution systems北大核心CSCD

To study the effect of flow velocity on drinking water distribution systems, bulk water quality was monitored over 28 days, biomass was measured, and 16S rDNA was sequenced on the 28th day using a water distribution simulation system. The relationship between bulk water quality and biofilm was statistically analyzed. Flow velocity of 0.5 m/s yielded the most total organic carbon (TOC) (5.26 ± 0.17 mg/L) in the bulk water, the most bulk water bacteria (lg (n+1/mL-1) = 4.79 ± 0.02), the worst bulk water quality, and the most biofilm bacteria (lg (n+1/cm-2) = 5.48 ± 0.06). A Pearson correlation analysis showed the total number of biofilm bacteria was positively correlated with conductivity (R = 0.73, P < 0.01), turbidity (R = 0.87, P < 0.001), TOC (R = 0.94, P < 0.001), and total bacteria (R = 0.92, P < 0.001), and was negatively correlated with residual chlorine (R = -0.68, P < 0.05). Biofilm diversity was high under the low (0.1 m/s) and high (2.5 m/s) flow rates, but the bacterial diversity of biofilm was the lowest at the 0.5 m/s flow rate, in which Proteobacteria dominated the biofilm community structure. These results suggest that flow velocity affects bulk water quality and biofilm population structure, and water quality and biofilm population structure are interrelated, which provides the theoretical basis for research on biofilms in drinking water distribution systems. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Evaluating the seasonal changes of water quality of the Değirmendere and Galyan Rivers (Trabzon, Turkey)

The De?irmendere and Galyan (De?irmendere tributary) Rivers that discharge their water into the Black Sea are important watersheds in the northeastern part of Turkey. Water quality parameters were sampled from 1997 through 2001 for each year at five sites (three for Galyan, two for Degirmendere) along 29 and 42 km gradients, respectively covering all seasons. Surface water was collected from the sites and analyzed for temperature, total alkaline (MAAL), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity (EC), nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), total hardness (TH), phenolphthalein alkalinities (PAL) and organic matter (PV). Seasonal changes of water quality were analyzed statistically for both Rivers and evaluated according to the TS 266, EU and WHO standards. The analysis of variance results showed that Ca, Mg, MAL, NO3, pH, TDS and TH parameters of the De?irmendere River and Ca, DO, EC, MAL, NO3, pH and TH parameters of the Galyan River showed seasonal differences (p<0.05). The maximum values of the water pollution parameters for the two Rivers were below the threshold values throughout the study period. When both Rivers were compared, the mean values of the pollution parameters of the Degirmendere River were higher than those of the Galyan River and very close the limits. The results indicate that both Rivers can be used for the production of potable water during all seasons but only with an advanced treatment in the De?irmendere and a moderate treatment in the Galyan River, and for indirect and non-contact recreational activities.     

Does female plumage coloration signal parental quality? A male removal experiment with the bluethroat (Luscinia s. svecica)

Females in several sexually dimorphic species with conventional sex roles possess ornamental traits that resemble those found in males. The evolution of such traits, however, is still poorly understood. Bluethroats (Luscinia s. svecica) are socially monogamous, sexually dichromatic passerine birds, in which female throat patch coloration varies from near absence to near full expression of male-like coloration. A recent study, demonstrating that male bluethroats prefer colourful females, suggests that female coloration is subject to sexual selection through male choice. However, the benefits males may gain from mating with colourful females have not yet been identified. In this study we tested the hypothesis that female coloration signals parental quality (the good-parent hypothesis). During the course of the same day, we recorded female care both in the presence and the absence of the male mate. The latter was done to eliminate the confounding effect of variable male care by removing the male temporarily. Female coloration did not correlate with female feeding rates either in the presence or in the absence of the male. Female feeding rates in the absence and the presence of the male were positively, although weakly, correlated. Female coloration did not correlate with female ability to compensate for the loss of male care, or with the change in brood mass during male removal. Therefore, there is no evidence for the good-parent hypothesis to explain female plumage coloration in bluethroats. Received: 4 March 1999 / Received in revised form: 14 October 1999 / Accepted: 23 October 1999     

Influence of grazing practices on cow milk quality: a case study on the Comarnic–Poieni bauxite quarry, Romania

The current study represents a preliminary investigation made into the influence of cattle grazing in the area of a bauxite quarry (Comarnic–Poieni, Romania) on the cow milk chemistry. Weathering and surface runoff in the bauxite quarry contaminate the local chemistry of the soil, vegetation and water. During cattle transhumance, cyclic feeding patterns occur, with grazing alternating between clean pastures and the area of the quarry. Soil and water samples were collected from the contaminated area of the quarry. Raw milk samples were collected during two stages, corresponding to the periods of grazing on clean pasture and the quarry area, respectively. Based on the obtained data, the relationship between cattle grazing and the composition of milk was interpreted. Preliminary results indicated a direct correlation of increased concentration of Al in the milk, following grazing in the bauxite quarry.