We propose a novel tool for testing hypotheses concerning the adequacy of environmentally defined factors for local clustering
of diseases, through the comparative evaluation of the significance of the most likely clusters detected under maps whose
neighborhood structures were modified according to those factors. A multi-objective genetic algorithm scan statistic is employed
for finding spatial clusters in a map divided in a finite number of regions, whose adjacency is defined by a graph structure.
This cluster finder maximizes two objectives, the spatial scan statistic and the regularity of cluster shape. Instead of specifying
locations for the possible clusters a priori, as is currently done for cluster finders based on focused algorithms, we alter
the usual adjacency induced by the common geographical boundary between regions. In our approach, the connectivity between
regions is reinforced or weakened, according to certain environmental features of interest associated with the map. We build
various plausible scenarios, each time modifying the adjacency structure on specific geographic areas in the map, and run
the multi-objective genetic algorithm for selecting the best cluster solutions for each one of the selected scenarios. The
statistical significances of the most likely clusters are estimated through Monte Carlo simulations. The clusters with the
lowest estimated p-values, along with their corresponding maps of enhanced environmental features, are displayed for comparative analysis. Therefore
the probability of cluster detection is increased or decreased, according to changes made in the adjacency graph structure,
related to the selection of environmental features. The eventual identification of the specific environmental conditions which
induce the most significant clusters enables the practitioner to accept or reject different hypotheses concerning the relevance
of geographical factors. Numerical simulation studies and an application for malaria clusters in Brazil are presented. 相似文献
Since the last few decades, terrestrial diversity is found to be under stress due to the contamination by various chemicals and gases of aquatic and agricultural media. The bioaccumulation of these compounds at certain concentrations in different tissues produces histopathological changes leading to behavioral changes in target animals. This study focused on terrestrial molluscan slug, Semperulamaculata, against lethal concentrations of mercury chloride (HgCl2). Bioaccumulation of Hg was highest in ovotestis, while lowest in the molluscan penis. Histopathological changes were observed in the cellular arrangement of reproductive organs. Alterations in the penis and the dart gland included dilated unicellular, multicellular glands, and muscular dystrophy, dilated peripheral glandular cells, respectively; dilation being maximal in the prostate gland. Ovotestis showed depleted number of gametocytes. Vacoulized pre-vitellogenic oocytes with early vitellogenic oocytes were noted under light microscopy. Mercury produced toxicity on secretory functions and lowered the rate of reproduction in animals. Evidence indicates that Hg produced gamete degeneration, impacted reproductive capacity and survival of this species in the ecosystem. 相似文献
Environmental Chemistry Letters - The circular economy requires advanced methods to recycle biomass into value-added materials, such as lignin extraction and modification. Here, we review lignin... 相似文献
Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a sampling procedure that has been shown to provide more efficient procedures than simple random sampling, in particular the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon (MWW) statistic and the empirical distribution function (EDF). We briefly review the work of Bohn (1992) and Stokes and Sager (1988) on the effect of imperfect ranking on the RSS-based MWW test and on the RSS-based EDF, respectively. We propose a model for a ranking error probability matrix which we hope will become a useful tool for evaluating RSS-based statistical procedures 相似文献
A Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) provides an economically feasible and efficient wastewater treatment solution especially in developing countries. It has an enormous potential for developing a sustainable environmental sanitation system. In this study, the treatment efficiency of eight DEWATS plants was evaluated in the state of Maharashtra, India, for their performance in terms of selected physico-chemical parameters of the wastewater. Although the efficiency of some of the plants was lower than that reported in literature, the effluent quality of all the plants was within the permissible discharge limits of the Central Pollution Control Board for all the parameters. Comprehensive assessment of Plant I was carried in terms of its technical and socio-economic aspects. Moreover, LCA tool has been utilized to evaluate the environmental impacts of the operation stage of DEWATS. The midpoint, CML 2001 (April 2015) methodology was adopted, in which 11 impact categories were considered. From the life cycle impact assessment and interpretation, the main impacts are identified as releases of COD, P-PO43?, and N-NH4+ to water bodies and disposal of sludge. Due to negligible energy consumption, the operation stage was found to be less damaging to the environment. It was concluded that DEWATS can be a good alternative for treating wastewater with negligible energy and chemical consumption.
Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - This paper outlines the preparation and characterization of chitosan (CS) composites reinforced with mechano-chemically activated fly ash (MCA-FA).... 相似文献
This study examined the effect of lethal (4.5 μg/l) and sublethal (0.45 μg/l) malathion levels on oxidative stress responses of the freshwater edible fish, Labeo rohita. Fish were exposed to lethal (1–4 days) and sublethal (1, 5, 10, and 15 days) periods. In the present study, catalase and protease activity, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, and free amino acids levels increased in the gill, liver, and kidney tissues of fish exposed to lethal and sublethal concentrations of malathion except protein content. Time- and concentration-dependent induction/reduction of the above parameters by lethal and sublethal concentrations of malathion was observed in the tissues (the gill, liver, and kidney) of L. rohita. Thus, the results clearly infer oxidative damage and decline in antioxidant defense due to malathion-induced oxidative stress. 相似文献