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The capture vaporizer (CV) was developed to reduce uncertainties in non-refractory aerosol composition measurements made using the aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) and the aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM). Use of the capture vaporizer has achieved this by improving the instruments' collection efficiency to ∼1, but it has also lengthened the aerosol particles' residence times in the instrument, which has changed AMS and ACSM measurements using the standard vaporizer by altering known fragmentation patterns of organic marker species and increasing the likelihood of detecting refractory particles such as sea salt at typical operating temperatures (∼550 °C). This study reports that the changes affected by the capture vaporizer leads to sea salt particles interfering with measurements of biomass burning organic aerosols (BBOA) in environments where both particle sources are present as the ACSM's unit mass resolution is unable to distinguish between different molecules with the same molecular mass. Demonstration of this interference was performed using CV-Time of Flight-ACSM (CV-ToF-ACSM) measurements at two coastal Australian locations: the Kennaook-Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, Tasmania; and the site of the COALA-2020 (Characterizing Organics and Aerosol Loading over Australia 2020) campaign in New South Wales. Concentrations of BBOA marker ions m/z60 and m/z73 were examined at both locations, which showed two distinct branches of points: one where the two marker ions were positively correlated and one that was uncorrelated. This was due to m/z60 also being a marker for sea salt. A threshold concentration of m/z73 was established at each location to recognise periods where m/z60 originated from BBOA. Lower concentrations of m/z44 and radon when m/z73 concentration was below the BBOA threshold indicated that m/z60 concentration during these periods corresponded to inorganic particles of marine origin. Positive Matrix Factorization has also been shown to separate m/z60 concentration from the two sources. This study suggests that using CV-ToF-ACSMs in coastal locations that are exposed to biomass burning smoke needs to consider sea salt interference when identifying BBOA.

Firefighters in the line of duty are exposed to many hazardous air toxics released from burning vegetation and other materials that may cause severe health risks. Current literature does not consider complex mixtures and cumulative impacts of these air toxics when assessing firefighter exposure risk. This study aims to determine if cumulative exposure to mixtures of air toxics will put firefighters at risk in the context of current firefighter exposure regulations. This was tested using CO exposure and air toxics data collected during prescribed burns. Personal CO monitors were deployed to 122 firefighters at 31 prescribed burns across Australian temperate forests. CO concentrations were used to determine equivalent exposures for air toxics using their emission ratio, which were then used to calculate cumulative exposure. Average personal monitor CO exposure was 9.2 ppm across all burns, with 1-min maximum ranging between 0.3 and 703 ppm. Work safe Australia exposure standards were exceeded for 6 firefighters out of 122. Five individual firefighters had average cumulative exposures exceeding 100% exposure limit. Six toxicological classes were identified to be the most hazardous, causing eye disorders, upper and lower respiratory disorders, skin disorders and cancer. Across these classes, three toxins contributed significantly to the cumulative exposure; respirable particles (< 3 μm), formaldehyde and acrolein. Using the cumulative exposure methodology as described here and a reduction in the CO exposure standards to account for the numerous air toxics emitted during a fire would supply decision makers with a tool to better identify exposure risks.

ABSTRACTBushfires, prescribed burns, and residential wood burning are significant sources of fine particles (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm; PM2.5) affecting the health and well-being of many communities. Despite the lack of evidence, a common public health recommendation is to remain indoors, assuming that the home provides a protective barrier against ambient PM2.5. The study aimed to assess to what extent houses provide protection against peak concentrations of outdoor PM2.5and whether remaining indoors is an effective way of reducing exposure to PM2.5. The effectiveness of this strategy was evaluated by conducting simultaneous week-long indoor and outdoor measurements of PM2.5at 21 residences in regional areas of Victoria, Australia. During smoke plume events, remaining indoors protected residents from peak outdoor PM2.5concentrations, but the level of protection was highly variable, ranging from 12% to 76%. Housing stock (e.g., age of the house) and ventilation (e.g., having windows/doors open or closed) played a significant role in the infiltration of outdoor PM2.5indoors. The results also showed that leaving windows and doors closed once the smoke plume abates trapped PM2.5indoors and increased indoor exposure to PM2.5. Furthermore, for approximately 50% of households, indoor sources such as cooking activities, smoking, and burning candles or incense contributed significantly to indoor PM2.5.Implications: Smoke from biomass burning sources can significantly impact on communities. Remaining indoors with windows and doors closed is a common recommendation by health authorities to minimize exposures to peak concentrations of fine particles during smoke plume events. Findings from this study have shown that the protection from fine particles in biomass burning smoke is highly variable among houses, with information on housing age and ventilation status providing an approximate assessment on the protection of a house. Leaving windows closed once a smoke plume abates traps particles indoors and increases exposures.

In fire‐prone areas such as southern Australia and parts of the United States, prescribed burning is a common fire management tool to reduce fuel load for wildfire suppression purposes. The burns are typically undertaken during calm and stable conditions when the burn extent and duration can be carefully controlled. This often coincides with poor atmospheric ventilation, leading to a buildup of smoke, which can impact air quality and human health. The low intensity of these burns also means that the plume is less buoyant and the main impact on local populations is due to emissions during the slow and prolonged smoldering combustion of heavy fuels. This study presents emission measurements of PM2.5at prescribed burns in eucalypt forests of southern Australia using a smoke collection method suitable for both flaming combustion of fine fuels and residual smoldering combustion of heavy fuels and logs. The median PM2.5emission factors (EFs) measured were 16.9‐g/kg fuel during flaming combustion and 38.8‐g/kg fuel during smoldering combustion. The correlation between PM2.5EFs and modified combustion efficiency highlights two distinct trends at low modified combustion efficiency, attributed to the distinct combustion processes of glowing char combustion and pyrolysis. Hence, two distinct relationships were developed that best fitted the measurements and that can be used to extrapolate measured EFs to a wider range of fuel and burning conditions. The results from this study addressed a gap in our knowledge of particle emissions during burns in eucalypt forests under different burning conditions and help to better forecast and manage air quality impacts from prescribed burns on nearby communities. Measured PM2.5emission factors (EFs) for flaming and smoldering combustion in eucalypt forests are consistent with EFs from other forest fuelsAt low combustion efficiency, particle emission factors vary significantly due to the distinct combustion processes of glowing char combustion and pyrolysisA single relationship between MCE and PM2.5emission factors does not explain the variability in EFs for a wide range of burning conditions

Biomimetics is an established field in research and industry. Current approaches focus on the use of biological principles in product development, while large potentials have also been identified for transferring organisational principles from nature to production organisation. This study gives a comprehensive overview of existing literature and illustrates that only fragmented research is being conducted at present. In order to enable systematic translation into methods that are available to practitioners, a framework is developed which allows the body of literature to be structured and potential fields not being researched at present to be identified. It also points out that some biological principles receive more attention in research approaches and practical implementation in production organisation than others. Furthermore, correlations between biological principles and principles in production are identified that there have already been successful translations of biomimetic approaches to production organisation. On the other hand, it suggests that there are numerous promising approaches only described in an initial paper that need further research before they can be implemented in practice.

Biomimetics is an established field in research and industry. Current approaches focus on the use of biological principles in product development, while large potentials have also been identified for transferring organisational principles from nature to production organisation. This study gives a comprehensive overview of existing literature and illustrates that only fragmented research is being conducted at present. In order to enable systematic translation into methods that are available to practitioners, a framework is developed which allows the body of literature to be structured and potential fields not being researched at present to be identified. It also points out that some biological principles receive more attention in research approaches and practical implementation in production organisation than others. Furthermore, correlations between biological principles and principles in production are identified that there have already been successful translations of biomimetic approaches to production organisation. On the other hand, it suggests that there are numerous promising approaches only described in an initial paper that need further research before they can be implemented in practice.

Given the increase in wildfire intensity and frequency worldwide, prescribed burning is becoming a more common and widespread practice. Prescribed burning is a fire management tool used to reduce fuel loads for wildfire suppression purposes and occurs on an annual basis in many parts of the world. Smoke from prescribed burning can have a substantial impact on air quality and the environment. Prescribed burning is a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5aerodynamic diameter < 2.5µm) and these particulates are found to be consistently elevated during smoke events. Due to their fine nature PM2.5are particularly harmful to human health. Here we discuss the impact of prescribed burning on air quality particularly focussing on PM2.5. We have summarised available case studies from Australia including a recent study we conducted in regional Victoria, Australia during the prescribed burning season in 2013. The studies reported very high short-term (hourly) concentrations of PM2.5during prescribed burning. Given the increase in PM2.5concentrations during smoke events, there is a need to understand the influence of prescribed burning smoke exposure on human health. This is important especially since adverse health impacts have been observed during wildfire events when PM2.5concentrations were similar to those observed during prescribed burning events. Robust research is required to quantify and determine health impacts from prescribed burning smoke exposure and derive evidence based interventions for managing the risk.Implications: Given the increase in PM2.5concentrations during PB smoke events and its impact on the local air quality, the need to understand the influence of PB smoke exposure on human health is important. This knowledge will be important to inform policy and practice of the integrated, consistent, and adaptive approach to the appropriate planning and implementation of public health strategies during PB events. This will also have important implications for land management and public health organizations in developing evidence based objectives to minimize the risk of PB smoke exposure.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) self‐pollination (i.e., selfing) causes inbreeding depression. Determining factors influencing alfalfa seed production selfing rates could inform potential mitigation strategies to reduce selfing. We measured in situselfing rates from seed sampled from random plants in a commercial alfalfa seed production field pollinated by leafcutter bees (Megachile rotundataF.). Alfalfa selfing rates were estimated by genotyping ∼24 progeny from each of 38 maternal plants. Maternal plant distance to pollinator domicile, pod position on racemes, raceme position on stems, and seeds per pod were noted during seed and tissue collection. Selfing rates averaged 11.8% with individual selfing rates ranging from 0% to 52.2%. Seed from pods collected from upper parts of racemes had lower selfing rates (9.1%) compared to pods from lower parts of racemes (15.1%). When “low” self‐compatible (<15% selfing rate in 3+ seeded pods) and “high” self‐compatible (≥15% selfing rate in 3+ seeded pods) plants were examined separately, however, this pattern remained significant only for low self‐compatible plants (upper raceme selfing rates 3.1% vs. lower raceme 8.3%). Low self‐compatible plants had higher selfing rates in 1‐2 seeded pods (12.9%) compared to 3+ seeded pods (3.8%) while high self‐compatible plants showed no differences in selfing rates based on seed number per pod. Genetic differences for self‐pollen's ability to outcompete outcross pollen when growing down the style best explained observed differences between low and high self‐compatible plants. Best management practices and selection could help reduce but not eliminate selfing in alfalfa seed production fields.

Kohlenstofffaserverstärkte Kunststoffe (CFK) werden zunehmend in Großserienanwendungen der Automobilindustrie eingesetzt. Neue Fertigungstechnologien, wie z. B. Faserdirektablagetechnologien, haben ein großes Potenzial, die Herstellkosten von CFK zu senken. Um die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit sicherzustellen, müssen jedoch organisatorische und technische Risiken bewertet werden. Der Beitrag beschreibt daher ein Vorgehen zur technologiespezifischen Anpassung eines bestehenden Reifemodells und wendet dieses auf eine Faserdirektablagetechnologie an.

Zur Komplexitätsbeherrschung im automobilen Wertschöpfungsnetz setzen viele Unternehmen auf eine kooperative Implementierung der RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-Technologie. Hierbei bedingen vor allem die Schwierigkeiten bei der konkreten Bewertung der ökonomischen und ökologischen Potenziale das Scheitern zahlreicher Projekte. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt daher ein methodisches Vorgehen, das basierend auf einer prozessspezifischen Betrachtung alle internen und externen Einflussfaktoren auf die Rentabilität des RFID-Einsatzes ermittelt. Das Vorgehen zur integrierten Bewertung von Wirtschaftlichkeit und Ressourceneffizienz wurde zudem im Microsoft® Office Excel® basierten Softwaretool „€CO2Calc“ umgesetzt.

High-content screening (HCS) is a powerful tool for drug discovery being capable of measuring cellular responses to chemical disturbance in a high-throughput manner. HCS provides an image-based readout of cellular phenotypes, including features such as shape, intensity, or texture in a highly multiplexed and quantitative manner. The corresponding feature vectors can be used to characterize phenotypes and are thus defined as HCS fingerprints. Systematic analyses of HCS fingerprints allow for objective computational comparisons of cellular responses. Such comparisons therefore facilitate the detection of different compounds with different phenotypic outcomes from high-throughput HCS campaigns. Feature selection methods and similarity measures, as a basis for phenotype identification and clustering, are critical for the quality of such computational analyses. We systematically evaluated 16 different similarity measures in combination with linear and nonlinear feature selection methods for their potential to capture biologically relevant image features. Nonlinear correlation-based similarity measures such as Kendall’s τ and Spearman’s ρ perform well in most evaluation scenarios, outperforming other frequently used metrics (such as the Euclidian distance). We also present four novel modifications of the connectivity map similarity that surpass the original version, in our experiments. This study provides a basis for generic phenotypic analysis in future HCS campaigns.

Die Bionik stellt eine Verbindung aus den Wissenschaftsdisziplinen Biologie und Technik dar. Ein Großteil der bekannten bionischen Lösungskonzepte betrifft die Entwicklung technischer Produkte. Obwohl auch für die Optimierung der Betriebs- und Produktionsorganisation erhebliche Potenziale in Lösungen der Natur, beispielsweise in der Organisation eines Ameisenstaates, liegen, werden diese bisher nur unzureichend erforscht. Der Beitrag stellt einen Ordnungsrahmen vor, der die verschiedenen Anwendungsgebiete der Bionik im Bereich der Produktionsorganisation gliedert und ihre Potenziale aufzeigt.

An elasticity imaging method using continuous shear wave excitation (CSWE) is expected to be a safe and quantitative technique. A velocity map could be produced by propagating wave number spectrum analysis of a two-dimensional (2D) displacement map of shear wave propagation. However; the problems of accuracy and resolution have limited the reliability of this technique in medical diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a shear wave imaging system for reconstructing the spatial phase modulation component of shear wave propagation in order to obtain high-resolution images of continuous shear wave excitation. Shear wave local velocity, which is derived from the spatial differentation of the phase of complex displacement, is adopted as an imaging parameter. A fine texture-like pattern of the phase modulation component appears in the local velocity map, which gives precise information of small-amplitude phase modulation.

Objectives. Insecticides reduce vector-borne pathogen transmission but also pose health risks. In August 2005, Sacramento County, California, underwent emergency aerial ultralow-volume (ULV) application of pyrethrin insecticide to reduce the population of West Nile virus (WNV)-infected mosquitoes and thereby interrupt enzootic and tangential transmission. We assessed the association between aerially applied pyrethrin insecticide and patterns of emergency department (ED) visit diagnoses.Methods. We used geographic information systems software to determine ZIP Code-level exposure to pyrethrin. We used logistic regression models to examine the relationship between exposure status and three-digit International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes (785 in total) for all ED visits (n=253,648) within Sacramento County in 2005 and for specific diagnostic clusters (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, and neurologic). All models were adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity (individual level), median income, ozone, and temperature (ZIP Code level).Results. Exposure to aerially applied insecticide was not associated with clusters of respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, eye, and neurologic complaints in adjusted models but was inversely associated with ICD-9-CM code 799 (“other ill-defined morbidity and mortality”), with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 0.31 to 0.36 for 0–3 lag days (95% confidence interval 0.17, 0.68). Spraying was also directly associated with ICD-9-CM code 553 (“other abdominal hernia”), with AORs ranging from 2.34 to 2.96 for 2–3 lag days.Conclusions. The observed significant ICD-9-CM code associations likely represented chance findings. Aerial ULV pyrethrin applications were not associated with ED visits for specific diagnoses or clusters of diagnoses.