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• Average monthly EPI attendance reduced by 13.4% during the COVID interrupted period. • Average monthly immunizations were reduced by 38.3% during the interruption period. • Highest decline was observed in vaccines given early in infancy. • Reduced EPI attendance during the pandemic interruption period lasted only 3 months. • Mothers were comfortable to re-start EPI attendance with older than younger infants. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the delivery of essential health services, such as routine immunization. We assessed the impact of the pandemic on the uptake of routine immunization in rural Gambia. We collected real-time vaccine administration data in the Basse and Fuladu West Health & Demographic Surveillance Systems from September 01, 2019, to December 31, 2020. We assessed the monthly number of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) clinic attendances and vaccines administered, comparing data during the baseline period (September 01, 2019–March 31, 2020), COVID-19 interruption period (April 01–June 30, 2020), initial recovery period (Jul 01–September 30, 2020) and the late recovery period (October 01–December 31, 2020). Compared to the baseline period, there was an overall average monthly decline of 13.4% in EPI attendance and 38.3% reduction in average monthly immunizations during the interruption period. This decrease was particularly noticeable for Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) (47.2%), birth dose hepatitis B (Hep B) (46.9%), 1st dose pentavalent (Penta1) (43.1%), 1st dose pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV1) (42.4%), and measles vaccines (15.5%). Comparing the late recovery to baseline period, average monthly EPI attendance was 5.3% higher, with 1.9% increase in average monthly immunizations. Monthly immunizations for BCG were 3.0% greater, 2.5% greater for Hep B, 22.7% greater for oral polio vaccine (OPV1), 2.0% less for Penta1, 19.2% less for Penta2, and 2.6% less for PCV1. The reduced EPI attendance during the pandemic interruption period lasted only 3 months. Significant recovery in EPI attendance occurred during the late recovery period, while rates of monthly immunization returned to pre-pandemic levels for most antigens. EPI programmes should implement strategies to deliver missed antigens when infants do present to EPI clinics, aware that missed doses may be age dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bromine and iodine chemistry has been updated in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model to better capture the influence of natural emissions from the oceans on ozone concentrations. Annual simulations were performed using the hemispheric CMAQ model without and with bromine and iodine chemistry. Model results over the Northern Hemisphere show that including bromine and iodine chemistry in CMAQ not only reduces ozone concentrations within the marine boundary layer but also aloft and inland. Bromine and iodine chemistry reduces annual mean surface ozone over seawater by 25%, with lesser ozone reductions over land. The bromine and iodine chemistry decreases ozone concentration without changing the diurnal profile and is active throughout the year. However, it does not have a strong seasonal influence on ozone over the Northern Hemisphere. Model performance of CMAQ is improved by the bromine and iodine chemistry when compared to observations, especially at coastal sites and over seawater. Relative to bromine, iodine chemistry is approximately four times more effective in reducing ozone over seawater over the Northern Hemisphere (on an annual basis). Model results suggest that the chemistry modulates intercontinental transport and lowers the background ozone imported to the United States. • Bromine and iodine chemistry reduces ozone. • Iodine chemistry is more effective in reducing ozone than the bromine chemistry. • Bromine and iodine chemistry affects background ozone. • Bromine and iodine chemistry improves model performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze hourly PM 2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm) concentrations measured at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka over the 2016–2021 time period and find that concentrations are seasonally dependent with the highest occurring in winter and the lowest in monsoon seasons. Mean winter PM 2.5 concentrations reached ∼165–175 μg/m3 while monsoon concentrations remained ∼30–35 μg/m3. Annual mean PM 2.5 concentration reached ∼5–6 times greater than the Bangladesh annual PM 2.5 standard of 15 μg/m3. The number of days exceeding the daily PM 2.5 standard of 65 μg/m3 in a year approached nearly 50%. Daily-mean PM 2.5 concentrations remained elevated (>65 μg/m3) for more than 80 consecutive days. Night-time concentrations were greater than daytime concentrations. The comparison of results obtained from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model simulations over the Northern Hemisphere using 108-km horizontal grids with observed data suggests that the model can reproduce the seasonal variation of observed data but underpredicts observed PM 2.5 in winter months with a normalized mean bias of -13 to –32%. In the model, organic aerosol is the largest component of PM 2.5 , of which secondary organic aerosol plays a dominant role. Transboundary pollution has a large impact on the modeled PM 2.5 concentration in Dhaka, with an annual mean contribution of ∼40 μg/m3. • Daily mean PM 2.5 level in Dhaka exceeds 65 μg/m3 on 144 or more days per year. • A pollution episode in Dhaka can persist for more than 80 consecutive days. • Annual mean PM 2.5 concentration in Dhaka can reach nearly 100 μg/m3. • Organic aerosol is the largest component of PM 2.5 in Dhaka. • Annual mean contribution of transboundary pollution in Dhaka is ∼40 μg/m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface layer resistance plays an important role in determining ozone deposition velocity over sea-water and can be influenced by chemical interactions at the air-water interface. Here, we examine the effect of chemical interactions of iodide, dimethylsulfide, dissolved organic carbon, and bromide in seawater on ozone deposition. We perform a series of simulations using the hemispheric Community Multiscale Air Quality model for summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. Our results suggest that each chemical interaction enhances the ozone deposition velocity and decreases the atmospheric ozone mixing ratio over seawater. Iodide enhances the median deposition velocity over seawater by 0.023 cm s −1 , dissolved organic carbon by 0.021 cm s −1 , dimethylsulfide by 0.002 cm s −1 , and bromide by ∼0.0006 cm s −1 . Consequently, iodide decreases the median atmospheric ozone mixing ratio over seawater by 0.7 ppb, dissolved organic carbon by 0.8 ppb, dimethylsulfide by 0.1 ppb, and bromide by 0.02 ppb. In a separate model simulation, we account for the effect of dissolved salts in seawater on the Henry’s law constant for ozone and find that it reduces the median deposition velocity by 0.007 cm s −1 and increases surface ozone mixing ratio by 0.2 ppb. The combined effect of these processes increases the median ozone deposition velocity over seawater by 0.040 cm s −1 , lowers the atmospheric ozone mixing ratio by 5%, and slightly improves model performance relative to observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We revise the Carbon Bond chemical mechanism to explicitly represent three Stabilized Criegee Intermediates (SCIs) and their subsequent reactions with sulfur dioxide, water monomer, and water dimer, and incorporate the reactions into the Community Multiscale Air Quality model. The reaction of sulfur dioxide with SCI produces sulfuric acid which partitions into sulfate. We examine the impact of sulfur dioxide oxidation by SCI on sulfate using two different measured rate constants for the reaction of sulfur dioxide and SCI. When we use the higher rate constant and emissions estimates from the Biogenic Emissions Inventory System, it enhances monthly mean sulfate in summer by ∼20% in biogenically active areas. Enhancements are driven primarily by SCI produced from the reactions of biogenically derived alkenes and ozone. The use of the lower rate constant only marginally enhances sulfate since it is 65 times lower than the higher rate constant. We performed several sensitivity analyses to investigate the impacts of uncertain biogenic emissions and SCI loss rates. When we use the higher rate constant and emissions estimates from the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature, it enhances monthly mean sulfate by ∼75%. A simulation using the lowest reported rate constant for the reaction of SCI and water indicated the maximum enhancement of sulfate from this chemistry was up to 4 μg/m3 over a 24-h period in some locations in the Southeastern U.S. Predictions without the SCI reaction are lower than observed sulfate while predictions with the SCI reaction improve the agreements with observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new hydroxyl radical formation pathway via photo-excited nitrogen dioxide chemistry is incorporated into a chemistry-only box model as well as a 3D air quality model to examine its potential role on ozone formation and emission control strategy over the Pearl River Delta region in China. While the box model results suggest that the photo-excited nitrogen dioxide chemistry can substantially enhance ozone at high NOx and VOC concentrations, results of 3D air quality model show only a moderate increase in ozone. Though the photo-excited nitrogen dioxide chemistry enhances ozone by a maximum of 10ppbV over the urban area in the vicinity of abundant NOx and VOC concentrations, its typical enhancements range between 2 and 3ppbV. It enhances ozone within the entire planetary boundary layer under conditions featured in weak synoptic wind, abundant water vapor and strong land–sea breeze circulation. No significant improvement in model performance statistics for ozone is found with the photo-excited nitrogen dioxide chemistry. The photo-excited nitrogen dioxide chemistry marginally changes ozone responses to NOx and VOC emission controls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examine the potential impacts of two additional sulfate production pathways using the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system. First we evaluate the impact of the aqueous-phase oxidation of S(IV) by nitrogen dioxide using two published rate constants, differing by 1–2 orders of magnitude. The reaction with alternate high and low rate constants enhances monthly mean wintertime sulfate by 4–20% and 0.4–1.2% respectively. The reaction does not significantly impact summertime sulfate. The higher sulfate predictions in winter compare better with the observed data as the model tends to underpredict sulfate concentrations both in winter and summer. We also investigate the potential impact of the gas-phase oxidation of sulfur dioxide by the Stabilized Criegee Intermediate (SCI) using a recently measured rate constant for its reaction with sulfur dioxide. Model results indicate that the gas-phase oxidation of sulfur dioxide by the SCI does not significantly affect sulfate concentrations due to the competing reaction of the SCI with water vapor. The current estimate of the rate constant for the SCI reaction with water vapor is too high for the SCI reaction with sulfur dioxide to significantly affect sulfate production. However, a sensitivity analysis using a lower rate constant for the water vapor reaction suggests that the SCI reaction with sulfur dioxide could potentially enhance sulfate production in the model. Further study is needed to accurately measure the rate constants of the aqueous-phase oxidation of S(IV) by nitrogen dioxide and the gas-phase reaction of the SCI with water vapor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Impact of the excited nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ∗) chemistry on air quality in the U.S. is examined using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model for a summer month. Model simulations were conducted with and without the NO2 ∗ chemistry. The largest impact of the NO2 ∗ chemistry in the eastern U.S. occurred in the northeast and in the western U.S. occurred in Los Angeles. While the single largest daily maximum 8-h ozone (O3) increased by 9 ppbv in eastern U.S. and 6 ppbv in western U.S., increases on most days were much lower. No appreciable change in model performance statistics for surface-level O3 predictions relative to measurements is noted between simulations with and without the NO2 ∗ chemistry. Based on model calculations using current estimates of tropospheric emission burden, the NO2 ∗ chemistry can increase the monthly mean daytime hydroxyl radicals (OH) and nitrous acid (HONO) by a maximum of 28% and 100 pptv, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The impact of the QCD critical point on the propagation of nonlinear waves has been studied. The effects have been investigated within the scope of second-order causal dissipative hydrodynamics by incorporating the critical point into the equation of state, and the scaling behavior of transport coefficients and of thermodynamic response functions. Near the critical point, the nonlinear waves are found to be significantly damped which may result in the disappearance of the Mach cone effects of the away side jet. Such damping may lead to enhancement in the fluctuations of elliptic and higher flow coefficients. Therefore, the disappearance of Mach cone effects and the enhancement of fluctuations in flow harmonics in the event-by-event analysis may be considered as signals of the critical endpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictions of nitrous acid from the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system are compared with the measurements from the 2001 Northeast Oxidant and Particle Study. Four different sources of nitrous acid were considered in the study: gas-phase reactions, direct emissions, a heterogeneous reaction, and a surface photolysis reaction. When only gas-phase reactions were considered in the model, the diurnally averaged mean bias, the normalized mean bias, the root mean square error, and the normalized mean error of the model were −1.01ppbv, −98%, 1.05ppbv, and 98%, respectively. However, the diurnally averaged mean bias, normalized mean bias, the root mean square error, and the normalized mean error of the model improved to −0.42ppbv, −41%, 0.45ppbv, and 41%, respectively, when all sources were considered. Model results suggest that the heterogeneous reaction and the surface photolysis reaction are the most important sources of nitrous acid in the atmosphere, accounting for about 86% of the predicted nitrous acid. Emissions and the gas-phase reactions were relatively minor sources and accounted for only 14% of the predicted nitrous acid. Model predictions suggest that the heterogeneous reaction is the most significant source of nitrous acid at night, while the surface photolysis reaction is the most significant source during the day. The addition of these sources increased the diurnally averaged hydroxyl radicals and ozone by 10% and 1.4ppbv, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An indoor air quality model was used to predict dynamic particle mass concentrations based on homogeneous chemical mechanisms and partitioning of semi-volatile products to particles. The ozone–limonene reaction mechanism was combined with gas-phase chemistry of common atmospheric organic and inorganic compounds and incorporated into the indoor air quality model. Experiments were conducted in an environmental chamber to investigate secondary particle formation resulting from ozone/limonene reactions. Experimental results indicate that significant fine particle growth occurs due to the interaction of ozone and limonene and subsequent intermediate by-products. Secondary particle mass concentrations were estimated from the measured particle size distribution. Predicted particle mass concentrations were in good agreement with experimental results—generally within ∼25% at steady-state conditions. Both experimental and predicted results suggest that air exchange rate plays a significant role in determining secondary fine particle levels in indoor environments. Secondary particle mass concentrations are predicted to increase substantially with lower air exchange rates, an interesting result given a continuing trend toward more energy efficient buildings. Lower air exchange rates also shifted the particle size distribution toward larger particle diameters. Secondary particle mass concentrations are also predicted to increase with higher outdoor ozone concentrations, higher outdoor particle concentrations, higher indoor limonene emission rates, and lower indoor temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Estimates of non-industrial source ammonia emissions in Texas were developed through the use of published emission factors and activity data for those sources. A total of 64 non-industrial source emission sub-categories were addressed, each falling into one of seven major source categories: animal husbandry, fertilizer applications, on-road vehicles, non-road sources, municipal wastewater disposal, domestic sources, and natural soil and vegetation. Annual statewide ammonia emissions were initially estimated to be 921,000 metric tons, with greater than 50% originating from natural soil and vegetation. However, estimates for pine and oak forests were characterized as having a great deal of uncertainty. A series of field sampling events were conducted to determine ammonia fluxes from pine and oak forest floors in east Texas. Both dynamic and static chamber methods were used. The ammonia flux averaged 0.09kgkm−2 month−1 for pine forests and 0.13kgkm−2 month−1 for oak forests. These values are significantly lower than those previously measured and cited in the published literature. However, the ammonia fluxes measured in east Texas forests are reasonably consistent with those predicted using mechanistic models for evergreen pine and deciduous broadleaf forests in Alabama, California, Colorado, and Tennessee. Statewide annual ammonia emissions estimates, revised using the newly developed ammonia fluxes for oak and pine forests in Texas, dropped from 921,000 to 467,000 metric tons. The relative contribution of ammonia emissions from pine and oak forests dropped from 49% to less than 1%. Animal husbandry was predicted to be the dominant non-industrial source, accounting for approximately 77% of non-industrial source ammonia emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experiments were conducted in an 11 m3 environmental chamber to investigate secondary particles resulting from homogeneous reactions between ozone and α-pinene. Experimental results indicate that rapid fine particle growth occurs due to homogeneous reactions between ozone and α-pinene, and subsequent gas-to-particle partitioning of the products. A new indoor air quality model was used to predict dynamic particle mass concentrations based on detailed homogeneous chemical mechanisms and partitioning of semi-volatile products to particles. Chamber particle mass concentrations were estimated from measured particle size distributions and were in reasonable agreement with results predicted from the model. Both experimental and model results indicate that secondary particle mass concentrations increase substantially with lower air exchange rates. This is an interesting result, given a continuing trend toward more energy-efficient buildings. Secondary particle mass concentrations are also predicted to increase with lower indoor temperatures, higher outdoor ozone concentrations, higher outdoor particle concentrations, and higher indoor α-pinene emissions rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Estimates the indoor hydroxyl radical concentrations with the use of an emerging indoor air quality model which employs an atmospheric chemistry model to simulate indoor homogenous reactions. Comparison of results with those taken from previous studies; Results of base case application; Effects of indoor alkene emission rates on indoor hydroxyl radical concentrations.

We implement oceanic dimethylsulfide (DMS) emissions and its atmospheric chemical reactions into the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQv53) model and perform annual simulations without and with DMS chemistry to quantify its impact on tropospheric composition and air quality over the Northern Hemisphere. DMS chemistry enhances both sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and sulfate (SO 4 2 − ) over seawater and coastal areas. It enhances annual mean surface SO 2 concentration by +46 pptv and SO 4 2 − by +0.33 μg/m3 and decreases aerosol nitrate concentration by −0.07 μg/m3 over seawater compared to the simulation without DMS chemistry. The changes decrease with altitude and are limited to the lower atmosphere. Impacts of DMS chemistry on SO 4 2 − are largest in the summer and lowest in the fall due to the seasonality of DMS emissions, atmospheric photochemistry and resultant oxidant levels. Hydroxyl and nitrate radical-initiated pathways oxidize 75% of the DMS while halogen-initiated pathways oxidize 25%. DMS chemistry leads to more acidic particles over seawater by decreasing aerosol pH. Increased SO 4 2 − from DMS enhances atmospheric extinction while lower aerosol nitrate reduces the extinction so that the net effect of DMS chemistry on visibility tends to remain unchanged over most of the seawater. • Dimethylsulfide enhances sulfate over seawater and coastal areas. • The impact of dimethylsulfide on sulfate is the largest in the summer. • Hydroxyl and nitrate radical-initiated pathways oxidize 75% and halogen-initiated pathways oxidize 25% of dimethylsulfide. • Dimethylsulfide leads to more acidic particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfate plays an important role in atmospheric haze in China, which has received considerable attention in recent years. Various types of parameterization methods and heterogeneous oxidation rates of SO 2 have been used in previous studies. However, properly representing heterogeneous sulfate formation in air quality models remains a big challenge. In this study, we quantified the heterogeneous oxidation reaction using experimental results that approximate the haze conditions in China. Firstly, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the heterogeneous uptake of SO 2 with different relative humidity (RH) levels and the presence of NH 3 and NO 2 on natural dust surfaces. Then the uptake coefficients for heterogeneous oxidation of SO 2 to sulfate at different RH under NH 3 and NO 2 coexistence were parameterized based on the experimental results and implemented in the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ). Simulation results suggested that this new parameterization improved model performance by 6.6% in the simulation of wintertime sulfate concentrations for Beijing. The simulated maximum growth rate of SO 4 2− during a heavy pollution period increased from 0.97 μg m−3 h−1 to 10.11 μg m−3 h−1. The heterogeneous oxidation of SO 2 in the presence of NH 3 contributed up to 23% of the sulfate concentration during heavy pollution periods. Image 1 • Uptake coefficients of SO 2 on dust with coexistence of NH 3 and NO 2 were obtained. • New parameterization was proposed based on experimental results under different RHs. • The new parameterization can improve sulfate simulation in wintertime in CMAQ. • Impact of NH 3 on heterogeneous formation of sulfate in wintertime is non-negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oceans are the main source of natural halogen and sulfur compounds, which have a significant influence on the oxidizing capacity of the marine atmosphere; however, their impact on the air quality of coastal cities is currently unknown. We explore the effect of marine halogens (Cl, Br and I) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) on the air quality of a large coastal city through a set of high-resolution (4-km) air quality simulations for the urban area of Los Angeles, US, using the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ model). The results indicate that marine halogen emissions decrease ozone and nitrogen dioxide levels up to 5 ppbv and 2.5 ppbv, respectively, in the city of Los Angeles. Previous studies suggested that the inclusion of chlorine in air quality models leads to the generation of ozone in urban areas through photolysis of nitryl chloride (ClNO 2 ). However, we find that when considering the chemistry of Cl, Br and I together the net effect is a reduction of surface ozone concentrations. Furthermore, combined ocean emissions of halogens and DMS cause substantial changes in the levels of key urban atmospheric oxidants such as OH, HO 2 and NO 3 , and in the composition and mass of fine particles. Although the levels of ozone, NO 3 and HO x are reduced, we find a 10% increase in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mean concentration, attributed to the increase in aerosol acidity and sulfate aerosol formation when combining DMS and bromine. Therefore, this new pathway for enhanced SOA formation may potentially help with current model under predictions of urban SOA. Although further observations and research are needed to establish these preliminary conclusions, this first city-scale investigation suggests that the inclusion of oceanic halogens and DMS in air quality models may improve regional air quality predictions over coastal cities around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Estimating pandemic-related excess mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa entails additional challenges. • These include a lack of reliable death registration systems and limited testing capacity in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. • Time-series analysis of local health and demographic surveillance systems data may provide an opportunity to address the gap in information during pandemics. • Using The Gambia health and demographic surveillance systems, we show that there was little evidence of overall excess mortality in 2020. • However, excess mortality may have occurred among vulnerable age groups. Estimates for COVID-19-related excess mortality for African populations using local data are needed to design and implement effective control policies. We applied time-series analysis using data from three health and demographic surveillance systems in The Gambia (Basse, Farafenni, and Keneba) to examine pandemic-related excess mortality during 2020, when the first SARS-CoV-2 wave was observed, compared to the pre-pandemic period (2016-2019). Across the three sites, average mortality during the pre-pandemic period and the total deaths during 2020 were 1512 and 1634, respectively (Basse: 1099 vs 1179, Farafenni: 316 vs 351, Keneba: 98 vs 104). The overall annual crude mortality rates per 100,000 (95% CI) were 589 (559, 619) and 599 (571, 629) for the pre-pandemic and 2020 periods, respectively. The adjusted excess mortality rate was 8.8 (-34.3, 67.6) per 100,000 person-month with the adjusted rate ratio (aRR) = 1.01 (0.94,1.11). The age-stratified analysis showed excess mortality in Basse for infants (aRR = 1.22 [1.04, 1.46]) and in Farafenni for the 65+ years age group (aRR = 1.19 [1, 1.44]). We did not find significant excess overall mortality in 2020 in The Gambia. However, some age groups may have been at risk of excess death. Public health response in countries with weak health systems needs to consider vulnerable age groups and the potential for collateral damage. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines ozone (O3) predictions from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model version 4.5 and discusses potential factors influencing the model results. Daily maximum 8-h average O3 levels are largely underpredicted when observed O3 levels are above 85ppb and overpredicted when they are below 35ppb. Using a clustering approach, model performance was examined separately for several different synoptic regimes. Under the most common synoptic conditions of a typical summertime Bermuda High setup, the model showed good overall performance for O3, while associations have been identified here between other, less frequent, synoptic regimes and the O3 overprediction and underprediction biases. A sensitivity test between the CB-IV and CB05 chemical mechanisms showed that predictions of daily maximum 8-h average O3 using CB05 were on average 7.3% higher than those using CB-IV. Boundary condition (BC) sensitivity tests show that the overprediction biases at low O3 levels are more sensitive to the BC O3 levels near the surface than BC concentrations aloft. These sensitivity tests also show the model performance for O3 improved when using the global GEOS-CHEM BCs instead of default profiles. Simulations using the newest version of the CMAQ model (v4.6) showed a small improvement in O3 predictions, particularly when vertical layers were not collapsed. Collectively, the results suggest that key synoptic weather patterns play a leading role in the prediction biases, and more detailed study of these episodes are needed to identify further modeling improvements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The objective of this study is to investigate the techno-economic feasibility of supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of black liquor integrated to a Kraft pulp mill. The process simulations have been performed through Aspen Plus software. The assessment includes five integration scenarios: stainless steel 316 or Inconel 625 as the reactor materials and hydrogen or combined heat and power (CHP) as the target products. The results illustrates that Inconel reactor is more profitable for CHP production than stainless steel as well as providing lower production cost of hydrogen. Inconel is also more robust against loss of pulping chemicals and changes in the energy price. However, the assessment uses the experimental yields even though surface-to-volume ratio of the reactor will reduce in the industrial scale. Therefore, the results should be validated in pilot scale as well before implementation. Nevertheless, a special reactor configuration can increase surface area. The techno-economic results can be improved by comprehensive investigations of process conditions including also residence time, the concentration of reactor inlet and heterogeneous catalyst. In addition, the SCWG process integrated to a pulp mill can also receive feedstocks from other biomass sectors. This would improve the economic and environmental performances of those sectors as well. • Supercritical water gasification can evolve a pulp mill to a biorefinery plants. • This study evaluates combined heat and power or hydrogen production. • Due to no available price, this study introduces a pricing method for black liquor. • The feasibility assessment shows the process potentially being profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sustained use of clean fuel for cooking reduced household air pollution (HAP). • Exclusive LPG use for 26 months reduced personal PM 2.5 and CO exposure. • Sustained reductions in HAP decreased CD8+T, T regulatory and CD19+B cells. • Reduced HAP exposure increased CD4+T cells, plasmablasts, early & memory B cells. We conducted a clean fuel intervention trial (Bangladesh Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) (NCT02824237) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for 26 months among rural Bangladeshi women chronically exposed to household air pollution (HAP) from biomass fuel (BMF) use. We aimed to evaluate the effect of HAP reduction following LPG intervention on immune response outcome. We supplied LPG cook stove and refills in cylinder in 200 households for 26 months. We measured personal exposure to HAP [particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2·5), black carbon (BC) and carbon monoxide (CO)] in 200 women (main cook) by personal monitors at pre- and post-intervention. Immune function was assessed before and after intervention, in blood collected within 2 weeks of HAP measurements. Primary endpoints included reduction in HAP, lymphocyte proliferation and oxidative stress response, and alterations in T and B cell proportions. Exclusive LPG use for 26 months resulted in significant reduction in PM 2·5 (43.5%), BC (13%) and CO (48%) exposure in the women. For one unit decrease in BC, Treg cells and memory B cells increased by 7% and 34% respectively, in the peripheral circulation. One unit decrease in CO was significantly associated with increase in early B cells and plasmablasts by 66% and 5% respectively. For one unit decrease in BC, percent-dividing cells, proliferation and expansion indices increased by 2%, 0.4%, and 1%, respectively. Reduced personal exposure to HAP through clean fuel intervention was related to a return towards cellular immune balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Emerging data suggest that inorganic arsenic exposure and gut microbiome are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiome may modify disease risk associated with arsenic exposure. Our aim was to examine the inter-relationships between arsenic exposure, the gut microbiome, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)—a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. Methods We recruited 250 participants from the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Bangladesh, measured IMT and collected fecal samples in year 2015–2016. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted on microbial DNA extracted from the fecal samples. Arsenic exposure was measured using data on arsenic concentration in drinking water wells over time to derive a time-weighted water arsenic index. Multivariable linear regression models were used to test the inter-relationships between arsenic exposure, relative abundance of selected bacterial taxa from phylum to genus levels, and IMT. Results We identified nominally significant associations between arsenic exposure, measured using either time-weighted water arsenic or urinary arsenic, and the relative abundances of several bacterial taxa from the phylum Tenericutes , Proteobacteria , and Firmicutes. However, none of the associations retained significance after correction for multiple testing. The relative abundances of the family Aeromonadaceae and genus Citrobacter were significantly associated with IMT after correction for multiple testing (P -value = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Every 1% increase in the relative abundance of Aeromonadaceae and Citrobacter was related to an 18.2-μm (95% CI: 7.8, 28.5) and 97.3-μm (95% CI: 42.3, 152.3) difference in IMT, respectively. These two taxa were also the only selected family and genus using the LASSO variable selection method. There was a significant interaction between Citrobacter and time-weighted water arsenic in IMT (P for interaction = 0.04). Conclusions Our findings suggest a role of Citrobacter in the development of atherosclerosis, especially among individuals with higher levels of arsenic exposure. Highlights • We identified nominally significant associations between arsenic exposure and the relative abundances of several bacterial taxa in the phylum Tenericutes , Proteobacteria , and Firmicutes. However, none of the associations retained significance after correction for multiple comparisons with FDR ≤ 5%. • The relative abundances of the family Aeromonadaceae and genus Citrobacter were significantly associated with carotid IMT after adjustment for multiple comparisons with FDR ≤ 5%. • There was a significant interaction between Citrobacter and time-weighted water arsenic in IMT (P -value = 0.04). • The data suggest that the gut microbiome may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, especially among individuals with higher levels of arsenic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of an integrated biorefinery has increasing importance regarding sustainability aspects. However, the typical concepts have techno-economic issues: limited replacement in co-processing with fossil sources and high investment costs in integration to a specific plant. These issues have directed the current investigations to supply-chain network systems. On the other hand, these studies have the scope of a specific product and/or a feedstock type. This paper proposes a novel biorefinery concept for lignocellulosic biomass: sectoral integration network and a new hydrothermal process for biomass conversion. The sectoral integration concept has the potential for sustainable production from biomass: pre-treatment at the biomass sites, regional distributed conversion of biomass from various sectors (e.g. black liquor, sawdust, straw) and centralized upgrading/separation of crude biofuels. On the other hand, the conversion processes compose the vital part of such a concept. The new conversion involves partial wet oxidation - or simultaneous dissolution with partial wet oxidation for solid biomass- followed by lignin recovery with acidification and a reactor that can perform either hydrothermal liquefaction or supercritical water gasification. The process can intake both liquid and solid biomass to produce lignin as biomaterial and syngas or bio-oil. The new concept can contribute social development of rural areas by utilizing waste as valuable raw material for the production of multiple products and reduce the net greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil-based production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Anthropometric measures such as waist–hip-ratio (WHR), waist-height-ratio (WHtR), waist circumference, Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and upper thigh circumference, have been linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, their relationships with subclinical atherosclerosis are unclear. Studies in normal-weight populations, especially in Asian countries where leanness is prevalent, are lacking. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the associations of WHR, WHtR, waist circumference, hip circumference, body mass index (BMI), MUAC and upper thigh circumference with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) among 562 middle-aged participants free of CVD in rural Bangladesh. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, WHR and waist circumference but not BMI showed a positive significant association with cIMT. In multivariate analysis, each standard deviation (SD) increase of WHR (0.08) or WHtR (0.07) was associated with an 8.96 μm (95% CI, 1.12–16.81) or 11.45 μm (95%CI, 0.86–22.04) difference in cIMT, respectively, after controlling for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, education level, and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The associations of WHR and WHtR with cIMT were independent of the influence of other anthropometric measures. The associations of other anthropometric measures and cIMT were not apparent. Conclusions: In our relatively lean, healthy Asian population, WHR and WHtR appear to be better predictors of early atherosclerosis than other common surrogates of adiposity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Dietary pattern analysis is emerging as a practical, effective tool for relating comprehensive dietary intake to risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. However, no studies have applied this technique to a population outside of the developed world. Methods: We conducted prospective cohort analyses in 11,116 participants enrolled in the Health Effects of Arsenic Study in Araihazar, Bangladesh, measuring deaths attributable to disease of circulatory system, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Participants were enrolled in 2000 and followed up for an average of 6.6years. Dietary information was obtained through a previously validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline. Results: Principal component analysis based on our comprehensive, 39 item FFQ yielded 3 dietary patterns: (i) a “balanced” pattern, comprised of steamed rice, red meat, fish, fruit and vegetables; (ii) an “animal protein” diet, which was more heavily weighted towards eggs, milk, red meat, poultry, bread, and vegetables; and (iii) a “gourd and root vegetable” diet that heavily relied on a variety of gourds, radishes, pumpkin, sweet potato, and spinach. We observed a positive association between increasing adherence to the animal protein diet and risk of death from both disease of the circulatory system and heart disease; the hazard ratios were 1.13 (95% CI, 1.00–1.28, p =0.05) and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.99–1.38, p =0.07), respectively, in relation to one standard deviation increase in the factor scores for the animal protein diet pattern, after controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and energy intake. The positive association was more significant among ever smokers; the hazard ratios (95% CI) for deaths from disease of the circulatory system and heart disease were 1.17 (1.02–1.34) and 1.20 (1.00–1.45), respectively, in relation to one standard deviation increase in the factor scores for the animal protein diet pattern. Conclusions: An animal protein-rich diet in rural Bangladesh may increase risk of heart disease mortality, especially among smokers. This emphasizes the need to further explore and address the impact of dietary patterns on cardiovascular disease in populations undergoing epidemiologic transition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Early childhood is a critical period for telomere biology. • Prior studies of urinary As and telomere length in children have had mixed findings. • We examined urinary As and telomere length in 5–7 year old Bangladeshi children. • Urinary As was associated with significant decreases in relative telomere length. • Arsenic exposure may be related to telomere shortening in early to mid-childhood. Telomere length has been associated with the occurrence and progression of common chronic and age-related diseases, and in younger populations, may represent a biomarker of disease susceptibility. Early childhood is a critical period for telomere biology as this period is characterized by a rapid decline in telomere length due to a large turnover of highly proliferative cells and may represent a period of unique sensitivity to environmental insults. Arsenic (As) exposure has been associated with both telomere lengthening and shortening in adults and children and some evidence suggests the effects may differ by level and timing of exposure. Given the lack of clarity across studies, we investigated the association between urinary As and leukocyte telomere length among 476 five- to seven-year-old children enrolled in the Bangladesh Environmental Research in Children's Health (BiRCH) cohort. In a series of multivariable models, adjusted for key covariates, we examined associations between urinary As and relative telomere length (RTL) of whole blood DNA. We observed small but consistent, negative associations between urinary As and RTL, such that a doubling of urinary As was associated with a −0.017 (95% CI: −0.030, −0.005; p = 0.0056) decrease in RTL, in fully adjusted models. We also observed a somewhat stronger inverse relationship between urinary As concentration and RTL among children born to fathers ≥ 30 years of age at the time of birth, than those < 30 years; however, we did not observe a statistically significant interaction. Our study suggests that As influences RTL, with detectable associations in early to mid-childhood. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and investigate the potential long-term impacts of telomere shortening in childhood on later life health outcomes. Additional studies exploring how dose and timing of exposure may relate to RTL are critical to understanding As's relationship to telomere length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is Part II in a pair of papers that examines the results of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model version 4.5 (v4.5) and discusses the potential explanations for the model performance characteristics seen. The focus of this paper is on fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical composition. Improvements made to the dry deposition velocity and cloud treatment in CMAQ v4.5 addressing compensating errors in 36-km simulations improved particulate sulfate (SO4 2−) predictions. Large overpredictions of particulate nitrate (NO3 −) and ammonium (NH4 +) in the fall are likely due to a gross overestimation of seasonal ammonia (NH3) emissions. Carbonaceous aerosol concentrations are substantially underpredicted during the late spring and summer months, most likely due, in part, to a lack of some secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation pathways in the model. Comparisons of CMAQ PM2.5 predictions with observed PM2.5 mass show mixed seasonal performance. Spring and summer show the best overall performance, while performance in the winter and fall is relatively poor, with significant overpredictions of total PM2.5 mass in those seasons. The model biases in PM2.5 mass cannot be explained by summing the model biases for the major inorganic ions plus carbon. Errors in the prediction of other unspeciated PM2.5 (PMOther) are largely to blame for the errors in total PM2.5 mass predictions, and efforts are underway to identify the cause of these errors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent studies have focused on the chemistry of tropospheric halogen species which are able to deplete tropospheric ozone (O 3). In this study, the effect of bromine and iodine chemistry on tropospheric O 3 within the annual cycle in Asia-Pacific is investigated using the CMAQ model with the newly embedded bromine and iodine chemistry and a blended and customized emission inventory considering marine halogen emission. Results indicate that the vertical profiles of bromine and iodine species show distinct features over land/ocean and daytime/nighttime, related to natural and anthropogenic emission distributions and photochemical reactions. The halogen-mediated O 3 loss has a strong seasonal cycle, and reaches a maximum of −15.9 ppbv (−44.3%) over the ocean and −13.4 ppbv (−38.9%) over continental Asia among the four seasons. Changes in solar radiation, dominant wind direction, and nearshore chlorophyll-a accumulation all contribute to these seasonal differences. Based on the distances to the nearest coastline, the onshore and offshore features of tropospheric O 3 loss caused by bromine and iodine chemistry are studied. Across a coastline-centric 400-km-wide belt from onshore to offshore, averaged maximum gradient of O 3 loss reaches 1.1 ppbv/100 km at surface level, while planetary boundary layer (PBL) column mean of O 3 loss is more moderate, being approximately 0.7 ppbv/100 km. Relative high halogen can be found over Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the largest O 3 loss (approximately 4–5 ppbv) in the PBL can be found between the western boundary of the domain and the TP. Halogens originating from marine sources can potentially affect O 3 concentration transported from the stratosphere over the TP region. As part of efforts to improve our understanding of the effect of bromine and iodine chemistry on tropospheric O 3 , we call for more models and monitoring studies on halogen chemistry and be considered further in air pollution prevention and control policy. • The vertical profiles of bromine and iodine species show distinct features over land/ocean and daytime/nighttime. • The halogen-mediated O 3 loss reaches a maximum of −15.9 ppbv (−44.3%) over ocean and −13.4 ppbv (−38.9%) over continental Asia. • Across a coastline-centric 400-km-wide belt, averaged maximum gradient of O 3 loss reaches 1.1 ppbv/100 km at surface level. • The horizontal advection of free tropospheric air from nearshore western boundary may contribute to the O 3 loss over the TP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]