169 research outputs found
Design of automated training and monitoring system for alcohol-based hand rub surgical hand preparation
Lagrange Model for the Chiral Optical Properties of Stereometamaterials
We employ a general Lagrange model to describe the chiral optical properties
of stereometamaterials. We derive the elliptical eigenstates of a twisted
stacked split-ring resonator, taking phase retardation into account. Through
this approach, we obtain a powerful Jones matrix formalism which can be used to
calculate the polarization rotation, ellipticity, and circular dichroism of
transmitted waves through stereometamaterials at any incident polarization. Our
experimental measurements agree well with our model.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, Theory and experimen
Octave-wide photonic band gap in three-dimensional plasmonic Bragg structures and limitations of radiative coupling
Radiative coupling between oscillators is one of the most fundamental subjects of research in optics, where particularly a Bragg-type arrangement is of interest and has already been applied to atoms and excitons in quantum wells. Here we explore this arrangement in a plasmonic structure. We observe the emergence of an octave-wide photonic band gap in the optical regime. Compared with atomic or excitonic systems, the coupling efficiency of the particle plasmons utilized here is several orders of magnitude larger and widely tunable by changing the size and geometry of the plasmonic nanowires. We are thus able to explore the regime where the coupling distance is even limited by the large radiative decay rate of the oscillators. This Bragg-stacked coupling scheme will open a new route for future plasmonic applications such as far-field coupling to quantum emitters without quenching, plasmonic cavity structures and plasmonic distributed gain schemes for spasers
Global, regional, and national burden of mortality associated with short-term temperature variability from 2000-19: a three-stage modelling study
BACKGROUND: Increased mortality risk is associated with short-term temperature variability. However, to our knowledge, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the temperature variability-related mortality burden worldwide. In this study, using data from the MCC Collaborative Research Network, we first explored the association between temperature variability and mortality across 43 countries or regions. Then, to provide a more comprehensive picture of the global burden of mortality associated with temperature variability, global gridded temperature data with a resolution of 0.5 degrees x 0.5 degrees were used to assess the temperature variability-related mortality burden at the global, regional, and national levels. Furthermore, temporal trends in temperature variability-related mortality burden were also explored from 2000-19. METHODS: In this modelling study, we applied a three-stage meta-analytical approach to assess the global temperature variability-related mortality burden at a spatial resolution of 0.5 degrees x 0.5 degrees from 2000-19. Temperature variability was calculated as the SD of the average of the same and previous days' minimum and maximum temperatures. We first obtained location-specific temperature variability related-mortality associations based on a daily time series of 750 locations from the Multi-country Multi-city Collaborative Research Network. We subsequently constructed a multivariable meta-regression model with five predictors to estimate grid-specific temperature variability related-mortality associations across the globe. Finally, percentage excess in mortality and excess mortality rate were calculated to quantify the temperature variability-related mortality burden and to further explore its temporal trend over two decades. FINDINGS: An increasing trend in temperature variability was identified at the global level from 2000 to 2019. Globally, 1 753 392 deaths (95% CI 1 159 901-2 357 718) were associated with temperature variability per year, accounting for 3.4% (2.2-4.6) of all deaths. Most of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand were observed to have a higher percentage excess in mortality than the global mean. Globally, the percentage excess in mortality increased by about 4.6% (3.7-5.3) per decade. The largest increase occurred in Australia and New Zealand (7.3%, 95% CI 4.3-10.4), followed by Europe (4.4%, 2.2-5.6) and Africa (3.3, 1.9-4.6). INTERPRETATION: Globally, a substantial mortality burden was associated with temperature variability, showing geographical heterogeneity and a slightly increasing temporal trend. Our findings could assist in raising public awareness and improving the understanding of the health impacts of temperature variability. FUNDING: Australian Research Council, Australian National Health & Medical Research Council
Fluctuating temperature modifies heat-mortality association around the globe
Studies have investigated the effects of heat and temperature variability (TV) on mortality. However, few assessed whether TV modifies the heat-mortality association. Data on daily temperature and mortality in the warm season were collected from 717 locations across 36 countries. TV was calculated as the standard deviation of the average of the same and previous daysâ minimum and maximum temperatures. We used location-specific quasi-Poisson regression models with an interaction term between the cross-basis term for mean temperature and quartiles of TV to obtain heat-mortality associations under each quartile of TV, and then pooled estimates at the country, regional, and global levels. Results show the increased risk in heat-related mortality with increments in TV, accounting for 0.70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: â0.33 to 1.69), 1.34% (95% CI: â0.14 to 2.73), 1.99% (95% CI: 0.29â3.57), and 2.73% (95% CI: 0.76â4.50) of total deaths for Q1âQ4 (first quartileâfourth quartile) of TV. The modification effects of TV varied geographically. Central Europe had the highest attributable fractions (AFs), corresponding to 7.68% (95% CI: 5.25â9.89) of total deaths for Q4 of TV, while the lowest AFs were observed in North America, with the values for Q4 of 1.74% (95% CI: â0.09 to 3.39). TV had a significant modification effect on the heat-mortality association, causing a higher heat-related mortality burden with increments of TV. Implementing targeted strategies against heat exposure and fluctuant temperatures simultaneously would benefit public health. © 2022 The Author(s)Funding text 1: This study was supported by the Australian Research Council (DP210102076) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP2000581). Y.W and B.W. were supported by the China Scholarship Council (nos. 202006010044 and 202006010043); S.L. was supported by an Emerging Leader Fellowship of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (no. APP2009866); Y.G. was supported by Career Development Fellowship (no. APP1163693) and Leader Fellowship (no. APP2008813) of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council; J.K. and A.U. were supported by the Czech Science Foundation (project no. 20â28560S); N.S. was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences-funded HERCULES Center (no. P30ES019776); Y.H. was supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (JPMEERF15S11412) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency; M.d.S.Z.S.C. and P.H.N.S. were supported by the SĂŁo Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); H.O. and E.I. were supported by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research (IUT34â17); J.M. was supported by a fellowship of Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e a Tecnlogia (SFRH/BPD/115112/2016); A.G. and F.S. were supported by the Medical Research Council UK (grant ID MR/R013349/1), the Natural Environment Research Council UK (grant ID NE/R009384/1), and the EU's Horizon 2020 project, Exhaustion (grant ID 820655); A.S. and F.d.D. were supported by the EU's Horizon 2020 project, Exhaustion (grant ID 820655); V.H. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (grant ID PCIN-2017â046); and A.T. by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (grant CEX2018-000794-S). Statistics South Africa kindly provided the mortality data, but had no other role in the study. Y.G. A.G. M.H. and B. Armstrong set up the collaborative network. Y.G. S.L. and Y.W. designed the study. Y.G. S.L. and A.G. developed the statistical methods. Y.W. B.W. S.L. and Y.G. took the lead in drafting the manuscript and interpreting the results. Y.W. B.W. Y.G. A.G. S.T. A.O. A.U. A.S. A.E. A.M.V.-C. A. Zanobetti, A.A. A. Zeka, A.T. B. Alahmad, B. Armstrong, B.F. C.Ă. C. Ameling, C.D.l.C.V. C. Ă
ström, D.H. D.V.D. D.R. E.I. E.L. F.M. F.A. F.D. F.S. G.C.-E. H. Kan, H.O. H. Kim, I.-H.H. J.K. J.M. J.S. K.K. M.H.-D. M.S.R. M.H. M.P. M.d.S.Z.S.C. N.S. P.M. P.G. P.H.N.S. R.A. S.O. T.N.D. V.C. V.H. W.L. X.S. Y.H. M.L.B. and S.L. provided the data and contributed to the interpretation of the results and the submitted version of the manuscript. Y.G. S.L. and Y.W. accessed and verified the data. All of the authors had full access to all of the data in the study and had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. The authors declare no competing interests.; Funding text 2: This study was supported by the Australian Research Council ( DP210102076 ) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council ( APP2000581 ). Y.W and B.W. were supported by the China Scholarship Council (nos. 202006010044 and 202006010043 ); S.L. was supported by an Emerging Leader Fellowship of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (no. APP2009866 ); Y.G. was supported by Career Development Fellowship (no. APP1163693) and Leader Fellowship (no. APP2008813) of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council ; J.K. and A.U. were supported by the Czech Science Foundation (project no. 20â28560S ); N.S. was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences -funded HERCULES Center (no. P30ES019776 ); Y.H. was supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund ( JPMEERF15S11412 ) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency; M.d.S.Z.S.C. and P.H.N.S. were supported by the SĂŁo Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); H.O. and E.I. were supported by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research ( IUT34â17 ); J.M. was supported by a fellowship of Fundação para a CiĂȘncia e a Tecnlogia ( SFRH/BPD/115112/2016 ); A.G. and F.S. were supported by the Medical Research Council UK (grant ID MR/R013349/1 ), the Natural Environment Research Council UK (grant ID NE/R009384/1 ), and the EUâs Horizon 2020 project, Exhaustion (grant ID 820655 ); A.S. and F.d.D. were supported by the EUâs Horizon 2020 project, Exhaustion (grant ID 820655 ); V.H. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (grant ID PCIN-2017â046 ); and A.T. by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (grant CEX2018-000794-S). Statistics South Africa kindly provided the mortality data, but had no other role in the study
Excess mortality attributed to heat and cold: a health impact assessment study in 854 cities in Europe
MCC Collaborative Research Network: Souzana Achilleos (Department of Primary Care and Population Health,
University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus), Jan KyselĂœ
(Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech
Republic, Prague, Czech Republic), Ene Indermitte (Department of
Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia),
Jouni J K Jaakkola and Niilo Ryti (Center for Environmental and
Respiratory Health Research, and Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu
University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland), Mathilde Pascal
(Santé Publique France, Department of Environmental Health, French
National Public Health Agency, Saint Maurice, France), Antonis Analitis
(Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, National
and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece), Klea Katsouyanni
(School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, Kingâs College,
London, UK), Patrick Goodman (Technological University Dublin,
Dublin, Ireland), Ariana Zeka (Institute for the Environment, Brunel
University London, London, UK), Paola Michelozzi (Department of
Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy),
Danny Houthuijs and Caroline Ameling (National Institute for Public
Health and the Environment, Centre for Sustainability and Environmental
Health, Bilthoven, Netherlands), Shilpa Rao (Norwegian institute of
Public Health, Oslo, Norway), Susana das Neves Pereira da Silva and
Joana Madureira (Department of Epidemiology, Instituto Nacional de
SaĂșde Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal), Iulian-Horia Holobaca (Faculty
of Geography, Babes-Bolay University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania),
Aurelio Tobias (Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water
Research, Spanish Council for Scientific Research, Barcelona, Spain),
Carmen Ăñiguez (Department of Statistics and Computational Research,
Universitat de ValĂšncia, ValĂšncia, Spain), Bertil Forsberg (Department of
Public Health and Clinical Medicine, UmeÄ University, UmeÄ, Sweden),
and Martina S Ragettli (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel,
Switzerland).Online publication has been corrected. Correction available online 2 July 2024 https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00171-7Background: Heat and cold are established environmental risk factors for human health. However, mapping the related health burden is a difficult task due to the complexity of the associations and the differences in vulnerability and demographic distributions. In this study, we did a comprehensive mortality impact assessment due to heat and cold in European urban areas, considering geographical differences and age-specific risks.
Methods: We included urban areas across Europe between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 12, 2019, using the Urban Audit dataset of Eurostat and adults aged 20 years and older living in these areas. Data were extracted from Eurostat, the Multi-country Multi-city Collaborative Research Network, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and Copernicus. We applied a three-stage method to estimate risks of temperature continuously across the age and space dimensions, identifying patterns of vulnerability on the basis of city-specific characteristics and demographic structures. These risks were used to derive minimum mortality temperatures and related percentiles and raw and standardised excess mortality rates for heat and cold aggregated at various geographical levels.
Findings: Across the 854 urban areas in Europe, we estimated an annual excess of 203 620 (empirical 95% CI 180 882-224 613) deaths attributed to cold and 20 173 (17 261-22 934) attributed to heat. These corresponded to age-standardised rates of 129 (empirical 95% CI 114-142) and 13 (11-14) deaths per 100 000 person-years. Results differed across Europe and age groups, with the highest effects in eastern European cities for both cold and heat.
Interpretation: Maps of mortality risks and excess deaths indicate geographical differences, such as a north-south gradient and increased vulnerability in eastern Europe, as well as local variations due to urban characteristics. The modelling framework and results are crucial for the design of national and local health and climate policies and for projecting the effects of cold and heat under future climatic and socioeconomic scenarios.Funding: The study was funded by Medical Research Council of the UK
(MR/V034162/1 and MR/R013349/1), the Natural Environment Research
Council UK (NE/R009384/1), the EUâs Horizon 2020 (820655), and the
EUâs Joint Research Center (JRC/SVQ/2020/MVP/1654). AU and JK
were supported by the Czech Science Foundation (22â24920S). VH has
received funding from the EUâs Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under the Marie SkĆodowska-Curie grant agreement
(101032087).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparison of weather station and climate reanalysis data for modelling temperature-related mortality
Epidemiological analyses of health risks associated with non-optimal temperature are traditionally based on ground observations from weather stations that offer limited spatial and temporal coverage. Climate reanalysis represents an alternative option that provide complete spatio-temporal exposure coverage, and yet are to be systematically explored for their suitability in assessing temperature-related health risks at a global scale. Here we provide the first comprehensive analysis over multiple regions to assess the suitability of the most recent generation of reanalysis datasets for health impact assessments and evaluate their comparative performance against traditional station-based data. Our findings show that reanalysis temperature from the last ERA5 products generally compare well to station observations, with similar non-optimal temperature-related risk estimates. However, the analysis offers some indication of lower performance in tropical regions, with a likely underestimation of heat-related excess mortality. Reanalysis data represent a valid alternative source of exposure variables in epidemiological analyses of temperature-related risk. © 2022, The Author(s).The original version of this Article contained an error in Affiliation 25, which was incorrectly given as âFaculty of Medicine ArqFuturo INSPER, University of SĂŁo Paulo, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazilâ. The correct affiliation is listed below. Faculty of Medicine, University of SĂŁo Paulo, SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil The original Article has been corrected. © The Author(s) 2022.The study was primarily supported by Grants from the European Commissionâs Joint Research Centre Seville (Research Contract ID: JRC/SVQ/2020/MVP/1654), Medical Research Council-UK (Grant ID: MR/R013349/1), Natural Environment Research Council UK (Grant ID: NE/R009384/1), European Unionâs Horizon 2020 Project Exhaustion (Grant ID: 820655). The following individual Grants also supported this work: J.K and A.U were supported by the Czech Science Foundation, project 20-28560S. A.T was supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Grant CEX2018-000794-S. V.H was supported by the European Unionâs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie SkĆodowska-Curie Grant agreement No 101032087. This work was generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) information [1985â2019]
Association of plasma microRNA expression with age, genetic background and functional traits in dairy cattle
Abstract A number of blood circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are proven disease biomarkers and have been associated with ageing and longevity in multiple species. However, the role of circulating miRNAs in livestock species has not been fully studied. We hypothesise that plasma miRNA expression profiles are affected by age and genetic background, and associated with health and production traits in dairy cattle. Using PCR arrays, we assessed 306 plasma miRNAs for effects of age (calves vs mature cows) and genetic background (control vs select lines) in 18 animals. We identified miRNAs which were significantly affected by age (26 miRNAs) and genetic line (5 miRNAs). Using RT-qPCR in a larger cow population (nâ=â73) we successfully validated array data for 12 age-related miRNAs, one genetic line-related miRNA, and utilised expression data to associate their levels in circulation with functional traits in these animals. Plasma miRNA levels were associated with telomere length (ageing/longevity indicator), milk production and composition, milk somatic cell count (mastitis indicator), fertility, lameness, and blood metabolites linked with body energy balance and metabolic stress. In conclusion, circulating miRNAs could provide useful selection markers for dairy cows to help improve health, welfare and production performance
Fluctuating temperature modifies heat-mortality association around the globe
Studies have investigated the effects of heat and temperature variability (TV) on mortality. However, few assessed whether TV modifies the heat-mortality association. Data on daily temperature and mortality in the warm season were collected from 717 locations across 36 countries. TV was calculated as the standard deviation of the average of the same and previous daysâ minimum and maximum temperatures. We used location-specific quasi-Poisson regression models with an interaction term between the cross-basis term for mean temperature and quartiles of TV to obtain heat-mortality associations under each quartile of TV, and then pooled estimates at the country, regional, and global levels. Results show the increased risk in heat-related mortality with increments in TV, accounting for 0.70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: â0.33 to 1.69), 1.34% (95% CI: â0.14 to 2.73), 1.99% (95% CI: 0.29â3.57), and 2.73% (95% CI: 0.76â4.50) of total deaths for Q1âQ4 (first quartileâfourth quartile) of TV. The modification effects of TV varied geographically. Central Europe had the highest attributable fractions (AFs), corresponding to 7.68% (95% CI: 5.25â9.89) of total deaths for Q4 of TV, while the lowest AFs were observed in North America, with the values for Q4 of 1.74% (95% CI: â0.09 to 3.39). TV had a significant modification effect on the heat-mortality association, causing a higher heat-related mortality burden with increments of TV. Implementing targeted strategies against heat exposure and fluctuant temperatures simultaneously would benefit public health
Comparison of weather station and climate reanalysis data for modelling temperature-related mortality
Multi-Country Multi-City (MCC) Collaborative Research Network: Barrak Alahmad, Rosana Abrutzky, Paulo Hilario Nascimento Saldiva, Patricia Matus Correa, NicolĂĄs ValdĂ©s Orteg, Haidong Kan, Samuel Osorio, Ene Indermitte, Jouni J K Jaakkola, Niilo Ryti, Alexandra Schneider, Veronika Huber, Klea Katsouyanni, Antonis Analitis, Alireza Entezari, Fatemeh Mayvaneh, Paola Michelozzi, Francesca de'Donato, Masahiro Hashizume, Yoonhee Kim, Magali Hurtado Diaz, CĂ©sar De la Cruz Valencia, Ala Overcenco, Danny Houthuijs, Caroline Ameling, Shilpa Rao, Xerxes Seposo, Baltazar Nunes, Iulian-Horia Holobaca, Ho Kim, Whanhee Lee, Carmen Ăñiguez, Bertil Forsberg, Christofer Ă
ström, Martina S Ragettli, Yue-Liang Leon Guo, Bing-Yu Chen, Valentina Colistro, Antonella Zanobetti, Joel Schwartz, Tran Ngoc Dang, Do Van DungErratum in: Author Correction: Sci Rep. 2022 May 13;12(1):7960. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-11769-6. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-11769-6Epidemiological analyses of health risks associated with non-optimal temperature are traditionally based on ground observations from weather stations that offer limited spatial and temporal coverage. Climate reanalysis represents an alternative option that provide complete spatio-temporal exposure coverage, and yet are to be systematically explored for their suitability in assessing temperature-related health risks at a global scale. Here we provide the first comprehensive analysis over multiple regions to assess the suitability of the most recent generation of reanalysis datasets for health impact assessments and evaluate their comparative performance against traditional station-based data. Our findings show that reanalysis temperature from the last ERA5 products generally compare well to station observations, with similar non-optimal temperature-related risk estimates. However, the analysis offers some indication of lower performance in tropical regions, with a likely underestimation of heat-related excess mortality. Reanalysis data represent a valid alternative source of exposure variables in epidemiological analyses of temperature-related risk.The study was primarily supported by Grants from the European Commissionâs Joint Research Centre Seville (Research Contract ID: JRC/SVQ/2020/MVP/1654), Medical Research Council-UK (Grant ID: MR/R013349/1), Natural Environment Research Council UK (Grant ID: NE/R009384/1), European Unionâs Horizon 2020 Project Exhaustion (Grant ID: 820655). The following individual Grants also supported this work: J.K and A.U were supported by the Czech Science Foundation, project 20-28560S. A.T was supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Grant CEX2018-000794-S. V.H was supported by the European Unionâs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie SkĆodowska-Curie Grant agreement No 101032087.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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