Disentangling the effects of traffic-related noise and air pollution on blood pressure: indoor noise levels and protections

Outdoor road traffic noise levels are associated with hypertension (HT). Studies on blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent and the true indoor traffic noise exposure may differ due to protections against noise. We analysed the effects of long-term exposure to outdoor and indoor traffic noise levels on HT, systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP, mmHg), adjusting for outdoor annual average concentrations of near-road traffic-related air pollution (nitrogen dioxide, NO2) among 1926 participants (aged 36-82) from the Catalan REGICOR study. Long-term outdoor residential levels of traffic noise at night (Lnight, in A-weighted dB) and annual averages of NO2 (in µg/m3 ) were estimated at the postal addresses’ façades with a city-specific noise model and a land-use regression model, respectively. Indoor traffic noise was calculated from outdoor noise levels subtracting the attenuations in dB according to reported noise protections. Median noise levels were 56.7 dB outdoors and 27.1 dB indoors. Spearman correlations between outdoor and indoor noise with NO2 were 0.75 and 0.23, respectively. Outdoor noise was only associated with HT (OR=1.19, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.40), whereas there was a suggestive association of indoor noise with both HT (OR=1.06, 95%CI: 0.99, 1.13) and SBP (ß=0.38, 95%CI: -0.08, 0.83) per 5 dB increase in outdoor noise levels. NO2 was also associated with both outcomes after adjustment for indoor noise. Findings for indoor traffic noise levels are more plausible than those for outdoor traffic noise. The use of indoor traffic noise estimates help to disentangle the effects from those of traffic-related air pollution.Postprint (author's final draft

Cross-sectional association between road traffic noise and hypertension in a population-based sample in Girona, Spain (REGICOR-AIR project)

Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Transportation noise (in particular railway noise) and blood pressure in REGICOR compared to SAPALDIA

Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Martensitic transformation, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Ni–Mn–Fe–Sn Heusler ribbons

Melt-spun ribbons of nominal composition Ni50Mn36-xFexSn14 (x = 0, 2, and 3) were prepared by melt-spinning. The alloys undergo a martensitic transformation from L21 austenite to an orthorhombic 4O martensite on cooling, as determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Replacement of Mn by Fe linearly reduces the characteristic temperatures of the martensitic transformation (the equilibrium temperature decreases from 328 to 285 K) and reduces the Curie temperature of the austenite phase (from 336 to 300 K), whereas the effect of the applied magnetic field on the martensite transition temperatures is negligible. Magnetic measurements (zero-field cooled, ZFC, and field cooled, FC, curves, AC susceptibility measurements) hint the coexistence of two different ferromagnetic martensitic magnetic phases. Moreover, the AC susceptibility measurements and the irreversibility of the ZFC and FC curves point towards the presence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions in the martensitic phase. All samples exhibit spontaneous exchange bias at 2 K, with double-shifted loops, whereas the evolution of the conventional exchange bias with the temperature agrees quite well with the behavior of ferromagnetic regions surrounded by spin-glass regions or with the coexistence of ferromagnetic–antiferromagnetic interactions. Ni50Mn36-xFexSn14 ribbons present a moderate inverse magnetocaloric effect (with a maximum of the magnetic entropy change of 5.7 Jkg−1K−1 for μ0H = 3 T for x = 3). It is worth to note that these materials feature a significant reservoir (up to 44 Jkg−1K−1 for x = 2) of magnetic entropy change, linked to the proximity of the austenitic ferromagnetic transition to the martensitic transformation.Se prepararon cintas hiladas por fusión de composición nominal Ni 50 Mn 36-x Fe x Sn 14 (x = 0, 2 y 3) mediante hilatura por fusión. Las aleaciones experimentan una transformación martensítica de austenita L2 1 a una martensita ortorrómbica 4O al enfriarse, según lo determinado por análisis de difracción de rayos X en polvo. La sustitución de Mn por Fe reduce linealmente las temperaturas características de la transformación martensítica (la temperatura de equilibrio desciende de 328 a 285 K) y reduce la temperatura de Curie de la fase austenita (de 336 a 300 K), mientras que el efecto del campo magnético aplicado sobre las temperaturas de transición martensítica es despreciable. Las mediciones magnéticas (campo cero enfriado, ZFC y campo enfriado, FC, curvas, medidas de susceptibilidad de CA) sugieren la coexistencia de dos fases magnéticas martensíticas ferromagnéticas diferentes. Además, las medidas de susceptibilidad AC y la irreversibilidad de las curvas ZFC y FC apuntan hacia la presencia de interacciones antiferromagnéticas y ferromagnéticas en la fase martensítica. Todas las muestras exhiben un sesgo de intercambio espontáneo a 2 K, con bucles de doble desplazamiento, mientras que la evolución del sesgo de intercambio convencional con la temperatura concuerda bastante bien con el comportamiento de regiones ferromagnéticas rodeadas por regiones spin-glass o con la coexistencia de interacciones ferromagnéticas-antiferromagnéticas. Ni50 Mn 36-x Fe x Sn 14 Las cintas presentan un efecto magnetocalórico inverso moderado (con un cambio de entropía magnética máximo de 5,7 Jkg −1 K −1 para μ 0 H = 3 T para x = 3). Vale la pena señalar que estos materiales presentan un reservorio significativo (hasta 44 Jkg −1 K −1 para x = 2) de cambio de entropía magnética, vinculado a la proximidad de la transición ferromagnética austenítica a la transformación martensítica

Covid-19: la malinterpretación de los datos de la pandemia daña la confianza del público

Dos cartas publicadas en The Lancet y The Lancet Public Health en los últimos meses defienden la necesidad de evaluar de forma independiente la respuesta española ante la covid-19. Estamos de acuerdo, pero nos gustaría complementarlas con tres puntos que nos acercan a la ciencia abierta. Nos referimos a la confusión terminológica, la calidad de los datos y su disponibilidad

Martensitic Transformation in Ni-Mn-Sn-Co Heusler Alloys

Thermal and structural austenite to martensite reversible transition was studied in melt spun ribbons of Ni50Mn40Sn5Co5, Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5 and Ni50Mn35Sn10Co5 (at. %) alloys. Analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns confirms that all alloys have martensitic structure at room temperature: four layered orthorhombic 4O for Ni50Mn40Sn5Co5, four layered orthorhombic 4O and seven-layered monoclinic 14M for Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5 and seven-layered monoclinic 14M for Ni50Mn35Sn5Co5. Analysis of differential scanning calorimetry scans shows that higher enthalpy and entropy changes are obtained for alloy Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5, whereas transition temperatures increases as increasing valence electron density

An intraoperative use of a laser pointer [4]

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Martensitic Transformation in Ni-Mn-Sn-Co Heusler Alloys

Thermal and structural austenite to martensite reversible transition was studied in melt spun ribbons of Ni50Mn40Sn5Co5, Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5 and Ni50Mn35Sn10Co5 (at. %) alloys. Analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns confirms that all alloys have martensitic structure at room temperature: four layered orthorhombic 4O for Ni50Mn40Sn5Co5, four layered orthorhombic 4O and seven-layered monoclinic 14M for Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5 and seven-layered monoclinic 14M for Ni50Mn35Sn5Co5. Analysis of differential scanning calorimetry scans shows that higher enthalpy and entropy changes are obtained for alloy Ni50Mn37.5Sn7.5Co5, whereas transition temperatures increases as increasing valence electron density

High blood pressure and long-term exposure to indoor noise and air pollution from road traffic

Traffic noise has been associated with prevalence of hypertension, but reports are inconsistent for blood pressure (BP). To ascertain noise effects and to disentangle them from those suspected to be from traffic-related air pollution, it may be essential to estimate people's noise exposure indoors in bedrooms.; We analyzed associations between long-term exposure to indoor traffic noise in bedrooms and prevalent hypertension and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP, considering long-term exposure to outdoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2).; We evaluated 1,926 cohort participants at baseline (years 2003-2006; Girona, Spain). Outdoor annual average levels of nighttime traffic noise (Lnight) and NO2 were estimated at postal addresses with a detailed traffic noise model and a land-use regression model, respectively. Individual indoor traffic Lnight levels were derived from outdoor Lnight with application of insulations provided by reported noise-reducing factors. We assessed associations for hypertension and BP with multi-exposure logistic and linear regression models, respectively.; Median levels were 27.1 dB(A) (indoor Lnight), 56.7 dB(A) (outdoor Lnight), and 26.8 μg/m3 (NO2). Spearman correlations between outdoor and indoor Lnight with NO2 were 0.75 and 0.23, respectively. Indoor Lnight was associated both with hypertension (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.13) and SBP (β = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.29, 1.15) per 5 dB(A); and NO2 was associated with hypertension (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.36), SBP (β = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.21, 2.25), and DBP (β⊇= 0.56; 95% CI: -0.03, 1.14) per 10 μg/m3. In the outdoor noise model, Lnight was associated only with hypertension and NO2 with BP only. The indoor noise-SBP association was stronger and statistically significant with a threshold at 30 dB(A).; Long-term exposure to indoor traffic noise was associated with prevalent hypertension and SBP, independently of NO2. Associations were less consistent for outdoor traffic Lnight and likely affected by collinearity

Detection of tissue hypoxia by arteriovenous gradient for PCO2 and pH in anesthetized dogs during progressive hemorrhage

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe