The role of noise events in noise research, policy and practice (peaks, events or both...)

ABSTRACT Commissioned by the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment RIVM organized an expert meeting about reaction to sudden noise, and the way peak noise is dealt with in science, policy and practice. The aim was to exchange knowledge and ideas and formulate recommendations about situations with sudden high noise levels. Examples were presented from theory and practice, pertaining to road-and air traffic, high speed trains and impulse noise from pile driving and shooting. Acoustic aspects and moderating factors were discussed, such as unpredictability; trust in the government and expectations about future exposures. The main conclusion was that in most cases available noise-effect relations based on average weighted measures (Lden, Lnight) can be used. Additional indicators are primarily needed to better communicate with the public on the impact of peak events; noise exposure levels, where possible and relevant, should be presented to the public in understandable measures such as events, duration and quality as well as the effects of interventions. When not communicated well, the number of complainants and percentage of highly annoyed will be high irrespective of the exact noise levels. This paper presents the highlights of the workshop, and more recent findings in relation to military air traffic and the role of peak levels on registry based health effects

Определение предельного состояния при усталости титанового сплава ПТ5В

Полученная характеристика локальной неупругости позволяет контролировать кинетику повреждаемости титанового сплава ПТ5В, косвенно выраженной через ее статистические характеристики распределения на поверхности образца исследуемого материала. Предельное состояние конструкционного материала может быть определено из характеристики упрочнения, как уменьшение интенсивности упрочнения до граничного значения.Отримано характеристику локальної непружності, яка дозволяє контролювати кінетику пошкоджуваності титанового сплаву ПТ5В і непрямо виражена через її статистичні характеристики розподілу на поверхні зразка досліджуваного материалу. Граничний стан конструкційного матеріалу може бути визначено з характеристики зміцнення, як зменшення інтенсивності зміцнення до граничного значення.The obtained characteristic of local inelasticity allows controlling the kinetics of damageability in the PT5V titanium alloy, which is implicitly expressed via its statistical characteristics of distribution along the surface of the specimen made of the material studied. The limiting state of the structural material can be determined from its hardening response as a reduction in the hardening rate to its limiting value

Branched-chain amino acids linked to depression in young adults

Depression is a heterogeneous mental health problem affecting millions worldwide, but a majority of individuals with depression do not experience relief from initial treatments. Therefore, we need to improve our understanding of the biology of depression. Metabolomic approaches, especially untargeted ones, can suggest new hypotheses for further exploring biological mechanisms. Using the FinnTwin12 cohort, a longitudinal Finnish population-based twin cohort, with data collected in adolescence and young adulthood including 725 blood plasma samples, we investigated associations between depression and 11 low-molecular weight metabolites (amino acids and ketone bodies). In linear regression models with the metabolite (measured at age 22) as the dependent variable and depression ratings (measured at age 12, 14, 17, or 22 from multiple raters) as independent variables [adjusted first for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and additional covariates (later)], we initially identified a significant negative association of valine with depression. Upon further analyses, valine remained significantly negatively associated with depression cross-sectionally and over time [meta-analysis beta = -13.86, 95% CI (-18.48 to -9.25)]. Analyses of the other branched-chain amino acids showed a significant negative association of leucine with depression [meta-analysis beta = -9.24, 95% CI (-14.53 to -3.95)], while no association was observed between isoleucine and depression [meta-analysis beta = -0.95, 95% CI (-6.00 to 4.11)]. These exploratory epidemiologic findings support further investigations into the role of branched-chain amino acids in depression.Peer reviewe

Qualitative assessment of links between exposure to noise and air pollution and socioeconomic status

The scope of the work requested under this specific contract is to provide a report/assessment text that may be directly incorporated into EEA’s 2018 report exploring the linkages between socioeconomic status (SES) in Europe and exposure to air and noise pollution, as well as to climate-related impacts. More specifically, this report builds on the findings of the 2016 Science for Environment Policy (SEP) report to provide an updated qualitative review of the latest evidence and state of knowledge regarding the role of SES in determining exposure, susceptibility and vulnerability to air pollution and noise, documenting research that explores the multiple factors and drivers that can lie behind these linkages. This review has identified and synthesised evidence from a wide range of sources in response to the objectives set by the EEA and covers evidence relating to at least 18 of the EEA-33 countries. The conclusions presented here explicitly identify where this review confirms, contradicts or adds to the conclusions of the SEP report

Early environmental quality and life-course mental health effects : The Equal-Life project

Background: There is increasing evidence that a complex interplay of factors within environments in which children grows up, contributes to children's suboptimal mental health and cognitive development. The concept of the life-course exposome helps to study the impact of the physical and social environment, including social inequities, on cognitive development and mental health over time. Methods: Equal-Life develops and tests combined exposures and their effects on children's mental health and cognitive development. Data from eight birth-cohorts and three school studies (N = 240.000) linked to exposure data, will provide insights and policy guidance into aspects of physical and social exposures hitherto untapped, at different scale levels and timeframes, while accounting for social inequities. Reasoning from the outcome point of view, relevant stakeholders participate in the formulation and validation of research questions, and in the formulation of environmental hazards. Exposure assessment combines GIS-based environmental indicators with omics approaches and new data sources, forming the early-life exposome. Statistical tools integrate data at different spatial and temporal granularity and combine exploratory machine learning models with hypothesis-driven causal modeling. Conclusions: Equal-Life contributes to the development and utilization of the exposome concept by (1) integrating the internal, physical and social exposomes, (2) studying a distinct set of life-course effects on a child's development and mental health (3) characterizing the child's environment at different developmental stages and in different activity spaces, (4) looking at supportive environments for child development, rather than merely pollutants, and (5) combining physical, social indicators with novel effect markers and using new data sources describing child activity patterns and environments.Peer reviewe

Perceived Occupational Noise Exposure and Depression in Young Finnish Adults

We investigated the association between perceived occupational noise exposure and depressive symptoms in young Finnish adults and whether noise sensitivity moderates this association. This study was based on an ongoing longitudinal twin study. We included those who had been working daily (n = 521) or weekly (n = 245) during the past 12 months (mean age 22.4, SD 0.7, 53% female). We asked about occupational noise exposure at age 22 and assessed depressive symptoms using the General Behavior Inventory (GBI) at age 17 and 22. Noise sensitivity and covariates were used in linear regression models. Perceived daily occupational noise exposure was associated, as a statistically independent main effect with depressive symptoms at age 22 (beta 1.19; 95% CI 0.09, 2.29) among all, and separately for females (beta 2.22; 95% CI 0.34, 4.09) but not males (beta 0.22; 95% CI −1.08, 1.52). Noise sensitivity was independently associated with depressive symptoms among all (beta 1.35; 95% CI 0.54, 2.17), and separately for males (beta 1.96; 95% CI 0.68, 3.24) but not females (beta 1.05; 95 % CI −0.04, 2.13). Noise sensitivity was independent of perceived occupational noise exposure. Pre-existing depressive symptoms at age 17 were predictive of perceived occupational noise exposure, suggesting complex interactions of noise and depression

Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome after intrauterine transfusion for hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn: the LOTUS study

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence and risk factors for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in children with hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn treated with intrauterine transfusion (IUT).Study DesignNeurodevelopmental outcome in children at least 2 years of age was assessed using standardized tests, including the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, according to the children's age. Primary outcome was the incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment defined as at least one of the following: cerebral palsy, severe developmental delay, bilateral deafness, and/or blindness.ResultsA total of 291 children were evaluated at a median age of 8.2 years (range, 2–17 years). Cerebral palsy was detected in 6 (2.1%) children, severe developmental delay in 9 (3.1%) children, and bilateral deafness in 3 (1.0%) children. The overall incidence of neurodevelopmental impairment was 4.8% (14/291). In a multivariate regression analysis including only preoperative risk factors, severe hydrops was independently associated with neurodevelopmental impairment (odds ratio, 11.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.7–92.7).ConclusionIncidence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children treated with intrauterine transfusion for fetal alloimmune anemia is low (4.8%). Prevention of fetal hydrops, the strongest preoperative predictor for impaired neurodevelopment, by timely detection, referral and treatment may improve long-term outcome