Mobile Aerosol Measurement in the Eastern Mediterranean – A Utilization of Portable Instruments

Air pollution research and reports have been limited in the Middle East, especially in Jordan with respect to aerosol particle number concentrations. In this study, we utilized a simple "mobile setup" to measure, for the first time, the spatial variation of aerosol concentrations in Eastern Mediterranean. The mobile setup consisted of portable aerosol instruments to measure particle number concentrations (cut off sizes 0.01, 0.02, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mu m), particle mass concentrations (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10), and black carbon concentration all situated on the back seat of a sedan car. The car was driven with open windows to ensure sufficient cabin air ventilation for reliable outdoor aerosol sampling. Although the measurement campaign was two days long, but it provided preliminary information about aerosols concentrations over a large spatial scale that covered more than three quarters of Jordan. We should keep in mind that the presented concentrations reflect on road conditions. The submicron particle concentrations were the highest in the urban locations (e.g., Amman and Zarqa) and inside cities with heavy duty vehicles activities (e.g., Azraq). The highest micron particle concentrations were observed in the southern part of the country and in places close to the desert area (e.g., Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba). The average submicron concentration was 4.9 x 10(3)-120 x 10(3) cm-3 (5.7-86.7 mu g m(-3)) whereas the average micron particle concentration was 1-11 cm(-3) (8-150 mu g m(-3), assume rho(p) = 1 g cm(-3)). The main road passing through Jafr in the eastern part of Jordan exhibited submicron concentration as low as 800 cm(-3). The PM10 concentration consisted of about 40-75% as PM1. The black carbon (BC) concentration variation was in good agreement with the PM1 as well as the submicron particle number concentration.Peer reviewe

Black Carbon and Particulate Matter Concentrations in Eastern Mediterranean Urban Conditions: An Assessment Based on Integrated Stationary and Mobile Observations

There is a paucity of comprehensive air quality data from urban areas in the Middle East. In this study, portable instrumentation was used to measure size-fractioned aerosol number, mass, and black carbon concentrations in Amman and Zarqa, Jordan. Submicron particle number concentrations at stationary urban background sites in Amman and Zarqa exhibited a characteristic diurnal pattern, with the highest concentrations during traffic rush hours (2–5 × 104 cm−3 in Amman and 2–7 × 104 cm−3 in Zarqa). Super-micron particle number concentrations varied considerably in Amman (1–10 cm−3). Mobile measurements identified spatial variations and local hotspots in aerosol levels within both cities. Walking paths around the University of Jordan campus showed increasing concentrations with proximity to main roads with mean values of 8 × 104 cm−3, 87 µg/m3, 62 µg/m3, and 7.7 µg/m3 for submicron, PM10, PM2.5, and black carbon (BC), respectively. Walking paths in the Amman city center showed moderately high concentrations (mean 105 cm−3, 120 µg/m3, 85 µg/m3, and 8.1 µg/m3 for submicron aerosols, PM10, PM2.5, and black carbon, respectively). Similar levels were found along walking paths in the Zarqa city center. On-road measurements showed high submicron concentrations (>105 cm−3). The lowest submicron concentration

Regional Inhaled Deposited Dose of Urban Aerosols in an Eastern Mediterranean City

We calculated the regional deposited dose of inhaled particulate matter based on number/mass concentrations in Amman, Jordan. The dose rate was the highest during exercising but was generally lower for females compared to males. The fine particles dose rate was 10(10)-10(11) particles/h (10(1)-10(2) mu g/h). The PM10 dose rate was 49-439 mu g/h for males and 36-381 mu g/h for females. While resting, the PM10 deposited in the head airways was 67-77% and 8-12% in the tracheobronchial region. When exercising, the head airways received 37-44% of the PM10, whereas the tracheobronchial region received 31-35%. About 8% (exercise) and 14-16% (rest) of the PM2.5 was received in the head airways, whereas the alveolar received 74-76% (exercise) and 54-62% (rest). Extending the results for common exposure scenarios in the city revealed alarming results for service workers and police officers; they might receive 50 mu g/h PM2.5 and 220 mu g/h PM10 while doing their duty on main roads adjacent to traffic. This is especially critical for a pregnant police officer. Outdoor athletic activities (e.g., jogging along main roads) are associated with high PM2.5 and PM10 dose rates (100 mu g/h and -425 mu g/h, respectively).Peer reviewe

Regional Inhaled Deposited Dose of Urban Aerosols in an Eastern Mediterranean City

We calculated the regional deposited dose of inhaled particulate matter based on number/mass concentrations in Amman, Jordan. The dose rate was the highest during exercising but was generally lower for females compared to males. The fine particles dose rate was 1010–1011 particles/h (101–102 µg/h). The PM10 dose rate was 49–439 µg/h for males and 36–381 µg/h for females. While resting, the PM10 deposited in the head airways was 67–77% and 8–12% in the tracheobronchial region. When exercising, the head airways received 37–44% of the PM10, whereas the tracheobronchial region received 31–35%. About 8% (exercise) and 14–16% (rest) of the PM2.5 was received in the head airways, whereas the alveolar received 74–76% (exercise) and 54–62% (rest). Extending the results for common exposure scenarios in the city revealed alarming results for service workers and police officers; they might receive PM2.5 and 220 µg/h PM10 while doing their duty on main roads adjacent to traffic. This is especially critical for a pregnant police officer. Outdoor athletic activities (e.g., jogging along main roads) are associated with high PM2.5 and PM10 dose rates (100 µg/h and ~425 µg/h, respectively)

Regional Inhaled Deposited Dose of Urban Aerosols in an Eastern Mediterranean City

We calculated the regional deposited dose of inhaled particulate matter based on number/mass concentrations in Amman, Jordan. The dose rate was the highest during exercising but was generally lower for females compared to males. The fine particles dose rate was 1010–1011 particles/h (101–102 µg/h). The PM10 dose rate was 49–439 µg/h for males and 36–381 µg/h for females. While resting, the PM10 deposited in the head airways was 67–77% and 8–12% in the tracheobronchial region. When exercising, the head airways received 37–44% of the PM10, whereas the tracheobronchial region received 31–35%. About 8% (exercise) and 14–16% (rest) of the PM2.5 was received in the head airways, whereas the alveolar received 74–76% (exercise) and 54–62% (rest). Extending the results for common exposure scenarios in the city revealed alarming results for service workers and police officers; they might receive PM2.5 and 220 µg/h PM10 while doing their duty on main roads adjacent to traffic. This is especially critical for a pregnant police officer. Outdoor athletic activities (e.g., jogging along main roads) are associated with high PM2.5 and PM10 dose rates (100 µg/h and ~425 µg/h, respectively)

IMPACTO AMBIENTAL NA IMPLANTAÇÃO DE AEROPORTOS

Os aeroportos são, caracterizados por serem estruturas com grande impacto modificador do meio ambiente. O presente trabalho apresenta os principais impactos que a implantação de aeroportos, bem como ações mitigadoras, que visam reduzir ou amenizar as conseqüências desses impactos. A questão ambiental passou a ser um fator de extrema importância na tomada de decisões para a sua autorização. Desta forma, ações mitigadoras tem auxiliado à combater os impactos negativos tanto de caráter local, como global, bastando aplicar as leis e normatizações vigentes no Brasil

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis carrying biofilm formation genes: detection of clinical isolates by multiplex PCR

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most prevalent coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) and is a major cause of hospital bacteremia. Based on 18 reference strains and 149 Staphylococcus clinical strains, used in a novel multiplex PCR method, the aim of this study was to identify S. epidermidis with respect to the sequence of three genes: recN, which encodes a recombination/repair protein, mecA (methicillin resistance), and icaAB, which is involved in biofilm formation. Amplicons of 219 bp (S. epidermidis-recN gene), 154 bp (mecA gene), and 546 bp (icaAB genes) were obtained. Reliableresults were achieved for 100% of the evaluated strains, suggesting that this new multiplex-PCR approach could be useful forthe accurate identification of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis with the potential to produce biofilm. [Int Microbiol 2011;14(1):13-17

Flipping the Classroom: Reflections on the flipped classroom and teaching practice in Philosophy in the Higher Education

The new Coronavirus Pandemic has revealed the need for a methodological redefinition of teaching and learning attitude of teachers and students, through the pedagogical use of digital technologies. Therefore, this article aims to present reflections on the use of the Flipped Classroom methodology as a re-signifying possibility for the teaching of Philosophy in Higher Education, considering the context of remote emergency teaching. Assuming that there is a concern with the didactic-pedagogical and sociopolitical process of teaching and learning that constitutes teaching practice in the teaching of Philosophy in Brazilian Academies, the question is: what are the advantages and challenges of using the flipped classroom methodology in the process of teaching and learning Philosophy in Higher Education? For this, two fundamental aspects of the formal educational process are discussed: the first refers to the didactic-pedagogical and sociopolitical aspects of the teaching and learning process that constitute the teaching practice, as the content and didactics are emphasized. that is, the “what” and the “how to teach” and the second, it is about the need for re-signification/updating of traditional teaching in face of active methodologies. Based on the current context of remote teaching and/or hybrid teaching in Higher Education in Brazil, it is concluded that is necessary to reframe pedagogical practice in terms of the production of academic knowledge, without losing sight of the conditions in which it is produced

Assessment of Physical-Chemical Characteristics of Water and Sediments from a Brazilian Tropical Estuary: Status and Environmental Implications

The environmental quality of the Jacuípe River's estuary (very important in northeastern Brazil) was assessed during 2007 and 2008. In water, concentrations (mg L−1) of NO2− (<0.004 to 0.016), NO3− (0.01 to 0.33), soluble PO43− (<0.02 to 0.22), dissolved oxygen (3.9 to 9.6), total contents (mg L−1) of Cd (<0.001), Cu (<0.01), Pb (<0.01), and Zn (<0.1), pH (5.60 to 8.00), and electrical conductivity (0.12 to 48.60 mS cm−1) agreed with environmental standards. In sediments, clay and total organic matter (%, m/m) varied, respectively, from 8.8 to 12.0 and from 1.1 to 8.8, while infrared, thermogravimetric profile, electronic micrograph, as well as X-Ray analyses showed desirable adsorptive characteristics. However, maximum exchangeable levels (mg kg−1) of Cd (1.3), Cu (44.6), Pb (35.7), and Zn (43.7) and their respective maximum pseudototal concentrations (mg kg−1): 19.4, 95.1, 68.2, and 30.3 were below the recommended limits. In this sense, it was possible to demonstrate good environmental preservation even with the growing number of industries and touristic activities in the evaluated estuarine area

Annona coriacea Mart. fractions promote cell cycle arrest and inhibit autophagic flux in human cervical cancer cell lines

Plant-based compounds are an option to explore and perhaps overcome the limitations of current antitumor treatments. Annona coriacea Mart. is a plant with a broad spectrum of biological activities, but its antitumor activity is still unclear. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of A. coriacea fractions on a panel of cervical cancer cell lines and a normal keratinocyte cell line. The antitumor effect was investigated in vitro by viability assays, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays. Intracellular signaling was assessed by Western blot, and major compounds were identified by mass spectrometry. All fractions exhibited a cytotoxic effect on cisplatin-resistant cell lines, SiHa and HeLa. C3 and C5 were significantly more cytotoxic and selective than cisplatin in SiHa and Hela cells. However, in CaSki, a cisplatin-sensitive cell line, the compounds did not demonstrate higher cytotoxicity when compared with cisplatin. Alkaloids and acetogenins were the main compounds identified in the fractions. These fractions also markedly decreased cell proliferation with p21 increase and cell cycle arrest in G2/M. These effects were accompanied by an increase of H2AX phosphorylation levels and DNA damage index. In addition, fractions C3 and C5 promoted p62 accumulation and decrease of LC3II, as well as acid vesicle levels, indicating the inhibition of autophagic flow. These findings suggest that A. coriacea fractions may become effective antineoplastic drugs and highlight the autophagy inhibition properties of these fractions in sensitizing cervical cancer cells to treatment.e FINEP (MCTI/FINEP/MS/SCTIE/DECIT-01/ 2013—FP XII-BIOPLAT), Barretos Cancer Hospital, CAPES, CNPq, FAPEMIG, UFSJ. RMR is a recipient of CNPq Productivity Gran