Annual Average Levels Research Articles

Influence of Average Annual Mean Serum Ferritin Levels on Left Ventricular Function in Patients With β Thalassemia

Cardiac complications are the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in Beta-Thalassemia Major (B-TM). The aim of our study was to determine the influence of Average Annual Mean Serum Ferritin (AAMSF) levels on cardiac function in patients suffering from B-TM. In this cross-sectional study, 50 patients of 5-15 years with B-TM were enrolled in the absence of clinical signs and symptoms of cardiac dysfunction. Left ventricular function was studied by using tissue Doppler image (TDI), pulse wave Doppler (PWD). AAMSF level was measured for 12 months. Patient groups were subdivided into two groups, group A with AAMSF level below 1000 ng/ml and group with B with AAMSF level above 1000 ng/ml. The Case group included 24(48%) males and 26(52%) females which were compared with 50 healthy subjects composed of 27(54%) males and 23 (46%) females (control group). The AAMSF Levels were 1054.60±687.95 ng/ml. By using PDW, in patients with AAMSF below 1000 ng/ml, The Parameters of the E, A, E/A E-DT had no significant difference with health groups (P=0.808, P=0.820, P=0.231 and P=0.061, respectively). No significant difference was revealed in parameters of E’, IVCT and ET in patients with AAMSF below 1000 ng/ml by using TDI in comparison to control (P=0.155, P=0.683, P=0.222, respectively).however, other TDI indexes including A’, E’/A’, IVRT, S,’ LVMPI, E/E’ had a significant difference with health group (P=0.014, P=0.041, P=0.045, P=0.002, P=0.021, and P=0.002, respectively). At patients with above AAMSF 1000 ng/mL, both PDW and TDI parameters had significant differences with the health group. There was no correlation among AAMSF levels and PWD or TDI indexes. The evidence from this study suggests that subclinical systolic and diastolic LV dysfunction has happened with AAMSF level above 1000 ng/ml, and according to our result, TDI is found more useful than PWD for subclinical cardiac evaluation.

Technical feasibility analysis of the use of solar chimneys in Brazil

Solar chimneys are power generation plants, which use solar radiation to promote a flow of heated air, whose kinetic energy is extracted by turbines located at the base of the chimney. The literature regarding this technology is extensive and many studies have been conducted to verify numerical and mathematical models, as well as analyzes of technical and economic viability. However, none of those studies has considered the potential of the application of this technology in Brazil, and this analysis is a decisive factor for the implementation of this kind of energy model as a successful enterprise. Considering that, this work aims to map the energy potential for the use of solar chimneys in Brazil, using a mathematical and numerical model of extreme precision. The results indicate a great potential for the use of this technology in the country, especially in the Northeast, Midwest, and in a state of the Southern region. Considering the annual average solar radiation levels, the city of Cuiabá-MT is the one which has the highest power generation potential, with a daily average of 50 MWh and a peak generation of 5.10 MW, followed by the city of Propriá-CE, generating 49.53 MWh and a peak generation of 5.01 MW. The results were promising and, although the overall efficiency of this technology is not very high, around 1.3%, these plants present low operating costs, long service life, and use materials with low emissions rates of CO2 in their manufacturing process.

Exposure to Road Traffic Noise and Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Congestive Heart Failure: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Toronto, Canada.

Background:Epidemiological evidence for the association between traffic-related noise and the incidence of major cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and congestive heart failure (CHF) is inconclusive, especially in North America.Objectives:We evaluated the associations between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and the incidence of AMI and CHF.Methods:Our study population comprised people 30–100 years of age who lived in Toronto, Canada, from 2001 to 2015 and were free of AMI (referred to as the AMI cohort) or CHF (the CHF cohort) at baseline. Outcomes were ascertained from health administrative databases using validated algorithms. Annual average noise levels were estimated as the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level over the 24-h period (LAeq24) and during nighttime (LAeqNight), respectively, using propagation modeling, and assigned to participants’ annual six-digit postal code addresses during follow-up. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident AMI and CHF in relation to LAeq24 and LAeqNight using random-effects Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for individual- and census tract–level covariates, including traffic-related air pollutants [e.g., ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nitrogen dioxide].Results:During follow-up, there were 37,441 AMI incident cases and 95,138 CHF incident cases. Each interquartile range change in LAeq24 was associated with an increased risk of incident AMI (; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.08) and CHF (; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.09). Similarly, LAeqNight was associated with incident AMI (; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.08) and CHF (; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.07). These results were robust to various sensitivity analyses and remained elevated after controlling for long-term exposure to UFPs and nitrogen dioxide. We found near-linear relationships between noise and the incidence of AMI and CHF with no evidence of threshold values.Conclusion:In this large cohort study in Toronto, Canada, chronic exposure to road traffic noise was associated with elevated risks for AMI and CHF incidence. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5809

Fuzzy logic algorithm based analytic hierarchy process for delineation of groundwater potential zones in complex topography

Groundwater crisis under the changed climate scenario has now become a global concern. Land use and land cover change and rapid urbanization are some of the prime causes of it. Aquifers are in a vulnerable condition due to the extensive abstraction and over exploitation as the groundwater draft exceeds the groundwater recharge. It is in this context, the present study has been carried out to identify groundwater potential zones of Garbeta block of Paschim Medinapore district of West Bengal, India, which is located in a critical terrain condition and faces extreme water scarcity in terms of both surface and groundwater availability. The region experiences an average annual groundwater level fluctuation between 9 and 11 m. Demarcation of the groundwater potential zones has been made using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) integrated with geospatial techniques. Fuzzy weights have been entrusted to eleven physical parameters namely land use and land cover, soil, geology geomorphology, lineament density, drainage density, relative relief, distance from river, slope, groundwater level fluctuation and normalised difference water index (NDWI), and the final map has been prepared within geospatial environment. The groundwater potential zones have been classified into five classes: very low potential (18.30%), low potential (26.42%), moderate potential (25.99%), high potential (19.55%) and very high potential (9.75%). The calculated results have been validated through field based groundwater level survey. Such studies will provide new vision and incur valuable information to the stakeholders for sustainable water resources management and effective identification of suitable locations for groundwater extraction.

Response of a Coastal Groundwater System to Natural and Anthropogenic Factors: Case Study on East Coast of Laizhou Bay, China.

With a shifting climate pattern and enhancement of human activities, coastal areas are exposed to threats of groundwater environmental issues. This work takes the eastern coast of Laizhou Bay as a research area to study the response of a coastal groundwater system to natural and human impacts with a combination of statistical, hydrogeochemical, and fuzzy classification methods. First, the groundwater level dynamics from 1980 to 2017 were analyzed. The average annual groundwater level dropped 13.16 m with a descent rate of 0.379 m/a. The main external environmental factors that affected the groundwater level were extracted, including natural factors (rainfall and temperature), as well as human activities (irrigated area, water-saving irrigated area, sown area of high-water-consumption crops, etc.). Back-propagation artificial neural network was used to model the response of groundwater level to the above driving factors, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to measure the extent of impact of these factors on groundwater level. The results verified that human factors including irrigated area and water-saving irrigated area were the most important influencing factors on groundwater level dynamics, followed by annual precipitation. Further, groundwater samples were collected over the study area to analyze the groundwater hydrogeochemical signatures. With the hydrochemical diagrams and ion ratios, the formation of groundwater, the sources of groundwater components, and the main hydrogeochemical processes controlling the groundwater evolution were discussed to understand the natural background of groundwater environment. The fuzzy C-means clustering method was adopted to classify the groundwater samples into four clusters based on their hydrochemical characteristics to reveal the spatial variation of groundwater quality in the research area. Each cluster was spatially continuous, and there were great differences in groundwater hydrochemical and pollution characteristics between different clusters. The natural and human factors resulted in this difference were discussed based on the natural background of the groundwater environment, and the types and intensity of human activity.

Population Dynamics of the Bream Abramis brama in Lake Peipus

Population dynamics of the bream Abramis brama in lakes Peipsi and Pihkva for the period from 1980 to 2009 has been studied by means of cohort models. Bream stock increased steadily in Lake Pihkva until 1999 and in Lake Peipsi until 2004, however then a trend towards a decrease of stock down to the level of early 1980s has been detected. In the 2000s a decrease in the population average age has been registered; it could be explained by both an increase in fishing intensity and high recruitment rates of the late 1990s. Highly abundant bream generations emerged in both lakes simultaneously. In late 2000s low level of recruitment was noted in both lakes. The qualitative relationship between stock and recruitment is best described by Ricker’s curve. It has been shown that bream recruitment depends on water transparency, water temperature, average annual number of days with air temperature above 20°С, and average annual water level. The existing fishery pressure on the stock of bream is close to optimal. A further increase in fishing intensity in both lakes is impractical. The current level of equilibrium yield can be achieved with much lower fishing intensity.

Evaluation of particulate matter (PM10) emissions and its chemical characteristics during rotary harrowing operations at different forward speeds and levelling bar heights

Particulate matter (PM) is an air pollutant which poses a considerable risk to human health. The agricultural sector is responsible of the 15% of the total anthropogenic emissions of PM10 (PM fraction with aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm) and soil preparation activities have been recognized as one of the main drivers of this contribution. The emission factors (EF) proposed by European environmental agency (EEA) for tilling operations are based on very few studies, none of which has been made in Italy. Moreover, few studies have considered the influence of operative parameters on PM10 emissions during tilling. The aim of this work was to assess PM10 emission and dispersion during rotary harrowing and to understand how operative parameters, such as forward speed and implement choice may affect PM release. A further objective was to assess the near field dispersion of PM10 to address exposure risks. Emission factors (EFs) were determined during two different trials (T1 and T2). During T1, the effect of tractor speeds (0.6, 1.1 and 1.7 m s−1) on PM10 emissions was investigated, while in T2 a comparative essay was made to study the influence of levelling bar height on emissions. The average ground level downwind concentrations of PM10 during harrowing operation was estimated through dispersion modelling. The observed PM10 EFs for rotary harrowing were 8.9 ± 2.0 mg m−2 and 9.5 ± 2.5 mg m−2 on T1 and T2, respectively. The heavy metal content of soil-generated PM10 was also assessed. In the generated PM, the elemental concentrations were higher than ones in soil. As, Cd and Ni concentration levels, determined in PM10 near to the tractor path, were also high, being several times higher than the annual average regulatory threshold levels in ambient air, as defined by the European regulation.

Comparison of indicators of mental disorders among army conscripts and 18–19 year old men in the Republic of Belarus in 2003–2015

Relevance.The mental health status of military personnel is an important factor in the combat readiness and combativity of the armies of the countries of the world. Intention. Analysis of the mental disorders among army conscripts and 18–19 year old men in Republic of Belarus in 2003–2015.Methodology. We studied the indicators of the general and primary morbidity of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus based on 3/MED reports from military units, where about 80% of the total number of conscripts served. The indicators of mental disorders in the population of Belarus are obtained from «1-psychiatry» and «1-narcology» state statistical forms (Ministry of Health). The incidence rate was determined per 1000 people.The indicators of mental health disorders were classified according to the groups (blocks) of Class V «Mental and behavioral disorders» of the International Classification of Diseases and Behavioral Disorders, 10th revision (ICD-10).Results and Discussion. The conducted medical and statistical studies showed that average annual levels of the general and primary morbidity among the conscripts with mental disorders in the Armed Forces in 2003–2015 were statistically significantly lower compared to 18–19 year old civilians in the Republic of Belarus. The overall incidence rates of mental disorders were (34.05 ± 1.05) and (111.98 ± 4.58)‰ (p < 0.001), the primary incidence rates were (17.26 ± 1.02) and (28.51 ± 1.26)‰, respectively (p < 0.001). Polynomial trends in the general and primary morbidity among military conscripts with mental disorders with different determination coefficients showed a decrease and among 18–19 year old men – an increase. In the structure of the studied medical and statistical types of mental morbidity among military conscripts from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders (group 5, F40–F48 according to ICD-10) and personality and behavior disorders in adulthood (7th group, F60–F69) were most common. Their total contributions were 85.4 and 78.5%, respectively, for the structure of the general incidence rate and the primary incidence rate. In military conscripts in 2003–2015, there was a decrease in the level and percentage of neurotic, associated with stress, and somatoform disorders in the overall structure of incidence of mental disorders. In the structure of the analyzed medical and statistical types of mental disorders among 18–19 year old men in the Republic of Belarus, mental and behavior disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances (2nd group, F10–F19) and mental retardation (8th group, F70–F79) were most common. Their total contributions to the structure of the overall and primary incidence were 69.7 and 74.9%, respectively. Unfortunately, these mental disorders among 18–19 year old men in the Republic of Belarus in 2003–2015 tended to increase.Conclusion. The existing system of military medical examination of draftees, professional selection, along with distribution of personnel according to military registration specialties based on personal characteristics, professional preparedness and functional reserves of the organism, as well as medical support in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus help to optimize the military professional adaptation of military conscripts and psycho-prevention of mental disorders.

Quantifying the Inter- and Intra-Annual Variations in Regional Water Consumption and Scarcity Incorporating Water Quantity and Quality

Water stress due to poor water quality has been becoming severe in many places across the world. Comprehensive water utility and water scarcity assessments require information integrating both water quantity and quality. While massive attentions have been paid to water quantity scarcity evaluations, little effort has been made to assess inter-annual variations of regional water scarcity resulting from both water quantity and quality. The study, taking water-abundant while stressed Jiangsu province (JSP) in eastern China as the study area, investigated (i) the development in green, blue and grey water footprint (WFs) for crop production, over 1986–2016, (ii) the inter-annual evolutions in blue and grey WFs for industry and households over 2010–2016 and (iii) the associated inter- and intra-annual variations in water scarcities resulting from water quantity and quality. Results showed that the annual total WF of crop production in JSP increased by 18% between 1986 and 2016. Grey WF accounted for 77% of the total WF at an annual average level. Crop production occupied 61% and household accounted for 34% in the total grey WF related to N. The monthly blue water scarcity levels in JSP increased by 4 (October 2016) – 62 (February 2012) folders when water quality effects were taken into account. The wetter the year, the lower the blue water scarcity of water quality and quantity. As a sensitive and crucial region with both severe water pollution scarcity and the role of water source region in the huge South-to-North water transfer project, it is of great necessity to enhance the water pollution management and increase information transparency among water authorities and consumers.

Water resources allocation in Erhai irrigated district considering catchment water-cycle health

In order to realize the healthy circulation of Erhai Basin water system, this paper constructs the Mike basin simulation model of Erhai Basin water resource system through the concept of water resource comprehensive allocation. Which is based on the principle of Erhai Lake water ecological environment protection and follows the principle of ecological priority, sanitary water into the lake, double control of total amount and consumption, and water conservation and emission reduction. The results show that agriculture irrigated area of Erhai Basin should be gradually reduced to 472000 mu, and 48200 mu of wetland ecological pool should be increased, which is used as the collection area of basin landscape and irrigation return water. After adjusting the crop planting pattern according to the depth of water saving in Erhai irrigation area, the goal of controlling the agricultural water consumption to be no more than 201 million cubic metre and the total water consumption to be less than 366 million cubic metre should be achieved. The effect of reclaimed water irrigation on water saving and emission reduction is considerable. The application of reclaimed water irrigation can reduce the amount of clean water used in paddy growth period by 46.4%, and the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied by 30.2%. The replacement rate of garlic reclaimed water can reach 100%. After the comprehensive allocation of water resources, it can supply 501 million cubic metre of ecological water in the river channels and 359 million cubic metre of water out of the river channels. Through the comprehensive utilization project of farmland drainage water and the construction of ecological regulation and storage belt, all irrigation drainage water should be reused and zero discharge can be realized. TN and TP emissions in irrigated area will be reduced by 39.3% and 46.3% respectively. Compared with the current situation, Erhai Lake water inflow and cleanly water inflow increased by 65 million cubic metre and 134 million cubic metre respectively. The annual average water level of the lake will be 0.15m higher than the current situation.

МНОГОЛЕТНИЕ ТЕНДЕНЦИИ ИЗМЕНЧИВОСТИ ГИДРОМЕТЕОРОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК В КАЛИНИНГРАДСКОМ РЕГИОНЕ

The variability (1901–2018) of the average annual values of air temperature, precipitation and sea level with climate averaging (within 30-year climatic periods with a shift of the 30- year “window” in 10-year increments) was analyzed for the coastal zone of the Kaliningrad Oblast (the territory of Russia in the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea). It was found that their synchronous increase was identified in the second half of the twentieth century (from the 1950s), intensified in 1961–1990 and, especially, in 1991–2018. This increase provides an apparently high correlation coefficients between the time variations of the 30-year average of these parameters (r = 0.70÷0.95), although in fact this synchronous increase is a response to external (for the region) impact. Considering the link between the variations of 30-year averages around the lines of their positive trends, it was found that this link (a) is extremely weak for precipitation and air temperature (r = 0.10); (b) is weak for sea level and precipitation (r = 0.48); and is rather high for sea level and air temperature (r = 0.85). Analysis of changes in average annual values of these parameters within 30-years periods showed that trends for the air temperature and sea level were extreme in the last period (1991–2018). A more detailed consideration of changes in the average annual temperature, precipitation and sea level over 15-year half-periods within time of growth (1961–2018) showed that the main increase occurred in the first half of this interval, and this increase was slightly slowed down in the second half. The increase in average annual air temperature is mainly due to an increase in temperature in winter and spring, which is associated with a decrease in contrast between seasons. The ambiguity of the contribution of extreme levels to the growth of the average annual level (4.5 cm/decade) was shown for 1961–2018: the positive trends of the minimum level was 3.4 cm/decade, and for the maximum level – 1.2 cm/decade. It was noted that the main increase in the average annual level was due to the growth of the level in the winter period. The reason may be an increase in the number of warm and humid winters due to general climate warming.

Aquatic vegetation dynamics in two pit lakes related to interannual water level fluctuation

Water regime characteristics have been recognized as critical factors for aquatic vegetation. In this study, we examined changes in aquatic vegetation coverage area in two shallow sub-lakes of Poyang Lake (Bang Lake and Cuoji Lake) during the dry season from 1987 to 2017. The relationships between eight water regime components (annual average water level, annual maximum water level, annual minimum water level, and flooded days at five water levels [11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 m]) and aquatic vegetation coverage area were determined. The most critical water regimes were identified and results demonstrated that aquatic vegetation coverage area in Bang Lake and Cuoji Lake peaked in drier years (2005 and 2009, respectively) with no obvious up or down trend. Water regimes indicating high flow events such as annual maximum water level, flooded days at water level 19 m, and annual average water level were found to be more important for predicting aquatic vegetation. High-flow events appear to be essential for understanding aquatic vegetation dynamics in pit lakes, yet overall the influences of water level fluctuation on aquatic vegetation varied among wetland units of Poyang Lake. This study helps to understand the hydroecological dynamics in connected lakes further and provide a reference for the lake management and protection.

Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Malaysian adults

BackgroundMalaysia has the highest rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Southeast Asian region, and has ongoing air pollution and periodic haze exposure.MethodsDiabetes data were derived from the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Surveys conducted in 2006, 2011 and 2015. The air pollution data (NOx, NO2, SO2, O3 and PM10) were obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia. Using multiple logistic and linear regression models, the association between long-term exposure to these pollutants and prevalence of diabetes among Malaysian adults was evaluated.ResultsThe PM10 concentration decreased from 2006 to 2014, followed by an increase in 2015. Levels of NOx decreased while O3 increased annually. The air pollutant levels based on individual modelled air pollution exposure as measured by the nearest monitoring station were higher than the annual averages of the five pollutants present in the ambient air. The prevalence of overall diabetes increased from 11.4% in 2006 to 21.2% in 2015. The prevalence of known diabetes, underdiagnosed diabetes, overweight and obesity also increased over these years. There were significant positive effect estimates of known diabetes at 1.125 (95% CI, 1.042, 1.213) for PM10, 1.553 (95% CI, 1.328, 1.816) for O3, 1.271 (95% CI, 1.088, 1.486) for SO2, 1.124 (95% CI, 1.048, 1.207) for NO2, and 1.087 (95% CI, 1.024, 1.153) for NOx for NHMS 2006. The adjusted annual average levels of PM10 [1.187 (95% CI, 1.088, 1.294)], O3 [1.701 (95% CI, 1.387, 2.086)], NO2 [1.120 (95% CI, 1.026, 1.222)] and NOx [1.110 (95% CI, 1.028, 1.199)] increased significantly from NHMS 2006 to NHMS 2011 for overall diabetes. This was followed by a significant decreasing trend from NHMS 2011 to 2015 [0.911 for NO2, and 0.910 for NOx].ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that long-term exposure to O3 is an important associated factor of underdiagnosed DM risk in Malaysia. PM10, NO2 and NOx may have mixed effect estimates towards the risk of DM, and their roles should be further investigated with other interaction models. Policy and intervention measures should be taken to reduce air pollution in Malaysia.

Анализ производства электроэнергии в Кыргызстане

This article provides a dynamic analysis of the volume of water accumulation in the Toktogul hydroelectric station, a variance analysis of the electricity production of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as a dynamic analysis of electricity production. To analyze the trend of water accumulation, water volumes for twelve years were used. Using dynamic analysis, the deviation of the annual volume of water over 12 years is determined, and it deviates from the average annual level by 27.94%. The dynamic analysis method revealed that the production of electricity is unstable.

Association of exposure to air pollution and telomere length in preschool children

Exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse health effects; however, the available evidence of its association with telomere length (TL), an early marker of ageing, in children is still scarce with no study available for preschool children. This study aimed to investigate the association of exposure to air pollution and traffic indicators at home and kindergarten with relative leukocyte TL (LTL) in preschool children. This cross-sectional study included 200 preschool children (5–7 years old) recruited from 27 kindergartens in Sabzevar, Iran (2017). Outdoor annual average levels PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 at residential address and kindergartens were estimated applying land use regression (LUR) models. Moreover, indoor levels of PMs at kindergartens were measured for four days in each season resulting in a total of 16 days of measurements for each kindergarten. Total streets length in different buffers and distance to major road were calculated as traffic indicators at residential address and kindergartens. We applied quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure relative LTL in blood samples obtained from children. Mixed linear regression models were developed with qPCR plate and kindergarten as random effects, to estimate association of each pollutant and traffic indicator with LTL, controlled for relevant covariates. Higher concentrations of outdoor PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, at home and kindergartens were associated with shorter relative LTL. Similarly, increase in indoor PM2.5 concentrations at kindergartens was associated with shorter relative LTL (β = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.36, −0.01, P-value < 0.01). Moreover, higher total street length in 100 m buffer around residence and lower residential distance to major roads were associated with shorter relative LTL (β = −0.25, 95% CI: −0.37, −0.13, P-value < 0.01, and 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.44, P-value < 0.01, respectively). Overall, our study suggested that higher exposure to air pollution and traffic at kindergarten and residential home were associated with shorter relative LTL in preschool children.

The high-temperature retrofit research and application of subcritical units

Under the pressure of reducing CO2 and pollutants emissions, The Chinese Government requires that all the existing coal-fired power units shall achieve an average net efficiency higher than 39.6% (LHV) by 2020. Considering the fact that the typical annual average net efficiency level of subcritical units is about 37%, some are even lower than 35%, it seems to be overambitious to achieve this target. The high temperature retrofit of subcritical units, however, find a technically and economically feasible solution for this problem, mainly on 4 aspects: 1) By improving the main and reheat steam temperatures from 538 °C to 600 °C, both the cycle efficiency and turbine internal efficiency are greatly improved. 2) By keeping the main and reheat steam pressures unchanged, combined with innovative boiler heating surfaces retrofit, the pressure parts of the boiler and feedwater system are utilized as much as possible thus the 600 °C steam temperatures are achieved with reasonable cost. 3) Combined with other energy-saving technologies, like flue gas heat recovery technology and generalized regeneration technologies, the unit efficiency is further improved under rated load, and even larger under part load. 4) By applying special startup technology and other efficiency preservation technologies, the solid particle erosion problem is suppressed thus the unit can operate efficiently in long term. Now the high temperature retrofit is being conducted in a typical 320 MW subcritical unit in Xuzhou, China. The target net efficiency under rated condition is higher than 42.36%, much better than those of all existing supercritical units and even some ultra-supercritical units. This project is expected to be a demonstration, setting a benchmark for the high efficiency retrofit of subcritical units.

Relationship between hydroclimatic variables and reservoir wetland landscape pattern indices: A case study of the Sanmenxia Reservoir wetland on the Yellow River, China

Reservoir construction has led to the development of numerous wetlands, and these wetlands play an important role in global environmental change. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between reservoir wetlands and hydroclimatic variables. We used the MODIS land cover product to extract the wetland area of the Sanmenxia Reservoir, China. Then, various indices of reservoir wetland landscape patterns were calculated. Principal component analysis was performed to build the Sanmenxia Reservoir wetland comprehensive landscape pattern index (CLPI) to depict the changes in Sanmenxia Reservoir wetlands from 2001 to 2013. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess their relationship. The following results were obtained. Firstly, the Sanmenxia Reservoir wetland area considerably declined and the landscape heterogeneity decreased from 2001 to 2013, especially in 2004. Secondly, the CLPI is significantly negatively correlated with annual runoff and significantly positively correlated with annual sediment discharge, annual average water level and annual shallow groundwater table in Sanmenxia Reservoir regions. Additionally, due to the decline in the reservoir wetland area, the values of Shannon’s diversity index and Simpson’s diversity index decreased in the study area. Therefore, the study suggests that maintaining a stable and healthy reservoir wetland area should be the focus of ecological reservoir management.

Health equity and burden of childhood asthma - related to air pollution in Barcelona

BackgroundAir pollution is one of the major health risk factors in urban populations. Air pollution has been associated with asthma in children. Air pollution has also been suggested to be distributed unequally within the cities, something that can lead to urban health inequalities. AimWe aimed to estimate the number of childhood asthma cases attributable to three main air pollutants; Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter (PM 2.5), and Black Carbon (BC) in the city of Barcelona, Spain. We also aimed to describe the distribution of those impacts depending on the social deprivation index in Barcelona. MethodsWe estimated the number of childhood asthma cases in Barcelona by applying a quantitative Health Impact Assessment (HIA) approach. Air pollution (NO2, PM2.5, and BC) exposure assessment was estimated using a land-use regression model. Two scenarios were assessed and compared the current levels of air pollution with 1) achieving the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline on exposure levels for NO2 and PM2.5 (scenario 1); and 2) achieving the minimum reported levels in a previously published meta-analysis (scenario 2), from where we also obtained the exposure-response functions. The relative risk and population attributable fraction (PAF) for each scenario and pollutant were estimated. Using the asthma incidence rate in Spain the expected number of asthma cases in Barcelona attributable to NO2, PM2.5, and BC for each scenario was estimated. ResultsThe annual average levels of NO2, PM2.5, and BC at census levels were 56 μg/m3, 17.11 μg/m3, and 2.88 μg/m3, respectively. The number of asthma cases attributable to NO2 and PM2.5 (percentage of total cases) estimated in scenario 1 was 454 (18%) and 478 (19%) respectively. For scenario 2, the estimated number of cases attributable to NO2, PM2.5, and BC were 1230 (48%), 992 (39%) and 789 (31%) respectively. Although NO2 and BC showed differences between asthma cases and areas with different deprivation index, only BC differences were statistically significant between less and more deprived areas. ConclusionsThis study estimated that up to 1230 (48%) of asthma cases in Barcelona could be attributable to air pollution each year. This study also found that in Barcelona, less socially deprived groups could be more affected by asthma-related to air pollution than those more socially deprived.

Ecological water level and its safeguard measures in Lake Dongting

湖泊生态水位是维持湖泊生态系统健康的重要因素.基于洞庭湖城陵矶、杨柳潭、南咀3个水文站1959—2016年日平均水位序列进行分析，采用Mann-Kendall法、累积距平法和滑动T检验法综合确定洞庭湖水位变异时间节点，结合生态水位年内展布法以及IHA-RVA法，计算分析湖泊最小和适宜生态水位，并且采用Tennant法进行合理验证，在此基础上对水文变异前、后湖泊生态水位保障度进行研究.研究结果表明：（1）洞庭湖城陵矶和杨柳潭水文站年均水位呈上升趋势，而且城陵矶站水位上升趋势显著，南咀站年均水位呈显著下降趋势.（2）洞庭湖3个典型水文站水位年际变化突变年份为2003年，突变年份基本上与三峡工程蓄水时间相符.（3）城陵矶、南咀和杨柳潭年均最小生态水位分别为21.41、28.95和27.84 m，分别占多年平均水位的86.3%、95.9%和95.7%，城陵矶、南咀和杨柳潭年均适宜生态水位分别为23.29、29.51和28.36 m，分别占多年平均水位的93.9%、97.8%和97.5%，生态水位计算结果考虑了天然湖泊水位年内丰枯变化，满足了湖泊生态目标需求.（4）洞庭湖最低生态水位保障程度较高，基本能达到80%以上，但适宜生态水位保障程度相对较低，其中2003年以后洞庭湖10月和11月生态水位保障程度显著下降，与上游水利工程蓄水有关，建议在此期间采取调度措施适当增加洞庭湖水量，以保障湖泊生态系统的健康与生物多样性.;Lake ecological water level (EWL) is an important factor to maintain the health of lake ecosystem. Based on the analysis of the daily average water level series of Chenglingji, Yangliutan and Nanzui hydrological stations in Lake Dongting from 1959 to 2016, the hydrological variation characters of Lake Dongting were determined by Mann-Kendall method, cumulative anomaly method and sliding T test method. Based on the method of annual EWL distribution and the improved method of IHA-RVA, the minimum and optimal EWLs were calculated, and the Tennant method was used for the reasonability verification. Finally, the guaranteed rates before and after the abrupt point were analyzed. The results show that: (1) The average annual water level of Chenglingji and Yangliutan hydrology stations were both on the rise, with much significant trend for the former one. While the average annual water level of Nanzui station exhibited significant decline trend. (2) The time of abrupt changes in water levels of the three stations was 2003, which was basically consistent with the beginning operation time of the Three Gorges Dam. (3) The annual minimum EWLs of Chenglingji, Nanzui and Yangliutan stations were 21.41, 28.95 and 27.84 m, respectively, accounting for 86.3%, 95.9% and 95.7% of the multi-year average level. The optimal EWLs were 23.29, 29.51 and 28.36 m, respectively, accounting for 93.9%, 97.8% and 97.5% of the multi-year average level. Such defined EWLs could meet the requirements of lake ecosystem goals with the consideration on the annual changes in natural lakes. (4) the safeguarding on the minimum ecological water level in Lake Dongting is relatively high, basically reaching more than 80%, but the guarantee degree of the appropriate EWLs is relatively low. After 2003, the guarantee degree of Lake Dongting decreased significantly in October and November, which is related to water storage and conservancy projects in the upstream. The EWL guarantee measures in Lake Dongting were suggested to maintain the health and biodiversity of the lake ecosystem based on the low guarantee degree and the difference of annual EWL distribution.

The hydrological and water level data in Yom River basin of Thailand

Yom River basin located in Northern Thailand, faces perennial droughts and floods with great impact on agriculture and the economy in the surrounding landscape. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to study the hydrological nature of the Yom River basin, by descriptive statistics analysis using daily water level data from four water level measurement stations, from April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2020. The lower part of Mae Nam Yom river is almost half of the Yom River basin area. The water allocation plan in 2019-2020 for six reservoirs suggests usable water of 116.5 million m 3 , with the water allocated at the beginning of the rainy season more than during the dry season. During the dry season most of the water was allocated for agriculture. In most areas of Yom River basin, there are droughts and floods happened not more than 3 times in the last 10 year. The daily water level data of all four water level measurement stations showed relatively clear seasonal variations. The daily water level peaked every hydrological year during the rainy season. The average annual water level was the highest in 2011 (258.92 ± 1.09, 183.26 ± 1.64, 145.56 ± 1.89, and 96.20 ± 2.17 m(MSL)), and the lowest in 2015, except at the Y.1C station in 2019 (258.01 ± 0.49, 182.10 ± 0.61, 144.01 ± 1.24, and 94.50 ± 0.56, m(MSL)). The average monthly water level started to rise since May, with its highest peak value is in September (259.67 ± 0.86, 184.27 ± 1.14, 146.21 ± 1.39, and 97.09 ± 1.57 m(MSL)). The average monthly water level is low from December to April (dry season), the lowest values are from February to March (257.82 ± 0.19, 181.65 ± 0.12, 143.91 ± 0.32, and 94.31 ± 0.20, m(MSL)).