Indicators Of Environmental Quality Research Articles

Kajian Kualitas Dan Tingkat Pelayanan Jalur Pejalan Kaki (Studi Kasus: Sepanjang Jalan Jend. Ahmad Yani Kota Bekasi)

This study aims to determine the quality and service level of pedestrian paths. This research is based on the problems that exist in the pedestrian path along Jalan Jend. Ahmad Yani Kota Bekasi which is an urban center. The problems that occur at the location of this study are the damage to the pedestrian path and the occurrence of a change in the function of the pedestrian path which is mostly used by motorized vehicle parking which is an obstacle to the pedestrian path. This study uses the calculation of the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI) and the Pedestrian Level of Service (High Capacity Manual). The method used in this research is by using quantitative methods and the analysis carried out is descriptive analysis. Based on the results of the analysis carried out, the value of the quality of the pedestrian crossing is in the acceptable category (Class II) where the facilities and infrastructure for the intersection are sufficient for road users, while for the quality of the pedestrian lane itself it is in a bad category (Class IV) due to the condition of the path that is perforated as well as the obstacles or obstacles that occur on the pedestrian path itself. The results of the service level analysis are based on the flow and based on the entry space at the service level c (basic service level).

Dynamic common correlated effects of pandemic uncertainty on environmental quality: fresh insights from East-Asia and Pacific countries.

It is well known that pandemic-related uncertainty affects various macroeconomic indicators, including environmental quality. Due to pandemic outbreaks, the reduction in economic activities affects the environmental quality in many economies. The study explores the impact of pandemic uncertainty on environmental quality in East-Asia and Pacific countries. Most past research use only CO2 emissions, which is an inappropriate measurement of environmental quality. Besides CO2 emissions, we have utilized other pollutants like N2O and CH4 emissions along with ecological footprint. The traditional econometric approaches ignore cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity and give biased outcomes. Hence, we have employed a new method, “Dynamic Common Correlated Effects (DCCE),” which can excellently deal with the problems mentioned above. The short-run and long-run DCCE estimations show a negative and significant influence of pandemic uncertainty on ecological footprint, CO2 and CH4 emissions in whole and lower-income group of East-Asia and Pacific region. Moreover, pandemic uncertainty has a negative relationship with all indicators of environmental quality in higher-income economies. The study provides a unique opportunity to examine how pandemic uncertainty through anthropogenic activities affects environmental quality and serves as a significant resource for policymakers in planning and estimating the effectiveness of environmental quality measures. It is necessary to carry out sustainable environmental policies in East-Asia and Pacific region according to the vulnerabilities and resilience to global pandemic uncertainty.

Creating glazed facades performance map based on energy and thermal comfort perspective for office building design strategies in Asian hot-humid climate zone

Glazed facades are broadly applied in modern architecture especially office buildings. However, glass enables massive heat transmitted into buildings that leads to thermal discomfort and energy profligacy particularly in hot-humid climate zone. Considering the strategies of energy use and thermal comfort at initial design process is beneficial for building performance, while there is shortage of approachable method to easily involve in building energy modeling or thermal comfort assessment. To enhance the connection of architecture design and building environment, this study proposed a guide map to provide visualized information from the aspects of energy use and thermal comfort through simulating the performance of different composition of glazed facade parameters. Specifically, cases with various facade configurations located in Southeast Asia cities are set to demonstrate the cooling load and long-term thermal comfort evaluation, including Environmental Quality Index (EQI), Spatial Thermal Comfort Availability (sTCA), and Temporal Thermal Comfort Usability (tTCU). Furthermore, a comprehensive thermal parameter called facade solar aperture is suggested to describe the performance of solar gains from facade; eventually, correlation among facade parameters, energy use, thermal comfort, and geographic location is disclosed. The results also indicated that to eliminate the discomfort for maintaining the condition of PMV = 0.5, the setting temperature of air-conditioning needs to be decreased by 2 °C ∼ 3 °C which corresponding to the increasing cooling load of 142.5 MJ/m2 to 215.0 MJ/m2. Comprehensively, through the proposed method, architects can obtain optimal schemes of different parameters, then balance the energy conservation and thermal comfort through better glazed facade design strategies.

Association between environmental quality index and young onset colorectal cancer.

75 Background: The factors associated with the rise of young-onset colorectal cancer (YOCRC) remain unclear. In addition to hereditary factors, environmental exposures are believed to be associated with YOCRC. Therefore, we aimed to study the association between the national level Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and YOCRC in the US. Methods: We used the SEER database to select the CRC patients diagnosed between 2010-2016. YOCRC was defined based on age at diagnosis < 50 years. EQI (2005-2010) is a measure of county-level cumulative environmental exposures that includes 5 domains: sociodemographic, built, air, land, and water. A higher value represents a lower environmental quality. We distributed the total EQI and each EQI domain into five quintiles. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between YOCRC and quintiles (upper-most vs. lowest) of EQI after adjusting by race (White, Black, and Others), gender, and stage at diagnosis. The age-adjusted incidence rate was also calculated using the SEER*Stat, and correlation efficiency was estimated between EQI domains and incidence rate. Results: A total of 261,417 CRC patients were included; 11% were YOCRC. In the adjusted multivariable analysis, poor built EQI (OR 1.15 [1.11-1.20]) and water EQI (OR 1.08 [1.03-1.12]) were more likely to be associated with YOCRC. Poor built EQI was more strongly associated with Black YOCRC (OR 1.21 [1.09-1.35]) as compared to White YOCRC (OR 1.14 [1.09-1.19]). Poor sociodemographic EQI was more strongly associated with Others (OR 1.47 [1.25-1.72]) compared to Black YOCRC (OR 1.14 [1.03-1.25]). In addition, poor built EQI (OR 1.19 [1.12-1.27]) and water EQI (OR 1.12 [1.05-1.19]) were more strongly associated with the metastatic disease among YOCRC patients. However, the total poor EQI was not associated with YOCRC (OR 0.99 [0.95-1.03]). On incidence analysis, there was a positive correlation between the incidence rate of YOCRC and sociodemographic EQI (rho=0.49, p<0.001), air EQI (rho=0.30, p<0.001), and land EQI (rho=0.18, p<0.001). Conclusions: This study evaluated a population-based ecological approach and showed that YOCRC was associated with lower environmental quality, including built and water domains. EQI domains were also associated with different racial groups among YOCRC. [Table: see text]

Association between Environmental Quality Index and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

521 Background: Pancreatic cancer ranks as the 3rd leading cause of cancer mortality. Overall more than 50% of patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. In this study, we evaluated the association between the national level Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and metastatic pancreatic cancer in the US. Methods: Adult patients with pancreatic cancer in the SEER database from 2010-2016 were included in this study. The unknown stage was excluded. Patients were categorized into two groups: metastatic vs. non-metastatic disease. EQI provides county-level environmental quality data from 2005-2010 and presents five domains (built, sociodemographic, air, water, land). EQI was categorized into quintiles, with the 5th quantile representing a poorer environmental quality. We used the multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between EQI quintiles and metastatic pancreatic cancer adjusting by age, gender, and race (White, Black, and Others). In addition, the SEER*Stat was used to evaluate the age-adjusted incidence rate, and the correlation coefficient between EQI domains and incidence rate was calculated. Results: A total of 75,461 pancreatic cancer patients were included; 55% had metastatic disease. In the adjusted multivariable analysis, metastatic pancreatic cancer was associated with poor built EQI (OR 1.06 [1.01-1.11]). Among metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, poor overall EQI was strongly associated with age > 50 years (OR 1.06 [1.01-1.11]) and Black race (OR 1.29 [1.10-1.51]). Lower built EQI domain was associated with > 50 (OR 1.07 [1.02-1.12]) and White race (OR 1.07 [1.02-1.12]). The incidence rate of metastatic pancreatic cancer was positively correlated with total EQI (rho=0.02, p<0.001), sociodemographic EQI (rho=0.23, p<0.001), land EQI (rho=0.14, p<0.001), and air EQI (rho=0.34, p<0.001). Conclusions: Using population-based environmental data, we found built EQI to be associated with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Among metastatic pancreatic cancer patients, total environmental quality was associated with older age at diagnosis and the Black race, while built EQI domain was associated with older age at diagnosis and the White race. Environmental quality was positively correlated with the incidence rate of metastatic pancreatic cancer.[Table: see text]

Histopathological evaluation of bivalves from the southwest coast of India as an indicator of environmental quality.

Bivalve molluscs have been regarded as excellent bioindicators of environmental pollution as they persistently accumulate toxic contaminants present in their ecosystem. Histological alterations in the digestive gland and gills of three bivalve sp., Viz. edible oyster (Magallana bilineata), green mussel (Perna viridis) and black clam (Villorita cyprinoides) from ecologically sensitive regions of international significance on the southwest coast of India were evaluated using a semi-quantitative histopathological index to assess the environmental quality. The prominent tissue alterations included tubular vacuolation, haemocytic infiltration, parasitosis, lamellar disorganization, and the presence of prokaryotic inclusions. The presence of ten trace metals was also evaluated in the digestive gland of bivalves. The histopathological indices were evaluated season-wise and region-wise. Seasonal variation in all the reaction patterns was observed in the digestive gland across sampling zones, with the highest indices observed during post-monsoon. The indices for all the reaction patterns in the digestive gland were significantly higher in bivalves from Vembanad Lake (Z4), followed by Periyar River (Z5). The indices for cellular changes and parasitosis in gills were the highest in the Ashtamudi estuary (Z1) and Z5, respectively. The global histopathological indices of the digestive gland and gills were also the highest in Z4, followed by Z5. Principal component analysis revealed that Z4 was distinct with the highest metal pollution index. A positive relation was observed with heavy metals, digestive gland histological alterations, and season and region of sampling.

The Extreme Heat Wave over Western North America in 2021: An Assessment by Means of Land Surface Temperature

In our current global warming climate, the growth of record-breaking heat waves (HWs) is expected to increase in its frequency and intensity. Consequently, the considerably growing and agglomerated world’s urban population becomes more exposed to serious heat-related health risks. In this context, the study of Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) intensity during HWs is of substantial importance due to the potential vulnerability urbanized areas might have to HWs in comparison to their surrounding rural areas. This article discusses Land Surface Temperatures (LST) reached during the extreme HW over Western North America during the boreal summer of 2021 using Thermal InfraRed (TIR) imagery acquired from TIR Sensor (TIRS) (30 m spatial resolution) onboard Landsat-8 platform and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (1 km spatial resolution) onboard Terra/Aqua platforms. We provide an early assessment of maximum LSTs reached over the affected areas, as well as impacts in terms of SUHI over the main cities and towns. MODIS series of LST from 2000 to 2021 over urbanized areas presented the highest recorded LST values in late June 2021, with maximum values around 50 °C for some cities. High spatial resolution LSTs (Landsat-8) were used to map SUHI intensity as well as to assess the impact of SUHI on thermal comfort conditions at intraurban space by means of a thermal environmental quality indicator, the Urban Field Thermal Variance Index (UFTVI). The same high resolution LSTs were used to verify the existence of clusters and employ a Local Indicator of Spatial Association (LISA) to quantify its degree of strength. We identified the spatial distribution of heat patterns within the intraurban space as well as described its behavior across the thermal landscape by fitting a polynomial regression model. We also qualitatively analyze the relationship between both UFTVI and LST clusters with different land cover types. Findings indicate that average daytime SUHI intensity for the studied cities was typically within 1 to 5 °C, with some exceptional values surpassing 7 °C and 9 °C. During night, the SUHI intensity was reduced to variations within 1–3 °C, with a maximum value of +4 °C. The extreme LSTs recorded indicate no significant influence of HW on SUHI intensity. SUHI intensity maps of the intraurban space evidence hotspots of much higher values located at densely built-up areas, while urban green spaces and dense vegetation show lower values. In the same manner, UTFVI has shown “no” SUHI for densely vegetated regions, water bodies, and low-dense built-up areas with intertwined dense vegetation, while the “strongest” SUHI was observed for non-vegetated dense built-up areas with low albedo material such as concrete and pavement. LST was evidenced as a good marker for assessing the influence of HWs on SUHI and recognizing potential thermal environmental consequences of SUHI intensity. This finding highlights that remote-sensing based LST is particularly suitable as an indicator in the analysis of SUHI intensity patterns during HWs at different spatial resolutions. LST used as an indicator for analyzing and detecting extreme temperature events and its consequences seems to be a promising means for rapid and accurate monitoring and mapping.

Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) as Reservoir of Zoonotic Yeasts: Bioindicator of Environmental Quality.

Wildlife animals are recognized as reservoirs for zoonotic fungi and their faeces might play an important role in introducing pathogens into the environment. Thought wild boar (Sus scrofa) population has dramatically increased across Europe, information about their possible role in dissemination of zoonotic pathogenic yeasts in the environment is scant. Therefore, fecal samples (n = 124) from wild boars from Campania region (Southern Italy) were collected and yeasts identified biochemically and molecularly by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region and their phylogenetical relationship assessed. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of yeasts were also investigated using AFST-EUCAST method. Yeasts were isolated from 50.1% of the samples with the highest occurrence in samples from the province of Salerno (61.1%). A total of 368 Candida strains belonging to nine species were identified, with Candida albicans (45.7%), followed by Candida krusei (15.2%), Kazachstania slooffiae (9.8%) and Candida parapsilosis (7.6%) as the most prevalent identified species. Among C. albicans four sequence types (i.e., ST1-ST4) were identified with an intraspecific nucleotide difference up to 0.21%. The ML tree grouped all representative sequence types as paraphyletic clades with those of the references yeast species, respectively and supported by high bootstrap values. Fluconazole was the less active drug whereas, posaconazole, voriconazole, and isavuconazole the most active one. No resistance phenomena were observed for C. albicans and high MICs values for 5FC, azoles and echinocandines were registered in non-albicans Candida spp. This study showed, for the first time, the important role of wild boars in dissemination of pathogenic fungi in the environment. The absence of resistance phenomena in the Candida spp. might reflect environmental free from residues of azoles antifungals pollution or chemicals and suggests the role of wild boar as bio indicators of environment quality.

Biological traits analysis of free-living nematodes as indicators of environmental quality at Lake Bacalar, Mexico

Biological traits analysis of free-living nematodes as indicators of environmental quality at Lake Bacalar, Mexico

Perception of the local community: What is their relationship with environmental quality indicators of reservoirs?

Evaluating the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, especially those which serve to supply, has been carried out using a variety of tools. However, the perception of water quality by the local community which lives in direct contact with water resources has not been considered with enough importance. This study analysed the relationship between the conservation status of reservoirs as perceived by the local community and their conservation status according to physical, chemical, and biological indicators. To do so, we calculated the Trophic State Index (TSI) of the reservoirs, the diversity and richness of benthic macroinvertebrate and we analysed the human influence in the riparian zone. Thus, we created the Community Conservation Perception Index (CCPI) to quantitatively associate the perception of the local community with environmental quality indicators (TSI, diversity, richness and anthropogenic influences in the riparian zone). We found that interviewee perception of reservoir conservation (using the CCPI) was related to trophic state, richness and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate, and the presence of residences and agriculture in the riparian zone. It is necessary to consider the environmental perception of the local community as a relevant factor in management programmes and the conservation of ecosystems, even if artificial, as is the case with reservoirs. These communities can significantly contribute to maintaining the environmental quality through their performance in participatory management in projects such as: participating in the investigation of pollution in reservoirs, collecting parameters related to water quality, and community action in designing conservation strategies.

Statistical analysis for water quality index for Shatt-Al-Hilla river in Babel city

AbstractThe work aims to investigate the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the Shatt-al-Hilla River, a branch of the Euphrates river in Babel city, Iraq. Twelve important and influential parameters were taken into account to evaluate the WQI, namely the temperature of water (Temp), total hardness (TH), electrical conductivity (EC), acidity (PH), total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate (So4−2), calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2), sodium (Na+1), biological oxygen demand (BOD), potassium (K) and turbidity. Raw and treated water quality was evaluated using two models, Weighted Calculation and Canadian Cabinet for the Environmental Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). The study area included three water treatment plants, namely New Hilla (NH), Al-Hussein (HE), and Al- Hashimyah (HA), which discharge their treated water into the Shatt-al-Hilla river. Raw and treated water samples were collected and tested regularly for nine months, from October 2020 to June 2021. The results showed all chemical and physical parameters (for both raw and treated water) met the Iraqi standards except Ca+2, turbidity and EC for raw water and temperature for treated water.

The criticality of tourism development, economic complexity, and country security on ecological footprint.

What kinds of countries are likely to be prosperous and have a sustainable environment at the same time? How might countries reorient their policy setting to be more capable of suppressing environmental degradation? To explore these questions, this research examines data from 99 countries for 2006–2017, takes the six major forms of ecological footprint (EF) as indicators of environmental quality, and probes the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis via quantile regression approach. We find that tourism development leads to greater environmental degradation, with tourism development particularly corresponding to more usage of carbon absorption land and cropland. The lower the country security is, the better is the environmental quality. Economic complexity also worsens environmental quality. However, country security weakens the negative influence of tourism development and economic complexity on environmental quality, specifying that better country security stalls the negative impact of tourism and economic complexity on environmental quality. Results mostly support the tourism- and country security–induced EKC hypotheses in fishing footprint, whereas economic complexity–induced EKC is generally validated in cropland footprint. Finally, we present that tourism arrivals, economic complexity, and country security have varying impacts across diverse ecological footprint quantiles.

ASSESSMENT OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: A CASE STUDY OF CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Abstract. By 2050, Most of the world’s population will live in cities, this demographic explosion will lead to significant urban development at the expanse of natural land which may harm the environmental quality. Consequently, assessing and modeling the urban environmental quality (UEQ) is requisite for efficient urban sprawl control and better city planning and management. The present study proposes a methodology to model and assess the environment of the urban system by developing the urban environmental quality index (UEQI) based on remote sensing data. Five environmental indicators were derived from the Landsat OLI image namely, Modified Normalized Difference Impervious Surface Index (MNDISI), Modified Normalized Difference, Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized difference vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized difference built-up Index (NDBI) and Soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI). Using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) the urban environmental quality index was computed for the 17 communes of Casablanca city. The UEQI values were spatially mapped under three classes (good, moderate, and poor). The results obtained from the analysis showed a significant difference in the term of UEQI values among the communes. In addition, the environmental quality is inadequate in communes with fewer green spaces and more impervious surfaces. The outcomes of this work can serve as an efficient tool to determine the most critical interventions to be made by the authority for current and future urban planning and land/resource management.

Spatio-temporal evolution of ecological environment quality in China from a concept of strong sustainability.

Based on the concept of strong sustainability, this paper builds a dynamic evaluation system on ecological environment quality from the concepts of ecological environment pollution and ecological environment management and puts forward the evaluation indexes including ecological environment pollution index (EPI), ecological environment management index (EMI), and ecological environment quality index (EQI). On this basis, kernel density estimation, Markov chain, Theil index, and dynamic SDM are used to reveal and explain the spatio-temporal evolution of ecological environment quality in China. The results were as follows. Overall, the EPI is decreasing while EMI and EQI are on the rise. In the long run, there is low possibility of upward and cross-level transition for EPI and EQI. The differences of EPI, EMI, and EQI are mainly caused by the regional differences. The regional differences have been reflected in the value of EPI, EMI, and EQI. It has been shown that the internal regional differences are continuously narrowing and the inter-regional differences are expanding. The convergence speeds of EPI, EMI, and EQI are 13.77%, 23.80%, and 9.69%, respectively. In the regional convergence test, different regions have shown different convergence speeds.

Spatial Analysis of Environmental Impacts Linked to Changes in Urban Mobility Patterns during COVID-19: Lessons Learned from the Cartagena Case Study

The impact of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 on urban pollution in our cities is a proven fact, although its mechanisms are not known in great detail. The change in urban mobility patterns due to the restrictions imposed on the population during lockdown is a phenomenon that can be parameterized and studied from the perspective of spatial analysis. This study proposes an analysis of the guiding parameters of these changes from the perspective of spatial analysis. To do so, the case study of the city of Cartagena, a medium-sized city in Spain, has been analyzed throughout the period of mobility restrictions due to COVID-19. By means of a geostatistical analysis, changes in urban mobility patterns and the modal distribution of transport have been correlated with the evolution of environmental air quality indicators in the city. The results show that despite the positive effect of the pandemic in its beginnings on the environmental impact of urban mobility, the changes generated in the behavior patterns of current mobility users favor the most polluting modes of travel in cities.

Spatial Panel Data Approach on Environmental Quality in Indonesia

Indonesia adopted a strategic long-term development plan (2005-2025) targeting to achieve a green and everlasting Indonesia through implementing various environmental policies. One of the mandatory matters for governments is to continue environmental control by constructing Environmental Quality Indexes (EQI). This study focuses on the relationship between regional output or real Regional GDP, level of population density, and the government expenditure on environment quality on EQI in 34 provinces in Indonesia by the time period 2015 to 2019 using a spatial panel data approach. Within the context of spatial modeling, the interaction between provinces depends on their geographical location and condition. Using the geographic information system (GIS) and stata attributes, the coordinates and distances can be mapped and then defined for observation units in space via the spatial weight matrix used. From the perspective of spatial geography, this paper verifies the spatial dependence of Indonesia’s Environmental Quality Index (EQI). Pesaran's CD test indicates the spatial effect on the model and SAR with random effect can be considered a better-fitting spatial panel regression model. The results of the econometric spatial panel using SAR panel with random effect analysis show that Indonesia’s EQI in the provinces was dependent on the spatial. It was also found that regional GDP has a significant and negative effect on EQI and population density has a negative and significant effect on EQI. While fiscal policy on the environmental area on improving environmental quality did not pass a significance test. Thus, it is recommended to look for ways to promote green growth in the country.

Abstract PO-172: The impact of environmental quality on colorectal cancer incidence rates in the United States

Abstract Background Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. CRC has been shown to be an environmentally associated disease, and the identification of specific environmental risk factors is critical to identify intervention opportunities in high-risk populations. CRC incidence rates have been increasing among people living in rural areas compared to non-rural. Understanding the relationship between environmental factors and rurality on CRC incidence is imperative to improve CRC prevention and control efforts. We used the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to represent multiple simultaneous environmental domains to measure of the overall environment and examined its association with CRC incidence rates in the US. Methods The 2006-2010 EQI, a county-level index including overall and five specific domains (air, water, land, sociodemographic (SD), and build) for the entire US, was obtained from the US EPA public database. Data for the 2013-2017 county-level age-adjusted CRC incidence rates were extracted from the State Cancer Profiles and linked to the EQI data using the Federal information processing standard (FIPS) state-county code. EQI was categorized into Quintiles (Q1 represents highest environmental quality and Q5 represent poorest environmental quality). Pearson's correlation and linear regression were used to test associations between CRC incidence rate and EQI. Covariates included rural/urban status, percent of Black or African Americans (AAs), and state. Incidence rate differences (IRDs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were reported. Results Correlations between CRC incidence and EQIs were observed positive in overall (r = -0.06; Р =0.002) and domains including air (r = 0.01; Р = 0.66), build (r = 0.01; Р = 0.67), land (r = 0.08; Р <0.001), SD (r = 0.45; Р < 0.001), and negative in build domain (r = -0.12; Р < 0.001). In the adjusted model, for the SD domain, those counties with lowest quality quintile were associated with an incidence rate increase of 10.26 (8.87, 11.65) cases per 100,000 persons per year compared to counties in the highest quintile. The lowest build EQI (5th quintile) had 1.49 fewer cases per 100,000 persons per year comparing to the 1st quintile. About 82.5% of the observed elevation 7.7 (6.55, 8.84) in CRC incidence rates among rural counties, compared to metropolitan urbanized counties, were explained by the EQI and the percent of Black or AAs residing in the counties. Conclusion The EQI was observed to be a significant factor for increased CRC incidence, although its impact varied when examined by domains. The lowest sociodemographic quality had the strongest association with CRC, followed by highest build environmental quality. Further, sociodemographic disadvantage was found to be a robust predictor and largely explained the rural-urban CRC incidence disparity. Our study provides a broader view of the environmental quality effect on the CRC incidence disparities in rural areas. Citation Format: Tingting Li, Mei-Chin Hsieh, Lee S. McDaniel, Edward S. Peters. The impact of environmental quality on colorectal cancer incidence rates in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-172.

Two novel bioassays useful for the quick assessment of chemical effects on the behavior of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) and adult earthworms (Lumbricidae)

The behavior, i.e., observable response of an organism can serve as a useful indicator of environmental quality. In the absence of death and other sublethal effects, behavioral changes can represent early warning signs of toxic effects. In the present contribution, we present two novel bioassays useful for the quick assessment of chemical effects on the behavior of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) and adult earthworms (Lumbricidae). These bioassays could have applications in ecological risk assessment and laboratory based ecotoxicological testing. The novel assays are:•A bioassay for the assessment of chemical toxicity on the swimming, breathing and resting behavior of Culicidae larvae.•A bioassay for the assessment of chemical toxicity on the escape behavior of Lumbricidae in water.•These bioassays were carried out using the systemic insecticide imidacloprid and documented the relatively rapid onset of the neurotoxic effects of imidacloprid to experimental organisms.

Operating Room Improvements Based on Environmental Quality Index Risk Prediction can help Reduce Surgical Site Infections

Importance: The role of the operating room (OR) airborne environment in the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) has ranked behind patient and perioperative team-related factors associated with risk for SSI. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the design and performance of the OR environment impacts the airborne microbiome both within the sterile field and at tables where instruments and implants are exposed. However, the correlation between OR air quality and the risk of SSI continues to be challenged. Objective: To determine if improving the asepsis of the airborne environment in ORs contributes to reduced SSI rates. Design: The performance of air delivery systems in fourteen operating rooms was evaluated using the Environmental Quality Indicator (EQI) risk picture method to identify potential improvements to airflow management that reduce airborne contamination and operating costs. SSI rates for colon and abdominal hysterectomy procedures were tracked in these ORs for 39 months before and after improvements were implemented. SSI rates were also tracked for the same time frame for six control ORs in which no improvements were made. Airborne microbial data was collected. Setting: Twenty ORs in an academic medical center, Midwest USA. A convenience sample of all surgical patients, de-identified, was used in the twenty ORs studied. Results: SSI rate was reduced from 8.4% to 5.7% (p=.0039) in ORs in which improvements were implemented. Reduction of SSI rate in control ORs was not significant (p=.76). Fewer airborne microbes were detected in areas of OR with improvements (p<.0001). Conclusion: Areas for environmental quality improvement in ORs was identified and mapped by relative risk of contamination. Implementation of these improvements resulted in decreased microbial contamination and contributed to significant reduction in surgical site infection.

青弋江流域大型底栖动物群落结构及水质评价

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 青弋江流域大型底栖动物群落结构及水质评价 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202101240247 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金青年项目（41301029）；安徽高校协同创新项目（GXXT-2020-075） Macroinvertebrate community structure and water quality assessment in the Qingyi River Watershed Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: The National Science Fundation of China(General Program, Key Program,Major Research Plan) 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:研究河流大型底栖动物群落结构特征及水环境质量对水生态的保护与修复具有重要意义。以青弋江流域为研究对象，于2020年9月进行了大型底栖动物及水体理化因子的调查，采用相对重要性指数、生物多样性指数及Jaccard相似性系数分析了大型底栖动物群落结构特征，运用丰度/生物量比较曲线法及冗余分析法探究了底栖动物群落受到的干扰程度及其主要影响环境因子，最后利用水生态环境质量综合指数对河流水质进行评价。研究结果表明：（1）共采集鉴定大型底栖动物61种，隶属于3门6纲17目，平均丰度为265.9个/m2，平均生物量41.6 g/m2。相对重要性指数分析显示，日本沼虾（Macrobrachium nipponensis）、中国圆田螺（Cipangopaludina chinensis）、羽摇蚊（Chironomus plumosus）及扁蜉（Ecdyrus）为群落中的主要优势种。（2）由群落相似性分析知，Jaccard相似性系数较低，调查点位之间存在较强的空间异质性。（3）冗余分析表明，电导率、氨氮浓度及流速是影响底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子。（4）生物指数分析结果显示该流域水质为轻度污染或中度污染，与水质理化因子评价存在较大差异。综合考虑生物及非生物因子的水生态环境质量综合指数模型计算结果显示，流域整体水环境质量偏好，但部分采样点已受到干扰或处于污染状态，与ABC曲线分析及优势种分析基本一致，评价结果更具科学性及可靠性。 Abstract:It is of great significance to study the community structure of macrobenthos and the water quality for protection and restoration of aquatic ecology. Taking the Qingyi River Basin as the research object, a survey of macrobenthos and physicochemical factors of the water body was carried out in September 2020. It analysed the structural characteristics of the macrobenthic community by means of the relative importance index, the biodiversity index and the Jaccard similarity coefficient. It investigated the extent of disturbance to the benthic community and the main environmental factors that affect it, by applying the comparative abundance/biomass curve method and redundancy analysis. Finally, the comprehensive index of water ecological environment quality was used to evaluate the river water quality. The results showed that (1) 61 species of macrobenthos were collected and identified in the Basin, which belonged to 3 phyla, 6 classes and 17 orders. The average density was 265.9 ind/m2 while the average biomass was 41.6 g/m2. The main dominant species which were shown in the index of relative importance in the community were Macrobrachium nipponensis, Cipangopaludina chinensis, Chironomus plumosus, and Ecdyrus. (2) The Jaccard similarity coefficient was low due to the analysis of community similarity, with a strong spatial heterogeneity between the investigation sites. (3) The main environmental factors-conductivity, ammonia nitrogen concentration and flow velocity-influenced the community structure of macrobenthos by the redundancy analysis. (4) The biological index analysis results indicated that the water quality in the basin was lightly or moderately polluted, which varied significantly from the assessment of the physical and chemical factors of water quality. The comprehensive water and ecological quality index model calculations, which integrated biotic and abiotic factors, suggested an overall water and environmental quality preference for the basin. But some sampling points have been disturbed or polluted, which was basically consistent with the abundance-biomass comparison curves analysis and the dominant species analysis, in which the result of evaluation was more scientific and reliable. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献