Traffic Proximity Research Articles

Traffic Proximity and Recurrent Wheeze Development by Severe Bronchiolitis Status.

Traffic Proximity and Recurrent Wheeze Development by Severe Bronchiolitis Status.

Sustaining tranquility in small urban green parks: A modeling approach to identify noise pollution contributors

Noise pollution poses a significant environmental challenge in Iranian urban areas, particularly within Small Urban Green Parks (SUGPs). This study investigates the extent of noise pollution in SUGPs and identifies key contributors to elevated noise levels. A total of 94 SUGPs, with a mean area of 1.86 ± 0.99 hectares, were selected in Isfahan City, Central Iran, and subjected to 30-m Equivalent Sound Level (Lq30) measurements at their central locations. Explanatory variables were classified into two categories based on road density, traffic volume, proximity to roads, park vegetation, and physical characteristics. The relationship between noise levels and each explanatory variable was observed to be non-linear and polynomial (R2 < 0.334) in certain instances. Our modeling results using the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP)-Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model (R2 = 0.936) indicate that average noise levels in these parks surpass international guidelines, averaging 65.97 ± 17.76 dB. Traffic volume and proximity to limited access roads were identified as primary factors influencing noise levels in SUGPs. It was observed that the design and layout of small urban parks may not effectively mitigate surrounding traffic noise, even with sufficient green barriers to absorb or block sound. Consequently, future efforts should prioritize strategic site selection for SUGPs to minimize exposure to major noise sources.

Sensitivity of Taraxacum officinalis (L.) Weber ex F. H. Wigg Pollen to aerogenic pollution in the conditions of a mega city

Aim. To determine the consequences of the impact of automobile emissions on the environment of the city of Kyiv using the palynological method. Methods. The quality of Taraxacum officinalis (L.) Weber ex F. H. Wigg pollen was determined by the iodine method (Gram staining). All pollen grains without typical signs of morphological structure (that is, all but normally developed) were considered teratomorphic. Results. The effect of aerogenous load on the viability of Taraxacum officinalis plant pollen was studied at test sites of park ecosystems of the city of Kyiv with different traffic intensities and proximity to city highways. It was established that in the conditions of the metropolis under various effects of air pollution, the quality indicators of the pollen of the bioindicator remain high, within 77.79 % (test site No. 1, which is located closest to the highways, where Nox is 2.11 g/s, CH – 2,86 g/s) to 81.77 % (test site No. 2 in Mariinsky Park, which has the best environmental conditions: the mixture of nitrogen oxides is 0.41, which is almost five times less than at test site No. 1 in Peremohy Park). The largest share of teratomorphic pollen (34.98 %) was recorded in T. officinalis plants in Peremogy Park test site No. 1, the smallest (26.86 %) was found in plants growing in Mariinsky Park at test site No. 2. When analyzing the data, it was determined that a high level of inverse correlation has an indicator of the fertility of pollen grains with all investigated components of air pollution (r = from -0.57 – Pb compounds to -0.73 – soot). Conclusions. Therefore, the qualitative indicators of the pollen of the phytoindicator T. officinalis can be recommended for use in the system of ecological monitoring of the environment with different degrees of aerogenic load.

Determinants of traffic related atmospheric particulate matter concentrations and their associated health risk at a highway toll plaza in India

People working at toll plazas are continuously exposed to high pollutant concentrations due to traffic congestion at toll booths. However, there are fewer studies available which focus on toll workers’ exposures. Therefore, a study was conducted at a toll plaza on a busy national highway (NH) in India to assess black carbon (BC), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles (UFP) concentrations and their associated health risks on the toll workers inside toll cabin and kerbside. Higher BC (34 μg m−3 vs. 18 μg m−3) and PM2.5 (86 μg m−3 vs. 79 μg m−3) concentrations were observed inside the cabin than at kerbside. On the contrary, UFP concentrations were higher at the kerbside (22,790 pt cm−3) than in-cabin (18525 pt cm−3). All pollutant concentrations were higher during evening hours than in the morning hours. BC and PM2.5 concentrations were found to be higher during the weekdays. Positive correlations were found between traffic volume and all pollutant concentrations. Negative correlations were observed for solar radiation and boundary layer height with pollutant concentrations. Additionally, it was found that the health risk of toll workers was higher (risk quotient, RQ range: ∼2–5) than the prescribed limit (RQ < 1). The present study demonstrates that there is a need to control personal exposure to pollutants in the workplaces, especially locations with traffic proximity.

Invited Perspective: Air Pollutants, Genetics, and the Mucosal Paradigm for Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk.

Invited Perspective: Air Pollutants, Genetics, and the Mucosal Paradigm for Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk.

Proximity to major roads and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in elderly women: The BONE study in Beijing.

There is growing evidence to suggest that living near major roads (and suffering from the air pollution of urban streets) can have an adverse effect on bone health. However, little is known about its relationship to fractures caused by osteoporosis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between residents living near major roads and the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. A retrospective cohort of 529 subjects was established based on community populations in older women aged 65-91. All participants lived in Beijing between September 27, 2007 and September 26, 2017. The distance between the residential sites of the subjects and the main roads was determined by the authors. Osteoporotic fracture diagnosis was based on medical histories and imaging examinations (DXA and X-rays). The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association between traffic proximity and osteoporotic fractures, with suitable adjustments for individual and background factors. The age range of all participants was 65-91 years, with an average age of 75.8 years (and a standard deviation 6.8 years). Of these, 19 (3.59%) suffered from diabetes, and 48 (9%) had hypertension; 85 (14%) families had annual incomes below US $30,000 and 402 (76%) had received a secondary school education or higher. Nearly 25% of people lived within 50 m of a main road, while 50% lived within 300 m. Between 2007 and 2017, a total of 96 osteoporotic fractures were observed. For people living <50 m from a main road, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for osteoporotic fractures was 2.509 (95% CI 1.345-4.680), while it was 1.830 (95% CI 1.029-3.255) for those living at a distance of 50-300 m from a main road vs. those living further than 300 m away. In this community-based cohort, living near a major road was associated with a higher incidence of osteoporotic fractures.

Long-term Air Pollution Exposure on COVID-19 Risk and Severity

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term exposure to air pollution has emerged as a possible risk factor for increased COVID-19 disease risk, severity, and mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the association between COVID-19 and long-term exposure to air pollution. This retrospective cohort study included patients who had a COVID-19 test at the University of Chicago Medicine Center from March 18, 2020, to March 30, 2021. Air pollution exposure was assessed using models developed for Chicago by the MESA Air Study and data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s EJSCREEN. Air pollution exposure estimates were linked to the University of Chicago Medicine patients using residential addresses. Air pollution measurements included PM2.5 (MESA Air and EPA), NO2, diesel PM, the respiratory hazard index, traffic proximity, and ozone. The outcome was COVID-19 risk and severity (ICU admission). Mixed effect analyses were performed to test whether poor air quality status was associated with COVID-19 risk and severity, controlling for demographic, smoking, and comorbidity indicators collected from the medical records. A total of 74,004 patients (mean [SD] age 44.0 [22.51] years; 42,979 [58.09%] women; and 32,870 [49.09%] African Americans) were linked to air quality exposure based on residence and other covariates using electronic medical record data in addition to COVID-19 test results. Overall, 8,463 participants (11.4%) tested positive for COVID-19. In the mixed effect analysis, long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with increased risk of testing positive for COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.23-1.38; P &amp;#x3c;0.01) and increased severity from COVID-19 (OR= 2.28; 95% CI, 2.00-2.60; P = &amp;#x3c;0.01). The results of this retrospective cohort study provide some evidence of the effect of long-term air pollution exposure on COVID-19 risk and severity.

Aviation and Airspace Management under Rough Set Theory

With the development of aviation industry, a series of problems have appeared in aviation and airspace, among which the most prominent problem is the congestion of aviation and airspace. Airspace congestion has become a major problem in the development of civil aviation in China. Especially in the central and eastern regions of China, airspace congestion is becoming more and more serious. To better solve the problem of airspace congestion, rough set theory and the Fuzzy C-means (FCM) model are first analyzed. By analyzing the temporal and spatial characteristics of traffic congestion in the control sector, a multisector traffic congestion identification model is established based on radar track data. Four multisector congestion characteristics including equivalent traffic volume, proximity, saturation, and traffic density are established. FCM and rough set theory are used to classify and identify sector congestion. Finally, the model based on FCM-rough set theory is compared with other methods based on the data of the regional control sector in northwest China. The experimental results show that the congestion recognition rate of the model is 92.6%, 93.5%, and 94.2%, and the congestion misjudgment rate is 1.5%, 1.2%, and 1.3%, respectively. Hence, the multisector congestion recognition model has a high recognition rate and a low misjudgment rate, and the overall discrimination result is relatively stable. By comparing the proposed method with other methods, it is concluded that the recognition accuracy of the model based on FCM theory is superior to other methods. In summary, the congestion situation of the sector is affected by a variety of macro- and micro-characteristics of the sector, and the congestion identification model is feasible and efficient. Multisector traffic congestion identification has certain application value for airspace planning, air traffic control-assisted decision making, and air traffic flow management. This work can optimize the aviation and airspace management system and provide relevant suggestions for the study of aviation and airspace congestion.

Unveiling the relevance of traffic enforcement cameras on the severity of vehicle–pedestrian collisions in an urban environment with machine learning models

Purpose: One of the leading causes of violent fatalities around the world is road traffic collisions, and pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users with respect to such incidents. Since walking is highly promoted in urban areas to alleviate motor-vehicle externalities, it is paramount to understand the causes associated with vehicle–pedestrian collisions and their severity to provide safe environments. Although traffic enforcement cameras can address vehicle-vehicle collisions, little is known about their effectiveness with respect to vehicle–pedestrian incidents. Methodology: In this study, we trained a set of machine learning models to forecast if a vehicle–pedestrian collision will turn into an injury or fatality, and the most suitable model was used to investigate the contributing features associated with such events with emphasis on the impact of traffic enforcement cameras. In addition to traffic enforcement camera proximity, features associated with the collision, weather, vehicle, victim, and infrastructure are included in the model to reduce unobserved heterogeneity. Results: Results show that a Linear Discriminant Analysis model surpasses other machine learning models considering the evaluation metrics. Results reveal that the age and gender of the victim, the involvement of larger vehicles in the collision, and the quality of the illumination are the causes associated with pedestrian fatalities. On the other hand, involvement of motorcycles and collisions that occurred in densely populated locations are the causes associated with pedestrian injuries. Conclusions: This investigation demonstrates how to articulate machine learning into a vehicle–pedestrian crash analysis to understand the direction and magnitude of covariates in the corresponding severity outcome. Furthermore, it highlights the remarkable effect that traffic enforcement cameras and other features have on vehicle–pedestrian crash severity. These results provide actionable guidance for educational campaigns, enhanced traffic engineering, and infrastructure improvements that could be implemented in the analyzed region to provide safer transportation.

Proximity to Heavy Traffic Roads and Patient Characteristics of Late of Onset Asthma in an Urban Asthma Center

Background: Traffic-related pollution is associated with the onset of asthma and the development of different phenotypes of asthma. Few studies have investigated the association between traffic proximity and late-onset of asthma (LOA) and early-onset asthma (EOA). This study was conducted to investigate the associations of LOA phenotypes with a function of the distance between residence and heavy traffic roads (HTRs).Methods: The study group consisted of 280 patients who were (LOA: 78.4%) recruited consecutively from a pay-for-performance asthma program to clarify the patient characteristics and proximity to HTRs within 1,000 m from their residences between EOA and LOA in three urban centers in Taiwan. The subsequent analysis focused on patients with LOA (n = 210) linking phenotypes and distance to HTRs.Results: Subjects with LOA tended to be older than those with EOA and had shorter asthma duration, poorer lung function, lower atopy, and less exposure to fumes or dust at home. Patients with LOA were more likely than those with EOA to live within 900 m of two or more HTRs (14.3 vs. 3.4%, p = 0.02). Among patients with LOA, minimum distance to an HTR was negatively associated with numbers of specific IgE as well as positively associated with the age of onset and body weight significantly. A higher proportion of patients with atopy (26.3 vs. 20.6%, p = 0.001. odds ratio [OR]: 2.82) and anxiety/depression (21.0 vs. 18.1%, p = 0.047. OR: 1.81) and a trend of lower proportion of patients with obese (5.7 vs. 12.4%, p = 0.075) were found to be living within 900 m from HTRs.Conclusions: Late-onset of asthma (LOA) tended to live in areas of higher HTR density compared to EOAs. Among patients with LOA living close to HTRs, the interaction between traffic-related pollution, allergy sensitization, and mood status were the factors associated with asthma onset early. Obesity may be the factor for later onset who live far from HTRs.

Environmental Analysis of the Use of Liquefied Natural Gas in Maritime Transport within the Port Environment

Sustainable transport is gaining increasing importance in the political agenda. All modes of transport are obliged to reduce their emissions by both national and international governmental bodies, this requirement being even more necessary in the case of ports due to their traffic density and proximity to the city. The objective of this research is to estimate the atmospheric emissions generated during the operational phases, which are carried out close to Spanish ports. Due to its geographical position, Spain benefits from the routes of the Atlantic corridor and Mediterranean corridor belonging to the principal European transport network. The method uses detailed information about ship movements and ship categories (ship type, engine type, fuel type, etc.). From an environmental point of view, the results show that engines powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, compared to traditional fuels, save between 28% in the case of freight ships and 31% for passenger ships in the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere (52 tons per journey). On the other hand, the saving in NOx emissions is reduced by 87%. In addition, SOx emissions are completely eliminated and PM emissions are reduced to negligible values.

Children’s exposure to vehicular pollution: Environmental injustice in Texas, USA

Distributive environmental justice research on children's exposure to vehicular pollution is underdeveloped and few empirical studies have been conducted in the US. This study seeks to address this gap by examining if socially disadvantaged children are disproportionately located in public school districts burdened by higher vehicular pollution in Texas—the second largest US state based on population size. Vehicular pollution exposure is measured using two variables: (1) an index developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency that combines traffic proximity and volume; and (2) outdoor concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a widely used proxy for traffic-related air pollution. These variables are linked to school district level data on socio-demographic characteristics of children obtained from the latest American Community Survey. Statistical analysis is based on multivariable generalized estimating equations that account for spatial clustering of school districts. Results reveal significantly greater traffic proximity and NO2 exposure in Texas school districts with higher percentages of children, after controlling for clustering, population density, and other socio-demographic factors. Districts exposed to higher levels of traffic proximity and NO2 exposure also contain significantly greater proportions of racial/ethnic minority, foreign-born, disabled, and socioeconomically vulnerable children. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop mitigation strategies for reducing vehicular pollution exposure, especially in districts with higher proportions of socially disadvantaged students that could be additionally burdened with limited resources. School districts represent a policy relevant analytic unit since school district boards can act as advocates for the environmental health of children and implement mitigation strategies for reducing pollution exposure.

Proximity to coal-fired power plants and neurobehavioral symptoms in children.

BackgroundCoal-fired power plants are a major source of air pollution that can impact children’s health. Limited research has explored if proximity to coal-fired power plants contributes to children’s neurobehavioral disorders.ObjectiveThis community-based study collected primary data to investigate the relationships of residential proximity to power plants and neurobehavioral problems in children.Methods235 participants aged 6–14 years who lived within 10 miles of two power plants were recruited. Exposure to particulate matter ≤10 μm (PM10) was measured in children’s homes using personal modular impactors. Neurobehavioral symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Multiple regression models were performed to test the hypothesized associations between proximity/exposure and neurobehavioral symptoms. Geospatial statistical methods were used to map the spatial patterns of exposure and neurobehavioral symptoms.ResultsA small proportion of the variations of neurobehavioral problems (social problems, affective problems, and anxiety problems) were explained by the regression models in which distance to power plants, traffic proximity, and neighborhood poverty was statistically associated with the neurobehavioral health outcomes. Statistically significant hot spots of participants who had elevated levels of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and social problems were observed in the vicinity of the two power plants.SignificanceResults of this study suggest an adverse impact of proximity to power plants on children’s neurobehavioral health. Although coal-fired power plants are being phased out in the US, health concern about exposure from coal ash storage facilities remains. Furthermore, other countries in the world are increasing coal use and generating millions of tons of pollutants and coal ash. Findings from this study can inform public health policies to reduce children’s risk of neurobehavioral symptoms in relation to proximity to power plants.

The contribution of cooking appliances and residential traffic proximity to aerosol personal exposure

PurposeIndoor and outdoor factors affect personal exposure to air pollutants. Type of cooking appliance (i.e. gas, electricity), and residential location related to traffic are such factors. This research aims to investigate the effect of cooking with gas and electric appliances, as an indoor source of aerosols, and residential traffic as outdoor sources, on personal exposures to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter lower than 2.5 μm (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and ultrafine particles (UFP).MethodsForty subjects were sampled for four consecutive days measuring personal exposures to three aerosol pollutants, namely PM2.5, BC, and UFP, which were measured using personal sensors. Subjects were equally distributed into four categories according to the use of gas or electric stoves for cooking, and to residential traffic (i.e. houses located near or away from busy roads).Results/conclusionCooking was identified as an indoor activity affecting exposure to aerosols, with mean concentrations during cooking ranging 24.7–50.0 μg/m3 (PM2.5), 1.8–4.9 μg/m3 (BC), and 1.4 × 104–4.1 × 104 particles/cm3 (UFP). This study also suggest that traffic is a dominant source of exposure to BC, since people living near busy roads are exposed to higher BC concentrations than those living further away from traffic. In contrast, the contribution of indoor sources to personal exposure to PM2.5 and UFP seems to be greater than from outdoor traffic sources. This is probably related to a combination of the type of building construction and a varying range of activities conducted indoors. It is recommended to ensure a good ventilation during cooking to minimize exposure to cooking aerosols.

Proximity to traffic and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in relation to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and conduct disorder in U.S. children.

Traffic related air pollution (TRAP) and its component polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be neurotoxic in children. There is limited research on postnatal exposure to TRAP and PAHs and child neurodevelopment. We linked data from the U.S. NHANES 2001-2004 with the National Highway Planning Network 2005 to examine the proximity to major roads (highway or urban/rural principal arterials), urinary PAH metabolites, and diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) based on Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (C-DISC) in 1253 children aged 8-15 years. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for ADHD and CD by traffic proximity and PAH exposures using logistic regression adjusted for confounders. Higher ADHD prevalence was observed among children living <500m (9.86%) compared to those ≥500m (3.84%) from a major road. Prevalence of children with CD was comparable (<500m: 2.51% and ≥500m: 2.43%). We found little difference in urinary PAH metabolite levels between children living near major roads and those who did not. Children living <500m from a major road had a non-significant OR of 2.06 (95% CI 0.85-5.03) for ADHD diagnosis. Children living on ≥2 major roads within 500m of a highway had a non-significant OR of 2.27 (95% CI 0.71-7.26) for ADHD diagnosis. There was no association between proximity to major roads and CD diagnosis. We found living close to a major road was not associated with increased PAH levels. We did not find statistically significant relation between proximity to a major road or urinary PAH metabolite levels and ADHD or CD diagnosis in this cross-sectional analysis. Prospective studies are needed for the investigation of postnatal TRAP exposure and ADHD and CD diagnosis.

Residence proximity to traffic-related facilities is associated with childhood asthma and rhinitis in Shandong, China

Associations of asthma and rhinitis with residential traffic proximity were investigated in several studies, but conclusions were inconsistent. From January to April in 2015, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two cities of Shandong, China. Parents-reported questionnaires were collected from 69 kindergartens for 3–6-year-olds preschoolers. Here we investigated associations of four traffic-related facilities (main traffic road, automobile 4S shop, filling station, and ground car park) close to residence with childhood asthma and rhinitis under considering individual and residential characteristics. In the two-level (kindergarten-child) mixed-effect logistic regression analyses among 5640 children who did not change residences since birth, filling station close to residence within 100 m (reference: >200 m) was significantly associated with lifetime-ever asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 2.63, 1.28–5.40), wheeze (2.06, 1.35–3.15), rhinitis (1.69, 1.08–2.64) and current (past 12 months prior to the survey) wheeze (2.11, 1.34–3.34) and rhinitis (1.65, 1.05–2.59). Numbers of the facilities close to residence had dose-response relationships with odds of asthma, wheeze and rhinitis symptoms. These dose-response relationships were generally stronger in children whose bedrooms were in the 1st-3rd floors, and in children with low ventilation in bedroom and kitchen, and in children from families who did not using natural gas for cooking. The similar associations were found in the sensitive analyses among all surveyed 9597 children. Our results indicate that residence close to the traffic-related facilities likely is a risk factor for the occurrence of asthma and rhinitis among preschool children. The studied associations could be modified by household ventilation and air pollutants.

Ambient air pollution, traffic proximity and coronary atherosclerotic phenotype in China

BackgroundExposure to ambient air pollution is associated with cardiovascular risk, potentially via atherosclerosis promotion. The disease mechanisms underlying these associations remain uncertain. ObjectivesWe aim to investigate the relationship of air pollution and traffic proximity with subclinical atherosclerosis, using coronary plaque phenotypes to gain insight into potential mechanisms. MethodsCoronary plaque total and component volumes, high-risk plaque (HRP) appearance, and luminal stenosis were characterized by coronary computed tomography angiography in 2279 patients with atherosclerosis at baseline between 2014 and 2017. Annual average exposure to air pollutants including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) was estimated by air pollution models for individual participants. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association of each exposure with plaque phenotypes and coronary stenosis, controlling for potential confounders. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate associations with plaque vulnerability. ResultsThe studied population was 60.2±9.2 years old. PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were significantly associated with a 5.0% (95%CI: 0.3, 9.9%, per 15 μg/m3 increase for PM2.5), 12.0% (95%CI: 2.5, 22.5% per 20 μg/m3 for NO2) larger volume of non-calcified plaque, respectively. Increase in O3 concentration was associated with a 12.2% (95%CI: 2.2, 23.2%, per 5 μg/m3 O3) larger volume of calcified plaque and a 12.8% (95%CI: 0.9, 26.2%) greater lumen narrowing. Increased PM2.5 and NO2, was also associated with increase in HRP, determined by the napkin ring sign (odds ratio: 1.41 [95%CI: 1.10, 1.80] for PM2.5 and 1.78 [95%CI: 1.20, 2.63] for NO2) and positive remodeling index (OR: 1.11 [95%CI: 1.01, 1.21] for PM2.5 and 1.20 [95%CI: 1.02, 1.42] for NO2), respectively, indicating increased plaque vulnerability. ConclusionLong-term exposures to air pollution were associated with greater plaque volume and luminal stenosis, and increased plaque vulnerability with attendant risk of plaque rupture and erosion.

THE SHIP'S RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT ELEMENTS RESEARCH BASED ON THE TMS320C5510 SIGNAL PROCESSOR

Ship's radio equipment, produced on a modern digital basis, is used as equipment for the global Maritime disaster communication system( GMDSS), vehicle traffic control systems and dangerous proximity warnings, radar and radio navigation systems. The article presents the synthesis and research method concerning the principles of functioning the professional activity objects in relation to specialists in transport radio equipment technical operation related to the example of radio receiving and transmitting devices (GMDSS )equipment block based on the digital signal processor TMS320C5510. In the mastering the technique process, students of the «Transport radio equipment technical operation», specialty master professional competencies, get theoretical and practical skills of synthesis, technical diagnostics and ship radio equipment maintenance .

Traffic influences nutritional quality of roadside plants for monarch caterpillars

Roadside habitats are increasingly being targeted for restoration and conservation. Roadside habitats often exhibit altered soil and plant chemistry due to pollution from maintenance (e.g. de-icing salt), car deterioration, and exhaust. Roadside plants may attract animals due to elevated levels of sodium or nitrogen, but high concentrations of heavy metals and sodium can be toxic, potentially setting an ecological trap. In this study, we determine how roads influence the chemistry of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as it is the primary roadside host plant for the declining monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in the eastern United States. Even though road salt is applied during the winter, we detect enhanced sodium along roads the following growing season. Road salts increase soil sodium, which in turn elevates host-plant foliar sodium (occasionally to toxic levels in <10% of plants) and sodium content in monarch caterpillars feeding on these plants. Sodium levels of milkweed leaves are highest close to the edge of busy roads. Some heavy metals (lead, zinc) are also elevated in roadside soils or plants. Nitrogen content was affected by adjacent agricultural use, but not traffic volume or proximity to a road. Other potential road pollutants (e.g. nickel) were not elevated in soil or plants. Despite a clear signature of road pollution in the chemistry of milkweed, most plants are likely still suitable for developing monarchs. Nonetheless, restoration investments in snowy regions should prioritize sites with lower-traffic density that are further from the road edge to minimize toxic impacts of high sodium. To extend this research to other insects of conservation concern, future work should characterize the nutritional quality of nectar, pollen, and other species of host-plants in roadside habitats.

Insomnia associated with traffic noise and proximity to traffic-a cross-sectional study of the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe III population.

Exposure to traffic noise increases the risk of sleeping disturbance, but little is known about the effect of traffic-related air pollution on insomnia symptoms. We aimed to investigate the separate associations of self-reported proximity to traffic and traffic noise with insomnia. This is a cross-sectional study of the population included in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe study, consisting of randomly selected men and women born between 1945 and 1973, from 7 Northern European centers. Hearing traffic noise in the bedroom, bedroom window proximity to traffic, and insomnia symptoms were self-reported. Bedroom window proximity to traffic was used as a surrogate for exposure to traffic-related air pollution. The following insomnia symptoms were assessed: difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, and early morning awakening. A total of 12,963 individuals was included. Traffic noise was positively associated with all three insomnia symptoms: difficulty initiating sleep (odds ratio [OR] = 3.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.85, 6.76), difficulty maintaining sleep (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.62, 5.37), and early morning awakening (OR = 3.25; 95% CI: 1.97, 5.37). Proximity to traffic without disturbing noise was associated with difficulty initiating sleep (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.45, 1.82). This study adds further support to the identification of traffic noise as a risk factor for insomnia. Proximity to traffic without being exposed to noise was associated with an increased risk of difficulty initiating sleep. Our findings indicate that insomnia may be associated with both traffic noise and traffic-related air pollution.