The science of the total environment

openair is an R package primarily developed for the analysis of air pollution measurement data but which is also of more general use in the atmospheric sciences. The package consists of many tools for importing and manipulating data, and undertaking a wide range of analyses to enhance understanding of air pollution data. In this paper we consider the development of the package with the purpose of showing how air pollution data can be analysed in more insightful ways. Examples are provided of importing data from UK air pollution networks, source identification and characterisation using bivariate polar plots, quantitative trend estimates and the use of functions for model evaluation purposes. We demonstrate how air pollution data can be analysed quickly and efficiently and in an interactive way, freeing time to consider the problem at hand. One of the central themes of openair is the use of conditioning plots and analyses, which greatly enhance inference possibilities. Finally, some consideration is given to future developments.

openair - An R package for air quality data analysis

Evaluation of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and the conicity index as screening tools for high trunk fat mass, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, in children aged 3–19 y

The development of models to assess air pollution exposures within cities for assignment to subjects in health studies has been identified as a priority area for future research. This paper reviews models for assessing intraurban exposure under six classes, including: (i) proximity-based assessments, (ii) statistical interpolation, (iii) land use regression models, (iv) line dispersion models, (v) integrated emission-meteorological models, and (vi) hybrid models combining personal or household exposure monitoring with one of the preceding methods. We enrich this review of the modelling procedures and results with applied examples from Hamilton, Canada. In addition, we qualitatively evaluate the models based on key criteria important to health effects assessment research. Hybrid models appear well suited to overcoming the problem of achieving population representative samples while understanding the role of exposure variation at the individual level. Remote sensing and activity-space analysis will complement refinements in pre-existing methods, and with expected advances, the field of exposure assessment may help to reduce scientific uncertainties that now impede policy intervention aimed at protecting public health.

A review and evaluation of intraurban air pollution exposure models

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are typically highlighted for their potential application in gas storage, separations and catalysis. In contrast, the unique prospects these porous and crystalline materials offer for application in electronic devices, although actively developed, are often underexposed. This review highlights the research aimed at the implementation of MOFs as an integral part of solid-state microelectronics. Manufacturing these devices will critically depend on the compatibility of MOFs with existing fabrication protocols and predominant standards. Therefore, it is important to focus in parallel on a fundamental understanding of the distinguishing properties of MOFs and eliminating fabrication-related obstacles for integration. The latter implies a shift from the microcrystalline powder synthesis in chemistry labs, towards film deposition and processing in a cleanroom environment. Both the fundamental and applied aspects of this two-pronged approach are discussed. Critical directions for future research are proposed in an updated high-level roadmap to stimulate the next steps towards MOF-based microelectronics within the community.

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An updated roadmap for the integration of metal–organic frameworks with electronic devices and chemical sensors

Congestion not only has an effect on the network efficiency, but can be linked closely to roadside and background air pollutant concentrations. However, there have been very few studies that have assessed and quantified the impact of different traffic demand management strategies (TDMS) to reduce pollutant concentrations in air quality management areas. This study, funded by the DETR designed, implemented and evaluated a gating strategy upstream of a series of congested junctions which are within a street canyon, in the city of Leicester, UK. The evaluation of the TDMS involved a two month monitoring campaign, covering the period before and after implementation. Traffic flow characteristics, carbon monoxide levels, background levels and meteorological conditions were simultaneously recorded. This study has brought together the achievements of several years of research carried out by the iC research team developing measures and methods for evaluation, congestion identification and linking air pollutant levels with traffic related emission sources.

Evaluation of a traffic demand management strategy to improve air quality in urban areas

Cyclist casualty severity at roundabouts - to what extent do the geometric characteristics of roundabouts play a part?

This paper presents an analysis of vehicle breakdown duration on motorways. The distribution of breakdown duration was shown to be statistically significantly different for three categories of vehicle type and were shown to conform to a Weibull distribution. A predictive vehicle breakdown duration model was developed, based on fuzzy logic. The variables used in this model were: vehicle type, breakdown time, breakdown location and reporting mechanism. The performance of the model was tested with encouraging results. Clustering of data was shown to be due to rounding errors when the operator reported an incident duration of 60 and 120 minutes. The unexplained variation in the model was due to the limitations in the specification of the model parameters. This was because the incident data set available was incomplete. This paper highlights the need for standardisation in the recording of data used in incident management.

A study of characteristics of motorway vehicle breakdown duration

For centuries, regular exercise has been acknowledged as a potent stimulus to promote, maintain, and restore healthy functioning of nearly every physiological system of the human body. With advancing understanding of the complexity of human physiology, continually evolving methodological possibilities, and an increasingly dire public health situation, the study of exercise as a preventative or therapeutic treatment has never been more interdisciplinary, or more impactful. During the early stages of the NIH Common Fund Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) Initiative, the field is well-positioned to build substantially upon the existing understanding of the mechanisms underlying benefits associated with exercise. Thus, we present a comprehensive body of the knowledge detailing the current literature basis surrounding the molecular adaptations to exercise in humans to provide a view of the state of the field at this critical juncture, as well as a resource for scientists bringing external expertise to the field of exercise physiology. In reviewing current literature related to molecular and cellular processes underlying exercise-induced benefits and adaptations, we also draw attention to existing knowledge gaps warranting continued research effort. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3193-3279, 2022.

State of Knowledge on Molecular Adaptations to Exercise in Humans: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions.

The transport sector is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigated three greenhouse gases emitted from road transport: CO2, N2O and CH4 emissions as a function of engine warm up and driving cycles. Five different urban driving cycles were developed and used including free flow driving and congested driving. An in-vehicle FTIR (Fourier Transform Inferred) emission measurement system was installed on a EURO2 emission compliant SI (Spark Ignition) car for emissions measurement at a rate of 0.5 HZ under real world urban driving conditions. This emission measurement system was calibrated on a standard CVS (Constant Volume Sampling) measurement system and showed excellent agreement on CO2 measurement with CVS results. The N2O and CH4 measurement was calibrated using calibration gas in lab. A MAX710 real time in-vehicle fuel consumption measurement system was installed in the test vehicle and real time fuel consumption was then obtained. The temperatures across the TWC (Three Way Catalyst) and engine out exhaust gas lambda were measured. The GHG (greenhouse gas) mass emissions and consequent GWP (Global Warming Potential) for different urban diving conditions were analyzed and presented. The results provided a better understanding of traffic related greenhouse gas emission profile in urban area and will contribute to the control of climate change.

Margaret Bell

Papers

Evaluation of a traffic demand management strategy to improve air quality in urban areas

Cyclist casualty severity at roundabouts - to what extent do the geometric characteristics of roundabouts play a part?

A study of characteristics of motorway vehicle breakdown duration

State of Knowledge on Molecular Adaptations to Exercise in Humans: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions.

Impact of Driving Cycles on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Economy for SI Car Real World Driving