Prashant Kumar

Bio: Prashant Kumar is an academic researcher from University of Surrey. The author has contributed to research in topics: Air quality index & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 54, co-authored 363 publications receiving 11561 citations. Previous affiliations of Prashant Kumar include Southeast University & Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar.

Concentrations, sources and exposure risks associated with particulate matter in the Middle East Area—a review

Abstract: Rapid economic expansion, industrialization, urbanisation and construction in the Middle East Area (MEA) have led to an increase in the levels of air pollution, resulting in serious effects on human health. For the first time, this article provides a comprehensive synthesis of the currently available published information which deals with atmospheric particulate matter (PM) in MEA. The focus of the article remains on the PM sources, monitoring, health impacts and source apportionment. The key objectives are to identify the levels of PM pollution and the associated exposure risks, to highlight research gaps and to discuss future research directions. The limited number of monitoring studies available for MEA indicates that dust storms augmented by the rapid increase in urban population are the key reasons for the high PM concentration levels. The findings of reviewed monitoring studies suggest that the levels of both annual mean PM10 (20 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (10 μg/m3) concentrations exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines during most of the non-dust storm episodes, and as expected, the PM pollution levels become even higher during dust storm episodes. For example, 24-h mean PM10 concentrations of over 1,000 μg/m3 were noted during a severe dust storm episode in Kuwait. The findings of the epidemiological and toxicological studies in MEA have shown that dust storm events have a significant impact on respiratory admissions and the adverse health effects of PM are particularly in the form of asthma and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It is concluded that PM pollution in MEA is a significant problem and quantification of PM emissions and the design of control measures to abate their impacts on public health are of primary importance. Besides, there is a need for more systematic PM data collection for source apportionment and assessment of PM levels that would enable air pollution-related health impact assessments of MEA. Furthermore, this review highlights that the release of airborne PM from major building activities such as building construction is largely unknown and emission inventories for different situations are needed.

Microalgae: An emerging source of energy based bio-products and a solution for environmental issues

Abstract: The microalgae biomass is emerging as a potential source of energy and bioproducts with several advantages over conventional crops in terms of its ability to produce ~300-times more renewable oil. Microalgae also have a high photosynthetic response, product accumulation rate and biomass production rate compared with other energy crops. Microalgae have the ability to grow on nonagricultural soil using wastewater instead of drinking water. Furthermore, microalgae have high capability to fix carbon dioxide from the environment. Microalgae-based bioproducts have different applications in pharmaceuticals, food and feed industries, and agricultural and transportation sectors. The key objectives covered in this review pertain to the role of microalgae to (i) maintain food chain, (ii) conservation of land and water resources in the environment with sequestration of CO2, (iii) production of energy in the form of biodiesel with zero waste, and (iv) simultaneous release of higher oxygen to the environment compared with other energy crops.

Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis.

Abstract: Cause, conseguenze e strategie di mitigazione Proponiamo il primo di una serie di articoli in cui affronteremo l’attuale problema dei mutamenti climatici. Presentiamo il documento redatto, votato e pubblicato dall’Ipcc - Comitato intergovernativo sui cambiamenti climatici - che illustra la sintesi delle ricerche svolte su questo tema rilevante.

2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes.

Abstract: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a pathological process characterized by atherosclerotic plaque accumulation in the epicardial arteries, whether obstructive or non-obstructive. This process can be modified by lifestyle adjustments, pharmacological therapies, and invasive interventions designed to achieve disease stabilization or regression. The disease can have long, stable periods but can also become unstable at any time, typically due to an acute atherothrombotic event caused by plaque rupture or erosion. However, the disease is chronic, most often progressive, and hence serious, even in clinically apparently silent periods. The dynamic nature of the CAD process results in various clinical presentations, which can be conveniently categorized as either acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The Guidelines presented here refer to the management of patients with CCS. The natural history of CCS is illustrated in Figure 1.

Climate change 2014 - Mitigation of climate change

Abstract: The talk with present the key results of the IPCC Working Group III 5th assessment report. Concluding four years of intense scientific collaboration by hundreds of authors from around the world, the report responds to the request of the world's governments for a comprehensive, objective and policy neutral assessment of the current scientific knowledge on mitigating climate change. The report has been extensively reviewed by experts and governments to ensure quality and comprehensiveness.