Effects of acidic aerosol, fog, mist and rain on crops and trees

The most important factors to consider for a complete determination of the toxicity to vegetation of acidic precipitation are: settling velocity, mass transfer rates, capacity to wet surfaces; number, frequency, and duration of events; and chemical composition and concentration. Meteorological factors, such as wind velocity and humidity, also must be considered because they affect the physical, temporal, and chemical properties of precipitation. Climate is important because it influences the capacity of plants to adjust, recover, or compensate for exposure to acidic precipitation. Genotype affects the efficiency of capture and capacity to tolerate acidic conditions. Aerosol and fog droplets generally are more acidic than mist and rain but they may be less phytotoxic because smaller droplets are deposited and captured less readily by leaf surfaces except when wind velocity is high. Concentrations of acids, mainly sulphuric and nitric acids, in aerosols, fog, mist, and rain in polluted regions, appear to be insufficient to produce acute injury on vegetation except perhaps in the immediate vicinity of intense sources of emissions. Chronic effects of repeated exposure to acidic precipitation, such as the impact on plant nutrition or on processes occurring at the leaf surface-atmosphere interface, and interactions with gaseous pollutants such as ozone, cannot be evaluated at present owing to the lack of information.

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Night-time NO emissions suppress large amounts of chlorine radical formation in Delhi

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-16048 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sophie Haslett ◽

Varun Kumar ◽

Andre Prevot ◽

Jay Slowik ◽

David Bell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Oxidative Capacity ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Diurnal Pattern ◽

Night Time ◽

Nitrogen Pentoxide ◽

Chlorine Radicals ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact ◽

The City

Concentrations of particulate chloride can reach values over 100 &#181;g m-3 during the winter in Delhi, which is among the highest levels recorded across the globe. In the presence of nitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), this chloride can form nitryl chloride (ClNO2), which photolyses in sunlight and releases the Cl radical. The Cl radical is an incredibly potent oxidant, reacting with some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) orders of magnitude faster than more common oxidants such as OH. Chlorine would therefore be expected to play a significant role in the oxidation of VOCs in Delhi.We carried out intensive measurements of particle- and gas-phase physical and chemical properties during a field campaign in Delhi in early 2019. A suite of instruments was used, including a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer fitted with a filter inlet for aerosols and gases (FIGAERO-CIMS) to measure N2O5 and ClNO2. Despite N2O5 typically being considered a night-time compound, we in fact observed the highest concentrations in the mid-afternoon and almost none at all during the night. Further analysis indicated that the ubiquity of night-time NOx emissions in the city suppresses night-time production of N2O5. As a result of this unusual diurnal pattern, high concentrations of ClNO2 are unable to form overnight. The morning peak in ClNO2 and the subsequent release of chlorine radicals, while large compared with some other urban environments, is therefore much smaller than might have been expected given the high levels of particulate chloride.In this presentation, I will discuss our observations and the impact of this unusual diurnal pattern on the atmospheric chemical profile. Impacts include a shift of even typically &#8216;night-time&#8217; oxidation patterns to the day and a likely overall reduced oxidative capacity in the city&#8217;s atmosphere. Our results indicate that a reduction in chlorine emissions must be considered in tandem with NOx emission reductions in efforts to reduce Delhi&#8217;s pollution.

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The Role of Threat and Economic Uncertainty in Support for Scottish Independence

Scottish Affairs ◽

10.3366/scot.2014.0007 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 103-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Daniel Kopasker

Keyword(s):

Economic Consequences ◽

Perceived Threat ◽

Constitutional Change ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Economic Expectations ◽

Scottish Independence ◽

The Individual ◽

The Impact ◽

Levels Of Support

Existing research has consistently shown that perceptions of the potential economic consequences of Scottish independence are vital to levels of support for constitutional change. This paper attempts to investigate the mechanism by which expectations of the economic consequences of independence are formed. A hypothesised causal micro-level mechanism is tested that relates constitutional preferences to the existing skill investments of the individual. Evidence is presented that larger skill investments are associated with a greater likelihood of perceiving economic threats from independence. Additionally, greater perceived threat results in lower support for independence. The impact of uncertainty on both positive and negative economic expectations is also examined. While uncertainty has little effect on negative expectations, it significantly reduces the likelihood of those with positive expectations supporting independence. Overall, it appears that a general economy-wide threat is most significant, and it is conjectured that this stems a lack of information on macroeconomic governance credentials.

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Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Motivating Faculty Members

Restaurant Business ◽

10.26643/rb.v118i11.9954 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 118 (11) ◽

pp. 303-312

Author(s):

Jamal Asad Mezel ◽

Adnan Fadhil Khaleel ◽

Kiran Das Naik Eslavath

Keyword(s):

Transformational Leadership ◽

Empirical Study ◽

Leadership Styles ◽

Faculty Members ◽

Traditional Form ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

University Leaders ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

This empirical study show that the impact of all styles was well moderate. The means of effect of all styles were less than 3 out of 5. It means the expected impact of transformational affect upon the all dimensions of the activities, are not expected due to the traditional styles of leadership and the lack of information about the transformational leadership styles which can guide leaders to use such styles in the organization which may be this results due to lack of trained leaders and necessary knowledge with the leaders in all universities about transformational styles the traditional form of the leadership styles which used by the university leaders affect the communication between all levels of the administration and the faculty members which has consequence because decrease in motivation and a self-consideration from the administration.

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The Impact of Filler Geometry on Polylactic Acid-Based Sustainable Polymer Composites

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010149 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 149

Author(s):

Karol Leluk ◽

Stanisław Frąckowiak ◽

Joanna Ludwiczak ◽

Tomasz Rydzkowski ◽

Vijay Kumar Thakur

Keyword(s):

Polymer Composites ◽

Polylactic Acid ◽

Matrix Material ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate ◽

Cellulose Fibres ◽

Shape Factors ◽

Pure Cellulose ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

The Impact

Recently, biocomposites have emerged as materials of great interest to the scientists and industry around the globe. Among various polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular matrix material with high potential for advanced applications. Various particulate materials and nanoparticles have been used as the filler in PLA based matrix. One of the extensively studied filler is cellulose. However, cellulose fibres, due to their hydrophilic nature, are difficult to blend with a hydrophobic polymer matrix. This leads to agglomeration and creates voids, reducing the mechanical strength of the resulting composite. Moreover, the role of the various forms of pure cellulose and its particle shape factors has not been analyzed in most of the current literature. Therefore, in this work, materials of various shapes and shape factors were selected as fillers for the production of polymer composites using Polylactic acid as a matrix to fill this knowledge gap. In particular, pure cellulose fibres (three types with different elongation coefficient) and two mineral nanocomponents: precipitated calcium carbonate and montmorillonite were used. The composites were prepared by a melt blending process using two different levels of fillers: 5% and 30%. Then, the analysis of their thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties was carried out. The obtained results were presented graphically and discussed in terms of their shape and degree of filling.

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Spatial Variation of Water Chemistry in Aries River Catchment Western Romania

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11146592 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (14) ◽

pp. 6592

Author(s):

Ana Moldovan ◽

Maria-Alexandra Hoaghia ◽

Anamaria Iulia Török ◽

Marius Roman ◽

Ionut Cornel Mirea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Water Quality ◽

Water Chemistry ◽

Water Samples ◽

Mine Drainage ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Mining Activities ◽

River Catchment ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact

This study aims to investigate the quality and vulnerability of surface water (Aries River catchment) in order to identify the impact of past mining activities. For this purpose, the pollution and water quality indices, Piper and Durov plots, as well vulnerability modeling maps were used. The obtained results indicate that the water samples were contaminated with As, Fe, Mn, Pb and have relatively high concentrations of SO42−, HCO3−, TDS, Ca, K, Mg and high values for the electrical conductivity. Possible sources of the high content of chemicals could be the natural processes or the inputs of the mine drainage. Generally, according to the pollution indices, which were correlated to high concentrations of heavy metals, especially with Pb, Fe and Mn, the water samples were characterized by heavy metals pollution. The water quality index classified the studied water samples into five different classes of quality, namely: unsuitable for drinking, poor, medium, good and excellent quality. Similarly, medium, high and very high vulnerability classes were observed. The Durov and Piper plots classified the waters into Mg-HCO3− and Ca-Cl− types. The past and present mining activities clearly change the water chemistry and alter the quality of the Aries River, with the water requiring specific treatments before use.

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Effect of Maritime Traffic on Water Quality Parameters in Santa Marta, Colombia

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering ◽

10.3390/jmse9050474 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 474

Author(s):

René Rodríguez-Grimón ◽

Nestor Hernando Campos ◽

Ítalo Braga Castro

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Petroleum Hydrocarbons ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Water Quality Parameters ◽

Maritime Traffic ◽

Natural Park ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Multiple Chemical

Since 2013, there has been an increase (>23%) in naval traffic using maritime routes and ports on the coastal fringe of Santa Marta, Colombia. Of major concern, and described by several studies, is the relationship between maritime traffic and coastal contamination. This study proposed a maritime traffic indicator considering the simultaneous effects of several relevant measurements of water quality parameters to estimate the impact of naval activity. The approach involved developing a model including the number of vessels, hull length, and permanence time in berths. In addition, water quality variables, considering climatic seasons, were used to verify association with maritime traffic and touristic activities. The high concentrations of total coliforms (TC) and dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons in chrysene equivalents (DDPH) reported by the International Marina of Santa Marta (SM) were affected by the local anthropic activities, including tourism, naval traffic, and urban wastewater discharges. Moreover, our results suggest the occurrence of multiple chemical impacts within Tayrona National Natural Park (PNNT) affecting conservation goals. The estimation of the maritime traffic indicator proposed in this study may be an easy and more complete tool for future studies evaluating the impact of naval activities on environmental quality.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Romanian Labor Market

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13010271 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 271

Author(s):

Carmen Valentina Radulescu ◽

Georgiana-Raluca Ladaru ◽

Sorin Burlacu ◽

Florentina Constantin ◽

Corina Ioanăș ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Labor Market ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Labor Force ◽

Semantic Differential ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Health Crisis ◽

Unemployed People ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Main Effects ◽

The Impact

The present research aims to establish the impact that the current crisis situation the planet is facing, namely the COVID-19 pandemic, has had so far on the Romanian labor force market. In this context, given the lack of information and information regarding this pandemic and its effects, the administration of a questionnaire among the population was considered to identify the research results. The method of semantic differential and the method of ordering the ranks were used for the interpretation of the results. With the help of this questionnaire, it will be possible to answer the question of the research in this study: What are the main effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Romanian labor market? The main results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Romanian workforce; the respondents of the applied questionnaire claimed that they obtained better results and maintained a similar income, but the health crisis also influenced the mentality of employees, with respondents stating that in the event of changing jobs, they would consider it very important for the new employer to ensure the conditions for preventing and combating COVID-19, as well as complex health insurance. However, analyzing at the macroeconomic level, it was found that the COVID-19 pandemic induced an increase in the number of unemployed people in the Romanian labor market.

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Does grandparental child-care provision affect number, satisfaction and with whom leisure activities are done?

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x2100009x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Merih Ates ◽

Valeria Bordone ◽

Bruno Arpino

Keyword(s):

Child Care ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Care Provision ◽

Care Giving ◽

The Family ◽

Role Enhancement ◽

Number Frequency ◽

Rich Information ◽

The Impact

Abstract This study investigates the impact of non-intensive and intensive supplementary grandparental child care on grandparents’ involvement in leisure activities. Three aspects of leisure activities are investigated: the number/frequency of activities, with whom they are carried out and the subjective satisfaction with them. Beside the possibility of a cumulation effect, the literature suggests that providing grandparental child care might compete with other activities, especially for women. Thus, we consider role enhancement and role strain theories to derive our hypotheses. We use longitudinal data from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS) which contains rich information on the leisure activities of people aged 40 and older. To account for selection into the provision of grandparental child care, we use a within-unit estimation approach (fixed-effects panel models). Our results show that both grandfathers and grandmothers tend to engage in more leisure activities when they provide grandparental child care. While care-giving grandfathers become more likely to engage in activities with family members without changing their engagement outside the family, we found no effect for women in this respect. Nevertheless, grandparental child-care provision modifies satisfaction with leisure activities only for women, reducing it, independently from with whom leisure activities are carried out. These findings suggest that a higher quantity of leisure activities does not necessarily imply higher quality.

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Are neutrophil extracellular traps the link for the cross-talk between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis physiopathology?

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab289 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sicília Rezende Oliveira ◽

José Alcides A de Arruda ◽

Ayda Henriques Schneider ◽

Valessa Florindo Carvalho ◽

Caio Machado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Cross Talk ◽

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps ◽

Periodontal Therapy ◽

Clinical Parameters ◽

Extracellular Traps ◽

Early Ra ◽

The Cross ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it remains poorly understood whether NETs participate in the cross-talk between periodontitis and RA. Herein, we investigated the production of NETs in individuals with periodontitis and RA and its association with clinical parameters. The impact of periodontal therapy on RA and NET release was also assessed. Methods The concentration of NETs and cytokines was determined in the saliva and plasma of individuals with early RA (n = 24), established RA (n = 64), and individuals without RA (n = 76). The influence of periodontitis on the production of NETs and cytokines was also evaluated. Results Individuals with early RA had a higher concentration of NETs in saliva and plasma than individuals with established RA or without RA. Periodontitis resulted in an increase in the concentration of NETs of groups of individuals without RA and with early RA. The proportion of individuals with high concentrations of IL-6, IL-10 and GM-CSF was higher among individuals with periodontitis than among individuals without periodontitis. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17/IL-25, and IL-28A were particularly high in individuals with early RA. Worse periodontal clinical parameters, RA onset and RA activity were significantly associated with circulating NETs. Periodontal therapy was associated with a reduction in the concentration of NETs and inflammatory cytokines and amelioration in periodontitis and RA. Conclusion This study reveals that NETs are a possible link between periodontitis and RA, with periodontal therapy resulting in a dramatic switch in circulating NET levels.

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Assessment of Pellets from Three Forest Species: From Raw Material to End Use

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12040447 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 447

Author(s):

Miguel Alfonso Quiñones-Reveles ◽

Víctor Manuel Ruiz-García ◽

Sarai Ramos-Vargas ◽

Benedicto Vargas-Larreta ◽

Omar Masera-Cerutti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chemical Properties ◽

Ash Content ◽

Hot Water ◽

Raw Material ◽

Chemical Components ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Cellulose Content ◽

Fixed Carbon ◽

End Use ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the relationship between chemical properties, energy efficiency, and emissions of wood and pellets from madroño Arbutus xalapensis Kunth, tázcate Juniperus deppeana Steud, and encino colorado Quercus sideroxyla Humb. & Bonpl. in two gasifiers (top-lit-up-draft (T-LUD) and electricity generation wood camp stove (EGWCS)) in order to determine the reduction of footprint carbon. In accordance with conventional methodologies, we determined the extracts and chemical components (lignin, cellulose, holocellulose), and the immediate analyses were carried out (volatile materials, fixed carbon, ash content and microanalysis of said ash), as well as the evaluation of emission factors (total suspended particulate matter (PM2.5), CO, CO2, CH4, black carbon (BC), elemental carbon (EC), and organic carbon (OC)). The results were statistically analyzed to compare each variable among species and gasifiers. The raw material analyzed showed how the pH ranged from 5.01 to 5.57, and the ash content ranged between 0.39 and 0.53%. The content values of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca ranged from 0.08 to 0.22, 0.18 to 0.19, 0.38 to 0.84, 1.75 to 1.90, and 3.62 to 3.74 mg kg−1, respectively. The extractive ranges from cyclohexane were 2.48–4.79%, acetone 2.42–4.08%, methanol 3.17–7.99%, and hot water 2.12–4.83%. The range of lignin was 18.08–28.60%. The cellulose content ranged from 43.30 to 53.90%, and holocellulose from 53.50 to 64.02%. The volatile material range was 81.2–87.42%, while fixed carbon was 11.30–17.48%; the higher heating value (HHV) of raw material and pellets presented the ranges 17.68–20.21 and 19.72–21.81 MJ kg−1, respectively. Thermal efficiency showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between pellets and gasifiers, with an average of 31% Tier 3 in ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for the T-LUD and 14% (ISO Tier 1) for EGWCS, with Arbutus xalapensis being the species with the highest energy yield. The use of improved combustion devices, as well as that of selected raw material species, can reduce the impact of global warming by up to 33% on a cooking task compared to the three-stone burner.

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