Correlation of spring spore concentrations and meteorological conditions in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Different spore types are abundant in the atmosphere depending on the weather conditions. Ascospores generally follow precipitation, while spore types such as Alternaria and Cladosporium are abundant in dry conditions. This project attempted to correlate fungal spore concentrations with meteorological data from Tulsa, Oklahoma during May 1998 and May 1999. Air samples were collected and analyzed by the 12-traverse method. The spore types included were Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Curvularia, Pithomyces, Drechslera, smut spores, ascospores, basidiospores, and other spores. Weather variables included precipitation levels, temperature, dew point, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction and wind gusts. There were over 242.57 mm of rainfall in May 1999 and only 64.01 mm in May 1998. The most abundant spore types during May 1998 and May 1999 were Cladosporium, ascospores, and basidiospores. Results showed that there were significant differences in the dry-air spora between May 1998 and May 1999. There were twice as many Cladosporium in May 1998 as in May 1999; both ascospores and basidiospores showed little change. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which meteorological variables influenced spore concentrations. Results showed that there was no single model for all spore types. Different combinations of factors were predictors of concentration for the various fungi examined; however, temperature and dew point seemed to be the most important meteorological factors. Received: 5 July 2000 / Revised: 20 December 2000 / Accepted: 22 December 2000     

Relationship between atmospheric pressure and mortality in the Madrid Autonomous Region: a time-series study

This study set out to determine the possible influence of variations in atmospheric pressure on mortality in the Madrid Autonomous Region (MAR), taking into account the possible confounding effect of other atmospheric variables. The study was based on daily mortality data from the MAR Revenue and Excise Authority, meteorological data from Getafe Observatory and air pollution data from the Madrid Municipal Automatic Air Pollution Monitoring Grid. A time-series analysis was performed, using Box-Jenkins modelling and controlling for the respective confounding variables. Furthermore, the different variables studied (pressure, temperature, pollutants, etc.) were used to produce a multivariate model of the different causes of mortality. A significant association was found between anticyclonic trend and mortality with circulatory causes in the medium-long term and anticyclonic trend and mortality with respiratory causes in the long term. Received: 14 January 2000 / Revised: 5 July 2000 / Accepted: 10 July 2000     

Exploring the spatio-temporal relationship between two key aeroallergens and meteorological variables in the United Kingdom

Constructing accurate predictive models for grass and birch pollen in the air, the two most important aeroallergens, for areas with variable climate conditions such as the United Kingdom, require better understanding of the relationships between pollen count in the air and meteorological variables. Variations in daily birch and grass pollen counts and their relationship with daily meteorological variables were investigated for nine pollen monitoring sites for the period 2000–2010 in the United Kingdom. An active pollen count sampling method was employed at each of the monitoring stations to sample pollen from the atmosphere. The mechanism of this method is based on the volumetric spore traps of Hirst design (Hirst in Ann Appl Biol 39(2):257–265, 1952). The pollen season (start date, finish date) for grass and birch were determined using a first derivative method. Meteorological variables such as daily rainfall; maximum, minimum and average temperatures; cumulative sum of Sunshine duration; wind speed; and relative humidity were related to the grass and birch pollen counts for the pre-peak, post peak and the entire pollen season. The meteorological variables were correlated with the pollen count data for the following temporal supports: same-day, 1-day prior, 1-day mean prior, 3-day mean prior, 7-day mean prior. The direction of influence (positive/negative) of meteorological variables on pollen count varied for birch and grass, and also varied when the pollen season was treated as a whole season, or was segmented into the pre-peak and post-peak seasons. Maximum temperature, sunshine duration and rainfall were the most important variables influencing the count of grass pollen in the atmosphere. Both maximum temperature (pre-peak) and sunshine produced a strong positive correlation, and rain produced a strong negative correlation with grass pollen count in the air. Similarly, average temperature, wind speed and rainfall were the most important variables influencing the count of birch pollen in the air. Both wind speed and rain produced a negative correlation with birch pollen count in the air and average temperature produced a positive correlation.     

The meteorological sensitivity of ischaemic heart disease mortality events in Birmingham, UK

Winter ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality events (ME) were identified in order to establish their degree of meteorological sensitivity. Sensitivity was evaluated using regression of surface meteorological and large-scale atmospheric circulation variables on daily mortality for each mortality event. Critical meteorological variables affecting IHD mortality appear to be local surface dry-bulb and dew-point temperature and large-scale southerly and westerly wind components, atmospheric pressure and vorticity. The rate of change and departure from normal conditions of these variables appear to be especially important for engendering IHD mortality events. Associated with IHD mortality are two broad types of weather conditions: (1) blustery westerly flows and rapidly changing weather from the west and (2) climatologically strong northeasterly to southeasterly flows of cold air, which bring rapidly changing and anomalous thermal conditions to the study area. The general atmospheric circulation patterns that produce these conditions are identified and the implications of results for weather and health studies are discussed. Received: 24 October 2000 / Revised: 16 April 2001 / Accepted: 18 April 2001     

毛乌素沙地杨柴液流变化对气象因子的响应

采用FLOW32-1K (Thermal Dissipation Probe)热平衡包裹式液流仪对毛乌素沙地杨柴(Hedysarum leave)植株液流速率进行了连续监测,同步监测灌木林地内气温、太阳辐射、相对湿度和饱和水汽压差(VPD)等气象因子,探讨了在不同时间尺度下杨柴植株液流特征及其与气象因子的关系。结果表明：(1)不同径级(3—4 mm、4—6 mm和>6 mm)杨柴植株的日平均液流速率分别为5.61 g/h、9.29 g/h、35.30 g/h,平均日液流量分别为(134.72±82.48)g/d、(223.06±152.20)g/d、(847.23±403.38)g/d。不同天气条件下的树干液流速率晴天>阴天,液流速率变化呈“昼高夜低”,不同月份表现为8月>7月>9月。(2)影响晴天和雨天杨柴植株液流的首要气象因子都是太阳辐射,小时尺度下,太阳辐射、气温、相对湿度和饱和水汽压共同解释杨柴液流的75%以上,在日尺度下,气象因子可以共同解释其80.8%以上;且随着时间尺度增大,进入回归方程的气象因子个数呈减小趋势,但气象因子对杨柴液流变化的解释度呈增...     

Effects of microclimate on daily flight activity ofSimulium arcticum Malloch (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Microclimate was found to affect the daily flight activity ofSimulium arcticum in a pasture situation in central Alberta, Canada. Vapour pressure, air temperature, light intensity, and wind gust velocity had the greatest correlation to flight activity. These variables were correlated to support the concept that they influence the energy and water balances of a black fly. Flight activity is a response of the black fly to alterations of its energy and water balances.     

Determination of the Optimal Training Principle and Input Variables in Artificial Neural Network Model for the Biweekly Chlorophyll-a Prediction: A Case Study of the Yuqiao Reservoir,China

Predicting the levels of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) is a vital component of water quality management, which ensures that urban drinking water is safe from harmful algal blooms. This study developed a model to predict Chl-a levels in the Yuqiao Reservoir (Tianjin, China) biweekly using water quality and meteorological data from 1999-2012. First, six artificial neural networks (ANNs) and two non-ANN methods (principal component analysis and the support vector regression model) were compared to determine the appropriate training principle. Subsequently, three predictors with different input variables were developed to examine the feasibility of incorporating meteorological factors into Chl-a prediction, which usually only uses water quality data. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was performed to examine how the Chl-a predictor reacts to changes in input variables. The results were as follows: first, ANN is a powerful predictive alternative to the traditional modeling techniques used for Chl-a prediction. The back program (BP) model yields slightly better results than all other ANNs, with the normalized mean square error (NMSE), the correlation coefficient (Corr), and the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (NSE) at 0.003 mg/l, 0.880 and 0.754, respectively, in the testing period. Second, the incorporation of meteorological data greatly improved Chl-a prediction compared to models solely using water quality factors or meteorological data; the correlation coefficient increased from 0.574-0.686 to 0.880 when meteorological data were included. Finally, the Chl-a predictor is more sensitive to air pressure and pH compared to other water quality and meteorological variables.     

Natural environmental associations in a 50-day human electrocardiogram

Meteorotropic associations of heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) were investigated in a clinically healthy 48-year-old man in Kiev. His electrocardiogram (ECG) was determined over 50 days by fitting him with an ambulatorily wearable device; various natural physical environmental variables were also monitored. The mean inter-beat interval, the standard deviation of these intervals, the spectral power in several frequency ranges, the power ratio of the approx. 10.5-s/approx. 3.6-s spectral components and other aspects of HRV were computed over consecutive 14.4-min intervals. Together with ordinary meteorological variables, geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) and fluctuations of atmospheric pressure (FAP) in the range 0.01–0.10 Hz (10–100 s) were measured. The assessable infradian spectra (with frequencies lower than 1 cycle/28 hours) of all HRV parameters showed two major components with periods of about 3.5 and 10 days. Two environmental variables, FAP and wind speed (with which FAP is closely related), revealed both of these rhythms and showed the greatest cross-spectral coherence (0.70–0.98) with corresponding oscillations of HRV. Less specific but statistically significant product-moment correlations with major HRV indices were also found; most of these were with FAP, but correlations with air temperature, humidity, wind speed and geomagnetic disturbances were also found. Long-term ECG recording, essential in the detection of infradian rhythms, proved to be sensitive to physical environmental variables, notably meteorological ones. FAP, usually neglected since its role has not been considered in previous biometeorological studies, or some factor closely related to FAP is probably involved in synchronizing or influencing the approximately 3.5-day HR and HRV rhythms in humans. Received: 27 July 2000 / Revised: 13 November 2000 / Accepted: 28 November 2000     

Effects of meteorological factors on defensive behaviour of honey bees

The defensive behaviour of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) was quantitated in the field throughout a three month season by the use of a standardized test in which numbers of stings in a leather target were counted after single colonies were opened and exposed to alarm pheromone. The main results show how the defensive behaviour of honey bees is highly dependent on weather factors. Eliminating genetic variance, the following meteorological variables account for 92.4% of the variation in defensive behaviour: air temperature, solar radiation intensity, wind velocity, relative humidity, and barometric pressure.     

The urban heat island in a small city in coastal Portugal

This project arose from the need to study the phenomenon of the urban heat island, since only by recognising this phenomenon can we moderate it to improve the human and urban environments. Not only big cities develop urban heat islands. This study detected the presence and recorded the characteristics of an urban heat island in the small coastal city of Aveiro, Portugal. The study was developed through the scheduled measurements of air temperature and the analysis of the geographical, meteorological and urban conditions. The form and intensity of Aveiro’s heat island are a response to the interaction of three principal factors: the urban morphology (the hottest zones in the city are those with the tallest and the highest density of buildings, without green spaces and with intense generation of heat from traffic, commerce and services); the meteorological conditions (the intensity of the island is at its maximum when the sky is totally clear and there is no wind, and at its minimum in those situations when there is atmospheric instability, such as wind, cloud and precipitation); and the proximity of the coastal lagoon (which borders the city to the west and northwest and moderates seasonal temperatures. The urban heat island influences the comfort and health of its inhabitants, thus urban planning is very important in the moderation and prevention of this phenomenon. Received: 7 July 1999 / Revised: 24 April 2000 / Accepted: 26 April 2000     

Topical Lyogel Containing Corticosteroid Decreases IgE Expression and Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy Against Atopic Eczema

Hydrocortisone cream intended for atopic eczema often produces unwanted side effects after long-term use. These side effects are essentially due to repeated percutaneous administration of the medication for skin dermatitis, as atopic eczema is a relapsing disorder. Hence, there is a need to develop a new hydrocortisone formulation that will deliver the drug more effectively and require a reduced dosing frequency; therefore, the side effects could be minimized. In this study, a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) lyogel system based on 80% organic and 20% aqueous solvents containing 1% hydrocortisone was formulated. The hydrocortisone lyogel physicochemical characteristics, rheological properties, stability profile, and in vitro Franz cell drug release properties, as well as the in vivo therapeutic efficacies and dermal irritancy in Balb/c mice were investigated. The HPMC lyogel appeared clear and soft and was easy to rub on the skin. The lyogel also showed a higher drug release profile compared with commercial hydrocortisone cream. Similar to the cream, HPMC lyogels exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. From the mouse model, the hydrocortisone lyogel showed higher inflammatory suppressive effects than the cream. However, it did not reduce the transepidermal water loss as effectively as the control did. The dermal irritancy testing revealed that the hydrocortisone lyogel caused minimal irritation. In conclusion, HPMC lyogel is a promising vehicle to deliver hydrocortisone topically, as it showed a higher drug release in vitro as well as enhanced therapeutic efficacy in resolving eczematous inflammatory reaction compared with commercial cream.KEY WORDS: atopic eczema, eczematous inflammatory reaction, hydrocortisone, IgE, lyogel, transepidermal water loss     

不同时间尺度下华北落叶松人工林冠层蒸腾与环境因子的关系

在半干旱区连续2年监测华北落叶松(Larix principis-rupprechtii)的树干液流、气象因子和土壤体积含水量,分析不同时间尺度下人工林冠层蒸腾与环境因子的关系。结果表明：不同时间尺度下,华北落叶松人工林冠层蒸腾的季节变化均呈单峰曲线,即先增大后减小的趋势;2016年、2017年日蒸腾量分别为1.58 mm/d和1.71 mm/d,生长季蒸腾总量分别为241.30 mm和260.97 mm。在日尺度下,气温、太阳辐射强度和饱和水汽压差是影响华北落叶松人工林冠层蒸腾主要环境因子;月尺度下,气温、风速、降水和土壤水分是冠层蒸腾的主要影响因子;冠层蒸腾与降水、大气相对湿度的相关关系由日尺度下的负相关到月尺度的正相关,相关性增强。总体来看,随时间尺度由小到大,气温、风速、大气相对湿度、降水、土壤水分对冠层蒸腾的影响作用增大,而太阳辐射强度、饱和水汽压差的作用减弱;在未来增温增雨趋势下,研究区生长季将延长,华北落叶松人工林冠层蒸腾量可能会加大。     

河北夏蝗大发生与气象条件的关系

利用合成分析和秩相关系数2种方法,分析了河北2种生态类型蝗区中夏蝗LocustamigratoriaL.发生程度与气象条件的关系,以确定影响夏蝗大发生的关键气象因子。结果表明:2个类型蝗区大发生年以前一年5月至当年夏蝗出土以前的气温偏高、降水偏少为主;前一年6月下旬、7月上旬、8月上旬、8月中旬气温、6月上旬降水、当年3月下旬降水、4月下旬气温为沿海蝗区关键影响因子,前一年7月上旬和8月下旬气温、5月中旬降水及当年2月中、下旬气温、4月下旬和5月上旬气温为洼淀蝗区的关键影响因子。     

Bioactives from probiotics for dermal health: functions and benefits

Probiotics have been extensively reviewed for decades, emphasizing on improving general gut health. Recently, more studies showed that probiotics may exert other health‐promoting effects beyond gut well‐being, attributed to the rise of the gut–brain axis correlations. Some of these new benefits include skin health such as improving atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis, healing of burn and scars, skin‐rejuvenating properties and improving skin innate immunity. Increasing evidence has also showed that bacterial compounds such as cell wall fragments, their metabolites and dead bacteria can elicit certain immune responses on the skin and improve skin barrier functions. This review aimed to underline the mechanisms or the exact compounds underlying the benefits of bacterial extract on the skin based on evidences from in vivo and in vitro studies. This review could be of help in screening of probiotic strains with potential dermal enhancing properties for topical applications.     

荔枝树干液流速率与气象因子的关系

采用热扩散茎流仪于2011—2012年连续监测‘桂味’荔枝树干液流速率,将所得数据和果园内自动气象站观测数据一起进行对比分析,建立了液流速率与气象因子的关系模型。实验结果表明:(1)树干液流速率日变化呈现"昼高夜低"的规律。季节变化有呈现"先高后低"的趋势,整体上以果实发育期和成熟期(5—7月)液流速率较高。2011年年平均液流速率明显大于2012年;(2)树干液流速率日变化在晴天时多呈单峰曲线,且振幅较大;在雨天呈多峰曲线,且振幅较小。总体上,晴天平均液流速率约是雨天的两倍;(3)回归分析表明,在一定范围内,树干液流速率与太阳辐射强度、空气温度呈正相关,与空气湿度呈负相关。影响液流速率最重要的气象因子在晴天是空气温度,在雨天是太阳辐射。     

东北城市露水凝结观测及其与常规气象要素的关系

露水是城市生态系统水循环组成部分,是重要的凝结水资源和湿度来源,为了揭示"全球变暖"对我国东北地区城市露水凝结的影响,于2014和2015年植物生长季对长春市绿地区、道路区及裸土区露水强度和气象因子进行监测和相关性分析。结果表明,东北城市绿地区露水强度与相对湿度、露点温度、气温、风寒温度、太阳辐射(n=254,P0.01)正相关,与PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、空气质量指数、夜间风速、大气压(n=254,P0.01)负相关。东北城市年露日数为132—136d,占无霜期的62.5%左右。绿地区是城市生态系统水汽凝结的主要区域,绿地区占市区面积的比例是城市年露水量的决定因子,长春市年露水凝结量约为23—35mm,如城市绿地区所占比例降低至5%,年露水量基本可忽略不计。东北城市露水强度可通过I=(-5.9+0.156RH-0.86V_(night)+0.117R_n)×10~(-2)(R~2=0.857)模型进行模拟。结合研究区1965—2015年植物生长期夜间凝露段气候因子的变化趋势,判断东北城市生态系统露水量的变化率为-1.07mm/10a(P0.01)。在相对湿度、夜间风速和太阳辐射共同影响条件下,研究区气候变化对露水凝结影响不大。提供了城市不同下垫面露水监测及计算的方法,完善了不同生态系统露水监测体系,通过间接模型法构建了露水强度模拟模型,进一步明确了气候变化对近地表水循环的影响。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula</Emphasis> pollen: One of the most important aeroallergens in Ourense,Spain. Aerobiological studies from 1993 to 2000

This study presents the results obtained for airborne Betula pollen between 1992 and 2000 in Ourense, Spain, sampled by volumetric spore-trap (LANZONI VPPS2000). Annual and year-on-year variations were analyzed, and a statistical study of the correlation between daily counts and several meteorological parameters was performed. Birch pollen is present in the atmosphere during March and April in Ourense. Significant differences were observed among the different years. Values obtained for the correlation coefficient between Betula pollen counts and the various meteorological parameters studied indicate, for Ourense, a positive correlation between pollen count and both temperature and sunlight. A negative correlation was recorded for relative humidity. Temperature is thus the determining factor for flowering onset and intensity. Regression equations included values for the days prior to pollen concentration measurement in order to optimize results.     

Aerobiological survey of Alnus pollen in Ourense (N.W. Iberian Peninsula), 1993–2000

Alnus pollen is one of the major components of the aeropalynological spectra during winters in Ourense, with maximum values registered in January and February. This work analyses the intra- and interannual variations within the period 1993–2000, when a volumetric Hirst spore-trap (LANZONI VPPS 2000) was in continuous operation. Statistically significant differences between periods 1996/97 (with a few rainy days), 1998/99, and all the others were observed. The relationships between atmosphere pollen content and the most important meteorological parameters within the same period were studied by means of correlation analysis. Temperature was the most important factor explaining the presence of Alnus pollen in the air. A Scheffe's test was carried out before the correlation analysis to establish years corresponding to the same statistical population. The results obtained from both tests were used for a regression analysis to establish the prediction patterns for this taxon. Even when a negative correlation coefficient was presented, the influence of this parameter did not decline. Previous temperatures in the main pollination period, however, were a determinant factor predicting the onset and intensity of Alnus flowering.     

The influences of weather and topography on water bird migration in the southwestern United States

Summary Radar and visual observations were made on water bird migration throuh the Southwest at six stations from February 1973 through November 1974. The influence of weather on nocturnal non-passerine migration in the Southwest is less significant than reported for passerine migration elsewhere. Both seasonality and weather factors influence water bird migration, but the relative contribution of each is strongly dependent on the specific migration season. Spring migration, which has more extreme weather conditions, shows a stronger correlation to meteorological factors. Autumn migration in the Southwest rarely experiences severe weather, and consequently shows a stronger correlation to seasonality than to weather.The intensity of spring non-passerine migration was highly correlated with height of freezing level, temperature at sunset and midnight, humidity at sunset, cloud height at sunset and midnight, following winds aloft, and inversely related to change in temperature and day of the year. The most important variables listed by the stepwise linear multiple regression analysis were freezing level, following winds aloft, day of the year, and surface wind speed. When the height of the lowest cloud layer was allowed to enter the regression analysis, freezing level and cloud height were the most significant variables, with the intensity of migration higher with higher freezing level and higher cloud base. The most important variables predicting the occurrence or absence of migration were freezing level, barometric pressure and dew point.Autumn water bird migration was most highly correlated with cloud height and day of the year, and inversely correlated with humidity. The most important variables from the stepwise regression analysis and discriminant function analysis were day of the year, 670 m following-wind speed, and temperature. When cloud height was allowed to enter the model, it was the only significant factor influencing migration. As in spring, higher rates of autumn migration occurred with higher freezing levels.More migration occurred on the Great Plains than in the Rocky Mountains; but within the mountains, geography had little influence on the intensity of migration. Indirect evidence indicates that waterfowl and shorebirds move over the mountains (up to 2000 m above the surrounding terrain and 3500 m above sea level), rather than around them.     

Hourly predictive artificial neural network and multivariate regression tree models of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alternaria</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cladosporium</Emphasis> spore concentrations in Szczecin (Poland)

A study was made of the link between time of day, weather variables and the hourly content of certain fungal spores in the atmosphere of the city of Szczecin, Poland, in 2004–2007. Sampling was carried out with a Lanzoni 7-day-recording spore trap. The spores analysed belonged to the taxa Alternaria and Cladosporium. These spores were selected both for their allergenic capacity and for their high level presence in the atmosphere, particularly during summer. Spearman correlation coefficients between spore concentrations, meteorological parameters and time of day showed different indices depending on the taxon being analysed. Relative humidity (RH), air temperature, air pressure and clouds most strongly and significantly influenced the concentration of Alternaria spores. Cladosporium spores correlated less strongly and significantly than Alternaria. Multivariate regression tree analysis revealed that, at air pressures lower than 1,011 hPa the concentration of Alternaria spores was low. Under higher air pressure spore concentrations were higher, particularly when RH was lower than 36.5%. In the case of Cladosporium, under higher air pressure (>1,008 hPa), the spores analysed were more abundant, particularly after 0330 hours. In artificial neural networks, RH, air pressure and air temperature were the most important variables in the model for Alternaria spore concentration. For Cladosporium, clouds, time of day, air pressure, wind speed and dew point temperature were highly significant factors influencing spore concentration. The maximum abundance of Cladosporium spores in air fell between 1200 and 1700 hours.