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Abstract: Number size distributions of atmospheric aerosol particles in the mobility diameter range from 10 to 1000nm were determined in Budapest, Prague and Vienna for a one-year-long period. Particle number concentrations in various size fractions, their diurnal and seasonal variations, mean size distributions and some properties of new particle formation events were derived and compared. Yearly median particle number concentrations for Budapest, Prague and Vienna were 10.6×103, 7.3×103 and 8.0×103 cm−3. Differences were linked to the different pollution levels of the cities, and to diverse measurement environments and local conditions. Mean contributions of ultrafine particles (particles with a mobility diameter <100nm) to the total number concentration were 80%, 84% and 74% for Budapest, Prague and Vienna, thus these particles represent an overwhelming share of all particles in each city. Seasonal variation of particle number concentrations was not obvious. Diurnal variations of particles with a diameter between 100 and 1000nm (N 100–1000) exhibited similar shape for the cities, which was related to the time-activity pattern of inhabitants and regional influences. The structure of the diurnal variation for ultrafine particles was also similar. It contained a huge morning peak in each city which was explained by emissions from vehicular traffic. The second peak was shifted from afternoon rush hours to late evenings as a result of the daily cycling in meteorological parameters. The character of the measurement site also influenced the diurnal variation. Diurnal variation of the mean ratio of ultrafine particles to N 100–1000 clearly revealed the presence and importance of new particle formation and subsequent growth in urban environments. Nucleation frequencies in Budapest and Prague were 27% and 23%, respectively on a yearly time scale. They showed a minimum in winter for both places, while the largest nucleation activity was observed in spring for Budapest, and in summer for Prague. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a global public health threat, having been identified in >60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. There is no cure for or licensed vaccine against CHIKV infection. Initial attempts at CHIKV vaccine development began in the early 1960s. Whole-inactivated and virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines are 2 of the current approaches being evaluated. Success of these approaches is dependent on a safe, well-tolerated vaccine that is immunogenic and deployable in regard to manufacturing, stability, and delivery characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the turn of the 21st Century, image based velocimetry techniques have become an increasingly popular approach for determining open-channel flow in a range of hydrological settings across Europe, and beyond. Simultaneously, a range of large-scale image velocimetry algorithms have been developed, equipped with differing image pre-processing, and analytical capabilities. Yet in operational hydrometry, these techniques are utilised by few competent authorities. Therefore, imagery collected for image velocimetry analysis, along with validation data is required both to enable inter-comparisons between these differing approaches and to test their overall efficacy. Through benchmarking exercises, it will be possible to assess which approaches are best suited for a range of fluvial settings, and to focus future software developments. Here we collate, and describe datasets acquired from six countries across Europe and Asia, consisting of videos that have been subjected to a range of pre-processing, and image velocimetry analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the results of the analysis on total electron content (TEC) data before, during and after the geomagnetic storm of 8 September 2017 are reported. One of the responses to geomagnetic storms due to the southern vertical interplanetary magnetic field (Bz) is the enhancement of the electron density in the ionosphere. Vertical TEC (VTEC) from the Center for Orbit determination in Europe (CODE) along with a statistical method were used to identify positive and/or negative ionospheric storms in response to the geomagnetic storm of 8 September 2017. When analyzing the response to the storm of 8 September 2017 it was indeed possible to observe an enhancement of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA); however, what was unexpected was the identification of a local TEC enhancement (LTE) to the south of the EIA (∼40 ∘ S, right over New Zealand and extending towards the southeastern coast of Australia and also eastward towards the Pacific). This was a very transitory LTE that lasted approximately 4 h, starting at ∼ 02:00 UT on 8 September where its maximum VTEC increase was of 241.2 %. Using the same statistical method, comparable LTEs in a similar category geomagnetic storm, the 2015 St. Patrick's Day storm, were looked for. However, for the aforementioned storm no LTEs were identified. As also indicated in a past recent study for a LTE detected during the 15 August 2015 geomagnetic storm, an association between the LTE and the excursion of Bz seen during the 8 September 2017 storm was observed as well. Furthermore, it is very likely that a direct impact of the super-fountain effect along with traveling ionospheric disturbances may be playing an important role in the production of this LTE. Finally, it is indicated that the 8 September 2017 LTE is the second one to be detected since the year 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study explores a large set of OC and EC measurements in PM10 and PM2.5 aerosol samples, undertaken with a long term constant analytical methodology, to evaluate the capability of the OC/EC minimum ratio to represent the ratio between the OC and EC aerosol components resulting from fossil fuel combustion (OCff/ECff). The data set covers a wide geographical area in Europe, but with a particular focus upon Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, and includes a great variety of sites: urban (background, kerbside and tunnel), industrial, rural and remote. The highest minimum ratios were found in samples from remote and rural sites. Urban background sites have shown spatially and temporally consistent minimum ratios, of around 1.0 for PM10 and 0.7 for PM2.5.The consistency of results has suggested that the method could be used as a tool to derive the ratio between OC and EC from fossil fuel combustion and consequently to differentiate OC from primary and secondary sources. To explore this capability, OC and EC measurements were performed in a busy roadway tunnel in central Lisbon. The OC/EC ratio, which reflected the composition of vehicle combustion emissions, was in the range of 0.3–0.4. Ratios of OC/EC in roadside increment air (roadside minus urban background) in Birmingham, UK also lie within the range 0.3–0.4. Additional measurements were performed under heavy traffic conditions at two double kerbside sites located in the centre of Lisbon and Madrid. The OC/EC minimum ratios observed at both sites were found to be between those of the tunnel and those of urban background air, suggesting that minimum values commonly obtained for this parameter in open urban atmospheres over-predict the direct emissions of OCff from road transport. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study which evaluates the efficacy of diatomaceous earths (DEs) from southeastern Europe as stored-grain protectants against the three major beetle species such as Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Sitophilus oryzae, and Rhyzopertha dominica. It was found out that the DE from Elassona was effective against C. ferrugineus and S. oryzae, while DE Kolubara 518 from Kolubara was good against R. dominica. It suggests that the deposits of the region are effective against the species.

Abstract: The Engineering Validation and Engineering Design Activities (EVEDA) of International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF), are one of the three projects of the Broader Approach Agreement, signed between Japan and Europe on 5 February 2007 and officially started in June 2007. The aim of the project is to deliver by June 2013 the complete engineering design file of this major facility. This engineering design will be validated by the design, the construction and the operation of three prototypes representative of the main challenging systems of IFMIF: [•] The low energy part of the accelerator (up to 9MeV), tested at full current (125mA) in continuous wave at Rokkasho, Japan. [•] The lithium target at a scale 1/3, including all purification (hot and cold traps) and monitoring systems foreseen for IFMIF, and tested at Oarai, Japan. [•] The high flux test module''s main components, with in particular the irradiation of scale 1:1 rigs and thermo-hydraulic demonstration of the modules, tested in Europe. The main outcomes 1 year after the start of the project are: [•] The accelerator main subsystems (radiofrequency quadrupole and drift tube linac) are being optimized and have improved characteristics compared to those described in the Comprehensive Design Report, initial base of the work; in particular, the high energy drift tube linac (accelerating the beam from 5 to 40MeV) is now a superconducting half wave resonator structure. [•] As a result of recent experimental work, the shape of the backplate has now very smooth variation of curvature radii to drastically reduce the risks of flow instabilities. [•] An important preparatory experimental work is being conducted to assess the purification conditions and minimize erosion and corrosion by lithium of the loop components. [•] The Test Cell, hosting the modules is under major revision. [•] Thermo-mechanical and hydraulic calculations also led to changes in the test facilities and their high flux test module. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on the creation of the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN). Scientists have always recognized the importance of free communications and free access to knowledge wherever it happens to be available. CERN is serving as an information and discussion center for scientists who are engaged in the development and construction of accelerators in their respective countries. Its founders hoped to equip Europe with a reasonable number and variety of accelerators that will enable European physicists to make a fairly wide contribution to research in the field of high energy physics.

Background: The association between air pollution exposure and emotional and behavioural problems in children is unclear. We aimed to assess prenatal and postnatal exposure to several air pollutants and child's depressive and anxiety symptoms, and aggressive symptoms in children of 7-11 years., Methods: We analysed data of 13182 children from 8 European population-based birth cohorts. Concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), particulate matter (PM) with diameters of ≤10 μm (PM 10 ), ≤ 2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ), and between 10 and 2.5 μm (PM coarse ), the absorbance of PM 2.5 filters (PM 2.5 abs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were estimated at residential addresses of each participant. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and aggressive symptoms were assessed at 7-11 years of age using parent reported tests. Children were classified in borderline/clinical range or clinical range using validated cut offs. Region specific models were adjusted for various socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics and then combined using random effect meta-analysis. Multiple imputation and inverse probability weighting methods were applied to correct for potential attrition bias., Results: A total of 1896 (14.4%) children were classified as having depressive and anxiety symptoms in the borderline/clinical range, and 1778 (13.4%) as having aggressive symptoms in the borderline/clinical range. Overall, 1108 (8.4%) and 870 (6.6%) children were classified as having depressive and anxiety symptoms, and aggressive symptoms in the clinical range, respectively. Prenatal exposure to air pollution was not associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in the borderline/clinical range (e.g. OR 1.02 [95%CI 0.95 to 1.10] per 10 μg/m 3 higher NO 2 ) nor with aggressive symptoms in the borderline/clinical range (e.g. OR 1.04 [95%CI 0.96 to 1.12] per 10 μg/m 3 higher NO 2 ). Similar results were observed for the symptoms in the clinical range, and for postnatal exposures to air pollution., Conclusions: Overall, our results suggest that prenatal and postnatal exposure to air pollution is not associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms or aggressive symptoms in children of 7 to 11 years old., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

To assess environmental exposures at the individual level, new assessment methods and tools are required. We developed an exposure assessment system (ExpoApp) for smartphones. ExpoApp integrates: (i) geo-location and accelerometry measurements from a waist attached smartphone, (ii) data from portable monitors, (iii) geographic information systems, and (iv) individual's information. ExpoApp calculates time spent in microenvironments, physical activity level, inhalation rate, and environmental exposures and doses (e.g., green spaces, inhaled ultrafine particles- UFP). We deployed ExpoApp in a panel study of 158 adults from five cities (Amsterdam and Utrecht- the Netherlands, Basel- Switzerland, Norwich- UK, and Torino- Italy) with an UFP monitor. To evaluate ExpoApp, participants also carried a reference accelerometer (ActiGraph) and completed a travel-activity diary (TAD). System reliability and validity of measurements were evaluated by comparing the monitoring failure rate and the agreement on time spent in microenvironments and physical activity with the reference tools. There were only significant failure rate differences between ExpoApp and ActiGraph in Norwich. Agreement on time in microenvironments and physical activity level between ExpoApp and reference tools was 86.6% (86.5-86.7) and 75.7% (71.5-79.4), respectively. ExpoApp estimated that participants inhaled 16.5 × 10 10 particles/day of UFP and had almost no contact with green spaces (24% of participants spent ≥30 min/day in green spaces). Participants with more contact with green spaces had higher inhaled dose of UFP, except for the Netherlands, where the relationship was the inverse. ExpoApp is a reliable system and provides accurate individual's measurements, which may help to understand the role of environmental exposures on the origin and course of diseases., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The particle size distribution of particulate matter (PM) and concentrations of water-soluble ions were observed in airborne aerosol in the City of Ostrava (the Czech Republic, Moravian-Silesian Region) during winter 2016. The Ostrava area ranks among the most polluted areas not only within the Czech Republic but also in Europe due to the high concentration of industry, especially metallurgy, in this area. The selected water-soluble ions: were studied in different grain size classes of particulate matter separated into 7 fractions (from 0.0175 to 9.93 μm) collected by an electrical low pressure impactor ELPI + . Assessment of the influence of meteorological parameters and various sources of contamination (transportation, industry, and residential burning) in heavily environmentally-burdened urban areas was attempted. This study proved that (K) + is related to metallurgical processes and its role as an indicator of biomass combustion is negligible. The highest concentrations of all water-soluble ions were determined in particles below 0.952 μm that is generally related to combustion processes. At increased air temperature (in the interval from 0 °C to 10 °C), concentrations of both dust particles and the sum of water-soluble ions are decreasing., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The Respimat is a handheld, propellant-free, soft-mist inhaler. Observations by patients and physicians prompted development of an improved second-generation Respimat inhaler. Human-factor studies assessing the usability of the new inhaler and in vitro assessment of aerosol performance are important to demonstrate functionality of the updated inhaler., Methods: Studies were performed to assess any possible impact of the reusable Respimat inhaler design on aerosol performance (delivered dose [DD] and fine-particle dose [FPD]) and iteratively assess and improve usability of the new design. The tiotropium-olodaterol inhalation solution for Respimat was used as a model. The DD and FPD of the reusable Respimat inhaler (across multiple cartridges) and the disposable Respimat inhaler were determined by laser diffraction and with an alternative Andersen cascade impactor. Usability was measured across three studies involving health care professionals and patients with diagnoses of COPD, asthma, or combined disease (with and without experience with the Respimat inhaler). These studies measured performance of handling tasks and collected subjective feedback directly related to the inhaler's new or altered features, which fed into optimization of the inhaler., Results: DDs of tiotropium and olodaterol were stable up to 15 cartridges and consistently within the upper and lower limits of the disposable Respimat inhaler. The FPD was also found to be batch-consistent over the cartridges and comparable with the reference. The usability of the reusable Respimat inhaler compared with the disposable inhaler was improved in terms of assembly and daily use. Cartridge exchange was rated as intuitive and easy to very easy., Conclusion: The new reusable Respimat is a medical inhaler developed with enhanced features that meets health care professionals' and patients' needs. Drug delivery across multiple cartridges is not affected by the design. Compared with the original disposable inhaler, the usability of the reusable inhaler has been improved, and cartridge exchange was rated as easy to perform. The reusable Respimat provides greater convenience for patients vs the disposable inhaler, with reduced environmental impact., Competing Interests: Disclosure RD has received speaker fees from Sunovion, participated in advisory boards for Bayer (Leverkusen, Germany), AstraZeneca (Cambridge, UK), and GlaxoSmithKline (Brentford, UK), and received honoraria from Sunovion (Marlborough, MA, USA), Bayer, and UpToDate (Waltham, MA, USA). IJ, MM, and HW are employees of Boehringer Ingelheim. JE and MH were employees of Boehringer Ingelheim at the time of the study. All authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

In the past few years, there has been a significant development in freshwater microplastic research. Pollution has been detected in lakes and rivers of several continents, but the number of papers is still marginal compared to the ones investigating marine environments. In this study, we present the first detection of microplastics (MPs) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) surface waters and, globally, the first detection in fish ponds. Samples were taken from different types of fish ponds and natural water bodies along a novel concept down to a particle size of 100 μm, then, after sample preparation, MPs were characterized using an FTIR microscope. 92% of the water samples contained MPs ranging from 3.52 to 32.05 particles/m 3 . MPs were detected in 69% of the sediment samples ranging from 0.46 to 1.62 particles/kg. Dominant abundance of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene was shown in water and PP and polystyrene in sediment samples. First results also indicate that fish ponds may act as a deposition area for MPs., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To fight against the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020, lockdown measures were implemented in most European countries. These lockdowns had well-documented effects on human mobility. We assessed the impact of the lockdown implementation and relaxation on air pollution by comparing daily particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations, as well as particle number size distributions (PNSDs) and particle light absorption coefficient in situ measurement data, with values that would have been expected if no COVID-19 epidemic had occurred at 28 sites across Europe for the period 17 February–31 May 2020. Expected PM, NO2 and O3 concentrations were calculated from the 2020 Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) ensemble forecasts, combined with 2019 CAMS ensemble forecasts and measurement data. On average, lockdown implementations did not lead to a decrease in PM 2.5 mass concentrations at urban sites, while relaxations resulted in a + 26 ± 21 % rebound. The impacts of lockdown implementation and relaxation on NO2 concentrations were more consistent (- 29 ± 17 and + 31 ± 30 %, respectively). The implementation of the lockdown measures also induced statistically significant increases in O3 concentrations at half of all sites (+ 13 % on average). An enhanced oxidising capacity of the atmosphere could have boosted the production of secondary aerosol at those places. By comparison with 2017–2019 measurement data, a significant change in the relative contributions of wood and fossil fuel burning to the concentration of black carbon during the lockdown was detected at 7 out of 14 sites. The contribution of particles smaller than 70 nm to the total number of particles significantly also changed at most of the urban sites, with a mean decrease of - 7 ± 5 % coinciding with the lockdown implementation. Our study shows that the response of PM 2.5 and PM 10 mass concentrations to lockdown measures was not systematic at various sites across Europe for multiple reasons, the relationship between road traffic intensity and particulate air pollution being more complex than expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two alternative methods for producing compost in a tunnel, from certain category (Cat.) 3 animal by‐products (ABP) and other non‐ABP material, were assessed. The first method proposed a minimum temperature of 55°C for 72 h and the second 60°C for 48 h, both with a maximum particle size of 200 mm. The assessment of the Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) exclusively focused on Cat. 3 ABP materials (catering waste and processed foodstuffs of animal origin no longer intended for human consumption). The proposed composting processes were evaluated for their efficacy to achieve a reduction of at least 5 log10 of Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella Senftenberg (775W, H2S negative) and at least 3 log10 of relevant thermoresistant viruses. The applicant provided a list of biological hazards that may enter the composting process and selected parvoviruses as the indicator of the thermoresistant viruses. The evidence provided by the applicant included: (a) literature data on thermal inactivation of biological hazards; (b) results from validation studies on the reduction of E. faecalis, Salmonella Senftenberg 775W H2S negative and canine parvovirus carried out in composting plants across Europe; (c) and experimental data from direct measurements of reduction of infectivity of murine parvovirus in compost material applying the time/temperature conditions of the two alternative methods. The evidence provided showed the capacity of the proposed alternative methods to reduce E. faecalis and Salmonella Senftenberg 775W H2S negative by at least 5 log10, and parvoviruses by at least 3 log10. The BIOHAZ Panel concluded that the two alternative methods under assessment can be considered to be equivalent to the processing method currently approved in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-road real-driving emissions (RDE) tests with portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) are part of the vehicle emissions regulations in the European Union (EU). For a given vehicle, the final emission results depend on the influence of the ambient conditions and the trip characteristics (including the driver's behaviour) on the vehicle performance and the instrument measurement uncertainty. However, there are not many studies that have examined the emissions variability of a single vehicle following different routes. In this study, a 1.2 L gasoline direct injection (GDI) Euro 5b passenger car without a particulate filter and a PEMS was circulated in seven European laboratories. At their premises, the laboratories performed two to five repetitions of on-road trips compliant with the EU RDE regulation. The ambient temperature ranged between 7 °C and 23 °C. The average emission levels of the vehicle were 135 g/km for CO2, 77 mg/km for CO, 55 mg/km for NOx, and 9.2 × 1011 #/km for particle number. The coefficient of variance in the emissions following the same route was 2.9% for CO2, 23.8% for CO, 23.0% for NOx, and 5.8% for particle number. The coefficient of variance in the emissions following different routes in Europe was 6.9% for CO2, 9.1% for CO, 0.0% for NOx, and 9.1% for particle number. The previous values include the specific vehicle emissions variability under the narrow test conditions of this study, but only partly the PEMS measurement uncertainty because the same instrument was used in all the trips. The results of this study can be used by laboratories conducting RDE tests to assess their uncertainty budget when testing or comparing vehicles of similar technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Key conclusions and recommendations are proposed to enlighten decision makers in view of the next regulations on vehicle emissions in Europe and worldwide through the synergistic contexts of air quality and climate change. Airborne particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant of concern not only because of its adverse effects on human health but also on visibility and the radiative budget of the atmosphere. PM can be considered as a sum of solid/liquid species covering a wide range of particle sizes with diverse chemical composition. Organic aerosols may be emitted (primary organic aerosols, POA), or formed in the atmosphere following reaction of volatile organic compounds (secondary organic aerosols, SOA), but some of these compounds may partition between the gas and aerosol phases depending upon ambient conditions. This review focuses on carbonaceous PM and gaseous precursors emitted by road traffic, including ultrafine particles (UFP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are clearly linked to the evolution and formation of carbonaceous species. Clearly, the solid fraction of PM has been reduced during the last two decades, with the implementation of after-treatment systems abating approximately 99% of primary solid particle mass concentrations. However, the role of brown carbon and its radiative effect on climate and the generation of ultrafine particles by nucleation of organic vapour during the dilution of the exhaust remain unclear phenomena and will need further investigation. The increasing role of gasoline vehicles on carbonaceous particle emissions and formation is also highlighted, particularly through the chemical and thermodynamic evolution of organic gases and their propensity to produce particles. The remaining carbon-containing particles from brakes, tyres and road wear will still be a problem even in a future of full electrification of the vehicle fleet. Some key conclusions and recommendations are also proposed to support the decision makers in view of the next regulations on vehicle emissions worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dow Water & Process Solutions (DW & PS), a business unit of US-based Dow Chemical Co, is introducing its Tequatic Plus fine particle filter to markets in China and Europe, following its launch in North America a year ago. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The concentrations of PM mass, PM mass and particle number were continuously measured for 18 months in urban background locations across Europe to determine the spatial and temporal variability of particulate matter. Methods: Daily PM and PM samples were continuously collected from October 2002 to April 2004 in background areas in Helsinki, Athens, Amsterdam and Birmingham. Particle mass was determined using analytical microbalances with precision of 1 μg. Pre- and post-reflectance measurements were taken using smoke-stain reflectometers. One-minute measurements of particle number were obtained using condensation particle counters. Results: The 18-month mean PM and PM mass concentrations ranged from 15.4 μg/m in Helsinki to 56.7 μg/m in Athens and from 9.0 μg/m in Helsinki to 25.0 μg/m in Athens, respectively. Particle number concentrations ranged from 10,091 part/cm in Helsinki to 24,180 part/cm in Athens with highest levels being measured in winter. Fine particles accounted for more than 60% of PM with the exception of Athens where PM comprised 43% of PM. Higher PM mass and number concentrations were measured in winter as compared to summer in all urban areas at a significance level p < 0.05. Conclusions: Significant quantitative and qualitative differences for particle mass across the four urban areas in Europe were observed. These were due to strong local and regional characteristics of particulate pollution sources which contribute to the heterogeneity of health responses. In addition, these findings also bear on the ability of different countries to comply with existing directives and the effectiveness of mitigation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many large cities of Europe standard air quality limit values of particulate matter (PM) are exceeded. Emissions from road traffic and biomass burning are frequently reported to be the major causes. As a consequence of these exceedances a large number of air quality plans, most of them focusing on traffic emissions reductions, have been implemented in the last decade. In spite of this implementation, a number of cities did not record a decrease of PM levels. Thus, is the efficiency of air quality plans overestimated? Do the road traffic emissions contribute less than expected to ambient air PM levels in urban areas? Or do we need a more specific metric to evaluate the impact of the above emissions on the levels of urban aerosols? This study shows the results of the interpretation of the 2009 variability of levels of PM, Black Carbon (BC), aerosol number concentration (N) and a number of gaseous pollutants in seven selected urban areas covering road traffic, urban background, urban-industrial, and urban-shipping environments from southern, central and northern Europe. The results showed that variations of PM and N levels do not always reflect the variation of the impact of road traffic emissions on urban aerosols. However, BC levels vary proportionally with those of traffic related gaseous pollutants, such as CO, NO2 and NO. Due to this high correlation, one may suppose that monitoring the levels of these gaseous pollutants would be enough to extrapolate exposure to traffic-derived BC levels. However, the BC/CO, BC/NO2 and BC/NO ratios vary widely among the cities studied, as a function of distance to traffic emissions, vehicle fleet composition and the influence of other emission sources such as biomass burning. Thus, levels of BC should be measured at air quality monitoring sites. During morning traffic rush hours, a narrow variation in the N/BC ratio was evidenced, but a wide variation of this ratio was determined for the noon period. Although in central and northern Europe N and BC levels tend to vary simultaneously, not only during the traffic rush hours but also during the whole day, in urban background stations in southern Europe maximum N levels coinciding with minimum BC levels are recorded at midday in all seasons. These N maxima recorded in southern European urban background environments are attributed to midday nucleation episodes occurring when gaseous pollutants are diluted and maximum insolation and O3 levels occur. The occurrence of SO2 peaks may also contribute to the occurrence of midday nucleation bursts in specific industrial or shipping-influenced areas, although at several central European sites similar levels of SO2 are recorded without yielding nucleation episodes. Accordingly, it is clearly evidenced that N variability in different European urban environments is not equally influenced by the same emission sources and atmospheric processes. We conclude that N variability does not always reflect the impact of road traffic on air quality, whereas BC is a more consistent tracer of such an influence. However, N should be measured since ultrafine particles (<100 nm) may have large impacts on human health. The combination of PM10 and BC monitoring in urban areas potentially constitutes a useful approach for air quality monitoring. BC is mostly governed by vehicle exhaust emissions, while PM10 concentrations at these sites are also governed by non-exhaust particulate emissions resuspended by traffic, by midday atmospheric dilution and by other non-traffic emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a working group created by the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN) council to draft a European strategy for particle physics, as of September 2005. Topics to be addressed by the working group; Conflicts of interests facing the CERN council in coordinating the creation of the strategy; Statement issued by Enzo Iarocci, president of the CERN council, regarding wording in the founding convention of the council.

Abstract This study analyses the aerosol optical and microphysical properties obtained by the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) in seven different sites operating in the Iberian Peninsula during three coincident years (2010−2012) with the objective of studying different aerosol typing approaches. This area is of interest due to its location between the Sahara desert (the largest source of natural aerosols in the world) and mainland Europe (a relevant source of anthropogenic aerosols). In particular, we study the aerosol optical depth (AOD), Angström parameter (α 440–870) and fine mode fraction (FMF), which are estimated from direct sun irradiance measurements. Additionally, the single scattering albedo (ω o) and aerosol particle size distribution (PSD), which are computed using additional sky radiances measurements under cloudless skies, are used in our analyses. The analyses show aerosol seasonal patterns in the AOD with maximum values in summer/spring and minimum values in winter/autumn for all the analysed stations. For α 440–870 , there are differences from site to site, with maximum values in winter and minimum values in summer for the southern locations, while there is not a remarkable pattern for the eastern locations close to the Mediterranean coast. The frequent and intense Saharan dust outbreaks over the southern Iberian Peninsula and the intense anthropogenic activity in the eastern urban locations are behind these seasonal patterns in the AOD and α 440–870. In this work, two of the most employed classification schemes of aerosol type in the literature are used: one is based on the AOD and α 440–870, the other one is based on ω o at 440 nm and the FMF and a new classification scheme based on ω o at 440 nm and FMF is proposed. The results revealed that the new classification method is more appropriate for distinguishing the aerosol types that affect the Iberian Peninsula. The relationship derived here between Δω o = ω o (440)- ω o (1020) and the FMF is demonstrated to be useful for aerosol type classification when no measurements of the sky radiances, and consequently of ω o (440), are available. Alternatively, the relationship between the ratio Δω o /ω o (440) and the FMF can be used because (Δω o /ω o) provides information about both the spectral ω o and the absolute values. Highlights • Derivation of Δωo under scenarios of no sky radiance measurements • Relationship Δωo/ωo and FMF is an appropriate tool for aerosol typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An assessment of alpha particle confinement is performed in the European DEMO reference design. 3D MHD equilibria with nested flux-surfaces and single magnetic axis are obtained with the VMEC free-boundary code, thereby including the plasma response to the magnetic ripple created by the finite number of TF coils. Populations of fusion alphas that are consistent with the equilibrium profiles are evolved until slowing-down with the VENUS-LEVIS orbit code in the guiding-centre approximation. Fast ion losses through the last-closed flux-surface are numerically evaluated with two ripple models: (1) using the 3D equilibrium and (2) algebraically adding the non-axisymmetric ripple perturbation to the 2D equilibrium. By virtue of the small ripple field and its non-resonant nature, both models quantitatively agree. Differences are however noted in the toroidal location of particles losses on the last-closed flux-surface, which in the first case is 3D and in the second not. Superbanana transport, i.e. ripple-well trapping and separatrix crossing, is expected to be the dominant loss mechanism, the strongest effect on alphas being between 100–200 KeV. Above this, stochastic ripple diffusion is responsible for a rather weak loss rate, as the stochastisation threshold is observed numerically to be higher than analytic estimates. The level of ripple in the current 18 TF coil design of the European DEMO is not found to be detrimental to fusion alpha confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines reactions from Europe's particle physics research agency CERN on U.S. Congress' abolition of the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) project. CERN's commitment on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC); Audited technical proposal for the LHC; Selling point of CERN; Contributions from the United States and other countries; Key argument; Effect of intra-European politics. INSET: A leader by consensus (Christopher Llewellyn Smith)..

To gain a better understanding on the spatiotemporal variation of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in urban environments, this study reports on the first results of a long-term UFP monitoring network, set up in Amsterdam (NL), Antwerp (BE), Leicester (UK) and London (UK). Total number concentrations and size distributions were assessed during 1–2 years at four fixed urban background sites, supplemented with mobile trailer measurements for co-location monitoring and additional short-term monitoring sites. Intra- and interurban spatiotemporal UFP variation, associations with commonly-monitored pollutants (PM, NO x and BC) and impacts of wind fields were evaluated. Although comparable size distributions were observed between the four cities, source-related differences were demonstrated within specific particle size classes. Total and size-resolved particle number concentrations showed clear traffic-related temporal variation, confirming road traffic as the major UFP contributor in urban environments. New particle formation events were observed in all cities. Correlations with typical traffic-related pollutants (BC and NO x ) were obtained for all monitoring stations, except for Amsterdam, which might be attributable to UFP emissions from Schiphol airport. The temporal variation in particle number concentration correlated fairly weakly between the four cities (r s = 0.28−0.50, COD = 0.28−0.37), yet improved significantly inside individual cities (r s = 0.59−0.77). Nevertheless, considerable differences were still obtained in terms of particle numbers (20–38% for total particle numbers and up to 49% for size-resolved particle numbers), confirming the importance of local source contributions and the need for careful consideration when allocating UFP monitoring stations in heterogeneous urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Europe will provide a worldwide science community with a unique and technically innovative accelerator system to perform forefront research in the sciences concerned with the basic structure of matter, and in intersections with other fields. The facility will deliver an extensive range of primary and secondary particle beams from protons and their antimatter partners, antiprotons, to ion beams of all chemical elements up to the heaviest, uranium, with in many respects unique properties and intensities. The paper will include overview of the new facility design and research programs to be carried out there. The current status of the FAIR project will be also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which compares fecal particle sizes of different herbivore reptiles to that of herbivore mammals in Europe. A total of 79 individual fecal samples of 14 different reptile species were analyzed and particle size analysis was performed by wet sieving. Findings of the study revealed that reptiles, in general, have larger ingesta particles than mammals, also highlighting that the evolution of a masticatory apparatus and chewing behavior in mammals has led to dramatic ingesta particle size reduction.

This article reports that researchers around the globe fear that if U.S. particle physics withers, so will the entire field. At the same time, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asked physicists to consider which of two existing particle colliders they would rather shut down early to save money. Physicists got a shock in February, when DOE nixed BTeV, a $140 million experiment that would have run at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. Using beams from Fermilab's Tevatron collider, BTeV would have studied bottom quarks, heavier, unstable cousins of the down quarks found in protons and neutrons. BTeV researchers were expecting to get the final go-ahead for construction. Meanwhile, researchers in Europe are assembling the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the particle physics laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland. Scheduled to start up in 2007, the $7.7 billion machine might produce the long-sought Higgs boson, the particle thought to give others their mass. But particle physicists from Europe and Asia aren't celebrating the passing of the torch from the United States.

Recent years have seen an increase in the use of wood for energy production of over 30 %, and this trend is expected to continue due to the current energy crisis and geopolitical instability. At present, residential wood burning (RWB) is one of the most important sources of organic aerosols (OAs) and black carbon (BC), posing a significant risk to air quality and health. Simultaneously, as a substantial aerosol source, RWB also holds relevance in the context of aerosol radiative effects and climate. While BC is recognized for its large light absorption cross-section, the role of OAs in light absorption is still under evaluation due to their heterogeneous composition and source-dependent optical properties. Existing studies that characterize wood-burning aerosol emissions in Europe primarily concentrate on urban and background sites and focus on BC properties. Despite the significant RWB emissions in rural areas, these locations have received comparatively less attention. The present scenario underscores the imperative for an improved understanding of RWB pollution, aerosol optical properties, and their subsequent connection to climate impacts, particularly in rural areas. We have characterized atmospheric aerosol particles from a central European rural site during wintertime in the village of Retje in Loški Potok, Slovenia, from 1 December 2017 to 7 March 2018. The village experienced extremely high aerosol concentrations produced by RWB and near-ground temperature inversion. The isolated location of the site and the substantial local emissions made it an ideal laboratory-like place for characterizing RWB aerosols with low influence from non-RWB sources under ambient conditions. The mean mass concentrations of OA and BC were 35 µgm-3 (max⁡=270 µgm-3) and 3.1 µgm-3 (max⁡=24 µgm-3), respectively. The mean total particle number concentration (10–600 nm) was 9.9×103 particles cm -3 (max⁡=59×103 particles cm -3). The mean total light absorption coefficients at 370 and 880 nm measured by an AE33 Aethalometer were 120 and 22 Mm -1 and had maximum values of 1100 and 180 Mm -1 , respectively. The aerosol concentrations and absorption coefficients measured during the campaign in Loški Potok were significantly larger than reported values for several urban areas in the region with larger populations and a larger extent of aerosol sources. Here, considerable contributions from brown carbon (BrC) to the total light absorption were identified, reaching up to 60 % and 48 % in the near-UV (370 nm) and blue (470 nm) wavelengths. These contributions are up to 3 times higher than values reported for other sites impacted by wood-burning emissions. The calculated mass absorption cross-section and the absorption Ångström exponent for RWB OA were MAC OA,370nm=2.4 m 2 g -1 , and AAE BrC,370-590nm=3.9 , respectively. Simple-forcing-efficiency (SFE) calculations were performed as a sensitivity analysis to evaluate the climate impact of the RWB aerosols produced at the study site by integrating the optical properties measured during the campaign. The SFE results show a considerable forcing capacity from the local RWB aerosols, with a high sensitivity to OA absorption properties and a more substantial impact over bright surfaces like snow, typical during the coldest season with higher OA emissions from RWB. Our study's results are highly significant regarding air pollution, optical properties, and climate impact. The findings suggest that there may be an underestimation of RWB emissions in rural Europe and that further investigation is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiation effects community has developed a number of hardness assurance test guidelines to assess and assure the radiation hardness of integrated circuits for use in space and/or high-energy particle accelerator applications. These include test guidelines for total dose hardness assurance qualification and single event effects (SEE) qualification. In this work, issues associated with these hardness assurance test guidelines are discussed. For total dose qualification, the main test methodologies used in the U.S. and Europe are reviewed and differences between the guidelines are discussed. In addition, some key issues that must be considered when performing total dose hardness assurance testing are addressed. Following these discussions we review some emerging issues relevant to SEE device qualification that are not covered in present SEE test guidelines. The hardness assurance implications of these issues are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents activities, which is PTV software, a traffic planning software (mostly VISSIM and VISSUM) in Bratislava used for, presents real data and results of projects, which helped to become the traffic in the capital city more fluent. Using this software helps also to keep sustainable mobility of the capital city on high level and brings the city closer to the West European cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate models can produce accurate representations of the most important modes of climate variability, but they cannot be expected to follow their observed time evolution. This makes direct comparison of simulated and observed variability difficult and creates uncertainty in estimates of forced change. We investigate the role of three modes of climate variability, the North Atlantic Oscillation, El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode, as pacemakers of climate variability since 1781, evaluating where their evolution masks or enhances forced climate trends. We use particle filter data assimilation to constrain the observed variability in a global climate model without nudging, producing a near-free-running model simulation with the time evolution of these modes similar to those observed. Since the climate model also contains external forcings, these simulations, in combination with model experiments with identical forcing but no assimilation, can be used to compare the forced response to the effect of the three modes assimilated and evaluate the extent to which these are confounded with the forced response. The assimilated model is significantly closer than the "forcing only" simulations to annual temperature and precipitation observations over many regions, in particular the tropics, the North Atlantic and Europe. The results indicate where initialised simulations that track these modes could be expected to show additional skill. Assimilating the three modes cannot explain the large discrepancy previously found between observed and modelled variability in the southern extra-tropics but constraining the El Niño–Southern Oscillation reconciles simulated global cooling with that observed after volcanic eruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe, vine (Vitis vinifera L.) prunings are one of the most abundant types of agricultural waste. It is, therefore, essential to organize the removal of vine waste from the fields in order to prevent the spread of fires, pests, or diseases. Using plant biomass in buildings will help achieve greater energy efficiency and cause less environmental pollution. The objectives of this work were to minimize burning of agricultural waste, reduce the use of natural wood, and obtain a product by using vine pruning waste to manufacture particleboards, assessing their use as an insulating material and their fire-resistance qualities. Eight types of boards were manufactured with vine prunings (two particle sizes, two times, and two pressures), using 9% by weight of urea-formaldehyde as a bonding resin. Experimental tests were conducted to determine the physical, mechanical, thermal, and fire-resistance properties. In general, the panels manufactured performed well as a thermal insulating material with a conductivity between 0.0642 and 0.0676 W/m·K and a classification of Bd0 according to the European standards on fire resistance; some of them may be used to manufacture furniture, interior décor, and load-bearing panels in dry conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Can mitigating only particle mass, as the existing air quality measures do, ultimately lead to reduction in ultrafine particles (UFP)? The aim of this study was to provide a broader urban perspective on the relationship between UFP, measured in terms of particle number concentration (PNC) and PM 2.5 (mass concentration of particles with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) and factors that influence their concentrations. Hourly average PNC and PM 2.5 were acquired from 10 cities located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia over a 12-month period. A pairwise comparison of the mean difference and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test with the application of bootstrapping were performed for each city. Diurnal and seasonal trends were obtained using a generalized additive model (GAM). The particle number to mass concentration ratios and the Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated to elucidate the nature of the relationship between these two metrics. Results show that the annual mean concentrations ranged from 8.0 × 103 to 19.5 × 103 particles·cm−3 and from 7.0 to 65.8 μg·m−3 for PNC and PM 2.5 , respectively, with the data distributions generally skewed to the right, and with a wider spread for PNC. PNC showed a more distinct diurnal trend compared with PM 2.5 , attributed to the high contributions of UFP from vehicular emissions to PNC. The variation in both PNC and PM 2.5 due to seasonality is linked to the cities' geographical location and features. Clustering the cities based on annual median concentrations of both PNC and PM 2.5 demonstrated that a high PNC level does not lead to a high PM 2.5 , and vice versa. The particle number-to-mass ratio (in units of 109 particles·μg−1) ranged from 0.14 to 2.2, >1 for roadside sites and <1 for urban background sites with lower values for more polluted cities. The Pearson's r ranged from 0.09 to 0.64 for the log-transformed data, indicating generally poor linear correlation between PNC and PM 2.5. Therefore, PNC and PM 2.5 measurements are not representative of each other; and regulating PM 2.5 does little to reduce PNC. This highlights the need to establish regulatory approaches and control measures to address the impacts of elevated UFP concentrations, especially in urban areas, considering their potential health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a humanized monoclonal antibody approved by the European Medicines Agency for the intravenous treatment of cancer. However, it is often used as an intravitreal injection for the treatment of macular degeneration or edema. For this purpose, bevacizumab is repackaged from glass vials into plastic syringes. The formation of particles during this compounding process as well as during storage is a source of concern. The aim of this study was to test the sub-visible particulate contamination in bevacizumab material, both in the glass vial and after repackaging into polycarbonate BD Luer-Lok™ syringes. Methods: Syringes with repackaged bevacizumab from 3 different compounding hospital pharmacies were tested for sub-visible particles at different time points during storage at 2-8°C. Results: The batches of bevacizumab starting product complied with the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) for small-volume parenterals. Repackaging into syringes led to an immediate increase in small particles. The number of particles ≥25 μm increased 1.3-fold, and the number of particles ≥10 μm increased 5-fold, respectively. Storage of up to 37 days did not lead to an additional increase in particle counts. All batches complied with the national criteria for particles in intravitreal solutions. Conclusions: Particle count increased due to the repackaging process, but no substantial increase was observed during storage. Formation of sub-visible particles does not impact the shelf-life of bevacizumab repackaged into BD Luer-Lok syringes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerosol number concentrations in the particle size range from ~ 10 nm to 1 μm and vertical electric field strength in the surface layer was measured between September 2012 and December 2013 at three observation sites: mid-latitude station Swider, Poland, and, for the first time, in Hornsund in the Arctic, Spitsbergen, and the Antarctic Arctowski station in the South Shetland Islands. The measurements of aerosol concentrations have been performed simultaneously with measurements of the electric field with the aim to assess the local effect of aerosol on the electric field E z near the ground at the three stations which at present form a network of atmospheric electricity observatories. Measurements have been made regardless of weather conditions at Swider and Arctowski station and mostly on fair-weather days at Hornsund station. The monthly mean particle number concentrations varied between 580 and 2100 particles cm − 3 at Arctowski, between 90 and 1270 particles cm − 3 in Hornsund, and between 6700 and 14,000 particles cm − 3 in the middle latitude station Swider. Average diurnal variations of the ground-level electric field E z and particle number concentrations in fair-weather conditions were independent of each other for Arctowski and Hornsund stations. At Swider station the diurnal variation is usually characterized by an increase of aerosol concentration in the evening which results in the increased electric field. The assumption of neglecting the influence of varying aerosol concentration on the variation of the electric field in the polar regions, often adopted in studies, is confirmed here by the observations at Arctowski and Hornsund. The results of aerosol observations are also compared with modelled aerosol concentrations for global atmospheric electric circuit models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wholegrain wheat flours are in great demand from consumers worldwide because they are considered healthier then refined flours. They can be obtained by either stone milling, which is experiencing a revival in Europe, or roller milling. In order to study compositional differences due to the milling technology and to explore the possibility of a better qualification of wholegrain flours by means of nutritionally oriented quality parameters, eight mixes of soft wheat grains were stone milled and roller milled and the milling products were analyzed for their protein, ash, lipids, total dietary fibre, total polyphenols and alkylresorcinols content. A wholegrain flour milled with a laboratory disk mill was used as a comparison and a set of seven wholegrain flours purchased on themarket were also analyzed and compared. The particle size distribution of stone milled and recombined roller milled flour was also studied. Considering the above mentioned parameters, we found that there is no compositional difference between a stone milled or a roller milled flour if, in this latter one, the milling streams are all recombined, but the particle size distribution was different. This might have an impact on the technological quality of flours and on the bioavailability of components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes relationships between concentration of suspended particles represented by dry mass, [SPM], or area, [AC], and optical properties including particulate beam attenuation (cp), side scattering (bs), and backscattering (bbp), obtained from an intensive sampling program in coastal and offshore waters around Europe and French Guyana. First-order optical properties are driven by particle concentration with best predictions of [SPM] by bbp and bs, and of [AC] by cp. Second-order variability is investigated with respect to particle size, apparent density (dry weight-to-wet-volume ratio), and composition. Overall, the mass-specific particulate backscattering coefficient, bmbp ( = bbp : [SPM]), is relatively well constrained, with variability of a factor of 3-4. This coefficient is well correlated with particle composition, with inorganic particles having values about three times greater (bmbp = 0.012 m² g-1) than organic particles (bmbp = 0.005 mm² g-1). The mass-specific particulate attenuation coefficient, cmp ( = cbp : [SPM]), on the other hand, varies over one order of magnitude and is strongly driven (77% of the variability explained) by particle apparent density. In this data set particle size does not affect cmp and affects bmbp only weakly in clear (case 1) waters, despite size variations over one order of magnitude. A significant fraction (40-60%) of the variability in bmbp remains unexplained. Possible causes are the limitation of the measured size distributions to the 2-302-µm range and effects of particle shape and internal structure that affect bbp more than cp and were not accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lee et al. (Evaluation of pump pulsation in respirable size-selective sampling: part I. Pulsation measurements. Ann Occup Hyg 2014a;58:60-73) introduced an approach to measure pump pulsation (PP) using a real-world sampling train, while the European Standards (EN) (EN 1232-1997 and EN 12919-1999) suggest measuring PP using a resistor in place of the sampler. The goal of this study is to characterize PP according to both EN methods and to determine the relationship of PP between the published method (Lee et al., 2014a) and the EN methods. Additional test parameters were investigated to determine whether the test conditions suggested by the EN methods were appropriate for measuring pulsations. Experiments were conducted using a factorial combination of personal sampling pumps (six medium- and two high-volumetric flow rate pumps), back pressures (six medium- and seven high-flow rate pumps), resistors (two types), tubing lengths between a pump and resistor (60 and 90 cm), and different flow rates (2 and 2.5 l min(-1) for the medium- and 4.4, 10, and 11.2 l min(-1) for the high-flow rate pumps). The selection of sampling pumps and the ranges of back pressure were based on measurements obtained in the previous study (Lee et al., 2014a). Among six medium-flow rate pumps, only the Gilian5000 and the Apex IS conformed to the 10% criterion specified in EN 1232-1997. Although the AirChek XR5000 exceeded the 10% limit, the average PP (10.9%) was close to the criterion. One high-flow rate pump, the Legacy (PP=8.1%), conformed to the 10% criterion in EN 12919-1999, while the Elite12 did not (PP=18.3%). Conducting supplemental tests with additional test parameters beyond those used in the two subject EN standards did not strengthen the characterization of PPs. For the selected test conditions, a linear regression model [PPEN=0.014+0.375×PPNIOSH (adjusted R2=0.871)] was developed to determine the PP relationship between the published method (Lee et al., 2014a) and the EN methods. The 25% PP criterion recommended by Lee et al. (2014a), average value derived from repetitive measurements, corresponds to 11% PPEN. The 10% pass/fail criterion in the EN Standards is not based on extensive laboratory evaluation and would unreasonably exclude at least one pump (i.e. AirChek XR5000 in this study) and, therefore, the more accurate criterion of average 11% from repetitive measurements should be substituted. This study suggests that users can measure PP using either a real-world sampling train or a resistor setup and obtain equivalent findings by applying the model herein derived. The findings of this study will be delivered to the consensus committees to be considered when those standards, including the EN 1232-1997, EN 12919-1999, and ISO 13137-2013, are revised., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society 2014.)

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are the causative agents of cervical cancer, the third most common cancer in women. The development of prophylactic HPV vaccines Gardasil® and Cervarix® targeting the major oncogenic HPV types is now the frontline of cervical cancer prevention. Both vaccines have been proven to be highly effective and safe although there are still open questions about their target population, cross-protection, and long-term efficacy. The main limitation for a worldwide implementation of Gardasil® and Cervarix® is their high cost. To develop more affordable vaccines research groups are concentrated in new formulations with different antigens including capsomeres, the minor capsid protein L2 and DNA. In this article we describe the vaccines' impact on HPV-associated disease, the main open questions about the marketed vaccines, and current efforts for the development of second-generation vaccines., (© 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)