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Environmental pollution caused by heavy metals are problems worldwide. In particular, pollution and poisoning by lead ions (Pb2+) continue to be common and serious problems. Hence, there is a need for a widely usable method to easily detect Pb2+ from solutions containing organic materials from environmental water such as seas, ponds, etc. Here, we established a system to easily detect Pb2+ from such mixture solutions using Pb2+ binding peptide immobilized beads (peptidyl beads) and ultraviolet (UV) absorption measurements. This method could detect Pb2+ at low concentrations equivalent to inductively coupled plasmon-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Using the detected values to create a calibration curve, it was found that there was a positive correlation between the concentration of Pb2+ and absorbance, which also made it possible to quantify sub-µM Pb2+ in the solutions. Furthermore, Pb2+ was detected and quantified under mixed conditions of environmental water such as seas, rivers, and ponds. This method is expected to become a versatile and easy-to-use Pb2+ detection method for end-users worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The noise instance is unpleasant in the ears and leads to harmful or even dramatic consequences, and we all have this obligation to limit the extent of noise in a consistent way in our cities. It is very important and even crucial to underline that noise pollution has a negative impact on human health and activities, so this harmful environmental pollution coming from different sources must be seriously monitored with dedicated equipment that are able to discriminate, categorise and even give or display the noise level in terms of dB. From this, the antenna sensor, specifically oriented or dedicated for the detection of the quality and quantity of noise pollution, can be realized by using a sensor array. In this paper we propose a design and simulation of a Beamforming based antenna sensor to detect the direction of arrival (DOA) of the noise and how to differentiate between different noises that are in a single signal envelope. The system has the ability to record and store the noise for further processing.From the signals (noise) we can deduce other events that are happening that are invisible to us, when these signals are processed, they reveal the hidden realities; the proposal of this Beamforming antenna and its system associated with algorithms can make the difference of a noise of a vehicle driving on a good road and on a destroyed one. This can bring many benefits for the protection of the environment, especially in the pollution, see also on the financial point, maintenance of the road and other.

The noise magnitude should be drastically limited in any city whatever its source, namely car/train/aircraft traffic, industrial activities, and leisure. The nose pollution has a significant impact on human activities especially for health. However, the environmental pollution due to noise, in its various types, should be monitored with dedicated instrumentation capable of discriminating the type of noise. The antenna sensor, devoted to detecting the quality and the quantity of noise pollution, can be realized using an array of sensors. We propose a design and a simulation of a beamforming-based antenna sensor to detect the direction of arrival (DOA) of noise.

An instrument to detect atmospheric HO 2 radicals using fluorescence assay by gas expansion (FAGE) technique has been developed. HO 2 is measured by reaction with NO to form OH and subsequent detection of OH by laser-induced fluorescence at low pressure. The system performance has been improved by optimizing the expansion distance and pressure, the influence factors of HO 2 conversion efficiency are also studied. The interferences of RO 2 radicals were investigated by determining the conversion efficiency of RO 2 to OH during the measurement of HO 2. The dependence of the conversion of HO 2 on NO concentration was investigated, and low HO 2 conversion efficiency was selected to realize the ambient HO 2 measurement, where the conversion efficiency of RO 2 derived by propane, ethene, isoprene and methanol to OH has been reduced to less than 6% in the atmosphere. Furthermore, no significant interferences from PM 2.5 and NO were found in the ambient HO 2 measurement. The detection limits for HO 2 (S / N = 2) are estimated to 4.8 × 105 cm−3 and 1.1 × 106 cm−3 (ρ H O 2 = 20%) under night and noon conditions, with 60 sec signal integration time. The instrument was successfully deployed during STORM-2018 field campaign at Shenzhen graduate school of Peking University. The concentration of atmospheric HOx radical and the good correlation of OH with j (O1D) was obtained here. The diurnal variation of HOx concentration shows that the OH maximum concentration of those days is about 5.3 × 106 cm−3 appearing around 12:00, while the HO 2 maximum concentration is about 4.2 × 108 cm−3 appearing around 13:30. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the damage suffered by collections exhibited in museum rooms or in storage areas has been mostly attributed to their immediate surroundings that is, to an environment characterized by certain environmental conditions that interact positively or negatively in the physical - chemical integrity of the objects. Temperature, humidity, electromagnetic radiation and environmental pollution are considered some of the agents that can deteriorate the collections. Since, generally, it is more difficult to permanently modify the environmental conditions to adapt them to the exposed collections, it is proposed here to adapt the collections to the environmental conditions when it is possible. This paper presents a development of a methodology that compares the levels measured of each environmental condition in a museum room with a table of material sensitivity, to determine the feasibility of exposure of a given object, promoting the controlled exhibition of the collections. The large volume of data obtained from the environmental measurements requires a considerable processing time, therefore, a computational process developed in LabVIEW graphic software is included in the treatment of this special information. This automation constitutes a useful technological tool that allows correcting anomalies and favouring the prevention of collection risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element of global concern, and the Minamata Convention on Mercury came into force in 2017. Intensive discussions on the reduction of Hg emissions and the environmental monitoring of Hg have been undertaken through the United Nations Environment Programme. To reduce the environmental risks posed by Hg, a simple and rapid detection system for Hg in the environment is needed. We developed a simple Hg detection device based on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-Hg). It utilizes the direct reaction of Hg and the Au electrode of the quartz crystal element via the phenomenon of Au-Hg amalgamation. In this study, experiments were conducted to examine the new measurement system and to clarify its detection characteristics. The experimental results show a positive relationship between Hg concentration and frequency shift. When the gas flow rate is high and the measurement time is long, the Au-Hg amalgam reaction proceeds more efficiently and the frequency shift increases. On the basis of the calibration curve obtained, it is possible to determine the Hg gas concentration. In the case of 10 μg Hg/m³, a frequency shift of 4.8 Hz/min is obtained using a 30 MHz quartz crystal element of the surface mount device (SMD). This new detection system enables easy measurement of very low concentrations of Hg. These results revealed that QCM-Hg is a useful Hg measurement system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied a method of monitoring an indoor environment using an advanced robot vacuum cleaner equipped with a small sensor unit consisting of temperature, humidity, and gas sensors. We conducted a test to detect a vaporized material on the floor in a room. The sensor unit (temperature, humidity, air pressure, quartz crystal microbalance, and semiconductor gas sensors) was used in the test. Measurements were made with the sensor unit placed in the dust box of the vacuum cleaner. To represent a leaked liquid, a given number of water droplets and a sponge soaked with a given volume of ethanol were placed at different locations on the floor, and we investigated the detection characteristics of each sensor when the cleaner passed by the droplets and sponge representing the leaked liquid. In all the detection tests, measurements made with the sensor unit placed in the dust box showed the selective detection of water and ethanol. The most likely reason for the increase in detection output is that a few water droplets on the floor were distributed by the brush and vaporized to inside the robot vacuum cleaner, where they were detected by the sensor unit in the dust box. We showed that this form of monitoring has the potential to detect a spilled or leaked liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bislang werden in vielen kulturellen Einrichtungen die Umweltbedingungen für vorhandene Bestände lediglich in regelmäßigen Intervallen händisch kontrolliert. Dieses pragmatische Vorgehen ist dem Umstand geschuldet, dass für ein Monitoring in Bestandsobjekten bislang nur kommerzielle Systeme zur Verfügung stehen, die auch aufgrund des Kostenfaktors meist nur in spezialisierten Anwendungsfällen zum Einsatz kommen. Basierend auf dieser Ausgangslage wurde ein Open-Source-Framework entwickelt, das mit günstiger Hardware betrieben werden kann. An der Universitätsbibliothek Bamberg wird dieses System seit September 2017 an unterschiedlichen Standorten erfolgreich eingesetzt. Monitoring of storage conditions in cultural institutionsThe Open Source Framework MonTreAL: Abstract: Currently, most cultural institutions monitor environmental storage conditions through mere manual measurements that are performed on a regular basis. The reason for this is that commercial storage monitoring solutions for an existing building are deployed only in specialized scenarios, partly due to their cost. Therefore, we developed an Open Source Framework operating on inexpensive off-the-shelf hardware. The university library of Bamberg is using this system successfully since September 2017 in different locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral is commonly selected as a bioindicator of detecting a variety of adverse factors such as photosystem II herbicide Irgarol 1051, through measuring pan-type biomarkers. To improve the effectiveness of biomonitoring, omic technologies have recently been applied to model the systemic changes in an organism. Membrane lipids create a dynamic cell structure based on the physiological state, which offers a distinct lipid profile to specifically detect environmental threats and assess the associated health risk. To demonstrate the potential of a lipidomic methodology for biomonitoring, the glycerophosphocholine (GPC) profiles of the coral Seriatopora caliendrum were observed during 3 days of Irgarol (0.1–2.0 μg/L) exposure. The lipid profile variations were modeled based on the Irgarol dose and the coral photoinhibition levels to develop an excellent quantitative model. The predominant changes correlated with the photoinhibition, decreasing the lyso-GPCs and GPCs with lower unsaturated chains and increasing GPCs with highly polyunsaturated chains, can be related to the consequence of blocking the photosynthetic electron flow based on the associated physiological roles. Other dose-specific lipid changes led to the partial exchange of PC(O-16:0/20:5) for PC(16,0/20:5) as a first-line response to counteract the membrane opening caused by Irgarol. Increased levels of the GPCs with 20:4 or 22:6 chains, which can promote mitochondrial functionality, confirmed an elevated respiration level in the coral exposed to Irgarol levels of >0.5 μg/L. Notably, plasmanylcholines with 20:4 or 22:6 chains and phosphatidylcholines with 22:6 or 22:5 chains, which can alter their membrane material properties to mitigate organelle pre-swelling and swelling in different ways, formed in the coral exposed to the 0.5 and 2.0 μg/L Irgarol levels. Such coral adaptations further predict the health risks associated with altered physiological conditions. In this study, the lipidomic methodology is demonstrated as a potential tool for environmental monitoring and assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental measurement programs can add value by providing not just accurate data, but also a measure of that accuracy. While quality assurance (QA) has been recognized as necessary since almost the beginning of automated weather measurement, it has received less attention than the data proper. Most QA systems examine data limits and rate of change for gross errors and examine data for unchanging values. Others compare data from other locations using spatial tools or examine temporal consistency. There exists a need for analytical tools that can increase the likelihood of detecting small errors, such as a calibration drift, or increased variation in a sensor reading. Two such empirical tools are described herein that can inform a first level QA process. One operates on data from a single sensor, using comparisons between a current and a prior datum; the other leverages additional information from a duplicate sensor and operates on only the current datum. The objectives of this paper are to describe the computational methods, illustrate results with multiple-month datasets representing both nominal and failing sensors, provide some indications of validity of assumptions made in the derivation, and suggest where in a quality assurance program these methods could be applied. With little additional datalogger programming to obtain both the period average and the ending value, these tools could be added to QA toolkits in many automated weather stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), as an architectural design decision tool, utilizes data concerning multiple users' satisfaction in conjunction with indoor environmental components to develop a better quality of human life. However, one of the limitations of POE that is frequently pointed out is its excessive reliance on surveys and general solutions, without a full understanding of the occupants' physiological characteristics and pertinent environmental performance/conditions. This lack of awareness may lead to irrelevant modifications and the occupants' dissatisfaction with indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Therefore, this study suggested an integrated POE, that combined a quantifiable environmental dataset to indicate each individual occupant's satisfaction with each IEQ element. At 411 workstations in modern offices located in Southern California of the U.S., on-site IEQ measurements and user satisfaction surveys were conducted. Statistical analyses of the collected data were also conducted within specific categories of building types, spatial attributes, and human factors. These analyses revealed significant relationships that exist between human factors and IEQ satisfaction, as well as environmental conditions, including gender, age, workstation location, etc. These relationships could be ranked in accordance with the impact that sensitivities of individual IEQ elements using a decision tree algorithm, have on human physiological conditions. These findings suggested a hierarchical approach as an optimal design solution to maximize the occupants' well-being in their workplace environments. Therefore, these results reinforced the necessity for an integrated POE with consideration of human and environmental factors in order to provide enhanced/optimal IEQ design solutions for specifically-targeted population and spatial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 50 years, there has been a tremendous expansion in the measurement of chemical contaminants in environmental media. But how many chemicals have actually been determined, and do they represent a significant fraction of substances in commerce or of chemicals of concern? To address these questions, we conducted a bibliometric survey to identify what individual chemicals have been determined in environmental media and their trends over the past 50 years. The CAplus database of CAS, a Division of the American Chemical Society, was searched for indexing roles "analytical study" and "pollutant" yielding a final list of 19,776 CAS Registry Numbers (CASRNs). That list was then used to link the CASRNs to biological studies, yielding a data set of 9.251 × 10 6 total counts of the CASRNs over a 55 year period. About 14,150 CASRNs were substances on various priority lists or their close analogs and transformation products. The top 100 most reported CASRNs accounted for 34% of the data set, confirming previous studies showing a significant bias toward repeated measurements of the same substances due to regulatory needs and the challenges of determining new, previously unmeasured, compounds. Substances listed in the industrial chemical inventories of Europe, China, and the United States accounted for only about 5% of measured substances. However, pharmaceuticals and current use pesticides were widely measured accounting for 50-60% of total CASRN counts for the period 2000-2015.

In this paper, a reliable Mach–Zehner Interferometer (MZI) dye sensor is constructed by bridging two single mode fibres (SMF1 and SMF 2) with a short ( \sim 20 mm), tapered multimode fibre (MMF). Three MMFs with diameters of 27.7, 23.2, and 19.5~\mu \text{m} are tested to analyze the sensitivity of the sensor. The sensor is immersed in a Remazol Black B solution of various concentrations (40–240 ppm) where the output intensity ratio of Remazol Black B to distilled water, {I}_{\mathrm{ RBB}} / {I}_{0}$ , and wavelength shift, \Delta \lambda $ , are both recorded for each concentration. These responses are mainly dependent on the diameter of the MMF and the concentration of the RBB dye solution. Response surface methodology is utilized to evaluate the interactions of few parameters simultaneously as well as to interpret the obtained results in statistic form. Furthermore, a modeling approach, adaptive neurofuzzy interference system is deployed to construct two empirical models with the given responses from the sensor, hence predicting the concentration of the RBB solution. The squared correlation coefficient ( \text{R}^{2} ) between experimental and predicted results, mean absolute percentage error, and root mean square error is calculated to measure the accuracy of the models developed in the study. Finally, an additional experiment is conducted to validate the accuracy of the predictive models and the results obtained are encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three environment-assisted schemes are proposed to suppress the amplitude damping decoherence for entanglement distribution via weak measurement reversal. Based on the measurement of environment and appropriate weak measurement reversal operations, the initial entangled state can be recovered between two separated participants with high success probability and fidelity. In some specific cases, the restored optimal concurrence could reach up to 1 without requirement of the reversing measurement. Moreover, we concretely show that the proposed environment-assisted entanglement restoration can be applied to quantum teleportation to significantly improve the fidelity of the teleported state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to understand how environmental characteristics of a school influence the effectiveness of prevention efforts. Although researchers have discussed the importance of conducting needs assessments before implementing interventions, few of these types of assessments focus on the relational aspect. Furthermore, few assessments have the appropriate psychometric evidence to support that they are reliably assessing an environmental concept (e.g., a construct at the school level versus at the individual level). To fill this void, we developed a scale assessing the level of school problems and the quality of relationships among principals, teachers and students. Test data were collected from 368 teachers in 37 schools who participated in a randomised controlled trial of a violence prevention program. The many-faceted Rasch rating scale model was used to analyse the data. Information on construct dimensionality, school-level reliability, internal consistency, concurrent validity and predictive validity indicated satisfactory psychometric properties for this measure. We discuss contributions of this study to the measurement of school settings and the potential benefit of implementing more effective school-based interventions by collecting this type of baseline information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocean wave monitoring is a significant activity in oceanography and forecasting. There are several techniques utilized for this activity ranging from local point buoys and wide-area satellites. This study focuses on constructing modular wave sensors that can be utilized efficiently in a local area wave monitoring system. This paper presents this development in different stages, namely, wave sensor construction, laboratory experiments and testing, field deployments, preprocessing technique application, and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this article, a full dynamic data-driven application system (DDDAS) is proposed for dynamically estimating a concentration plume and planning optimal paths for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with environmental sensors. The proposed DDDAS dynamically incorporates measured data from UAVs into an environmental simulation while simultaneously steering measurement processes. In order to assimilate incomplete and noisy state observations into this system in real-time, the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is used to estimate the plume concentration by matching partial observations with pre-computed dominant modes in a least-square sense. In order to maximize the information gain, UAVs are dynamically driven to hot spots chosen based on the POD modes. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) techniques are used for UAV guidance with collision and obstacle avoidance. We demonstrate the efficacy of the data assimilation and control strategies in numerical simulations. Especially, a single UAV outperforms the ten static sensors in this scenario in terms of the mean square error over the full time interval. Additionally, the multi-vehicle data collection scenarios outperform the single vehicle scenarios for both static sensors at optimal positions and UAVs controlled by SPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An audit toolkit was developed to enable food companies to measure their suppliers in terms of environmental management. Environmental practices and performance metrics were audited using a customised survey that enabled the quantification of best practice, common practice and areas for improvement. It was tested on six suppliers to a major fresh food company. Key areas of best practice included separation and recycling of waste streams, efforts to reduce use of raw materials, energy, water, pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. Some suppliers were working with stakeholders to reduce environmental impacts. The supplier with the best environmental performance had developed and implemented an Environmental Management Policy and was working towards ISO 14001 accreditation. The study identified four areas for improvement by the suppliers. These were the implementation of an Environmental Management System, the sourcing of more renewable materials and energy, the systematic measurement of the food miles of products and carbon and water footprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines how environmental resources are measured and quantified as objects of environmental science and management and how lay knowledge-producers participate in this process, alongside the state. Using a case study of recreational angling, I show how fish in English rivers and lakes are counted and anglers act as lay or amateur knowledge-producers in the state’s metrological knowledge-practices. As embodied measurement instruments, anglers create data about themselves (as ‘effort data’) and about fish (as ‘catch returns’). These data are combined with other forms of data produced by the Environment Agency in England and Wales and used for fisheries management, thus shaping water bodies and fish ecology. I show how, to support environmental measurement, the state manages not only the environment and fish, but also anglers as lay knowledge-producers, using both regulation and economic incentives; in response, anglers also use data reflexively and strategically. I therefore emphasise the heterogeneous co-productions of environmental measurement as amateur–professional, human–animal and organic–technological, and show how measuring and managing water ecologies also involves measuring and managing humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A chelating resin is prepared by condensation polymerization of aniline with formaldehyde and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis and studied for the preconcentration and determination of trace Molybdate ion from environmental water sample using inductive couple plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The optimum pH value for sorption of the metal ion was 5. The sorption capacity of functionalized resin is 3.1 mg/g. The chelating sorbent can be reused for 20 cycles of sorption- desorption without any significant change in sorption capacity. The best desorption of the metal ions from resin was obtained by 0.5 mol/L nitric acid as eluting agent. The profile of molybdenum uptake on this sorbent reflects good accessibility of the chelating sites in the aniline- formaldehyde. Scatchard analysis revealed that the homogeneous binding sites were formed in the polymers. The equilibrium adsorption data of Molybdate ion modified resin were analyzed by five isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin. Langmuir isotherm parameters obtained from the four Langmuir linear equations by using linear method. Based on the Langmuir isotherm analysis, the monolayer adsorption capacity was determined to be 4.03 mg/g at 20 ºC. The method was applied for molybdenum ions determination from river water sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As the demand for renewable energy increases, it becomes important to critically examine the environmental impacts of renewable energy production. Often, the approach has been trial and error in renewable energy with respect to its impact on the environment. Hydrokinetic Energy Extraction (HEE) has been seen as a potentially “benign” form of renewable hydropower. This paper provides a benchmark for initial measurement of HEE environmental impacts, since negative outcomes have been present with previously assumed “benign” renewable hydropower. A Gorlov system was used to represent a HEE system. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was utilized to compare the environmental impacts of HEE with small hydropower, coal, natural gas and nuclear power. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criteria air emissions were quantified and compared over the life cycle of the systems. Life cycle air emissions were used in combination with TRACI to compare the systems. The Gorlov system was found to have the lowest life cycle impact with a system lifetime comparison, and did compare closely with small hydropower. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We challenged an Aquatic Biology class to find a way to access, observe, and record aquatic habitats and organisms without causing disruption. Using off the shelf components the class was guided in the design and assembly of a remote controlled, video broadcasting, data collecting, floating vehicle based on a molded goose decoy. GOOSE-CAM or Guided Object Observatory for Scientific Experiments-Camera Afloat Module is now used to observe, count, and record aquatic invertebrates, fish, and plants. Recent additions have expanded GOOSE-CAM to record temperature, light (turbidity), and depth. The project fulfilled the dual educational goals of (1) integrating student biological knowledge with engineering, physics, and chemistry and (2) providing a context in which students develop problem-solving skills. The project required active participation, research, teamwork, and application learning in a realistic context to be able to support the collection of ecological data. With a bit of imagination, the concept could be adapted to other courses and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents several abstracts of studies concerning land use planning. "North American Urban History: The Everyday Politics and Spatial Logics of Metropolitan Life," by Mary Corbin Sies; "The Myth of Liberty Place: Race and Public Memory in New Orleans," by Jacob A. Wagner; "Planned Industrial Districts in Chicago: Firms, Networks, and Boundaries," by Robert Lewis.

Presents the abstracts of several studies on planning. "The Rise (and Decline) of American Regional Science: Lessons for the New Economic Geography?," by Trevor J. Barnes; "Contesting Visions: Hybridity, Liminality and Authorship of the Chandigarh Plan," by Nihal Perera; "Waiting for Geography," by Marcus A. Doel.

A major program of research aimed at measuring the quality of community life using subjective and objective indicators is described. Impetus for the research was a need to inform planning and policy decisions in the Detroit metropolitan area. The study also addresses theoretical concerns about relationships between objective conditions in cities, towns and rural areas and people’s subjective and behavioral responses to the conditions. In addition to measuring subjective well being of Detroit area residents, issues explored in the study include travel and transportation, neighborhoods and neighboring, parks and recreation behavior, housing and residential mobility, and sprawl and open space preservation. The program of research also involves parallel studies in other world cities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper considers the impact of recent developments in polymer optical fibre (POF) and its application in optical fibre sensors and optical measurement. A discussion of techniques developed for POF-based sensors and devices, and their applications includes sensors to measure flow, biofilm growth, turbidity, toxicity, humidity, rotation and fluorescence. Techniques to photoinduce refractive index changes and physical gratings into POF, and chemically to remove the cladding and taper plastic optical fibres are described, along with the use of fluorescent dye-doped plastic optical fibres (FPOF) in sensors and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]