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This study aims to reveal the long-term station-based characteristics of precipitation in Istanbul, a mega city located on the continents of Europe and Asia, with complex topography and coastline along the Marmara and Black Seas. Using data from five different stations, three located in the European continent and two in the Asian continent, with measurement periods ranging from 72 to 93 years, wet and dry days have been identified, statistics on precipitation conditions during the warm and cold seasons have been generated, categorization based on precipitation intensities has been performed, and analyses have been conducted using extreme precipitation indices. At stations located in the northern part of the city, higher annual total precipitation has been observed compared to those in the south. A similar situation applies to the number of wet days. While during the cold season, the wet and dry day counts are nearly the same across all stations, this condition exhibits significant differences in favor of dry days during the warm season. Apart from dry conditions, "moderate" precipitation is the most frequently observed type across all stations. However, "extreme" events occur significantly more often (6%) during the warm season compared to the cold season (2%). Long-term anomalies in terms of annual precipitation totals have shown similarity between stations in the north and south, which has also been observed in longitudinally close stations. Despite the longer duration of the cold season and stronger temperature gradients, extreme rainfall events are more frequent during the warm season, primarily due to thunderstorm activity. While trend analyses revealed limited significant trends in precipitation intensity categories and extreme indices, the study highlights the importance of comprehensive examination of extreme rainfall events on both station-based and regional levels, shedding light on potential implications for regional climate change. Lastly, during the cold season, the inter-station correlation in terms of annual total precipitation amounts has been considerably higher compared to the warm season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two total mixed diets on the growth performance and serum biochemical indexes of 25~35 kg Suffolk and Tibetan sheep crossbred F1 ewe under cold season house feeding conditions. Twenty-one ewes bred in F1 generation of Suffolk and Tibetan sheep hybrid with similar body condition and phenotype were randomly divided into three groups with seven replicates in each group and one sheep in each replicate. Group D (CP 14.26%, ME 12.93 MJ/kg) and Group G (CP 15.06%, ME 11.67 MJ/kg) were fed total mixed diets with different protein and energy levels, while the control group was fed alfalfa and oat hay. The pre-test period was seven days, and the formal test period was 60 days. The results showed that the average daily gain from 1 to 30 days, the average daily gain from 31 to 60 days, the average daily gain from 1 to 60 days, and the average daily gain from 1 to 60 days in Group G were significantly higher than those in Group D and control group (P<0.05), while the feed-to-weight ratio from 31 to 60 days and 1 to 60 days were significantly lower than those in Group D (P<0.05). The average daily feed intake and feed-weight ratio from 1 to 30 days, and average daily feed intake from from 31 to 60 days and 1 to 60 days in Group D were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The serum glucose, total cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase activity in Group G were significantly higher than those in Group D and control group (P<0.05), the serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activity in Group G was significantly higher than that in Group D and control group (P<0.05), the serum albumin and calcium contentrations in Group D were significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the serum total bile acid and inorganic phosphorus content in Group D were significantly higher than that in and control group (P<0.05), and the serum urea nitrogen content in Group D and Group G was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The study indicates that feeding total mixed diet to F1 ewe of Suffolk and Tibetan hybrid in cold season can improve the growth performance, and the feeding effect of group G is better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on conventional observation data, data from intensive automatic ground stations, lightning location data, and NCAR reanalysis data, we analyzed the weather types, spatial-temporal distribution, and environmental conditions of cold season elevated thunderstorms in Hubei from 2011 to 2020. Moreover, we discussed the environmental parameter characteristics of different types of cold season elevated thunderstorms according to the results in boxplots. The main results are as follows: (1) Cold season elevated thunderstorms in Hubei, occurring from November to March the following year, can be categorized into thunderstorm, severe convection, and thundersnow. The spatial distributions of cold season elevated thunderstorms were uneven: there were seasonal and regional differences in the spatial-temporal distribution of different types of cold season elevated thunderstorms. The thunderstorm type occurred mostly in November, January, and February, the strong convective type and thundersnow type usually appeared in early spring (February), and the strong convective type was dominant in March. (2) The low trough cold front, 850 hPa shear line, and low-level southwest jet were favorable circulation backgrounds for the occurrence of overhead thunderstorms in the cold season. The low-level southwest jet was controlled by stable cold air mass near the surface, and the temperature inversion was obvious. The uplift of the low-level southwest jet was triggered along the front inversion layer near 850 hPa, and water vapor, ascending motion, and unstable stratification all appeared above 850 hPa. The distance between thunderstorms and thundersnow was more than 100 km, and the distance between severe convection was less than 100 km. (3) 850 hPa was an important level of wind field transformation. The maximum dew point temperature (Td850), K index, temperature difference between 850 hPa and 500 hPa (ΔT85), false equivalent potential temperature (θse850) of 850 hPa, southwest jet stream thickness and intensity (I700), and shear line intensity (S850) were observed in the severe convection type, while the minimum vertical wind shear (SL78) was observed in the middle and lower layers (850--700 hPa). The thundersnow type had the lowest requirement for water vapor and unstable energy, while the SL78 was the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Influenza vaccination has been a concern for patients, healthcare professionals and decision-makers alike. This concern, in Romania, has materialized at the beginning of the cold season 2023-2024 by changing the legislative rules so that the purchase of the vaccine by patients is made on the basis of a compensated medical prescription, and not by its distribution through family medicine offices. Materials and method. On 29.09.2023, a survey based on 10 questions was carried out, to which 48 family doctors from Mures County responded. The survey was conducted before the legislative changes took effect, so the opinion expressed in the questionnaire has prospective value. Results. The 10 questions revealed respondents’ opinions on the optimal time to start a flu vaccination campaign, who should be the target group for such campaigns, the adverse reactions to immunization, attitudes of healthcare staff towards this type of vaccination and towards the advantages and vulnerabilities of the new legislation, and how the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign might have influenced other vaccination campaigns. Conclusions. Respondents’ views on influenza vaccination were in line with literature data on the approach to immunizations in the cold season and the risks and benefits of such campaigns. Regarding the effects of the change in the regulations governing the flu vaccination campaign in Romania, a survey should also be conducted at the end of the 2023-2024 cold season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Tianzhu white yaks is a unique species living on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and has strong adaptability to high altitude and low oxygen. These yaks mainly rely on natural pasture as the source of nutrients. However, because of low temperature and insufficient pasture in winter, the Tianzhu white yak lose weight. The ruminal microbiota of yaks can efficiently acidify and hydrolyze fiber to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs). In this study, we investigated how the ruminal microbiota affects the growth performance of yaks after supplementing straw feed and assessed the changes in ruminal microbiota and VFAs. Correlation analysis revealed a correlation among the ruminal microbiota, VFAs, and daily weight gain (ADG) of yaks. Mainly, the abundance of cellulose bacteria that can hydrolyze straw feed increased to produce more levels of VFAs, which were absorbed by the yaks, increasing their ADG. The Tianzhu white yaks (Bos grunniens) live on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. During winter, a lack of resources and low nutritional levels seriously affect their growth performance. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of supplementation straw pellets on the growth performance and ruminal microbiota of yaks. Overall, at 6 (6M, n = 24), 18 (18M, n = 26), 30 (30M, n = 20), 42 (42M, n = 24), and 54 (54M, n = 22) month old Tianzhu white yaks were selected (total n = 116) and divided into the mixed straw + grazing (MSG), corn straw + grazing (CSG), and the grazing control (G) groups according to age and gender. Their growth performance was measured as per different dietary treatments. The rumen microbial community structure and levels of VFAs were analyzed from the 6M, 30M, and 54M male yaks from each group. The supplementary diets led to an increase in the ADG, which was the highest in the MSG group. The MSG group exhibited the highest level of acetate and total VFAs (TVFAs) among the three groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the 16S rRNA sequencing results proved that the microbial composition was dominated by the members of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Christensenellaceae R-7 group was significantly abundant in the CSG and MSG groups compared to the G group (p < 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that the bacterial community structure of rumen in the MSG and CSG groups was considerably different from that in the G group; 6M samples exhibited different rumen microbial diversity compared with the other samples. Correlation analysis revealed that Christensenellaceae_R-7_group was positively correlated with the levels of acetate, TVFAs, and ADG. These results demonstrated that mixed straw pellets improved the growth performance of yaks, increased the abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7_group involved in cellulose degradation in the rumen, and produced large amounts of VFAs, which were absorbed by yaks, thus increasing their ADG. This study provides new insights into the effects of straw pellet supplementation on the changes in the rumen microbiota and growth performance of yaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The yak (Bos grunniens) is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and data on their nutritional requirements are lacking. Previous reports have shown that yaks have a higher nitrogen utilization efficiency than Bos taurus, so we hypothesize that yak diets should have a lower level of dietary crude protein than beef cattle. Two diets with different dietary protein content were designed to investigate the effect of dietary protein levels on yaks in the cold season. The results showed that during the cold season, high protein level could promote rumen microbial protein synthesis, elevate arginine and proline metabolism, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, taste transduction and glutathione metabolism pathways, enhance antioxidant and immune function, and promote growth performance of yak. However, a high-protein diet enhanced the renin secretion pathway, which might increase a yak's water intake. This experiment was aimed to compare the effects of two diets with different protein content on the growth performance, immune indexes, rumen fermentation characteristics and plasma metabolomics of growing yak in the cold season. A total of 24, 2-year-old healthy yaks with similar body weight (142.9 ± 3.56 kg) were randomly allocated to two isoenergetic diets with different protein content (10 vs 14%) according to a non-paired experimental design, and the protein of the diets was increased by increasing soybean meal, rapeseed meal and cottonseed meal. The growth performance experiment lasted 56 days. Four days before the end of the growth experiment, the digestion trial was conducted, and the rumen fluid and plasma was collected for measurement. The results showed that the average daily feed intake (p < 0.001) and average daily gain (p = 0.006) of yak fed a high-protein diet was significantly greater, while the feed conversion ratio was lower (p = 0.021) than that of yaks fed a low-protein diet. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002), alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.001), malondialdehyde (p = 0.001), tumor necrosis factor-α (p = 0.032) and interferon-γ (p = 0.017) of the high-protein group were significantly lesser, whereas superoxide dismutase (p = 0.004) and interleukin-2 (p = 0.007) was significantly greater than that of the low-protein group. The rumen microbial crude protein (p < 0.047) and crude protein digestibility (p = 0.015) of yak fed a high-protein diet was significantly greater than that of the low-protein group. The metabolomics results showed that yaks fed a high-protein diet were elevated in protein digestion and absorption, arginine and proline metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, butanoate metabolism, taste transduction, pyrimidine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism and renin secretion pathways. It is concluded that a high-protein diet in the cold season can promote rumen microbial crude protein synthesis, enhance antioxidant and immune function and promote growth performance of yaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As a native breed to the Inner Mongolian Plateau (Inner Mongolia, China), Mongolian sheep are tolerant to cold. However, their cold-adaptive processes, such as the physiological feedback adjustments that occur during the cold season in the plateau environment, remain unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the adaptations of grazing Mongolian sheep in the plateau environment by investigating the changes in physiological mechanisms and serum biochemistry of sheep reared in the warm and cold seasons. We observed that many of the biochemical functions were stimulated to meet the requirements of organismal metabolic regulation in order to enable grazing Mongolian sheep to physiologically adapt to cold climatic conditions. However, the function of resisting oxidation of the grazing Mongolian sheep was impaired during the cold season. The findings from this study provide helpful information for understanding the physiological requirements for grazing Mongolian sheep to adapt to extremely cold environments. The manuscript also provides information for optimizing the management of these animals during the cold season, increasing farm profits and designing genetic selection strategies. Mongolian sheep are characteristically cold-tolerant. However, their cold adaptive processes, such as the physiological feedback adjustments that occur during the cold season, remain unexplored. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the physiological adaptations of Mongolian sheep in cold plateau environments. A comparative analysis of the serum biochemical parameters, immune response, antioxidant capacity, and glucose and lipid metabolism of grazing Mongolian sheep in the cold and warm seasons was conducted. The results showed that in the cold season, the glucose and lipid metabolism and thermogenesis of the grazing Mongolian sheep were notably enhanced. Moreover, the immune responses were stimulated by increased levels of cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-1β, and IL-6, during the cold season. However, the antioxidant defense system was damaged; this damage was mainly characterized by decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and an increased level of MDA during the cold season. Overall, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, thermogenesis, and immune responses were stimulated to meet the requirements of organismal metabolic regulation to enable grazing Mongolian sheep to physiologically adapt to cold climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Japan, several local strong winds that are unique to a particular region are known by names such as "oroshi," "dashi," and "kaze," including Akagi‐oroshi and Kiyokawa‐dashi. In the area around Kobe City, northerly downslope winds from Mt. Rokko, or "Rokko‐oroshi," blow. However, there have not been many studies on Rokko‐oroshi, and its nature is not yet fully known. In particular, the nature of Rokko‐oroshi in the middle of Mt. Rokko (34.7321°N, 135.2539°E) and temperature changes induced by the blow of Rokko‐oroshi have not been studied so far. For example, during the blowing of Rokko‐oroshi, wind speeds up to 12 m/s can be recorded at the downwind while experiencing a rapid temperature decrease of between 5 and 8°C. In this study, winds and temperatures in the middle of Mt. Rokko were observed to investigate the characteristics and temperature reduction effect of Rokko‐oroshi. First, characteristics of wind speed and direction in the middle of Mt. Rokko were clarified to determine the intensity and duration in which Rokko‐oroshi blew. Second, hourly changes in temperature, wind speed, and wind direction were analyzed to relate variations in wind speed and direction with temperature reductions upwind and downwind of Mt. Rokko and within Kobe City. Lastly, radiosonde measurements upwind and downwind of Mt. Rokko were inspected to elucidate the physical mechanisms necessary for the generation of Rokko‐oroshi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of powerful tornadoes tore through multiple states in the central and southern United States from 10 to 11 December 2021. It is claimed the deadliest tornado outbreak that has taken place on December days. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had confirmed 66 tornadoes as of 21 December, producing at least 90 fatalities. Most tornadoes occurred at night and thus they were difficult to be visually located, which directly increases the risk for local residents. Two violent nighttime tornadoes were rated category 4 on the enhanced Fujita scale (EF4). Although a high death toll was caused during this event, the operational service actually presented an excellent performance. This tornado outbreak has aroused extensive discussion from both the public and the research community in China. This paper presents a brief discussion on the formation environment and warning services of the tornado outbreak. Recall the deadliest violent tornado in the past 45 years in China, the radar-based tornadic vortex signatures at the locations with EF4 damages show a comparable strength with those in the current cases. Some views on the tornado warning issuance and receiving and damage surveys in China are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Weight loss and decline of milk yield in Tibetan sheep was a challenge for the dairy industry in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which were considered to be caused by underfeeding of the sheep during the harsh winter. The objective of this study was to assess the role of feed supplementation in the milk performance and rumen microbiome of ewes under forage-based diets. Based on parity, milking period, milk yield, and body weight, ten 1.5-yr-old ewes were allocated randomly into two groups. One group of ewes was fed no supplement Control group (CON) and the other group was fed with concentrate feed supplement (Treatment group, T). Individual milk yield was determined daily; both the milk composition and rumen bacterial characteristics were analyzed after the end of feeding trials. Results: Results showed that lactose in the milk of the CON group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the T group at days 30 and 60. Milk yield in the T group was greater than in the CON group at day 30 (P < 0.05). Additionally, the dominant ruminal bacteria (phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia) were shared by both groups through 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Greater relative abundance of Bacteroidales RF16 group in family level, Victivallales in order level, Lentisphaeria in class level, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium in species level were observed in the T group than in the CON group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that supplementation of concentrate in the cold season improved milk lactose yield and milk production, and the rumen microbial abundance of Tibetan sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare fungal contamination of poultry litter between warm and cold seasons. It was carried out in commercial production conditions over two five-week fattening periods: one in the summer (July-August) and one in the winter (December-January). Broilers were reared on a litter composed of chopped straw and sawdust. Litter fungal concentration and composition were investigated weekly, along with litter temperature, moisture, and pH. Litter concentration of total fungi increased over both fattening periods, with no differences in median concentrations between them. Season also had no effect on yeast, Aspergillus section Nigri, and Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Rhizopus spp. concentrations, while the Aspergillus section Flavi and Aspergillus spp. combined showed higher concentrations in the summer, and Mucor and Penicillium spp. in the winter. Total fungal concentration highly correlated with litter temperature, moisture, and pH, regardless of the season. Our findings can be useful in the assessment and control of potential harmful effect of fungi on the health of poultry and poultry farm workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative studies are presented to evaluate the effect of temperature on the coagulating ability of a composite coagulant-flocculant based on nepheline raw materials and a traditional coagulant of aluminum sulfate in relation to sulfate lignin in the temperature range 4–30°С. The advantage of the composite coagulant-flocculant is shown when it is used in the physicochemical purification technology at low temperatures with ensuring a stable effect of clarification of wastewater from ligno-humic impurities in a wide pH range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Sulfur dioxide (SO 2) is an important component of air pollution, adversely impacting human health worldwide. This study aimed to examine the association between short-term exposure to SO 2 and childhood hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in Hefei, China. Methods A Poisson generalized additive model (GAM) combining the time-series regression analyses was used to fit the SO 2 -HFMD association. The effect of SO 2 was estimated using the single-day lag models (lag0, lag1, lag2) and the moving average lag models (lag01, lag02) We also conducted stratified analyses by season, ages (0–4 years old, 5–14 years old), gender (male, female), childcare patterns (scattered children, kindergarten children) and residence areas (urban, rural). Two-pollutant models were adopted to test the robustness of the results. Results There was a statistically significant association between SO 2 and the risk of childhood HFMD. For total cases, the relative risk (RR) at lag0 was 1.038 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.018–1.057) in whole-period and 1.088 (95 % CI : 1.059–1.118) in cold season. During cold season, we observed significant associations between SO 2 and HFMD among all subgroups except for children aged 5–14 years old and the adverse effects occurred on lag0, lag1, lag01, lag02. However, in hot season, SO 2 were significant only for females (lag01 with RR = 1.054; 95 % CI = 1.007–1.101) and scattered children (lag01 with RR = 1.054; 95 % CI = 1.007–1.101). In general, females and scattered children appeared to be more vulnerable to SO 2. Conclusions This study suggests a significant association between SO 2 and HFMD. especially during cold season. Compared with males and kindergarten children, females and scattered children are at higher risk of developing HFMD. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • This is the first study to explore the SO 2 -HFMD association in Hefei, China. • Specifically, the effect of SO 2 was higher during cold season. • The adverse effects occurred on lag0, lag1, lag01, lag02. • Female and scattered children appeared to be more vulnerable to SO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulation of rumen microbiota is a prominent function of dietary supplements to improve the performance and health of grazing ruminants. This experiment evaluated the influence of the amount of Ligularia virgaurea (LV) supplementation on nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and bacterial composition in Tibetan sheep consuming low-quality, cold-season forage. Thirty-two intact male yearling Tibetan rams (30 ± 1.66 kg body weight, mean ± SD) were used in a completely randomized block design, randomly assigned among four experimental groups, and fed for 35 days. Sheep were fed a basal diet (freshly native pasture) with either no LV (control), or with 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg BW of LV per animal/d, with prairie forage available ad libitum. Results showed that the dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients differed significantly across treatments (P < 0.05). Ruminal fermentation parameters and the bacterial composition were affected by the dietary LV supplementation amount and there was a strong correlation between them. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the ruminal bacterial community for all groups. Prevotella and Rikenellaceae _RC9_gut group were the dominant genera, whose relative abundances decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing LV supplementation. Overall, LV ingestion improved the rumen bacterial community abundance associated with cellulose and saccharide degradation, thus contributing to nutrient digestibility and energy supply in Tibetan sheep in the cold season. A comparison of metabolic functional prediction across the four treatment groups revealed an enrichment of metabolic pathways related to lipid metabolism, metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides, folding, sorting and degradation, and membrane transport in the LV supplementation groups. Genomics-based knowledge on the benefits of autochthonous functional plants to Tibetan sheep ruminal microbiota functions and compositions will contribute to their selection as antibiotic alternatives for traditional pastureland. • Use of functional native herbage in Tibetan sheep diets in the cold season were explored. • The appropriate level of Ligularia virgaurea stimulated dry matter intake and nutrient digestibility. • Ligularia virgaurea affected some bacterial taxa related with improved efficiency. • Ligularia virgaurea may enhance the sustainability of small ruminant production systems in winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of starter supplementation with fat sources differing in their fatty acid (FA) profile on performance of dairy calves during cold season. Sixty Holstein calves (3 d of age; 39.7 ± 3.8 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 starter diets supplemented with (1) no fat or oil source (control), (2) 3% palm fat (PLF), (3) 3% soybean oil (SBO), (4) 3% tallow (TAL), and (5) a 3.2% mixture (MIX) of PLF, SBO, and fish oil. The fat supplements were substituted for corn in the basal starter diet. Both the control and fat-supplemented diets contained similar amounts of dietary crude protein (19.4%), but the latter had a slightly higher quantity of calculated metabolizable energy (3.17 vs. 3.07 Mcal/kg) than did the former. Calves were reared outdoor in individual pens during the cold of winter with a mean ambient temperature of 5.0°C during the study period. Whole milk was offered twice daily from d 3 to 45 and once from d 46 to 49. The animals were weaned on d 50 and monitored in their individual pens until d 70. Supplementation with SBO and MIX increased both the dietary concentration and ratio of essential FA (n-6 and n-3), whereas supplementation with TAL and PLF made no change in the essential FA profile. Starter intake and average daily gain were not affected by PLF and TAL supplements, but were reduced as a result of feeding MIX. Feeding supplemental SBO did not affect starter intake, but tended to improve average daily gain and final body weight. Fat sources had no effects on body skeletal measurements, fecal score, digestibility, ruminal pH, ammonia, and total volatile FA concentrations; however, feeding MIX increased rumen molar proportion of propionate. No differences were observed in blood metabolites across the treatments during the preweaning period. Plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol increased when fat sources were supplemented and glucose concentration increased when SBO was supplemented during the postweaning period. Overall, addition of 3% PLF or TAL to the diet of young calves failed to improve growth performance. Although addition of SBO and MIX increased the dietary essential FA concentration, calf performance was only improved when SBO was supplemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite ( GOES) visible imagery was used to identify lake-effect ( LE) clouds in the North American Great Lakes region for the cold seasons (October-March) of 1997/1998 through 2013/2014 to provide a comprehensive climatological description of the seasonal and interannual variability of LE cloud bands. During the average cold season, at least 60% of days each month had LE clouds over some portion of the Great Lakes region and nearly 75% of all LE days had LE clouds present over several lakes simultaneously. Wind-parallel bands ( WPB) are observed far more frequently than any other type of LE over Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron during the months of December, January, and February. Over Lake Erie, the occurrence of days per month with WPB was found to be approximately 5-10% greater than days with shore-parallel bands ( SPBs) throughout the entire cold season. The greatest frequency of SPB occurrences in the Great Lakes region was over Lake Ontario during the months of January and February (∼20% of days). In addition, Lake Ontario was the only lake where the frequencies of WPB and SPB occurrences were fairly similar each month. The annual frequency of WPB occurrences are the most variable among the Great Lakes, decreasing in frequency from the western lakes toward the eastern lakes. Lake Ontario has the largest annual frequency of SPB occurrences and the greatest variation in SPB annual frequency. Lake Huron has the second largest annual frequency of SPB days with small interannual variation. The primary differences of the annual frequency of lake-to-lake ( L2L) LE occurrences when compared with previous research were a greater variability in the L2L annual frequency of Superior-to-Michigan connections, greater frequency of Michigan-to-Huron connections, and less frequent occurrences for Superior-to-Huron and Michigan-to-Erie connections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and frequency of fog events during the cold season in northern Utah is studied using surface Mesowest data from 2004 to 2014. Fog is identified using the reported weather conditions, relative humidity, and visibility. The length and time of each fog occurrence is calculated. Statistics are performed on daily, monthly, and seasonal timescales. To ensure representativeness of the data and to account for the relatively small sample size, 'near-fog' conditions are included in some statistics. Results show that there is significant variability among the valleys in northern Utah in terms of both quantity and timing of fog events. Fog occurs more frequently in locations close to lakes such as the Great Salt Lake or Utah Lake than in locations farther away. It is also noted that small, enclosed valleys have higher amounts of fog than broader, open valleys. Throughout the region, there is a distinct peak in fog in late January for most stations. A strong peak in fog occurrences near dawn is also found for all cold season months. In addition, the influence of local, mesoscale conditions on the fog distribution is evident in many stations. It is found that the existence of fog at one location is a very poor predictor of fog at nearby locations on a daily timescale, which implies serious forecasting difficulties over complex terrain. However, it is also found that on an annual timescale the amount of fog at one location can be used to estimate the amount of fog at another location. The controlling factors that contribute to the variability of fog events over northern Utah (a mountainous region) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the connection between cold air pools and fog events in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Statistical analyses are conducted using soundings and reported automated surface observing system data from Salt Lake International Airport for the last eighteen cold seasons (October to March, during 1997-2015). A Chi-square test of independence is performed on identified cold air pool, and fog events to determine whether the two events are correlated. Conditional probabilities are then computed to investigate the occurrence of fog, given the presence of a cold pool. These probabilities are compared against that of random fog generation in the mid-winter. It is concluded that the dependence between cold air pools and fog events is statistically significant. The presence of a cold pool makes the formation of fog more likely than random generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forging strong links between traits and performance is essential for understanding and predicting community assembly and dynamics. Functional trait analyses of trees that have correlated single-trait values with measures of performance such as growth and mortality have generally found weak relationships. A reason for these weak relationships is the failure to use individual-level trait data while simultaneously putting that data into the context of the abiotic setting, neighborhood composition, and the remaining axes constituting the overall phenotype. Here, utilizing detailed growth and trait data for 59 species of trees in a subtropical forest, we demonstrate that the individual-level functional trait values are strongly related to individual growth rates, and that the strength of these relationships critically depends on the context of that individual. We argue that our understanding of trait-performance relationships can be greatly improved with individual-level data so long as that data is put into the proper context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological treatment technologies, applied to deal with polluted river water in the low temperature season, remain limited. In this study, a new insight was put forward for purifying polluted river water using a combination system (CS) of large-scale rotating biological contactors (RBCs) and integrated constructed wetlands in autumn and winter. The treatment performance, average removal contribution (RC), nitrification and denitrification rates, microbial community structure, and ecosystem service value were considered to estimate the combination system. Results revealed that the average removal efficiencies of ammonium (NH 4 +–N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reached 93.9%, 20.8%, 36.5%, and 37.1%, respectively. The combination system showed excellent removal efficiency of NH 4 +–N regardless of the effect of low temperature. The maximum values of nitrification and denitrification rates were 59.57 g N/(m3·d) and 0.78 g N/(m2·d), respectively. Considerable differences in bacterial community diversity, richness and relative abundance of functional microbes were observed in the main treatment units, resulting in different average RC to pollutants. The unit capital cost of CS purifying polluted river water was 260 USD/m3 and the operation and maintenance cost was 0.144 million USD/yr. Meanwhile, the ecosystem service value of the CS was 0.334 million USD in autumn and winter. CS not only possessed excellent pollutant purifying efficiencies, but also achieved high ecological service value in the cold season. [Display omitted] • Biological and ecological technologies are coupled to obtain combination system. • Excellent pollutant purification effect was achieved in the cold season. • High nitrification ability was found in rotating biological contactor. • Microbial community succession occurred in combination system. • The ecological service value was estimated for future scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The cold season in the Arctic extends over 8 to 9 mo, yet little is known about vascular plant physiology during this period. Evergreen species photosynthesize under the snow, implying that they are exchanging water with the atmosphere. However, liquid water available for plant uptake may be limited at this time. The study objective was to determine whether evergreen plants are actively taking up water while under snow and/or immediately following snowmelt during spring thaw. METHODS: In two in situ experiments, one at the plot level and another at the individual species level, ²H-labeled water was used as a tracer injected beneath the snow, after which plant stems and leaves were tested for the presence of the label. In separate experiments, excised shoots of evergreen species were exposed to ²H-labeled water for ~5 s or 60 min and tested for foliar uptake of the label. KEY RESULTS: In both the plot-level and the species-level experiments, some ²H-labeled water was found in leaves and stems. Additionally, excised individual plant shoots exposed to labeled water for 60 min took up significantly more ²H-label than shoots exposed ~5 s. CONCLUSIONS: Evergreen tundra plants take up water under snow cover, some via roots, but also likely by foliar uptake. The ability to take up water in the subnivean environment allows evergreen tundra plants to take advantage of mild spring conditions under the snow and replenish carbon lost by winter respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the biogeographical characteristics of forensic entomology, and the recent development of forensic microbiology as a complementary approach for post-mortem interval estimation, the current study focused on characterizing the succession of necrophagous insect species and bacterial communities inhabiting the rectum and mouth cavities of swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses during a cold season outdoor experiment in an urban natural environment of Bucharest, Romania. We monitored the decomposition process of three swine carcasses during a 7 month period (November 2012-May 2013) corresponding to winter and spring periods of a temperate climate region. The carcasses, protected by wire cages, were placed on the ground in a park type environment, while the meteorological parameters were constantly recorded. The succession of necrophagous Diptera and Coleoptera taxa was monitored weekly, both the adult and larval stages, and the species were identified both by morphological and genetic characterization. The structure of bacterial communities from swine rectum and mouth tissues was characterized during the same time intervals by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments. We observed a shift in the structure of both insect and bacterial communities, primarily due to seasonal effects and the depletion of the carcass. A total of 14 Diptera and 6 Coleoptera species were recorded on the swine carcasses, from which Calliphora vomitoria and C. vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Necrobia violacea (Coleoptera: Cleridae) and Thanatophilus rugosus (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were observed as predominant species. The first colonizing wave, primarily Calliphoridae, was observed after 15 weeks when the temperature increased to 13 °C. This was followed by Muscidae, Fanniidae, Anthomyiidae, Sepsidae and Piophilidae. Families belonging to Coleoptera Order were observed at week 18 when temperatures raised above 18 °C, starting with Cleridae, Silphidae, and followed by Histeridae, Staphylinidae and Dermestidae. For bacteria, 53 taxa belonging to phyla Proteobacteria (Gammaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria), Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were identified from the mouth cavity (36 OTUs) and rectum cavity (17 OTUs). These shifts in insect and bacterial communities indicated their complementary role in the carcass decomposition process. These results represent the first forensic entomological and microbiological survey in Romania. This study shows the value of forensic entomology as a tool for forensic investigations in Romania and neighboring areas with similar biogeographical characteristics. Moreover, this study represents a novel approach for understanding taphonomy and estimating post-mortem interval during cold season by combining entomological and microbiological methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air quality has been improved significantly from 2017 to 2020 in Fenhe Plain, one of the most polluted regions in China. However, severe haze episodes from days to weeks were still frequently observed in cold seasons, and the sources and formation mechanisms especially organic aerosols are poorly understood due to the limited highly time-resolved measurements. Here we have a comprehensive characterization of chemical composition, variations and sources of fine particles in fall and winter in Fenhe Plain mainly using a PM 2.5 Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor. Our results showed that organics and nitrate were two major species of PM 2.5 , on average accounting for 35.4% and 27.0%, respectively, and they played consistently important roles across different pollution levels. Positive matrix factorization revealed three primary sources from traffic, biomass burning and coal combustion emissions, and two secondary factors that are associated with photochemical and aqueous-phase processing. While secondary OA (SOA) dominated OA for the entire study (63%), large increases in primary OA from 19% to 41% were observed during heating period. Particularly, we found a high contribution of photochemical OOA (45%) during severely polluted periods in heating season demonstrating the presence of strong photochemical production in winter. Most aerosol species presented similarly pronounced diurnal cycles with low concentrations during daytime indicating the major influences from planetary boundary layer and primary emissions. The bivariate polar plots further illustrated the different sources of primary and secondary species, i.e., local emissions versus regional transport from the south and southeast. By analyzing four case studies, we found three major formation mechanisms of severe haze episodes that were driven by photochemical processing, aqueous-phase production, and local emissions, respectively. Therefore, different mitigating strategies are suggested in Fenhe Plain depending on the types of severe haze episodes. [Display omitted] • Organics and nitrate dominated particle composition in cold season in Fenhe plain. • POA were mainly from coal combustion, biomass burning, and traffic emissions. • Strong photochemical production of SOA was observed during winter severe pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzed are the periodical components of cold-season precipitation series on the territory of the Ishim Plain and atmospheric circulation indices AO, SCAND, and EA/WR for 1950-2010 using the wavelet coherence method. The spectra of wavelet coherence ( R) are computed for the atmospheric parameters under study, and oscillation periods and phase relations are determined. Statistically significant coherent fluctuation with the periods of 8-12 years ( R = 0.7-0.9) were observed in the series of precipitation and of each index. Phase relations and time periods differ for different circulation indices: EA/WR in 1963-1985, SCAND in 1983-2000, and AO in 1972-1991. Coherent oscillations in the series of precipitation and AO and EA/WR indices occurred in phase and those in the series of precipitation and SCAND index, in antiphase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of climate change has driven appearance of a multiplicity of studies in medicine as an argumentation for elaboration of adaptation measures. It was investigated a number of death cases in cold season (November-March) of very cold winters 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 compared with the period of reference (2001-2010) in 4 regions of the Republic of Moldova. During these cold winters the significant increase both in the absolute number of deaths and in excess deaths has been registered, that is directly correlated with very low temperatures of corresponding periods. At the same time the number of excess deaths was about three times higher during 2009/2010 compared to 2005/2006 (0.001

In this study, we investigated sedimentation differences between two distinctive cold seasons, in terms of hydrometeorological and hydrodynamic conditions, in a coastal area of the Northern Baltic Sea in 2018–2020. A combination of sediment trap data, hydrometeorological data and hydrodynamic modelling provided a unique set-up to discover differences in sedimentation rates and compositions. Our study shows that the averaged sedimentation accumulation rate (SAR) was nearly three times higher during warmer cold season (30.9 g m−2 day−1), characterised by higher precipitation, especially rain and discharge, as well as snowless and open water conditions, compared to regular cold season (10.6 g m−2 day−1). While sedimentation was higher during the warmer season, the mean sediment grain size (D 50) was higher during the regular cold season with permanent snow and ice cover. Similarly, while sediments of the regular cold season were organically rich, the total amount of organic matter accumulation was larger during the warmer cold season. Sediments consisted mostly of clastic matter (85–89%), of which the mean grain size varied from clay to fine silt (0.3–3.0 μm). Sedimentation differences between the cold seasons can be explained by differences in precipitation, river flow, wind-induced resuspension and a low air pressure system forcing sea level changes. Sedimentation differences along the study bay were found to be connected to channel cross-sectional area and flow conditions caused by river input and sea level changes. • The average sedimentation rate was nearly three times higher during warmer cold season. • Mean grain size (D 50) was lower during cold season with higher rainfall. • Hydrometeorological factors controlled the sedimentation. • Hydrodynamic modelling improves the understanding of sedimentation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of the observations during October 2006 - April 2010, the aquatic birds which inhabit the Apa lake, SatuMare county, during all the cold season. 54 species of 10 orders and 19 families that spend the winter or part of it on the lake have been identified, 6 of these species abound or are common, most of them, 48 species, are only occasional visitors. 14 of the species observed are strictly protected. Most birds were observed during the coldest weather and most species during the spring passage. Minimum protective measures have been recommended in order to protect the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern wetland methane emission estimates have large uncertainties. Inversion models are a qualified method to estimate the methane fluxes and emissions in northern latitudes but when atmospheric observations are sparse, the models are only as good as their a priori estimates. Thus, improving a priori estimates is a competent way to reduce uncertainties and enhance emission estimates in the sparsely sampled regions. Here, we use a novel way to integrate remote sensing soil freeze/thaw (F/T) status from SMOS satellite to better capture the seasonality of methane emissions in the northern high latitude. The SMOS F/T data provide daily information of soil freezing state in the northern latitudes, and in this study, the data is used to define the cold season in the high latitudes and, thus, improve our knowledge of the seasonal cycle of biospheric methane fluxes. The SMOS F/T data is implemented to LPX-Bern DYPTOP model estimates and the modified fluxes are used as a biospheric a priori in the inversion model CarbonTracker Europe-CH 4 . The implementation of the SMOS F/T soil state is shown to be beneficial in improving the inversion model's cold season biospheric flux estimates. Our results show that cold season biospheric CH 4 emissions in northern high latitudes are approximately 0.60 Tg lower than previously estimated, which corresponds to 17% reduction in the cold season biospheric emissions. This reduction is partly compensated by increased anthropogenic emissions in the same area (0.23 Tg), and the results also indicates that the anthropogenic emissions could have even larger contribution in cold season than estimated here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Heat stress is especially harmful for bovine ovarian follicle development and oocyte competence. In this study, we assessed the effects of heat shock on oocyte maturation in oocytes collected during the cold (February–March; n = 114) or warm (May–June; n = 116) periods of the year. In both cases, cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured under control (38 °C) and heat shock conditions (41.5 °C, 18–21 h of maturation). For each oocyte, nuclear stage, cortical granule distribution and steroidogenic activity of cumulus cells were evaluated. Based on the odds ratio, heat-shocked oocytes were 26.83 times more likely to show an anomalous metaphase II morphology. When matured under heat shock conditions, oocytes obtained in both seasons were similarly affected in terms of nuclear maturation, whereas a seasonal effect was observed on cytoplasmic maturation. For oocytes collected during the cold season, the likelihood to show an anomalous maturation was 25.96 times higher when exposed to the heat treatment than when matured under control conditions. By contrast, oocytes collected during the warm season matured under control or heat shock did not show significant risk of showing an anomalous cytoplasmic maturation. Our findings indicate an increased rate of premature oocytes in response to heat shock as well as a higher tolerance to this stress of oocytes harvested in the warm season compared with those collected in the colder period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Plants play an important role in CH4 emissions from wetlands. Vascular plants transport CH4 from the anaerobic zone to the atmosphere through their aerenchyma, thereby bypassing the aerobic zone and strongly increasing CH4 emission rates. However, most studies of the effect of plants on wetland CH4 emissions are based on observations made during the growing seasons. The effects in non-growing seasons are still unclear. In this study, we conducted a clipping experiment to investigate the effects of plants on CH4 emissions from a temperate marsh in the growing and non-growing seasons. The results show that the influence of plants on CH4 emissions from the wetland varied among different seasons. Plant-mediated CH4 accounted for 38% of the total fluxes in the plant-growing season. After the growing season, whether the plants transported CH4 from the soil to the atmosphere in situ was determined by the involved environmental conditions. In autumn, the plants did not transport CH4. This is because the CH4 diffused easily in the soil and water, rather than via the plants'' organs. In the surface soil freezing period, CH4 diffusion was blocked and accumulated under the frozen surface. The highly concentrated CH4 in the pore water was compelled to enter the organs of the plants and diffused by them. The ‘passive diffusion’ via plants transported 84% of the total CH4 emissions during this period. Nonetheless, the plants did not transport CH4 again in the deep soil freezing season. By synthesizing our data together with previous studies, we suggested that this is because the frozen soil layer was deep enough in this period to exceed the depth horizon of the plants'' roots and the CH4 in free water could not enter the plants'' organs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, we apply for the first time the definition of a derecho (Johns and Hirt, 1987) to European cold-season convective storm systems. These occurred on 18 January 2007 and 1 March 2008, respectively, and they are shown to fulfill the criteria of a derecho. Damaging winds were reported over a distance of 1500km and locally reached F3 intensity. Synoptic analysis for the events reveal strongly forced situations that have been described for cold-season derechoes in the United States. A comparison of swaths of damaging winds, radar structures, detected lightning, cold pool development, and cloud-top temperatures indicates that both derechoes formed along cold fronts that were affected by strong quasi-geostrophic forcing. It seems that the overlap of the cold front position with the strong differential cyclonic vorticity advection at the cyclonic flank of mid-level jet streaks favoured intense convection and high winds. The movement and path width of the two derechoes seemed to be related to this overlap. The wind gust intensity that was also different for both events is discussed and could be related to the component of the mid-level winds perpendicular to the gust fronts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In Sapporo city, located in the northern district of Japan, it is very difficult to estimate the time of death of decomposed or skeletonized bodies found outdoors in cold season (November–April) because postmortem changes are markedly retarded in the season compared with warm season (May–October), and the bodies are often damaged and skeletonized by carnivorous animals such as wild dogs and foxes. However, they cannot damage the brain in the cranium. The brain is mainly damaged by fly larvae. In Sapporo city, we can estimate that the time of death of a cadaver found outdoors in the cold season is in the beginning of November or before if fly larvae hatched in autumn exist on the cadaver, and that the time of death is in the beginning of November or after if fly larvae hatched in autumn do not exist and most of the brain remains in the cranium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microbial activity in Arctic tundra ecosystems continues through the winter and is an important component of the annual C budget. This activity is sensitive to climatic variation, particularly snow depth because that regulates soil temperature. The influence of winter conditions on soil N cycling is poorly understood. In this study, we used intact core incubations sampled periodically through the winter and following growing season to measure net N mineralization and nitrification in dry heath and in moist tussock tundra under ambient and experimentally increased snow depths (by use of a snowfence). In dry heath, we sampled soils under Dryas octopetela or Arctostaphylos alpine, while in tussock tundra, we sampled Eriophorum vaginatum tussocks and Sphagnum dominated areas between tussocks. Our objectives were to: (1) examine how different winter snow regimes influenced year-round N dynamics in the two tundra types, and (2) evaluate how these responses are affected by dominant species present in each system. In tussock tundra, soils with increased winter snow cover had high net N mineralization rates during the fall and winter, followed by immobilization during thaw. In contrast, N mineralization only occurred during the autumn in soils with ambient snow cover. During the growing season when N immobilization dominated in areas with ambient snow cover, soils with increased winter snow cover had positive net mineralization and nitrification rates. In dry heath tundra, soils with increased snow depth had high late winter net N mineralization rates, but these rates were: (a) comparable to early winter rates in soils under Arctostaphylos plants with ambient snow cover; (b) greater in soils under Arctostaphylos plants than in soils under Dryas plants; and (c) less than the rates found in tussock tundra. Our findings suggest under ambient snow conditions, low soil temperatures limit soil N mineralization, but that deeper snow conditions with the associated warmer winter soil temperatures dramatically increase over-winter N mineralization and thereby alter the amount and timing of plant-available N in tundra ecosystems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Some features of the circulation in the Yellow Sea (hereafter referred to as YS) in the cold season (mid-November through mid-April) are analyzed emphatically by using the observations of several large-scale surveys in recent years together with historical data. Compared with the previous studies, a wealth of observed data have firstly been used in this study to further discuss the origin and path of the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC). The analyses show that the YSWC is not a direct branch of the Tsushima Warm Current (TSWC), but derives from the mixed water region formed by TSWC water and the continental shelf water of the East China Sea (ECS). The path of the YSWC has certain seasonal and interannual variations. Then, the basic features of the Cheju Warm Current (CWC) discovered in recent years and its relation to the YSWC are expounded. The studies indicate that the CWC and the YSWC come basically from the same origin, and the main path of CWC is located roughly in water depths of greater than 80 m northwest of Chejudo. At last, the distribution features of the Korea Coastal Current (KCC) are delineated according to the new observations. The results show that the KCC moves toward south along the 40–50 m isobaths west of the Korean Peninsula, and its velocity increases from north to south. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) is responsible for aggravating respiratory diseases, particularly asthma. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between NO 2 exposure and asthma emergency department (ED) visits during the cold season (November–February) in five populated locations (Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego) of California from 2005 to 2015 (1320 Days). Conditional logistic regression models were used to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) associated with a 5 ppb increase in NO 2 concentration for the 19,735 ED visits identified. An increase in NO 2 exposure increased the odds of having asthma ED visits for the studied population. The potential effect modification by sex (female and male), race (White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian), and age (2–5, 6–18, 19–40, 41–64, and ≥65) was explored. A 5 ppb increase in the concentration of NO 2 during lag 0–30 was associated with a 56% increase in the odds of having an asthma ED visit (OR = 1.560, CI: 1.428–1.703). Sex was not found to be a modifier. Asthma ED visits among all the races/ethnicities (except Asians) were associated with NO 2 exposure. Whites had the highest OR 75% (OR = 1.750, CI: 1.417–2.160) at lag 0–30 in response to NO 2 exposure. The association between NO 2 exposure and asthma ED visits was positive among all age groups except for 19 to 40 years old; the OR was higher among 2 to 18 year old (at lag 0–30: age group 2–5 (OR = 1.699, CI: 1.399–2.062), and age group 6–18 (OR = 1.568, CI 1.348–1.825)). For stratification by location, San Diego and Fresno were found to have the highest OR, compared to the other studied locations. Unlabelled Image • Effect of NO 2 exposure on asthma emergency department (ED) visits was evaluated. • A time-stratified case-crossover method was used to address NO 2 exposure. • Increase in NO 2 concentration increases the odds of having asthma attack. • Among all races, Whites showed a greater association with NO 2 exposure. • 2 to 18 years old had the greater and faster response to NO 2 exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), but the results are limited. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of several major air pollutants on HFMD in the warm and cold seasons in central China. A Poisson Generalized additive model (GAM) was used to assess the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and the incidence of HFMD at Wuhan, China during 20152016. Daily cases of HFMD were extracted from the infectious disease surveillance systems of Hubei provincial center for disease control and prevention (Hubei CDC). Data on air pollution, including sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), ground-level ozone (O 3), particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM 10), and PM with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) were obtained from 10 national air quality monitoring stations in Wuhan. We found that the association between air pollution and HFMD was most pronounced at lag days 10 and 11. The results of the single-pollutant model show that the associations of SO 2 , NO 2 , O 3 , PM 10 , and PM 2.5 with HFMD were all statistically significant. The results of the multi-pollutant model showed that NO 2 , O 3 , PM 10 , and PM 2.5 are reduced after excluding the confounding of co-pollutants. The seasonal analysis showed that the effect of air pollution in the cold season was higher than in the warm season. Our research provides more evidence related to air pollution and HFMD, and helps policy makers to develop regulations for the prevention and control of the disease. Image 1 • All pollutants are significantly associated with HFMD at lag 10 - 11. • Air pollution have a stronger effect on HFMD in the cold season. • The effects of NO 2 , O 3 , and PM are reduced in the multi-pollutant models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the results of research on the concentration of particulate matter (PM) in two places in one village named Kotórz Mały (Poland). The main point of the research was to check the influence scale of different low-emission source forms as components of the anthropogenic factor driving the changes in local air quality. Measurements were made over five cold seasons. To investigate the dust concentrations, the gravimetric and optical method was used. The weather conditions were measured with portable weather stations. It was found that the character of individual heating systems had a major influence on local air quality. The presence of a permanent state of the troposphere and temperature inversion led to the inhibition of pollution dispersion processes and significant local changes, exceeding the recommended PM2.5 concentrations limit. The effects of policy still don't influence air quality trends in the Polish village. The main problem of high concentrations of PM2.5 is the old generation of individual heating systems and the lack of significant support from local and national authorities. For the terms considered and the period of observation, meteorological measurements can be considered a sufficient foundation for the estimation of the occurrence of worrying conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cold season (winter and thaw) CH4, CO2 and N2O fluxes from freshwater marshes (47°35′N, 133°31′E, Northeast China) were measured, using the static chamber method. The mean CH4 and CO2 fluxes from Carex lasiocarpa (Cl) were 0.5±0.19 and 6.23±1.36mgCm−2 h−1, respectively, and those from Deyeuxia angustifoli (Da) were 0.18±0.15 and 5.22±2.48mgCm−2 h−1, respectively in winter. There was no significant difference between Cl and Da (p >0.05). The contributions of winter CH4 fluxes were about 5.5% and 3% in the Cl and Da, respectively. Marshes are an important potential N2O sink in winter season in northeast China. During thaw, the CH4 and CO2 emissions rapidly increased, 4.5–6 times of winter emissions. Wetland became a source of N2O. Cold season gases flux from northern wetlands play an important role in the seasonal gas exchange. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]