International Journal of Biometeorology最新文献

This study aimed to analyze the shading effect of single trees on human thermal sensation (HTS) during summer. Micrometeorological data were collected and analyzed in both sunny and shaded locations for four tree species-one deciduous broadleaf tree (DBT), two evergreen broadleaf trees (EBT), and one evergreen coniferous tree (ECT) species. The results demonstrated relatively small differences in air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed among the species, with mean values of 0.1-0.5 ℃, 0.5-1.8%, and 0.0-0.7 ms⁻¹, respectively. However, there was a significant difference observed in the mean radiant temperature, with a mean of 18.6 ℃. In terms of the HTS indices (PET and UTCI), the shaded locations exhibited mean reduction rates of 15.4-20.6% in PET, corresponding to a thermal perception reduction effect of 1.0-1.5 levels. The UTCI demonstrated a reduction effect of 9.7-12.5%, equivalent to a heat stress reduction effect of 0.6-0.7 levels. The ECT demonstrated higher mean reduction rates in PET, 1.3% and 3.5% higher than the DBT and EBT, respectively. However, the EBT presented a similar reduction effect on HTS as the ECT due to its high leaf density. Based on these findings, the mean radiant temperature and leaf density were found to be the primary factors influencing the heat reduction effects of single trees during summer. The findings of this study can serve as fundamental data for landscape planting methods that account for thermal environment improvement in the future.

Ambient low temperature is a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI) worldwide, with limited evidence about the effect of low temperature at different periods of a day. We aimed to characterize the association of MI mortality with daytime and nighttime low temperatures in rural areas. Daily daily temperature data and MI deaths from 2016 to 2020 were obtained for the rural areas of Anhui Province. We first applied the distributed lag nonlinear model to examine the association of MI death risk with daily maximum (daytime) and minimum (nighttime) temperature for each rural area. Then, we used the random-effects meta-analysis to pool the rural-specific effect estimates and subgroups stratified by sex, age, and geographical region. Daytime low temperature and nighttime low temperature were both associated with an increased risk of MI death. On the same day of exposure to daytime low temperature and nighttime low temperature, the risk of MI death respectively increased by 12.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7% ~ 25.8%] and 3.2% (95%CI: 0% ~ 6.6%). Subgroup results showed an increased MI death risk associated with daytime and nighttime low temperatures in the elderly (≥ 65 years) and males. Besides, there was an obvious geographical variation in the lag effects of daytime and nighttime low temperatures on MI mortality. This study provides evidence of different effect of daytime and nighttime low temperature on MI mortality in China. Our findings may have important implications in preventing heart attacks during the day and at night in cold weather.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways presenting high global prevalence. Geoclimatic characteristics, especially relative air humidity, play an important role in its epidemiological profile, despite being still understudied. This study aims to evaluate the influence of individual and environmental geoclimatic factors on the prevalence of asthma in adolescents. A school-based epidemiological survey was carried out in 4569 adolescents (14 to 19 years). Regression models were applied to assess the association between asthma and factors related to the individual level [biological (sex, and age), family (history of asthma in parents, smoking history among parents and maternal level of schooling), behaviours (physical activity level and smoking cigarettes), socioeconomic (water at home and place of residence)]; further a multilevel model considering the socioeconomic and geoclimatic environmental characteristics of the place of residence was applied. The percentage of adolescents who had active asthma was 26.4% (22.9% dry climate vs. 27.9% humid climate). A higher risk of asthma was observed among females, (OR = 1.7, 95%CI = 1.5-2.1), individuals with history of asthma in parents (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.5-2.5), smoking history among parents (mother, OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.4-2.0, father, OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.2-2.0 and, both, OR = 2.0,95%CI = 1.2-3.3) and, in adolescents who smoke cigarettes more than three days a month (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.2-2.9). The likelihood of reporting asthma is significantly lower in the dry climate region (OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.4-0.9). These results will contribute to greater knowledge about asthma and its individual conditions living in dry climate conditions.

To compare the effects of medical mud-pack (MMP) treatments applied at different temperatures on the pain and joint functions of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Kellgren Lawrence (KL) stage 3 or 4 KOA patients were included and randomized into three groups. Patients in groups 1, 2, and 3 took MMP treatment to both knees at 39 °C, 42 °C, and 45 °C, respectively. The treatment was performed for 12 days (only weekdays) and was 30 min long per day. The same blinded physician evaluated the patients at baseline and at the end of the treatment. The assessments were done before and after the intervention. The primary outcome was to achieve a minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) for KOA (decrease of at least 19 mm (-40.8%) on the VAS for pain, a decrease of 18.3 mm (-39%) on the patient's global assessment (PGA), and/or a decrease of at least 9.1 points (-26%) on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index function subscale (WOMAC-FS). Secondary outcomes were pain (VAS), patient's global assessment (VAS), physician's global assessment (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Patient's health state, Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS). 217 patients were analyzed. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had 68, 81,68 patients, respectively. The MCII measurement revealed that MMP treatment did not show a significant difference between groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Also, it was observed that more patients in groups 2 and 3 reached the MCII compared to group 1 (p < 0.001). For the secondary outcomes, significant improvements were observed within-group evaluations for each of the three groups (p < 0.001). Between groups comparisons, the improvements at the end of the treatment were found to be superior for group 2 and group 3 compared to group 1 (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups 2 and 3 for any parameters (p > 0.05). The number of patients who achieved the PASS was statistically lower for group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001). We observed significant improvements in all groups after treatment. The main result, as measured by MCII, suggests that MMP treatments at 42-45 °C is more effective than at 39 °C in managing severe KOA patients' pain and functional status. We found no significant difference in pain and joint function improvement between 42 °C and 45 °C after MMP.

The role of particulate matter (PM) on genetic susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a controversial topic. The study aims to evaluate the causal effect of PM on IBD using Mendelian randomization (MR). PM and IBD datasets were screened for common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on the MR basic assumptions. Subsequently, the effect of these SNPs on genetic susceptibility to IBD was analyzed using inverse variance weighted. Finally, the heterogeneity and robustness of the results were assessed using Cochran's Q and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, respectively. MR analysis revealed that PM2.5 was linked to a heightened genetic predisposition to (odds ratio [OR] 1.530, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.100-2.128, p = 0.011) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (OR 1.675, 95% CI 1.129-2.485, p = 0.010), but not to Crohn's disease (CD) (OR 1.685, 95% CI 0.883-3.216, p = 0.114). PM10 was not associated with increased genetic susceptibility to IBD (OR 1.164, 95% CI 0.650-2.083, p = 0.610), UC (OR 1.439, 95% CI 0.691-2.996, p = 0.331), or CD (OR 0.825, 95% CI 0.265-2.564, p = 0.739). MR-Egger intercept did not indicate any horizontal pleiotropy (p > 0.05). Cochran's Q revealed no evidence of heterogeneity (p > 0.05). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. The MR analysis demonstrated that PM2.5 increased genetic susceptibility to UC, while no such association was observed for CD. Furthermore, PM10 showed no association with genetic susceptibility to IBD. Therefore, implementing protective measures, such as air purifiers and anti-haze masks, may help reduce the risk of UC.

The fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR), light use efficiency (LUE), and gross primary productivity (GPP) are the key driving factors of crop production and ecological models. Diffuse radiation fraction (DF) has been reported to profoundly affect FAPAR, LUE and GPP, and its impact on a short time scale needs to be emphasized. Based on the field observations at noon local time during 2021-2022 and the Two-Leaf light use efficiency model, this study investigated the magnitudes of the DF effect on the canopy FAPAR, LUE, and GPP for the three different crops (peanut, soybean and corn) on an instantaneous scale in South China. Different from that of peanut and soybean, the FAPAR of corn increased linearly with the rise of DF. The instantaneous LUE of each crop was highly sensitive to DF, and its linear regression slope was greater than 1.0 g C MJ^- 1. On average, the DF accounted for around 69-74% of the variations in the instantaneous LUE and 59-64% of the variations in the instantaneous GPP over the entire observation period. The sky conditions with a DF value between 0.45 and 0.66 were favorable for the carbon fixation of the three crops. The linear coupling strength between GPP and PAR under diffuse radiation (DF ≥ 0.5) was stronger than that under direct radiation (DF < 0.5). The results will be helpful in accurate estimating of FAPAR, LUE, GPP and even crop production in both South China and other similar regions.

Increasing evidence suggests that temperatures adversely impact mental and behavioral disorders (MBD). This study explores the effects of temperatures on mental health outcomes using over 5.9 million MBD-related emergency department (ED) visits across three geographical regions of North Carolina (i.e., Mountains, Piedmont, and Coast) from 2016 to 2019. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) with a generalized linear model and quasi-Poisson distribution adjusted for humidity, long-term seasonal time trends, and day of the week examined the acute impact (i.e., 7-day) of temperature on daily MBD-related ED visits at zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) locations. Results were pooled at the region and state levels and reported in reference to the median temperature using a case-time series design for the analysis of small-area data. Stratified analyses were conducted for age, sex, and specific mental-health related ED visits (substance use, mood disorders, anxiety disorders). At the state level, we found significant positive associations between high temperatures (97.5th percentile) and an increase in relative risk (RR) for total MBDs (RR:1.04, 95% CI,1.03-1.05) and psychoactive substance use (RR:1.04, 95% CI, 1.02-1.06). Low air temperatures (2.5th percentile) only increased risk for the elderly (i.e., 65 and older) and predominantly white communities (RR: 1.03, CI: 1.03-1.05). During high temperatures (97.5th percentile), majority-white communities (RR:1.06, CI: 1.01-1.10) and low-income communities had the highest risk for MBDs (RR: 1.05, CI: 1.03-1.07). Our findings suggest there is a positive association between exposure to high temperatures and increased MBD-related ED visits, modified by patient age and place-based sociodemographic (ie., race and income) context.

The negative health impacts of extreme heat exposure can be mitigated by incorporating hyperlocal biometeorological observations into heat action planning, emergency responses, and heat-reducing urban design. A significant portion of outdoor human heat exposure is radiative, but it is often overlooked due to the absence of affordable, accurate, and user-friendly sensors. We developed a two cylinder anemometer and radiometer (CARla) consisting of unheated and heated gray components, which quantifies wind speed and the total radiation absorbed by the human body. The spectral properties of the gray coating match the standard short- and longwave absorptivity used in mean radiant temperature (MRT) calculations. We optimized the geometrical parameters of the cylinders, including height, wall thickness, and side-mounting, to minimize errors in MRT and wind speed measurements. Experiments were conducted across 15 outdoor sites in Tempe, Arizona, during the record-setting heat wave from August to October 2024. Results demonstrated that the MRT measured using CARla closely matched those measured using 3-way net radiometers. The average error in MRT using the new compact system was 1.3 ± 2.2 °C across a wide MRT range (20 to 75 °C). CARLa represents a significant improvement compared to other low-cost radiometers. The average difference between the CARla and ultrasonic anemometers for wind speed was - 0.05 ± 0.36 m·s^-1 in the 0.25 to 3 m·s^-1 range, comparable to standard low-cost anemometers. We integrated the CARla sensor with an Arduino-based logger, creating a cost-effective and accurate tool for broadly characterizing human exposure to extreme heat.

Varicella, commonly referred to as chickenpox, is an airborne infectious disease that continues to pose an increasing threat to public health. Despite previous investigations, the global accumulation of epidemiological studies exploring the association between varicella epidemics and meteorological factors remains insufficient. This study aimed to quantify the short-term effect of meteorological factors, such as mean temperature and relative humidity, on the incidence of varicella across all 47 prefectures of Japan over a decade (2010-2019). Using a two-stage time-series modelling design, we first applied distributed lag non-linear models to estimate the exposure-response relationships for each prefecture, followed by a meta-regression to pool these results for a nationwide estimate. The analysis covered 1,315,616 varicella cases. Our findings indicate a significant increase in varicella risk associated with lower temperatures and reduced humidity. Specifically, the cumulative relative risk (RR) at the 5th temperature percentile, compared to the 99th, was 2.45 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15, 2.79). The cumulative RR at the 5th humidity percentile, compared to the 90th, was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.09). These results suggest that public health strategies targeting temperature- and humidity-related varicella morbidity could be more effective if adapted to local climatic conditions. Understanding the influence of meteorological factors on varicella transmission may further elucidate the mechanisms driving the disease's seasonal trends.

The relationship between diurnal temperature range (DTR) and daily mortality from 2005 to 2020 is examined for seven large metropolitan areas in Virginia using distributed lag non-linear models that control for temperature and humidity. The relative risk of mortality increases for very high DTR, and there is a short lag effect of several days. High risk DTR days are rare, typically occurring less than 1% of the time at most locations. These days primarily occur in spring and are characterized by high pressure and low humidity that allow overnight temperatures to drop substantially. High DTR days are often associated with elevated respiratory and cardiovascular mortality and tend to impact the elderly. The similarity between the mortality response to high DTR and that of high temperatures alone, coupled with the lack of clear physiological underpinnings, challenges the notion that these responses are independent. The prevalent spring peak in dangerous DTR days suggests that lack of acclimatization to hot and humid conditions may impose strain on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.