A QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE AND ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FINE PARTICULATE AIR POLLUTION IN HOUSTON (TEXAS)

An investigation was undertaken to determine the chemical characterization of inhalable particulate matter in the Houston area, with special emphasis on source identification and apportionment of outdoor and indoor atmospheric aerosols using multivariate statistical analyses.^ Fine (<2.5 (mu)m) particle aerosol samples were collected by means of dichotomous samplers at two fixed site (Clear Lake and Sunnyside) ambient monitoring stations and one mobile monitoring van in the Houston area during June-October 1981 as part of the Houston Asthma Study. The mobile van allowed particulate sampling to take place both inside and outside of twelve homes.^ The samples collected for 12-h sampling on a 7 AM-7 PM and 7 PM-7 AM (CDT) schedule were analyzed for mass, trace elements, and two anions. Mass was determined gravimetrically. An energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was used for determination of elemental composition. Ion chromatography (IC) was used to determine sulfate and nitrate.^ Average chemical compositions of fine aerosol at each site were presented. Sulfate was found to be the largest single component in the fine fraction mass, comprising approximately 30% of the fine mass outdoors and 12% indoors, respectively.^ Principal components analysis (PCA) was applied to identify sources of aerosols and to assess the role of meteorological factors on the variation in particulate samples. The results suggested that meteorological parameters were not associated with sources of aerosol samples collected at these Houston sites.^ Source factor contributions to fine mass were calculated using a combination of PCA and stepwise multivariate regression analysis. It was found that much of the total fine mass was apparently contributed by sulfate-related aerosols. The average contributions to the fine mass coming from the sulfate-related aerosols were 56% of the Houston outdoor ambient fine particulate matter and 26% of the indoor fine particulate matter.^ Characterization of indoor aerosol in residential environments was compared with the results for outdoor aerosols. It was suggested that much of the indoor aerosol may be due to outdoor sources, but there may be important contributions from common indoor sources in the home environment such as smoking and gas cooking. ^

AN INVESTIGATION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC AIR CONTAMINANTS IN THE INDOOR MANUFACTURED HOUSING ENVIRONMENT (TEXAS)

Manufactured housing has been found to have substantial levels of formaldehyde in the indoor air. Because mobile homes are more affordable than conventional housing, there has been a large increase in their use in the U.S. This increase in mobile home use has been substantial in the sunbelt regions such as Texas, where high temperatures and humidities may enhance out-gassing of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from construction and furnishing materials and increase any potential health hazards.^ The influences of environmental, architectural and temporal factors on the presence of indoor formaldehyde and other organic compounds were investigated in conjunction with the Texas Indoor Air Quality Study of manufactured housing. A matched pair of mobile homes, one with electric heating and cooking utilities and the other with propane gas utilities, were used for a series of controlled experiments over a fourteen month period from October, 1982 through November, 1983.^ Over this fourteen month period formaldehyde levels decreased approximately 33%. Daily fluctuations of 20% to 40% were observed even with a constant indoor temperature. An increase in indoor temperature of 8(DEGREES)C doubled the measured formaldehyde concentration. Opening windows resulted in decreases of indoor formaldehyde levels of up to 50%. Studies of the impact of propane as a cooking source showed no increase in formaldehyde levels with stove use.^ The presence and concentration of selected volatile organic compounds is influenced greatest by occupancy. Occupants continually open and close windows and doors, vary the operation and settings (temperature) of air control systems, and vary in their selection of furnishings and use of consumer products, which may act as sources of indoor air contaminants. ^

A feasibility study for assessing building occupants' indoor air quality expectations compared to nationally recognized standards

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can have significant implications for health, productivity, job performance, and operating cost. Professional experience in the field of indoor air quality suggests that high expectations (better than nationally established standards) (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)) of workplace indoor air quality lead to increase air quality complaints. To determine whether there is a positive association between expectations and indoor air quality complaints, a one-time descriptive and analytical cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. Area Safety Liaisons (n = 330) at University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their expectations of four workplace indoor air quality indicators i.e., (temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide) and if they experienced and reported indoor air quality problems. A chi-square test for independence was used to evaluate associations among the variables of interest. The response rate was 54% (n = 177). Results did not show significant associations between expectation and indoor air quality. However, a greater proportion of Area Safety Liaisons who expected indoor air quality indicators to be better than the established standard experienced greater indoor air quality problems. Similarly, a slightly higher proportion of Area Liaisons who expected indoor air quality indicators to be better than the standard reported greater indoor air quality complaints. ^ The findings indicated that a greater proportion of Area Safety Liaisons with high expectations (conditions that are beyond what is considered normal and acceptable by ASHRAE) experienced greater indoor air quality discomfort. This result suggests a positive association between high expectations and experienced and reported indoor air quality complaints. Future studies may be able to address whether the frequency of complaints and resulting investigations can be reduced through information and education about what are acceptable conditions.^

Pilot study assessment of indoor air quality in two dental settings: Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds

Objective: To assess the indoor environment of two different types of dental practices regarding VOCs, PM2.5, and ultrafine particulate concentrations and examine the relationship between specific dental activities and contaminant levels. Method: The indoor environments of two selected dental settings (private practice and community health center) will were assessed in regards to VOCs, PM 2.5, and ultrafine particulate concentrations, as well as other indoor air quality parameters (CO2, CO, temperature, and relative humidity). The sampling duration was four working days for each dental practice. Continuous monitoring and integrated sampling methods were used and number of occupants, frequency, type, and duration of dental procedures or activities recorded. Measurements were compared to indoor air quality standards and guidelines. Results: The private practice had higher CO2, CO, and most VOC concentrations than the community health center, but the community health center had higher PM2.5 and ultrafine PM concentrations. Concentrations of p-dichlorobenzene and PM2.5 exceeded some guidelines. Outdoor concentrations greatly influenced the indoor concentration. There were no significant differences in contaminant levels between the operatory and general area. Indoor concentrations during the working period were not always consistently higher than during the nonworking period. Peaks in particulate matter concentration occurred during root canal and composite procedures.^

THE FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SYNAPTIC VESICLE POOLS IN A RETINAL BIPOLAR NEURON

Ribbon synapses are found in sensory systems and are characterized by ‘ribbon-like’ organelles that tether synaptic vesicles. The synaptic ribbons co-localize with sites of calcium entry and vesicle fusion, forming ribbon-style active zones. The ability of ribbon synapses to maintain rapid and sustained neurotransmission is critical for vision, hearing and balance. At retinal ribbon synapses, three vesicle pools have been proposed. A rapid pool of vesicles that are docked at the plasma membrane, and whose fusion is limited only by calcium entry, a releasable pool of ATP-primed vesicles whose size also correlates with the number of ribbon-tethered vesicles, and a reserve pool of non-ribbon-tethered cytoplasmic vesicles. However evidence of vesicle fusion at sites away from ribbon-style active zones questions this organization. Another fundamental question underlying the mechanism of vesicle fusion at these synapses is the role of SNARE (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor Attachment Protein Receptor) proteins. Vesicles at conventional neurons undergo SNARE complex-mediated fusion. However a recent study has suggested that ribbon synapses involved in hearing can operate independently of neuronal SNAREs. We used the well-characterized goldfish bipolar neuron to investigate the organization of vesicle pools and the role of SNARE proteins at a retinal ribbon synapse. We blocked functional refilling of the releasable pool and then stimulated bipolar terminals with brief depolarizations that triggered the fusion of the rapid pool of vesicles. We found that the rapid pool draws vesicles from the releasable pool and that both pools undergo release at ribbon-style active zones. To assess the functional role of SNARE proteins at retinal ribbon synapses, we used peptides derived from SNARE proteins that compete with endogenous proteins for SNARE complex formation. The SNARE peptides blocked fusion of reserve vesicles but not vesicles in the rapid and releasable pools, possibly because both rapid and releasable vesicles were associated with preformed SNARE complexes. However, an activity-dependent block in refilling of the releasable pool was seen, suggesting that new SNARE complexes must be formed before vesicles can join a fusion-competent pool. Taken together, our results suggest that SNARE complex-mediated exocytosis of serially-organized vesicle pools at ribbon-style active zones is important in the neurotransmission of vision.

Concentración de la producción : Pools de siembra, fondos de inversión y nuevos capitalistas en el sector agropecuario pampeano

Fil: Vignatti, Rosana Valeria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Impactos de los 'pools de siembra' en la estructura social agraria : Una aproximación a las transformaciones en los espacios centrales de la provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina)

En los últimos años se han producido importantes transformaciones en la activiad agrícola argentina. Una de ellas es la aparición de nuevos formas de organización de la agricultura que se denominan genéricamente 'pools de siembra', los cuales impactan en los territorios locales modificando tanto los roles y las funciones de los actores agrarios tradicionales como las relaciones que mantienen entre ellos. Bajo la hipótesis de que estas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, llevadas a cabo por actores de tipo más financiero que socioproductivo, aceleran los procesos de concentración y desterritorialización de la riqueza, se avanza en este trabajo sobre cuatro aspectos. En primer lugar, se caracteriza a los actores actuales vinculados a la producción primaria, considerando su trayectoria y su relación con la actividad agrícola y con el espacio local. En segundo lugar, nos concentramos en esas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, tratando de mostrar que detrás de la denominación de 'pools de siembra' se esconde una diversidad de actores; para ello, el presente estudio articula tres variables principales: la duración del emprendimiento agrícola, la forma jurídica adoptada y el actor responsable de la gestión. En tercer lugar, se profundiza en las lógicas decisorias de los propietarios rentistas, actores clave junto con los contratistas en el avance de los pools de siembra. Por último, se describe algunos de los impactos actualmente perceptibles de estas nuevas formas de organización en los espacios centrales santafesinos

Concentración de la producción : Pools de siembra, fondos de inversión y nuevos capitalistas en el sector agropecuario pampeano

Fil: Vignatti, Rosana Valeria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Impactos de los 'pools de siembra' en la estructura social agraria : Una aproximación a las transformaciones en los espacios centrales de la provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina)

En los últimos años se han producido importantes transformaciones en la activiad agrícola argentina. Una de ellas es la aparición de nuevos formas de organización de la agricultura que se denominan genéricamente 'pools de siembra', los cuales impactan en los territorios locales modificando tanto los roles y las funciones de los actores agrarios tradicionales como las relaciones que mantienen entre ellos. Bajo la hipótesis de que estas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, llevadas a cabo por actores de tipo más financiero que socioproductivo, aceleran los procesos de concentración y desterritorialización de la riqueza, se avanza en este trabajo sobre cuatro aspectos. En primer lugar, se caracteriza a los actores actuales vinculados a la producción primaria, considerando su trayectoria y su relación con la actividad agrícola y con el espacio local. En segundo lugar, nos concentramos en esas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, tratando de mostrar que detrás de la denominación de 'pools de siembra' se esconde una diversidad de actores; para ello, el presente estudio articula tres variables principales: la duración del emprendimiento agrícola, la forma jurídica adoptada y el actor responsable de la gestión. En tercer lugar, se profundiza en las lógicas decisorias de los propietarios rentistas, actores clave junto con los contratistas en el avance de los pools de siembra. Por último, se describe algunos de los impactos actualmente perceptibles de estas nuevas formas de organización en los espacios centrales santafesinos

Concentración de la producción : Pools de siembra, fondos de inversión y nuevos capitalistas en el sector agropecuario pampeano

Fil: Vignatti, Rosana Valeria. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación; Argentina.

Impactos de los 'pools de siembra' en la estructura social agraria : Una aproximación a las transformaciones en los espacios centrales de la provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina)

En los últimos años se han producido importantes transformaciones en la activiad agrícola argentina. Una de ellas es la aparición de nuevos formas de organización de la agricultura que se denominan genéricamente 'pools de siembra', los cuales impactan en los territorios locales modificando tanto los roles y las funciones de los actores agrarios tradicionales como las relaciones que mantienen entre ellos. Bajo la hipótesis de que estas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, llevadas a cabo por actores de tipo más financiero que socioproductivo, aceleran los procesos de concentración y desterritorialización de la riqueza, se avanza en este trabajo sobre cuatro aspectos. En primer lugar, se caracteriza a los actores actuales vinculados a la producción primaria, considerando su trayectoria y su relación con la actividad agrícola y con el espacio local. En segundo lugar, nos concentramos en esas nuevas formas de organización de la agricultura, tratando de mostrar que detrás de la denominación de 'pools de siembra' se esconde una diversidad de actores; para ello, el presente estudio articula tres variables principales: la duración del emprendimiento agrícola, la forma jurídica adoptada y el actor responsable de la gestión. En tercer lugar, se profundiza en las lógicas decisorias de los propietarios rentistas, actores clave junto con los contratistas en el avance de los pools de siembra. Por último, se describe algunos de los impactos actualmente perceptibles de estas nuevas formas de organización en los espacios centrales santafesinos