Residential greenness is differentially associated with childhood allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization in seven birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is high, but the role of environmental factors remains unclear. We examined cohort-specific and combined associations of residential greenness with allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization based on individual data from Swedish (BAMSE), Australian (MACS), Dutch (PIAMA), Canadian (CAPPS and SAGE), and German (GINIplus and LISAplus) birth cohorts (n = 13 016). METHODS: Allergic rhinitis (doctor diagnosis/symptoms) and aeroallergen sensitization were assessed in children aged 6-8 years in six cohorts and 10-12 years in five cohorts. Residential greenness was defined as the mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in a 500-m buffer around the home address at the time of health assessment. Cohort-specific associations per 0.2 unit increase in NDVI were assessed using logistic regression models and combined in a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Greenness in a 500-m buffer was positively associated with allergic rhinitis at 6-8 years in BAMSE (odds ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [1.13, 1.79]) and GINI/LISA South (1.69 [1.19, 2.41]) but inversely associated in GINI/LISA North (0.61 [0.36, 1.01]) and PIAMA (0.67 [0.47, 0.95]). Effect estimates in CAPPS and SAGE were also conflicting but not significant (0.63 [0.32, 1.24] and 1.31 [0.81, 2.12], respectively). All meta-analyses were nonsignificant. Results were similar for aeroallergen sensitization at 6-8 years and both outcomes at 10-12 years. Stratification by NO2 concentrations, population density, an urban vs rural marker, and moving did not reveal consistent trends within subgroups. CONCLUSION: Although residential greenness appears to be associated with childhood allergic rhinitis and aeroallergen sensitization, the effect direction varies by location.

Laser cooling with intermediate state of spin-orbit coupling of LuF molecule.

This work presents a theoretical study of the laser cooling feasibility of the molecule LuF, in the fine structure level of approximation. An ab-initio complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)/MRCI with Davidson correction calculation has been done in the Λ(±) and Ω(±) representations. The corresponding adiabatic potential energy curves and spectroscopic parameters have been investigated for the low-lying electronic states. The calculated values of the internuclear distances of the X3Σ0+ and (1)3Π0+ states show the candidacy of the molecule LuF for direct laser cooling. Since the existence of the intermediate (1)3Δ1 state cannot be ignored, the investigation has been done by taking into consideration the two transitions (1)3Π0+-(1)3Δ1 and (1)3Π0+ -X3Σ0+. The calculation of the Franck-Condon factors, the radiative lifetimes, the total branching ratio, the slowing distance, and the laser cooling scheme study prove that the molecule LuF is a good candidate for Doppler laser cooling.

Theoretical calculation of the low lying electronic states of the molecular ion RbH(+) with spin-orbit effects.

The potential energy has been calculated for the 42 lowest electronic states of symmetries Omega=12,32,52, for the molecular ion RbH(+). Using an ab initio method, the calculation is based on nonempirical pseudopotentials and parametrized [script-l]-dependent polarization potentials. Gaussian basis sets have been used for both atoms, and spin-orbit effects have been taken into account. The spectroscopic constants for 19 electronic states have been calculated by fitting the calculated energy values to a polynomial in terms of the internuclear distance r. The permanent dipole moment and the transition dipole moments have been calculated for the considered Omega states. Through the canonical functions approach the eigenvalue E(v), the abscissas of the corresponding turning points (r(min) and r(max)) and the rotational constants B(v) have been calculated. The comparison of the present results with those available in literature shows a very good agreement.

Particulate matter air pollution components and risk for lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a human lung carcinogen; however, the components responsible have not been identified. We assessed the associations between PM components and lung cancer incidence. METHODS: We used data from 14 cohort studies in eight European countries. We geocoded baseline addresses and assessed air pollution with land-use regression models for eight elements (Cu, Fe, K, Ni, S, Si, V and Zn) in size fractions of PM2.5 and PM10. We used Cox regression models with adjustment for potential confounders for cohort-specific analyses and random effect models for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The 245,782 cohort members contributed 3,229,220 person-years at risk. During follow-up (mean, 13.1 years), 1878 incident cases of lung cancer were diagnosed. In the meta-analyses, elevated hazard ratios (HRs) for lung cancer were associated with all elements except V; none was statistically significant. In analyses restricted to participants who did not change residence during follow-up, statistically significant associations were found for PM2.5 Cu (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01-1.53 per 5 ng/m(3)), PM10 Zn (1.28; 1.02-1.59 per 20 ng/m(3)), PM10 S (1.58; 1.03-2.44 per 200 ng/m(3)), PM10 Ni (1.59; 1.12-2.26 per 2 ng/m(3)) and PM10 K (1.17; 1.02-1.33 per 100 ng/m(3)). In two-pollutant models, associations between PM10 and PM2.5 and lung cancer were largely explained by PM2.5 S. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the association between PM in air pollution and lung cancer can be attributed to various PM components and sources. PM containing S and Ni might be particularly important.

Theoretical calculation of the low laying electronic states of the molecule NaCs with spin-orbit effect.

The potential energy curves have been calculated for the 59 lowest electronic states of the molecule NaCs including the spin-orbit effect within the range of 4.5a(0)-20.0a(0) of the internuclear distance R. Using an ab initio method, the calculation is based on a nonempirical pseudopotentials which take into consideration the spin-orbit effect. Gaussian basis sets have been used for both atoms, and the spin-orbit effects have been taken into consideration. The spectroscopic constants have been calculated for 56 electronic states. The components of the spin-orbit splitting have been identified for the states (1,2,4)(3)Pi. The comparison of the present results with those available in the literature shows a very good agreement.

Theoretical calculation of the excited states of the KCs molecule including the spin-orbit interaction.

For the molecule KCs the potential energy has been calculated for the 72 lowest molecular states Omega. Using an ab initio method the calculation is based on nonempirical pseudopotentials within the range of 5.0a0-34.0a0 of the internuclear distance R. Gaussian basis sets have been used for both atoms and spin-orbit effects have been taken into account through a semiempirical spin-orbit pseudopotential added to the electrostatic Hamiltonian. The spectroscopic constants for 60 states have been calculated by fitting the calculated energy values to a polynomial in terms of the internuclear distance R. The components of the spin-orbit splitting for (1,2,5,6) 3Pi and (1) 3delta have been identified. The comparison of the present results with those available in the literature shows a very good agreement, while the other results, to the best of our knowledge, are given here for the first time.