BACKGROUND:Ultrafine particles (≤100 nm diameter) may have a higher toxicity than larger particles but are still not regulated nor part of routine air pollution monitoring. So far, health effects of long-term exposure to ambient ultrafine particles are not well understood, owing to a lack of exposure data and epidemiological studies. METHODS:We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the health effects of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles, including studies published until December 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted for outcomes with at least four available effect estimates. Confidence in the body of evidence was evaluated using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation method. RESULTS:We identified 85 studies investigating various mortality, morbidity and subclinical outcomes. In meta-analyses of single-pollutant models, we found positive associations with natural mortality (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08) and C-reactive protein (10.14% increase (95% CI -0.51-21.99%) per 10 000 pt·cm-3 increase in long-term exposure to ultrafine particles, with low and inadequate levels of evidence, respectively. The remaining studies revealed overall limited evidence for adverse effects on a wide range of outcomes. Less than half of the studies adjusted for co-pollutants. CONCLUSION:The evidence base on long-term health effects of ultrafine particles has increased substantially in the past decade, while the overall evidence for independent effects of long-term ultrafine particle exposure remains inadequate to low. More studies are needed to draw firm conclusions about the independent adverse effects of long-term ultrafine particles on various health end-points, with a special focus on the influence of co-pollutant adjustment.
Im Februar 1947 wurde Werner Catel, der zuvor in einer zentralen Funktion an der „NS-Kindereuthanasie“ mitgewirkt hatte, als ärztlicher Direktor der Landeskinderheilstätte Mammolshöhe angestellt. Unter seiner Leitung wurden dort kurz darauf Tuberkulose-Heilversuche durchgeführt. Hierbei kam es aufgrund der toxischen Wirkung des getesteten Präparats zu Todesfällen, dennoch wurden die Versuche fortgesetzt. Eine daraufhin eingeleitete Untersuchung konnte jedoch kein Fehlverhalten des Versuchsleiters erkennen, obwohl dieser gegen standesethische Grundsätze verstoßen hatte.
We characterize monic cubic CNS polynomials with only real roots in terms of relations between the other coefficients.
This paper presents a novel approach for data-driven self-learning control of highly flexible, modular manufacturing systems. Specifically, we employ a novel framework for model-based reinforcement learning which introduces approximate inverse process models within the training of reinforcement policies. This approach disentangles the learning of actuation dynamics and the dynamics in state space, resulting in RL-based training solely within the task space. We propose a lightweight feedforward architecture for approximate inverse models and integrate them within the policy network of standard RL algorithms. We apply the approach to a laboratory modular production testbed with heterogeneous production modules. The results underline the efficiency improvements for modular manufacturing units in terms of both performance and training speed, particularly for off-policy algorithms.
This study explores how scientists' experiences during the pandemic influenced their trust in journalism and their willingness to engage with the media. The study employed a survey approach, collecting data from 4089 scientists affiliated with German universities and research institutions. Trust in journalism was measured across five dimensions: appropriate topic selection, accurate representation, proper fact selection, fair assessment, and desirable impact. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the relationships between dissatisfaction with pandemic-era media coverage, trust in journalism, and scientists' willingness to engage in science communication. Results show that scientists' trust in news media is generally limited and varies across media types. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated distrust, particularly in media outlets expected to maintain high standards, such as national newspapers and public broadcasters. Trust in journalism proved central in mediating dissatisfaction and engagement, highlighting that distrust may reduce scientists' media involvement and, in turn, weaken public trust in science.
