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Environmental Science and Pollution... Feb 2023Various empirical studies have examined the nexus between financial markets, but this study focused on the comovement among prominent markets. Our study examines the...
Various empirical studies have examined the nexus between financial markets, but this study focused on the comovement among prominent markets. Our study examines the interrelationship among main financial markets, i.e., stock, oil, and commodity during the recent pandemic. The interconnections among the selected markets are investigated using a battery of wavelet coherence tools and the Granger causality test. From the wavelet coherence analysis, our findings indicate strong co-movements among the VIX, oil volatility, and commodity prices during pandemic and localized in all scales and over the sample period. The dependency strength among the considered economies is noted to increase in pandemic, which implies increased short- and long-term benefits for the investors. Moreover, Our result exhibits a feedback causality between OVIX and crude oil, VIX and S&P 500, and gasoline and VIX. Interestingly, a unidirectional causality exists between VIX and crude oil, S&P 500 and crude oil, Brent and crude oil, gasoline, crude oil, and VIX and OVIX. We advocate that the findings will be helpful for portfolio managers, investors, and officials around the world.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Gasoline; Pandemics; Petroleum; Electric Power Supplies
PubMed: 36287363
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23408-8 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023Long-read sequencing allows analyses of single nucleic-acid molecules and produces sequences in the order of tens to hundreds kilobases. Its application to whole-genome...
Long-read sequencing allows analyses of single nucleic-acid molecules and produces sequences in the order of tens to hundreds kilobases. Its application to whole-genome analyses allows identification of complex genomic structural-variants (SVs) with unprecedented resolution. SV identification, however, requires complex computational methods, based on either read-depth or intra- and inter-alignment signatures approaches, which are limited by size or type of SVs. Moreover, most currently available tools only detect germline variants, thus requiring separate computation of sample pairs for comparative analyses. To overcome these limits, we developed a novel tool (Germline And SOmatic structuraL varIants detectioN and gEnotyping; GASOLINE) that groups SV signatures using a sophisticated clustering procedure based on a modified reciprocal overlap criterion, and is designed to identify germline SVs, from single samples, and somatic SVs from paired test and control samples. GASOLINE is a collection of Perl, R and Fortran codes, it analyzes aligned data in BAM format and produces VCF files with statistically significant somatic SVs. Germline or somatic analysis of 30[Formula: see text] sequencing coverage experiments requires 4-5 h with 20 threads. GASOLINE outperformed currently available methods in the detection of both germline and somatic SVs in synthetic and real long-reads datasets. Notably, when applied on a pair of metastatic melanoma and matched-normal sample, GASOLINE identified five genuine somatic SVs that were missed using five different sequencing technologies and state-of-the art SV calling approaches. Thus, GASOLINE identifies germline and somatic SVs with unprecedented accuracy and resolution, outperforming currently available state-of-the-art WGS long-reads computational methods.
Topics: Humans; Gasoline; Sequence Analysis; Software; Genome; Germ Cells; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Genome, Human; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 38012350
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48285-0 -
Cancer Epidemiology Apr 2019To examine the association between occupational exposure to petroleum-based and oxygenated solvents and the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association between occupational exposure to petroleum-based and oxygenated solvents and the risk of oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
METHODS
The ICARE study is a large population-based case-control study conducted in France between 2001 and 2007. This present analysis was restricted to men and included 350 and 543 cases of squamous cell-carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx, respectively, and 2780 controls. Lifetime tobacco, alcohol consumption and complete occupational history were assessed through detailed questionnaires. Job-exposure matrices allowed us to assess occupational exposure to five petroleum-based solvents (white spirits; diesel/fuel oils/kerosene; gasoline; benzene; special petroleum products) and five oxygenated solvents (diethyl ether; tetrahydrofuran; ketones and esters; alcohols; ethylene glycol). Odds-ratios (ORs), adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption and socioeconomic status, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic models.
RESULTS
Associations between oral cancer risk and exposure to white spirits and diesel/fuel oils/kerosene were suggested, but there was no exposure-response trend. Concerning exposure to oxygenated solvents, participants with the highest levels of cumulative exposure to diethyl ether had a significant excess risk of oropharyngeal cancer (OR = 7.78, 95%CI 1.42 to 42.59; p for trend = 0.04). Ever exposure to tetrahydrofuran was associated with a borderline significant increased risk of oral cancer (OR = 1.87, 95%CI 0.97 to 3.61), but no exposure-response trend was observed. Additional adjustments for exposure to other solvents did not substantially change the results.
CONCLUSION
Our results do not provide evidence for a major role of petroleum-based and oxygenated solvents in the occurrence of oral and oropharyngeal cancers in men.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcohols; Benzene; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Case-Control Studies; Ether; Ethylene Glycol; France; Fuel Oils; Furans; Gasoline; Humans; Kerosene; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Occupational Exposure; Odds Ratio; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms; Petroleum; Solvents
PubMed: 30658217
DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2019.01.005 -
TheScientificWorldJournal 2014Water-in-diesel emulsion (WiDE) is an alternative fuel for CI engines that can be employed with the existing engine setup with no additional engine retrofitting. It has... (Review)
Review
Water-in-diesel emulsion (WiDE) is an alternative fuel for CI engines that can be employed with the existing engine setup with no additional engine retrofitting. It has benefits of simultaneous reduction of both NO x and particulate matters in addition to its impact in the combustion efficiency improvement, although this needs further investigation. This review paper addresses the type of emulsion, the microexplosion phenomenon, emulsion stability and physiochemical improvement, and effect of water content on the combustion and emissions of WiDE fuel. The review also covers the recent experimental methodologies used in the investigation of WiDE for both transport and stationary engine applications. In this review, the fuel injection pump and spray nozzle arrangement has been found to be the most critical components as far as the secondary atomization is concerned and further investigation of the effect of these components in the microexplosion of the emulsion is suggested to be center of focus.
Topics: Emulsions; Gasoline; Models, Chemical; Vehicle Emissions; Water
PubMed: 24563631
DOI: 10.1155/2014/527472 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2022Air quality currently poses a major risk to human health worldwide. Transportation is one of the principal contributors to air pollution due to the quality of exhaust...
Influence of Adding Low Concentration of Oxygenates in Mineral Diesel Oil and Biodiesel on the Concentration of NO, NO and Particulate Matter in the Exhaust Gas of a One-Cylinder Diesel Generator.
Air quality currently poses a major risk to human health worldwide. Transportation is one of the principal contributors to air pollution due to the quality of exhaust gases. For example, the widely used diesel fuel is a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). To reduce the content NOx and PM, different oxygenated compounds were mixed into a mineral diesel available at the pump, and their effect on the composition of exhaust gas emissions was measured using a one-cylinder diesel generator. In this setup, adding methanol gave the best relative results. The addition of 2000 ppm of methanol decreased the content of NO by 56%, 2000 ppm of isopropanol decreased NO by 50%, and 2000 ppm ethanol decreased PM by 63%. An interesting question is whether it is possible to reduce the impact of hazardous components in the exhaust gas even more by adding oxygenates to biodiesels. In this article, alcohol is added to biodiesel in order to establish the impact on PM and NOx concentrations in the exhaust gases. Adding methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol at concentrations of 2000 ppm and 4000 ppm did not improve NOx emissions. The best results were using pure RME for a low NO content, pure diesel for a low NO content, and for PM there were no statistically significant differences.
Topics: 2-Propanol; Air Pollutants; Biofuels; Ethanol; Gasoline; Humans; Methanol; Mineral Oil; Nitrogen Dioxide; Nitrogen Oxides; Particulate Matter; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 35805301
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137637 -
Microbiology (Reading, England) Aug 2008Oil refineries are facing many challenges, including heavier crude oils, increased fuel quality standards, and a need to reduce air pollution emissions. Global society... (Review)
Review
Oil refineries are facing many challenges, including heavier crude oils, increased fuel quality standards, and a need to reduce air pollution emissions. Global society is stepping on the road to zero-sulfur fuel, with only differences in the starting point of sulfur level and rate reduction of sulfur content between different countries. Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is the most common technology used by refineries to remove sulfur from intermediate streams. However, HDS has several disadvantages, in that it is energy intensive, costly to install and to operate, and does not work well on refractory organosulfur compounds. Recent research has therefore focused on improving HDS catalysts and processes and also on the development of alternative technologies. Among the new technologies one possible approach is biocatalytic desulfurization (BDS). The advantage of BDS is that it can be operated in conditions that require less energy and hydrogen. BDS operates at ambient temperature and pressure with high selectivity, resulting in decreased energy costs, low emission, and no generation of undesirable side products. Over the last two decades several research groups have attempted to isolate bacteria capable of efficient desulfurization of oil fractions. This review examines the developments in our knowledge of the application of bacteria in BDS processes, assesses the technical viability of this technology and examines its future challenges.
Topics: Bacteria; Bacterial Proteins; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biotechnology; Catalysis; Conservation of Natural Resources; Gasoline; Sulfur
PubMed: 18667551
DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2008/017608-0 -
Particle and Fibre Toxicology May 2020Emissions from road traffic are under constant discussion since they pose a major threat to human health despite the increasingly strict emission targets and...
BACKGROUND
Emissions from road traffic are under constant discussion since they pose a major threat to human health despite the increasingly strict emission targets and regulations. Although the new passenger car regulations have been very effective in reducing the particulate matter (PM) emissions, the aged car fleet in some EU countries remains a substantial source of PM emissions. Moreover, toxicity of PM emissions from multiple new types of bio-based fuels remain uncertain and different driving conditions such as the sub-zero running temperature has been shown to affect the emissions. Overall, the current literature and experimental knowledge on the toxicology of these PM emissions and conditions is scarce.
METHODS
In the present study, we show that exhaust gas PM from newly regulated passenger cars fueled by different fuels at sub-zero temperatures, induce toxicological responses in vitro. We used exhaust gas volume-based PM doses to give us better insight on the real-life exposure and included one older diesel car to estimate the effect of the new emissions regulations.
RESULTS
In cars compliant with the new regulations, gasoline (E10) displayed the highest PM concentrations and toxicological responses, while the higher ethanol blend (E85) resulted in slightly lower exhaust gas PM concentrations and notably lower toxicological responses in comparison. Engines powered by modern diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) yielded the lowest PM concentrations and toxicological responses.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that toxicity of the exhaust gas PM varies depending on the fuels used. Additionally, concentration and toxicity of PM from an older diesel car were vastly higher, compared to contemporary vehicles, indicating the beneficial effects of the new emissions regulations.
Topics: Air Pollutants; Environmental Monitoring; European Union; Freezing; Gasoline; Government Regulation; Humans; Motor Vehicles; Particulate Matter; Vehicle Emissions
PubMed: 32460782
DOI: 10.1186/s12989-020-00348-0 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2022This research endeavored to boost the applicability of methanol in CI engines utilizing n-decanol as cosolvents. The work was split into binary phases. Firstly, the...
This research endeavored to boost the applicability of methanol in CI engines utilizing n-decanol as cosolvents. The work was split into binary phases. Firstly, the stabilities of pure methanol (M100) and hydrous-methanol (MH10), with diesel as a reference fuel, were examined applying various temperatures: 10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C. The findings showed that the M100-diesel and MH10-diesel combinations were unstable. Thus, n-decanol was utilized as a cosolvent. Following by the engine combustion and emissions characteristics were evaluated by manipulating three proportions of M100-diesel mixtures with n-decanol. Three mixtures comprised of 5, 10, and 15% M100 with 20% n-decanol, which are denoted as M5, M10, and M15, correspondingly. These combinations were assessed via thermogravimetric assessment, and their physicochemical properties were assessed corresponding to the ASTM. The maximum in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and pressure rise rate diminished by 10, 11, and 10%, respectively, for the M100/diesel/n-decanol combinations compared with the diesel oil. The brake thermal efficiency lowered by 10%, whereas the brake specific fuel consumption enlarged by 10% for the combinations compared with the diesel. NO and smoke opacity levels diminished by about 30 and 50%, respectively, whereas the CO and UHC enlarged by about 50 and 60% for the blends compared with the diesel oil.
Topics: Vehicle Emissions; Methanol; Gasoline; Fatty Alcohols; Biofuels
PubMed: 36347886
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20326-0 -
Environmental Science & Technology Sep 2022Industrial activities release aerosols containing toxic metals into the atmosphere, where they are transported far from their sources, impacting ecosystems and human...
Industrial activities release aerosols containing toxic metals into the atmosphere, where they are transported far from their sources, impacting ecosystems and human health. Concomitantly, long-range-transported mineral dust aerosols play a role in Earth's radiative balance and supply micronutrients to iron-limited ecosystems. To evaluate the sources of dust and pollutant aerosols to Alaska following the 2001 phase-out of leaded gasoline in China, we measured Pb-Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of particles collected in 2016 from snow pits across an elevational transect (2180-5240 m-a.s.l) in Denali National Park, USA. We also determined Pb flux and enrichment from 1991-2011 in the Denali ice core (3870 m-a.s.l). Chinese coal-burning and non-ferrous metal smelting account for up to 64% of Pb deposition at our sites, a value consistent across the western Arctic. Pb isotope ratios in the aerosols did not change between 2001 and 2016, despite the ban on lead additives. Emissions estimates demonstrate that industrial activities have more than compensated for the phase-out of leaded gasoline, with China emitting ∼37,000 metric tons year of Pb during 2013-2015, approximately 78% of the Pb from East Asia. The Pb flux to Alaska now equals that measured in southern Greenland during peak pollution from North America.
Topics: Aerosols; China; Coal; Dust; Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Gasoline; Humans; Iron; Isotopes; Lead; Micronutrients
PubMed: 36083611
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03767 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jan 2023Environmental crises and resource depletion have adversely affected the food security around the world. Food security in the future can be guaranteed by sustainable...
Environmental crises and resource depletion have adversely affected the food security around the world. Food security in the future can be guaranteed by sustainable agriculture that respects the environment. So, it is necessary to decrease the energy consumption of resources for agricultural productions to achieve the maximum sustainability. For agricultural productions, environmental and energy issues are completely interrelated, and a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to manage them in all productions. In this study, energy, environmental, and economic indicators in cantaloupe production were studied. The studied energy indices included energy efficiency, energy productivity, net energy gain, and energy intensity. Life cycle method based on ISO 14040 standard was used to evaluate the environmental impacts. This method includes goal statement, identification of inputs and outputs, and a system for assessing and interpreting the environmental impacts of various agricultural productions. Also, for economic analysis, the average prices of inputs and outputs and also net return (NR), gross return (GR), and profit-to-cost ratio were used. The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer (32.28%) and diesel fuel (30.52%) had the highest and cantaloupe seeds (0.39%), and oil consumption in tractor engines (0.43%) had the lowest share of energy consumption, respectively. Energy efficiency, energy productivity, energy intensity, and net energy gain were estimated 0.56, 0.70 kg MJ, 1.41 MJ kg, and - 11,775.86 MJ ha, respectively. The results of the present status of environmental impacts showed that the most effective factor in climate change is direct emissions from the diesel fuel. Also, indirect emissions from phosphorus and urea fertilizers had the highest effect on ecosystem quality. Various machine operations such as primary and secondary plowing, spraying, and transportation were the main causes of high diesel fuel consumption. Economic analysis showed that the profit-to-cost ratio and the productivity values were calculated about 1.6 and 7.27, respectively, which means that for every dollar spent in cantaloupe farms, it produced 7.27 kg of cantaloupe production. The variable costs were estimated at 1154.5 and fixed cost was 1487 $ha. Among the variable costs, transportation and fuel costs were the highest with 64.3%. Decreasing the diesel fuel consumption by using appropriate farm management methods and using the reduce tillage methods can play an effective role in reducing the consumption of this input and improving the energy, environmental, and economic indicators in cantaloupe production.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Cucumis melo; Gasoline; Agriculture; Life Cycle Stages; Fertilizers
PubMed: 35922594
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22307-2