TSP and PM2.5 aerosol particles were synchronously sampled at six sites along the transport pathway of dust storms from desert regions to coastal areas in the spring of 2004 to investigate the regional characteristics of Asian dust and its impact on aerosol chemistry over northern China. Factor analysis of daily PM10 concentrations in 17 cities showed that northern China can be basically divided into five regions: (1) Northern Dust Region, (2) Northeastern Dust Region, (3) Western Dust Region, (4) Inland Passing Region, and (5) Coastal Region. Northern Dust Region was characterized by a high content of Ca. Northeastern Dust Region was a relatively clean area with a low concentration of pollutants and secondary ions in comparison to other regions. Inland Passing Region and Coastal Region showed high concentrations of anthropogenic pollutants. The impact of Asian dust on aerosol chemistry decreased in the order Yulin/Duolun > Beijing > Qingdao/Shanghai as transport distance increased. The ratio of Ca/Al, which showed significant differences in different regions over northern China, is suggested to be a tracer to identify the sources of dust storms. Asian dust either mixes pollutants on the pathway and carries them to the downwind regions or dilutes the pollutants over northern China, which affects the aerosol composition more in coarse particles in those areas near source regions and more in fine particles in downwind areas. The ratio of NO3−/SO42− during dust storms was significantly reduced and the lowest generally appeared after the peak of dust. Our results showed that Asian dust plays a critical role in buffering the acidity of aerosols over northern China by a potential increase of ∼1 unit pH for the aerosol particles in spring.

The purpose of this paper was to present the occupants’ perception and preferences of thermal environments in free-running buildings in China. A study of the thermal environments in eight university dormitory buildings was conducted from September 2008 to July 2009 in Chongqing, China. A total of 1829 returned questionnaires were collected. Indoor and outdoor air temperatures, relative humidity and air velocities were measured while the questionnaire surveys were conducted. The scores were given based on the subjective scales used for the study on the students’ indoor thermal perception and preferences. The accepted temperature range was 15.9—28.2°C. The preferred temperature was about 23.2°C. The neutral temperature was 22.1° C. A higher tolerance of temperature was shown by the occupants in this sub-tropical climatic region of China. The relationship between thermal preference and actual thermal sensation in different seasons was also analysed. People’s air movement sensation was related to their thermal sensation. The majority of subjects (53%) were satisfied with their indoor air humidity when the thermal sensation was neutral. The relationship between humidity sensation and preferences showed that the effect of humidity on thermal comfort should not be ignored at high and low temperatures. Student dormitory buildings were used in this study to provide comparatively worse case information on occupants’ thermal comfort characteristics in residential buildings in China.

Partial or total non-adherence has been recognized as major issues in the long-term management of hypertension. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of compliance behaviors among Chinese middle-aged and older hypertensive patients. A sample of 6308 hypertensive patients aged ≥45 years was obtained from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data. Two compliance behaviors were involved including medication and blood pressure monitoring. Stratified binary logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the associated factors. 77.2% of the participants reported medication compliance, and 40.7% complied with blood pressure monitoring. Better medication compliance associated with older age, overweight or obesity, one or ≥3 complications, no drinking, living in urban areas, and health education. Better blood pressure monitoring compliance associated with older age, overweight or obesity, ≥3 complications, normal activities of daily living (ADL), no smoking, sleep duration of 6–8 h, better cognitive function, living in urban areas, education level of middle school or above, and health education. Chinese middle-aged and older hypertensive patients experienced unoptimistic compliance behaviors, especially for blood pressure monitoring. Special attention and targeted interventions are urgent for the high-risk population of poor compliance behaviors, such as rural individuals, low educational population, and younger hypertensive patients.

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