PONE-D-20-18170

Transient risk of ambient fine particulate matter on hourly cardiovascular events in Tainan City, Taiwan

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Cheng,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

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We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Maria Alessandra Ragusa, PhD Professor

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments:

The paper, after minor revision according to the attached report, could be accepted.

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: I found some merits in this methodology, the results obtained are interesting and deserve to be disclosed, as they could provide useful information to policymakers. The topic exposed is in compliance with the arguments required in this journal and the format is respected too. The statistical analysis performed is good and I find the application in this field original. However, I suggest improving the environmental aspect of air quality in big cities adds some specific works to make this work more complete. I suggest you some papers about it:

-Row 302 add: “Analysis of vertical profile of particulates dispersion in function of the aerodynamic diameter at a

congested road in Catania”

-Row 318 add: “Evaluation of the air pollution in a Mediterranean region by the air quality index”

-Row 326 add: “Air quality data for Catania: analysis and investigation case study 2012-2013”

If you improve the weakness of this theme, this manuscript will deserve to be published in this journal.

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Reviewer #1: No

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Transient risk of ambient fine particulate matter on hourly cardiovascular events in Tainan City, Taiwan

PONE-D-20-18170R1

Dear Dr. Cheng,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Maria Alessandra Ragusa, PhD Professor

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

The authors followed all the suggestions and now the paper is ready for publication.

Reviewers' comments: