•Ray tracing is used to predict contrast in neutral atom beam imaging.•Diffuse contrast in helium atom imaging is successfully predicted.•Masking and diffuse illumination effects are reproduced.•The ...methods can be used to explore instrument factors in helium microscopes.•The SHeM detection geometry is shown to limit the effective depth of field.
A ray tracing method for predicting contrast in atom beam imaging is presented. Bespoke computational tools have been developed to simulate the classical trajectories of atoms through the key elements of an atom beam microscope, as described using a triangulated surface mesh, using a combination of MATLAB and C code. These tools enable simulated images to be constructed that are directly analogous to the experimental images formed in a real microscope. It is then possible to understand which mechanisms contribute to contrast in images, with only a small number of base assumptions about the physics of the instrument. In particular, a key benefit of ray tracing is that multiple scattering effects can be included, which cannot be incorporated easily in analytic integral models. The approach has been applied to model the sample environment of the Cambridge scanning helium microscope (SHeM), a recently developed neutral atom pinhole microscope. We describe two applications; (i) understanding contrast and shadowing in images; and (ii) investigation of changes in image formation with pinhole-to-sample working distance. More generally the method has a broad range of potential applications with similar instruments, including understanding imaging from different sample topographies, refinement of a particular microscope geometry to enhance specific forms of contrast, and relating scattered intensity distributions to experimental measurements.
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The broadband albedo of surface snow is determined both by the near-surface profile of the physical and chemical properties of the snowpack and by the spectral and angular characteristics of the ...incident solar radiation. Simultaneous measurements of the physical and chemical properties of snow were carried out at Summit Camp, Greenland (72°36´ N, 38°25´ W, 3210 m a.s.l.) in May and June 2011, along with spectral albedo measurements. One of the main objectives of the field campaign was to test our ability to predict snow spectral albedo by comparing the measured albedo to the albedo calculated with a radiative transfer model, using measured snow physical and chemical properties. To achieve this goal, we made daily measurements of the snow spectral albedo in the range 350–2200 nm and recorded snow stratigraphic information down to roughly 80 cm. The snow specific surface area (SSA) was measured using the DUFISSS instrument (DUal Frequency Integrating Sphere for Snow SSA measurement, Gallet et al., 2009). Samples were also collected for chemical analyses including black carbon (BC) and dust, to evaluate the impact of light absorbing particulate matter in snow. This is one of the most comprehensive albedo-related data sets combining chemical analysis, snow physical properties and spectral albedo measurements obtained in a polar environment. The surface albedo was calculated from density, SSA, BC and dust profiles using the DISORT model (DIScrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer, Stamnes et al., 1988) and compared to the measured values. Results indicate that the energy absorbed by the snowpack through the whole spectrum considered can be inferred within 1.10%. This accuracy is only slightly better than that which can be obtained considering pure snow, meaning that the impact of impurities on the snow albedo is small at Summit. In the near infrared, minor deviations in albedo up to 0.014 can be due to the accuracy of radiation and SSA measurements and to the surface roughness, whereas deviations up to 0.05 can be explained by the spatial heterogeneity of the snowpack at small scales, the assumption of spherical snow grains made for DISORT simulations and the vertical resolution of measurements of surface layer physical properties. At 1430 and around 1800 nm the discrepancies are larger and independent of the snow properties; we propose that they are due to errors in the ice refractive index at these wavelengths. This work contributes to the development of physically based albedo schemes in detailed snowpack models, and to the improvement of retrieval algorithms for estimating snow properties from remote sensing data.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Fine particulate matter (PM
2.5) was measured for 4 months during 2002–2003 at seven sites located in the rapidly developing Pearl River Delta region of China, an area encompassing the major cities ...of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The 4-month average fine particulate matter concentration ranged from 37 to 71
μg
m
−3 in Guangdong province and from 29 to 34
μg
m
−3 in Hong Kong. Main constituents of fine particulate mass were organic compounds (24–35% by mass) and sulfate (21–32%). With sampling sites strategically located to monitor the regional air shed patterns and urban areas, specific source-related fine particulate species (sulfate, organic mass, elemental carbon, potassium and lead) and daily surface winds were analyzed to estimate influential source locations. The impact of transport was investigated by categorizing 13 (of 20 total) sampling days by prevailing wind direction (southerly, northerly or low wind-speed mixed flow). The vicinity of Guangzhou is determined to be a major source area influencing regional concentrations of PM
2.5, with levels observed to increase by 18–34
μg
m
−3 (accounting for 46–56% of resulting particulate levels) at sites immediately downwind of Guangzhou. The area near Guangzhou is also observed to heavily impact downwind concentrations of lead. Potassium levels, related to biomass burning, appear to be controlled by sources in the northern part of the Pearl River Delta, near rural Conghua and urban Guangzhou. Guangzhou appears to contribute 5–6
μg
m
−3 of sulfate to downwind locations. Guangzhou also stands out as a significant regional source of organic mass (OM), adding 8.5–14.5
μg
m
−3 to downwind concentrations. Elemental carbon is observed to be strongly influenced by local sources, with highest levels found in urban regions. In addition, it appears that sources outside of the Pearl River Delta contribute a significant fraction of overall fine particulate matter in Hong Kong and Guangdong province. This is evident in the relatively high PM
2.5 concentrations observed at the background sites of 18
μg
m
−3 (Tap Mun, southerly flow conditions) and 27
μg
m
−3 (Conghua, northerly flow conditions).
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The maternal and neonatal risks associated with pregnancy in women with heart disease receiving comprehensive prenatal care have not been well defined.
We prospectively enrolled 562 consecutive ...pregnant women with heart disease and determined the outcomes of 599 pregnancies not ending in miscarriage. Pulmonary edema, arrhythmia, stroke, or cardiac death complicated 13% of pregnancies. Prior cardiac events or arrhythmia, poor functional class or cyanosis, left heart obstruction, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction independently predicted maternal cardiac complications; the cardiac event rate can be predicted using a risk index incorporating these predictors. Neonatal complications (20% of pregnancies) were associated with poor functional class or cyanosis, left heart obstruction, anticoagulation, smoking, and multiple gestations.
Pregnancy in women with heart disease is associated with significant cardiac and neonatal complications, despite state-of-the-art obstetric and cardiac care. Maternal cardiac risk can be predicted with the use of a risk index.
Beijing experiences air pollution such that the sky overhead is gray much of the time even on cloudless days. In order to understand the cause of this problem, the aerosol light scattering ...coefficient σsp and absorption coefficient σap were measured under dry conditions (instrumental relative humidity <40%) during a 1‐week intensive field sampling period in June 1999 in Beijing, China. Additional measurements included the aerosol mass size distribution, chemical composition of the aerosol mass having particle diameters less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) as well as the chemical composition of the total suspended particulate matter. The mean (and standard deviation) for hourly averages of σsp, σap, and the single‐scattering albedo ω were 488 Mm−1 (370 Mm−1), 83 Mm−1 (40 Mm−1), and 0.81 (0.08), respectively, which is significantly higher than values reported in urban regions of the United States. The relatively high values of σsp were accompanied by a daily mean value for the PM2.5 mass concentration of 136 μg m−3 (48 μg m−3), which is significantly higher than the proposed U.S. 24‐hour average mean National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 65 μg m−3. The visual range during the field study, based on measurements of σsp and σap, was typically less than 6 km. For several days that did not have rain or fog, there was a clear diurnal trend in σsp, σap, and ω, with peak values in the early morning and minima that occur in the evenings. The peaks correspond to minima in ambient temperature and maxima in relative humidity. Mass size distribution measurements indicate that although ∼80% of the aerosol mass was located in the coarse particle mode (Dp > 1.0 μm), the submicron aerosol was responsible for ∼80% of the light scattering at 530 nm. The largest contribution to the PM2.5 aerosol mass was due to organic compounds, which accounted for ∼30% of the mass. The contributions of sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate to the PM2.5 mass concentration were ∼15%, 5%, and 8%, respectively. Mineral aerosol contributed ∼16% to the PM2.5 aerosol mass. These data show that combustion‐related particles rather than wind‐blown dust dominated the light extinction budget during June 1999.
Intense anthropogenic emissions over the Indian sub-continent lead to the formation of layers of particulate pollution that can be transported to the high altitude regions of the Himalaya-Hindu-Kush ...(HKH). Aerosol particles contain a substantial fraction of strongly absorbing material, including black carbon (BC), organic compounds (OC), and dust all of which can contribute to atmospheric warming, in addition to greenhouse gases. Using a 3-year record of continuous measurements of aerosol optical properties, we present a time series of key climate relevant aerosol properties including the aerosol absorption (σap) and scattering (σsp) coefficients as well as the single-scattering albedo (w0). Results of this investigation show substantial seasonal variability of these properties, with long range transport during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons and efficient precipitation scavenging of aerosol particles during the monsoon season. The monthly averaged scattering coefficients range from 0.1 Mm−1 (monsoon) to 20 Mm−1 while the average absorption coefficients range from 0.5 Mm−1 to 3.5 Mm−1. Both have their maximum values during the pre-monsoon period (April) and reach a minimum during Monsoon (July–August). This leads to dry w0 values from 0.86 (pre-monsoon) to 0.79 (monsoon) seasons. Significant diurnal variability due to valley wind circulation is also reported. Using aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements, we calculated the resulting direct local radiative forcing due to aerosols for selected air mass cases. We found that the presence of absorbing particulate material can locally induce an additional top of the atmosphere (TOA) forcing of 10 to 20 W m−2 for the first atmospheric layer (500 m above surface). The TOA positive forcing depends on the presence of snow at the surface, and takes place preferentially during episodes of regional pollution occurring on a very regular basis in the Himalayan valleys. Warming of the first atmospheric layer is paralleled by a substantial decrease of the amount of radiation reaching the surface. The surface forcing is estimated to range from −4 to −20 W m−2 for small-scale regional pollution events and large-scale pollution events, respectively. The calculated surface forcing is also very dependent on surface albedo, with maximum values occurring over a snow-covered surface. Overall, this work presents the first estimates of aerosol direct radiative forcing over the high Himalaya based on in-situ aerosol measurements, and results suggest a TOA forcing significantly greater than the IPCC reported values for green house gases.
The transfacet minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is a novel approach available for the management of lumbar spondylolisthesis. It avoids the need to manipulate ...either of the exiting or traversing nerve roots, both protected by the bony boundaries of the approach. With the advancement in operative technologies such as navigation, mapping, segmentation, and augmented reality (AR), surgeons are prompted to utilize these technologies to enhance their surgical outcomes. A 36-year-old male patient was complaining of chronic progressive lower back pain. He was found to have grade 2 L4/5 spondylolisthesis. We studied the feasibility of a trans-Kambin or a transfacet MIS-TLIF, and decided to proceed with the latter given the wider corridor it provides. Preoperative trajectory planning and level segmentation in addition to intraoperative navigation and image merging were all utilized to provide an AR model to guide us through the surgery. The use of AR can build on the safety and learning of novel surgical approaches to spine pathologies. However, larger high-quality studies are needed to further objectively analyze its impact on surgical outcomes and to expand on its application.
Our study assesses the influence of differences in terrain and locomotor energetics on the land-use strategies and settlement patterns of Levantine Neanderthals and Modern Human – Early Upper ...Paleolithic groups through a digital application of site catchment analysis. Our findings indicate that Neanderthals habitually commanded smaller site exploitation territories (SETs), principally situated in the rugged Mediterranean Woodlands of the Levant, whereas early Upper Paleolithic groups generally enjoyed larger SETs and displayed a more generalized, wider settlement range encompassing both rugged woodland and more regular, level steppe landscapes. The broader implications of these findings may explain the biogeographic limits on the Neanderthal dispersal into Southwest Asia.
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The chemokine Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) are widely used indicators of glial activation and neuroinflammation and are up-regulated in many brain ...disorders. These inflammatory mediators have been widely studied in rodent models of brain disorders, but less work has been undertaken using human brain cells. In this study we investigate the regulation of HLA and IP-10, as well as other cytokines and chemokines, in microglia, astrocytes, pericytes, and meningeal fibroblasts derived from biopsy and autopsy adult human brain, using immunocytochemistry and a Cytometric Bead Array. Interferonγ (IFNγ) increased microglial HLA expression, but contrary to data in rodents, the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) did not inhibit this increase in HLA, nor did TGFβ1 affect basal microglial HLA expression or IFNγ-induced astrocytic HLA expression. In contrast, IFNγ-induced and basal microglial HLA expression, but not IFNγ-induced astrocytic HLA expression, were strongly inhibited by macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). IFNγ also strongly induced HLA expression in pericytes and meningeal fibroblasts, which do not basally express HLA, and this induction was completely blocked by TGFβ1, but not affected by M-CSF. In contrast, TGFβ1 did not block the IFNγ-induced increase in IP-10 in pericytes and meningeal fibroblasts. These results show that IFNγ, TGFβ1 and M-CSF have species- and cell type-specific effects on human brain cells that may have implications for their roles in adult human brain inflammation.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The United States Environmental Protection Agency held an international
two-day workshop in June 2018 to deliberate possible performance targets for
non-regulatory fine particulate matter (PM
2.5
) ...and ozone
(O
3
) air sensors. The need for a workshop arose from the lack of
any market-wide manufacturer requirement for Ozone documented sensor performance
evaluations, the lack of any independent third party or government-based sensor
performance certification program, and uncertainty among all users as to the
general usability of air sensor data. A multi-sector subject matter expert panel
was assembled to facilitate an open discussion on these issues with multiple
stakeholders. This summary provides an overview of the workshop purpose, key
findings from the deliberations, and considerations for future actions specific
to sensors. Important findings concerning PM
2.5
and O
3
sensors included the lack of consistent performance indicators and statistical
metrics as well as highly variable data quality requirements depending on the
intended use. While the workshop did not attempt to yield consensus on any
topic, a key message was that a number of possible future actions would be
beneficial to all stakeholders regarding sensor technologies. These included
documentation of best practices, sharing quality assurance results along with
sensor data, and the development of a common performance target lexicon,
performance targets, and test protocols.
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