An extreme biomass-burning event occurred in Indonesia from September through October 2015 due to severe drought conditions, partially caused by a major El Nino event, thereby allowing for ...significant burning of peatland that had been previously drained. This event had the highest sustained aerosol optical depths (AOD) ever monitored by the global Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). The newly developed AERONET Version 3 algorithms retain high AOD at the longer wavelengths when associated with high Angstrom Exponents (AEs), which thereby allowed for measurements of AOD at 675 nanometers as high as approximately 7, the upper limit of Sun photometry. Measured AEs at the highest monitored AOD levels were subsequently utilized to estimate instantaneous values of AOD at 550 nanometers in the range of 11 to 13, well beyond the upper measurement limit. Additionally, retrievals of complex refractive indices, size distributions, and single scattering albedos (SSA) were obtained at much higher AOD levels than possible from almucantar scans due to the ability to perform retrievals at smaller solar zenith angles with new hybrid sky radiance scans. For retrievals made at the highest AOD levels the fine mode volume median radii were approximately 0.25 to 0.30 microns, which are very large particles for biomass burning. Very high SSA values (approximately 0.975 from 440 to 1020 nanometers) are consistent with the domination by smoldering combustion of peat burning. Estimates of the percentage peat contribution to total biomass burning aerosol based on retrieved SSA and laboratory measured peat SSA were approximately 80-85 percent, in excellent agreement with independent estimates.
The Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Version 3 (V3) aerosol retrieval algorithm is described, which is based on the Version 2 (V2)
algorithm with numerous updates. Comparisons of V3 aerosol ...retrievals to
those of V2 are presented, along with a new approach to estimate
uncertainties in many of the retrieved aerosol parameters. Changes in the V3 aerosol retrieval algorithm include (1) a new polarized radiative transfer code (RTC), which replaced the scalar RTC of V2, (2) detailed
characterization of gas absorption by adding NO2 and H2O to
specify total gas absorption in the atmospheric column, specification of
vertical profiles of all the atmospheric species, (3) new bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) parameters for land sites adopted
from the MODIS BRDF/Albedo product, (4) a new version of the extraterrestrial
solar flux spectrum, and (5) a new temperature correction procedure of both direct Sun and sky radiance measurements. The potential effect of each change in V3 on single scattering albedo (SSA) retrievals was analyzed. The
operational almucantar retrievals of V2 versus V3 were compared for four AERONET sites: GSFC, Mezaira, Mongu, and Kanpur. Analysis showed very good
agreement in retrieved parameters of the size distributions. Comparisons of
SSA retrievals for dust aerosols (Mezaira) showed a good agreement in 440 nm
SSA, while for longer wavelengths V3 SSAs are systematically higher than those of V2, with the largest mean difference at 675 nm due to cumulative
effects of both extraterrestrial solar flux and BRDF changes. For non-dust
aerosols, the largest SSA deviation is at 675 nm due to differences in
extraterrestrial solar flux spectrums used in each version. Further, the SSA
675 nm mean differences are very different for weakly (GSFC) and strongly
(Mongu) absorbing aerosols, which is explained by the lower sensitivity to a bias in aerosol scattering optical depth by less absorbing aerosols. A new
hybrid (HYB) sky radiance measurement scan is introduced and discussed. The HYB combines features of scans in two different planes to maximize the range
of scattering angles and achieve scan symmetry, thereby allowing for cloud
screening and spatial averaging, which is an advantage over the principal plane scan that lacks robust symmetry. We show that due to an extended range of scattering angles, HYB SSA retrievals for dust aerosols exhibit smaller
variability with solar zenith angles (SZAs) than those of almucantar (ALM), which allows extension of HYB SSA retrievals to SZAs less than 50∘ to as small as 25∘. The comparison of SSA retrievals from closely
time-matched HYB and ALM scans in the 50 to 75∘ SZA range showed good agreement with the differences below ∼0.005. We also present an approach to estimate retrieval uncertainties which
utilizes the variability in retrieved parameters generated by perturbing
both measurements and auxiliary input parameters as a proxy for retrieval uncertainty. The perturbations in measurements and auxiliary inputs are
assumed as estimated biases in aerosol optical depth (AOD), radiometric
calibration of sky radiances combined with solar spectral irradiance, and
surface reflectance. For each set of Level 2 Sun/sky radiometer
observations, 27 inputs corresponding to 27 combinations of biases were
produced and separately inverted to generate the following statistics of
the inversion results: average, standard deviation, minimum and maximum
values. From these statistics, standard deviation (labeled U27) is used as a proxy for estimated uncertainty, and a lookup table (LUT) approach was implemented to reduce the computational time. The U27 climatological LUT was
generated from the entire AERONET almucantar (1993–2018) and hybrid
(2014–2018) scan databases by binning U27s in AOD (440 nm), Angström exponent (AE, 440–870 nm), and SSA (440, 675, 870, 1020 nm). Using this LUT approach, the uncertainty estimates U27 for each individual V3 Level 2 retrieval can
be obtained by interpolation using the corresponding measured and inverted
combination of AOD, AE, and SSA.
Analysis of Sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) datahas shown that major aerosol pollution events with very highfine mode AOD (>1.0 in midvisible) in ...theChina/Korea/Japan region are often observed to be associated with significant cloud cover. This makesremote sensing of these events difficult even for high temporal resolution Sun photometer measurements.Possible physical mechanisms for these events that have high AOD include a combination of aerosolhumidification, cloud processing, and meteorological covariation with atmospheric stability andconvergence. The new development of Aerosol Robotic Network Version 3 Level 2 AOD with improved cloudscreening algorithms now allow for unprecedented ability to monitor these extremefine mode pollutionevents. Further, the spectral deconvolution algorithm (SDA) applied to Level 1 data (L1; no cloud screening)provides an even more comprehensive assessment offine mode AOD than L2 in current and previous dataversions. Studying the 2012 winter-summer period, comparisons of Aerosol Robotic Network L1 SDA dailyaveragefine mode AOD data showed that Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite remotesensing of AOD often did not retrieve and/or identify some of the highestfine mode AOD events in thisregion. Also, compared to models that include data assimilation of satellite retrieved AOD, the L1 SDAfinemode AOD was significantly higher in magnitude, particularly for the highest AOD events that were oftenassociated with significant cloudiness.
Our study aimed to estimate the association between number of siblings and dietary patterns in adolescents. Prospective longitudinal study was developed using data from the birth cohort of the city ...of Pelotas, Brazil, which included 5249 participants. At the 18-year-old follow-up, from 4563 individuals located, 4106 were interviewed (follow-up rate 81.3%). Of these, 3751 were included in our principal component analysis of dietary patterns. Regular dietary intake of 45 food groups over the previous year was measured with a food frequency questionnaire. We identified four patterns, which accounted for 40% of the total variance in food group consumption. These were labeled "Protein and fast food", "Fruit and vegetables", "Common Brazilian", and "Sweets, soft drinks, and dairy products". Crude and adjusted analyses of the association between number of siblings and dietary patterns were performed using linear regression. The number of siblings was positively associated with a higher adherence to each dietary pattern, with the exception of the "Common Brazilian" patterns, for which there was no apparent relationship with number of siblings. The findings showed that a greater number of siblings is related to a more diverse diet in the later adolescence, which may predict better nutrient adequacy and health outcomes.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
We mapped tidal wetland gross primary production (GPP) with unprecedented detail for multiple wetland types across the continental United States (CONUS) at 16‐day intervals for the years 2000–2019. ...To accomplish this task, we developed the spatially explicit Blue Carbon (BC) model, which combined tidal wetland cover and field‐based eddy covariance tower data into a single Bayesian framework, and used a super computer network and remote sensing imagery (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Enhanced Vegetation Index). We found a strong fit between the BC model and eddy covariance data from 10 different towers (r2 = 0.83, p < 0.001, root‐mean‐square error = 1.22 g C/m2/day, average error was 7% with a mean bias of nearly zero). When compared with NASA's MOD17 GPP product, which uses a generalized terrestrial algorithm, the BC model reduced error by approximately half (MOD17 had r2 = 0.45, p < 0.001, root‐mean‐square error of 3.38 g C/m2/day, average error of 15%). The BC model also included mixed pixels in areas not covered by MOD17, which comprised approximately 16.8% of CONUS tidal wetland GPP. Results showed that across CONUS between 2000 and 2019, the average daily GPP per m2 was 4.32 ± 2.45 g C/m2/day. The total annual GPP for the CONUS was 39.65 ± 0.89 Tg C/year. GPP for the Gulf Coast was nearly double that of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts combined. Louisiana alone accounted for 15.78 ± 0.75 Tg C/year, with its Atchafalaya/Vermillion Bay basin at 4.72 ± 0.14 Tg C/year. The BC model provides a robust platform for integrating data from disparate sources and exploring regional trends in GPP across tidal wetlands.
Key Points
We created the Blue Carbon (BC) model, which mapped the Gross Primary Production (GPP) of all tidal wetlands within the continental United States
The BC model provides maps of tidal wetland GPP at sub‐250 m scales and at 16‐day intervals for the years 2000‐2019
The average daily GPP per m2 was 4.32 ± 2.45 g C/m2/day, and the total annual GPP for the continental United States was 39.65 ± 0.89 Tg C/year
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) is a major driver of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic switching, an important pathobiology in arterial disease. We performed RNA-sequencing of ...TGFβ1-stimulated human aortic or arterial VSMCs which revealed large and consistent upregulation of Interleukin 11 (IL11). IL11 has an unknown function in VSMCs, which highly express the IL11 receptor alpha, suggestive of an autocrine loop. In vitro, IL11 activated ERK signaling, but inhibited STAT3 activity, and caused VSMC phenotypic switching to a similar extent as TGFβ1 or angiotensin II (ANGII) stimulation. Genetic or therapeutic inhibition of IL11 signaling reduced TGFβ1- or ANGII-induced VSMC phenotypic switching, placing IL11 activity downstream of these factors. Aortas of mice with Myh11-driven IL11 expression were remodeled and had reduced contractile but increased matrix and inflammatory genes expression. In two models of arterial pressure loading, IL11 was upregulated in the aorta and neutralizing IL11 antibodies reduced remodeling along with matrix and pro-inflammatory gene expression. These data show that IL11 plays an important role in VSMC phenotype switching, vascular inflammation and aortic pathobiology.
Titin-truncating variants (TTNtv) are the most common genetic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. TTNtv occur in ~1% of the general population and causes subclinical cardiac remodeling in asymptomatic ...carriers. In rat models with either proximal or distal TTNtv, we previously showed altered cardiac metabolism at baseline and impaired cardiac function in response to stress. However, the molecular mechanism(s) underlying these effects remains unknown. In the current study, we used rat models of TTNtv to investigate the effect of TTNtv on autophagy and mitochondrial function, which are essential for maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis and cardiac function. In both the proximal and distal TTNtv rat models, we found increased levels of LC3B-II and p62 proteins, indicative of diminished autophagic degradation. The accumulation of autophagosomes and p62 protein in cardiomyocytes was also demonstrated by electron microscopy and immunochemistry, respectively. Impaired autophagy in the TTNtv heart was associated with increased phosphorylation of mTOR and decreased protein levels of the lysosomal protease, cathepsin B. In addition, TTNtv hearts showed mitochondrial dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased oxygen consumption rate in cardiomyocytes, increased levels of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial protein ubiquitination. We also observed increased acetylation of mitochondrial proteins associated with decreased NAD+/NADH ratio in the TTNtv hearts. mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, was able to rescue the impaired autophagy in TTNtv hearts. In summary, TTNtv leads to impaired autophagy and mitochondrial function in the heart. These changes not only provide molecular mechanisms that underlie TTNtv-associated ventricular remodeling but also offer potential targets for its intervention.
Individuals are considered Ultra-High-Risk (UHR) for psychosis if they meet a set of standardised criteria including presumed genetic vulnerability (Trait), or a recent history of Attenuated ...Psychotic Symptoms (APS) or Brief Limited Intermittent Psychotic Symptoms (BLIPS). Recent calls to revise these criteria have arisen from evidence that Trait, APS and BLIPS groups may transition to psychosis at different rates. Concurrently, it has become clear that the UHR status confers clinical risk beyond transition to psychosis. Specifically, most UHR individuals will not develop psychosis, but will experience high rates of non-psychotic disorders, persistent APS and poor long-term functional outcomes. Rather than focus on transition, the present study investigated whether UHR groups differ in their broader clinical risk profile by examining baseline clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes other than transition to psychosis. Four UHR groups were defined: Trait-only, APS-only, Trait+APS, and any BLIPS. Participants (N=702) were recruited upon entry to early intervention services and followed-up over a period of up to 13years (mean=4.53, SD=3.84). The groups evidenced similar symptom severity (SANS for negative symptoms, BPRS for positive and depression/anxiety symptoms) and psychosocial functioning (SOFAS, GAF, QLS) at baseline and follow-up as well as similar prevalence of non-psychotic disorders at follow-up. Our findings demonstrate that UHR groups evidence a similar clinical risk profile when we expand this beyond transition to psychosis, and consequently support maintaining the existing UHR criteria.
There are currently no specific treatments for cardiac fibrosis. We tested the efficacy of a neutralising anti-IL11 antibody (X203) to reduce cardiac fibrosis in two preclinical models: transverse ...aortic constriction (TAC) and chronic angiotensin II infusion (AngII). In the first model, male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to TAC for 2 weeks. In the second model, mice received continuous angiotensin II for 4 weeks via subcutaneous pump. In both models, mice received either 20 mg/kg of X203 or isotype-control antibody twice-weekly, starting 24 h after surgery. Cardiac fibrosis and extracellular matrix gene expression were assessed by RT-qPCR, Western blot, histology and collagen (hydroxyproline) assays. In both models, X203 significantly reduced pro-fibrotic gene expression and myocardial fibrosis (TAC: 51% reduction in total collagen,
P
< 0.001, 39% in perivascular fibrosis,
P
< 0.001; AngII: 17% reduction in total collagen,
P
= 0.04, 83% in perivascular fibrosis,
P
< 0.001). Pharmacological targeting of IL11 reduces cardiac fibrosis in preclinical models.
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Graphical Abstract
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