FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2: Impacts on Global Operational Forecasting and Future Architectures With a SmallSat Constellation

The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) is a mission partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and the US Space Force (USSF). The mission consists of a constellation of six smallsats with a primary Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) payload, which provides observations of the Earth\u27s neutral atmosphere and ionosphere. These observations are delivered in real-time to operational weather and space weather prediction centers across the globe. Since launching in 2019, observations from COSMIC-2 have been making a significant impact on global numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems. The mission has shown positive impacts on weather forecast accuracy and tropical cyclogenesis (hurricane/typhoon) prediction. On the space weather side, COSMIC-2 is providing essential information about ionospheric conditions at latencies that no other mission provides. In addition, COSMIC-2 employs a forward-looking ground system, consisting of stations operated by domestic agencies, foreign partners, and commercial Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS). This architecture provides extremely good latency for products, has developed processes that have benefitted other NOAA missions, and can serve as a framework for future ground system enterprises. COSMIC-2 has shown itself to be an asset to the global weather and space weather community raised the profile of the value of RO at large. It has produced new types of observations and pushed ground architecture forward. It is a hallmark for the impact that small, less expensive constellations can have in global operational systems

The photosynthesis apparatus of European mistletoe (Viscum album)

European mistletoe (Viscum album) is known for its special mode of cellular respiration. It lacks the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase complex (Complex I of the respiratory chain) and has restricted capacities to generate mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Here, we present an investigation of the V. album energy metabolism taking place in chloroplasts. Thylakoids were purified from young V. album leaves, and membrane-bound protein complexes were characterized by Blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as well as by the complexome profiling approach. Proteins were systematically identified by label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics. We identified 41,800 distinct proteins (accessible at https://complexomemap.de/va_leaves), including nearly 100 proteins forming part of the protein complexes involved in the light-dependent part of photosynthesis. The photosynthesis apparatus of V. album has distinct features: (1) comparatively low amounts of Photosystem I; (2) absence of the NDH complex (the chloroplast pendant of mitochondrial Complex I involved in cyclic electron transport (CET) around Photosystem I); (3) reduced levels of the proton gradient regulation 5 (PGR5) and proton gradient regulation 5-like 1 (PGRL1) proteins, which offer an alternative route for CET around Photosystem I; (4) comparable amounts of Photosystem II and the chloroplast ATP synthase complex to other seed plants. Our data suggest a restricted capacity for chloroplast ATP biosynthesis by the photophosphorylation process. This is in addition to the limited ATP supply by the mitochondria. We propose a view on mistletoe’s mode of life, according to which its metabolism relies to a greater extent on energy-rich compounds provided by the host trees

Free-Space Quantum Electrodynamics with a single Rydberg superatom

The interaction of a single photon with an individual two-level system is the textbook example of quantum electrodynamics. Achieving strong coupling in this system so far required confinement of the light field inside resonators or waveguides. Here, we demonstrate strong coherent coupling between a single Rydberg superatom, consisting of thousands of atoms behaving as a single two-level system due to the Rydberg blockade, and a propagating light pulse containing only a few photons. The strong light-matter coupling in combination with the direct access to the outgoing field allows us to observe for the first time the effect of the interactions on the driving field at the single photon level. We find that all our results are in quantitative agreement with the predictions of the theory of a single two-level system strongly coupled to a single quantized propagating light mode. The demonstrated coupling strength opens the way towards interfacing photonic and atomic qubits and preparation of propagating non-classical states of light, two crucial building blocks in future quantum networks

Passivhaus-Modelle

Ein Passiv-Haus basiert auf einer effektiven Nutzung interner Wärmequellen, wie der Abwärme durch Bewohner und Haushaltsgeräte, sowie der solaren Wärmegewinne, bei zugleich stark reduzierten Transmissionsverlusten. Die Heizung kann somit auf ein Minimum reduziert werden. Mit einem einfachen Modell aus dem weitverbreiteten Styropor und Fermacell wird schüleradäquat das Prinzip der Wärmetransmission veranschaulicht. Mit Hilfe der Simulationssoftware Stella wird die Wärme\-trans\-mission mit zeitabhängiger Heizung simuliert. Die graphische Benutzeroberfläche ermöglicht Schülern, auch ohne detaillierte Kenntnis der mathematischen Grundlagen, komplizierte Phänomene zu analysieren und umzusetzen. Der Vergleich der Simulation und der Ergebnisse der experimentellen Untersuchung des Modellhauses zeigte eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung.Die verringerten Temperaturschwankungen, wie sie auch am Modell belegt werden konnten, und der damit verbundene Komfortgewinn sind neben dem geringeren Energieaufwand wichtige Merkmale des Passiv-Hauses

Passivhaus-Modelle

Ein Passiv-Haus basiert auf einer effektiven Nutzung interner Wärmequellen, wie der Abwärme durch Bewohner und Haushaltsgeräte, sowie der solaren Wärmegewinne, bei zugleich stark reduzierten Transmissionsverlusten. Die Heizung kann somit auf ein Minimum reduziert werden. Mit einem einfachen Modell aus dem weitverbreiteten Styropor und Fermacell wird schüleradäquat das Prinzip der Wärmetransmission veranschaulicht. Mit Hilfe der Simulationssoftware Stella wird die Wärme\-trans\-mission mit zeitabhängiger Heizung simuliert. Die graphische Benutzeroberfläche ermöglicht Schülern, auch ohne detaillierte Kenntnis der mathematischen Grundlagen, komplizierte Phänomene zu analysieren und umzusetzen. Der Vergleich der Simulation und der Ergebnisse der experimentellen Untersuchung des Modellhauses zeigte eine sehr gute Übereinstimmung.Die verringerten Temperaturschwankungen, wie sie auch am Modell belegt werden konnten, und der damit verbundene Komfortgewinn sind neben dem geringeren Energieaufwand wichtige Merkmale des Passiv-Hauses

Observation of three-body correlations for photons coupled to a Rydberg superatom

We report on the experimental observation of non-trivial three-photon correlations imprinted onto initially uncorrelated photons through interaction with a single Rydberg superatom. Exploiting the Rydberg blockade mechanism, we turn a cold atomic cloud into a single effective emitter with collectively enhanced coupling to a focused photonic mode which gives rise to clear signatures in the connected part of the three-body correlation function of the out-going photons. We show that our results are in good agreement with a quantitative model for a single, strongly coupled Rydberg superatom. Furthermore, we present an idealized but exactly solvable model of a single two-level system coupled to a photonic mode, which allows for an interpretation of our experimental observations in terms of bound states and scattering states

Gastrointestinal function in intensive care patients: terminology, definitions and management. Recommendations of the ESICM Working Group on Abdominal Problems

Purpose: Acute gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and failure have been increasingly recognized in critically ill patients. The variety of definitions proposed in the past has led to confusion and difficulty in comparing one study to another. An international working group convened to standardize the definitions for acute GI failure and GI symptoms and to review the therapeutic options. Methods: The Working Group on Abdominal Problems (WGAP) of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) developed the definitions for GI dysfunction in intensive care patients on the basis of the available evidence and current understanding of the pathophysiology. Results: Definitions for acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) with its four grades of severity, as well as for feeding intolerance syndrome and GI symptoms (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea, paralysis, high gastric residual volumes) are proposed. AGI is a malfunctioning of the GI tract in intensive care patients due to their acute illness. AGI grade I=increased risk of developing GI dysfunction or failure (a self-limiting condition); AGI grade II=GI dysfunction (a condition that requires interventions); AGI grade III=GI failure (GI function cannot be restored with interventions); AGI grade IV=dramatically manifesting GI failure (a condition that is immediately life-threatening). Current evidence and expert opinions regarding treatment of acute GI dysfunction are provided. Conclusions: State-of-the-art definitions for GI dysfunction with gradation as well as management recommendations are proposed on the basis of current medical evidence and expert opinion. The WGAP recommends using these definitions for clinical and research purpose

Proton diffusivity in the BaZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ proton conductor

The thermally activated proton diffusion in BaZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ was studied with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (IS) and quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) in the temperature range 300-900K. The diffusivities for the bulk material and the grain boundaries as obtained by IS obey an Arrhenius law with activation energies of 0.46eV and 1.21eV, respectively. The activation energies obtained by IS for the bulk are 0.26eV above 700K and 0.46eV, below 700K. The total diffusivity as obtained by IS is by one order of magnitude lower than the microscopic diffusivity as obtained by QENS. The activation energies obtained by QENS are 0.13eV above 700K and 0.04eV, below 700K. At about 700K, the diffusion constants for IS and QENS have a remarkable crossover, suggesting two processes with different activation energie

Levosimendan may improve survival in patients requiring mechanical assist devices for post-cardiotomy heart failure

INTRODUCTION: Most case series suggest that less than half of the patients receiving a mechanical cardiac assist device as a bridge to recovery due to severe post-cardiotomy heart failure survive to hospital discharge. Levosimendan is the only inotropic substance known to improve medium term survival in patients suffering from severe heart failure. METHODS: This retrospective analysis covers our single centre experience. Between July 2000 and December 2004, 41 consecutive patients were treated for this complication. Of these, 38 patients are included in this retrospective analysis as 3 patients died in the operating room. Levosimendan was added to the treatment protocol for the last nine patients. RESULTS: Of 29 patients treated without levosimendan, 20 could be weaned off the device, 9 survived to intensive care unit discharge, 7 left hospital alive and 3 survived 180 days. All 9 patients treated with levosimendan could be weaned, 8 were discharged alive from ICU and hospital, and 7 lived 180 days after surgery (p < 0.002 for 180 day survival). Plasma lactate after explantation of the device was significantly lower (p = 0.002), as were epinephrine doses. Time spent on renal replacement therapy was significantly shorter (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan seems to improve medium term survival in patients failing to wean off cardiopulmonary bypass and requiring cardiac assist devices as a bridge to recovery. This retrospective analysis justifies prospective randomised investigations of levosimendan in this group of patients