A near-global multiyear climate data record of the fine-mode and coarse-mode components of atmospheric pure dust

A new four-dimensional, multiyear, and near-global climate data record of the fine-mode (submicrometer in terms of diameter) and coarse-mode (supermicrometer in terms of diameter) components of atmospheric pure dust is presented. The separation of the two modes of dust in detected atmospheric dust layers is based on a combination of (1) the total pure-dust product provided by the well-established European Space Agency (ESA) “LIdar climatology of Vertical Aerosol Structure” (LIVAS) database and (2) the coarse-mode component of pure dust provided by the first step of the two-step POlarization LIdar PHOtometer Networking (POLIPHON) technique, developed in the framework of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). Accordingly, the fine-mode component of pure dust is extracted as the residual between the LIVAS total pure dust and the coarse-mode component of pure dust. Intermediate steps involve the implementation of regionally dependent lidar-derived lidar ratio values and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET)-based climatological extinction-to-volume conversion factors, facilitating conversion of dust backscatter into extinction and subsequently extinction into mass concentration. The decoupling scheme is applied to observations from the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) at 532 nm. The final products consist of the fine mode and coarse mode of atmospheric pure dust, quality-assured profiles of backscatter coefficient at 532 nm, extinction coefficient at 532 nm, and mass concentration for each of the two components. The datasets are established primarily with the original L2 horizontal (5 km) and vertical (60 m) resolution of the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) along the CALIPSO orbit path and secondly in averaged profiles of seasonal–temporal resolution, 1° × 1° spatial resolution, and the original vertical resolution of CALIPSO, focusing on the latitudinal band extending between 70° S and 70° N and covering more than 15 years of Earth observations (June 2006–December 2021). The quality of the CALIPSO-based fine-mode and coarse-mode dust products is assessed through the use of AERONET fine-mode and coarse-mode aerosol optical thickness (AOT) interpolated to 532 nm and the AERosol properties – Dust (AER-D) campaign airborne in situ particle size distributions (PSDs) as reference datasets during atmospheric conditions characterized by dust presence. The near-global fine-mode and coarse-mode pure-dust climate data record is considered unique with respect to a wide range of potential applications, including climatological, time series, and trend analysis over extensive geographical domains and temporal periods, validation of atmospheric dust models and reanalysis datasets, assimilation activities, and investigation of the role of airborne dust in radiation and air quality.</p

The impact of using assimilated Aeolus wind data on regional WRF-Chem dust simulations

Land–atmosphere interactions govern the process of dust emission and transport. An accurate depiction of these physical processes within numerical weather prediction models allows for better estimating the spatial and temporal distribution of the dust burden and the characterisation of source and recipient areas. In the presented study, the ECMWF-IFS (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast – Integrated Forecasting System) outputs, produced with and without the assimilation of Aeolus quality-assured Rayleigh–clear and Mie–cloudy horizontal line-of-sight wind profiles, are used as initial or boundary conditions in the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) to simulate 2-month periods in the spring and autumn of 2020, focusing on a case study in October. The experiments have been performed over the broader eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region, which is frequently subjected to dust transport, as it encompasses some of the most active erodible dust sources. Aerosol- and dust-related model outputs (extinction coefficient, optical depth and concentrations) are qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated against ground- and satellite-based observations. Ground-based columnar and vertically resolved aerosol optical properties are acquired through AERONET sun photometers and PollyXT lidar, while near-surface concentrations are taken from EMEP. Satellite-derived vertical dust and columnar aerosol optical properties are acquired through LIVAS (LIdar climatology of Vertical Aerosol Structure) and MIDAS (ModIs Dust AeroSol), respectively. Overall, in cases of either high or low aerosol loadings, the model predictive skill is improved when WRF-Chem simulations are initialised with the meteorological fields of Aeolus wind profiles assimilated by the IFS. The improvement varies in space and time, with the most significant impact observed during the autumn months in the study region. Comparison with observation datasets saw a remarkable improvement in columnar aerosol optical depths, vertically resolved dust mass concentrations and near-surface particulate concentrations in the assimilated run against the control run. Reductions in model biases, either positive or negative, and an increase in the correlation between simulated and observed values was achieved for October 2020.</p

Site selection of the Colombian antarctic research station based on fuzzy-topsis algorithm

By 2025 the Republic of Colombia aims to be an advisory member of the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) and the installation of a scientific station is necessary to upscale the scientific capabilities. The aim of this paper is showing the results of the implementation of a Fuzzy TOPSIS algorithm for site selection of the Colombian Antarctic Scientific Station. A three-phase methodology was AQ1 proposed, and the obtained results allowed to identify the optimum location for the station, considering key success factors and regulatory constraints

A Curated Database of miRNA Mediated Feed-Forward Loops Involving MYC as Master Regulator

BACKGROUND: The MYC transcription factors are known to be involved in the biology of many human cancer types. But little is known about the Myc/microRNAs cooperation in the regulation of genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Employing independent databases with experimentally validated data, we identified several mixed microRNA/Transcription Factor Feed-Forward Loops regulated by Myc and characterized completely by experimentally supported regulatory interactions, in human. We then studied the statistical and functional properties of these circuits and discussed in more detail a few interesting examples involving E2F1, PTEN, RB1 and VEGF. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We have assembled and characterized a catalogue of human mixed Transcription Factor/microRNA Feed-Forward Loops, having Myc as master regulator and completely defined by experimentally verified regulatory interactions

Pilot phase III immunotherapy study in early-stage breast cancer patients using oxidized mannan-MUC1 [ISRCTN71711835]

INTRODUCTION: Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a high molecular weight glycoprotein overexpressed on adenocarcinoma cells and is a target for immunotherapy protocols. To date, clinical trials against MUC1 have included advanced cancer patients. Herein, we report a trial using early stage breast cancer patients and injection of oxidized mannan-MUC1. METHOD: In a randomized, double-blind study, 31 patients with stage II breast cancer and with no evidence of disease received subcutaneous injections of either placebo or oxidized mannan-MUC1, to immunize against MUC1 and prevent cancer reoccurrence/metastases. Twenty-eight patients received the full course of injections of either oxidized mannan-MUC1 or placebo. Survival and immunological assays were assessed. RESULTS: After more than 5.5 years had elapsed since the last patient began treatment (8.5 years from the start of treatment of the first patient), the recurrence rate in patients receiving the placebo was 27% (4/15; the expected rate of recurrence in stage II breast cancer); those receiving immunotherapy had no recurrences (0/16), and this finding was statistically significant (P = 0.0292). Of the patients receiving oxidized mannan-MUC1, nine out of 13 had measurable antibodies to MUC1 and four out of 10 had MUC1-specific T cell responses; none of the placebo-treated patients exhibited an immune response to MUC1. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that, in early breast cancer, MUC1 immunotherapy is beneficial, and that a larger phase III study should be undertaken

Air pollution and the skin

The increase of air pollution over the years has major effects on the human skin. The skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and environmental air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), oxides, particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), and cigarette smoke. Although human skin acts as a biological shield against pro-oxidative chemical and physical air pollutants, the prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of these pollutants may have profound negative effects on the skin. Exposure of the skin to air pollutants has been associated with skin aging and inflammatory or allergic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis or acne, while skin cancer is among the most serious effects. On the other hand, some air pollutants (i.e., O3, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide) and scattering particulates (clouds and soot) in the troposphere reduce the effects of shorter wavelength UVR and significant reductions in UV irradiance have been observed in polluted urban areas. © 2014 Drakaki, Dessinioti and Antoniou