Impact of Aerosol Property on the Accuracy of a CO2 Retrieval Algorithm from Satellite Remote Sensing

Based on an optimal estimation method, an algorithm was developed to retrieve the column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of carbon dioxide (XCO2) using Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) channels, referred to as the Yonsei CArbon Retrieval (YCAR) algorithm. The performance of the YCAR algorithm is here examined using simulated radiance spectra, with simulations conducted using different Aerosol Optical Depths (AODs), Solar Zenith Angles (SZAs) and aerosol types over various surface types. To characterize the XCO2 retrieval algorithm, reference tests using simulated spectra were analysed through a posteriori XCO2 retrieval errors and averaging kernels. The a posteriori XCO2 retrieval errors generally increase with increasing SZA. However, errors were found to be small (<1.3 ppm) over vegetation surfaces. Column averaging kernels are generally close to unity near the surface and decrease with increasing altitude. For dust aerosol with an AOD of 0.3, the retrieval loses its sensitivity near the surface due to the influence of atmospheric scattering, with the peak of column averaging kernels at ~800 hPa. In addition, we performed a sensitivity analysis of the principal state vector elements with respect to XCO2 retrievals. The reference tests with the inherent error of the algorithm showed that overall XCO2 retrievals work reasonably well. The XCO2 retrieval errors with respect to state vector elements are shown to be <0.3 ppm. Information on aerosol optical properties is the most important factor affecting the XCO2 retrieval algorithm. Incorrect information on the aerosol type can lead to significant errors in XCO2 retrievals of up to 2.5 ppm. The XCO2 retrievals using the Thermal and Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation (TANSO)-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) L1B spectra were biased by 2.78 ± 1.46 ppm and 1.06 ± 0.85 ppm at the Saga and Tsukuba sites, respectively. This study provides important information regarding estimations of the effects of aerosol properties on the CO2 retrieval algorithm. An understanding of these effects can contribute to improvements in the accuracy of XCO2 retrievals, especially combined with an aerosol retrieval algorithm

Media 1: Chiral imaging of collagen by second-harmonic generation circular dichroism

Originally published in Biomedical Optics Express on 01 June 2013 (boe-4-6-909

Retrieving XCO2from GOSAT FTS over east asia using simultaneous aerosol information from CAI

In East Asia, where aerosol concentrations are persistently high throughout the year, most satellite CO2 retrieval algorithms screen out many measurements during quality control in order to reduce retrieval errors. To reduce the retrieval errors associated with aerosols, we have modified YCAR (Yonsei Carbon Retrieval) algorithm to YCAR-CAI to retrieve XCO2 from GOSAT FTS measurements using aerosol retrievals from simultaneous Cloud and Aerosol Imager (CAI) measurements. The CAI aerosol algorithm provides aerosol type and optical depth information simultaneously for the same geometry and optical path as FTS. The YCAR-CAI XCO2 retrieval algorithm has been developed based on the optimal estimation method. The algorithm uses the VLIDORT V2.6 radiative transfer model to calculate radiances and Jacobian functions. The XCO2 results retrieved using the YCAR-CAI algorithm were evaluated by comparing them with ground-based TCCON measurements and current operational GOSAT XCO2 retrievals. The retrievals show a clear annual cycle, with an increasing trend of 2.02 to 2.39 ppm per year, which is higher than that measured at Mauna Loa, Hawaii. The YCAR-CAI results were validated against the Tsukuba and Saga TCCON sites and show an root mean square error of 2.25, a bias of 0.81 ppm, and a regression line closer to the linear identity function compared with other current algorithms. Even after post-screening, the YCAR-CAI algorithm provides a larger dataset of XCO2 compared with other retrieval algorithms by 21% to 67%, which could be substantially advantageous in validation and data analysis for the area of East Asia. Retrieval uncertainty indicates a 1.39 to 1.48 ppm at the TCCON sites. Using Carbon Tracker-Asia (CT-A) data, the sampling error was analyzed and was found to be between 0.32 and 0.36 ppm for each individual sounding

Optic Nerve Head Development in Healthy Infants and Children Using Handheld Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To determine feasibility of optic nerve head (ONH) imaging and to characterize ONH development in full-term infants without sedation using handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT). DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred fifty-two children aged between 1 day and 13 years. METHODS: All participants were imaged using handheld SD OCT without sedation during a single scan session. The percentage of successful scans was calculated. Interexaminer reproducibility and differences between right and left eyes were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Images were analyzed using ImageJ software. The developmental trajectories over time for ONH parameters were calculated using fractional polynomial modelling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Disc and cup diameter (expressed as distance in micrometers and visual angle in degrees), cup depth, Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), retinal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL; 1700 μm and 6° from the disc center). RESULTS: On average, 70% of participants were imaged successfully. Interexaminer reliability was excellent (ICC, >0.89) for diametric and retinal thickness parameters. Right and left eyes were similar for diametric measurements (ICC, >0.79), but more variable for nasal BMO-MRW, RNFL, and retinal thickness. The mean disc and cup diameter increase by 30% and 40%, respectively, between birth and 13 years of age when expressed as a distance measure, but remained constant (at 5°-5.5° and 2°, respectively) when expressed as a visual angle with reference to the eye nodal point. The peripapillary temporal RNFL demonstrated a marked initial decrease of nearly 35% between birth and approximately 18 months of age. This was followed by a slow increase up to 12 years of age when measured at 1700 μm from the disc center, although there was little change when measured at 6° from the disc center. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated feasibility of handheld SD OCT imaging of the ONH in full-term infants and children without anaesthesia or sedation. This is the first in vivo handheld SD OCT study to describe the development of ONH parameters during the critical early years of visual maturation. Our results provide a normative database for use in routine practice and further studies of ONH pathologic features

In Vivo Foveal Development Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To characterize the time course of normal foveal development in vivo in term infants and young children using handheld spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (HH-SDOCT). Methods: We obtained 534 HH-SDOCT scans from 261 infants, children, and young adults with a mean age of 4.9 years (range, 0–27 years). Each retinal layer was manually segmented in ImageJ and correlated with gestational age (GA) and visual acuity (VA). The developmental trajectories of each retinal layer at the fovea, parafovea, and perifovea were calculated using fractional polynomial modeling. Results: The central macular thickness (CMT) increases logarithmically between birth and 48.6 months GA. The foveal ganglion cell (GCL), inner plexiform, inner nuclear (INL), and outer plexiform layers decrease in thickness exponentially until 18 months GA. Interestingly, the parafoveal and perifoveal GCL and INL thicknesses initially decrease until 17 months GA and then increase in thickness until 65.5 GA. The foveal outer nuclear layer, inner segment, and outer segment of the photoreceptors increase in thickness logarithmically until 32.4, 26.9, and 45.3 months GA, respectively. The parafoveal and perifoveal outer retinal layers increase in thickness more gradually until 146 months GA. The thickness of the outer retinal layers and CMT were strongly correlated with VA, with r = 0.54 (P < 0.0001) and r = 0.52 (P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions: We have modeled for the first time the complex, nonlinear developmental trajectories for each retinal layer and demonstrate that development continues until adolescence. Our description of normal development will be helpful in diagnosing, monitoring, and understanding pediatric retinal disease

Probing the structural requirements of non-electrophilic naphthalene-based Nrf2 activators

Activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 has been posited to be a promising therapeutic strategy in a number of inflammatory and oxidative stress diseases due to its regulation of detoxifying enzymes. In this work, we have developed a comprehensive structure-activity relationship around a known, naphthalene-based non-electrophilic activator of Nrf2, and we report highly potent non-electrophilic activators of Nrf2. Computational docking analysis of a subset of the compound series demonstrates the importance of water molecule displacement for affinity, and the X-ray structure of di-amide 12e supports the computational analysis. One of the best compounds, acid 16b, has an IC50 of 61 nM in a fluorescence anisotropy assay and a Kd of 120 nM in a surface plasmon resonance assay. Additionally, we demonstrate that the ethyl ester of 16b is an efficacious inducer of Nrf2 target genes, exhibiting ex vivo efficacy similar to the well-known electrophilic activator, sulforaphane

The pulsation modes of the pre-white dwarf PG 1159-035

Context. PG 1159-035 , a pre-white dwarf with $T_{{\rm eff}}$$\simeq$ 140 000 K, is the prototype of both two classes: the PG 1159 spectroscopic class and the DOV pulsating class. Previous studies of PG 1159-035 photometric data obtained with the Whole Earth Telescope (WET) showed a rich frequency spectrum allowing the identification of 122 pulsation modes. Analyzing the periods of pulsation, it is possible to measure the stellar mass, the rotational period and the inclination of the rotation axis, to estimate an upper limit for the magnetic field, and even to obtain information about the inner stratification of the star. Aims.We have three principal aims: to increase the number of detected and identified pulsation modes in PG 1159-035 , study trapping of the star's pulsation modes, and to improve or constrain the determination of stellar parameters. Methods.We used all available WET photometric data from 1983, 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002 to identify the pulsation periods. Results.We identified 76 additional pulsation modes, increasing to 198 the number of known pulsation modes in PG 1159-035 , the largest number of modes detected in any star besides the Sun. From the period spacing we estimated a mass $M/M_\odot$ = 0.59 $\pm$ 0.02 for PG 1159-035 , with the uncertainty dominated by the models, not the observation. Deviations in the regular period spacing suggest that some of the pulsation modes are trapped, even though the star is a pre-white dwarf and the gravitational settling is ongoing. The position of the transition zone that causes the mode trapping was calculated at $r_{\rm c}/R_\star$ = 0.83 $\pm$ 0.05. From the multiplet splitting, we calculated the rotational period $P_{\rm rot}$ = 1.3920 $\pm$ 0.0008 days and an upper limit for the magnetic field, B < 2000 G. The total power of the pulsation modes at the stellar surface changed less than 30% for $\ell$ = 1 modes and less than 50% for $\ell$ = 2 modes. We find no evidence of linear combinations between the 198 pulsation mode frequencies. PG 1159-035 models have not significative convection zones, supporting the hypothesis that nonlinearity arises in the convection zones in cooler pulsating white dwarf stars