Towards Identification of Relevant Variables in the observed Aerosol Optical Depth Bias between MODIS and AERONET observations

Measurements made by satellite remote sensing, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and globally distributed Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) are compared. Comparison of the two datasets measurements for aerosol optical depth values show that there are biases between the two data products. In this paper, we present a general framework towards identifying relevant set of variables responsible for the observed bias. We present a general framework to identify the possible factors influencing the bias, which might be associated with the measurement conditions such as the solar and sensor zenith angles, the solar and sensor azimuth, scattering angles, and surface reflectivity at the various measured wavelengths, etc. Specifically, we performed analysis for remote sensing Aqua-Land data set, and used machine learning technique, neural network in this case, to perform multivariate regression between the ground-truth and the training data sets. Finally, we used mutual information between the observed and the predicted values as the measure of similarity to identify the most relevant set of variables. The search is brute force method as we have to consider all possible combinations. The computations involves a huge number crunching exercise, and we implemented it by writing a job-parallel program

Origin of Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Mesophase Formation and Liquid Crystalline to Mesostructured Solid Transformation in the Metal Nitrate Salt-Surfactant Systems

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The zinc nitrate salt acts as a solvent in the ZnX-C(12)EO(10) (ZnX is [Zn(H(2)O)(6)](NO(3))(2) and C(12)EO(10) is C(12)H(25)(OCH(2)CH(2))(10)OH) lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) mesophase with a drastic dropping on the melting point of ZnX. The salt surfactant LLC mesophase is stable down to -52 degrees C and undergoes a phase change into a solid mesostructured salt upon cooling below -52 degrees C; no phase separation is observed down to -190 degrees C. The ZnX-C(12)EO(10) mesophase displays a usual phase behavior with an increasing concentration of the solvent (ZnX) in the media with an order of bicontinuous cubic(V(1))-2D hexagonal(H(1)) - a mixture of 2D hexagonal and micelle cubic(H(1) + I)-micelle cubic(I)-micelle(L(1)) phases. The phase behaviors, specifically at low temperatures, and the first phase diagram of the ZnX-C(12)EO(10) system was investigated using polarized optical microscopy (POM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman techniques and conductivity measurements

Chemical abundances of the metal-poor horizontal-branch stars CS 22186-005 and CS 30344-033

We report on a chemical-abundance analysis of two very metal-poor horizontal-branch stars in the Milky Way halo: CS 22186-005 ([Fe/H]=-2.70) and CS 30344-033 ([Fe/H]=-2.90). The analysis is based on high-resolution spectra obtained at ESO, with the spectrographs HARPS at the 3.6 m telescope, and UVES at the VLT. We adopted one-dimensional, plane-parallel model atmospheres assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium. We derived elemental abundances for 13 elements for CS 22186-005 and 14 elements for CS 30344-033. This study is the first abundance analysis of CS 30344-033. CS 22186-005 has been analyzed previously, but we report here the first measurement of nickel (Ni; Z = 28) for this star, based on twenty-two NiI lines ([Ni/Fe]=-0.21$\pm$0.02); the measurement is significantly below the mean found for most metal-poor stars. Differences of up to 0.5 dex in [Ni/Fe] ratios were determined by different authors for the same type of stars in the literature, which means that it is not yet possible to conclude that there is a real intrinsic scatter in the [Ni/Fe] ratios. For the other elements for which we obtained estimates, the abundance patterns in these two stars match the Galactic trends defined by giant and turnoff stars well. This confirms the value of horizontal-branch stars as tracers of the chemical properties of stellar populations in the Galaxy. Our radial velocities measurements for CS 22186-005 differ from previously published measurements by more than the expected statistical errors. More measurements of the radial velocity of this star are encouraged to confirm or refute its radial velocity variability

Exploring religious tourist experiences in Jerusalem: The intersection of Abrahamic religions

By considering the importance of religious tourism for travel and the tourism industry, this study aims to identify religious tourists' experiences in Jerusalem, as one of the most important holy cities. By a survey, 848 data were collected from the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious tourists. Results showed that religious tourism experience was a multi-faceted construct, which consists of engaging mentally, discovering new things, interacting & belonging, connecting spiritually & emotionally, and relaxing & finding peace dimensions. By using these dimensions, perceived experience differences of tourists were examined depending on religion. Moreover, religious tourism experience was identified to significantly affect overall tourist satisfaction with Jerusalem. The study concluded with discussion of the findings and their implications

RCS computations with PO/PTD for conducting and impedance objects modeled as large flat plates

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Calculation of Radar Cross Section (RCS) of arbitrary bodies using Physical Optics (PO) Theory and Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD)is considered. For bodies with impedance surface boundary condition, only PO is used. Analytical approach to PO integral is used to achieve faster computations. A computer program has been developed in Fortran in order to calculate the Radar Cross Section (RCS). Arbitrary shape is modeled as triangular facets of any area by the help of graphical tools. Given the triangular meshed model of an arbitrary body, Physical Optics(PO) surface integral is numerically evaluated over the whole surface. There is no limitation on the size of the triangles, as soon as the total surface does not retire from the original one. Shadowing algorithm has been used in order to have more accurate solutions. Additionally, flash points of PO are visualized over the surface of targets, hence local nature of high-frequency phenomena is proved. Induced surface currents, edge currents and RCS have been calculated for some basic shapes and the fuel tank model of F-16 airplanes. Induced surface currents have been visualized over the surface of the particular targets using Matlab.Albayrak, N AslıhanM.S

16S rRNA gene profiling and genome reconstruction reveal community metabolic interactions and prebiotic potential of medicinal herbs used in neurodegenerative disease and as nootropics.

The prebiotic potential of nervine herbal medicines has been scarcely studied. We therefore used anaerobic human fecal cultivation to investigate whether medicinal herbs commonly used as treatment in neurological health and disease in Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine modulate gut microbiota. Profiling of fecal cultures supplemented with either Kapikacchu, Gotu Kola, Bacopa/Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Boswellia/Frankincense, Jatamansi, Bhringaraj, Guduchi, Ashwagandha or Shatavari by 16S rRNA sequencing revealed profound changes in diverse taxa. Principal coordinate analysis highlights that each herb drives the formation of unique microbial communities predicted to display unique metabolic potential. The relative abundance of approximately one-third of the 243 enumerated species was altered by all herbs. Additional species were impacted in an herb-specific manner. In this study, we combine genome reconstruction of sugar utilization and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) pathways encoded in the genomes of 216 profiled taxa with monosaccharide composition analysis of each medicinal herb by quantitative mass spectrometry to enhance the interpretation of resulting microbial communities and discern potential drivers of microbiota restructuring. Collectively, our results indicate that gut microbiota engage in both protein and glycan catabolism, providing amino acid and sugar substrates that are consumed by fermentative species. We identified taxa that are efficient amino acid fermenters and those capable of both amino acid and sugar fermentation. Herb-induced microbial communities are predicted to alter the relative abundance of taxa encoding SCFA (butyrate and propionate) pathways. Co-occurrence network analyses identified a large number of taxa pairs in medicinal herb cultures. Some of these pairs displayed related culture growth relationships in replicate cultures highlighting potential functional interactions among medicinal herb-induced taxa

X-ray Doppler Imaging of 44i Boo with Chandra

Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating observations of the bright eclipsing contact binary 44i Boo show X-ray line profiles which are Doppler-shifted by orbital motions. The X-ray emission spectrum contains a multitude of lines superimposed on a weak continuum, with strong lines of O VIII, Ne X, Fe XVII, and Mg XII. The profiles of these lines from the total observed spectrum show Doppler-broadened widths of ~ 550 km s^{-1}. Line centroids vary with orbital phase, indicating velocity changes of > 180 km s^{-1}. The first-order light curve shows significant variability, but no clear evidence for either primary or secondary eclipses. Flares are observed for all spectral ranges; additionally, the light curve constructed near the peak of the emission measure distribution (T_e = 5 to 8 X 10^6 K) shows quiescent variability as well as flares. The phase-dependences of line profiles and light curves together imply that at least half of the emission is localized at high latitude. A simple model with two regions on the primary star at relatively high latitude reproduces the observed line profile shifts and quiescent light curve. These first clear X-ray Doppler shifts of stellar coronal material illustrate the power of Chandra.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures to be published in Astrophysical Journal Letter

Podwójne znakowanie immunologiczne CD133 i Ki-67 wskazuje na ich istotną współlokalizację w podtypie włóknistym oponiaków

Background and purpose A unique molecular and/or cellular marker for meningiomas, the most common intracranial tumours, has not been identified yet. Material and methods We investigated the co-localization fraction of CD133/Ki-67 in meningioma tissue array slide composed of 80 meningioma tissue samples of various histological variants. CD133 – a cell membrane stem cell marker – was previously proved to be associated with the initiation and progression of intracerebral gliomas and medulloblastomas. Results Immunohistochemical co-localization of CD133/Ki-67 was significantly higher in fibroblastic variant than in meningothelial and transitional subtypes. However, since there were only 3 atypical and 1 malignant meningioma spots in the tumour tissue array slide, it is difficult to draw a firm conclusion regarding the actual co-localization percentage and persistence of CD133/Ki-67 in atypical and malignant meningiomas. Conclusions Far higher co-staining percentage of CD133/Ki-67 in fibroblastic meningioma samples compared to meningothelial subtype, a histological meningioma variant, architectonically resembling the non-neoplastic meningeal cells, gave us the impression that CD133 may play a role in the formation and progression of fibroblastic meningioma variants. The persistency and the validity of this finding need to be verified by further histopathological and molecular research in order to clarify the possible role of CD133 in meningiogenesis.Wstęp i cel pracy Nie określono dotąd unikalnego znacznika molekularnego lub komórkowego dla oponiaków, najczęstszych guzów wewnątrzczaszkowych. Wcześniej wykazano, że CD133 – znacznik błony komórkowej komórek macierzystych – jest związany z zapoczątkowaniem, a także wzrostem wewnątrzczaszkowych glejaków i rdzeniaków płodowych. Materiał i metody Zbadano odsetek współlokalizacji CD133/Ki-67 w zestawach macierzy tkankowych oponiaków, złożonych z próbek 80 rozmaitych odmian histologicznych oponiaków. Wyniki Immunohistochemiczna współlokalizacja CD133 i Ki-67 była stwierdzana istotnie częściej w podtypie włóknistym oponiaka niż w podtypach meningotelialnym lub przejściowym. Ze względu na małą liczbę preparatów opo-niaków atypowych (3) oraz złośliwych (1) w badanej macierzy tkankowej trudno wyciągnąć jednoznaczne wnioski dotyczące rzeczywistego odsetka współlokalizacji i utrzymywania się CD133/Ki-67 w oponiakach atypowych i złośliwych. Wnioski Znacząco większy odsetek wspólnie występującej reaktywności CD133/Ki-67 w preparatach oponiaka włóknistego w porównaniu z podtypem meningotelialnym, którego architektonika przypomina nienowotworowe komórki opon, sprawia wrażenie, że CD133 może odgrywać rolę w powstawaniu i rozwoju oponiaków włóknistych. Trafność tego spostrzeżenia wymaga weryfikacji w dalszych badaniach histopatologicznych i molekularnych w celu wyjaśnienia możliwej roli CD133 w powstawaniu oponiaków