Nose-only inhalations of high-dose alumina nanoparticles/hydrogen chloride gas mixtures induce strong pulmonary pro-inflammatory response: a pilot study

Objective Solid composite propellants combustion, in aerospace and defense fields, can lead to complex aerosols emission containing high concentrations of alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) and hydrogen chloride gas (HClg). Exposure to these mixtures by inhalation is thus possible but literature data toward their pulmonary toxicity are missing. To specify hazards resulting from these combustion aerosols, a pilot study was implemented. Materials and methods Male Wistar rats were nose-only exposed to Al2O3 NPs (primary size 13 nm, 10 g/L suspension leading to 20.0–22.1 mg/m3 aerosol) and/or to HClg aerosols (5 ppm target concentration) following two exposure scenarios (single exposures (SE) or repeated exposures (RE)). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) content and lungs histopathology were analyzed 24 h after exposures. Results Repeated co-exposures increased total proteins and LDH concentrations in BALF indicating alveolar–capillary barrier permeabilization and cytolysis. Early pulmonary inflammation was induced after RE to Al2O3 NPs ± HClg resulting in PMN, TNF-α, IL-1β, and GRO/KC increases in BALF. Both exposure scenarios resulted in pulmonary histopathological lesions (vascular congestions, bronchial pre-exfoliations, vascular and interalveolar septum edemas). Lung oxidative damages were observed in situ following SE. Conclusion Observed biological effects are dependent on both aerosol content and exposure scenario. Results showed an important pro-inflammatory effect of Al2O3 NPs/HClg mixtures on the lungs of rat 24 h after exposure. This pilot study raises concerns toward potential long-term pulmonary toxicity of combustion aerosols and highlights the importance for further studies to be led in order to define dose limitations and exposure thresholds for risk management at the work place

Ground-based FTIR measurements of O3- and climate-related gases in the free troposphere and lower stratosphere

In the frame of the EC project UFTIR (Time series of Upper Free Troposphere observations from a European ground-based FTIR network), a common strategy for an optimal determination of the chemical composition in the free troposphere and lower stratosphere with ground-based Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers is being developed. The project focuses on 6 target species that are O3, CO, CH4, N2O, C2H6 and CHClF2 (HCFC-22). The strategy consists in selecting the most appropriate parameters to retrieve vertical concentration profiles from solar FTIR spectra. Among the important parameters are the spectral microwindows: they have been optimised to maximise the information content and to minimize the influence of poorly known spectroscopic data and interfering species

Optimization of a log wood boiler through CFD simulation methods

This paper describes the steady-state modeling and simulation of a wood log fired boiler. It is designed and manufactured by THERMODYNAMIKI S.A. (KOMBI), a company based on Northern Greece. Its nominal fuel power is around 32 kW and its efficiency is close to 75%. A specific operating case, selected and experimentally investigated by the manufacturer, is examined. Due to the highly transient and complex nature of wood log combustion, an ad-hoc model has been developed. Its main characteristic is the fuel division into three components: water vapor, volatiles and fixed char. The latter is considered to form a layer, which is treated as a porous medium thus forming a volumetric source zone adjacent to the firebed area. Volatiles and water vapor are modeled as volumetric mass sources, whereas a two-step reaction mechanism of the former is considered. The numerical results are compared against corresponding experimental data for the nominal load as far as flue gas characteristics (temperature and species concentration) at the boiler exit, are concerned. Based on the validated model, a proposed optimization pattern of the boiler is undertaken and examined by means of CFD

Advanced exploitation of ground-based Fourier transform infrared observations for tropospheric studies over Europe: achievements of the UFTIR project

Solar absorption measurements using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry carry information about the atmospheric abundances of many constituents, including information about their vertical distributions in the troposphere and the stratosphere. Such observations have regularly been made since many years as a contribution to the NDSC (Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change). They are the only ground-based remote sensing observations available nowadays that carry information about key atmospheric trace species in the free troposphere, among which the most important greenhouse gases. The European UFTIR project (Time series of Upper Free Troposphere observations from a European ground-based FTIR network, http://www.nilu.no/uftir) has focused on maximizing the information content of FTIR long-term monitoring data of some direct and indirect greenhouse gases (CH4, N2O, O3,HCFC-22, and CO and C2H6, respectively). The UFTIR network includes six NDSC stations in Western Europe, covering the polar to subtropical regions. At several stations of the network, the observations span more than a decade. Existing spectral time series have been reanalyzed according to a common optimized retrieval strategy, in order to derive distinct tropospheric and stratospheric abundances of the abovementioned target gases. A bootstrap resampling method has been implemented to evaluate trends of the tropospheric and total burdens of the target gases, including their uncertainties. In parallel, simulations of the target time series have been made with the Oslo CTM2 model: comparisons between the model results and the observations provide valuable information to improve the model, and in particular, to optimize emission estimates that are used as inputs to the model simulations, and to explain the observed trends. The final results of the project will be presented, and ways to proceed will be discussed

New multi-station and multi-decadal trend data on precipitable water. Recipe to match FTIR retrievals from NDACC long-time records to radio sondes within 1mm accuracy/precision

We present an original optimum strategy for retrieval of precipitable water from routine ground-based midinfrared FTS measurements performed at a number globally distributed stations within the NDACC network. The strategy utilizes FTIR retrievals which are set in a way to match standard radio sonde operations. Thereby, an unprecedented accuracy and precision for measurements of precipitable water can be demonstrated: the correlation between Zugspitze FTIR water vapor columns from a 3 months measurement campaign with total columns derived from coincident radio sondes shows a regression coefficient of R = 0.988, a bias of 0.05 mm, a standard deviation of 0.28 mm, an intercept of 0.01 mm, and a slope of 1.01. This appears to be even better than what can be achieved with state-of-the-art micro wave techniques, see e.g., Morland et al. (2006, Fig. 9 therein). Our approach is based upon a careful selection of spectral micro windows, comprising a set of both weak and strong water vapor absorption lines between 839.4 – 840.6 cm-1, 849.0 – 850.2 cm-1, and 852.0 – 853.1 cm-1, which is not contaminated by interfering absorptions of any other trace gases. From existing spectroscopic line lists, a careful selection of the best available parameter set was performed, leading to nearly perfect spectral fits without significant forward model parameter errors. To set up the FTIR water vapor profile inversion, a set of FTIR measurements and coincident radio sondes has been utilized. To eliminate/minimize mismatch in time and space, the Tobin best estimate of the state of the atmosphere principle has been applied to the radio sondes. This concept uses pairs of radio sondes launched with a 1-hour separation, and derives the gradient from the two radio sonde measurements, in order to construct a virtual PTU profile for a certain time and location. Coincident FTIR measurements of water vapor columns (two hour mean values) have then been matched to the water columns obtained by integrating the best-estimate radio sonde profiles. This match was achieved via investigating the quality of the correlation plots between the columns derived from the radio sondes and the FTIR retrievals, and iteratively tuning the regularization strength of the FTIR retrieval. The FTIR regularization matrix is based on a Tikhonov operator which allows for empirical tuning of the regularization strength via one parameter. The figures of merit for the iterative tuning have been the slope, the intercept, and the regression coefficient of the correlation. By this way an optimum retrieval setting could be found, guaranteeing a response of the FTIR retrievals to true water vapor changes, which is matched to the radio sonde operation. As first examples for utilizing this approach to derive long-term trends of precipitable water from NDACC type long-term FTIR measurements, we present trends from two time series. I.e., one retrieved from continuous FTIR measurements at the NDACC Primary Station Zugspitze, Germany (47.42 °N, 10.98 °E, 2964 m a.s.l.), which covers the time span 1995-2009, and one from the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (ISSJ, 46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m a.s.l., Swiss Alps), covering the time span 1984 – 2009. A detailed trend analysis of both series via the bootstrap method will be presented. In ongoing work we apply this optimum retrieval approach to historical long-time measurement series of further selected FTIR stations of the NDACC network. Thereby we will obtain unprecedented new climate data via long term trends of precipitable water at a set of globally distributed locations

Liposomes in Polymersomes: Multicompartment System with Temperature-Triggered Release

Multicompartmentalization is a key feature of eukaryotic cells, allowing separation and protection of species within the membrane walls. During the last years, several methods have been reported to afford synthetic multicompartment lipidic or polymeric vesicles that mimic biological cells and that allow cascade chemical or enzymatic reactions within their lumen. We hereby report on the preparation and study of liposomes in polymersomes (LiPs) systems. We discuss on the loading and coloading of lipidic nanovesicles made of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipentadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (diC15-PC), or 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) inside the lumen of giant poly(butadiene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PBut-b-PEO) polymersomes. These LiPs systems were characterized by confocal microscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy. We further demonstrate that we can achieve controlled sequential release of dyes from diC15-PC and DPPC liposomes at defined temperatures inside the giant PBut-b-PEO polymersomes. This controlled release could be used as a means to initiate cascade reactions on demand in confined microreactors

Liposomes in Polymersomes: Multicompartment System with Temperature-Triggered Release

Multicompartmentalization is a key feature of eukaryotic cells, allowing separation and protection of species within the membrane walls. During the last years, several methods have been reported to afford synthetic multicompartment lipidic or polymeric vesicles that mimic biological cells and that allow cascade chemical or enzymatic reactions within their lumen. We hereby report on the preparation and study of liposomes in polymersomes (LiPs) systems. We discuss on the loading and coloading of lipidic nanovesicles made of 1-palrnitoy1-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1,2dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dipentadecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (diC15-PC), or 1,2-dipalmitoy1-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) inside the lumen of giant poly(butadiene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PBut-b-PEO) polymersomes. These LiPs systems were characterized by confocal microscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. We further demonstrate that we can achieve controlled sequential release of dyes from diC15-PC and DPPC liposomes at defined temperatures inside the giant PBut-b-PEO polymersomes. This controlled release could be used as a means to initiate cascade reactions on demand in confined microreactors

Technical Note: Harmonized retrieval of column-integrated atmospheric water vapor from the FTIR network - First examples for long-term records and station trends

We present a method for harmonized retrieval of integrated water vapor (IWV) from existing, long-term, measurement records at the ground-based mid-infrared solar FTIR spectrometry stations of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). Correlation of IWV from FTIR with radiosondes shows an ideal slope of 1.00(3). This optimum matching is achieved via tuning one FTIR retrieval parameter, i.e., the strength of a Tikhonov regularization constraining the derivative (with respect to height) of retrieved water profiles given in per cent difference relative to an a priori profile. All other FTIR-sonde correlation parameters (intercept = 0.02(12) mm, bias = 0.02(5) mm, standard deviation of coincident IWV differences (stdv) = 0.27 mm, R = 0.99) are comparable to or better than results for all other ground-based IWV sounding techniques given in the literature. An FTIR-FTIR side-by-side intercomparison reveals a strong exponential increase in stdv as a function of increasing temporal mismatch starting at Δt ≈ 1 minute. This is due to atmospheric water vapor variability. Based on this result we derive an upper limit for the precision of the FTIR IWV retrieval for the smallest Δt (= 3.75 min) still giving a statistically sufficient sample (32 coincidences), i.e., precision (IWVFTIR) < 0.05 mm (or 2.2 % of the mean IWV). The bias of the IWV retrievals from the two different FTIR instruments is nearly negligible (0.02(1) mm). The optimized FTIR IWV retrieval is set up in the standard NDACC algorithm SFIT 2 without changes to the code. A concept for harmonized transfer of the retrieval between different stations deals with all relevant control parameters; it includes correction for differing spectral point spacings (via regularization strength), and final quality selection of the retrievals (excluding the highest residuals (measurement minus model), 5% of the total). As first application examples long-term IWV data sets are retrieved from the FTIR records of the Zugspitze (47.4 °N, 11.0 °E, 2964 m a.s.l.) and Jungfraujoch (46.5 °N, 8.0 °E, 3580 m a.s.l.) NDACC sites. Station-trend analysis comprises a linear fit after subtracting an intra-annual model (3 Fourier components) and constructing an uncertainty interval [95 % confidence] via bootstrap resampling. For the Zugspitze a significant trend of 0.79 [0.65, 0.92] mm/decade is found for the time interval [1996 - 2008], whereas for the Jungfraujoch no significant trend is found. This confirms recent findings that strong variations of IWV trends do occur above land on the local to regional scale (≈250 km) in spite of homogeneous surface temperature trends. This paper provides a basis for future exploitation of more than a dozen existing, multi-decadal FTIR measurement records around the globe for climate studies