The Swarm Initial Field Model for the 2014 geomagnetic field

Data from the first year of ESA's Swarm constellation mission are used to derive the Swarm Initial Field Model (SIFM), a new model of the Earth's magnetic field and its time variation. In addition to the conventional magnetic field observations provided by each of the three Swarm satellites, explicit advantage is taken of the constellation aspect by including east-west magnetic intensity gradient information from the lower satellite pair. Along-track differences in magnetic intensity provide further information concerning the north-south gradient. The SIFM static field shows excellent agreement (up to at least degree 60) with recent field models derived from CHAMP data, providing an initial validation of the quality of the Swarm magnetic measurements. Use of gradient data improves the determination of both the static field and its secular variation, with the mean misfit for east-west intensity differences between the lower satellite pair being only 0.12 nT

Acid ceramidase regulates innate immune memory

Innate immune memory, also called “trained immunity,” is a functional state of myeloid cells enabling enhanced immune responses. This phenomenon is important for host defense, but also plays a role in various immune-mediated conditions. We show that exogenously administered sphingolipids and inhibition of sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes modulate trained immunity. In particular, we reveal that acid ceramidase, an enzyme that converts ceramide to sphingosine, is a potent regulator of trained immunity. We show that acid ceramidase regulates the transcription of histone-modifying enzymes, resulting in profound changes in histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation. We confirm our findings by identifying single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the region of ASAH1, the gene encoding acid ceramidase, that are associated with the trained immunity cytokine response. Our findings reveal an immunomodulatory effect of sphingolipids and identify acid ceramidase as a relevant therapeutic target to modulate trained immunity responses in innate immune-driven disorders.</p

Acid ceramidase regulates innate immune memory

Innate immune memory, also called “trained immunity,” is a functional state of myeloid cells enabling enhanced immune responses. This phenomenon is important for host defense, but also plays a role in various immune-mediated conditions. We show that exogenously administered sphingolipids and inhibition of sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes modulate trained immunity. In particular, we reveal that acid ceramidase, an enzyme that converts ceramide to sphingosine, is a potent regulator of trained immunity. We show that acid ceramidase regulates the transcription of histone-modifying enzymes, resulting in profound changes in histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation. We confirm our findings by identifying single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the region of ASAH1, the gene encoding acid ceramidase, that are associated with the trained immunity cytokine response. Our findings reveal an immunomodulatory effect of sphingolipids and identify acid ceramidase as a relevant therapeutic target to modulate trained immunity responses in innate immune-driven disorders.</p

International Geomagnetic Reference Field: the 12th generation

The 12th generation of the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) was adopted in December 2014 by the Working Group V-MOD appointed by the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA). It updates the previous IGRF generation with a definitive main field model for epoch 2010.0, a main field model for epoch 2015.0, and a linear annual predictive secular variation model for 2015.0-2020.0. Here, we present the equations defining the IGRF model, provide the spherical harmonic coefficients, and provide maps of the magnetic declination, inclination, and total intensity for epoch 2015.0 and their predicted rates of change for 2015.0-2020.0. We also update the magnetic pole positions and discuss briefly the latest changes and possible future trends of the Earth’s magnetic fiel

Discovery : Abschlussbericht des Projektes „beluga – den Katalog neu denken“ an der HAW Hamburg unter Leitung von Prof. Ursula Schulz im Wintersemester 2013/2014 für die Arbeitsgruppe beluga

Für unser Semesterprojekt im Rahmen des Studiengangs Bibliotheks- und Informationsmanagement wurden wir mit der Erarbeitung von drei Lösungsansätzen beauftragt, die den aktuellen Designansatz des Discoverysystems beluga mit Blick in die Zukunft abbilden können. Dabei sollten existierende Lösungsansätze und kontroverse Diskussionen zu den verschiedenen Darstellungsmöglichkeiten berücksichtigt werden, die wir aus Best-Practice-Beispielen und in Fachblogs recherchiert haben. Von Interesse war unter anderem die Frage, ob Ergebnisse aus dem Index eines Discovery Services und aus dem Index der lokalen Bestände gemeinsam oder getrennt dargestellt werden sollten

SCARF - The Swarm Satellite Constellation Application and Research Facility

In order to take advantage of the unique constellation A number of Level-2 data products will be offered by this consortium, All of the derived products will be available through the Swarm aspect of the Swarm mission, considerably advanced data analysis including various models of the core and lithospheric field, as well as Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS), located at ESRIN, the ESA tools will need to be developed. Scientific use of data from the Swarm of the ionospheric and magnetospheric field. In addition, derived Centre for Earth Observation in Frascati, Italy. mission will also benefit significantly from derived products, the so- parameters like mantle conductivity, thermospheric mass density called Level-2 products, that take into account the features of the and winds, field-aligned currents, an ionospheric plasma bubble constellation. For this reason ESA has established the Swarm index, the ionospheric total electron content and the dayside “Satellite Constellation Application and Research Facility” (SCARF), equatorial zonal electrical field will be calculated. Following the end of in the form of a consortium of several research institutions. its 34-month development phase, this service is expected to be operational for a period of 5 years after the launch of the Swarm mission, which is scheduled for late 2013