Evaluation and Analysis of Dust Storm Activity in Tianwen-1 Landing Area Based on the Moderate Resolution Imaging Camera Observations and Mars Daily Global Maps

The first Mars exploration mission from China (Tianwen-1) was launched on 23 July 2020 with the goal of “orbiting, landing, and roving”. The occurrence of dust storm activities is an important criterion of assessing atmospheric risk for the Tianwen-1 landing process. Dust storm activities from Mars Year (MY) 24 to MY32 in southern Utopia Planitia were identified. Most dust storms only appeared in one Mars Daily Global Map (MDGM), with a lifetime of less than or equal to solar longitude (Ls) = 0.5°. Only if the lifetime of a dust storm is greater than or equal to Ls = 1° can it reach the primary landing ellipse. From Ls = 0–50°, dust storms are mostly in the diffusion stage with a maximum speed of movement of 2479 km/Ls. Then, the speed gradually decreases to the minimum value of 368 km/Ls when the dust storm is in the dissipation stage. If a dust storm moves at an average speed of 750 km/Ls, the safe landing zone is a circle within a radius of 750 km centered on the primary landing ellipse. From March to May 2021, eight dust storms were identified in the Moderate Resolution Imaging Camera (MoRIC) mosaics. Because there was no dust storm activity in MoRIC mosaic on 13 May 2021, we concluded that there would be no dust storm in the primary landing ellipse on 15 May (MY36, Ls = 45.1°). Therefore, the landing time of the Tianwen-1 probe was finally determined as 15 May, which successfully landed in the south of the Utopia Planitia, and the in-situ investigation was carried out by the Zhurong Mars rover.

Geochronology and evolution of a complex barrier, Younghusband Peninsula, South Australia

This study examines the southeastern end of the Younghusband Peninsula in South Australia at a location called The Granites in order to gain a better understanding of the processes of formation of the foredune ridge system, and to investigate the drivers that controlled its progradational development during the Holocene. Our findings are based on amorphological analysis, a ground penetrating radar survey, and 14C and OSL dating. The Younghusband Peninsula at The Granites was formed by an initial aggradational phase resulting in a single complex foredune ridge, and which ended around 4.3 ka, and by a regressive (progradational) barrier phase (750 m wide) that developed in the last 4.3 ka, under very low rates of progradation (0.38 to 0.09 m/yr). The last part of this phase shows significant foredune ridge building in the last 1000 years or so. Barrier progradation via foredune ridge development is likely an effect driven by lowwave energy that favored conditions for coastal stability and foredune formation. Paleontological and GPR data indicate a maximum sea-level of +1.23 to +1.5 m, respectively, during initial barrier development. The foredune ridge plain of the barrier experienced at least three phases of significant aeolian activitywith ages centered at around 3.9, 3.4 and 3.0 ka suggesting their occurrence at 500 to 400-year events. Computer modelling indicates that sediments for the progradational phase of the barrier were provided by the forced regression produced by a sea-level fall over the past 4.3 ka. The large foredune complex formed during the last phase of progradation could be the result of both the very low progradation rate of 0.09 m/yr, and periods of disturbance possibly related to enhanced storm activity.

Study of thunderstorm activity in Volyn Region and in Ukraine using the data of Blitzortung online resource

The article contains the results of statistical and graphical analysis of thunderstorm activity in Ukraine and within Volyn Region, in particular, following the study of the dynamic maps archive available at the online resource Blitzortung.org (lightnings and thunderstorms in real time). It describes the principles and results of activities of Blitzortung.org, a community of lightning direction sensors owners and users, and presents the developed algorithm of the methodology of reading dynamic maps available at this resource. Regional analysis of the archival maps on the website Blitzortung.org for 2008-2019 for the territory of Volyn Region made it possible to establish the following changes of the thunderstorm activity dynamics: the total number of thunderstorm days more than doubled (from 30 to 68.3 days on average); the number of thunderstorms increased in April (it was a rare phenomenon earlier); the number of thunderstorms increased significantly in May, for some years the number of thunderstorm days in May reached certain summer months (June and July); most thunderstorms are of frontal origin, storm fronts come from the west, north and southwest. The number of frontal thunderstorms tends to increase, therefore indicating increased atmospheric instability and the number of natural meteorological phenomena associated with such instability; the average monthly number of thunderstorm days in Volyn Region also increased for all months of the year with no exception. The analysis of storm activity within the whole territory of Ukraine during the period of 2018-2019 indicated the presence of clear regional features and differences. The increase in thunderstorm activity is observed in the western (50-100%) and southern (15-50%) regions of the country, and partly in the north. The number of thunderstorm days in the eastern part of Ukraine is close to the climatic normal. At the same time, the analysis needs to be clarified and detailed throughout the whole network of meteorological stations of Ukraine whose data can be compared with the results of the study of archival maps available at Blitzortung.org.

Screening of Microbial Natural Products and Biological Evaluation of Trichomicin as Potential Anti-Cytokine Storm Agents

COVID-19 has remained an uncontained, worldwide pandemic. Most of the infected people had mild symptoms in the early stage, and suddenly worsened or even died in the later stage which made the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) once again aroused people’s attention. CRS is an excessive immunity of the body to external stimuli such as viruses, bacteria, and nanomaterials, which can cause tissue damage, local necrosis or even death. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the most effective CRS inducers, which can activate macrophages to release cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL- 6 and chemokines. We used RT-PCR to detect the expression of representative cytokines in mouse and human cells at different concentrations of Trichomicin, Ebosin, and 1487B after LPS stimulation. The results showed that the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL10 all increased after LPS stimulation. Among the various drugs, Trichomicin had the most obvious inhibitory effect on cytokine expression in vitro, and it was further verified in vivo that Trichomicin can improve the survival rate of mice stimulated with LPS. Finally, it was proved that Trichomicin inhibited the Stat3 and NF-κB pathways and reduced the phosphorylation of Stat3 and p65 after LPS stimulation, thereby inhibiting the response of macrophages to pro-inflammatory stimuli. The article clarified the inhibitory activity and mechanism of action of Trichomicin on CRS, and laid the foundation for the research on the anti-cytokine storm activity of microbial natural products.

Spectral characteristics of Atlantic seasonal storm frequency

lkj & o"kZ 1900&2000 dh vof/k esa vVykafVd egklkxj dh rwQkuh xfrfof/k ¼ftUgas rwQku] izpaM rwQku] vkfn uke fn, x, gaS½ ds fofHkUu lwpdkadksa ds dky Jsf.k;ksa dk vuqØe fo’ys"k.k ,e-b-,e-¼vf/kdre ,uVªkWih fof/k½ }kjk rFkk mldh vkofrZrk ds vk;ke ,e- vkj- ,- ¼cgqq lekJ;.k fo’ys"k.k½ }kjk izkIr fd, x, gaSA fiNys dqN o"kksZa ds vkadM+ksa ¼o"kZ 1950 ls vkxss½ ds vuqlkj budh egRoiw.kZ vkofrZrk,¡ n’kd lfgr( f}okf"kZd dYi] f=okf"kZd dYi {ks=ksa rFkk buls mPp {ks=ksa esa Hkh jghA 2-40 o"kkasZ esa 50 feyhckj ds fuEu v{kka’k {ks=h; iou vkSj 2-40 ,oa 2-85 o"kkasZ ds b- ,u- ,l- vks- ¼,y uhuks/nf{k.kh nksyu½ ?kVuk ds ln`’k f}o"khZ dYi nksyu {ks= esa ¼3&4 o"kkasZ½ rwQku lwpdkad 2-40 rFkk 2-85 o"kksZa ds djhc pje ij jgsA mPp vkofrZrk okys {ks=ksa esa rwQku lwpdkad 4-5&5-5-] 8&9] 11&12 rFkk 14&15 o"kkasZ esa pje ij jgs tcfd b- ,u- ,l- vks- 7-4 ,oa 12&14 o"kksZa esa pje ij jgsA cgq n’kdh; Js.kh esa 28&34]40]50&53]61&63]~70 ,oa ~80 o"kksZa esa ¼ijUrq fHkUu lwpdkadksa ds fy, fHkUu&fHkUu½ rwQku pje ij jgs tks LFky ,oa leqnzh lrg ds rkiekuksa ds leku pje ekuksa ds vuq:Ik jgsA dqy lwpdkadksa esa 90 o"kkZsa esa yxHkx 50 izfr’kr dh m/oZ izo`fr jghA The time series of the various indices of Atlantic storm activity (number of named storms, hurricanes, etc.) for 1900-2000 were subjected to spectral analysis by MEM (Maximum Entropy Method) and amplitudes of the periodicities were obtained by MRA (Multiple Regression Analysis). For recent data (1950 onwards), significant periodicities were in the quasi-biennial, quasi-triennial regions and also in higher regions, including decadal. In the QBO region (2-3 years), storm indices had peaks near 2.40 and 2.85 years, similar to 2.40 years of 50 hPa low latitude zonal wind and 2.40 and 2.85 years of ENSO (El Niño/Southern Oscillation) phenomenon. In the QTO region (3-4 years), storm indices and ENSO had common peaks near 3.5 years. In higher periodicity regions, storm indices had peaks at 4.5-5.5, 8-9, 11-12 and 14-15 years, while ENSO had peaks at 7.4 and 12-14 years. In the multi-decadal range, storm peaks were at 28-34, 40, 50-53, 61-63, ~70 and ~80 years (but different for different indices), which matched with similar peaks in land and sea surface temperatures. Some indices had large uptrends, ~50% in 90 years.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Dust Storm Activity in Chryse Planitia Using MGS-MOC Observations from Mars Years 24–28

Dust storms, observed in all seasons, are among the most momentous of Mars’ atmospheric activities. The Entry–Descent–Landing (EDL) activity of a Martian landing mission is influenced by local atmospheric conditions, especially the probability of dust storm activity. Chryse Planitia, featuring many of the largest and most prominent outflow channels and possible mud volcanoes, is an important target site for current and future Mars landing missions. It is of great significance to understand that a Mars landing probe may encounter a dust storm situation during EDL season in the Chryse Planitia. In this study, based on four Martian years, Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) Mars Daily Global Maps (MDGMs), 1172 dust storms were identified within Chryse’s 1600 km-radius ring. Secondly, the daily mean dust storm probability was calculated, binned by 1° of solar longitude in the Chryse landing area. The two active periods of dust storm activity are Ls = 177–239° and Ls = 288–4°, with an average daily mean dust storm probability of 9.5% and 4.1%. Dust storm activity frequency is closely interrelated with the seasonal ebb and flow of the north polar ice cap; consequently, most dust storms occur in either the cap’s growth or recession phase. We divided the Chryse landing area into square grids of 0.5° and computed the average probability of dust storm occurrence in each grid, which ranged from 0.19% to 2.42%, with an average of 1.22%. The dust storm activity probability in space was also inhomogeneous—low in the west and south but high in the east and north—which was mainly affected by the origin and the path of dust storm sequences. Based on empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of storms in the Chryse area, 40.5% are cap-edge storms in the northern hemisphere. Finally, we concluded that the preferred time of a Mars landing mission is Ls = 18–65° in the Chryse Planitia, and three preferred landing areas were selected with low dust storm probability.

The U.S. Western Pacific Region

This chapter describes the West Pacific region and the major issues facing this marine fisheries ecosystem, and presents some summary statistics related to the 90 indicators of ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) criteria. The U.S. Western Pacific region composes over half (~51%) of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including multiple remote archipelagos, and extends over much of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean basin. The Western Pacific contains the second-highest (among eight regions) number of managed taxa in U.S. waters, including commercially and recreationally important bottomfishes (e.g., emperors, snappers, groupers), pelagic fishes, crustaceans, corals, and coral reef-associated taxa. The U.S. Western Pacific has been affected by above-average natural and human stressors that include the highest frequency and intensity of cyclonic storm activity, intensive fishing, high coastal development, and continually increasing temperatures. Overall, significant EBFM progress has been made in terms of implementing ecosystem-level planning and advancing knowledge of ecosystem principles.

Engineering and design of the Lightning Point Shoreline Restoration Project in Bayou La Batre, Alabama

Lightning Point, located in Alabama at the confluence of the Bayou La Batre navigation channel and Mississippi Sound, is a culturally and ecologically valuable site with an extensive history of shoreline erosion. Between 1916 and 2019, the shoreline experienced approximately 750 to 1,000 ft of shoreline retreat as a result of severe weather events and anthropogenic causes such as shoreline modification and response efforts related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Moffatt & Nichol worked with The Nature Conservancy to restore the lost habitat and resources through ecology-based engineering and design. The Lightning Point Shoreline Restoration Project is a 1-milelong living shoreline that includes approximately 4,700 ft of segmented, overlapping breakwaters, 40 acres of marsh and upland habitat creation, and 10,000 linear feet of tidal creeks. The project was designed to include a diversity of habitat types (subtidal, intertidal, higher scrub-shrub) and to serve as a resilient restoration solution capable of adapting in the face of sea level rise and increasing storm activity.

On the Origin of ULF Magnetic Waves Before the Taiwan Chi-Chi 1999 Earthquake

The ultra low frequency (ULF) electromagnetic (EM) wave activity usually recorded on Earth’s ground has been found to depend on various types of space weather. In addition ULF waves observed before an earthquake have been hypothesized to be a result of geotectonic processes. In this study we elaborate for the first time the origin of sub-ULF (<1 msec) magnetic field waves before an earthquake (Chi-Chi/Taiwan, 20.9.1999) by comparing simultaneously obtained measurements in the interplanetary space (ACE satellite) and on the Earth’s ground (Taiwan). The most striking result of our data analysis, during a period of 7 weeks, is that the detection of four groups of sub-ULF waves in Taiwan coincide in time with the quasi-periodic detection of two solar wind streams by the satellite ACE with approximately the solar rotation period (∼28 days). The high speed solar wind streams (HSSs) in the interplanetary space were accompanied by sub-ULF Alfvén wave activity, quasi-periodic southward IMF and solar wind density perturbations, which are known as triggering agents of magnetic storm activity. The four HSSs were followed by long lasting decreases in the magnetic field in Taiwan. The whole data set examined in this study strongly suggest that the subULF magnetic field waves observed in Taiwan before the Chi-Chi 1999 earthquake is a normal consequence of the incident of HSSs to the magnetosphere. We provide some observational evidence that the sub-ULF electromagnetic radiation on the Earth was most probably a partner to (not a result of) geotectonic processes preparing the Taiwan 1999 earthquake.

Parametric Interaction of VLF and ELF Waves in the Ionosphere

In this Chapter we analyze a non-linear parametric interaction between Very Low Frequency (VLF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) waves in the ionosphere. We demonstrate that nonlinear parametric coupling between quasi-electrostatic Lower Oblique Resonance (LOR) and ELF waves significantly contributes to the VLF electromagnetic whistler wave spectrum. Analytical and numerical results are compared with experimental data obtained during active space experiments and satellite data. These data clearly show that presence of VLF waves in the region of plasmasphere boundary layer, where there are no injected due to substorm/storm activity energetic electrons with energies of tens keV can strongly affect the radiation belt boundary.