Modellstudie über den Einfluss von Aerosol-Wolken-Wechselwirkungsprozessen auf Niederschlag in urbanen Gebieten

<p>Städtische Gebiete können konvektive Systeme über zwei Mechanismen verändern: (I) durch verstärkte Konvergenz und vertikale Geschwindigkeitsveränderungen über dem gesamten Stadtraum, die durch die Rauigkeit und thermische Effekte induziert werden, und (II) durch Aerosol-Wolken-Niederschlags Interaktionen, die durch hohe städtische Partikelemissionen hervorgerufen werden. Werden die städtischen Aerosole als Wolken Kondensationskeime aktiviert, können sie die Dynamik und Wolkenmikrophysik beeinflussen und damit eine signifikante und komplexe Rolle in der Niederschlagsbildung spielen. Eine Kombination aus beiden Mechanismen kann eine Veränderung der Gewittermorphologie und von Niederschlagsmustern auslösen. Dies kann zu einer Intensivierung, Verzögerung oder aber auch Unterdrückung von konvektiven Niederschlägen führen. Ob der städtische Einfluss bei der Niederschlagsbildung eine Rolle spielt oder auch nicht, ist außerdem bestimmt durch die synoptischen Bedingungen. Nicht jedes meteorologische System lässt einen städtischen Einfluss sichtbar werden.<br>Für eine Simulation der Aerosol-Wolken-Niederschlags-Kopplung in Gegenwart einer Stadt verwenden wir das Modellsystem COSMO-DCEP-MUSCAT. Dieses System besteht aus dem regionalen Atmosphärenmodell COSMO, gekoppelt mit dem Multi Skalen Chemie-Aerosol-Transportmodell MUSCAT und der Stadtparametrisierung DCEP – eine Erweiterung des BEP Schemas von Martilli. Für die Simulationen wird eine Nesting Strategie verwendet, wobei das Gebiet mit der höchsten Auflösung aus Gitterzellen mit 500m Gitterabstand besteht, die über dem Großraum Leipzig zentriert sind.<br>In diesem Beitrag stellen wir verschiedene Empfindlichkeitsstudien vor, die sich an realen Wettersituationen orientieren und den Einfluss der Stadt auf Niederschlag untersuchen. Dafür wurden mit dem Modellsystem zwei synoptische Hintergrundzustände simuliert: eine Konvergenzlinie und ein langsam über die Stadt ziehendes System. Dies ermöglicht eine Abschätzung, ob diese Wettersysteme durch die Stadt beeinflusst werden können. Außerdem zeigen wir durch Variation der anthropogenen Emissionen, wie sensitiv der Modellniederschlag auf eine Änderung der städtischen Aerosolkonzentrationen reagiert.</p><p><br>Danksagung: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) im Rahmen der Exzellenzstrategie des Bundes und der Länder – EXC 2037 „CLICCS - Klima, Klimawandel und Gesellschaft“ – Projektnummer: 390683824</p>

3D Structural Model and Visualization of Blood Vessels Based on L-System

The insight in structures of the blood vessels is a basis for study of blood flows to help understanding the abnormalities of blood vessels that can cause vascular diseases. Basic concept used for constructing structures of blood vessels in organs is arterial branching, which is usually characterized by fractal similarity in the bifurcation pattern. In this work, the concept of Lindenmayer system (L-system) is modified for three-dimensional (3D) tree-like structures to model structures of blood vessels in organs, and then, applied to construct and visualize structural blood vessels via our software created based on openGL and Lazarus program. The structure of blood vessels is constructed based on the physiological law of arterial branching proposed Murray (Murray’s law) under additional assumptions and constraints such as the spreading of blood vessels to cover all directions, the angle condition and the non-overlapping vessels condition. The concept is applied to simulate structures of blood vessels in 3 study cases, including symmetric arterial branching, non-symmetric arterial branching and structure of blood vessel on different domains. The results of structures of blood vessels generated from all cases are measured based on the number of segments, the total blood volume and the fractal dimension. The results of modeling and simulation in this work are illustrated by comparing with other results appeared literature. Moreover, the constructed structures of the blood vessels based on this 3D L-system could be useful for future research such as blood flow, pressure and other properties involving in structures of blood vessels in different organs of human and animals. HIGHLIGHTS A new 3D L-system is developed based on directional vectors for construction of 3D tree-like structures such as structures of blood vessels The model of structures of blood vessels is constructed based on the physiological laws of arterial branching (Murray’s law) with additional assumptions on the spreading of blood vessels, the angle condition, and the non-overlapping of blood vessels Algorithm and software are developed based on L-system to simulate and visualize 3D structures of blood vessels GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Agronomic Response of Local Upland Rice Cultivars on Growing under Two Cultivation Systems

Background: This study aimed to observe the agronomic response of 18 Southeast Sulawesi local upland rice cultivars that were grown under two cultivation systems (dry land and wet rice field) and optimize local potential to support self-sufficiency and food security. Methods: The research used a split-plot design with the following main plot: cultivation system (L) including upland (L1) and rice field cultivation system (L2). The subplots were 18 local upland rice cultivars such as Wangkomina (K1), Wuna Lapodidi (K2), Waburi-buri (K3), Wapantoga (K4), Nggalaru (K5), Wuna Parigi (K6), Bakala (K7), Biu (K8), Ikulaku (K9), Bou (K1), Momea (K11), Daindomoronene (K12), Konkep (K13), Tinangge (K14), Ndoamoito (K15), Uwa (K16), Ndowatu (K17) and Indalibana (K18). Result: The local upland rice responded better to the wetland cultivation system than the upland cultivation system. The local upland rice cultivar Ndowatu showed the highest production potential, which was statistically similar to the Biu, Ikulaku, Momea, Konkep and Uwa cultivars. Ndowatu cultivar showed high production potential (842.80 g.m-2). Thus, this cultivar can be considered suitable for development in the rainfed lowlands to increase the planting index and to support the self-sufficiency and food security of the region.

Applications of Biosensors for Meat Quality Evaluations

The aim of this study was to apply biosensors in the assessment of meat quality. The research was carried out on 20 samples of the Longissimus muscle obtained from pork of Polish Landrace and Polish Large White hybrids of fattening pigs. In the samples, 48 h after slaughter pH values, color parameters in the CIE system (L* a* b*), the volume of natural drip loss and intramuscular fat content were measured. The commercially available biosensor Accutrend Plus was used to measure glucose, triglycerides and lactic acid in meat juice. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) relationships between glucose, triglycerides, lactic acid levels and pork quality characteristics, i.e., pH (r = −0.62; r = −0.78; r = −0.68 respectively), natural drip loss and (r = 0.57; r = 0.58; r = 0.49), color parameters as L*, a* and b* (r = from 0.47 to 0.79) were demonstrated. The study showed a negative correlation between the intramuscular fat content and acidification of muscle tissue (r = −0.49), and a positive one with the brightness of color (r = 0.46). The results of the canonical analysis show that the measurement of all three metabolites in muscle juice allows the evaluation of the technological quality of meat with an accuracy of 86.54% (Rc = 0.93, p < 0.01).

Comparing the transport-limited and ξ−q models for sediment transport

We present a comparison between two of the most widely used reduced-complexity models for the representation of sediment transport and deposition processes, namely the transport limited (or TL) model and the under-capacity (or ξ−q) model more recently developed by Davy and Lague (2009). Using both models, we investigate the behavior of a sedimentary continental system fed by a fixed sedimentary flux from a nearby active orogen though which sediments transit to a fixed base level representing a large river, a lake or an ocean. Our comparison shows that the two models share the same steady-state solution, for which we derive a simple 1D analytical solution that reproduces the major features of such sedimentary systems: a steep fan that connects to a shallower alluvial plain. The resulting fan geometry obeys basic observational constraints on fan size and slope with respect to the upstream drainage area, A0. The solution is strongly dependent on the size of the system, L, in comparison to a distance L0 that is determined by the size of A0 and gives rise to two fundamentally different types of sedimentary systems: constrained system where L<L0 and open systems where L>L0. We derive simple expressions that show the dependence of the system response time on the system characteristics, such as its length, the size of the upstream catchment area, the amplitude of the incoming sedimentary flux and the respective rate parameters (diffusivity or erodibility) for each of the two models. We show that the ξ−q model predicts longer response times, which we relate to its greater efficiency at propagating signals through its entire length. We demonstrate that, although the manner in which signals propagates through the sedimentary system differs greatly between the two models, they both predict that perturbations that last longer than the response time of the system can be recorded in the stratigraphy of the sedimentary system and in particular of the fan. Interestingly, the ξ−q model predicts that all perturbations in incoming sedimentary flux will be transmitted through the system whereas the TL model predicts that rapid perturbations cannot. We finally discuss why and under which conditions these differences are important and propose observational ways to determine which of the two models is most appropriate to represent natural systems.

Reduction of In Vivo Placental Amino Acid Transport Precedes the Development of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in the Non-Human Primate

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with reduced placental amino acid transport (AAT). However, it remains to be established if changes in AAT contribute to restricted fetal growth. We hypothesized that reduced in vivo placental AAT precedes the development of IUGR in baboons with maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Baboons were fed either a control (ad libitum) or MNR diet (70% of control diet) from gestational day (GD) 30. At GD 140, in vivo transplacental AA transport was measured by infusing nine (13)C- or (2)H-labeled essential amino acids (EAAs) as a bolus into the maternal circulation at cesarean section. A fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio for each EAA was measured. Microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) system A and system L transport activity were determined. Fetal and placental weights were not significantly different between MNR and control. In vivo, the fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio was significantly decreased for tryptophan in MNR. MVM system A and system L activity was markedly reduced in MNR. Reduction of in vivo placental amino acid transport precedes fetal growth restriction in the non-human primate, suggesting that reduced placental amino acid transfer may contribute to IUGR.

Coordination of the Uptake and Metabolism of Amino Acids in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Macrophages

Macrophage polarization to the M1-like phenotype, which is critical for the pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial responses of macrophages against intracellular pathogens, is associated with metabolic reprogramming to the Warburg effect and a high output of NO from increased expression of NOS2. However, there is limited understanding about the uptake and metabolism of other amino acids during M1 polarization. Based on functional analysis of a group of upregulated transporters and enzymes involved in the uptake and/or metabolism of amino acids in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages, plus studies of immune cell activation, we postulate a coherent scheme for amino acid uptake and metabolism during macrophage polarization to the M1-like phenotype. We describe potential mechanisms that the increased arginine metabolism by NOS2 is metabolically coupled with system L transporters LAT1 and LAT2 for the uptake of neutral amino acids, including those that drive mTORC1 signaling toward the M1-like phenotype. We also discuss the underappreciated pleiotropic roles of glutamine metabolism in the metabolic reprogramming of M1-like macrophages. Collectively, our analyses argue that a coordinated amino acid uptake and metabolism constitutes an integral component of the broad metabolic scheme required for macrophage polarization to M1-like phenotype against M. tuberculosis infection. This idea could stimulate future experimental efforts to elucidate the metabolic map of macrophage activation for the development of anti-tuberculosis therapies.

Modeling Plant Stems Using the Deterministic Lindenmayer System

Plant morphology modeling can be done mathematically which includes roots, stems, leaves, to flower. Modeling of plant stems using the Lindenmayer System (L-system) method is a writing returns that are repeated to form a visualization of an object. Deterministic L-system method is carried out by predicting the possible shape of a plant stem using its iterative writing rules based on the original object photo. The purpose of this study is to find a model of the plant stem with Deterministic Lindenmayer System method which will later be divided into two dimensional space three. The research was conducted by identifying objects in the form of pine tree trunks measured by the angle, thickness, and length of the stem. Then a deterministic and parametric model is built with L-system components . The stage is continued by visualizing the model in two dimensions and three dimensions. The result of this research is a visualization of a plant stem model that is close to the original. Addition color, thickness of the stem, as well as the parametric writing is done to get the results resembles the original. The iteration is limited to less than 20 iterations so that the simulation runs optimal.

Arguments for a Privative L Tone in Northern Tepehuan

This paper proposes that Northern Tepehuan is a tonal language with just one lexical tone 'low tone' and is therefore a privative tonal system. L tone is sufficient to explain the pitch contrasts in the language and also necessary to explain the "inconsistencies" of stress assignment. Stress is normally predictable from the size of the word, from syllable-weight, and is cued by a H* intonational tone. Nonetheless, in words that do not obey the Stress-to-Weight constraint, it could be argued that stress is displaced from the heavy syllable by virtue of a high-ranked *Align(Head/Low) constraint that prohibits the placement of stress on a syllable with a lexical L. The L tone also explains why the H* intonational tone can be displaced from stressed syllables.

PSMA-D4 Radioligand for Targeted Therapy of Prostate Cancer: Synthesis, Characteristics and Preliminary Assessment of Biological Properties

A new PSMA ligand (PSMA-D4) containing the Glu-CO-Lys pharmacophore connected with a new linker system (L-Trp-4-Amc) and chelator DOTA was developed for radiolabeling with therapeutic radionuclides. Herein we describe the synthesis, radiolabeling, and preliminary biological evaluation of the novel PSMA-D4 ligand. Synthesized PSMA-D4 was characterized using TOF-ESI-MS, NMR, and HPLC methods. The novel compound was subject to molecular modeling with GCP-II to compare its binding mode to analogous reference compounds. The radiolabeling efficiency of PSMA-D4 with 177Lu, 90Y, 47Sc, and 225Ac was chromatographically tested. In vitro studies were carried out in PSMA-positive LNCaP tumor cells membranes. The ex vivo tissue distribution profile of the radioligands and Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) was studied in LNCaP tumor-bearing mice. PSMA-D4 was synthesized in 24% yield and purity >97%. The radio complexes were obtained with high yields (>97%) and molar activity ranging from 0.11 to 17.2 GBq mcmol−1, depending on the radionuclide. In vitro assays confirmed high specific binding and affinity for all radiocomplexes. Biodistribution and imaging studies revealed high accumulation in LNCaP tumor xenografts and rapid clearance of radiocomplexes from blood and non-target tissues. These render PSMA-D4 a promising ligand for targeted therapy of prostate cancer (PCa) metastases.