Uppermost Layer Research Articles

Divergence in Climate Model Projections of Future Arctic Atlantification

Abstract The Arctic Ocean is strongly stratified by salinity in the uppermost layers. This stratification is a key attribute of the region as it acts as an effective barrier for the vertical exchanges of Atlantic Water heat, nutrients, and CO2 between intermediate depths and the surface of the Eurasian and Amerasian basins (EB and AB, respectively). Observations show that from 1970 to 2017, the stratification in the AB has strengthened, whereas, in parts of the EB, the stratification has weakened. The strengthening in the AB is linked to freshening and deepening of the halocline. In the EB, the weakened stratification is associated with salinification and shoaling of the halocline (Atlantification). Simulations from a suite of CMIP6 models project that, under a strong greenhouse gas forcing scenario (ssp585), the overall surface freshening and warming continue in both basins, but there is a divergence in hydrographic trends in certain regions. Within the AB, there is agreement among the models that the upper layers will become more stratified. However, within the EB, models diverge regarding future stratification. This is due to different balances between trends at the surface and trends at depth, related to Fram Strait fluxes. The divergence affects projections of the future state of Arctic sea ice, as models with the strongest Atlantification project the strongest decline in sea ice volume in the EB. From these simulations, one could conclude that Atlantification will not spread eastward into the AB; however, models must be improved to simulate changes in a more intricately stratified EB correctly.

Tailoring Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ surface Josephson junctions

Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (BSCCO) single crystals are promising for high-temperature superconducting electronic devices with ultimate performance. Recently, tailoring superconductivity in ultra-thin BSCCO locally has received wide attention and interest. In this work, we focus on controlling the superconductivity of the uppermost CuO2 double layer of the BSCCO crystal. Gold electrodes are deposited onto the freshly cleaved BSCCO surface by a high-vacuum in situ evaporation technique at room temperature, and then surface Josephson junctions (SJJs) between the two outermost superconducting CuO2 double layers are fabricated as a probe to evaluate the superconductivity of the uppermost double layer. We find that the junction transition temperature Tc′ as well as its critical current density jc depend systematically and reproducibly on the deposition rate of the gold electrode. The electric properties of the SJJs, spanning the range from completely degraded to almost as good as the intrinsic Josephson junctions inside the bulk, systematically reveal the evolutionary process of superconductivity of the uppermost BSCCO layer, extending the range for practical applications.

Ecological factors affecting the spread of class Chilopoda of the group Myriapoda

Recently, the problem of preserving biodiversity on the planet has become increasingly relevant. Therefore, research on the ecological characteristics of organisms that play an important role in the functioning of biogeocoenoses is especially relevant. Chilipoda millipedes are one of these groups. Currently, many questions on the ecology of Chilopods, especially in the territory of Albania, remain unresolved. This motivates researchers to seek answers to these issues. The primary research aim is to analyse the specific features of the ecology of the Chilipoda millipedes inhabiting Vlora. The material used for the study was the author's collections of centipedes. Manual collection and soil sampling methods were used in the research. Determination of the taxonomic affiliation of centipedes was performed by examining the morphological features of centipedes under a stereoscopic microscope and further determining specimens with the help of determination keys. In the field under investigation, the Chilipoda fauna is represented by 6 species from 4 orders, 6 genera, and 5 families. Temperature and humidity have been shown to have a significant influence on the geographical distribution of chilopods: thus, the occurrence of centipedes in litter and the upper soil layer decreases significantly with the onset of drought. The character of flora plays a secondary role in the distribution of centipedes. It was established that soils with high content of humus and nitrogen are a favourable habitat for centipedes. The paper presents, for the first time for the Vlora region, data on the vertical distribution of S. coleoptrata along the soil profile. Scootigers preferred litter and did not migrate into the soil. Other representatives of Chilipoda were mainly found in the uppermost soil layer (0-10 cm), moreover Chilipoda were concentrated in the litter, and only a small part of them descended to a depth of 20 cm. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the ecological features of chilopods

Effects of wastewater pre-treatment on clogging of an intermittent sand filter

Intermittent sand filters (ISFs) are widely used in rural areas to treat domestic and dilute agricultural wastewater due to their simplicity, efficacy and relative low cost. However, filter clogging reduces their operational lifetime and sustainability. To reduce the potential of filter clogging, this study examined pre-treatment of dairy wastewater (DWW) by coagulation with ferric chloride (FeCl3) prior to treatment in replicated, pilot-scale ISFs. Over the study duration and at the end of the study, the extent of clogging across hybrid coagulation-ISFs was quantified, and the results were compared to ISFs treating raw DWW without a coagulation pre-treatment, but otherwise operated under the same conditions. During operation, ISFs receiving raw DWW recorded higher volumetric moisture content (θv) than ISFs treating pre-treated DWW, which indicated that biomass growth and clogging rate was higher in ISFs treating raw DWW, which were fully clogged after 280 days of operation. The hybrid coagulation-ISFs remained fully operational until the end of the study. Examination of the field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) showed that ISFs treating raw DWW lost approximately 85 % of their infiltration capacity in the uppermost layer due to biomass build-up versus 40 % loss for hybrid coagulation-ISFs. Furthermore, loss on ignition (LOI) results indicated that conventional ISFs developed five times the organic matter (OM) in the uppermost layer compared to ISFs treating pre-treated DWW. Similar trends were observed for phosphorus, nitrogen and sulphur, where proportionally higher values were observed for raw DWW ISFs than pre-treated DWW ISFs, with values decreasing with depth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a clogging biofilm layer on the surface of raw DWW ISFs, while pre-treated ISFs maintained distinguishable sand grains on the surface. Overall, hybrid coagulation-ISFs are likely to sustain infiltration capacity for a longer period than filters treating raw wastewater; therefore, requiring smaller surface area for treatment and minimal maintenance.

Surface Crystallization of Barium Fresnoite Glass: Annealing Atmosphere, Crystal Morphology and Orientation

Controlled oriented crystallization of glass surfaces is desired for high precision applications, since the uppermost crystal layer significantly influences the properties of the material. In contrast to previous studies, the data presented here deal with separated crystals growing at defect-free surfaces in four atmospheres with different degrees of humidity (ambient/dry air, argon and vacuum). A glass with the composition 2 BaO–TiO2–2.75 SiO2 was heat-treated at 825 °C until fresnoite (Ba2TiSi2O8) grew to a significant size. The crystal growth rate is found to increase with increasing humidity. The morphology of the crystals changes from highly distorted dendrites in the driest atmosphere (vacuum) to circular/spear-head-shaped crystals in the wettest atmosphere (ambient air), which we attribute to a decrease in viscosity of the glass surface due to water uptake. The least distorted crystals appear in the form of depressions of up to 6 µm. This has an influence on the observed crystal orientation, as measured by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The pulled-in crystals change the orientation during growth relative to the flat glass surface due to an enrichment in SiO2 at the crystal fronts. This confirms that the orientation of crystals is not fixed following nucleation.

Kinetic Nonequilibrium Signatures in the Distribution Function of Earth-Escaping Hydrogen Atoms

The lightest atmospheric gas constituents, like H- and He- atoms, are known to escape from planetary gravitational fields to open space. Hereby it counts that not only the uppermost atmospheric layer, the so-called exobase, contributes to this planetary gas escape, but the layers below do contribute as well, especially since from below a nonthermal character of the final particle outflow is induced.We consider the outflow of H - atoms from lower levels of a planetary oxygen-dominated upper atmosphere, stratified by the planet‘s gravitational field - as given in case of the Earth. The terrestrial H-atom outflow is locally modified by elastic collisions of upwards flying H-atoms with the heavy major atmospheric background constituent. This causes a collision–induced velocity-modulation of the upwards directed H-atom flow and induces nonthermal kinetic signatures of the local H ˗ atom distribution function. An important, hitherto unrespected point hereby is that angle-integrated elastic O ˗ H- collision cross sections are velocity-dependent, falling off with increasing velocity v like (1/v). Consequently this modulation influences low velocity H-atoms stronger than high-velocity ones, which changes the kinetic profile of the escaping H-atoms and causes deviations from the classic Jeans escape. Deeply down in the lower thermosphere the local H-atoms, like as well the O-atoms, indeed are in a thermodynamical equilibrium characterized by Maxwell distributions with a common temperature TH = TO. Nevertheless, at the upper exobase border of the atmosphere the resulting H-atom escape flow turns out to be a, non-equilibrium flow with non-thermal escape-relevant properties. Here we describe this collisional modification of the H-escape flow and quantify the upcome of kinetic non-equilibrium features like power laws in the wings of the H-distribution function. This collisional modulation via velocity-dependent collision cross-sections acts as a typical process to convert equilibrium distributions into non-equilibrium kappa-like distribution functions. On the basis of this theoretical approach and stabilizing the upper atmosphere by the type of so-called "iso-baric Kappa functions" which all represent the same H ˗ atom- pressure we can calculate the effective escape flux of H- atoms to open space and can quantify its difference with respect to the classical Jeans escape value. While finding again that the classical Jeans formula slightly overestimates the actual escape flux, we now for the first time taking into account the nonthermal influence of collisional modulations can show that the actual escape with respect to the actual Jeans value is even enhanced by factors 2 to 3.

How subsurface and double-core anticyclones intensify the winter mixed-layer deepening in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract. The mixed layer is the uppermost layer of the ocean, connecting the atmosphere to the subsurface ocean through atmospheric fluxes. It is subject to pronounced seasonal variations: it deepens in winter due to buoyancy loss and shallows in spring while heat flux increases and restratifies the water column. A mixed-layer depth (MLD) modulation over this seasonal cycle has been observed within mesoscale eddies. Taking advantage of the numerous Argo floats deployed and trapped within large Mediterranean anticyclones over the last decades, we reveal for the first time this modulation at a 10 d temporal scale, free of the smoothing effect of composite approaches. The analysis of 16 continuous MLD time series inside 13 long-lived anticyclones at a fine temporal scale brings to light the importance of the eddy pre-existing vertical structure in setting the MLD modulation by mesoscale eddies. Extreme MLD anomalies of up to 330 m are observed when the winter mixed layer connects with a pre-existing subsurface anticyclonic core, greatly accelerating mixed-layer deepening. The winter MLD sometimes does not achieve such connection but homogenizes another subsurface layer, then forming a multi-core anticyclone with spring restratification. An MLD restratification delay is always observed, reaching more than 2 months in 3 out the 16 MLD time series. The water column starts to restratify outside anticyclones, while the mixed layer keeps deepening and cooling at the eddy core for a longer time. These new elements provide new keys for understanding anticyclone vertical-structure formation and evolution.

Water Retention Capacity of Leaf Litter According to Field Lysimetry

The water retention capacity of forest leaf litter was estimated through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. Six lysimeters were placed in Pinus koraiensis and Quercus acutissima forests and filled with the surrounding leaf litter to represent the effects of litter type on the water retention capacity. Two years of measurements for rainfall and litter weight have been conducted in all lysimeters at 30 min intervals. Field measurements showed that P. koraiensis litter stored more water during rainfall periods than did Q. acutissima litter. As a result, immediately after the cessation of rainfall, 1.82 mm and 3.00 mm of water were retained per unit mass of Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. Following rainfall, after the gravitational flow had entirely drained, the remaining water adhered to the litter was estimated to be 1.66 ± 1.72 mm and 2.72 ± 2.82 mm per unit mass per rainfall event for Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. During the study period, approximately 83.7% of incident rainfall drained into the uppermost soil layer below the Q. acutissima litter, whereas 84.5% of rainfall percolated through the P. koraiensis litter. The moisture depletion curves indicated that 50% of the water retained in the Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter was lost via evaporation within 27 h and 90 h after the cessation of rainfall, respectively. This study demonstrated the water retention storage of leaf litter and its contribution to the water balance over floor litter according to litter and rainfall characteristics. The results also proved that lysimetry is a reliable method to quantify the variation of litter moisture under natural conditions.

Nature of slab-mantle interactions recorded by coupled δ13C–δ15N–δ18O signatures and elemental compositions of Koidu diamonds and their inclusions

Eclogitic diamond formation can be associated with interactions between subducted slabs and ambient mantle. To gain a better understanding of the extent of chemical exchange between slabs and ambient mantle and the mechanisms of coeval diamond formation, we examined 16 diamonds with eclogitic garnet inclusions from the Koidu kimberlite complex in Sierra Leone (West African Craton). We analyzed the 16 garnet inclusions for major element, trace element and oxygen isotope (δ18O) compositions and their host diamonds for carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope compositions.The garnet inclusions have δ18O values ranging from +5.4 to +12.1‰ (median = +11.3‰) and all but two have δ18O values ≥+9.9‰. Such high δ18O values indicate a link to protoliths that had undergone extensive low-temperature alteration by seawater, which occurs in the uppermost basaltic layer of oceanic crust, prior to subduction. Diamonds hosting the high δ18O garnets have a crustal δ13C signature (−29.6 to −19.4‰) paired with δ15N values (−5.6 to +1.3‰, with one outlier at +9.9‰) implying typically only minor 15N enrichment. This apparent decoupling of δ18O and δ13C from δ15N indicates diamond formation in an eclogitic substrate where garnet oxygen isotope compositions are inherited from altered low-pressure protoliths, diamond carbon is principally derived from biogenic carbonate and organic matter, and diamond nitrogen is variably added by an external, mantle-derived fluid that prompted diamond formation. Of the two remaining garnet inclusions, one has mantle-like δ18O (+5.4‰) and a positive Eu anomaly, suggesting derivation from gabbroic protoliths originally located deep in the oceanic crust where significant alteration by seawater did not occur. Based on mantle-like δ13C (−4.7‰) and δ15N (−6.9‰), the associated diamond formed from mantle-derived fluids/melts. Relative to the other Koidu garnet inclusions, the final garnet has a small majorite component (formation pressure ∼8 GPa), high Mg# (79.0), elevated Cr# (0.90), and low δ18O (+6.3‰), suggesting encapsulation during infiltration of slab-derived melts into surrounding asthenospheric peridotite, associated with a high degree of chemical exchange between slab- and mantle-derived components.

Effect of tree species and substrate properties on organic phosphorus forms in afforested Technosols

AbstractPlanted vegetation is considered one of the most important soil‐forming factors in the reclamation of degraded post‐mining lands for forestry. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of N‐fixing tree species and non‐N‐fixing tree species on the organic phosphorus (Porg) forms in technosols developing from various substrates. Samples were taken from the uppermost layer (depth 0–5 cm) of technosols afforested with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), black alder (Alnus glutinosa), silver birch (Betula pendula), and scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Samples of the tree foliage and the O‐horizons were taken as well. The studied technosols developed from Quaternary sands (sands), fly ashes after lignite combustion (ashes), and Miocene clays (clays). The soil samples were measured for the contents of labile (POlab) and moderately labile organic phosphorus (POmod), phosphorus contained in fulvic and humic acids (Pfulv and Phum, respectively), and residual organic phosphorus (POres). The foliage and O‐horizon samples were measured for the concentrations of C, N, and P. The N‐fixing tree species had higher P concentration in their foliage than non‐N‐fixing tree species. However, in the O‐horizon, the highest P concentration was determined under birch and not under N‐fixers. The effect of tree species on the organic P (Porg) concentrations in the mineral soil was limited with significantly lower Porg concentrations under pine. The soil under this species contained less Pfulv, Phum, and POres. However, the percentages of POlab, POmod, Pfulv, Phum, and POres in soil Porg were nearly the same under all tree species. The largest effect on the Porg concentration and the contents of particular Porg fractions was from the substrate type. Sands contained much less Porg than the clays and ashes, but their percentage of POlab in Porg was much higher than in the two other substrates. We conclude that N‐fixing trees do not affect the concentration of labile organic P, and the major factor controlling this Porg fraction is the soil substrate quality.

Skin-Fat Composite Grafts for Reconstructing Large Full-Thickness Skin Defects.

The uppermost layer of subcutaneous tissue has a rich vascular network, the subdermal plexus and multiple perforating vessels in the interlobular septa. When skin-fat composite grafts (SFCGs) include this uppermost layer, they can be readily vascularized to enhance survival. The authors describe their clinical experience with large SFCG transplantations. This retrospective study included patients who underwent SFCG transplantation for large, full-thickness skin defects, formed after burn scar contracture or contraction deformity excision. The recipient tissue bed was prepared by retaining the deepest layer of scar tissue or reticular dermis to preserve the interlobular septa, subdermal plexus, and ascending arterioles above the subcutaneous tissue. The SFCG was prepared by trimming fat lobules and preserving the interlobular septa and vessels to form a 1- to 4-mm-thick base of subdermal fat tissue. The trimmed SFCG was placed onto the defective tissue and secured with a tie-over dressing. Among 86 grafts, 76 (88.4%) survived completely (sizes, 6 to 161 cm 2 ; mean surface area, 68.7cm 2 ). Focal skin sloughing or graft loss occurred in 10 cases. These events were followed by spontaneous healing in eight cases. Focal hypertrophic scars formed in six cases. In 15 cases, hyperpigmentation occurred, but improved gradually. Most transplantations achieved satisfactory pliability (93.0%), contour (90.7%), and color (88.4%). SFCGs survived better than expected with minimal complications, probably because of the preservation of rich vascular networks in both the recipient and SFCG tissues. Therefore, SFCG transplantation may be a good option for reconstructing full-thickness skin defects with a large surface area. Therapeutic, IV.

Positive effect of fir-rowan intimate mixture on new forest floor and topsoil following afforestation

Litterfall of silver fir contributes to development of forest floor similarly like Norway spruce litterfall does. The nutrient return to soil can be intensified by mixing these conifers with other tree species whose effects on soil are positive; our study deals with European rowan. The study aimed at firs and rowans in alternating rows (Fi-Ro) compared to the monospecific plantation of fir (Fi) at two former meadow sites with the stands of 20 and 17 years of age, respectively. Both organic forest floor and its mineral subsurface were sampled. Rowan admixed to the silver fir plantation improved both the uppermost layer and the topsoil as higher pH, more favourable soil-sorption properties and higher plant available magnesium were found below Fi-Ro compared to Fi. Fine dry matter was higher below Fi, which was reflected in higher organic carbon (Cox), combustible matter and nitrogen pools. Besides the effects of trees on the soil, silvicultural issues such as renewal costs and tree species performance in monospecific and mixed stands were presented and discussed.

The Potential Use of the Epigenetic Remodeler LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) as a Tool for Crop Improvement

The vast diversity of traits exhibited by horticultural crops largely depends upon variation in gene expression regulation. The uppermost layer of gene expression regulation is chromatin compaction. In plants, the LIKE HETEROCHROMATIN PROTEIN 1 (LHP1) is a member of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) that controls the spreading of the H3K27me3 mark throughout the genome to regulate gene expression. Much of the epigenetic control exerted by LHP1 has been deeply explored on the model species Arabidopsis thaliana. Recent advances in melon, tomato, and soybean highlight the relevance of LHP1 in controlling the development and physiology of a plethora of traits in crops. However, whether LHP1 exerts its diverse roles through similar mechanisms and through modulating the same target genes has been overlooked. In this review, we gather a wealth of knowledge about the LHP1 mode of action, which involves a tight connection with histone marks and long noncoding RNAs to modulate gene expression. Strikingly, we found that LHP1 may be linked to H3K27me3 regulation across the plant lineage, yet, through epigenetic regulation of a distinct set of target genes. This is supported by subtle differences in subcellular LHP1 localization between species found here. In addition, we summarize the variety of developmental outputs modulated by LHP1 across land plants pinpointing its importance for plant breeding. Hence, LHP1 has probably been co-opted in different lineages to modulate diverse traits contributing to crop diversification.

Usage of antibiotics in aquaculture and the impact on coastal waters

For decades, coastal marine ecosystems have been threatened by a wide range of anthropogenic pollutants. Recently, there has been increasing concern about the accumulation and impacts of antibiotic compounds on marine ecosystems. However, information regarding the accumulation of antibiotics and the impacts they may have on microbial communities in coastal water bodies and on human health is sparse in literature. Antibiotics from aquacultures are constantly discharged into marine environments via rivers. Large rivers transport tons of antibiotics every year into coastal waters, e.g., 12 tons of sulfonamide by the river Mekong. Here, we discuss a potential influence of such imported antibiotics on bacterial communities in coastal waters. Potential accumulation of antibiotics in the uppermost surface layer of aquatic ecosystems, the so-called sea surface microlayer (SML), is of interest. Because of the ability of the SML to accumulate anthropogenic pollutants, it may serve as a pool for antibiotics and correspondingly also for resistant organisms. Also, due to its biofilm-like structure, the SML could serve as a hotspot for horizontal gene transfer, speeding up the spread of antibiotic resistant strains to encompassing marine environments. The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a global threat and scientists projected that it could pave the way for the next pandemic that could ravage the world in the next decades. For this reason, it is time to focus research on understanding and minimizing the impact of antibiotics on the sustainability of coastal waters and on the health of humans who depend on coastal resources for food and recreational purposes. Also, knowledge about antibiotics in the SML is necessary to understand the effects they are likely to have on bacterial abundance, diversity, and metabolic activities in coastal water bodies.

GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF 2D GRAVITY MODELING IN TULUNG SELAPAN AREA AND SURROUNDINGS, SOUTH SUMATRA BASIN

The South Sumatra Basin is a prolific oil and gas basin. The Tulung Selapan area, which is to the east and part of the South Sumatra Basin, is considered to have hydrocarbon potential. Several sub-basins, including the South Palembang and the North Palembang sub-basins, exist in the region. One of the geophysical methods for determining the presence of sedimentary sub-basins, structural patterns, and bedrock is the gravity method. The purpose of this study is to determine the structural pattern and interpret the subsurface geological model of the Tulung Selapan area using 2D modeling. The complete Bouguer anomaly (CBA) reveals circular and relatively northwest-southeast trending patterns, ranging from +33 mGal to +62 mGal. 2D gravity forward modeling results in eight successive rock layers. From top to bottom, the uppermost layer is swamp sediment with a mass density of 2.1 g/cm3, followed successively by the sedimentary rocks of the Kasai Formation (2.28 g/cm3), the Muara Enim Formation (2.32 g/cm3), the Air Benakat Formation (2.39 g/cm3), the Gumai Formation (2.3 g/cm3), the Baturaja Formation (2.48 g/cm3), and lastly a layer with a density of 2.7 g/cm3, which represents the bedrock. Due to the limited depth of 2800 m in 2D forward modeling, it is unable to identify the source and reservoir rocks. The seal rock (caprock) is interpreted to be shale from the Gumai Formation at an average depth of 1.53 km. Based on Second Vertical Derivative (SVD) analysis, 2D modeling identifies the presence of geological structures with normal faults.

Skin-associated adipocytes in skin barrier immunity: A mini-review.

The skin contributes critically to health via its role as a barrier tissue against a multitude of external pathogens. The barrier function of the skin largely depends on the uppermost epidermal layer which is reinforced by skin barrier immunity. The integrity and effectiveness of skin barrier immunity strongly depends on the close interplay and communication between immune cells and the skin environment. Skin-associated adipocytes have been recognized to play a significant role in modulating skin immune responses and infection by secreting cytokines, adipokines, and antimicrobial peptides. This review summarizes the recent understanding of the interactions between skin-associated adipocytes and other skin cells in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of skin barrier immunity.

EXOSpy: A python package to investigate the terrestrial exosphere and its FUV emission

The exosphere is the uppermost layer of the terrestrial atmosphere, mainly composed of atomic hydrogen (H) that resonantly scatters solar far-ultraviolet (FUV) photons at 121.56 nm, also referred to as Lyman-Alpha (Ly-α) emission. Analysis of this emission has been used to determine the global, three-dimensional, and time-dependent exospheric H density structure, which is essential to assess the permanent escape of H to space as well as to determine their role in governing the transient response of terrestrial plasma environment to space weather. Thus, Ly-α emission and its by-product, the H density, are highly desirable to the magnetospheric community. On the other hand, this emission can also be regarded as a significant source of contamination during studies of FUV targets such as O/B-type stars, planetary and exoplanetary atmospheres, and the circumgalactic medium, especially when observations are acquired from Earth-orbiting instruments. In this case, accurate specification of exospheric Ly-α photon flux and its subsequent removal is required by the planetary and astrophysics community studying solar/extra-solar system objects. This work introduces EXOSpy, an open-source python-based package that provides several models of terrestrial exospheric H density and calculates exospheric Ly-α emission with a high potential to contribute to investigations in both communities. We present several examples to demonstrate how EXOSpy can be used to (i) validate current and new exospheric models based on actual Ly-α radiance data, (ii) estimate exospheric contamination for a given instrument’s line-of-sight and spatial location, and (iii) provide support for new space-based FUV instrument design.

Soil erosion affected by trees in a tropical primary rain forest, Papua New Guinea

Trees have the ability to distinctly determine soil evolution and hillslope processes through mechanical soil disturbances such as tree uprooting. Recent findings have resulted in new biogeomorphic state transition models for old-growth forests in the temperate climate zone. The situation in tropical forests, however, is mostly unknown. Here, we focus on determining short- (decades) and long-term (millennia) soil erosion rates and the biogeomorphic role of trees on hillslope dynamics in the species-rich Wanang primeval tropical forest, Papua New Guinea. We hypothesized that trees play a significant role in hillslope dynamics on a background of powerful soil erosion dominated by abiotic factors, and that this role has potentially intensified over the last decades.The long-term soil erosion was assessed using the meteoric 10Be levels in three soil profiles along the whole depth gradient along with one natural outcrop. The recent soil erosion rate was determined using 239+240Pu levels in the uppermost soil layers. The specific role of trees in hillslope processes was evaluated based on repeated tree censuses of 65,535 tree individuals, calculating the tree mortality rate and modeling the soil volume affected by uprooted trees and by the in situ decay of the root systems of broken trees.Soil erosion was 6.25 m3 ha−1 yr−1 over the long term and indeed did increase during the last decades. While this rate was significantly affected by trees, they were not the main factor, with circa 0.95 m3 ha−1 influenced annually by uprooting, and an additional 0.61 m3 ha−1 by the in situ decay of root systems. These results reflect a forest ecosystem that is currently in the biogeomorphic stage of biotic/abiotic feedbacks.

Riceberry Rice Germination and UVB Radiation Enhance Protocatechuic Acid and Vanillic Acid to Reduce Cellular Oxidative Stress and Suppress B16F10 Melanogenesis Relating to F-Actin Rearrangement.

Ultraviolet type B (UVB) radiation plays an important role in hyperpigmentation disorder, which induces cellular oxidative stress and causes abnormal melanin production and secretion. The stress condition plays an essential role in actin polymerization relating to F-actin rearrangement and forms dendrite to send melanin pigment to the uppermost layer of the skin. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites that mainly synthesize under stress conditions to protect plants from harmful environments and have been reported as effective agents in anti-oxidant and anti-melanogenesis. However, the influence of phenolic compounds on F-actin rearrangement-associated dendrite formation has not been studied so far. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the enhancing phytophenolic targets in riceberry rice (Oryza sativa L.) germination and UVB radiation (RR-GR) to suppress melanogenesis relating to F-rearrangement. As a result, the RR-GR had the potential to enhance phenolic acids such as protocatechuic and vanillic acid, which have been proven to possess anti-oxidant activity and anti-tyrosinase properties. Riceberry rice's modification showed the potential to reduce cellular oxidative stress and suppress B16F10 melanogenesis relating to F-actin rearrangement that is associated with dendrite formation.

Algal recolonization following an extraordinary drought in permanent lowland streams

Droughts reduce habitat and fragment the continuity of running water systems producing lasting effects on sediment biota and affecting density and biomass of algae. When droughts occur, the survival of algae and cyanobacteria of the biofilm depends on different alternatives to overcome the stress. In Pampean streams, periods of low flow causing desiccation stress in the biofilm may be linked to El Niño/Southern Oscillation phenomenon, and to water management practices (irrigation and extraction), that can reduce stream base flows for prolonged periods, reducing wetted area and dewatering the stream bed. The aim of this study was to determine the response of epipelic algae (analyzed by greater algal groups Cyanobacteria, Euglenophyta, Dinoflagellates, Green Algae, Diatoms) to desiccation as a disturbance, in streams without frequent periods of drought. First, we studied the in situ vertical distribution of epipelic algae in stream sediment during the drought period as a refuge strategy, along with the vertical distribution of sediment humidity in 10 cm sediment corers divided in 6 segments at depths 0-1 cm (uppermost layer), 1-2 cm, 2-3 cm, 3-4 cm, 4-5 cm and 5-10 cm. Secondly, we analyzed the recolonization patterns of the epipelic algal assemblage after the drought by studying the succession of autotrophic organisms, in order to better understand the role of sediments as a source of algae populations. For this, 2 cm deep corers were placed with water in microcosms and monitored during 2 weeks. Our results indicate that when the streams are affected by a severe drought, algae and cyanobacteria survive; this could be related with the moisture content of the sediment. Besides, after hydratation of the sediment, the community rapidly increased its density. Cyanobacteria were the most resistant group to desiccation and the one who had the faster reaction to hydratation.