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The cloud phase is one of the most important parameters of clouds. In this paper, we propose a method for cloud phase classification that synergistically utilizes the far- and thermal-infrared bands based on the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) observatory in 2016. The possible features in the far- and thermal-infrared bands are analyzed based on the differences in the simulated cloud brightness temperature (BT) spectra with different cloud phases. Using the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, four features are determined to identify the cloud phase, which include the BT at 900 cm−1, the slope of the fitted function of BT in the 900–1000 cm−1 interval, the BT difference (BTD) between 512 cm−1 and 726 cm−1, and the BTD between 550 cm−1 and 726 cm−1. Here, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated with Shupe's and Turner's method. The monthly average accuracy of the proposed method, the method without the two far-infrared features, and Turner's method are about 76%, 36%, and 49%, respectively, which infer the good performance of the proposed method and also indicate that the far-infrared band features can effectively enhance cloud phase classification. It is notable that, compared to Shupe's method, the accuracy for the proposed method is only 61% during the Antarctic summer, which results from the definitions of cloud phase and radiative effect. In addition, the accuracy is only 44% for Turner's method in seasons with a low frequency of mixed clouds due to the significant effect of water vapor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Far-infrared (FIR), characterized by its specific electromagnetic wavelengths, has emerged as an adjunctive therapeutic strategy for various diseases, particularly in ameliorating manifestations associated with renal disorders. Although FIR was confirmed to possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory attributes, the intricate cellular mechanisms through which FIR mitigates lead (Pb)-induced nephrotoxicity remain enigmatic. In this study, we investigated the effects of FIR on Pb-induced renal damage using in vitro and in vivo approaches. NRK52E rat renal cells exposed to Pb were subsequently treated with ceramic-generated FIR within the 9~14 μm range. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) enabled quantitative Pb concentration assessment, while proteomic profiling unraveled intricate cellular responses. In vivo investigations used Wistar rats chronically exposed to lead acetate (PbAc) at 6 g/L in their drinking water for 15 weeks, with or without a concurrent FIR intervention. Our findings showed that FIR upregulated the voltage-gated calcium channel, voltage-dependent L type, alpha 1D subunit (CaV1.3), and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) (p < 0.05), resulting in increased calcium influx (p < 0.01), the promotion of mitochondrial activity, and heightened ATP production. Furthermore, the FIR intervention effectively suppressed ROS production, concurrently mitigating Pb-induced cellular death. Notably, rats subjected to FIR exhibited significantly reduced blood Pb levels (30 vs. 71 μg/mL; p < 0.01), attenuated Pb-induced glomerulosclerosis, and enhanced Pb excretion compared to the controls. Our findings suggest that FIR has the capacity to counteract Pb-induced nephrotoxicity by modulating calcium influx and optimizing mitochondrial function. Overall, our data support FIR as a novel therapeutic avenue for Pb toxicity in the kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cloud phase is one of the most important parameters of clouds. In this paper, we propose a method for cloud phase classification that synergistically utilizes the far- and thermal-infrared bands based on the Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement West Antarctic Radiation Experiment (AWARE) observatory in 2016. The possible features in the far- and thermal-infrared bands are analyzed based on the differences in the simulated cloud brightness temperature (BT) spectra with different cloud phases. Using the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, four features are determined to identify the cloud phase, which include the BT at 900 cm−1, the slope of the fitted function of BT in the 900–1000 cm−1 interval, the BT difference (BTD) between 512 cm−1 and 726 cm−1, and the BTD between 550 cm−1 and 726 cm−1. Here, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated with Shupe’s and Turner’s method. The monthly average accuracy of the proposed method, the method without the two far-infrared features, and Turner’s method are about 76%, 36%, and 49%, respectively, which infer the good performance of the proposed method and also indicate that the far-infrared band features can effectively enhance cloud phase classification. It is notable that, compared to Shupe’s method, the accuracy for the proposed method is only 61% during the Antarctic summer, which results from the definitions of cloud phase and radiative effect. In addition, the accuracy is only 44% for Turner’s method in seasons with a low frequency of mixed clouds due to the significant effect of water vapor.

Observations of star-forming regions by the current and upcoming generation of submillimeter polarimeters will shed new light on the evolution of magnetic fields over the cloud-to-core size scales involved in the early stages of the star formation process. Recent wide-area and high-sensitivity polarization observations have drawn attention to the challenges of modeling magnetic field structure of star forming regions, due to variations in dust polarization properties in the interstellar medium. However, these observations also for the first time provide sufficient information to begin to break the degeneracy between polarization efficiency variations and depolarization due to magnetic field sub-beam structure, and thus to accurately infer magnetic field properties in the star-forming interstellar medium. In this article we discuss submillimeter and far-infrared polarization observations of star-forming regions made with single-dish instruments. We summarize past, present and forthcoming single-dish instrumentation, and discuss techniques which have been developed or proposed to interpret polarization observations, both in order to infer the morphology and strength of the magnetic field, and in order to determine the environments in which dust polarization observations reliably trace the magnetic field. We review recent polarimetric observations of molecular clouds, filaments, and starless and protostellar cores, and discuss how the application of the full range of modern analysis techniques to recent observations will advance our understanding of the role played by the magnetic field in the early stages of star formation.

Physical therapy (physiotherapy), a complementary and alternative medicine therapy, has been widely applied in diagnosing and treating various diseases and defects. Increasing evidence suggests that convenient and non-invasive far-infrared (FIR) rays, a vital type of physiotherapy, improve the health of patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms by which FIR functions remain elusive. Hence, the purpose of this study was to review and summarize the results of previous investigations and to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms of FIR therapy in various types of disease. In conclusion, FIR therapy may be closely related to the increased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase as well as nitric oxide production and may modulate the profiles of some circulating miRNAs; thus, it may be a beneficial complement to treatments for some chronic diseases that yields no adverse effects., (© 2015 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.)