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To tackle the increasing issue of heat risk in Australia and pressure of population growth, this project aimed to establish a first nationwide dynamic and interactive heat vulnerability assessment toolkit. The toolkit integrated multiple data sources, cloud computing, and Web GIS technologies to deliver cool intelligence for more heat resilient Australian cities and suburbs. A cloud-based open-source tool, iGEE, was first developed to derive land surface temperature (LST), NDBI (normalized difference built-up index) and NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) from multiple satellite imagery on Google Earth Engine (GEE), a no-code web application allowing users to retrieve satellite data for a large area at fine scales. Following that, a python-based desktop app was then developed to calculate an integrated Heat Vulnerability Index (iHVI) for any cities and area at a fine scale of Statistical Area 1 (SA1). The iHVI toolkit allows users to construct heat sensitivity, heat adaptive capability indicators, and composite heat vulnerability index, which enables modelling of the relationships between heat, environmental and socioeconomic factors.

The Cassini spacecraft has provided an unprecedented characterisation of seasonal changes on Saturn. Here the authors describe the development of a warm polar vortex in Saturn’s northern summer, and show that the hexagon extends hundreds of kilometres from the troposphere into the stratosphere.

This paper describes the global height-resolved methane (CH4) retrieval scheme for the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) on MetOp, developed at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). The scheme precisely fits measured spectra in the 7.9 micron region to allow information to be retrieved on two independent layers centred in the upper and lower troposphere. It also uses nitrous oxide (N2O) spectral features in the same spectral interval to directly retrieve effective cloud parameters to mitigate errors in retrieved methane due to residual cloud and other geophysical variables. The scheme has been applied to analyse IASI measurements between 2007 and 2015. Results are compared to model fields from the MACC greenhouse gas inversion and independent measurements from satellite (GOSAT), airborne (HIPPO) and ground (TCCON) sensors. The estimated error on methane mixing ratio in the lower- and upper-tropospheric layers ranges from 20 to 100 and from 30 to 40 ppbv, respectively, and error on the derived column-average ranges from 20 to 40 ppbv. Vertical sensitivity extends through the lower troposphere, though it decreases near to the surface. Systematic differences with the other datasets are typically

The infrared limb spectra of the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on board the Envisat satellite include detailed information on tropospheric clouds and polar stratospheric clouds (PSC). However, no consolidated cloud product is available for the scientific community. Here we describe a fast prototype processor for cloud parameter retrieval from MIPAS (MIPclouds). Retrieval of parameters such as cloud top height, temperature, and extinction are implemented, as well as retrieval of microphysical parameters, e.g. effective radius and the integrated quantities over the limb path (surface area density and volume density). MIPclouds classifies clouds as either liquid or ice cloud in the upper troposphere and polar stratospheric clouds types in the stratosphere based on statistical combinations of colour ratios and brightness temperature differences. Comparison of limb measurements of clouds with model results or cloud parameters from nadir looking instruments is often difficult due to different observation geometries. We therefore introduce a new concept, the limb-integrated surface area density path (ADP). By means of validation and radiative transfer calculations of realistic 2-D cloud fields as input for a blind test retrieval (BTR), we demonstrate that ADP is an extremely valuable parameter for future comparison with model data of ice water content, when applying limb integration (ray tracing) through the model fields. In addition, ADP is used for a more objective definition of detection thresholds of the applied detection methods. Based on BTR, a detection threshold of ADP = 107 μm2 cm−2 and an ice water content of 10−5 g m−3 is estimated, depending on the horizontal and vertical extent of the cloud. Intensive validation of the cloud detection methods shows that the limb-sounding MIPAS instrument has a sensitivity in detecting stratospheric and tropospheric clouds similar to that of space- and ground-based lidars, with a tendency for higher cloud top heights and consequently higher sensitivity for some of the MIPAS detection methods. For the high cloud amount (HCA, pressure levels below 440 hPa) on global scales the sensitivity of MIPAS is significantly greater than that of passive nadir viewers. This means that the high cloud fraction will be underestimated in the ISCCP dataset compared to the amount of high clouds deduced by MIPAS. Good correspondence in seasonal variability and geographical distribution of cloud occurrence and zonal means of cloud top height is found in a detailed comparison with a climatology for subvisible cirrus clouds from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) limb sounder. Overall, validation with various sensors shows the need to consider differences in sensitivity, and especially the viewing geometries and field-of-view size, to make the datasets comparable (e.g. applying integration along the limb path through nadir cloud fields). The simulation of the limb path integration will be an important issue for comparisons with cloud-resolving global circulation or chemical transport models.

The Aura satellite Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument is capable of measuring the HDO/H2O ratio in the lower troposphere using thermal infrared radiances between 1200 and 1350 cm−1. However, direct validation of these measurements is challenging due to a lack of in situ measured vertical profiles of the HDO/H2O ratio that are spatially and temporally co-located with the TES observations. From 11 October through 5 November 2008, we undertook a campaign to measure HDO and H2O at the Mauna Loa observatory in Hawaii for comparison with TES observations. The Mauna Loa observatory is situated at 3.1 km above sea level or approximately 680 hPa, which is approximately the altitude where the TES HDO/H2O observations show the most sensitivity. Another advantage of comparing in situ data from this site to estimates derived from thermal IR radiances is that the volcanic rock is heated by sunlight during the day, thus providing significant thermal contrast between the surface and atmosphere; this thermal contrast increases the sensitivity to near surface estimates of tropospheric trace gases. The objective of this inter-comparison is to better characterize a bias in the TES HDO data, which had been previously estimated to be approximately 5 % too high for a column integrated value between 850 hPa and 500 hPa. We estimate that the TES HDO profiles should be corrected downwards by approximately 4.8 % and 6.3 % for Versions 3 and 4 of the data respectively. These corrections must account for the vertical sensitivity of the TES HDO estimates. We estimate that the precision of this bias correction is approximately 1.9 %. The accuracy is driven by the corrections applied to the in situ HDO and H2O measurements using flask data taken during the inter-comparison campaign and is estimated to be less than 1 %. Future comparisons of TES data to accurate vertical profiles of in situ measurements are needed to refine this bias estimate.

The Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) onboard ENVISAT has the potential to be particularly useful for studying high, thin clouds, which have been difficult to observe in the past. This paper details the development, implementation and testing of an optimal-estimation-type retrieval for three macrophysical cloud parameters (cloud top height, cloud top temperature and cloud extinction coefficient) from infrared spectra measured by MIPAS. A preliminary estimation of a parameterisation of the optical and geometrical filling of the measurement field-of-view by cloud is employed as the first step of the retrieval process to improve the choice of a priori for the macrophysical parameters themselves. Preliminary application to single-scattering simulations indicates that the retrieval error stemming from uncertainties introduced by noise and by a priori variances in the retrieval process itself is small – although it should be noted that these retrieval errors do not include the significant errors stemming from the assumption of homogeneity and the non-scattering nature of the forward model. Such errors are preliminarily and qualitatively assessed here, and are likely to be the dominant error sources. The retrieval converges for 99% of input cases, although sometimes fails to converge for vetically-thin ( This algorithm has been adopted by the European Space Agency's "MIPclouds" project.

Satellite-borne high-spectral-resolution limb sounders, such as the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) onboard ENVISAT, provide information on clouds, especially optically thin clouds, which have been difficult to observe in the past. The aim of this work is to develop, implement and test a reliable cloud detection method for infrared spectra measured by MIPAS. Current MIPAS cloud detection methods used operationally have been developed to detect cloud effective filling more than 30% of the measurement field-of-view (FOV), under geometric and optical considerations – and hence are limited to detecting fairly thick cloud, or large physical extents of thin cloud. In order to resolve thin clouds, a new detection method using Singular Vector Decomposition (SVD) is formulated and tested. This new SVD detection method has been applied to a year's worth of MIPAS data, and qualitatively appears to be more sensitive to thin cloud than the current operational method.

Abtract Clinical circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing is now routine, however test accuracy remains limited. By understanding the life-cycle of cfDNA, we might identify opportunities to increase test performance. Here, we profile cfDNA release across a 24-cell line panel and utilize a cell-free CRISPR screen (cfCRISPR) to identify mediators of cfDNA release. Our panel outlines two distinct groups of cell lines: one which releases cfDNA fragmented similarly to clinical samples and purported as characteristic of apoptosis, and another which releases larger fragments associated with vesicular or necrotic DNA. Our cfCRISPR screens reveal that genes mediating cfDNA release are primarily involved with apoptosis, but also identify other subsets of genes such as RNA binding proteins as potential regulators of cfDNA release. We observe that both groups of cells lines identified primarily produce cfDNA through apoptosis. These results establish the utility of cfCRISPR, genetically validate apoptosis as a major mediator of DNA release in vitro, and implicate ways to improve cfDNA assays.

Summary: Gut microbiome dysbiosis is linked to many neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A major risk factor for AD is polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, which affects gut microbiome composition. To explore the gut-brain axis in AD, long-lived animal models of naturally developing AD-like pathologies are needed. Octodon degus (degu) exhibit spontaneous AD-like symptoms and ApoE mutations, making them suitable for studying the interplay between AD genetic determinants and gut microbiome. We analyzed the association between APOE genotype and gut microbiome in 50 humans and 32 degu using16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Significant associations were found between the degu ApoE mutation and gut microbial changes in degu, notably a depletion of Ruminococcaceae and Akkermansiaceae and an enrichment of Prevotellaceae, mirroring patterns seen in people with AD. The altered taxa were previously suggested to be involved in AD, validating the degu as an unconventional model for studying the AD/microbiome crosstalk.

Abstract Background Increased risk of infection in neonates, including foals, is associated with the naivety of the immune system and the immaturity of the endocrine system. Foal dendritic cells (DCs) are phenotypically and functionally less mature than adult horse DCs. Exposure of foal DCs to foal plasma alters DC phenotypic maturation, cytokine secretion and bacterial endocytosis. Specific plasma factors that impact equine DC activity are unknown. Endocrine dysfunction, resulting in altered cortisol availability, is common in foals. Cortisol impacts DC maturation and function in other species, but the effect of cortisol on equine DCs is not described. We hypothesized that exposure to cortisol would impact both the phenotype and function of equine monocyte–derived DCs (MoDCs), perpetuating an immature phenotype and altered cytokine profile. Methods MoDCs were generated from foals (n = 8) on 1, 7 and 30 days of age and adult horses (n = 9). MoDCs were exposed to killed bacteria in the presence or absence of cortisol. The expression of surface markers (MHC class‐II, CD86 and CD14) was measured by flow cytometry. Supernatant cytokine concentrations (IL‐4, IL‐17, IFN‐γ and IL‐10) were quantified using a validated bead‐based immunoassay. Results Cortisol exposure reduced the percentage of equine MoDCs expressing MHC class‐II and CD86 (p ≤ 0.03). Adult horse MoDCs exposed to bacteria and cortisol produced less IL‐4, IL‐17, IFN‐γ and IL‐10 than cells not treated with cortisol, and foal MoDCs secreted less IL‐10 and IL‐4 (p ≤ 0.009). Conclusions In sum, cortisol exposure perpetuates an immature MoDC phenotype and alters cytokine responses, which might impact the foal's susceptibility to infection.

Abstract: Clinical reasoning is essentially a problem-solving process, in which medical students must learn to gather and interpret data, generate hypotheses and make decisions. To develop skills in problem-solving it is argued that students need more tools, rather than more answers (Masys, 1989). DxR is a computerised case series, in which students use 'doctor tools' to investigate a patient problem. This report describes a pilot evaluation of DxR in fourth year medicine at the University of Sydney. It addresses faculty concerns regarding the program, explores student perceptions, and looks at the capacity of the program to stimulate and support the development of clinical reasoning skills. It finally discusses possibilities for using DxR to support learning in medicine. Reviewers: Stig Andersen (Virtual Centre for Health Informatics, Aalborg, DK), David Good (U. Cambridge), Timothy Koschmann (U. Colorado) Interactive elements: 'Details are provided for obtaining a DxR demonstration CD.' DxR is distributed by NOVARTIS, although the DxR cases described in this article are not the same as those listed in the Diagnosis category of their bookshop/website. A Macromedia Director demonstration of DxR can be obtained by contacting Tanaya Patel, Project Director, DxR Development Group (tanaya.patel@dxrgroup.com). Alternatively, a demonstration CD, and complimentary catalogue of patient cases and price list can be obtained by calling 800-631-1181 (USA).

Introduction Rapid population ageing is a demographic trend being experienced and documented worldwide. While increased health screening and assessment may help mitigate the burden of illness in older people, issues such as misdiagnosis may affect access to interventions. This study aims to elicit the values and preferences of evidence-informed older people living in the community on early screening for common health conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia and frailty). The study will proceed in three Phases: (1) generating recommendations of older people through a series of Citizens’ Juries; (2) obtaining feedback from a diverse range of stakeholder groups on the jury findings; and (3) co-designing a set of Knowledge Translation resources to facilitate implementation into research, policy and practice. Conditions were chosen to reflect common health conditions characterised by increasing prevalence with age, but which have been underexamined through a Citizens’ Jury methodology.Methods and analysis This study will be conducted in three Phases—(1) Citizens’ Juries, (2) Policy Roundtables and (3) Production of Knowledge Translation resources. First, older people aged 50+ (n=80), including those from traditionally hard-to-reach and diverse groups, will be purposively recruited to four Citizen Juries. Second, representatives from a range of key stakeholder groups, including consumers and carers, health and aged care policymakers, general practitioners, practice nurses, geriatricians, allied health practitioners, pharmaceutical companies, private health insurers and community and aged care providers (n=40) will be purposively recruited for two Policy Roundtables. Finally, two researchers and six purposively recruited consumers will co-design Knowledge Translation resources. Thematic analysis will be performed on documentation and transcripts.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been obtained through the Torrens University Human Research Ethics Committee. Participants will give written informed consent. Findings will be disseminated through development of a policy brief and lay summary, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and seminars.

Introduction/Objective: Osteochondral allografting can be an effective option for the treatment of focal cartilage injuries. However, wide scale applicability of this technique is limited by availability of donor tissue. To overcome this limitation, osteochondral xenografting has been proposed as a potential alternative, but immune-mediated rejection precludes its clinical application at this time. We hypothesized that removing much of the marrow cell content through tissue culture would result in a decrease in xenograft immunogenicity. We believed this could be tested in a preclinical animal model. Methods: Fresh porcine femoral condyles were harvested and cultured for 0, 14, or 28 days before coculture with either allogeneic enriched porcine T-cells or xenogeneic enriched equine T-cells for 5 days. After 5 days, these cocultures were pulsed with 5-ethynyl-2′deoxyuridine then analyzed by flow cytometry to assess the level of cell proliferation. Coculture supernatant samples were also collected to evaluate the levels of prostaglandin-E2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) as markers of inflammation. Results: The osteochondral tissue induced significantly less T-cell proliferation, prostaglandin-E2, and MCP-1 production when the tissue had been cultured for either 14 or 28 days prior to the coculture assay (P < .0001). Conclusions: We conclude that T-cell responses to either allogeneic or xenogeneic osteochondral tissues were significantly reduced by 14 days of preculture prior to exposure to T-cells.

When a star undergoes core collapse, a vast amount of energy is released in a ∼10 s long burst of neutrinos of all species. Inverse beta decay in the star’s hydrogen envelope causes an electromagnetic cascade that ultimately results in a flare of gamma rays—an “echo” of the neutrino burst—at the characteristic energy of 0.511 MeV. We study the phenomenology and detectability of this flare. Its luminosity curve is characterized by a fast, seconds-long rise and an equally fast decline, with a minute- or hour-long plateau in between. For a near-Earth star (distance D ≲ 1 kpc) the echo will be observable at near future gamma-ray telescopes with an effective area of 10 ^3 cm ^2 or larger. Its observation will inform us on the envelope size and composition. In conjunction with the direct detection of the neutrino burst, it will also give information on the neutrino emission away from the line of sight and will enable tests of neutrino propagation effects between the stellar surface and Earth.