Comprehensive Analytical Study of the Greenhouse Effect of the Atmosphere

Climate change is an important societal issue. Large effort in society is spent on addressing it. For adequate measures, it is important that the phenomenon of climate change is well understood, especially the effect of adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In this work, a theoretical fully analytical study is presented of the so-called greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide. The effect of this gas in the atmosphere itself was already determined as being of little importance based on empirical analysis. In the current work, the effect is studied both phenomenologically and analytically. In a first attempt of energy transfer by radiation only, it is solved by ideal-gas-law equations and the atmosphere is divided into an infinite number of layers each absorbing and reemitting infrared radiation (surpassing the classical Beer-Lambert analysis of absorption). The result is that the exact structure of the atmosphere is irrelevant for the analysis;we might as well keep the two-box model for any analytical approach. However, the results are unsatisfactory in that they cannot explain the profile of the atmosphere. In a new approach, the atmosphere is solved by taking both radiative as well as thermodynamic processes into account. The model fully fits the empirical data and an analytical equation is given for the atmospheric behavior. Upper limits are found for the greenhouse effect ranging from zero to a couple of mK per ppm CO2. It is shown that it cannot explain the observed correlation of carbon dioxide and surface temperature. This correlation, however, is readily explained by Henry’s Law (outgassing of oceans), with other phenomena insignificant. Finally, while the greenhouse effect can thus, in a rudimentary way, explain the behavior of the atmosphere of Earth, it fails describing other atmospheres such as that of Mars. Moreover, looking at three cities in Spain, it is found that radiation balances only cannot explain the temperature of these cities. Finally, three data sets with different time scales (60 years, 600 thousand years, and 650 million years) show markedly different behavior, something that is inexplicable in the framework of the greenhouse theory.

Signal Analysis of the Climate: Correlation, Delay and Feedback

One of the ingredients of anthropogenic global warming is the existence of a large correlation between carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere and the temperature. In this work we analyze the original time-series data that led to the new wave of climate research and test the two hypotheses that might explain this correlation, namely the (more commonly accepted and well-known) greenhouse effect (GHE) and the less-known Henry’s Law (HL). This is done by using the correlation and the temporal features of the data. Our conclusion is that of the two hypotheses the greenhouse effect is less likely, whereas the Henry’s Law hypothesis can easily explain all effects. First the proportionality constant in the correlation is correct for HL and is about two orders of magnitude wrong for GHE. Moreover, GHE cannot readily explain the concurring methane signals observed. On the temporal scale, we see that GHE has difficulty in the apparent negative time lag between cause and effect, whereas in HL this is of correct sign and magnitude, since it is outgasing of gases from oceans. Introducing feedback into the GHE model can overcome some of these problems, but it introduces highly instable and chaotic behavior in the system, something that is not observed. The HL model does not need feedback.

Using an Off-the-Shelf Lock-In Detector for Admittance Spectroscopy in the Study of Plants

We report on the development of an electrical characterization admittance spectroscopy equipment and method based on an off-the-shelf lock-in detector that is cheap and yet highly sensitive. It is concluded that a contacted constant-pressure electrode configuration is preferable. It was further determined that the temperature does not have great impact in the measured values, but relative humidity of air can be important, especially in the constant-gap electrode configuration. In-situ measurements are difficult since the coupling of the plant with the environment is of high importance. Another aspect is the cables;they are important in that they have to be terminated by their characteristic impedance (50 Ω?in our case) to avoid reflections that introduce artificial attenuation and phase shifts in the signal. We introduce a fingerprint plot type to be able to distinguish between various plants and other specimens, and can actually detect the aqueous state of a plant.

Analysis of Temporal Signals of Climate

The dynamics of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is analyzed and it is shown that the Pinatubo eruption in 1991 had a noticeable effect on these dynamics. The growth rate slowed down. Moreover, analyzing the year-on-year CO2 growth data, we can see an an-thropogenic footprint, possibly due to the burning of fossil fuels. On top of this anthropo-genic contribution is a natural contribution that is of similar magnitude, and that closely follows the ocean surface temperature (influenced by ENSO, El Ni&ntildeo Southern Oscilla-tion). This latter fact is consistent with the hypothesis of the correlation of global temper-atures and carbon-dioxide in the atmosphere being governed by Henry’s Law, in which carbon dioxide variations are the result of, rather than the cause of, temperature changes. This latter being the so-called “greenhouse effect”, sometimes mentioned as responsible for (anthropogenic) climate changes, and that cannot explain the observed phenomena described here. Similar conclusions are drawn on monthly data of carbon dioxide and temperature as well.

Effectiveness in Group Facilitation Training in the Hospitality Industry: A Case Study

This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in groupleadership but not in small-group facilitation or large-group coordination. Based on a six-step model fororganizational intervention, the course was run in co-facilitation, using the effect of demonstration, modelling, andobservation to improve performance at individual level. The course represents a mix of organizational behaviourand human resources management that has proved to be effective in preparing managers to improve organizationalinnovation and accelerate change in companies. Each step produced outputs, namely three innovation projects.Participants rated the course in every item of an extensive questionnaire as Good and Very Good, except theintroduction (pre-consult), which was considered “too theoretical”. Therefore, the course model proved to beadequate for the preparation of managers as coaches for organizational innovation in the hospitality industry. As tofuture developments, they will have to do mostly with the functioning of a matrix structure in the hospitality industry,so that the whole approach may have a full impact on the company.

Negative Feedback in the Polar Ice System

One of the ingredients of the anthropogenic global warming hypothesis is the existence of large positive feedback in the climate system. An example is polar ice that, once melted, turns into blacker water that will increase radiation absorption and this rein-forces the melting. This causes a run-away scenario with a point of no return. Here it is shown that the polar ice can also have negative feedback aspects, where a melting of polar ice will cause it to reappear.

Somatostatin 3 loss of function impairs the innate immune response to intestinal inflammation

Somatostatin is a neuropeptide and a key regulator of the growth axis.Six Sst encoding genes(sst1 to sst6)have been identified in teleost fish genomes but little is known about their function.The present study aimed at replicating the context of the inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and clarifying the involvement of sst3 in the intestine innate defence barrier in zebrafish larvae.We first established a CRISP/Cas9 sst3 deficient line(MT)and analysed the morphological and transcriptomic response to 0.4%dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).Alcian blue staining of larval sections 6 days post fertilization showed an increased in acidic mucins in the intestinal bulb and mid-intestine,with a much stronger response in the MT compared to wild type(WT).The transcriptomic analysis revealed that WT and MT shared enriched gene ontology(GO)terms and pathways linked to catabolism,chondrocyte development,innate immune system,xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress.In contrast,the WT specific response to DSS was enriched in GO terms and pathways linked to transcription and translation,various developmental processes,regulation of biosynthetic processes,apelin signalling and apoptosis while the MT specific response included terms and pathways linked to protein metabolism and catabolic processes,extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and proteasome and chondrocyte development.Overall,this study demonstrated that Sst3 deficiency impairs insulin growth factor and adipocytokine signalling exacerbating the inflammatory response to DSS.

somatostatin1基因突变斑马鱼仔鱼转录组分析

利用CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术在斑马鱼中构建了可稳定遗传的生长抑素(somatostatin,SST)基因(sst1)突变体鱼系。通过比较6 dpf(days post fertilization,dpf)的sst1^(-/-)突变体和野生型仔鱼转录组,发现sst1^(-/-)突变体相关生化过程和信号通路发生了显著变化。相比野生型,sst1^(-/-)突变体仔鱼中有354个基因显著上调,504个基因显著下调。GO(gene ontology)富集分析表明,大部分差异基因与氨基酸和蛋白质生物合成相关。KEGG(kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes)通路富集显示代谢通路、氨基酸合成、氨基酰基-tRNA合成、核糖体合成和rRNA加工相关通路表达增强。结果表明,sst1^(-/-)突变体蛋白质生物合成和代谢过程更加活跃。RT-qPCR验证结果显示,随机选取的10个基因mRNA表达变化趋势与转录组测序结果一致,说明转录组测序结果真实可靠。6月龄突变体体质量、体长和野生型相比并无显著差异。本研究结果为进一步挖掘生长抑素基因家族的潜在功能奠定基础。

Somatostatin 4 regulates growth and modulates gametogenesis in zebrafish

Somatostatin(SST)plays important roles in growth and development.In teleost fishes six SST encoding genes(sst1 to sst6)have been identified although few studies have addressed their function.Here we aim to determine the function of the teleost specific sst4 in the zebrafish.A CRISPR/Cas9 sst4 zebrafish mutant with loss of function(sst4−/−)was produced which grew significantly faster and was heavier at the onset of gonadal maturation than the wild type(WT).Consistent with their faster growth,liver igf1,igf2a and igf2b expression was significantly upregulated in the sst4−/−fish compared to the WT.Histological examination of the ovaries and testis indicated that sst4−/−fish had slightly delayed testicular gametogenesis compared to the WT.Significantly lower expression of igf3,amh,insl3,hsd17b3,hsd11b2,hsd20b,cyp11b and cyp17 was consistently observed in the sst4−/−testis.In contrast,the ovaries had lower expression of igf1,igf2a and cyp19a1a but increased expression of igf2b and hsd20b.The gonadotrophin beta subunits(fshb and lhb)in the brain were downregulated indicating the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis was downregulated in the sst4−/−fish and suggesting that the steroid production is compromised in the maturing gonads.In addition,analysis of sst1 and sst3 mRNA levels in sst4−/−fish suggests a dosage compensation effect of sst1 in the brain and liver.Altogether,the results from the zebrafish sst4−/−line support the idea that sst4 is involved in the regulation of igf signalling,somatic growth and reproduction since steroidogenesis and gametogenesis at pubertal onset were compromised.

Augmented reality system to assist inexperienced pool players

Pool and billiards are amongst a family of games played on a table with six pockets along the rails. This paper presents an augmented reality tool designed to assist unskilled or amateur players of such games. The system is based on a projector and a Kinect 2 sensor placed above the table, acquiring and processing the game on-the-fly. By using depth information and detecting the table's rails(borders),the balls' positions, the cue direction, and the strike of the ball, computations predict the resulting balls' trajectories after the shot is played. These results—trajectories, visual effects, and menus—are visually output by the projector, making them visible on the snooker table. The system achieves a shot prediction accuracy of 98% when no bouncing occurs.

Carrier multiplication in germanium nanocrystals

Carrier multiplication is demonstrated in a solid-state dispersion of germanium nanocrystals in a silicon–dioxide matrix.This is performed by comparing ultrafast photo-induced absorption transients at different pump photon energies below and above the threshold energy for this process.The average germanium nanocrystal size is approximately 5–6 nm,as inferred from photoluminescence and Raman spectra.A carrier multiplication efficiency of approximately 190%is measured for photo-excitation at 2.8 times the optical bandgap of germanium nanocrystals,deduced from their photoluminescence spectra.