Control of the Dust Vertical Distribution over Western Africa by Convection and Scavenging

Saharan dust represents more than 50%of the total desert dust emitted around the globe and its radiative effect significantly affects the atmospheric circulation at a continental scale.Previous studies on dust vertical distribution and the Saharan Air Layer(SAL)showed some shortcomings that could be attributed to imperfect representation of the effects of deep convection and scavenging.The authors investigate here the role of deep convective transport and scavenging on the vertical distribution of mineral dust over Western Africa.Using multi-year(2006-2010)simulations performed with the variable-resolution(zoomed)version of the LMDZ climate model.Simulations are compared with aerosol amounts recorded by the Aerosol Robotic Network(AERONET)and with vertical profiles of the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization(CALIOP)measurements.LMDZ allows a thorough examination of the respective roles of deep convective transport,convective and stratiform scavenging,boundary layer transport,and advection processes on the vertical mineral dust distribution over Western Africa.The comparison of simulated dust Aerosol Optical Depth(AOD)and distribution with measurements suggest that scavenging in deep convection and subsequent re-evaporation of dusty rainfall in the lower troposphere are critical processes for explaining the vertical distribution of desert dust.These processes play a key role in maintaining a well-defined dust layer with a sharp transition at the top of the SAL and in establishing the seasonal cycle of dust distribution.This vertical distribution is further reshaped offshore in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone(ITCZ)over the Atlantic Ocean by marine boundary layer turbulent and convective transport and wet deposition at the surface.

Meteorological and Climate Modelling Services Tailored to Viticulturists

Grape production is likewise inherently interconnected to climate and weather, and, although grapes may grow worldwide, premium wine-grape production occurs in Mediterranean-like climate ranges. Changes in climate and weather patterns are threatening premium wine-grapes, directly affecting the European wine industry. This is because grapevines are extremely sensitive to their surrounding environment, with seasonal variations in yield much higher than other common crops, such as cereals. With a view to making South European wine industry resilient to climate change, VISCA (Vineyards Integrated Smart Climate Application) project has deployed a Climate Service (CS) Decision Support System (DSS) tool that provides to wine producers with well-founded information to be able to apply correctly adaptation strategies on specific grape varieties and locations, and to achieve optimum production results (e.g., yield and quantity). In this paper we show the meteorological, seasonal and climatic models and data sets used to answer the viticulturist needs;from short-term and mid-term forecast to seasonal forecast and climate projections.

Wnt genes in colonic polyposis predisposition

Much of the genetic predisposition to polyposis,and particularly to serrated polyposis(SP),remains unknown.Only germline pathogenic variants in RNF43,a tumor suppressor that exerts negative feedback in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,have been causally linked to some SP cases(<2%),a disease associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer(CRC).^(1) Most known hereditary CRC and polyposis genes affect DNA repair,BMP/TGF-β,or Wnt signaling,being the latter associated with adenomatous and serrated polyposis phenotypes.2 Based on this observation,we evaluated the presence and role of germline variants in those pathways in unsolved polyposis patients.

Making Canonical Workflow Building Blocks Interoperable across Workflow Languages

We introduce the concept of Canonical Workflow Building Blocks(CWBB),a methodology of describing and wrapping computational tools,in order for them to be utilised in a reproducible manner from multiple workflow languages and execution platforms.The concept is implemented and demonstrated with the BioExcel Building Blocks library(BioBB),a collection of tool wrappers in the field of computational biomolecular simulation.Interoperability across different workflow languages is showcased through a protein Molecular Dynamics setup transversal workflow,built using this library and run with 5 different Workflow Manager Systems(WfMS).We argue such practice is a necessary requirement for FAIR Computational Workflows and an element of Canonical Workflow Frameworks for Research(CWFR)in order to improve widespread adoption and reuse of computational methods across workflow language barriers.

SARS-CoV-2 interaction with Siglec-1 mediates trans-infection by dendritic cells

Antigen-presenting cells(APCs)may be resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection but still contribute to viral pathogenesis.Lectins such as sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1(Siglec-1/CD169)mediate the attachment of viruses to APCs.Here,we show that APCs effectively capture SARS-CoV-2 within compartments via recognition of Siglec-1.This receptor interacts with sialylated gangliosides on membranes of SARS-CoV-2 variants.