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Recently, it has been revealed that dark excitons play a significant role in optically controlled information processing due to their much longer radiative lifetimes than those of bright ones. For the realizable implementation of the features, it is important to understand and manipulate conditions in which dark excitons could exist. We adopt strain-engineered rippling as a new parameter for the modification of the electronic structure of monolayer MoS2 and demonstrate the efficient conversion of bright to dark excitons via a first-principles study. For rippled monolayer MoS2 above a strain of â¼6.8%, we show that the spin order of the conduction band is reversed and the spin forbidden dark exciton then goes below the bright one.
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We propose dual resonant optical sum frequency generation (SFG), where the two most singular resonances could be selected, and report for the monolayer (1L-) WSe2 when one (ω1) of two excitation pulses is resonant to A exciton and their sum frequency (ω1 + ω2) to D exciton. The dual resonant SFG confirms that, under an irradiation of ω1 and ω2 pulses with the same fluence of â¼1.4 × 1010 W/m2, its signal intensity could be enhanced about 20 times higher than the resonant SHG (i.e., 2ω1 to the D excitonic absorption). Further, the dual resonant SFG intensity of 1L-WSe2 is found to be 1 order of magnitude higher than the single resonant SFG intensity of 1L-WS2 under the same condition of two-pulse irradiation. Finally, observations of the dual resonant SFG are thoroughly examined using real-time time-dependent density functional theory (rt-TDDFT), and the relevant nonlinear optical characteristics are scrutinized using the Greenwood-Kubo formalism.
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BACKGROUND: While studies report a lower incidence of skin cancer in white patients with vitiligo compared with controls, the skin cancer incidence in Asian patients with vitiligo is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Korean patients with vitiligo and compare it with matched nonvitiligo controls. METHODS: A retrospective matched cohort study was performed with 131 245 incident vitiligo cases and 2 624 900 age- and sex-matched (1 : 20) controls at index date, who were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance database between January 2005 and December 2017. Stratified Cox proportional hazards regression (stratified by sex, birth year and index year) was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) of skin cancer in patients with vitiligo. RESULTS: Patients with vitiligo were followed up for a mean duration of 6·34 years compared with a follow-up period of 6·27 years for matched controls. Ultraviolet (UV) treatment-adjusted HR for melanoma in patients with vitiligo was 3·32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2·29-4·81] and 1·29 (95% CI 1·06-1·56) for NMSC. The HRs for melanoma and NMSC in the vitiligo population without a history of UV treatment were 3·37 (95% CI 2·32-4·90) and 1·35 (95% CI 1·11-1·64), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to white patients with vitiligo, the risk of skin cancer was increased in the Korean vitiligo population. However, it is noteworthy that the skin cancer incidence in Korean patients with vitiligo was lower than that of their white counterparts. Owing to possible ethnic differences in the susceptibility to skin cancer, skin cancer surveillance in the vitiligo population may be adjusted for race. What's already known about this topic? Prior studies have reported a lower incidence of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in white patients with vitiligo compared with nonvitiligo controls. The skin cancer incidence in Asian patients with vitiligo is unknown. What does this study add? In contrast to white patients, the risk of both melanoma and NMSC was increased in Korean patients with vitiligo compared with controls. Owing to possible ethnic differences in susceptibility to skin cancer, skin cancer surveillance in the vitiligo population should be adjusted for race.
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Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutáneas , Vitíligo , Estudios de Cohortes , Humanos , Incidencia , Melanoma/epidemiología , República de Corea/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Neoplasias Cutáneas/epidemiología , Vitíligo/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
An interplay between an applied strain and the Berry curvature reconstruction in the uniaxially strained monolayer MoS2 is explored that leads to the unbalanced Berry curvatures centered at K and -K points and, eventually, the valley magnetization under an external electric field. This is shown to explain a recent experimental observation of the valley magnetoelectric effect and develop a novel concept of the valley magnetic domain (VMD), i.e., a real-space homogeneous distribution of the valley magnetization. A realization of VMD guarantees a sufficient number of stable valley-polarized carriers, one of the most essential prerequisites of the valleytronics. Furthermore, we discover the anomalous electron dynamics through the VMD activation and achieve a manipulation of the anomalous transverse current perpendicular to the electric field, directly accessible to the signal processing [for instance, the current modulation under the VMD (i.e., the VMD wall) moving and the terahertz current rectification under the VMD switching]. This suggests a concept of VMD for use in providing new physical insight into the valleytronic functionality and its manipulation as a key ingredient of potential device applications.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fabry disease is an X-linked disease, and enzyme-based screening methods are not suitable for female patients. METHODS: In total, 1000 young stroke patients (18-55 years, 661 with ischaemic stroke and 339 with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage) were recruited. The Sequenom iPLEX assay was used to detect 26 Fabry related mutation genes. The frequency of Fabry disease in young stroke was reviewed and compared between Asian and non-Asian countries. RESULTS: Two male patients with ischaemic stroke were found to have a genetic mutation of IVS4+919G>A. There was no α-galactosidase A (GLA) gene mutation in female patients. The frequency in Asian stroke patients was 0.62% (male vs. female 0.63% vs. 0.58%) with 0.72% for ischaemic stroke and none for hemorrhagic stroke, compared to 0.88% (0.77% vs. 1.08%) with 0.83% for ischaemic stroke and 1.40% for hemorrhagic stroke reported in western countries. CONCLUSION: IVS4+919G>A is the GLA mutation in Taiwanese young ischaemic stroke patients. Fabry disease is more frequent among non-Asian patients compared to Asian patients.
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Isquemia Encefálica/genética , Enfermedad de Fabry/diagnóstico , Enfermedad de Fabry/genética , Pruebas Genéticas , Accidente Cerebrovascular/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Isquemia Encefálica/epidemiología , Enfermedad de Fabry/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Accidente Cerebrovascular/epidemiología , Taiwán/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The risk of severe precipitated opioid withdrawal (POW) is amplified when precipitated by a long-acting opioid antagonist. IM extended release naltrexone (XRNTX;Vivitrol®) is an FDA approved therapy to prevent relapse of opioid and alcohol abuse. Two cases of precipitated opioid withdrawal from XRNTX are presented that illustrate different patient reactions to POW. A 56-year-old woman developed a hypertensive emergency and required continuous intravenous vasodilator, clonidine, and intensive care monitoring after re-initiation of XRNTX following opioid relapse. A 25-year-old man developed agitation and altered mental status after receipt of XRNTX at the conclusion of a twelve-day detoxification program during which he continued surreptitious use of heroin. The patient received benzodiazepines and haloperidol without adequate affect, and required intubation with propofol, lorazepam, and dexmedetomidine infusions. Management of POW from XRNTX is a challenge to emergency providers and protocols to guide management do not exist. Recommended therapies include intravenous fluids, anti-emetics, clonidine, or benzodiazepines as well as therapy tailored to the organ system affected. To minimize risk of POW it is important for providers instituting XRNTX to adhere to the manufacturers warnings and clinic protocols including a naloxone challenge and ensure an adequate opioid free period prior to administration of XRNTX.
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Servicios Médicos de Urgencia , Dependencia de Heroína/tratamiento farmacológico , Naltrexona/administración & dosificación , Antagonistas de Narcóticos/administración & dosificación , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/tratamiento farmacológico , Síndrome de Abstinencia a Sustancias/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Naltrexona/farmacología , Antagonistas de Narcóticos/farmacología , Trastornos Relacionados con Opioides/fisiopatología , Síndrome de Abstinencia a Sustancias/fisiopatología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Halogens (Cl, Br) have a profound influence on stratospheric ozone (O3). They (Cl, Br and I) have recently also been shown to impact the troposphere, notably by reducing the mixing ratios of O3 and OH. Their potential for impacting regional air-quality is less well understood. We explore the impact of halogens on regional pollutants (focussing on O3) with the European grid of the GEOS-Chem model (0.25° × 0.3125°). It has recently been updated to include a representation of halogen chemistry. We focus on the summer of 2015 during the ICOZA campaign at the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory on the North Sea coast of the UK. Comparisons between these observations together with those from the UK air-quality network show that the model has some skill in representing the mixing ratios/concentration of pollutants during this period. Although the model has some success in simulating the Weybourne ClNO2 observations, it significantly underestimates ClNO2 observations reported at inland locations. It also underestimates mixing ratios of IO, OIO, I2 and BrO, but this may reflect the coastal nature of these observations. Model simulations, with and without halogens, highlight the processes by which halogens can impact O3. Throughout the domain O3 mixing ratios are reduced by halogens. In northern Europe this is due to a change in the background O3 advected into the region, whereas in southern Europe this is due to local chemistry driven by Mediterranean emissions. The proportion of hourly O3 above 50 nmol mol-1 in Europe is reduced from 46% to 18% by halogens. ClNO2 from N2O5 uptake onto sea-salt leads to increases in O3 mixing ratio, but these are smaller than the decreases caused by the bromine and iodine. 12% of ethane and 16% of acetone within the boundary layer is oxidised by Cl. Aerosol response to halogens is complex with small (â¼10%) reductions in PM2.5 in most locations. A lack of observational constraints coupled to large uncertainties in emissions and chemical processing of halogens make these conclusions tentative at best. However, the results here point to the potential for halogen chemistry to influence air quality policy in Europe and other parts of the world.
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Investigating a theoretical model of the optical-field-induced current in dielectrics driven by strong few-cycle laser pulses, we propose an asymmetric conducting of the current by forming a heterojunction made of two distinct dielectrics with a low hole mass (m_{h}^{*}âªm_{e}^{*}) and low electron mass (m_{e}^{*}âªm_{h}^{*}), respectively. This proposition introduces the novel concept of a petahertz (10^{15} Hz) diode to rectify the current in the petahertz domain, which should be a key ingredient for the electric signal manipulation of future light-wave electronics. Further, we suggest the candidate dielectrics for the heterojunction.
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The acceptability and clinical impact of a web-based intervention among patients entering addiction treatment who lack recent internet access are unclear. This secondary analysis of a national multisite treatment study (NIDA Clinical Trials Network-0044) assessed for acceptability and clinical impact of a web-based psychosocial intervention among participants enrolling in community-based, outpatient addiction treatment programs. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of a web-based therapeutic education system (TES) based on the community reinforcement approach plus contingency management versus treatment as usual (TAU). Demographic and clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes were compared among participants with recent internet access in the 90 days preceding enrollment (N = 374) and without internet access (N = 133). Primary outcome variables included (1) acceptability of TES (i.e., module completion; acceptability of web-based intervention) and (2) clinical impact (i.e., self-reported abstinence confirmed by urine drug/breath alcohol tests; retention measured as time to dropout). Internet use was common (74 %) and was more likely among younger (18-49 years old) participants and those who completed high school (p < .001). Participants randomized to TES (n = 255) without baseline internet access rated the acceptability of TES modules significantly higher than those with internet access (t = 2.49, df = 218, p = .01). There was a near significant interaction between treatment, baseline abstinence, and internet access on time to dropout (χ 2(1) = 3.8089, p = .051). TES was associated with better retention among participants not abstinent at baseline who had internet access (X 2(1) = 6.69, p = .01). These findings demonstrate high acceptability of this web-based intervention among participants that lacked recent internet access.
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Internet , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/terapia , Terapia Asistida por Computador , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Autoinforme , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
For the practical device application of the two-dimensional semiconducting MoS2, it is a critical issue to manipulate the electronic and magnetic properties locally at its contact to the metal electrode. For the tuning of those properties, we have proposed the vacancy-defective 1L-MoS2 or the hydrogenated 1L-MoS2 at the metal [Co(0001) or Ni(111)] contacts and performed first-principles electronic structure calculations. By controlling the atomic vacancy defects and the hydrogen coverages, we investigate the Schottky barrier heights and charge and spin transfers at the interface. Our findings provide a physical insight into the practical device design using the two-dimensional MoS2.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based oral care training programs on tongue coating (TC), dental plaque (DP), and symptoms of respiratory infection (SRI) in stroke survivors. METHODS: A single-blind, randomised, controlled trial conducted in a home-based setting over 2 months. Stroke survivors (n=48, experimental group) and their family caregivers received home-based oral care training programme while a control group of 46 stroke survivors and family caregivers received routine oral care education with swabs. TC, DP, and SRI were assessed at baseline and after one and two months, with results analysed using Mixed Model ANOVA. RESULTS: Poor oral hygiene and overall neglect of home oral care practices were observed at baseline. TC and DP scores were significantly reduced in the experimental group receiving the home-base oral care training program compared to the control group, who received only routine oral care education (P<0.001). The groupxtime interaction was significant, with decreased TC and DP scores for both groups at one month and at two months of additional care (when compared to baseline). The SRI scores were not significantly different between groups (P>0.05). The groupxtime interaction did not correlate with SRI for either group when compared to the baseline and to one month and two months of additional care. No adverse events were encountered and there was no external funding. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based oral care training programme had a beneficial effect on oral health as measured by TC and DP scores. The effect on SRI requires further longitudinal study.
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Cuidadores/educación , Educación en Salud Dental , Atención Domiciliaria de Salud/métodos , Higiene Bucal , Accidente Cerebrovascular/enfermería , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Método Simple Ciego , TaiwánRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are serious complications with high mortality and morbidity in patients with critical illness. This study was conducted to analyze the clinical and microbiological characteristics as well as outcomes in patients with intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired BSIs. METHODS: Data from 1,545 patients admitted to the ICU were retrospectively collected from January 2005 to December 2010. ICU-acquired BSI was defined as a positive blood culture for a clinically significant bacterial or fungal pathogen obtained >72 h after admission to the ICU. Data on clinical and demographic characteristics, comorbid illness, causes of infections, causative pathogens, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 1,545 ICU patients analyzed, 129 ICU-acquired BSIs occurred in 124 patients. Catheter-related BSIs (CR-BSIs) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) were the most common causes (29.4 and 20.9%, respectively). The most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus in 35 (25.7%) and Candida species in 32 (24.8%) cases. Ninety-eight patients died (overall hospital mortality rate, 75.9%). ICU-acquired BSI-related mortality occurred in 23 (63.8%) and 7 (19.4%) of the VAP and CR-BSIs cases, respectively. The most commonly isolated microorganisms from these fatalities were S. aureus (12, 25.7%) and Acinetobacter species (12, 25.7%). In 99 ICU-acquired BSI cases, patients did not receive adequate empirical antimicrobial treatment at the onset of BSIs, whereas the patients in 30 cases did. CONCLUSION: ICU-acquired BSIs may be associated with high mortality in patients with critical illness. Meticulous infection control and adequate treatment may reduce ICU-acquired BSI-related mortality.
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Bacteriemia/epidemiología , Infección Hospitalaria/epidemiología , Fungemia/epidemiología , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Anciano , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Antifúngicos/uso terapéutico , Bacteriemia/microbiología , Bacteriemia/mortalidad , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedad Crítica , Infección Hospitalaria/microbiología , Infección Hospitalaria/mortalidad , Femenino , Fungemia/microbiología , Fungemia/mortalidad , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , República de Corea/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Centros de Atención Terciaria/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
The magnetism of the 3d transition-metal (TM) doped single-layer (1L) MoS2, where the Mo atom is partially replaced by the 3d TM atom, is investigated using the first-principles density functional calculations. In a series of 3d TM doped 1L-MoS2's, the induced spin polarizations are negligible for Sc, Ti, and Cr dopings, while the induced spin polarizations are confirmed for V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn dopings and the systems become magnetic. Especially, the Cu doped system shows unexpectedly strong magnetism although Cu is nonmagnetic in its bulk state. The driving force is found to be a strong hybridization between Cu 3d states and 3p states of neighboring S, which results in an extreme unbalanced spin-population in the spin-split impurity bands near the Fermi level. Finally, we also discuss further issues of the Cu induced magnetism of 1L-MoS2 such as investigation of additional charge states, the Cu doping at the S site instead of the Mo site, and the Cu adatom on the layer (i.e., 1L-MoS2).
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The aim of this study was to determine the influence of high glucose (HG) and interleukin (IL)-1ß on human cardiac fibroblast (HCF) functions, and to evaluate the effects of eplerenone in these responses. HCFs were cultured in normal or HG media in the absence or presence of IL-1ß and/or eplerenone. We assessed matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity in the supernatant by in-gel zymography, and determined mRNA expression levels of MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Equimolar D-mannitol was used as an osmotic control. HG stimulated MMP-2 activity and promoted MMP-2 mRNA synthesis. Increased effects were also observed in equimolar D-mannitol treatments, but these effects were weaker compared to those of glucose. The combination of HG and IL-1ß resulted in a 2-fold increase in MMP-2 activity and mRNA expression compared with HG or IL-1ß alone. Increases in HG- or IL-1ß-induced MMP-2 activity and mRNA expression were blocked by eplerenone. Neither HG nor IL-1ß affected TIMP-2 mRNA expression. HG increased MMP-2 activity by regulation of MMP- 2 mRNA expression in HCFs through osmotic and non-osmotic pathways. Synergistic effects of IL-1ß added to HG media on MMP-2 activity and mRNA expression were observed in HCFs. Eplerenone normalized the effect of MMP-2 activity and HG- or IL-1ß-induced expression in HCFs.
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Fibroblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Glucosa/farmacología , Interleucina-1beta/farmacología , Manitol/farmacología , Metaloproteinasa 2 de la Matriz/metabolismo , Espironolactona/análogos & derivados , Línea Celular , Medios de Cultivo , Activación Enzimática/efectos de los fármacos , Eplerenona , Fibroblastos/citología , Fibroblastos/enzimología , Gelatinasas/genética , Gelatinasas/metabolismo , Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Metaloproteinasa 2 de la Matriz/genética , Miocardio/citología , Miocardio/enzimología , Concentración Osmolar , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Espironolactona/farmacologíaRESUMEN
We present a model of the attosecond resonant dynamics of valence electron photoemission and MMM Auger electron emission in copper dichloride. At τ(h)â«1/ω(IR) (where τ(h) is the core-hole relaxation time and ω(IR) is the energy of the infrared probe field), high-order Fano sideband resonances on both sides of the original (zeroth-order) resonance are found in the energy domain on the time scale of τ(h). This is confirmed by a coherent π rotation of the relative phase between the photoelectron and Auger electron at each resonance, due to the subfemtosecond quantum correlation. We also find a core-hole clock, the asymmetry factor q of the first-order Fano sideband resonance, which can directly trace the core-hole relaxation in the time domain.
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We report the effective methods to induce weak ferromagnetism in pristine MoS2 persisting up to room temperature with the improved transport property, which would lead to new spintronics devices. The hydrogenation of MoS2 by heating at 300 °C for 1 h leads to the easy axis out of plane, while the irradiation of proton with a dose of 1 × 10(13) P/cm(2) leads to the easy axis in plane. The theoretical modeling supports such magnetic easy axes.
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BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) is an extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma with primary involvement of the skin. Epidemiological data on PCLs according to the World Health Organization/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer classification (WHO-EORTC) has not been investigated in Korea to date. AIM: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical and histological features, and survival data of patients with PCL according to the WHO-EORTC classification. METHODS: In total, 93 patients with PCL were retrospectively identified from an extensive review of medical records over a 16-year period. RESULTS: The tumours found included primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders, extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We found that 81.6% of the patients had primary cutaneous T-cell and natural killer-cell lymphoma, and 16.2% had primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, with 2.2% having precursor haematological neoplasms. The median age was 52 years (range 3-95) and the male : female ratio was 1: 1.16. The 5-year survival rate was 92.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rates of many PCL subtypes in Koreans differ from those of other countries.
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Linfoma de Células B Grandes Difuso/epidemiología , Linfoma de Células T/epidemiología , Neoplasias Cutáneas/epidemiología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Incidencia , Linfoma de Células B Grandes Difuso/clasificación , Linfoma de Células T/clasificación , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , República de Corea/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Neoplasias Cutáneas/clasificación , Análisis de Supervivencia , Organización Mundial de la Salud , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Nine to 12 weeks of resistance exercise training in young individuals induces quadriceps muscle (â¼6%) and region-specific patellar tendon (4-6%) hypertrophy. However, 12 weeks of resistance exercise training (â¼1 h total exercise time) in older individuals (60-78 years) induces quadriceps muscle hypertrophy (9%) without impacting patellar tendon size. The current study examined if a different loading paradigm using cycle exercise would promote patellar tendon hypertrophy or alter the internal tendon properties, measured with magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity, in older individuals. Nine women (70 ± 2 years) completed 12 weeks of aerobic upright cycle exercise training (â¼28 h total exercise time). Aerobic exercise training increased (P < 0.05) quadriceps muscle size (11 ± 2%) and VO2max (30 ± 9%). Mean patellar tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) (2 ± 1%) and signal intensity (-1 ± 2%) were unchanged (P > 0.05) over the 12 weeks of training. Region-specific CSA was unchanged (P > 0.05) at the proximal (-1 ± 3%) and mid regions (2 ± 2%) of the tendon but tended (P = 0.069) to increase at the distal region (5 ± 3%). Region-specific signal intensity differed along the tendon but was unchanged (P > 0.05) with training. Although more studies are needed, exercise-induced patellar tendon hypertrophy, compared with skeletal muscle, appears to be attenuated in older individuals, while the loading pattern associated with aerobic exercise seems to have more impact than resistance exercise in promoting patellar tendon hypertrophy.
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Ciclismo/fisiología , Ligamento Rotuliano/anatomía & histología , Ligamento Rotuliano/fisiología , Músculo Cuádriceps/anatomía & histología , Entrenamiento de Fuerza , Adaptación Fisiológica , Anciano , Anatomía Transversal , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Consumo de Oxígeno , Músculo Cuádriceps/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) in the atmosphere are precursors to peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN), affect the tropospheric ozone budget, and in the remote marine environment represent a significant sink of the hydroxyl radical (OH). The sparse observational database for these compounds, particularly in the tropics, contributes to a high uncertainty in their emissions and atmospheric significance. Here, we show measurements of acetone, methanol, and acetaldehyde in the tropical remote marine boundary layer made between October 2006 and September 2011 at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) (16.85° N, 24.87° W). Mean mixing ratios of acetone, methanol, and acetaldehyde were 546 ± 295 pptv, 742 ± 419 pptv, and 428 ± 190 pptv, respectively, averaged from approximately hourly values over this five-year period. The CAM-Chem global chemical transport model reproduced annual average acetone concentrations well (21% overestimation) but underestimated levels by a factor of 2 in autumn and overestimated concentrations in winter. Annual average concentrations of acetaldehyde were underestimated by a factor of 10, rising to a factor of 40 in summer, and methanol was underestimated on average by a factor of 2, peaking to over a factor of 4 in spring. The model predicted summer minima in acetaldehyde and acetone, which were not apparent in the observations. CAM-Chem was adapted to include a two-way sea-air flux parametrization based on seawater measurements made in the Atlantic Ocean, and the resultant fluxes suggest that the tropical Atlantic region is a net sink for acetone but a net source for methanol and acetaldehyde. Inclusion of the ocean fluxes resulted in good model simulations of monthly averaged methanol levels although still with a 3-fold underestimation in acetaldehyde. Wintertime acetone levels were better simulated, but the observed autumn levels were more severely underestimated than in the standard model. We suggest that the latter may be caused by underestimated terrestrial biogenic African primary and/or secondary OVOC sources by the model. The model underestimation of acetaldehyde concentrations all year round implies a consistent significant missing source, potentially from secondary chemistry of higher alkanes produced biogenically from plants or from the ocean. We estimate that low model bias in OVOC abundances in the remote tropical marine atmosphere may result in up to 8% underestimation of the global methane lifetime due to missing model OH reactivity. Underestimation of acetaldehyde concentrations is responsible for the bulk (â¼70%) of this missing reactivity.
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Acetaldehído/análisis , Acetona/análisis , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/estadística & datos numéricos , Metanol/análisis , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/análisis , Océano Atlántico , Atmósfera/química , Cabo Verde , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Ozono/química , Estaciones del Año , Clima TropicalRESUMEN
More than half the world's rainforest has been lost to agriculture since the Industrial Revolution. Among the most widespread tropical crops is oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): global production now exceeds 35 million tonnes per year. In Malaysia, for example, 13% of land area is now oil palm plantation, compared with 1% in 1974. There are enormous pressures to increase palm oil production for food, domestic products, and, especially, biofuels. Greater use of palm oil for biofuel production is predicated on the assumption that palm oil is an "environmentally friendly" fuel feedstock. Here we show, using measurements and models, that oil palm plantations in Malaysia directly emit more oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds than rainforest. These compounds lead to the production of ground-level ozone (O(3)), an air pollutant that damages human health, plants, and materials, reduces crop productivity, and has effects on the Earth's climate. Our measurements show that, at present, O(3) concentrations do not differ significantly over rainforest and adjacent oil palm plantation landscapes. However, our model calculations predict that if concentrations of oxides of nitrogen in Borneo are allowed to reach those currently seen over rural North America and Europe, ground-level O(3) concentrations will reach 100 parts per billion (10(9)) volume (ppbv) and exceed levels known to be harmful to human health. Our study provides an early warning of the urgent need to develop policies that manage nitrogen emissions if the detrimental effects of palm oil production on air quality and climate are to be avoided.