Relative Contributions of Clouds and Aerosols to Surface Erythemal UV and Global Horizontal Irradiance in Korea

The attenuating effects of clouds and aerosols on global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and ultraviolet erythemal irradiance (UVER) were evaluated and compared using data from four sites in South Korea (Gangneung, Pohang, Mokpo, and Gosan) for the period 2005–2016. It was found that GHI and UVER are affected differently by various attenuating factors, resulting in an increase in the ratio of UVER to GHI with a decrease in the clearness index of GHI. A comparative analysis of the clearness indices of GHI and UVER identified an almost linear relationship between two transmittances by applying UVER with fixed slant ozone ( UVER 300 ) and there was a latitudinal difference in the relationship. Some nonlinearity remained in this relationship, which suggests a contribution by other factors such as clouds and aerosols. Variations of the UVER 300 ratio to GHI with cloud cover and aerosol optical depth were analyzed. The ratio increased with cloud cover and decreased with aerosol optical depth, indicating that clouds attenuate GHI more efficiently than UVER and that the attenuation by aerosols is greater for UVER than for GHI. A multiple linear regression analysis of the clearness indices of GHI and UVER 300 quantitively demonstrates differences in the radiation-reducing effects of clouds and aerosols, with some regional differences by site that can be attributed to local climatic characteristics in South Korea.

P1G10, the Proteolytic Fraction from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis, Stimulates Tissue Repair after Acute Exposure to Ultraviolet B Radiation

BACKGROUND

P1G10 is a cysteine proteolytic fraction from Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis latex, obtained by chromatographic separation on Sephadex-G10 and ultrafiltration. This fraction enhances healing in different models of skin lesions, and displays a protective/healing effect against gastric ulcers, where it was suggested an antioxidant role.

METHODS

We evaluated here the effect of topical treatment with P1G10, in mice lesions induced by UVB.

RESULTS

After single exposure to 2.4 J cm-2 UVB, P1G10 reduced erythema, increased cellularity of hypodermis, enhanced MPO activity and IL1β, and inhibited COX2 levels. These results point to an anti-inflammatory effect by P1G10. This fraction displayed antioxidant activity by reversing the depletion of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reducing the catalase activity increased by UVB. These changes may be related to a reduction in MDA observed in groups treated with P1G10. P1G10 also inhibited MMP-9, caspase-3 and pkat while increasing p53 levels.

Quantifying the effects of a low-ozone event and shallow stratocumulus clouds on ultraviolet erythemal radiation exposure

Meteorological and dosimetric ultraviolet (UV) erythemal radiation (UVER) measurements were performed in Didcot, England, on 6 and 7 April 2017. Both days were characterized by clear-sky conditions in the morning and the afternoon with development of shallow stratocumulus clouds (SSC) around noon. In addition, a low-ozone event occurred on 7 April characterized by a 34 DU (Dobson Unit) drop in total stratospheric ozone content. Compared to 6 April, the ozone mini-hole caused UVER increases of 2.67 standard erythema dose (SED) for diffuse and 4.32 SED for global radiation characterized by radiation amplification factors (RAF) of 1.62 and 1.52, respectively. The total global UVER dose reductions due to SSC coverage amount to 2.33 SED (6 April) and 2.81 SED (7 April). As innovation the RAF is decomposed into two parts, named cloud ozone factor (COF) and radiation amplification factor based on measured data (RAF_m), to quantify the low-ozone event's effect and the SSC influence in independently modifying the UVER doses. Hereby, the weight of each of these two effects acting during the same low-ozone event is expressed by the new COF. In this case, the COF values range between -0.13 and -0.11 for diffuse UVER and -0.03 to -0.07 for the global UV and UV-B parts. A positive COF value (0.18) results for the global UV-A range.

Effect of the relative optical air mass and the clearness index on solar erythemal UV irradiance

This paper analyses the effects of the clearness index (Kt) and the relative optical air mass (mr) on erythemal UV irradiance (UVER). The UVER measurements were made in Valencia (Spain) from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm between June 2003 and December 2012 and (140,000 data points). Firstly, two models were used to calculate values for the erythemal ultraviolet irradiance clearness index (KtUVER) as a function of the global irradiance clearness index (Kt). Secondly, a potential regression model to measure the KtUVER as a function of the relative optical air mass was studied. The coefficients of this regression were evaluated for clear and cloudy days, as well as for days with high and low ozone levels. Thirdly, an analysis was made of the relationship between the two effects in the experimental database, with it being found that the highest degree of agreement, or the joint highest frequencies, are located in the optical mass range mr∈[1.0, 1.2] and the clearness index range of Kt∈[0.8, 1.0]. This is useful for establishing the ranges of parameters where models are more efficient. Simple equations have been tested that can provide additional information for the engineering projects concerning thermal installations. Fourthly, a high dispersion of radiation data was observed for intermediate values of the clearness for UV and UVER.

Estimation of daily ultraviolet radiation in Beijing using a semiempirical method

This study proposes a semiempirical method to reconstruct daily ultraviolet (UV) radiation from global solar (G) radiation measurements using a radiative transfer model. The attenuation ratio and cloud modification factors are calculated based on measured and simulated data under cloudless-sky conditions. A reconstruction method of UV radiation is established using cloud modification factors; based on comparisons among reconstructions and measurements, the reconstruction model is demonstrated to offer high resolution. The bias errors for daily measured and reconstructed UV radiation are maintained within ±20%, the mean absolute bias error (mabe) is 7.7% and the root mean square error (rmse) is 9.7%. Furthermore, the model performance and transferability were tested by comparison with a simple empirical model in Beijing, Eerduosi and Hailun. A comparison of the measured and estimated UV values for the two methods in the aforementioned three locations revealed that smaller mabe and rmse were observed in our method, with both of these values in the three locations being less than 14%. Thus, a better applicability and transferability has been confirmed. The results and analysis should contribute to improving the knowledge about actual UV climate characteristics.

Variability in UVB radiation in Beijing, China

The variation characteristics of Ultraviolet-B (UVB; 280-315 nm) radiation over Beijing were explored using measured data that were collected in Beijing from November 2010 to October 2011. Seasonal variations in UVB radiation and influence of ozone and clearness index on the ratio of UVB to broadband solar radiation (G) were investigated. The annual value of UVB radiation in Beijing is 6.37 MJ m(-2), and monthly average value ranges from 4.96 to 28.37 kJ m(-2) d(-1). The maximum daily total UVB radiation ranges from 6.55 kJ m(-2) d(-1) in November to 54.22 kJ m(-2) d(-1) in July. The monthly minimum of daily total UVB radiation varies from 0.5 kJ m(-2) d(-1) in February to 11.52 kJ m(-2) d(-1) in July. The monthly average of the ratio of UVB radiation to G ranges from 0.007 to 0.017%, with an annual average value of 0.012%. The variation in slant ozone column causes annual cycle of the ratio UVB radiation to G, with maximum value in summer. In addition, clouds have a greater effect on G than UVB radiation. Thus, the ratio increases by more than 17% when the atmospheric conditions change from clear to cloudy.