Atmospheric Carbon and Transport - America (ACT-America) Data Sets: Description, Management, and Delivery

The ACT-America project is a NASA Earth Venture Suborbital-2 mission designed to study the transport and fluxes of greenhouse gases. The open and freely available ACT-America data sets provide airborne in situ measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, trace gases, aerosols, clouds, and meteorological properties, airborne remote sensing measurements of aerosol backscatter, atmospheric boundary layer height and columnar content of atmospheric carbon dioxide, tower-based measurements, and modeled atmospheric mole fractions and regional carbon fluxes of greenhouse gases over the Central and Eastern United States. We conducted 121 research flights during five campaigns in four seasons during 2016-2019 over three regions of the US (Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and South) using two NASA research aircraft (B-200 and C-130). We performed three flight patterns (fair weather, frontal crossings, and OCO-2 underflights) and collected more than 1,140 h of airborne measurements via level-leg flights in the atmospheric boundary layer, lower, and upper free troposphere and vertical profiles spanning these altitudes. We also merged various airborne in situ measurements onto a common standard sampling interval, which brings coherence to the data, creates geolocated data products, and makes it much easier for the users to perform holistic analysis of the ACT-America data products. Here, we report on detailed information of data sets collected, the workflow for data sets including storage and processing of the quality controlled and quality assured harmonized observations, and their archival and formatting for users. Finally, we provide some important information on the dissemination of data products including metadata and highlights of applications of ACT-America data sets.

Nanorectenna spectrally-selective plasmonic hot electron response to visible-light lasers

Active metasurfaces with novel visible and infrared (vis/IR) functionalities represent an exciting, growing area of research. Rectification of vis/IR frequencies would produce needed direct current (DC) with no inherent frequency limitation (e.g. no semiconducting bandgap). However, controlling the materials and functionality of (nano)rectennas for rectifying 100 s of THz to the visible regime is a daunting challenge, because of the small features and simultaneously the need to scale up to large sizes in a scalable platform. An active metasurface of a planar array of nanoscale antennas on top of rectifying vertical diodes is a 'nanorectenna array' or 'microrectenna array' that rectifies very high frequencies in the infrared, or even higher frequencies up to the visible regime. We employ a novel strategy for forming optical nanorectenna arrays using scalable patterning of Au nanowires, demonstrate strong evidence for spectral-selective high-frequency rectification, characteristic of optical antennas. We discover a previously unreported out-of-equilibrium electron energy distribution, i.e. hot electrons arising from plasmonic resonance absorption in an optical antenna characterized by an effective temperature, and how this effect can significantly impact the observed rectification.

Single-bubble and multibubble cavitation in water triggered by laser-driven focusing shock waves

In this study a single laser pulse spatially shaped into a ring is focused into a thin water layer, creating an annular cavitation bubble and cylindrical shock waves: an outer shock that diverges away from the excitation laser ring and an inner shock that focuses towards the center. A few nanoseconds after the converging shock reaches the focus and diverges away from the center, a single bubble nucleates at the center. The inner diverging shock then reaches the surface of the annular laser-induced bubble and reflects at the boundary, initiating nucleation of a tertiary bubble cloud. In the present experiments, we have performed time-resolved imaging of shock propagation and bubble wall motion. Our experimental observations of single-bubble cavitation and collapse and appearance of ring-shaped bubble clouds are consistent with our numerical simulations that solve a one-dimensional Euler equation in cylindrical coordinates. The numerical results agree qualitatively with the experimental observations of the appearance and growth of large bubble clouds at the smallest laser excitation rings. Our technique of shock-driven bubble cavitation opens interesting perspectives for the investigation of shock-induced single-bubble or multibubble cavitation phenomena in thin liquids.

Direct visualization of laser-driven focusing shock waves

Direct real-time visualization and measurement of laser-driven shock generation, propagation, and 2D focusing in a sample are demonstrated. A substantial increase of the pressure at the convergence of the cylindrical acoustic shock front is observed experimentally and simulated numerically. Single-shot acquisitions using a streak camera reveal that at the convergence of the shock wave in water the supersonic speed reaches Mach 6, corresponding to the multiple gigapascal pressure range ∼30 GPa.

HLA class I expression on human ovarian carcinoma cells correlates with T-cell infiltration in vivo and T-cell expansion in vitro in low concentrations of recombinant interleukin-2

This study was carried out to determine whether HLA class I or class II expression on ovarian tumor cells and lymphocytic infiltration of the epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) tissues were responsible for the ability to expand tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in vitro in low concentrations of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using monoclonal antibodies that recognize framework determinants of either HLA class I or HLA class II or leukocyte differentiation antigens (LCA, CD3, CD4, and CD8). Cryostat sections of EOC had HLA class I and HLA class II expression on at least 5% of tumor cells in 18 of 20 specimens (90%). From another portion of the same tumor specimens T-cell lines were developed from TIL in low concentrations of rIL-2 (200-600 IU/ml) in 7 of 17 patients. Tumors from which TIL were expanded in vitro with rIL-2 had significantly higher proportions of HLA class I-positive tumor cells (73 +/- 10%) compared to tumors from which TIL failed to grow (40 +/- 10%) (P = 0.036). However, there was no difference in the proportions of HLA class II-positive tumor cells between the two groups. Tumor specimens of patients whose TIL were expanded in rIL-2 had significantly higher numbers per field (423 +/- 114 vs 154 +/- 20; P = 0.005) and proportions (90 +/- 3% vs 77 +/- 4%; P = 0.023) of infiltrating CD3+ cells, significantly higher numbers per field (115 +/- 44 vs 19 +/- 5; P = 0.003) and proportions (25 +/- 5% vs 11 +/- 2%; P = 0.017) of CD8+ cells and significantly higher numbers per field of CD4+ cells (318 +/- 101 vs 113 +/- 18; P = 0.025), in comparison to tumor specimens from patients whose TIL did not grow in vitro. Significant correlations were observed between the proportions of HLA class I-positive EOC tumor cells and the numbers of infiltrating LCA-positive cells (r = 0.67; P = 0.005) CD3+ cells (r = 0.70; P = 0.002), CD4+ cells (r = 0.69; P = 0.003), and CD8+ cells (r = 0.82; P = 0.001). The proportions of HLA class II-positive tumor cells correlated positively (r = 0.45; P = 0.049) only with the numbers of CD8+-infiltrating cells. In conclusion, we report here that HLA class I expression on EOC cells correlates with T-cell infiltration in vivo and T-cell expansion in vitro, in low concentrations of rIL-2.

TP53 gene mutations and protein accumulation in primary vaginal carcinomas

Primary carcinomas from 46 patients were screened for TP53 alterations. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated nuclear TP53 protein accumulation in 22 (48%) cases using the polyclonal CM1 antiserum, whereas 15 (33%) cases showed positive nuclear staining with the mononuclear antibody PAb 1801. Constant denaturant gel electrophoresis (CDGE) was used to screen 27 of the vaginal carcinomas for mutations in the conserved regions of the TP53 gene (exons 5-8). Six of these tumours (22%) contained mutations: four were found in exon 5 and two in exon 8. A total of 50% of the primary vaginal carcinomas carried a TP53 alteration. These results indicate that TP53 abnormalities may be involved in the development of these tumours. However, there was no significant association between TP53 abnormalities and survival.

Characterization of fresh (uncultured) tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and TIL-derived T cell lines from patients with renal cell carcinoma

Fresh (uncultured) TIL from 12 untreated patients with primary renal cell carcinoma were prepared from tumour specimens by enzymatic digestion, and were characterized by immunofluorescence using MoAbs recognizing leucocyte differentiation antigens or particular V alpha or V beta segments of the T cell receptor (TCR). These fresh TIL comprised CD3+ (20-84%); CD4+ (3-15%); CD8+ (13-35%); alpha beta TCR+ (20-50%); gamma delta TCR+ (3-17%); CD16+ (1-18%) and CD56+ (3-10%) cells. Significant proportions of V alpha 2+, V beta 5.1+ and V beta 6+ cells were found in TIL of certain patients with renal cell carcinoma, suggesting that they comprised oligoclonal T cells. T cell lines were developed in low concentrations of rIL-2 (200 U/ml) from TIL from 11 patients with renal cell carcinoma, and were characterized by immunofluorescence and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. These T cell lines consisted primarily of CD3+ (51-94%); CD4+ (1-80%); CD8+ (0-84%); alpha beta TCR+ (65-87%); gamma delta TCR+ (0-25%); CD16+ (0-16%) and CD56+ (2-57%) cells. These T cell lines exhibited non-specific cytotoxicity against autologous and allogeneic renal tumour cells, with the exception of one T cell line that exhibited preferential cytotoxicity against autologous renal tumour cells. These results suggest that fresh TIL from patients with renal cell carcinoma contain significant proportions of oligoclonal T cells that may have accumulated at the tumour site as a result of a clonal expansion.

Cytokine production by T-cell lines derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from patients with ovarian carcinoma: tumor-specific immune responses and inhibition of antigen-independent cytokine production by ovarian tumor cells

The ability of T-cell lines derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from patients with ovarian carcinoma to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and IL-6 in response to autologous or allogeneic ovarian carcinoma tumor cells was determined. These T-cell lines were derived in low concentrations of recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2), 200 IU/ml. Certain of these T-cell lines (3 of 7) exhibited antigen-independent (spontaneous) production of moderate to low concentrations of IFN-gamma (75 to 112 pg/ml), TNF-alpha (62-88 pg/ml), and IL-6 (38 to 690 pg/ml), in culture medium alone in the absence of rIL-2, tumor cells or polyclonal activators. Addition of 20 IU/ml of rIL-2 to the cultures resulted in a significant increase of the antigen-independent production of IFN-gamma (range 75-6480 pg/ml) by all seven T-cell lines and TNF-alpha (44-490 pg/ml) by 5 of 7 T-cell lines. Certain T-cell lines (4 of 7) exhibited antigen-independent production of IL-6 (38-690 pg/ml), which was not affected by the addition of 20 IU/ml of rIL-2. Certain TIL-derived T-cell lines (2 of 7) produced IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in response to stimulation with autologous ovarian tumor cells, in the presence of 20 IU/ml of rIL-2. Irradiated autologous ovarian tumor cells alone or in the presence of rIL-2 did not produce any detectable levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, or IL-6 during the 6 day culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Surgical treatment for tubal pregnancies

From these data, it seems highly likely that conservation of the involved tube does not substantially increase the risk of a future ectopic pregnancy, although it does slightly increase the chance of a subsequent intrauterine pregnancy. This advantage of conservative therapy is also demonstrable in patients with a repeat tubal pregnancy. Pregnancy rates after conservative operation still compare favorably with those after in vitro fertilization. There seems to be a slightly increased risk of persistent trophoblastic activity after laparoscopic conservative therapy compared with conservative surgical treatment by laparotomy, but prospective randomized data are lacking. The psychosocial and economic benefits of laparoscopic treatment are well established.

A review of the literature on nonsurgical treatment in tubal pregnancies

In some cases tubal pregnancy resolves spontaneously. The risk of subsequent surgical intervention due to either tubal rupture or the entry criteria of the study varies from 0 per cent to 31 per cent. The major problem in nonsurgical treatment of tubal pregnancy is the absence of a parameter that reveals the threat of tubal rupture. In addition, data on the functional recovery of the fallopian tube are controversial. The scarcity of data on medical treatment with RU486, glucose 50 per cent, KCL, and actinomycin-D make proper evaluation impossible. Both MTX and prostaglandin treatment should be investigated further. Compiled data on prostaglandin treatment in cases of unruptured tubal pregnancy do not show better results than data on expectant management only. If, however, patients with initial serum hCG levels greater than 1000 mIU/ml or greater than 2500 mIU/ml are excluded from this therapy, the risk of tubal rupture diminishes. Side effects are minimal, especially if injection into the corpus luteum is omitted. Compiled data on MTX treatment in cases of unruptured tubal pregnancy show a crude risk of subsequent surgical intervention of 5 per cent. If patients with an initial serum hCG level exceeding 10,000 mIU/ml are excluded, the risk of tubal rupture is limited to 3 per cent. (The estimated risk of persistent trophoblastic activity after conservative surgical therapy is also 5 per cent.) Studies on the optimum MTX dosage, treatment scheme, and method of administration are still going on. Side effects are reversible and minimal. Theoretically, the local injection of MTX is more effective. Although often used to propagate a new way of treatment, fertility in the future is a questionable parameter in the evaluation of therapy. Fertility is influenced by so many factors other than the method of treatment that it can only be used for treatment evaluation in a case control or a randomized prospective study. Such a study has yet to be published. Besides the influence on future fertility, other results of treatment, such as morbidity, cost, and length of hospital stay should be taken into account.

An office semiquantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin determination

OBJECTIVE

To compare the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentration, established by a standard serum quantitative hCG fluorescent immunoassay and a semiquantitative serum determination.

DESIGN

Patients were asked to give two serum samples early in pregnancy to establish the accuracy of a semiquantitative serum hCG test in diluted and undiluted serum samples.

SETTING

In a laboratory setting, two serum samples were determined; one sample was submitted for standard serum hCG radioimmunoassay, and the other was tested for hCG by the 25 IU Tandem ICON Assay (Hybritech, Liege, Belgium) in diluted and undiluted serum samples.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixteen patients supposed to be pregnant.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Within dilutional zones, the results of a semiquantitative hCG test were compared with a known standard quantitative serum hCG immunoassay measurements.

RESULT

The semiquantitative hCG ranges of serum hCG compare fairly well with an accurate standard quantitative serum hCG immunoassay.

CONCLUSION

The determination of a serum hCG range compares well with the standard quantitative serum hCG immunoassay (First International Reference Preparation) and can be completed within 15 minutes. This office semiquantitative serum hCG determination proved to be a quick and reliable test.

Histopathology of five tubes after treatment with methotrexate for a tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether treatment with a local high dose of methotrexate (MTX) for a tubal pregnancy hampers tubal repair.

DESIGN

From a total of 67 cases treated with MTX for their tubal pregnancy, two tubes ruptured shortly after the MTX injection and were removed. One patient insisted on a removal of the affected tube in spite of the fact that serum human chorionic gonadotropin was negative. Two patients had her tube removed +/- 1 year after the MTX treatment during a salpingo-oophorectomy because of endometriosis and cystic enlarged ovary.

RESULTS

In the ruptured tubes there were no findings supporting the idea that tubal rupture occurred because of the injection of MTX into the tube. There were also no signs of a hampered tubal-tissue response to the insult of invading chorionic tissue. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the unruptured tubes showed no residual tubal destruction. In the tubal wall, all layers were normal and continuous, all unruptured tubes were gracile without distention.

CONCLUSION

Methotrexate applied in a high local dose does not seem to hamper tubal response against the insult of invading chorionic tissue or to interfere with the ultimate tubal repair.

Treatment of tubal pregnancy by local injection of methotrexate after adrenaline injection into the mesosalpinx: a report of 25 patients

Twenty-five patients with a tubal pregnancy were treated by an injection of methotrexate (MTX) into the tubal swelling after vasoconstriction of the mesosalpinx with adrenaline. Twenty-four of the 25 patients had an uneventful clinical course. In one case, the tube ruptured despite falling serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations. In 17 of 24 patients, the dose of 100 mg that was locally injected was sufficient. Seven patients were given additional systemic injections. In 3 of the 4 patients with high initial serum hCG levels (greater than 10.000 mIU/mL), the clinical course was uneventful. The side effects of MTX and adrenaline were minimal. Whether this way of treatment guarantees better chances of fertility in the future is unknown. Therefore a prospective, case-controlled study comparing the fertility rates in different ways of treatment is needed.