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Intestinal methane (CH4) gas production has been associated with a number of clinical conditions and may have important metabolic and physiological effects. In this study, taxonomic and functional gene analyses and in vitro CH4 gas measurements were used to determine if molecular markers can potentially serve as clinical tests for colonic CH4 production. We performed a cross-sectional study involving full stool samples collected from 33 healthy individuals. In vitro CH4 gas measurements were obtained after 2-h incubation of stool samples and used to characterize samples as CH4 positive (CH4+) and CH4 negative (CH4–; n = 10 and 23, respectively). Next, we characterized the fecal microbiota through high-throughput DNA sequencing with a particular emphasis on archaeal phylum Euryarchaeota. Finally, qPCR analyses, targeting the mcrA gene, were done to determine the ability to differentiate CH4+ versus CH4− samples and to delineate major methanogen species associated with CH4 production. Methanobrevibacter was found to be the most abundant methane producer and its relative abundance provides a clear distinction between CH4+ versus CH4− samples. Its sequencing-based relative abundance detection threshold for CH4 production was calculated to be 0.097%. The qPCR-based detection threshold separating CH4+ versus CH4− samples, based on mcrA gene copies, was 5.2 × 105 copies/g. Given the decreased time-burden placed on patients, a qPCR-based test on a fecal sample can become a valuable tool in clinical assessment of CH4 producing status.

Although both infections and vaccines induce memory B cell (MBC) populations that participate in secondary immune responses, the MBCs generated in each case can differ. Here, we compare SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (S1-RBD)-specific primary MBCs that form in response to infection or a single mRNA vaccination. Both primary MBC populations have similar frequencies in the blood and respond to a second S1-RBD exposure by rapidly producing plasmablasts with an abundant immunoglobulin (Ig)A+ subset and secondary MBCs that are mostly IgG+ and cross-react with the B.1.351 variant. However, infection-induced primary MBCs have better antigen-binding capacity and generate more plasmablasts and secondary MBCs of the classical and atypical subsets than do vaccine-induced primary MBCs. Our results suggest that infection-induced primary MBCs have undergone more affinity maturation than vaccine-induced primary MBCs and produce more robust secondary responses., Graphical abstract, Memory B cells (MBCs) generated by different types of primary immune responses may have functional differences. Pape et al. find that SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific MBCs induced by infection had better antigen-binding capacity than did vaccine-induced primary MBCs and were more efficient at generating plasmablasts and secondary MBCs.

Intestinal methane (CHIn this study, taxonomic and functional gene analyses and in vitro CHWe performed a cross-sectional study involving full stool samples collected from 33 healthy individuals. In vitro CHMethanobrevibacter was found to be the most abundant methane producer and its relative abundance provides a clear distinction between CHGiven the decreased time-burden placed on patients, a qPCR-based test on a fecal sample can become a valuable tool in clinical assessment of CH

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have gained interest for their biocompatibility and multifunctional properties. Ultra-short SWNTs (US-tubes) have demonstrated high proton relaxivity when encapsulating gadolinium ions (Gd(3+)) at clinical field strengths. At higher field strengths, however, Gd(3+) ions demonstrate decreased proton relaxation properties while chemically similar dysprosium ions (Dy(3+)) improve relaxation properties. This report investigates the first use of Gd(3+) and Dy(3+) ions within US-tubes (GNTs and DNTs, respectively) at ultra-high magnetic field (21.1 T). Both agents are compared in solution and as an intracellular contrast agent labeling a murine microglia cell line (Bv2) immobilized in a tissue-mimicking agarose phantom using two high magnetic fields: 21.1 and 11.75 T. In solution at 21.1 T, results show excellent transverse relaxation; DNTs outperformed GNTs as a T(2) agent with measured r(2)/r(1) ratios of 247 and 47, respectively. Additionally, intracellular DNTs were shown to be a better T(2) agent than GNTs with higher contrast percentages and contrast-to-noise ratios. As such, this study demonstrates the potential of DNTs at high magnetic fields for cellular labeling and future in vivo, MRI-based cell tracking.

Since 1966, NOAA satellites have been used to create weekly Northern Hemisphere snow cover maps. This 24-year database is available on digital tape and is annually updated. The digital data can be used to calculate snow cover area and create snow cover frequency and anomaly maps. It is the only known long-term record of hemispheric snow cover. In 1993, the new NOAA-K,L,M series of satellites will have a radiometer with a channel at 1.6 μm which will provide a more accurate assessment of global snow cover as it can discriminate snow from clouds. In addition, the NOAA-K,L,M satellites will have microwave sensors capable of detecting snow cover through clouds. During this decade, climatologists will have a global monitoring system for snow cover based on operational NOAA satellite sensors.

Major volcanic eruptions of El Chichon on 28 March 1982, 3 April 1982 and 4 April 1982 produced heavy tephra falls in surrounding areas. Data from the NOAA-6 and NOAA-7 satellites were used to determine the extent of the tephra falls. The satellite data showed a larger area of tephra deposition than was reported from conventional ground measurements.

Tropical burning often occurs in remote areas of the world. Satellite remote sensing is the only practical solution for detecting and monitoring this burning. The capability of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration polar orbiting satellites to detect tropical fire activity in the Manaus, Brazil area is demonstrated.

Due to increased concern over the climatic and economic impact of fires associated with deforestation and seasonal burning, most of which occurs in remote parts of the worid, it is necessary to find ways to effectively monitor such activity. The 3.8μm channel on board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's polar-orbiting satellites is very sensitive to high temperature sources such as fires. Case studies in Mexico, Brazil, Mozambique and the Soviet Union have been selected to demonstrate the utility of this channel for fire detection. With the fire detection capability of the 3.8 μm channel and the daily global coverage, it is possible to monitor world-wide fire activity.

On June 15, 1977, an unusual brightness anomaly was detected in the north arm of Great Salt Lake, Utah, on NOAA-5 Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) visible band imagery and on Landsat-2 multispectral visual band imagery. Retrospective inspection of NOAA-3, 4, and 5 satellite imagery from 1974–77 revealed 12 previous cases of the anomaly, whereas post monitoring documented nine other cases through May 1978. Comparison of lake levels in the north arm with meteorological parameters leads to the conclusion that the anomalous brightness is associated with wind induced seiches in the north arm. Apparently the wind induces a lower water depth, turbulence, and mixing throughout the water column in the western third of the north arm, thus increasing the brightness of the surface waters chiefly from sediment resuspension.

Winter season snow and ice charts of the Northern Hemisphere based on satellite data from 1966 through 1975 were examined to determine the extent and area of snow cover in Eurasia and North America Graphical analysis indicates no significant overall increase in North American winter snow cover for the 9-year period of data, whereas over the same period a large fluctuation occurred in Eurasia. Regression analysis yielded several equations with correlation coefficients significant enough to have possible applications for 30-, 60-, and 90-day forecasting of seasonal, hemispheric, and continental snow cover.

Images from the NOAA polar orbiting satellites are used to assess the extent of snowcover in the Sierra Nevada mountain range during the 1977 drought year. A real snowcover measurements derived from late April satellite imagery reveal the entire mountain range to have less than one third the snowcover that was present at a comparable date in 1975. Ratios of 1977 to 1975 snowcover for individual basins of the Sierra Nevadas ranged from a low of 1:9 in low elevation watersheds to a high of 1:2 in high elevation watersheds. Reduction of the satellite data was accomplished through the use of a density slicer, a color additive viewer, and an optical rectification device.

On 28 July 1977 an unusually cloud-ftee nighttime thermal infrared image of the midwestern and northeastern United States from the NOAA 5 satellite enabled detection of more than 50 urban beat islands. Analysis of digital data from the satellite for selected cities yielded maximum urban-rural temperature differences ranging from 2.6 to 6.5°C. Through computer enhancement and enlargement of the satellite imagery, the urban beat islands of St. Louis, Washington, DC and Baltimore can be depicted at a usable scale as large as 1:500 000. A comparison of the enhanced thermal infrared imagery with the 1970 U.S. Census maps of urbanized areas for the three cities indicates the extent of possible urbanization changes in the last seven years.

The March 28, April 3, and April 4, 1982 eruptions of El Chichon Volcano were detected and monitored using the GOES and NOAA-6 environmental satellites. The satellite data provided information about the height and dispersal of the eruption plume and subsequent ash cloud on each of these dates. Based on the satellite data it was concluded that the March 28 eruption, the second of two eruptions on April 3, and the April 4 eruption injected material into the stratosphere at heights between 17 and 31 km.

The stratospheric dust cloud from the 4 April 1982 eruption of El Chichon volcano in southern Mexico was observed to travel completely around the world in a 3-week period. Images from satellites operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were used to prepare daily maps of the location of the volcanic dust cloud, which is the largest and longest-lasting one so far observed with satellite imagery.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar-orbiting environmental satellites routinely acquire imagery over the Soviet Arctic for ice analyses. In late 1984, during a routine search for satellite ice imagery of this area, Will Gould, chief archivist of the NOAA satellite imagery archive, discovered large cold plumes emanating from Novaya Zemlya Island, U.S.S.R. (74°N, 57°E). Subsequent random searches of the archive revealed other plume cases. To date, 11 cases have been documented between 1980 and 1986 (Table 1).

Las erupciones del volcán El Chichón del 28 de marzo y del 3 y el 4 de abril de 1982 fueron percibidas y observadas mediante los satélites ambientales geoestacionarios y de órbita polar. Con base en los datos de dichos satélites se concluyó que la erupción del 28 de marzo, la segunda de las dos erupciones del 3 de abril y la del 4 de abril inyectaron materiales terrestres en la estratosfera a alturas entre 17 y 31 km. Se observó en las imágenes de satélite que la nube de polvo estratosférico resultante de la erupción del 4 de abril completó su viaje alrededor de la Tierra en un período de tres semanas. Se pudo determinar que la altitud de la nube de polvo fue aproximadamente de 24 km.