0000000000138959
AUTHOR
D. Serrano
UV Index experimental values on vertical surfaces
UV erythemal irradiance (UVER) has been studied on a horizontal plane and on vertical surfaces with different orientations in Valencia, Spain. The evolution of the solar noon value and the maximum daily value over a year has been analysed from the instantaneous UVER taken every five minutes on the horizontal plane and on vertical surfaces with north, south, east and west orientations. The annual evolution of these values shows a sinusoidal form for all planes except for the vertical south plane with maxima in spring and autumn. The UV Index (UVI) on these planes was also determined. The percentage of coincidence of the UVI at solar noon and of the maximum daily UVER values, considering diff…
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study
Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in su…
Wavelength dependence of the effective cloud optical depth
This study examines the wavelength dependence of cloud optical depth. To accomplish this task two different wavelength bands of the solar spectrum were considered in the cloud optical depth retrieval which was conducted in Valencia, Spain. The first retrieval used global irradiance measurements in the UVER range taken from a YES-UVB-1 radiometer in combination with multiple scattering model estimates; while the second retrieval was obtained in the Broadband range, with measurements of global solar surface irradiance from a CM6 pyranometer and a multiple scattering model. Whilst the dependence of the cloud optical depth (τ) on the wavelength is small, the best result was displayed by the SBD…
Relationship between the effective cloud optical depth and different atmospheric transmission factors
This study examines the sensitivity of cloud optical depth (COD) for overcast conditions to radiation transmission using data collected in Valencia, Spain. These relationships are provided as simple empirical functions, therefore avoiding the need to apply complex model minimisation schemes to obtain COD. Comparisons are presented between COD obtained by a minimization method and several radiation transmission factors comprising a clearness index (kt), a modified version (kt'), a cloud modification factor (CMF) and its modified version (CMF'). Additionally, a statistical model of COD proposed by J.C. Barnard and C.N. Long (2004) is tested with our data. Statistical relationships between COD…
Sensitivity of UVER enhancement to broken liquid water clouds: A Monte Carlo approach
The study uses a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model to examine the sensitivity of the UV erythemal radiation (UVER) enhancement to broken liquid water clouds of the cumulus and stratocumulus type. The model uses monochromatic radiation at 310 nm corresponding approximately to the peak of the product between irradiance and the erythemal curve. All scattering, absorption, extinction coefficients, and spectral albedos are tuned to this wavelength. In order of importance, fractional cloud cover, the area of individual cloud patches, and cloud thickness exert a strong influence on the enhancement, with smaller contributions from cloud optical depth, cloud base height, and solar zenith angle. I…
Effective cloud optical depth and enhancement effects for broken liquid water clouds in Valencia (Spain)
Partly cloudy skies with liquid water clouds have been analysed, founding that it is essential to distinguish data if the Sun is obstructed or not by clouds. Both cases can be separated considering simultaneously the Cloud Modification Factor (CMF) and the clearness index (kt). For partly cloudy skies and the Sun obstructed the effective cloud optical depth (τ) has been obtained by the minimization method for overcast skies. This method was previously developed by the authors but, in this case, taking into account partial cloud cover. This study has been conducted for the years 2011–2015 with the multiple scattering model SBDART and irradiance measurements for the UV Erythemal Radiation (UV…
Effective cloud optical depth for overcast conditions determined with a UV radiometers
Using a sky camera, episodes characterized by overcast low clouds in the Valencia region of Spain have been selected for analysis. One year of cloud optical depth data have been produced by inverting UV erythemal irradiance measured with a UVB-1 radiometer from Yankee Environmental Systems using the LibRadtran radiative transfer model. Measurement uncertainties, aerosol single scattering albedo and cloud properties are, in order of decreasing importance, the most important factors influencing the accuracy of cloud optical depth retrieval when using UV erythemal radiometers. Statistics for cloud optical depth show a highly skewed frequency distribution best described by a gamma distribution …