reflectance spectra measurements of mt etna a comparison with multispectral hyperspectral satellite

We present a collection of eight reflectance spectra representative of Mt. Etna volcano lava flows. The reflectance spectra were measured with a FieldSpecPro from 350 nm to 2500 nm during a fieldwork in June 2007. The reflectance has been compared with reflectance obtained by multispectral Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and by hyper spectral EO1-Hyperion satellites. Prior the comparison, reflectance spectra have been convolved with ASTER and EO1-Hyperion spectral functions. The results show percentage errors in accordance to those present in literature in the ASTER SWIR range. However, some differences have been confirmed for the ASTER reflectance product (ASTER_07) in visible channels. Regarding EO1-Hyperion, a good agreement of reflectance against field measurement has been found resulting in 5% percentage maximum error in the VIS and up 30% in SWIR spectral range. The capacity of reproducing spectral feature by EO1-Hyperion has been checked on bright pixels (ice-snow) in the acquired image

WFDE5: Bias-adjusted ERA5 reanalysis data for impact studies

The WFDE5 dataset has been generated using the WATCH Forcing Data (WFD) methodology applied to surface meteorological variables from the ERA5 reanalysis. The WFDEI dataset had previously been generated by applying the WFD methodology to ERA-Interim. The WFDE5 is provided at 0.5 spatial resolution but has higher temporal resolution (hourly) compared to WFDEI (3-hourly). It also has higher spatial variability since it was generated by aggregation of the higher-resolution ERA5 rather than by interpolation of the lower-resolution ERA-Interim data. Evaluation against meteorological observations at 13 globally distributed FLUXNET2015 sites shows that, on average, WFDE5 has lower mean absolute error and higher correlation than WFDEI for all variables. Bias-adjusted monthly precipitation totals of WFDE5 result in more plausible global hydrological water balance components when analysed in an uncalibrated hydrological model (WaterGAP) than with the use of raw ERA5 data for model forcing. The dataset, which can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.20d54e34 (C3S, 2020b), is distributed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) through its Climate Data Store (CDS, C3S, 2020a) and currently spans from the start of January 1979 to the end of 2018. The dataset has been produced using a number of CDS Toolbox applications, whose source code is available with the data - allowing users to regenerate part of the dataset or apply the same approach to other data. Future updates are expected spanning from 1950 to the most recent year. A sample of the complete dataset, which covers the whole of the year 2016, is accessible without registration to the CDS at https://doi.org/10.21957/935p-cj60 (Cucchi et al., 2020). © Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License

WFDE5: bias adjusted ERA5 reanalysis data for impact studies

The WFDE5 dataset has been generated using the WATCH Forcing Data (WFD) methodology applied to surface meteorological variables from the ERA5 reanalysis. The WFDEI dataset had previously been generated by applying the WFD methodology to ERA-Interim. The WFDE5 is provided at 0.5o spatial resolution, but has higher temporal resolution (hourly) compared to WFDEI (3-hourly). It also has higher spatial variability since it was generated by aggregation of the higher-resolution ERA5 rather than by interpolation of the lower resolution ERA-Interim data. Evaluation against meteorological observations at 13 globally distributed FLUXNET2015 sites shows that, on average, WFDE5 has lower mean absolute error and higher correlation than WFDEI for all variables. Bias-adjusted monthly precipitation totals of WFDE5 result in more plausible global hydrological water balance components as analyzed in an uncalibrated hydrological model (WaterGAP) than use of raw ERA5 data for model forcing. The dataset, which can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.20d54e34 (C3S, 2020), is distributed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) through its Climate Data Store (CDS, C3S, 2020) and currently spans from the start of January 1979 to the end of 2018. The dataset has been produced using a number of CDS Toolbox applications, whose source code is available with the data - allowing users to re-generate part of the dataset or apply the same approach on other data. Future updates are expected spanning from 1950 to the most recent year. A sample of the complete dataset, which covers the whole 2016 year, is accessible without registration to the CDS at https://doi.org/10.21957/935p-cj60

Anticipating species distributions:handling sampling effort bias under a Bayesian framework

Anticipating species distributions in space and time is necessary for effective biodiversity conservation and for prioritising management interventions. This is especially true when considering invasive species. In such a case, anticipating their spread is important to effectively plan management actions. However, considering uncertainty in the output of species distribution models is critical for correctly interpreting results and avoiding inappropriate decision-making. In particular, when dealing with species inventories, the bias resulting from sampling effort may lead to an over- or under-estimation of the local density of occurrences of a species. In this paper we propose an innovative method to i) map sampling effort bias using cartogram models and ii) explicitly consider such uncertainty in the modeling procedure under a Bayesian framework, which allows the integration of multilevel input data with prior information to improve the anticipation species distributions

In-flight calibration system of imaging x-ray polarimetry explorer

The NASA/ASI Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, which will be launched in 2021, will be the first instrument to perform spatially resolved X-ray polarimetry on several astronomical sources in the 2-8 keV energy band. These measurements are made possible owing to the use of a gas pixel detector (GPD) at the focus of three X-ray telescopes. The GPD allows simultaneous measurements of the interaction point, energy, arrival time, and polarization angle of detected X-ray photons. The increase in sensitivity, achieved 40 years ago, for imaging and spectroscopy with the Einstein satellite will thus be extended to X-ray polarimetry for the first time. The characteristics of gas multiplication detectors are subject to changes over time. Because the GPD is a novel instrument, it is particularly important to verify its performance and stability during its mission lifetime. For this purpose, the spacecraft hosts a filter and calibration set (FCS), which includes both polarized and unpolarized calibration sources for performing in-flight calibration of the instruments. In this study, we present the design of the flight models of the FCS and the first measurements obtained using silicon drift detectors and CCD cameras, as well as those obtained in thermal vacuum with the flight units of the GPD. We show that the calibration sources successfully assess and verify the functionality of the GPD and validate its scientific results in orbit; this improves our knowledge of the behavior of these detectors in X-ray polarimetry

L'espace domestique au Bronze final et au premier âge du Fer dans le sud de la Corse

We present a synthetic approach to the kinds of housing found in the mountainous Alta Rocca sector of southern Corsica during the late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Study of protohistoric non-fortified sites in Corsica is relatively new, but the numerous projects carried out in recent years reveal the structural and developmental complexity of living spaces, thus permitting an initial comparative analysis. This is based mainly on the excavations of the large settlement of Cuciurpula that began in 2008 and are still in progress. It also makes use of the 2012 test pits in the villages of Puzzonu and Nuciaresa. The chronology of the areas that were studied cover the entire time span from the 12th to the 4th century B.C., and thus permit one to understand the developmental changes that occurred with respect to both the overall settlement organization and the internal space and architecture of the dwellings

Relationship between B-type natriuretic peptide levels and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular filling pressures in post-cardiac surgery patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is increased in post-cardiac surgery patients, however the mechanisms underlying BNP release are still unclear. In the current study, we aimed to assess the relationship between postoperative BNP levels and left ventricular filling pressures in post-cardiac surgery patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We prospectively enrolled 134 consecutive patients referred to our Center 8 ± 5 days after cardiac surgery. BNP was sampled at hospital admission and related to the following echocardiographic parameters: left ventricular (LV) diastolic volume (DV), LV systolic volume (SV), LV ejection fraction (EF), LV mass, relative wall thickness (RWT), indexed left atrial volume (_iLAV), mitral inflow E/A ratio, mitral E wave deceleration time (DT), ratio of the transmitral E wave to the Doppler tissue early mitral annulus velocity (E/E').</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 124 patients had both BNP and echocardiographic data. The BNP values were significantly elevated (mean 353 ± 356 pg/ml), with normal value in only 17 patients (13.7%). Mean LVEF was 59 ± 10% (LVEF ≥50% in 108 pts). There was no relationship between BNP and LVEF (p = 0.11), LVDV (p = 0.88), LVSV (p = 0.50), E/A (p = 0.77), DT (p = 0.33) or RWT (p = 0.50). In contrast, BNP was directly related to E/E' (p < 0.001), LV mass (p = 0.006) and _iLAV (p = 0.026). At multivariable regression analysis, age and E/E' were the only independent predictors of BNP levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In post-cardiac surgery patients with overall preserved LV systolic function, the significant increase in BNP levels is related to E/E', an echocardiographic parameter of elevated LV filling pressures which indicates left atrial pressure as a major determinant in BNP release in this clinical setting.</p

Loss of Gnas Imprinting Differentially Affects REM/NREM Sleep and Cognition in Mice

It has been suggested that imprinted genes are important in the regulation of sleep. However, the fundamental question of whether genomic imprinting has a role in sleep has remained elusive up to now. In this work we show that REM and NREM sleep states are differentially modulated by the maternally expressed imprinted gene Gnas. In particular, in mice with loss of imprinting of Gnas, NREM and complex cognitive processes are enhanced while REM and REM–linked behaviors are inhibited. This is the first demonstration that a specific overexpression of an imprinted gene affects sleep states and related complex behavioral traits. Furthermore, in parallel to the Gnas overexpression, we have observed an overexpression of Ucp1 in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and a significant increase in thermoregulation that may account for the REM/NREM sleep phenotypes. We conclude that there must be significant evolutionary advantages in the monoallelic expression of Gnas for REM sleep and for the consolidation of REM–dependent memories. Conversely, biallelic expression of Gnas reinforces slow wave activity in NREM sleep, and this results in a reduction of uncertainty in temporal decision-making processes

IXPE instrument integration, testing and verification

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is a scientific observatory with the purpose of expand observation space adding polarization property to the X-ray source's currently measured characteristics. The mission selected in the context of NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) is a collaboration between NASA and ASI that will provide to observatory the instrumentation of focal plane. IXPE instrument is composed by three photoelectric polarimeters based on the Gas Pixel Detector (GPD) design, integrated by INFN inside the detector unit (DU) that comprises of the electrical interfaces required to control and communicate with the GPD. The three DUs are interfaced with spacecraft through a detector service unit (DSU) that collect scientific and ancillary data and provides a basically data handling and interfaces to manage the three DUs. AIV has been planned to combine calibration of DUs and Instrument integration and verification activities. Due the tight schedule and the scientific and functional requirements to be verified, in IAPS/INAF have been assembled two equipment's that work in parallel. The flight model of each DU after the environmental tests campaign was calibrated on-ground using the Instrument Calibration Equipment (ICE) and subsequently integrated in the instrument in the AIV-T process on a AIV and Calibration Equipment (ACE), both the facilities managed by Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) that emulate the spacecraft interfaces of power supply, functional and thermal control and scientific data collection. AIV activities test functionalities and nominal/off-nominal orbits activities of IXPE instrument each time a calibrated DU is connected to DSU flight model completing step by step the full instrument. Here we describe the details of instrumentation and procedures adopted to make possible the full integration and test activities compatibly with calibration of IXPE Instrument