Access Control Design and Implementations in the ATLAS Experiment

The ATLAS experiment operates with a significant number of hardware and software resources. Their protection against misuse is an essential task to ensure a safe and optimal operation. To achieve this goal, the Role Based Access Control (RBAC) model has been chosen for its scalability, flexibility, ease of administration and usability from the lowest operating system level to the highest software application level. This paper presents the overall design of RBAC implementation in the ATLAS experiment and the enforcement solutions in different areas such as the system administration, control room desktops and the data acquisition software. The users and the roles are centrally managed using a directory service based on Lightweight Directory Access Protocol which is kept in synchronization with the human resources and IT data

The meteorological model RAMS at Crati Scrl

International audienceAt Crati Scrl an operational version of RAMS 4.3 (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System) was implemented in January 2001. This paper aims to give a first assessment of model performances for quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF). In essence, the effects of enhanced horizontal grid resolution over Calabria, using a 6km spacing domain nested in a 30km resolution parent grid, is studied. To cope with this problem two integrations sets are discussed using two model resolutions. Integrations are performed daily for six months. ECMWF 12:00UTC forecast cycle is used for initial and dynamic boundary conditions. Performances are evaluated by scores computed from model outputs and raingauge measurements coming from Calabrian regional network

The application of LEPS technique for Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) in Southern Italy

International audienceThis paper reports preliminary results of a Limited area model Ensemble Prediction System (LEPS), based on RAMS, for eight case studies of moderate-intense precipitation over Calabria, the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula. LEPS aims to transfer the benefits of a probabilistic forecast from global to regional scales in countries where local orographic forcing is a key factor to force convection. To accomplish this task and to limit computational time, in order to implement LEPS operational, we perform a cluster analysis of ECMWF-EPS runs. Starting from the 51 members that forms the ECMWF-EPS we generate five clusters. For each cluster a representative member is selected and used to provide initial and dynamic boundary conditions to RAMS, whose integrations generate LEPS. RAMS runs have 12 km horizontal resolution. Hereafter this ensemble will be referred also as LEPS_12L30. To analyze the impact of enhanced horizontal resolution on quantitative precipitation forecast, LEPS_12L30 forecasts are compared to a lower resolution ensemble, based on RAMS that has 50 km horizontal resolution and 51 members, nested in each ECMWF-EPS member. Hereafter this ensemble will be also referred as LEPS_50L30. LEPS_12L30 and LEPS_50L30 results were compared subjectively for all case studies but, for brevity, results are reported for two "representative" cases only. Subjective analysis is based on ensemble-mean precipitation and probability maps. Moreover, a short summary of objective scores. Maps and scores are evaluated against reports of Calabria regional raingauges network. Results show better LEPS_12L30 performance compared to LEPS_50L30. This is obtained for all case studies selected and strongly suggests the importance of the enhanced horizontal resolution, compared to ensemble population, for Calabria, at least for set-ups and case studies selected in this work

On the performance of a limited area model for quantitative precipitation forecast over Calabria

At Crati Scrl an operational version of RAMS 4.3 (Regional Atmospheric Modeling System), with a son grid over Calabria, was implemented in January 2001. This paper aims to give a first assessment of model performances for quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF). In particular two issues of weather forecast are discussed. First problem refers to effects introduced by enhanced resolution over Calabria, using a 6 km resolution grid nested in a 30 km parent grid. Second issue discusses forecast deterioration with increasing forecast time. To cope with these problems, two sets of integrations are discussed using two different model configurations. Differences between configurations are only due to model resolutions. Integrations are performed daily for six months. Each integration starts at 12 UTC and lasts for 60 h, with 12 h spin-up time. ECMWF 12 UTC analysis and following forecast are used as initial and dynamic boundary conditions. Models performances are evaluated computing scores by comparing model outputs with raingauges data coming from Calabria regional network. Results show better performances of finergrid resolution compared to the coarser one and confirms the usefulness of enhanced resolution over complex terrain. In addition, performances decrease with increasing forecast time with first integration day performing better than second forecast day but differences are not statistically significant at 5% level

Predictability of intense rain storms in the Central Mediterraneanbasin: sensitivity to upper-level forcing

International audienceThis study investigates the sensitivity of a moderate-intense storm that occurred over Calabria, southern Italy, to upper-tropospheric forcing from a Potential Vorticity (PV) perspective. A prominent mid-troposheric trough can be identified for this event, which occurred between 22?24 May 2002, and serves as the precursor agent for the moderate-intense precipitation recorded. The working hypothesis is that the uncertainty in the representation of the upper-level disturbance has a major impact on the precipitation forecast and we test the hypothesis in a two-step approach. First, we examine the degree of uncertainty by comparing five different scenarios in a Limited area model Ensemble Prediction System (LEPS) framework which utilizes the height of the dynamical tropopause as the discriminating variable. Pseudo water vapour images of different scenarios are compared to the corresponding METEOSAT 7 water vapour image at a specific time, antecedent to the rain occurrence over Calabria, in order to evaluate the reliability of the different precipitation scenarios simulated by the LEPS. Second, we examine the impact of upper tropospheric PV variations on precipitation by comparing model simulations with slightly different initial PV fields. Initial velocity and mass fields in each case are balanced with the chosen PV perturbation using a PV inversion technique. The results of this study support the working hypothesis

Detection of pollutant sources in the atmosphere with Lidar/Dial techniques: Results of an experimental campaign in the south of Italy

In the last years, surveying large regions of the atmosphere in an automatic way, for early detection of pollutant sources in urban and industrial areas, has become a strategic objective of various public health organizations. The Lidar/Dial technique has become a well-established laser remote sensing method for atmosphere monitoring. It is often used to probe almost any level of the atmosphere and to acquire information necessary to validate theoretical models about different topics of atmospheric physics. It can also be deployed for environment surveying by monitoring particles, aerosols and molecules. For these reasons, an experimental campaign for evaluating the performances of a Lidar/Dial system in detecting pollutants (particulate and/or chemical compounds) has been carried out in an industrial area in the south of Italy. In this work, a homemade Lidar/Dial system (developed and built by the authors) and the results of the experimental campaign will be presented and discussed. © 2014 AEIT

The seasonal characteristics of the breeze circulation at a coastal Mediterranean site in South Italy

We present a study on the characteristics of the sea breeze flow at a coastal site located in the centre of the Mediterranean basin at the southern tip of Italy. This study is finalized to add new data on breeze circulations over a narrow peninsula and present a unique experimental coastal site at about 600 m from the coastline in a flat open area at the foot of a mountain chain located in a region of complex orography. We study the seasonal behaviour of the sea-land breeze circulation by analysing two years of hourly data of wind speed and direction, temperature, radiation and relative humidity from a surface meteorological station, eighteen-months data from a wind profiler, and two-year data from the ECMWF analysis. <br><br> Results show that breezes dominate the local circulation and play a major role for the local climate. They are modulated by the season, through the sea-land temperature difference and the large-scale flow. The large-scale forcing acts in phase with the diurnal breeze and opposes the nocturnal breeze. <br><br> In summer, the daytime difference between the land surface temperature and the SST (Sea Surface Temperature) reaches its maximum, while the nigh-time difference has its minimum. This causes a strong, frequent and intense diurnal breeze and a weak nocturnal breeze. <br><br> In winter and fall the nocturnal difference between the sea and land surface temperature reaches a maximum value, while the diurnal difference is at its minimum value. This causes a strong, frequent and intense nocturnal breeze despite of the large-scale forcing that is usually opposed to local-scale flow

The effect of quarantine due to Covid-19 pandemic on seizure frequency in 102 adult people with epilepsy from Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy

Objective: following the COVID-19 pandemic, a quarantine was imposed to all of regions Italy by 9th March until 3rd May 2020. We investigated the effect of COVID-19 infection and quarantine on seizure frequency in adult people with epilepsy (PwE) of Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study based on prospective data collection of 102 successive PWE. The frequency of seizures was evaluated during pre-quarantine (January- February), quarantine (March-April), and post-quarantine period (May-June), while PwE were divided into A) cases responding to treatment with ≤ 1 seizure per year; B) cases responding to treatment with 2-5 seizure per year; C) cases with drug-resistant epilepsy with ≤ 4 seizures per month; D) cases with drug-resistant epilepsy with 5-10 seizures per month. PwE underwent several self-report questionnaires regarding therapeutic compliance, mood, stress and sleep during quarantine period. Results: Approximately 50 % of PwE showed seizure frequency changes (22.55 % an increase and 27.45 % a reduction) during quarantine. Seizure frequency significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased in PwE responding to treatment with ≤ 1 seizure per year, while significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced in PwE with drug-resistant epilepsy with 5-10 seizures per month. The data was not influenced by therapeutic adherence, sleep and depression. The analysis of anxiety showed a moderate level of anxiety in PwE responding to treatment with &lt; 1 seizure per year, while moderate stress was perceived by all PwE. Seizure frequency changes were related to quarantine, but not to COVID-19 infection. In fact, unlike other regions of Italy, particularly Northern Italy, Apulia and Basilicata regions were less affected by COVID-19 infection, and almost all PwE recognized the quarantine as a stressful event. Emotional distress and anxiety due to social isolation, but also the relative reduction of triggers for epileptic seizures were the most important factors for changes in seizure frequency. Conclusions: Our study adds to the growing concern that the indirect effects of COVID-19 pandemic will far outstrip the direct consequences of the infection