PM10 TRANSPORT AND DIFFUSION IN NORTHERN ITALY

A secondary pollution modelling system for simulating airborne dispersion and chemical reactions is tested over a regional scale domain located in the North-West of Italy, covering areas characterized by different emission levels and where urban and industrial areas are present. This region is often affected by severe pollution episodes, which are driven by anthropogenic emissions and meteorological conditions. The domain is centred over a main plain area, surrounded by elevated Alpine mountains and the sea. This valley is characterized by unfavourable meteorological conditions, such as weak circulation, frequent low wind and stagnant conditions. Moreover the complexity of the orographic site affects both reconstruction of a proper emission picture and meteorology, in particular at the domain borders where the Alpine mountains are located. The model resolution was 5 km and simulations have been run for the whole year 1999. Emissions are derived from different inventories based on different territorial units. The meteorological input was provided by the meteorological model RAMS, whereas the dispersion and chemical reactions were computed by CAMx photochemical model. The results of the simulations are compared together with measured sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter data. Two winter periods were considered because of the PM accumulation processes that take place during the cold season. The simulated PM concentrations are also compared with the results of the same modelling system, applied over a larger scale and at lower (25 km) resolution. CAMx provided quite satisfactorily performances in reproducing the seasonal evolution of PM10, particularly at 5 km resolution. Afterwards, model performances have been compared against SO2 and NO2, two of the most important particulate matter precursors. As expected, the comparison shows a worsening in the model performance moving from gas species to PM10, confirming that some processes related to particulate matter are still missing in chemical transport models. Moreover, PM10 performances proved to be related more to NO2 than SO2. In fact, while the former gives rise mainly to local scale production, sulfate formation is generally related to large-scale processes, hence less linked to the precursor concentration at the receptor point

MACSUR Project – The case study of vineyards. Eco-physiological and biophysical modeling applied to the growth and productivity of vineyards in northwestern Italy.

Viticulture in Italy is one of the economically most important agricultural sectors. Recent research allows eco-physiological and biophysical models to develop tools able to provide support to the crop management, in terms of optimizing production performance and limiting environmental impacts. The ability to check on a daily basis the activities of vegetative and productive phases of vines is certainly a fundamental tool for the vineyard organization and management, and for linking the trends of growth and productivity with the quality of the final product: the wine. Since some years, some researches are taking place in the vineyards of northwestern Italy, with the aim of modeling the eco-physiological behavior of the vines, using and valorizing all available historical field data related to the vegetative and productive behavior of the vines, as well as laboratory qualitative data. At the same time, our team is evaluating two different modeling approaches: one biophysical, using the land surface scheme UTOPIA (University of TOrino land Process Interaction in Atmosphere), and another one eco-physiological. The case-study vineyards, referred to the northwestern Italian territory, is part of a wider working program involving several integrated teams from Italy, Spain and Germany. The objectives are: to improve the use of the models used by different groups; to compare the results obtained by different modeling tools; to create a common database of field measurements; to study the relationships between vegetative-productive behaviors and quality of productions

Heat-Labile Enterotoxin: Beyond GM1 Binding

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One major virulence factor released by ETEC is the heat-labile enterotoxin LT, which is structurally and functionally similar to cholera toxin. LT consists of five B subunits carrying a single catalytically active A subunit. LTB binds the monosialoganglioside GM1, the toxin’s host receptor, but interactions with A-type blood sugars and E. coli lipopolysaccharide have also been identified within the past decade. Here, we review the regulation, assembly, and binding properties of the LT B-subunit pentamer and discuss the possible roles of its numerous molecular interactions

NATO\u27s Actions to Uphold Human Rights and Democratic Values in Kosovo: A Test Case for a New Alliance

On NATO\u27s fiftieth anniversary, we were faced with an unexpected choice: we had to decide whether the notion of common values is only rhetorical flourish or whether it carries real meaning. We made our choice. We decided that values do not only have to be preached, but also upheld. The essay will recount the events leading up to the deteriorating situation in Kosovo and outline the reasons for NATO\u27s decision to take action. Next it will evaluate NATO\u27s success in light of its humanitarian and military goals. Finally it will examine the challenges facing Kosovo and NATO in the future