Defining a Trade-Off Between Spatial and Temporal Resolution of a Geosynchronous SAR mission for Soil Moisture Monitoring

The next generation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems could foresee satellite missions based on a geosynchronous orbit (GEO SAR). These systems are able to provide radar images with an unprecedented combination of spatial ( 641 km) and temporal ( 6412 h) resolutions. This paper investigates the GEO SAR potentialities for soil moisture (SM) mapping finalized to hydrological applications, and defines the best compromise, in terms of image spatio-temporal resolution, for SM monitoring. A synthetic soil moisture\u2013data assimilation (SM-DA) experiment was thus set up to evaluate the impact of the hydrological assimilation of different GEO SAR-like SM products, characterized by diverse spatio-temporal resolutions. The experiment was also designed to understand if GEO SAR-like SM maps could provide an added value with respect to SM products retrieved from SAR images acquired from satellites flying on a quasi-polar orbit, like Sentinel-1 (POLAR SAR). Findings showed that GEO SAR systems provide a valuable contribution for hydrological applications, especially if the possibility to generate many sub-daily observations is sacrificed in favor of higher spatial resolution. In the experiment, it was found that the assimilation of two GEO SAR-like observations a day, with a spatial resolution of 100 m, maximized the performances of the hydrological predictions, for both streamflow and SM state forecasts. Such improvements of the model performances were found to be 45% higher than the ones obtained by assimilating POLAR SAR-like SM maps

Presenting a Semi-Automatic, Statistically-Based Approach to Assess the Sharpness Level of Optical Images from Natural Targets via the Edge Method. Case Study: The Landsat 8 OLI–L1T Data

Developing reliable methodologies of data quality assessment is of paramount importance for maximizing the exploitation of Earth observation (EO) products. Among the different factors influencing EO optical image quality, sharpness has a relevant role. When implementing on-orbit approaches of sharpness assessment, such as the edge method, a crucial step that strongly affects the final results is the selection of suitable edges to use for the analysis. Within this context, this paper aims at proposing a semi-automatic, statistically-based edge method (SaSbEM) that exploits edges extracted from natural targets easily and largely available on Earth: agricultural fields. For each image that is analyzed, SaSbEM detects numerous suitable edges (e.g., dozens-hundreds) characterized by specific geometrical and statistical criteria. This guarantees the repeatability and reliability of the analysis. Then, it implements a standard edge method to assess the sharpness level of each edge. Finally, it performs a statistical analysis of the results to have a robust characterization of the image sharpness level and its uncertainty. The method was validated by using Landsat 8 L1T products. Results proved that: SaSbEM is capable of performing a reliable and repeatable sharpness assessment; Landsat 8 L1T data are characterized by very good sharpness performance

An evaluation of the potential of Sentinel 1 for improving flash flood predictions via soil moisture–data assimilation

open8siThe assimilation of satellite-derived soil moisture estimates (soil moisture–data assimilation, SM–DA) into hydrological models has the potential to reduce the uncertainty of streamflow simulations. The improved capacity to moni- tor the closeness to saturation of small catchments, such as those characterizing the Mediterranean region, can be exploited to enhance flash flood predictions. When compared to other microwave sensors that have been exploited for SM– DA in recent years (e.g. the Advanced SCATterometer – AS- CAT), characterized by low spatial/high temporal resolution, the Sentinel 1 (S1) mission provides an excellent opportu- nity to monitor systematically soil moisture (SM) at high spatial resolution and moderate temporal resolution. The aim of this research was thus to evaluate the impact of S1-based SM–DA for enhancing flash flood predictions of a hydro- logical model (Continuum) that is currently exploited for civil protection applications in Italy. The analysis was car- ried out in a representative Mediterranean catchment prone to flash floods, located in north-western Italy, during the time period October 2014–February 2015. It provided some important findings: (i) revealing the potential provided by S1- based SM–DA for improving discharge predictions, espe- cially for higher flows; (ii) suggesting a more appropriate pre-processing technique to be applied to S1 data before the assimilation; and (iii) highlighting that even though high spa- tial resolution does provide an important contribution in a SM–DA system, the temporal resolution has the most crucial role. S1-derived SM maps are still a relatively new product and, to our knowledge, this is the first work published in an international journal dealing with their assimilation within a hydrological model to improve continuous streamflow simulations and flash flood predictions. Even though the reported results were obtained by analysing a relatively short time pe- riod, and thus should be supported by further research activ- ities, we believe this research is timely in order to enhance our understanding of the potential contribution of the S1 data within the SM–DA framework for flash flood risk mitigation.openCenci, Luca; Pulvirenti, Luca; Boni, Giorgio; Chini, Marco; Matgen, Patrick; Gabellani, Simone; Squicciarino, Giuseppe; Pierdicca, NazzarenoCenci, Luca; Pulvirenti, Luca; Boni, Giorgio; Chini, Marco; Matgen, Patrick; Gabellani, Simone; Squicciarino, Giuseppe; Pierdicca, Nazzaren

Geomatics for Integrated Coastal Zone Management: multitemporal shoreline analysis and future regional perspective for the Portuguese Central Region

Shoreline mapping and change detection are critical for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and all that it represents. This research utilized previous studies that combined both Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques to assess, map and forecast shoreline evolution from short-term perspectives. The study area is located in the central region of Portugal, between the counties of Ovar and Marinha Grande (circa 140 km) and the time period assessed was from 1984 to 2011. Historical data were used to calculate advance and retreat rates in order to support environmental scenarios for the Portuguese Central Region’s Coastal Management Plan. To ensure accuracy, a repeatable procedure was validated using Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite images, which were subsequently enhanced and elaborated by Remote Sensing analyses to detect and extract shorelines. They were subsequently integrated within an Esri ArcGIS software application (DSAS - Digital Shoreline Analysis System) to determine and predict rates of coastline change. Graphical DSAS plots identified coastline phases and shifts and were used to simulate the 2022 coastline scenario. These results will be integrated into the Coastal Zone Management Plan (Horizon – 2022). Importantly this methodological planning approach provides visual coastline change information for regional decision-makers and stakeholders

Real-time reconstruction of long-lived particles at LHCb using FPGAs

Finding tracks downstream of the magnet at the earliest LHCb trigger level is not part of the baseline plan of the upgrade trigger, on account of the significant CPU time required to execute the search. Many long-lived particles, such as $K^0_S$ and strange baryons, decay after the vertex track detector, so that their reconstruction efficiency is limited. We present a study of the performance of a future innovative real-time tracking system based on FPGAs, developed within a R\&D effort in the context of the LHCb Upgrade Ib (LHC Run~4), dedicated to the reconstruction of the particles downstream of the magnet in the forward tracking detector (Scintillating Fibre Tracker), that is capable of processing events at the full LHC collision rate of 30 MHz.Comment: ACAT 2019 proceedings. 7 pages, 2 figure

The assessment of consumer sensitivity to animal welfare: An application of Rasch Model

The sensitivity has become a mass phenomenon, still in expansion. The European Commission, during last decade, carried out several surveys on food quality and animal welfare. This research, using data from a survey conducted on 320, respondents and applying the Rasch model on 14 selected questions (items), wants to develop a measure that appears representative of a latent variable defined as \u2018Sensitivity towards Animal Welfare\u2019. The ability to measure the individual level of this \u2018Sensitivity\u2019 therefore represents an interesting and important result, especially if there are correlations between this variable and other variables characterizing the opinions and habits of individuals, both in general and in relation to consumer decisions

Is EU regulation on the use of antioxidants in meat preparation and in meat products still cutting edge?

The use of antioxidants in meat preparation and meat products is highly debated. Regulations define the use of antioxidants mostly in terms of the age-old subdivision between meat preparations and meat products. Best practices are not well represented in regulations. Antioxidants for foodstuffs during processing or before packing protect colour, aroma and nutrient content. As regards food safety regulations, long-term efforts have been made in terms of food standards, food control systems, food legislation and regulatory approaches. These have, however, generated several questions on how to apply the law to diverse food businesses. To answer these questions, a thorough examination of the EU legislator’s choices for food additives and definitions is provided and discussed in relation to factors affecting microbial growth. The paper highlights the regulatory aspects along with the correct application and interpretation of the norms.https://link.springer.com/journal/2172021-01-07hj2020Paraclinical Science

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by a formulation of selected dairy starter cultures and probiotics in an in vitro model

Three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a commercial probiotic were selected to evaluate their in vitro activity towards Listeria monocytogenes. The strains Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, strain 340, L. lactis ssp. lactis, strain 16; Lactobacillus casei ssp. casei, strain 208 and Enterococcus faecium UBEF-41 were inoculated into skim milk and brain heart infusion broth (BHI) to get an initial Lactococcus: Lactobacillus: E. faecium UBEF-41 ratio of 2:1:1 and a concentration of approximately 7 log cfu mL−1 until challenge vs. pathogen. L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 was also inoculated in same media to get approximately 4 log cfu mL−1. Growth curves in skim milk and BHI at 4, 10 and 30 °C, respectively were studied for: (i) LAB formulation; (ii) L. monocytogenes and (iii) LAB vs. L. monocytogenes. When challenged with LAB, at 30 °C in milk, L. monocytogenes was not detectable after day-3 and in BHI it decreased below log cfu mL−1 after day-5. At 10 and 4 °C, in both media, L. monocytogenes counts were always significantly lower (p < .001) than the counts of L. monocytogenes alone from day-2 for milk at 4 °C and BHI at 10 °C and from day-7 for BHI at 4 °C and milk at 10 °C. In conclusion, the proposed formulation was able to limit L. monocytogenes in vitro growth, even at refrigeration temperature