Hydrometeorology: Review of Past, Present and Future Observation Methods

Hydrometeorology aims at measuring and understanding the physics, chemistry, energy and water fluxes of the atmosphere, and their coupling with the earth surface environmental parameters. Accurate hydrometeorological records and observations with different timelines are crucial to assess climate evolution and weather forecast. Historical records suggest that the first hydrometeorological observations date back to ca 3500 BC. Reviewing these observations in the light of our modern knowledge of the dynamic of atmospheres is critical as it can reduce the ambiguities associated to understanding major fluctuations or evolutions in the earth climate. Today, the ambiguities in hydrometeorological observations have significantly improved due to the advances in monitoring, modeling, and forecasting of processes related to the land-atmosphere coupling and forcing. Numerical models have been developed to forecast hydrometeorological phenomena in short-, medium- and long-term horizons, ranging from hourly to annual timescales. We provide herein a synthetic review of advances in hydrometeorological observations from their infancy to today. In particular, we discuss the role of hydrometeorological records, observations, and modeling in assessing the amplitude and time-scale for climate change and global warming

Genetic Analysis of Fin Development in Zebrafish Identifies Furin and Hemicentin1 as Potential Novel Fraser Syndrome Disease Genes

Using forward genetics, we have identified the genes mutated in two classes of zebrafish fin mutants. The mutants of the first class are characterized by defects in embryonic fin morphogenesis, which are due to mutations in a Laminin subunit or an Integrin alpha receptor, respectively. The mutants of the second class display characteristic blistering underneath the basement membrane of the fin epidermis. Three of them are due to mutations in zebrafish orthologues of FRAS1, FREM1, or FREM2, large basement membrane protein encoding genes that are mutated in mouse bleb mutants and in human patients suffering from Fraser Syndrome, a rare congenital condition characterized by syndactyly and cryptophthalmos. Fin blistering in a fourth group of zebrafish mutants is caused by mutations in Hemicentin1 (Hmcn1), another large extracellular matrix protein the function of which in vertebrates was hitherto unknown. Our mutant and dose-dependent interaction data suggest a potential involvement of Hmcn1 in Fraser complex-dependent basement membrane anchorage. Furthermore, we present biochemical and genetic data suggesting a role for the proprotein convertase FurinA in zebrafish fin development and cell surface shedding of Fras1 and Frem2, thereby allowing proper localization of the proteins within the basement membrane of forming fins. Finally, we identify the extracellular matrix protein Fibrillin2 as an indispensable interaction partner of Hmcn1. Thus we have defined a series of zebrafish mutants modelling Fraser Syndrome and have identified several implicated novel genes that might help to further elucidate the mechanisms of basement membrane anchorage and of the disease's aetiology. In addition, the novel genes might prove helpful to unravel the molecular nature of thus far unresolved cases of the human disease

Neurogliaform cells of amygdala: A source of slow phasic inhibition in the basolateral complex

Synaptic inhibition in the amygdala actively participates in processing emotional information. To improve the understanding of interneurons in amygdala networks it is necessary to characterize the GABAergic cell types, their connectivity and physiological roles. We used a mouse line expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuropeptide Y (NPY) promoter. Paired recordings between presynaptic NPY-GFP-expressing (+) cells and postsynaptic principal neurons (PNs) of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were performed. The NPY-GFP+ neurons displayed small somata and short dendrites embedded in a cloud of highly arborized axon, suggesting a neurogliaform cell (NGFC) type. We discovered that a NPY-GFP+ cell evoked a GABAA receptor-mediated slow inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) in a PN and an autaptic IPSC. The slow kinetics of these IPSCs was likely caused by the low concentration and spillover of extracellular GABA. We also report that NGFCs of the BLA fired action potentials phase-locked to hippocampal theta oscillations in anaesthetized rats. When this firing was re-played in NPY+-NGFCs in vitro, it evoked a transient depression of the IPSCs. Presynaptic GABAB receptors and functional depletion of synaptic vesicles determined this short-term plasticity. Synaptic contacts made by recorded NGFCs showed close appositions, and rarely identifiable classical synaptic structures. Thus, we report here a novel interneuron type of the amygdala that generates volume transmission of GABA. The peculiar functional mode of NGFCs makes them unique amongst all GABAergic cell types of the amygdala identified so far. © 2012 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2012 The Physiological Society

Neurogliaform cells of amygdala: a source of slow phasic inhibition in the basolateral complex.

Synaptic inhibition in the amygdala actively participates in processing emotional information. To improve the understanding of interneurons in amygdala networks it is necessary to characterize the GABAergic cell types, their connectivity and physiological roles. We used a mouse line expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the neuropeptide Y (NPY) promoter. Paired recordings between presynaptic NPY-GFP-expressing (+) cells and postsynaptic principal neurons (PNs) of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) were performed. The NPY-GFP+ neurons displayed small somata and short dendrites embedded in a cloud of highly arborized axon, suggesting a neurogliaform cell (NGFC) type. We discovered that a NPY-GFP+ cell evoked a GABA(A) receptor-mediated slow inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC) in a PN and an autaptic IPSC. The slow kinetics of these IPSCs was likely caused by the low concentration and spillover of extracellular GABA. We also report that NGFCs of the BLA fired action potentials phase-locked to hippocampal theta oscillations in anaesthetized rats. When this firing was re-played in NPY+-NGFCs in vitro, it evoked a transient depression of the IPSCs. Presynaptic GABA(B) receptors and functional depletion of synaptic vesicles determined this short-term plasticity. Synaptic contacts made by recorded NGFCs showed close appositions, and rarely identifiable classical synaptic structures. Thus, we report here a novel interneuron type of the amygdala that generates volume transmission of GABA. The peculiar functional mode of NGFCs makes them unique amongst all GABAergic cell types of the amygdala identified so far

"Weather-related hazards and risks in agriculture" Preface

In many parts of the world, weather represents one of the major uncertainties affecting the performance and management of agricultural systems. Due to global climate change, the climatic variability and the occurrence of extreme weather events is likely to increase leading to a substantial increase in agricultural risk and destabilisation of farm incomes. The aim is to discuss the state of the art research in the area of analysis and management of weather-related risks in agriculture. Weather-related risks in agriculture are important not only for farm managers but also for policy makers, since income stabilisation in agriculture is frequently considered as a governmental task

Remotely-Sensed innovative approach for the cumulative meteorological effects on cotton production

In this study an innovative approach for investigating the accumulated meteorological effects on cotton production during the growing season is presented. The quantification of the meteorological effects is based on the incorporation of the Bhalme and Mooley Drought Index (BMDI) methodology into the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) extracted by NOAA/AVHRR data. The resulted Bhalme and Mooley Vegetation Condition Index (BMVCI) uses the same scale as the Z-Index of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) for drought monitoring. The study area consists of the country of Greece. Eighteen years of NOAA/AVHRR data are examined and processed with the BMVCI to examine the unfavourable conditions for cotton production. For the validation of BMVCI an empirical relationship between the cotton production and the BMVCI values is derived. The method is developed based on the first sixteen years time series data and validated utilizing the following two years. The resultant high correlation coefficient and the approximation of the production for the validated years refer to very favourable results and confirms the usefulness of this integrated methodological approach as an effective tool to assess cotton production in Greece

Remotely sensed estimation of annual cotton production under different environmental conditions in Central Greece

This study proposes an innovative approach for investigating the accumulated meteorological effects on cotton during the growing season. The quantification of the weather effects is based on the application of the Bhalme and Mooley drought index (BMDI) methodology on the vegetation condition index (VCI) extracted by NOAA/AVHRR data. The resulted Bhalme and Mooley vegetation condition index (BMVCI) is in the same scale as the Z-index, as proposed in the Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) for drought monitoring. The study area comprises the region of Thessaly, which is the most cotton productive area in Greece. Eighteen years of NOAA/AVHRR data are examined and processed with the BMVCI to examine the unfavorable conditions for cotton production. For the validation of BMVCI an empirical relationship between the cotton production of Thessaly and the BMVCI values is derived for the period 1982-1997. The methodology is validated for the two following years (1998 and 1999). The estimated cotton production approximates 5% and 2%, respectively, the real values for the validated years. The results confirm the usefulness of this integrated methodological approach as an effective tool to assess cotton production in Thessaly. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Early cotton yield assessment by the use of the NOAA/AVHRR derived Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) in Greece

Satellite data can significantly contribute to agricultural monitoring. The reflected radiation, as recorded by satellite sensors, provides an indication of the type, density and condition of canopy. A widely used index for vegetation monitoring is the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA/AVHRR) data provided in high temporal resolution. An extension of the NDVI is the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI). VCI is a tool for monitoring agrometeorological conditions, providing a quantitative estimation of weather impact to vegetation. The primary objective of this paper is the quantitative assessment of the cotton yield before the end of the growing season by examining the weather effects as they are depicted by the VCI. The study area comprises several cotton producing areas in Greece. Ten-day NDVI maximum value composites (MVC) are initially utilized for the period 1982-1999. The correlation between VCI images as extracted from NDVI and the 10-day intervals during the growing season is examined to identify the critical periods associated mostly with the yield. Empirical relationships between VCI and yield are developed. The models are tested on an independent dataset. The results show that an early estimation of the cotton yield trend is feasible by the use of the VCI