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Cross-Comparison of MODIS and CloudSat Data as a Tool to Validate Local Cloud Cover Masks

This paper presents a cross-comparison of the data acquired by the MODIS and CloudSat sensors in order to understand the limit of the developed cloud-mask algorithm and to provide a quantitative validation assessment of cloud masks by using exclusively remotely sensed data. The analysis has been carried out by comparing both the intermediate levels of the cloud mask such as the brightness temperatures and the reflectance values for different channels, and the cloud mask itself with the cloud profiles as measured by the CloudSat sensor. The comparison between MODIS cloud tests and the CloudSat profiles indicates an agreement with hit rates (H) and Hanssen-Kuiper Skill Score (KSS) varying between 0.7 and 1.0 and 0.4 and 1.0, respectively. In this case, the low values of H and KSS are found due to the limitation of CloudSat to detect low clouds. The comparison between the cloud mask and the CloudSat profile determines H and KSS values between 0.6 and 1, except for one case. The CloudSat profile has also been compared with the Standard MODIS cloud mask in order to understand the improvement obtained in the use of local adapted thresholds. A comparison of MODIS and CALIPSO data is also presented

Germination behaviour of four mediterranean Cistus L. species in relation to high temperature

Cistus is one of the most characteristic genera of the Mediterranean flora. These species, natives of lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, are present in scrubland and garigue on siliceous ground and often on acid soil; seven species in particular are founded in Sicily. The adaptation of the genus to Mediterranean environments is evident from ecological characteristics such as fire-dependent seed germination; the heat generated by fire is in fact a key germination input.In this view, two experiments were performed to study the effects of high temperature on germination of four Cistus species (C. creticus L., C. crispus L., C. monspeliensis L., C. salviifolius L.). In the first, in relation to untreated control, 7 different high temperature pre-treatments (from 70°C to 130°C) for different timings (from 1 to 10 minutes) were analysed in relation to two sowing strategies (soon after the seed collection and after a 6 month period at 5°C to simulate the winter season effects). The pre-treatment with high temperatures can improve the germination; the storage at 5°C to simulate the winter season effects did not modify the germination process. In any case the results showed a species-dependent response. High germination percentage was obtained for C. creticus, while a lower germination rate was achieved by C. crispus and C. monspeliensis.In the second experiment, seeds were treated for different periods (80°C for 10 min, 90°C for 5 min and 100°C for 1 min) with high temperature in dry and wet (immersion in distilled water) conditions. Also in this case the responses were strictly linked to the species. Especially C. crispus and C. monspeliensis showed high germination percentage in wet conditions. In all species the wet heat treatments determined an accelerating of process like demonstrated by lower T50 values

Towards an e-Publishing library service in Humanities and Social Sciences: A feasibility study

The paper describes a methodology used to analyze the editorial production of CNR Institutes belonging to the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). This analysis is considered a pre-requisite to design a feasibility study to develop an e-Publishing service tailored to HSS. To reach this aim the paper describes in particular the characteristics of currently published products defining a set of quality indicators that can help designing a future e-Publishing service

A short story of 3AB-OS cancer stem cells, a possible model for studying cancer stemness

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are thought to be the cause of cancer initiation, growth and development. Thus, a challenge in cancer research is their identification and eradication. In our laboratory, by chemical treatment of the human osteosarcoma (OS) MG63 cell line, we have isolated and characterized 3AB-OS cells, a human OS CSC line. 3AB-OS cells transdifferentiate in vitro into cells of the three derivatives germ layers and, when xenografted in athymic mice they are highly tumorigenic and recapitulate in vivo crucial features of human OS. They even express a reprogrammed energy metabolism, with a dependence on glycolytic metabolism more strong than parental MG63 cells. 3AB-OS cells have chromosomes showing a great number of abnormalities which are very similar to abnormalities found in both pediatric and adult osteosarcomas. In comparison with parental MG63 cells (where TP53 gene is hypermethylated, rearranged and in single copy), 3AB-OS cells have TP53 gene unmethylated, rearranged and in multiple copies. Moreover, the mutp53 (p53-R248W/P72R) is post-translationally stabilized, has nuclear localization and a gain of function. A great number of results obtained in our laboratories suggested that p53 mutation could be the “driver mutation” at the origin of the transformation of MG63 cells into 3AB-OS CSCs

Rheological Characterisation of Dairy Emulsions For Cold Foam Applications

Dairy foams are complex aerated materials where the liquid matrix is an emulsion made by oil droplets dispersed in a water system. An innovative application of these systems leads to an interesting product derived from instant whipped creams that are stored and consumed at low temperatures (typically between −4 and −18°C) like an ice cream. This novel product requires a specific texture due to the particular conditions related to its consumption. In the present work, the effects of some relevant ingredients (emulsifiers, sugars, and fats) on rheological properties and freezing temperature of dairy emulsions were investigated. Samples were prepared on lab scale and it was found that structure extension is affected strongly by stabilizers (carrageenan and guar gum) and in a lower measure by fat content. As far as freezing point is concerned a significant effect only of sugars (type and amount) and fats was measured. A formulation having interesting properties for low temperature applications was obtained an..

Verso una open peer review dei dati: uno studio pilota nelle scienze sociali

L’open peer review (OPR) può essere applicata a tutte le tipologie di risultati della ricerca, dagli articoli scientifici, alle proposte di progetto fino ai dataset. Tuttavia, a partire dalla sua definizione, vanno ancora analizzati i criteri e modalità per assicurare una valutazione trasparente ed efficace per il progresso della ricerca scientifica. Ciò si inquadra nell’ambito dell’Open Science che coglie l’esigenza di analizzare le trasformazioni strutturali e tecnologiche nel sistema della comunicazione scientifica odierna. E’ proprio in tale contesto che i principi di Merton – in particolare quelli di communality e organized skepticism – diventano importanti punti di riferimento. Questo studio ha lo scopo di analizzare l’applicabilità della revisione paritaria aperta dei dati della ricerca prodotti nelle discipline afferenti alle scienze sociali. Lo studio inserisce nel progetto europeo OpenUP (OPENing UP new methods, indicators and tools for peer review, dissemination of research results, and impact measurement), che intende analizzare le trasformazioni nell’attuale scenario della ricerca scientifica allo scopo di 1) identificare meccanismi, processi e strumenti innovativi per la peer review applicata a tutti i risultati della ricerca (pubblicazioni, software e dati), 2) esplorare i meccanismi della disseminazione innovativa efficaci per le imprese, l’industria, il settore educativo e la società nel suo insieme e 3) analizzare un insieme di nuovi indicatori (altmetric) che valutano l’impatto dei risultati della ricerca collegandoli ai canali per la disseminazione. OpenUp utilizza una metodologia centrata sull’utente. Questo approccio metodologico non solo coinvolge tutti gli stakeholder (ricercatori, case editrici, enti che finanziano la ricerca, istituzioni, industria e il pubblico in generale) in una serie di workshops, conferenze e corsi di formazione, ma vuole testare i risultati acquisiti in un set di studi pilota. Questi ultimi sono collegati ai tre pilastri del progetto (revisione paritaria, disseminazione innovativa dei risultati e altmetric) e sono applicati ad alcune comunità e settori della ricerca specifici: scienze umane, scienze sociali, energia e scienze della vita. Nello specifico il lavoro presentato intende descrivere la metodologia usata per sviluppare lo studio pilota sull’OPR dei dati nelle scienze sociali. In particolare si concentra sulla prima fase che intende ricostruire il contesto generale della diffusione e condivisione dei dati. Sulla base di questa analisi, saranno identificati i criteri di selezione della comunità da coinvolgere nello studio pilota, insieme alle caratteristiche e alle problematiche specifiche che verranno successivamente indagate durante il suo svolgimento. L’analisi prende in considerazione sia la prospettiva di coloro che forniscono i dati sia quella degli utenti che li utilizzano. Essa si pone nella prospettiva di considerare i principi Mertoniani ed in particolare le problematiche legate alla loro applicabilità nella condivisione e valutazione dei dati della ricerca

Pharmacological activation of SIRT6 triggers lethal autophagy in human cancer cells

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a member of the NAD+-dependent class III deacetylase sirtuin family, which plays a key role in cancer by controlling transcription, genome stability, telomere integrity, DNA repair, and autophagy. Here we analyzed the molecular and biological effects of UBCS039, the first synthetic SIRT6 activator. Our data demonstrated that UBCS039 induced a time-dependent activation of autophagy in several human tumor cell lines, as evaluated by increased content of the lipidated form of LC3B by western blot and of autophagosomal puncta by microscopy analysis of GFP-LC3. UBCS039-mediated activation of autophagy was strictly dependent on SIRT6 deacetylating activity since the catalytic mutant H133Y failed to activate autophagy. At the molecular level, SIRT6-mediated autophagy was triggered by an increase of ROS levels, which, in turn, resulted in the activation of the AMPK-ULK1-mTOR signaling pathway. Interestingly, antioxidants were able to completely counteract UBCS039-induced autophagy, suggesting that ROS burst had a key role in upstream events leading to autophagy commitment. Finally, sustained activation of SIRT6 resulted in autophagy-related cell death, a process that was markedly attenuated using either a pan caspases inhibitor (zVAD-fmk) or an autophagy inhibitor (CQ). Overall, our results identified UBCS039 as an efficient SIRT6 activator, thereby providing a proof of principle that modulation of the enzyme can influence therapeutic strategy by enhancing autophagy-dependent cell death

Impaired Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease and Renal Transplant Recipients

Background: Although heart failure is the most prevalent cardiovascular disease associated with adverse outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and after kidney transplantation, left ventricular (LV) systolic function is often preserved in renal patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate global longitudinal strain (GLS), which is reportedly a more accurate tool for detecting subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, in patients with various degrees of renal function impairment, including kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Methods: This prospective study evaluated demographic, clinical, and ultrasound data, including the assessment of LV GLS and mitral E peak velocity and averaged ratio of mitral to myocardial early velocities (E/e'), of 70 consecutive renal patients (20 with stage 2-4 CKD, 25 with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis [HD], and 25 KTRs). All patients had an LV ejection fraction 6550% and no history of heart failure or coronary artery disease. We used multivariable logistic analysis to assess the risk of compromised GLS. One hundred and twenty control subjects with or without hypertension served as controls. Results: A compromised GLS <-18% was shown in 55% of patients with stage 2-4 CKD, 60% of HD patients, and 28% of KTRs, while it was 32% in hypertensive controls and 12% in non-hypertensive controls (p < 0.0001). Patients with HD had higher systolic pressure and a significantly greater prevalence of increased LV mass and diastolic dysfunction. In renal patients, E/e' (p = 0.025), and LV mass index (p = 0.063) were independent predictors of compromised GLS at logistic regression analysis. E/e', systolic artery pressure, and LV mass also exhibited the greatest areas under the curve on receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify a compromised GLS. Conclusions: Renal disease proved to be associated with early and subclinical impairment of LV systolic function, which persists after starting dialysis and even in spite of successful kidney transplantation. An increased E/e' resulted to be the most powerful independent predictor of abnormal GLS