A multi-temporal phenology based classification approach for Crop Monitoring in Kenya

The SBAM (Satellite Based Agricultural Monitoring) project, funded by the Italian Space Agency aims at: developing a validated satellite imagery based method for estimating and updating the agricultural areas in the region of Central-Africa; implementing an automated process chain capable of providing periodical agricultural land cover maps of the area of interest and, possibly, an estimate of the crop yield. The project aims at filling the gap existing in the availability of high spatial resolution maps of the agricultural areas of Kenya. A high spatial resolution land cover map of Central-Eastern Africa including Kenya was compiled in the year 2000 in the framework of the Africover project using Landsat images acquired, mostly, in 1995. We investigated the use of phenological information in supporting the use of remotely sensed images for crop classification and monitoring based on Landsat 8 and, in the near future, Sentinel 2 imagery. Phenological information on crop condition was collected using time series of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) based on Landsat 8 images. Kenyan countryside is mainly characterized by a high number of fragmented small and medium size farmlands that dramatically increase the difficulty in classification; 30 m spatial resolution images are not enough for a proper classification of such areas. So, a pan-sharpening FIHS (Fast Intensity Hue Saturation) technique was implemented to increase image resolution from 30 m to 15 m. Ground test sites were selected, searching for agricultural vegetated areas from which phenological information was extracted. Therefore, the classification of agricultural areas is based on crop phenology, vegetation index behaviour retrieved from a time series of satellite images and on AEZ (Agro Ecological Zones) information made available by FAO (FAO, 1996) for the area of interest. This paper presents the results of the proposed classification procedure in comparison with land cover maps produced in the past years by other projects. The results refer to the Nakuru County and they were validated using field campaigns data. It showed a satisfactory overall accuracy of 92.66 % which is a significant improvement with respect to previous land cover maps

Climatic and Biotic Events of the Paleogene 2014, CBEP 2014

This special issue include the scientific contributes, short notes and abstracts, presented at the International Meeting: Climatic and Biotic Events of the Paleogene, CBEP 2014, held in Ferrara, Italy, July, 1-6, 2014, 10 thematic sessions. More than 140 participants from 20 countries attended the meeting, included the most famous experts. the http://web.fe.infn.it/cbep2014

Is there any survival advantage of obesity in Southern European haemodialysis patients?

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Organic Carbon Burial following the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) in the central - western Tethys

We present trace metal geochemistry and stable isotope records for the middle Eocene Alano di Piave section, NE Italy, deposited during magnetochron C18n in the marginal Tethys Ocean. We identify a $\sim$ 500 kyr long carbon isotope perturbation event we infer to be the middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) confirming the northern hemisphere expression and global occurrence of MECO. Interpreted peak climatic conditions are followed by the rapid deposition of two organic rich intervals ($\le$3\% TOC) and contemporaneous positive $\delta^{13}$C excursions. These two intervals are associated with increases in the concentration of sulphur and redox-sensitive trace metals, and low concentrations of Mn, as well as coupled with the occurrence of pyrite. Together these changes imply low, possibly dysoxic, bottom water O$_{2}$ conditions promoting increased organic carbon burial. We hypothesize that this rapid burial of organic carbon lowered global {\it p}CO$_{2}$ following the peak warming and returned the climate system to the general Eocene cooling trend

Sea-level rise along the Emilia-Romagna coast (Northern Italy) in 2100: scenarios and impacts

As a consequence of climate change and land subsidence, coastal zones are directly impacted by sea-level rise. In some particular areas, the effects on the ecosystem and urbanisation are particularly enhanced. We focus on the Emilia-Romagna (E-R) coastal plain in Northern Italy, bounded by the Po river mouth to the north and by the Apennines to the south. The plain is  ∼ 130 km long and is characterised by wide areas below mean sea level, in part made up of reclaimed wetlands. In this context, several morphodynamic factors make the shore and back shore unstable. During next decades, the combined effects of land subsidence and of the sea-level rise as a result of climate change are expected to enhance the shoreline instability, leading to further retreat. The consequent loss of beaches would impact the economy of the region, which is tightly connected with tourism infrastructures. Furthermore, the loss of wetlands and dunes would threaten the ecosystem, which is crucial for the preservation of life and the environment. These specific conditions show the importance of a precise definition of the possible local impacts of the ongoing and future climate variations. The aim of this work is the characterisation of vulnerability in different sectors of the coastal plain and the recognition of the areas in which human intervention is urgently required. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) sea-level scenarios are merged with new high-resolution terrain models, current data for local subsidence and predictions of the flooding model in_CoastFlood in order to develop different scenarios for the impact of sea-level rise projected to year 2100. First, the potential land loss due to the combined effect of subsidence and sea-level rise is extrapolated. Second, the increase in floodable areas as a result of storm surges is quantitatively determined. The results are expected to support the regional mitigation and adaptation strategies designed in response to climate change

Criteria for the Evaluation of Italian Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS): Comparison with European Standards and Certification Models

The definition of the title 'Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico' (IRCCS) and how this title is given by the Italian Ministry of Health is presented. Specifically, the first assessment of a commission concerning the essential information for the accreditation process is introduced. Moreover, the two years review process that aims to collect last updated information of the IRCCS, to identify level of excellence and critical aspects, is also explained. The present Italian forms and international manuals like Joint Commission, OECI and HCERES were schematized using UML diagrams. The current IRCCS accreditation forms are presented with the suggested updates organized in some levels of structuring. We compared the Italian forms with the manuals required to obtain international certifications (Joint Commission and OECI) and we analyzed the criteria for the evaluation of research units in France (the HCERES standards). Although it is a preliminary study, the use of UML diagrams allows to schematize a new accreditation model, in line with European guidelines and the most important international certifications

Cardioplegia and angiotensin II receptor antagonists modulate signal transducers and activators of transcription activation in neonatal rat myocytes.

Previous investigations have shown that the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) signaling pathway play an important role in the modulation of apoptosis after ischemia and reperfusion. The mechanism for this enhanced cardioprotection is unknown, but we believe that alterations STATs may play a role. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined the effects of angiotension II type 1 (AT1) and angiotension II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist added to cardioplegia on the downstream response of different STATs, connected with proinflammatory pathways (STAT2, STAT5) and prohypertrophic and antiapoptotic pathways (STAT3). Isolated, nonworking hearts (n = 3 per group) from neonatal rats were perfused aerobically (4°C) for 20 min in the Langendorff mode with the modified St. Thomas' Hospital no. 2 (MSTH2) cardioplegic solution (Group 1), the MSTH2 cardioplegic solution + AT1 receptor antagonist (Group 2), and MSTH2 cardioplegic solution + AT2 receptor antagonist (Group 3). Thus, myocytes were isolated by enzymatic digestion, and STAT2, STAT3, and STAT5 were investigated in Western blot studies. Times to arrest after cardioplegia were 8-12 s for all groups. Total cardioplegia delivery volume was about 300 mL for the 20 min. Perfusion with the MSTH2 cardioplegic solution supplemented with AT1 receptor antagonist (Group 2) induced a significant reduction in STAT2 and STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation (-58 and -63%, respectively, vs. Group 1, P < 0.05). Conversely, STAT2 and STAT5 activation were unaffected by perfusion with the MSTH2 cardioplegic solution supplemented with AT2 receptor antagonist (Group 3). The decreased activation of STAT2 and STAT5 observed in Group 2 was accompanied by reduction of interleukin-1β (-57% in Group 2 vs. Group 1, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in STAT3 phosphorylation among all groups. Only the addition of AT1 receptor antagonist to MSTH2 cardioplegia significantly decreases the inflammatory response of the neonatal rat cardiomyocytes without affecting antiapoptotic influence provided by tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. AT1 receptor antagonist added to cardioplegia represents an additional modality for enhancing myocardial protection during cardiac surgery and could contribute to optimize the ischemia tolerance of the pediatric heart

Cardioplegia and angiotensin II receptor antagonists modulate signal transducers and activators of transcription activation in neonatal rat myocytes.

A crescente necessidade de informação para a tomada de decisões dos gestores do setor do transporte urbano de passageiros obriga a desenvolver sistemas para o cálculo, análise e controle de custos que permitam conhecer de forma acurada os mecanismos de formação dos seus preços internos. Nesse contexto, a medida do rendimento adquire um interesse especial quando é comparada a parâmetros e padrões significativos, que permitam aplicar técnicas de benchmarking para melhorar a gestão econômica do serviço. Com esses fins, entende-se que a geração de medidas representativas de padrões coletivos de comportamento constitui-se em uma ferramenta útil para orientar a ação de gestores e administradores públicos. E, como conseqüência, nós apresentamos à Asociación de Empresas de Transporte Urbano Colectivo (ATUC), na Espanha, um projeto para a criação de um Observatório de Custos que possa constituir-se em um importante ponto de referência para as empresas de transporte urbano de passageiros. Palavras-chave: Custos. Financiamento. Transporte urbano de passageiros. * Trabalho apresentado no XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Custos, realizado em Belo Horizonte – MG, no período de 30 de outubro a 01 de novembro 2006.The possibility of providing more complete and detailed data about passenger transport enterprises management justifies the development of analysis and cost control systems that provide precise and rigorous knowledge about internal price formation mechanisms. In this framework, measurement of performance is especially relevant when compared with some other significant reference parameters that allow the use of benchmarking in order to improve the economic management of the service. To this end, we consider it especially useful for the ATUC (Asociación de Empresas de Transporte Urbano Colectivo, i.e., the Association of Collective Urban Transport Companies) to provide a service that establishes measures which represent actual behaviour patterns, that enhances the knowledge of the reality of the sector and that generates a spirit of self-improvement in their associates. We presented a project to ATUC proposing the establishment of a Costs Observatory that can become a significant reference point for passenger transport companies. Key words: Costs. Funding. Urban Passenger Transport.Las crecientes necesidades de información para la gestión y la toma de decisiones de los agentes que operan en el sector del transporte urbano de pasajeros, obliga a desarrollar sistemas para el cálculo, análisis y control de costes que permitan un conocimiento riguroso de los mecanismos de formación de sus precios internos. En dicho marco, la medida del rendimiento adquiere especial interés cuando entra en comparación con parámetros y estándares significativos, que permitan aplicar técnicas de benchmarking para mejorar la gestión económica del servicio. A tales efectos, entendemos que la generación de medidas representativas de patrones colectivos de comportamiento, constituye una herramienta de gran utilidad para orientar la acción de gestores y administradores públicos. Y, en consecuencia, en España, y en el seno de la Asociación de Empresas de Transporte Urbano Colectivo (ATUC), estamos desarrollando un proyecto para la creación de un Observatorio de Costes que pueda constituirse en significativo punto de referencia para las empresas de transporte urbano de viajeros. Palabras clave: Costes. Financiación.Transporte urbano de viajeros