Rainfall Field Reconstruction by Opportunistic Use of the Rain-Induced Attenuation on Microwave Satellite Signals: The July 2021 Extreme Rain Event in Germany as a Case Study

This paper presents a practical application of an opportunistic technique for the estimation of rainfall intensity and accumulated precipitation. The proposed technique is based upon signal strength measurements made by commercial-grade interactive satellite terminals. By applying some processing, the rain-induced attenuation on the microwave downlink from the satellite is first evaluated; then the rain attenuation is eventually mapped into a rainfall rate estimate via a tropospheric model. This methodology has been applied to a test area of 30×30 km2 around the city of Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia, upper basin of Ermscher river), for the heavy rain event that devastated western Germany in July, 2021. A rainfall map on this area is obtained from the measurements collected by a set of satellite terminals deployed in the region, and successfully compared with a map obtained with a conventional weather radar

Pink‐ and orange‐pigmented Planctomycetes produce saproxanthin‐type carotenoids including a rare C45 carotenoid

Planctomycetes, are ubiquitous and environmentally important Gram-negative aquatic bacteria with key roles in global carbon and nitrogen cycles. Many planctomycetal species have a pink or orange colour and have been suggested to produce carotenoids. Potential applications as food colorants or anti-oxidants have been proposed. Hitherto, the planctomycetal metabolism is largely unexplored and the strain pigmentation has not been identified. For a holistic view on the complex planctomycetal physiology we analyzed carotenoid profiles of the pink-pigmented strain Rhodopirellula rubra LF2T and of the orange strain Rubinisphaera brasiliensis Gr7. During LC-MS/MS analysis of culture extracts we were able to identify three saproxanthin-type carotenoids including a rare C45 carotenoid. These compounds, saproxanthin, dehydroflexixanthin and 2’-isopentenyldehydrosaproxanthin, derive from the common carotenoid precursor lycopene and are characterized by related end groups, namely a 3-hydroxylated β-carotene-like cyclohexene ring as one end group and simple hydration on the other end of the molecule. Based on the observed molecule structure we present putative pathways for their biosynthesis. Results support Planctomycetes as a promising, yet mostly untapped source of carotenoids

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: Benefits and endpoints in sport

The influence of nutrition has the potential to substantially affect physical function and body metabolism. Particular attention has been focused on omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), which can be found both in terrestrial features and in the marine world. They are responsible for numerous cellular functions, such as signaling, cell membrane fluidity, and structural maintenance. They also regulate the nervous system, blood pressure, hematic clotting, glucose tolerance, and inflammatory processes, which may be useful in all inflammatory conditions. Animal models and cell-based models show that n-3 PUFAs can influence skeletal muscle metabolism. Furthermore, recent human studies demonstrate that they can influence not only the exercise and the metabolic response of skeletal muscle, but also the functional response for a period of exercise training. In addition, their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity may provide health benefits and performance improvement especially in those who practice physical activity, due to their increased reactive oxygen production. This review highlights the importance of n-3 PUFAs in our diet, which focuses on their potential healthy effects in sport

Professional policies: a qualitative study of perceptions and opinions of professionals nurses/midwives and students attending the Master of Science in Nursing

INTRODUZIONE. La politica, ovvero la scienza e l\u2019arte di amministrare la cosa pubblica, \ue8 un ambito di grande importanza e occuparsi di politica professionale significa dedicarsi al bene della professione. Le politiche professionali sono parte integrante del prendersi cura e la famiglia professionale ha bisogno di punti chiari di riferimento: formazione, tutela, promozione, rappresentanza istituzionale. OBIETTIVO. Esplorare percezioni, idealit\ue0, immaginario condiviso e desideri circa le politiche professionali di infermieri/ostetriche e studenti della laurea magistrale per riuscire ad avere una rappresentazione della realt\ue0 e avviare una riflessione critica sul tema. METODO. \uc8 stato effettuato uno studio qualitativo su un campione propositivo di 22 professionisti infermieri/ostetriche quali testimoni qualificati della situazione nazionale. I dati sono stati raccolti attraverso un questionario costruito ad hoc. RISULTATI. Dall\u2019analisi delle risposte sono emersi 10 temi principali, tra i quali spiccano: per la formazione l\u2019importanza delle nuove conoscenze ma anche la scarsa differenziazione dei ruoli; per l\u2019ambito lavorativo l\u2019assenza di meritocrazia e di nuove opportunit\ue0; per la ricerca il divario tra teoria e pratica. In sintesi, i risultati evidenziano come la partecipazione ai processi di formazione delle politiche sia saltuaria e di poca intensit\ue0 e come pochi infermieri/ostetriche siano coinvolti attivamente per la promozione e sviluppo di progetti nel settore delle politiche per i sistemi sanitari e per la salute. CONCLUSIONI. L\u2019indagine rileva che vi \ue8 una coscienza forte delle problematicit\ue0 esistenti, ma questa coscienza non sembra relazionarsi adeguatamente ai contesti lavorativi, istituzionali e culturali. Di conseguenza non si verifica quella necessaria crescita delle politiche professionali, la sola capace di generare percorsi politici atti a risolvere le questioni di fondo.INTRODUCTION: Politics, the science and the art of administering public affairs, is a very important field. Dealing with professional policy means to dedicate ourselves to the good of the profession. Professional policies are an integral part of taking care; the professional family needs clear reference points: training, tutoring, promotion and institutional representation. AIM: Exploring perceptions, ideals, shared imagination and desires about the professional policies of nurses/midwives and of master's students in order to be able to have a representation of the reality and to start a critical reflection on the subject. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted on a proactive sample of 22 nurses / midwives as qualified witnesses of the national situation. The data was collected through a questionnaire built ad hoc. RESULTS: From the analysis of the answers given to the questionnaire, we identified 10 main themes. In the training sector two of the themes that were selected are the importance of the new knowledges and inadequate differentiation of the positions; Regarding the working sector two of the themes that came out are the lack of meritocracy and of new opportunities; meanwhile, in the research field one of the main theme identified is the gap between the theory and the practice. CONCLUSION: The present study finds out that participation in policy-making processes is occasional and of little intensity: just few nurses/midwives are actively involved in the promotion and development of projects in the health sector and of healthcare policies