Comparison between 3D-Var and 4D-Var data assimilation methods for the simulation of a heavy rainfall case in central Italy

Abstract. This work aims to provide a comparison between three dimensional and four dimensional variational data assimilation methods (3D-Var and 4D-Var) for a heavy rainfall case in central Italy. To evaluate the impact of the assimilation of reflectivity and radial velocity acquired from Monte Midia Doppler radar into the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model, the quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) is used.The two methods are compared for a heavy rainfall event that occurred in central Italy on 14 September 2012 during the first Special Observation Period (SOP1) of the HyMeX (HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment) campaign. This event, characterized by a deep low pressure system over the Tyrrhenian Sea, produced flash floods over the Marche and Abruzzo regions, where rainfall maxima reached more than 150 mm 24 h−1.To identify the best QPF, nine experiments are performed using 3D-Var and 4D-Var data assimilation techniques. All simulations are compared in terms of rainfall forecast and precipitation measured by the gauges through three statistical indicators: probability of detection (POD), critical success index (CSI) and false alarm ratio (FAR). The assimilation of conventional observations with 4D-Var method improves the QPF compared to 3D-Var. In addition, the use of radar measurements in 4D-Var simulations enhances the performances of statistical scores for higher rainfall thresholds

Neonatal screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency fails to detect heterozygote females

We examined glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in north-eastern Italian Caucasian neonates detected by neonatal screening, in order to measure the incidence of heterozygote females detected by neonatal screening, and to estimate the near-true total incidence. A total of 85,437 Caucasian neonates, born between January 2000 and December 2001, have been enclosed in the study. The total incidence of the disease, measured by fluorescent method, is 0.9‰; the total incidence, calculated by Hardy-Weinberg law, is 4.8‰. The frequency of missed females is 93% of total females expected with G6PD deficiency; most of them are very likely heterozygous females. The sensitivity of the fluorescent method might be not sufficient to detect all females. Since heterozygote females might develop the symptoms of G6PD deficiency later, these results suggest that the G6PD neonatal screening may not be helpful in preventing disease in female

DYSMORPHIC features and adult short stature: possible clinical markers of KBG syndrome

BackgroundGrowth monitoring is an essential part of primary health care in children and short stature is frequently regarded as a relatively early sign of poor health. The association of short stature and dysmorphic features should always lead to exclude an underlying syndromic disorder.Case presentationWe report the case of an Indian school-aged boy with dysmorphic features, intellectual disability and a clinical history characterized by seizures and hearing problems. Although his height was always included in the normal range for age and sex throughout childhood, he presented a short near-adult stature in relation to his mid-parent sex-adjusted target height. This is probably due to a rapidly progressive pubertal development.ConclusionsIn the presence of characteristic dysmorphic features, intellectual disability, seizures and hearing problems, KBG syndrome should always be considered. This emergent condition presents a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes and is often associated with adult short stature

Supporting Circular Economy through Use-Based Business Models: The Washing Machines Case

Abstract The circular economy paradigm is being widely studied as a possible path to a sustainable development, decoupling economic growth from material consumption and environmental impacts. The introduction of new business models, based on use rather than ownership, has been identified as one of the possible enabling actions for the implementation of circular economy strategies. Thus, product-service systems (PSS) can represent a viable way for companies and customers to switch from a linear to a circular scheme, keeping together the advantages of a customer-oriented offer to those of dematerialization. In this work, an example of innovative, circular business model for the large appliances sector is proposed, based on a PSS and a closed-loop supply chain. A context study, supported by a deep literature analysis, is performed to identify the main changes involved in the transition from a traditional to a circular supply chain in the sector, as well as the main impacts on the actors involved, through causal loop diagrams. The study is a first step for the realization of a system dynamics model, for a further research on impact assessment

Case Report: Long-Term Tolvaptan Treatment in a Child With SIADH and Suprasellar Arachnoid Cyst

: Suprasellar arachnoid cysts represent a rare occurrence in the pediatric population and usually cause symptoms related to mass effect and can occasionally cause endocrine dysfunctions. The association between SAC and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in the pediatric population has rarely been described previously. In most cases, SIADH is temporary and resolves by treating the underlying cause. The first-line treatment consists of fluid restriction in asymptomatic children. Oral urea and demeclocycline are other effective treatment options. Vaptans are a new class of medication for the management of SIADH. These agents are a nonpeptide vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist that selectively antagonizes the antidiuretic effect of AVP, resulting in excretion of diluted urine or "aquaresis." Their efficacy has been shown in adult patients with euvolemic or hypervolemic hyponatremia. However, evidence is lacking in pediatric patients with SIADH. We report the case of a 9-year-old female child with a SAC, who underwent endoscopic fenestration at the age of 2 years. After surgery she developed chronic hyponatremia due to SIADH. Hyponatremia was refractory to treatment with fluid restriction, oral sodium, and urea. In order to normalize serum sodium levels, tolvaptan treatment was started on a compassionate-use basis; 24-48 h later serum sodium levels returned to normal. To date, tolvaptan has been used regularly for 6 years with no side effects occurring during the treatment period. This is the first case of a child with chronic SIADH secondary to SAC successfully treated with tolvaptan. Further studies are needed to demonstrate its usefulness on a broader case series

Role of Body Weight in the Onset and the Progression of Idiopathic Premature Pubarche

Background: The term premature pubarche (PP) refers to the appearance of pubic hair before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys. Although idiopathic PP (often associated with premature adrenarche) is considered an extreme variation from the norm, it may be an initial sign of persistent hyperandrogenism. Factors contributing to PP onset and progression have not been identified to date. Aims: The objectives of this study are to describe a group of Italian children with PP, to identify potential factors for its onset, and to define its clinical and biochemical progression. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled all infants born between 2001 and 2014 with PP. Children with advanced bone age (BA) underwent functional tests to determine the cause of PP. Hormonal analysis and BA determination were performed annually during a 4-year follow-up period. Results: A total of 334 children with PP were identified: idiopathic PP (92.5%, associated with premature adrenarche in some cases); related to precocious puberty (6.6%); late-onset 21-hydroxylase deficiency (0.9%). Low birth weight was associated with premature adrenal activation. Body mass index (BMI) was the only factor that influenced the progression of BA during follow-up. Conclusions: Low birth weight is a predisposing factor for premature adrenal activation. The increase in BMI in patients with idiopathic PP during the 4-years of follow-up was responsible for BA acceleration. We recommend prevention of excessive weight gain in children with PP and strict adherence to follow-up in order to prevent serious metabolic consequences

Beam Scanning Leaky-Wave Antenna with a Reconfigurable Impedance Plane

An electronically-reconfigurable leaky-wave antenna based on metasurfaces is designed and implemented. This innovative antenna consists of a multilayered structure with two (metasurface) impedance planes. The beam scanning at fixed frequency is achieved by electronically tuning the surface impedance of the lower plane using voltage-controlled varactor diodes. The rationale of this solution is that a variation in the impedance profile of the antenna in the direction transversal to propagation affects the phase velocity of the leaky wave and therefore the beam direction