On the nature of rainfall intermittency as revealed by different metrics and sampling approaches

A general consensus on the concept of rainfall intermittency has not yet been reached, and intermittency is often attributed to different aspects of rainfall variability, including the fragmentation of the rainfall support (i.e., the alternation of wet and dry intervals) and the strength of intensity fluctuations and bursts. To explore these different aspects, a systematic analysis of rainfall intermittency properties in the time domain is presented using high-resolution (1-min) data recorded by a network of 201 tipping-bucket gauges covering the entire island of Sardinia (Italy). Four techniques, including spectral and scale invariance analysis, and computation of clustering and intermittency exponents, are applied to quantify the contribution of the alternation of dry and wet intervals (i.e., the rainfall support fragmentation), and the fluctuations of intensity amplitudes, to the overall intermittency of the rainfall process. The presence of three ranges of scaling regimes between 1 min to ~ 45 days is first demonstrated. In accordance with past studies, these regimes can be associated with a range dominated by single storms, a regime typical of frontal systems, and a transition zone. The positions of the breaking points separating these regimes change with the applied technique, suggesting that different tools explain different aspects of rainfall variability. Results indicate that the intermittency properties of rainfall support are fairly similar across the island, while metrics related to rainfall intensity fluctuations are characterized by significant spatial variability, implying that the local climate has a significant effect on the amplitude of rainfall fluctuations and minimal influence on the process of rainfall occurrence. In addition, for each analysis tool, evidence is shown of spatial patterns of the scaling exponents computed in the range of frontal systems. These patterns resemble the main pluviometric regimes observed on the island and, thus, can be associated with the corresponding synoptic circulation patterns. Last but not least, we demonstrate how the methodology adopted to sample the rainfall signal from the records of the tipping instants can significantly affect the intermittency analysis, especially at smaller scales. The multifractal scale invariance analysis is the only tool that is insensitive to the sampling approach. Results of this work may be useful to improve the calibration of stochastic algorithms used to downscale coarse rainfall predictions of climate and weather forecasting models, as well as the parameterization of intensity-duration-frequency curves, adopted for land planning and design of civil infrastructures

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the duodenum in childhood: a rare case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are uncommon primary mesenchymal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract mostly observed in the adults. Duodenal GISTs are relatively rare in adults and it should be regarded as exceptional in childhood. In young patients duodenal GISTs may be a source of potentially lethal haemorrhage and this adds diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas to the concern about the long-term outcome.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 14-year-old boy was referred to our hospital with severe anaemia due to recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Endoscopy, small bowel series, scintigraphy and video capsule endoscopy previously done elsewhere were negative. Shortly after the admission, the patient underwent emergency surgery for severe recurrence of the bleeding. At surgery, a 4 cm solid mass arising from the wall of the fourth portion of the duodenum was identified. The invasion and the erosion of the duodenal mucosa was confirmed by intra-operative pushed duodenoscopy. The mass was resected by a full-thickness duodenal wall excision with adequate grossly free margins. Immunohistochemical analysis of the specimen revealed to be positive for CD117 (c-KIT protein) consistent with a diagnosis of GIST. The number of mitoses was < 5/50 HPF. Mutational analysis for c-KIT/PDGFRA tyrosine kinase receptor genes resulted in a wildtype pattern. The patient had an uneventful course and he has remained disease-free during two years of follow-up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Duodenal GISTs in children are very rare and may present with massive bleeding. Cure can be achieved by complete surgical resection, but even in the low-aggressive tumours the long-term outcome may be unpredictable.</p

A critical analysis of the shortcomings in spatial frequency analysis of rainfall extremes based on homogeneous regions and a comparison with a hierarchical boundaryless approach

We investigate and discuss limitations of the approach based on homogeneous regions (hereafter referred to as regional approach) in describing the frequency distribution of annual rainfall maxima in space, and compare its performance with that of a boundaryless approach. The latter is based on geostatistical interpolation of the at-site estimates of all distribution parameters, using kriging for uncertain data. Both approaches are implemented using a generalized extreme value theoretical distribution model to describe the frequency of annual rainfall maxima at a daily resolution, obtained from a network of 256 raingauges in Sardinia (Italy) with more than 30&nbsp;years of complete recordings, and approximate density of 1 gauge per 100 km2. We show that the regional approach exhibits limitations in describing local precipitation features, especially in areas characterized by complex terrain, where sharp changes to the shape and scale parameters of the fitted distribution models may occur. We also emphasize limitations and possible ambiguities arising when inferring the distribution of annual rainfall maxima at locations close to the interface of contiguous homogeneous regions. Through implementation of a leave-one-out cross-validation procedure, we evaluate and compare the performances of the regional and boundaryless approaches miming ungauged conditions, clearly showing the superiority of the boundaryless approach in describing local precipitation features, while avoiding abrupt changes of distribution parameters and associated precipitation estimates, induced by splitting the study area into contiguous homogeneous regions

Self‐Powered Nanostructured Piezoelectric Filaments as Advanced Transducers for New Cochlear Implants

The conversion of sound vibration into electrical potential is a critical function performed by cochlear hair cells. Unlike the regenerative capacity found in various other cells throughout the body, cochlear sensory cells lack the ability to regenerate once damaged. Furthermore, a decline in the quantity of these cells results in a deterioration of auditory function. Piezoelectric materials can generate electric charge in response to sound wave vibration, making them theoretically suitable for replacing hair cell function. This study explores an innovative approach using piezoelectric nanocomposite filaments, namely poly(vinylidene fluoride), poly(vinylidene fluoride)/barium titanate, and poly(vinylidene fluoride)/reduced graphene oxide, as self-powered acoustic sensors designed to function in place of cochlear hair cells. These flexible filaments demonstrate a unique ability to generate electricity in response to frequency sounds from 50 up to 1000 Hz at moderate sound pressure levels (60-95 dB), approaching the audible range with an overall acoustoelectric energy conversion efficiency of 3.25%. Serving as self-powered acoustic sensors, these flexible filaments hold promise for potential applications in cochlear implants, with a high sensitivity of 117.5 mV (Pacm2)-1. The cytocompatibility of these filaments was assessed through in vitro viability tests conducted on three cell lines, serving as a model for inner ear cells.This article explores new material formulations for treating sensorineural hearing loss, an often-irreversible condition with significant psychosocial impacts. Currently, cochlear implants (CIs) are the only treatment, but they are expensive and require invasive surgery. Our approach involves self-powered acoustic transducer fibers to develop biomaterial-based CIs, eliminating the need for electronics. imag