Estimation of the methane emission factor for the Italian Mediterranean buffalo

In order to contribute to the improvement of the national greenhouse gas emission inventory, this work aimed at estimating a country-specific enteric methane (CH4) emission factor for the Italian Mediterranean buffalo. For this purpose, national agriculture statistics, and information on animal production and farming conditions were analysed, and the emission factor was estimated using the Tier 2 model of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Country-specific CH4 emission factors for buffalo cows (630 kg body weight, BW) and other buffalo (313 kg BW) categories were estimated for the period 1990–2004. In 2004, the estimated enteric CH4 emission factor for the buffalo cows was 73 kg/head per year, whereas that for other buffalo categories it was 56 kg/head per year. Research in order to determine specific CH4 conversion rates at the predominant production system is suggested

Electromagnetic background noise at L'Aquila Geomagnetic Observatory

In this paper we analyze the electromagnetic background noise at L'Aquila Geomagnetic Observatory during 2006 and 2007 in the frequency band 1-100 mHz. In this band a pronounced daily variation is observed both in the natural signals as well as in the artificial ones, giving rise to the problem of separating different contributions of very similar morphology. We analyzed periods when the local K index was approximately zero, in correspondence with minimum of the magnetospheric and ionospheric activity. We found that in our area the main source of artificial noise is constituted by the DC electrified railways

Local changes in the total electron content immediately before the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake

Ionospheric TEC (total electron content) variations derived from GPS measurements recorded at 7 GPS stations in Northern, Central and Southern Italy before and after the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake (EQ) of magnitude Mw6.3 were processed and analyzed. The analysis included interpolated and non-interpolated TEC data. Variations in the TEC of both regional and local characteristics were revealed. Several regional changes were observed in the studied period: 1 January–21 April 2009. After analyzing non-interpolated TEC data of 5 GPS stations in Central Italy (Unpg (Perugia), Untr (Terni), Aqui (Aquila), M0se (Rome) and Paca (Palma Campania, (Naples)), a local disturbance of TEC was also found. This local TEC disturbance arises preparatory to the EQ main shock occurred at 01:32 UT on 06 April 2009, maximizes its amplitude of ~0.8 TECu after the shock moment and disappears after it. The local TEC disturbance was confined at heights below 160 km, i.e. in the lower ionosphere

ULF Geomagnetic Pulsations at High Latitudes: the Italian contribution

The study of geomagnetic field variations in Antarctica is important in that local field lines are close to extreme magnetospheric regions, such as the polar cusp, where several generation mechanisms for ULF waves are active. Since the eighties, the Italian scientific community developed a research activity in Antarctica at Mario Zucchelli Station (TNB, CGM latitude 80°S), where magnetic facilities are continuously operating. In this review we present the experimental results obtained by a number of investigations conducted in the last years on geomagnetic pulsations in the Pc3-Pc5 frequency range. We also show compared analyses with measurements from other Antarctic and low latitude stations, and, in particular, a statistical analysis of propagation characteristics of low frequency geomagnetic field fluctuations between the two Antarctic stations, TNB and Scott Base

Efficient computation of partial elements in the full-wave surface-peec method

The partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) method provides an electromagnetic model of interconnections and packaging structures in terms of standard circuit elements. The surface-based PEEC (S-PEEC) formulation can reduce the number of unknowns compared to the standard volume-based PEEC (V-PEEC) method. This reduction is of particular use in the case of high-speed circuits and high-switching power electronics, where the bandwidth extends from low frequencies to the GHz range. In this article, the S-PEEC formulation is revised and cast in a matrix form. The main novelty is that the interaction integrals involving the curl of the magnetic and electric vector potentials are computed through the Taylor series expansion of the full-wave Green’s function, leading to analytical forms that are rigorously derived. Therefore, the numerical integration is avoided, with a consequent reduction of the computation time. The proposed formulas are studied in terms of the frequency, size of the mesh, and distance between the basis function domains. Three examples are presented, confirming the accuracy of the proposed method compared to the V-PEEC method and surface-based numerical methods from literature

Geomagnetic field variations at low and high latitude during the January 10-11, 1997 magnetic cloud

On Jan. 10-11, 1997 a wide magnetic cloud reached the Earth triggering intense geomagnetic activity. Observations performed at low and very high latitude show that the same features appear simultaneously in correspondence to different changes in the solar wind conditions. In particular, highly polarized modes are simultaneously observed at the same discrete frequencies after the passage of the high density solar wind region following the cloud. SI's and ULF waves polarization are also examined in a wide latitudinal and longitudinal extent

Why is there no queer international theory?

Over the last decade, Queer Studies have become Global Queer Studies, generating significant insights into key international political processes. Yet, the transformation from Queer to Global Queer has left the discipline of International Relations largely unaffected, which begs the question: if Queer Studies has gone global, why has the discipline of International Relations not gone somewhat queer? Or, to put it in Martin Wight’s provocative terms, why is there no Queer International Theory? This article claims that the presumed non-existence of Queer International Theory is an effect of how the discipline of International Relations combines homologization, figuration, and gentrification to code various types of theory as failures in order to manage the conduct of international theorizing in all its forms. This means there are generalizable lessons to be drawn from how the discipline categorizes Queer International Theory out of existence to bring a specific understanding of International Relations into existence

The architectures of translation : a magic carpet-ride through space and time (or, the awkward story of how we dis/placed Krisztina Tóth’s short fiction from Hungarian to English)

This interdisciplinary paper unfolds an account of a collaborative translation project, which draws on Ellen Eve Frank’s concept of “literary architecture” to propose a process of “architectural translation”. Our proposal is illustrated by a detailed account of our experiences translating the short fiction of contemporary Hungarian writer, Krisztina Tóth (b. 1967) into English. Staged as a journey through space, time and text, our enquiry frames the process in Barbara Godard’s terms as one of dis/placement, finding resonances with Rosi Braidotti’s nomadic subject and practices of feminist mimesis. Situating Tóth’s fiction in a European feminist literary heritage, we deploy a range of concepts drawn from translation, architecture, literary criticism and feminist philosophy to synthesise a translation strategy which engages the spatial, not only as a metaphor but a methodology for our project. In this account, we propose an architectural methodology as a tool for radical translators, and offer the process of translation as a way of thinking about internal and external spaces in postcolonial contexts

Breaking bad news in assisted reproductive technology : a proposal for guidelines

Background: The issue of breaking bad news in assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been only partially explored by literature, and although some recommendations are available, specific guidelines are lacking. The present study aimed to explore the applicability of the oncologic SPIKES Protocol to the ART context. Methods: Thirteen ART clinicians (7 gynecologists; 4 psychologists; 1 biologist; 1 obstetrician) completed the Critical Incidents Report (CIR) to describe the experience of delivering bad news in ART. The CIRs were first discussed with clinicians, then a focus group was created composed of 13 clinicians, one health communication expert and a patient to discuss the applicability of the six-step (SPIKES) Buckman Protocol to ART. The discussion was audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed with content analysis. Results: The SPIKES Protocol seems to fit ART consultations and participants found it practical and easy to understand. Some specificities were found for the ART context: the reiteration of bad news, the "patient" as a couple and the fact that ability to conceive is closely related to self-esteem, as well as to social and family identity. During the discussion of the SPIKES Protocol, participants highlighted the importance of: 1) providing a caring setting, by adding a reflection on the value of communication by phone; 2) exploring patients perceptions but also misinformation; 3) exploring patients desires and expectations, while balancing the need to be honest and clear; 4) applying Buckmans suggestions for delivering information, and integrating clinical aspects with psychosocial ones; 5) managing and legitimizing patients emotions, in particular anger; 6) having a strategy for follow-up and supporting couples to make meaning of the ART experience. Conclusion: The proposal of a shared protocol for giving bad news in ART could be the starting point for training and experimental studies