A Real-Time and Offline Quality Control Methodology for SeaSonde High-Frequency Radar Currents

Abstract A near-real-time and offline quality control methodology for SeaSonde systems is proposed. It is applied on radial current maps and is based on the determination of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values of the Doppler lines that contribute to the hourly radial current at each range-bearing (R, θ) pair, under the assumption that SNR is a proxy for radar data quality. The retrieval of the sequence of Doppler lines is performed through a minimization procedure that takes advantage of the statistical descriptors output in the short-term radial maps. The separation of the contributing Doppler velocities into valid observations and anomalous velocities is based on their spectral quality factor and on a range-dependent noise threshold derived from statistics (average and standard deviation) of the signal amplitudes in the tails of the Doppler spectra. The final product of the quality control procedure is a radial current map, in which Doppler velocities are weighted by their SNR values and their spectral quality factors, and averaged to produce an output that is fully compatible with the proprietary software. This procedure is fast, despite the fact that a large number of combinations might be required during the retrieval of the Doppler lines, and effective, because it removes both evident spikes as well as Doppler velocities that are not clearly identified as anomalous velocities. In principle, this approach can be used to fill gaps in the radar coverage without the need for interpolation in time or space, proved that the Doppler velocities satisfy predetermined SNR constraints

Comparison between HF radar current data and moored ADCP currentmeter

A preliminary assessment of accuracy of a two-sites shore-based HF Radar network along the Venice Lagoon littoral was attempted by means of comparison with a 57.5 day-long ADCP current time series for the period September- October 2002. Results showed that radar measurements were accurate (< 7 cm/s) in more than 50% of the times, since more than 50% of the differences between both E-W (U)and N-S (V )comp onents were under 7 cm/s, and more than 50% of direction differences were under 35◦. The main differences between the HF radar and surface ADCP currents can be explained in terms of random errors affecting the measurement technique and the daily sea breeze forcing, since low-pass filtering of current time series significantly improved the correlation and decreased the RMS of the differences between the two measured data set. Comparison of the semidiurnal (M2, S2)tidal band suggested good agreement between tidal ellipse amplitudes. Wind forcing on a daily time-scale (sea-breeze)w as associated with larger differences between radar and ADCP currents at a diurnal band due to the presence of a vertical shear in the surface layer

Recovery trends of commercial fish: the case of an underperforming Mediterranean marine protected area

Temporal trends in the recovery of exploited species in marine protected areas (MPAs) are useful for a proper assessment of the efficacy of protection measures. The effects of protection on the fish assemblages of the sublittoral rocky reefs in the \u201cPenisola del Sinis-Isola di Mal di Ventre\u201d MPA (W. Sardinia, Italy) were evaluated using a multi-year series of data. Four surveys, conducted 7, 10, 13 and 15 years after the area was designated as an MPA and carried out in the period spanning June and July, were used to estimate the abundance and biomass of commercial species. The surveys were carried out in zones with decreasing levels of fishing restrictions within the MPA (zones A, B, C) and in unprotected zones (OUT1 and OUT2), and underwater video visual census techniques were used. Protected zones only occasionally showed higher levels of abundance or biomass, and the trajectories of those metrics were not consistent across the years. In addition, the zone with the highest level of protection (zone A) never presented levels of abundance and biomass higher than those in zones B and C. This study shows that even 15 years after designation, protection has had no appreciable effect in the MPA studied. It is argued that this is emblematic of several shortcomings in the planning, regulation and enforcement frameworks of the MPA

Long term directional wave recording in the Northern Adriatic Sea

We report on the instrumental system used on an oceanographic tower for the directional measurement of wind waves. The associated time series is one of the longest ones in the world. After a compact description of the instrumental part, we present some long term statistics of the wave conditions in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Then we discuss the applications of the results and the possible evolution of the system

Long-term changes in the kinematics of inlets of the Venetian Lagoon (NE Italy)

Long-term variations of the water flow through three Venice lagoon inlets are analysed seeking for the possible impact of structures under construction for the mobile gates for defending Venice against flooding. Time-series of monthly mean flow and standard deviations show long-term variations, mainly on the seasonal time-scale. An important increase in the water flow variance due to an increase in amplitudes of major tidal constituents in the Chioggia inlet can probably be explained as a consequence of the structures constructed recently that narrowed the channel

QoL in Southtyrol T1D Pediatric Patients Psycho-social Well-being, Quality of Life, Health Status and Family Conflicts in a South-tyrolean Group of Pediatric Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type I

Background:Psychological well-being and metabolic control in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus type I (T1D) could be negatively influenced by adolescence current age, age at the diagnosis, lower economic condition and lower education status and by higher family conflict. However, they reported lower or comparable levels of emotional difficulties compared with normative population.Objective:To understand psycho-social symptoms, quality of life, health status and family conflicts of pediatric patients with T1D in the unique cultural environment of South-Tyrol. The present study has two goals. The first is to understand psychological symptoms and to investigatethe possible risk factors. The second deals with the subgroup of adolescents, comparing their psychological functioning with a healthy control group.Methods:Patients (n=59) with a mean age of 13.19 years (SD=3.26; range 8\u201318) were contacted at the Day Hospital check-ups and self-and proxy-reported questionnaires were administered: CBCL/ YSR, DFCS-R, DQOLY-SF. From this group, 45 patients aged 11\u201318 were matched by gender and age in months with a control group of healthy peers. Results:Glycemic control was severely inadequate and a subgroup of patients showed lower indexes of total competencies and activities performed, especially if they were of poor economic condition and had the illness for a longer duration. The adolescent patients self-reported better psychological functioning than their healthy peers, except for conduct problems. Conclusions:Specific psycho-social interventions should address the dangerous levels of metabolic control indexes and mitigate the patients\u2019 conduct problems

Volcanic spreading forcing and feedback in geothermal reservoir development, Amiata Volcano, Italia

We made a stratigraphic, structural and morphologic study of Amiata Volcano in Italy. We find that the edifice is dissected by intersecting grabens that accommodate the collapse of the higher sectors of the volcano. In turn, a number of compressive structures and diapirs exist all around the margin of the volcano. These structures create an angular drainage pattern, with stream damming and captures, and a set of lakes within and around the volcano. We interpret these structures as the result of volcanic spreading of the edifice of Amiata onto its weak substratum, formed by the late Triassic evaporites (Anidriti of Burano) and the Middle-Jurassic to Early-Cretaceous clayey chaotic complexes (Ligurian Complex). Regional doming created a slope in the basement forcing the outward flow and spreading of the ductile layers below the volcano. We model the dynamics of spreading with a scaled lubrication approximation of the Navier Stokes equations, and numerically study a solution. In the model we include simple functions for volcanic deposition and surface erosion that change the topography over time. Scaling indicates that spreading at Amiata could still be active. The numerical solution shows that, as the central part of the edifice sinks into the weak basement, diapiric structures of the underlying formations form around the base of the volcano. Deposition of volcanic rocks within the volcano and surface erosion away from it both enhance spreading. In addition, a sloping basement may constitute a trigger for the formation of trains of adjacent diapirs. Finally, we observe that volcanic spreading has created ideal heat traps that constitute todays’ exploited geothermal fields at Amiata. Normal faults generated by volcanic spreading, volcanic conduits, and direct contact between volcanic rocks (which host an extensive fresh-water aquifer) and the rocks of the geothermal field, constitute ideal pathways for water recharge during vapour extraction for geothermal energy production. We think that volcanic spreading could maintain faults in a critically stressed state, facilitating the occurrence of triggered seismicity

Whiting (Merlangius merlangus) Grows Slower and Smaller in the Adriatic Sea: New Insights from a Comparison of Two Populations with a Time Interval of 30 Years

Nowadays, overexploitation and climate change are among the major threats to fish production all over the world. In this study, we focused our attention on the Adriatic Sea (AS), a shallow semi-enclosed sub-basin showing the highest exploitation level and warming trend over the last decades within the Mediterranean Sea. We investigated the life history traits and population dynamics of the cold-water species whiting (Merlangius merlangus, Gadidae) 30 years apart, which is one of the main commercial species in the Northern AS. The AS represents its southern limit of distribution, in accordance with the thermal preference of this cold-water species. Fish samples were collected monthly using a commercial bottom trawl within the periods 1990–1991 and 2020–2021. The historical comparison highlighted a recent reduction in large specimens (>25 cm total length, TL), which was not associated with trunked age structures, therefore indicating a decrease in growth performance over a period of 30 years (L∞90–91 = 29.5 cm TL; L∞20–21 = 22.8 cm TL). The current size at first sexual maturity was achieved within the first year of life, at around 16 cm TL for males and 17 cm TL for females. In the AS, whiting spawns in batches from December to March, showing a reproductive investment (gonadosomatic index) one order of magnitude higher in females than in males. Potential fecundity (F) ranged from 46,144 to 424,298, with it being heavily dependent on fish size. We hypothesize that the decreased growth performance might be related to a metabolic constraint, possibly related to the increased temperature and its consequences. Moreover, considering the detrimental effects of size reduction on reproductive potential, these findings suggest a potential endangerment situation for the long-term maintenance of whiting and cold-related species in the AS, which should be accounted for in setting management strategies

Phase transitions of a spin-one Ising ferromagnetic superlattice

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal