Nowcasting of convective cells over Italian Peninsula

International audienceThe aim of the study is the individuation of convective cells over the Italian peninsula with the conjunction use of geostationary satellite data (METEOSAT, MSG satellite) in the IR and WV channels and lightning data. We will use GCD (Global Convective Diagnostic) algorithm developed at Aviation Weather Centre (AWC) of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). This algorithm is based on the idea that a deep convective cloud will not have any significant moisture above it. This technique works quite well at identifying active deep convection and can be applied to all the world's geostationary satellites. However it does not always agree with lightning sensors. Low topped convection with lightning will be missed. We will extend the capabilities of GCD using lightning data. The new product will be validate over different cases in the central Italy using the C-band polarimetric radar of ISAC-CNR (Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate-of the Italian National Research Council) Rome

The role of formyl peptide receptors in permanent and low-grade inflammation: Helicobacter pylori infection as a model

Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are cell surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), belonging to the chemoattractant G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family. They play a key role in the innate immune system, regulating both the initiation and the resolution of the inflammatory response. FPRs were originally identified as receptors with high binding affinity for bacteria or mitochondria N-formylated peptides. However, they can also bind a variety of structurally different ligands. Among FPRs, formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) is the most versatile, recognizing N-formyl peptides, non-formylated peptides, and synthetic molecules. In addition, according to the ligand nature, FPRL1 can mediate either pro-or anti-inflammatory responses. Hp(2-20), a Helicobacter pylori-derived, non-formylated peptide, is a potent FPRL1 agonist, participating in Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation, thus contributing to the related site or not-site specific diseases. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the role of FPRs in H. pylori-associated chronic inflammation, which suggests this receptor as potential target to mitigate both microbial and sterile inflammatory diseases

MEMS-based Inertial Navigation Systems onboard Balloons

Performances of low-cost inertial navigation sensors, usually poor, can often match different mission requirements by means of a careful signal and data processing and/or an augmentation by means of different observables. The paper presents the LOWCOINS navigation experiment, intended to fly onboard BEXUS balloon mission in late 2008. LOWCOINS has as the main component a low-cost three-axes inertial unit, integrating three accelerometers and three gyros. The slow dynamic typical of a balloon flight is deemed as an ideal test to verify the performances of the unit and to improve the knowledge on the data processing needed to obtain an accurate final navigation solution. In order to enlarge the set of available data, a cluster of magnetometers and a pressure sensor, always belonging to low-cost instrumentation range, are hosted on board. Measurements are both stored on board and downlinked to a ground station. Position and velocity components (both the onboard computed first guess and the post-flight calibrated solution) will be compared with the data gathered by a GPS receiver, which is a standard component of BEXUS balloon avionics. Substantial attention to thermal aspects has been requested in order to cope with environmental conditions prior of and all along the flight. The requested navigation unit case design is shortly reported

Water resource management through systemic approach: The case of Lake Bracciano

Today natural water resources are becoming scarce, both due to global climate change but also due to irresponsible behaviour of human beings. Lakes are among the most delicate aquatic systems due to their limited size. The objective of this paper is to propose a System Dynamics model, employed in a real case study regarding the city of Rome and one of its water reserves, the Bracciano Lake, for the evaluation of different strategies and policies to reduce environmental impacts, considering different climatic and context scenarios. The results indicate that, as the system is currently exposed to a high risk of ecological disaster, the situation might worsen, and the disaster effectively happen. Simulation models may help agencies and administrations to explore policies and find solutions to address this fundamental problem, that may become even worst over the next years, given the potential severe consequences deriving from the current global warming trends

Unintentional staining of lens posterior capsule with trypan blue during extracapsular cataract extraction: case report

Report of a complication related to the use of 0.1% trypan blue during capsular staining of the anterior crystalline lens capsule in an extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. The capsular dye was injected using an air-bubble technique, inadvertently, it was done using high pressure dispersing the dye through the zonules leading to a complete losts of red reflex, the following steps of the procedure becoming more difficult after the cataract extraction and causing a temporary disturbance of visual acuity in the postoperative period. In order to avoid this complication, the authors also describe the use of Modified air-bubble technique where dispersive viscoelastic is placed into the iridolenticular space 360° to create a protection barrier.Relato de complicação relacionada ao uso do azul de tripano 0,1% ocorrida ao corar a cápsula anterior do cristalino em facectomia extracapsular com implante de lente intra-ocular. O corante foi injetado sob alta pressão utilizando a técnica de bolha de ar ocasionando a migração deste através da zônula e conseqüente perda do reflexo vermelho no peroperatório dificultando os passos subseqüentes à extração da catarata e comprometendo temporariamente a acuidade visual no pós-operatório. Tendo como objetivo evitar esta complicação, os autores descrevem ainda, o uso da Técnica de bolha de ar modificada no qual o viscoelástico dispersivo é injetado no espaço iridolenticular 360° para compor uma barreira de proteção.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Faculdade de Medicina do ABC Departamento de OftalmologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, EPM, São Paulo, BrazilSciEL

Comparing microphysical/dynamical outputs by different cloud resolving models: impact on passive microwave precipitation retrieval from satellite

International audienceMesoscale cloud resolving models (CRM's) are often utilized to generate consistent descriptions of the microphysical structure of precipitating clouds, which are then used by physically-based algorithms for retrieving precipitation from satellite-borne microwave radiometers. However, in principle, the simulated upwelling brightness temperatures (TB's) and derived precipitation retrievals generated by means of different CRM's with different microphysical assumptions, may be significantly different even when the models simulate well the storm dynamical and rainfall characteristics. In this paper, we investigate this issue for two well-known models having different treatment of the bulk microphysics, i.e. the UW-NMS and the MM5. To this end, the models are used to simulate the same 24-26 November 2002 flood-producing storm over northern Italy. The model outputs that best reproduce the structure of the storm, as it was observed by the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) onboard the EOS-Aqua satellite, have been used in order to compute the upwelling TB's. Then, these TB's have been utilized for retrieving the precipitation fields from the AMSR observations. Finally, these results are compared in order to provide an indication of the CRM-effect on precipitation retrieval