Sampling errors in rainfall measurements by weather radar

International audienceRadar rainfall data are affected by several types of error. Beside the error in the measurement of the rainfall reflectivity and its transformation into rainfall intensity, random errors can be generated by the temporal spacing of the radar scans. The aim of this work is to analize the sensitivity of the estimated rainfall maps to the radar sampling interval, i.e. the time interval between two consecutive radar scans. This analysis has been performed employing data collected with a polarimetric C-band radar in Rome, Italy. The radar data consist of reflectivity maps with a sampling interval of 1min and a spatial resolution of 300m, covering an area of 1296km2. The transformation of the reflectivity maps in rainfall fields has been validated against rainfall data collected by a network of 14 raingauges distributed across the study area. Accumulated rainfall maps have been calculated for different spatial resolutions (from 300m to 2400m) and different sampling intervals (from 1min to 16min). The observed differences between the estimated rainfall maps are significant, showing that the sampling interval can be an important source of error in radar rainfall measurements

Nero Siciliano pig: effect of the diet on meat quality

In the context of a typical breeding system for the autochthonous pig races, the effects of the traditional diet (grain cereals, legumes and agro-industrial by-product) and of a commercial diet (pellets) on the meat quality of Nero Siciliano pig were studied. Thirty animals, 16 castrated males and 14 females, were divided into two groups of 15 each one homogeneous for live weight (32.47±1.74 kg), sex (8 males and 7 females) and age (2 months), called "Traditional" (TRA) and "Experimental" (EXPE). Pigs of "TRA" group were fed with barleycorn (2 kg/head/day) and citrus pulp (1 kg/head/day) whereas, those of "EXPE" group received 1.3 kg/head/day of a pelletted complete feed (Dry Matter: 87.5%, on a DM basis: 18.29% Crude Protein, 3.43% Ether Extract, 6.06% Crude Fiber, 7.43% Ash) formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous with the Traditional diet. The trial lasted 93 days, preceded by a 15day adaptation period. After the slaughter (FLW: EXPE 67.4kg vs. TRA 61.69 kg; P>0.05 and FCR: EXPE 3.71 kg/kg vs. TRA 6.65 kg/kg; P<0.001), chemical and fatty acid composition of the Longissimus lumborum muscle were determined as well as the acidic composition of the lard removed by the backfat. On the basis of the fatty acid profile, the quality indices were calculated. The oxidative stability (TBARs) of the intramuscular lipid was determined at 1, 3, 5 days after slaughtering. Data were subjected to ANOVA. Protein (EXPE 23.01 g/100g vs. TRA 23.17 g/100g) and lipid (EXPE 3.12 g/100g vs. TRA 2.69 g/100g) content of the muscle was unaffected by the diet whereas, moisture (EXPE 72.52 g/100g vs. TRA 73.072 g/100g) and ash (EXPE 1.01 g/100g vs. TRA 1.08 g/100g) levels showed significant (P<0.05) differences. As regards fatty acid composition of the meat, significant differences were observed for the total SFAs (EXPE 41.42% vs. TRA 38.95%, P<0.01) and PUFAs (EXPE 9.05% vs. TRA 12.11%, P<0.05) in particular for the n3 series (EXPE 0.79% vs. TRA 1.40%, P<0.05) and for the n6 series PUFAs (EXPE 8.11% vs. TRA 10.49%, P<0.05). Fatty acid composition of the lard showed significant (P<0.05) differences for MUFAs (EXPE 47.63% vs. TRA 49.11%) and PUFAs (EXPE 11.38% vs. TRA 10.01%); in particular significant differences for the n3 series (EXPE 0.77% vs. TRA 0.94%, P<0.05) and for the n6 series PUFAs (EXPE 10.62% vs. TRA 9.08%, P<0.01) were reported. The different distribution of the fatty acid classes in the meat and in the lard could be due to: i) the different acidic composition of the feeds (pellet vs. barleycorn + citrus pulp), ii) the different destinations of the plasmatic fatty acids during their metabolic cycle (constituents of adipose tissue, of tryglicerides, of membranes phospholipids). The quality indices have shown significant (P<0.001) differences only in the Longissimus lumborum muscle, with the highest values for the Atherogenic (EXPE 0.49% vs. TRA 0.42%,) and for the Thrombogenic indices (EXPE 1.11% vs. TRA 0.91%) in the EXPE group. No significant difference was observed for the oxidative stability of the muscle during the storage. Data show the importance to study specific diets for Nero Siciliano pig in relation to the destination of meat. Research supported by MIUR, PRIN-2003 ("Nero Siciliano pig breeding: evaluation of its production", Prof

Pain and self-preservation in autonomous robots: From neurobiological models to psychiatric disease

The use of biologically realistic (brain-like) control systems in autonomous robots offers two potential benefits. For neuroscience, it may provide important insights into normal and abnormal control and decision-making in the brain, by testing whether the computational learning and decision rules proposed on the basis of simple laboratory experiments lead to effective and coherent behaviour in complex environments. For robotics, it may offer new insights into control system designs, for example in the context of threat avoidance and self-preservation. In the brain, learning and decision-making for rewards and punishments (such as pain) are thought to involve integrated systems for innate (Pavlovian) responding, habit-based learning, and goal-directed learning, and these systems have been shown to be well-described by RL models. Here, we simulated this 3-system control hierarchy (in which the innate system is derived from an evolutionary learning model), and show that it reliably achieves successful performance in a dynamic predator-avoidance task. Furthermore, we show situations in which a 3-system architecture provides clear advantages over single or dual system architectures. Finally, we show that simulating a computational model of obsessive compulsive disorder, an example of a disease thought to involve a specific deficit in the integration of habit-based and goal-directed systems, can reproduce the results of human clinical experiments. The results illustrate how robotics can provide a valuable platform to test the validity and utility of computational models of human behaviour, in both health and disease. They also illustrate how bio-inspired control systems might usefully inform self-preservative behaviour in autonomous robots, both in normal and malfunctioning situations

The complex relation between executive functions and language in preschoolers with developmental language disorders

Backgrounds: The relationship between linguistic difficulties and cognitive impairments in children with developmental language disorders (DLDs) is receiving growing interest in international research. Executive functions (EF) appear to be weak in these children. The current investigation aims at exploring the relationship between difficulties in two components of EF (i.e., updating and inhibition) and the linguistic and narrative skills of 16 DLD preschoolers matched with 24 typically developing peers. Methods: Updating skills were tested by administering the forward and backward digit recall subtests of the Wechsler Scales, while children\u2019s inhibition abilities were assessed by completion of Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY-II) inhibition tasks. Information on the linguistic skills of the participants was collected through a set of subtests included in the Batteria per la Valutazione del Linguaggio in bambini dai 4 ai 12 anni (Batteria per la Valutazione del Linguaggio; BVL_4-12), assessing articulatory and phonological discrimination skills, lexical production/comprehension, grammatical production/comprehension, and narrative production skills. Results: Findings revealed that DLD children performed significantly lower than their peers on both updating and inhibitory tasks. Linguistic difficulties were found in the DLD group on articulatory/phonological skills, grammatical production/comprehension, and lexical informativeness on narrative production. Measures of EF correlated with linguistic and narrative measures. Conclusion: The current study confirms a significant association between DLD\u2019s performances on EF and displayed linguistic skills, suggesting the need to include the assessment of executive functions to target early intervention rehabilitation programs for children with DLDs

Cutaneous findings in neurofibromatosis type 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by major and minor cutaneous findings, whose recognition plays a key role in the early diagnosis of the disease. The disease affects multiple systems and clinical manifestation has a wide range of variability. Symptoms and clinical signs may occur over the lifetime, and the complications are very diverse. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease, no specific treatment has been defined. Multidisciplinary approach is required to provide optimum care for the patients. The aim of this paper is to provide the clinician with a complete guide of skin findings of NF1. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a complex autosomal dominant disorder associated with germline mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. NF1 belongs to a class of congenital anomaly syndromes called RASopathies, a group of rare genetic conditions caused by mutations in the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Generally, NF1 patients present with dermatologic manifestations. In this review the main features of café-au-lait macules, freckling, neurofibromas, juvenile xanthogranuloma, nevus anemicus and other cutaneous findings will be discussed

EPR and DRIFT spectroscopic characterization of humic fractions during composting of sawdust and paper mill sludge.

The spectroscopic characteristics (DRIFT, UV-visible and EPR) of humic fractions were studied during composting of sawdust and paper mill sludge. Infrared spectroscopy reveals a compost rich in hydroxyl and alkyl groups and carboxylates and carbohydrates. The alkyl fraction is abundant in the humic acids and humin. The decreasing of the E4/E6 ratio during composting indicates an enhancement of the organic chains number, with conjugated double bonds. This decreasing would correspond to a reduction of the lignin content and/or formation of porphyrins. The EPR shows that humin presents the highest concentration of free radical and the lowest intensities of the Fe3+

Rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) supplementation into the diet of Nero Siciliano pigs: effects on lipid oxidation

During the growing-fattening period (93 days; ILW 33.5±6 kg to FLW 67±3 kg), 30 Nero Siciliano pigs were fed on a basal diet supplemented with (ROX group) or not (CTR group) a rosemary extract (1g?kg-1). At 1, 3 and 5 days after slaughtering, the oxidative stability of the Longissimus dorsi muscle was determined by using TBArs test. Moreover, on the individual samples of the muscle the lipid content, the fatty acid and the sterol composition were determined; the acidic composition of the lard, removed from backfat, was also studied. Data were subjected to ANOVA. The fat content of the muscle was unaffected by the dietary treatment as well as the oxidative stability whereas, significant differences (P²0.01) were observed for the polyunsaturated fatty acid content which showed the highest values in the meat as well as in the lard of the ROX group; PUFA/SFA ratio was also significantly highest in the muscle (P=0.004) and in the lard (P=0.017) of the ROX group, testifying a possible antioxidative activity of the rosemary extract. The sterol fraction (cholesterol, cholestanol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol and delta 5-avenasterol) of the Longissimus dorsi muscle was unaffected by the rosemary supplementation; a significant difference was observed only for the campesterol (CTR group=1.08, ROX group=0.90; P = 0.021)

A Low Rhodium Content Smart Catalyst for Hydrogenation and Hydroformylation Reactions

Abstract: This paper describes the preparation, broad characterization and study of activity in hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions of an easily produced 0.18% Rh/Al2O3. Analytical studies on fresh and recycled samples shed light on the smart properties of such catalyst. Results showed high activity as well as fine/excellent chemoselectivity or regioselectivity, characteristics that may suggest a wide range of applicability. Graphic Abstract: The low metal content catalyst 0.18% Rh/Al2O3 was very active in both hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions so providing intermediates for valuable APIs, as Nabumetone and Eletriptan, and a fragrance with a fresh, green-floral smell, that recalls scent of lily of the valley.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Manejo de fontes alternativas de fertilizantes nitrogenados na sucessão braquiária-algodão em sistema plantio direto no Cerrado - Safra 2007/2008.

RESUMO - Esse estudo foi conduzido na safra 2007/08, em Santa Helena de Goiás, GO, com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência da antecipação da adubação nitrogenada de cobertura do algodoeiro para a Brachiaria ruziziensis na sucessão braquiária-algodão, comparando-se uréia comum com uréia mais inibidor de urease ou polímero de liberação lenta. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições, em esquema fatorial (3x5+1), sendo: três fontes de nitrogênio (uréia comum, uréia revestida com polímero de liberação lenta e uréia com inibidor de urease); cinco épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio (100% em pré-plantio, 50% em pré-plantio + 50% na fase B1, 50% em pré-plantio + 50% na fase F1, 100% na fase B1, e 50% na fase B1 + 50% na fase F1); e um tratamento testemunha. Utilizou-se dose única de adubação de cobertura do algodoeiro, equivalente a 100 kg/ha de N. A antecipação de 50 % da adubação nitrogenada de cobertura do algodoeiro para o pré-plantio na braquiária, e a aplicação de 100 % da dose na fase B1 do algodoeiro foram tão eficazes quanto à adubação convencional parcelada em duas coberturas. Os fertilizantes com inibidor de urease e com polímero de liberação lenta apresentaram maior eficiência na recuperação do N aplicado, em comparação com a uréia.Autor na publicação: Fernando Lamas

Human impact on the quality of the surface waters of the Claromecó Creek mid-basin, Argentina

Los cursos fluviales de la cuenca media del Arroyo Claromecó en su recorrido atraviesan la localidad de Tres Arroyos con más de 59 000 habitantes. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la calidad de agua de los cursos superficiales de la cuenca media para estudiar el impacto humano en este sector del sistema fluvial. Se seleccionaron 5 estaciones de muestreo para la concentración de metales pesados en el sedimento de los cauces y en cuatro de ellas se obtuvieron valores de nutrientes en agua. Estas mediciones se realizaron durante agosto del 2007 y se repitieron durante agosto del 2009. La determinación de nutrientes se realizó mediante el uso de un autoanalizador Technicon AutoAnalyzer II secuencial y por espectrofotometría se analizó la Materia Orgánica Particulada. Los valores de nutrientes hallados presentaron mayor variabilidad entre los años 2007 y 2009. Los máximos se observaron durante el primer año de medición, mientras que el máximo de amonio se observó en el colector principal para el año 2009. Se detectaron variables superiores a los niveles guía de protección de la vida acuática, como el caso de nitratos y fosfatos en el Arroyo Claromecó, tendencia que se mantuvo en casi todos los parámetros químicos, lo que se correspondería con descargas cloacales y secundariamente industriales de las plantas procesadoras por las que atraviesa este curso fluvial en el área urbana y periurbana de la localidad de Tres Arroyos. Los sedimentos fluviales analizados presentaron valores de metales pesados bajos-intermedios. El análisis de las variables físicas y químicas del agua reflejan para los afluentes del Arroyo Claromecó las características de sustrato y la influencia del uso agrícola ganadero circundante. El curso principal presenta un predominio del uso urbano e industrial a partir del mayor aporte de nutrientes a sus aguas, provenientes de descargas domésticas directas sin tratamiento.The creeks of the middle basin of the Arroyo Claromecó cross the town of Tres Arroyos with over 59 000 inhabitants, where an industrial plant and a wastewater treatment plant city is located. The aim of this paper is to analyze the quality of surface water courses of the basin to study human impact on this sector of the river system. We selected 5 sampling stations for the concentration of heavy metals in the sediment of rivers. In four of them values of nutrients in the water were obtained. These measurements were conducted during August 2007 and repeated in August 2009. The determination of nutrients was performed using a sequential Technicon Autoanalyzer II and the Particulate OrganicMatter was analyzed by spectrophotometry. The nutrient values showed greater variability between 2007 and 2009. The maxima were observed during the first year of measurement, while the maximum of ammonium was observed in the main sewer in 2009. Variables were detected above guideline levels for the protection of aquatic life, as the case of nitrates and phosphates in the Arroyo Claromecó. This trend was maintained for almost all the chemical parameters, which would correspond to secondary sewage and industrial discharges from plants processing by the river that runs through this course in peri-urban areas of the town of Tres Arroyos. The analyzed river sediments showed low to intermediate values of heavy metals. For the tributaries of the Arroyo Claromecó, the analysis of the physical and chemical variables of water reflects substrate characteristics and the influence of surrounding agricultural livestock. The main course presents a predominance of urban and industrial use from the increased supply of nutrients to the water, that come directly from untreated domestic dischargesFil: Carbone, Maria Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: García Martínez, B.. Universidad de Sevilla. Facultad de Geografía e Historia; EspañaFil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Piccolo, Maria Cintia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); ArgentinaFil: Perillo, Gerardo Miguel E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentin