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

Fast three dimensional r-adaptive mesh redistribution

This paper describes a fast and reliable method for redistributing a computational mesh in three dimensions which can generate a complex three dimensional mesh without any problems due to mesh tangling. The method relies on a three dimensional implementation of the parabolic Monge–Ampère (PMA) technique, for finding an optimally transported mesh. The method for implementing PMA is described in detail and applied to both static and dynamic mesh redistribution problems, studying both the convergence and the computational cost of the algorithm. The algorithm is applied to a series of problems of increasing complexity. In particular very regular meshes are generated to resolve real meteorological features (derived from a weather forecasting model covering the UK area) in grids with over 2×107 degrees of freedom. The PMA method computes these grids in times commensurate with those required for operational weather forecasting

Dermoscopy of uncommon variants of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive fibrohistiocytic tumour with a low metastatic potential.(1) Because of its rarity, slow progression and lack of early clinical clues, the diagnosis of DFSP is often delayed. Classical DFSP clinically appeared like an indurated, irregularly-shaped plaques exhibiting flesh to reddish-brown colour. Some lesions also showed thin teleangectasia on the surface (Fig. 1, a). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Distribution and morphometry of shallow lakes in a temperate zone (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

We have developed a database of water bodies to characterise and assess the distribution and morphometry of Pampean shallow lakes and reservoirs in a temperate zone (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). In the study area, there are over 2000 shallow lakes with a mean area 2. In the last two cases, geomorphology determines the morphometry and location of these shallow lakes. The development of numerous water bodies with areas 2). En los últimos dos casos, la morfometría y la localización de los lagos fue influenciada por la geomorfología. El desarrollo de numerosos cuerpos de agua cuya área media es menor a 1 km2 causó un incremento en el número de cuerpos de agua durante el año húmedo. El área cubierta por agua y la densidad de los lagos fue más baja en la zona de mesetas (situada al oeste del área de estudio), baja en la zona serrana, moderada en el centro del área de estudio y alta en las planicies del sector este del área de estudio

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

Low-gravity experiments of lightweight flexible heat pipe panels with self-rewetting fluids

Abstract. Fluids with a unique surface tension behavior, the so-called "self-rewetting fluids," are considered to be promising working fluids not only in reduced-gravity environments but also in terrestrial applications. Ultralightweight polyimide-based wickless heat pipe panels with flexible, inflatable, and deployable functions were fabricated using self-rewetting fluids. Fundamental operation tests of these panels were conducted under conditions of reduced gravity during parabolic flight. We obtained promising experimental results on the thermal performance of the panels in reduced gravity, although the experimental conditions were not entirely satisfactory

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+

Methane emission from soil under long-term no-till cropping systems.

Methane (CH4) emission from agricultural soils increases dramatically as a result of deleterious effect of soil disturbance and nitrogen fertilization on methanotrophic organisms; however, few studies have attempted to evaluate the potential of long-term conservation management systems to mitigate CH4 emissions in tropical and subtropical soils. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effect (>19 years) of no-till grass- and legume-based cropping systems on annual soil CH4 fluxes in a formerly degraded Acrisol in Southern Brazil. Air sampling was carried out using static chambers and CH4 analysis by gas chromatography. Analysis of historical data set of the experiment evidenced a remarkable effect of high C- and N-input cropping systems on the improvement of biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of this no-tilled soil. Soil CH4 fluxes, which represent a net balance between consumption () and production (+) of CH4 in soil, varied from 40 2 to +62 78 mg C m2 h1. Mean weighted contents of ammonium (NH4+–N) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil had a positive relationship with accumulated soil CH4 fluxes in the post-management period (r2 = 0.95, p = 0.05), suggesting an additive effect of these nutrients in suppressing CH4 oxidation and stimulating methanogenesis, respectively, in legumebased cropping systems with high biomass input. Annual CH4 fluxes ranged from 50 610 to +994 105 g C ha1, which were inversely related to annual biomass-C input (r2 = 0.99, p = 0.003), with the exception of the cropping system containing pigeon pea, a summer legume that had the highest biologically fixed N input (>300 kg ha1 yr1). Our results evidenced a small effect of conservation management systems on decreasing CH4 emissions from soil, despite their significant effect restoring soil quality. We hypothesized that soil CH4 uptake strength has been off-set by an injurious effect of biologically fixed N in legume-based cropping systems on soil methanotrophic microbiota, and by the methanogenesis increase as a result of the O2 depletion in niches of high biological activity in the surface layer of the no-tillage soil

A study of gas contaminants and interaction with materials in RPC closed loop systems

Resistive Plate Counters (RPC) detectors at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments use gas recirculation systems to cope with large gas mixture volumes and costs. In this paper a long-term systematic study about gas purifiers, gas contaminants and detector performance is discussed. The study aims at measuring the lifetime of purifiers with unused and used cartridge material along with contaminants release in the gas system. During the data-taking the response of several RPC double-gap detectors was monitored in order to characterize the correlation between dark currents, filter status and gas contaminants