monthly averaged anthropogenic aerosol direct radiative forcing over the mediterranean based on aeronet aerosol properties

Abstract. The all-sky direct radiative effect by anthropogenic aerosol (DREa) is calculated in the solar (0.3–4 μm) and infrared (4–200 μm) spectral ranges for six Mediterranean sites. The sites are differently affected by pollution and together reflect typical aerosol impacts that are expected over land and coastal sites of the central Mediterranean basin. Central to the simulations are aerosol optical properties from AERONET sun-/sky-photometer statistics for the year 2003. A discussion on the variability of the overall (natural + anthropogenic) aerosol properties with site location is provided. Supplementary data include MODIS satellite sensor based solar surface albedos, ISCCP products for high- mid- and low cloud cover and estimates for the anthropogenic aerosol fraction from global aerosol models. Since anthropogenic aerosol particles are considered to be smaller than 1 μm in size, mainly the solar radiation transfer is affected with impacts only during sun-light hours. At all sites the (daily average) solar DREa is negative all year round at the top of the atmosphere (ToA). Hence, anthropogenic particles produce over coastal and land sites of the central Mediterranean a significant cooling effect. Monthly DREa values vary from site to site and are seasonally dependent as a consequence of the seasonal dependence of available sun-light and microphysical aerosol properties. At the ToA the monthly average DREa is −(4±1) W m−2 during spring-summer (SS, April–September) and −(2±1) W m−2 during autumn-winter (AW, October–March) at the polluted sites. In contrast, it varies between −(3±1) W m−2 and −(1±1) W m−2 on SS and AW, respectively at the less polluted site. Due to atmospheric absorption the DREa at the surface is larger than at the ToA. At the surface the monthly average DREa varies between the most and the least polluted site between −(7±1) W m−2 and −(4±1) W m−2 during SS, and between −(4±3) W m−2 and −(1±1) W m−2 during AW. The DREa at infrared wavelengths is positive but negligible, especially at the ToA (<0.3 W m−2). The average of DREa monthly-means referring to all sites has allowed getting a ToA- and sfc-DREa yearly-mean value of −(3±2) and −(5±3) W m−2, respectively at solar wavelengths. Last data, even if refer to a particular year, indicate that the radiative energy-balance of Central Mediterranean land and coastal sites is quite affected by anthropogenic particles

In Situ Samplings and Remote Sensing Measurements to Characterize Aerosol Properties over Southeast Italy

Abstract Ground-based particulate matter (PM) samplers, an XeF Raman lidar operating in the framework of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET), and a sun/sky radiometer operating in the framework of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) have been used to characterize vertical profiles, optical and microphysical properties, and chemical composition of aerosols during the 29 June–1 July 2005 dust outbreak that occurred over the central-eastern Mediterranean. Aerosol backscatter coefficient, total depolarization, and lidar ratio vertical profiles revealed that a well-mixed dust layer extending from ∼0.5 to 6 km was present over southeastern Italy on 30 June. Sun/sky radiometer measurements revealed a bimodal lognormal size distribution during all measurement days. The particle volume distribution was found to be well correlated either to the PM mass distribution measured at ground by a seven-stage cascade impactor and to the fine to total suspended PM mass ratio measured by ground-based PM samplers. Scanning electron microscopy and ion chromatography analyses on PM samples revealed that coarse-mode aerosols were mainly made of carbonate, aluminum-silicate, and sea salt particles. Carbon, sulfate, and nitrate particles were the main components of fine-mode aerosols representing more than 50% of the total aerosol load; the significant role of fine-mode anthropogenic particles during a dust event is highlighted. Finally, the potential capabilities of complementary measurements by passive and active remote sensing techniques and in situ observations to retrieve the vertical distribution of the particle number and mass concentration are analyzed and discussed

EARLINET observations of the 14-22-May long-range dust transport event during SAMUM 2006: Validation of results from dust transport modelling

We observed a long-range transport event of mineral dust from North Africa to South Europe during the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) 2006. Geometrical and optical properties of that dust plume were determined with Sun photometer of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Raman lidar near the North African source region, and with Sun photometers of AERONET and lidars of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) in the far field in Europe. Extinction-to-backscatter ratios of the dust plume over Morocco and Southern Europe do not differ. Ångstr¨om exponents increase with distance from Morocco. We simulated the transport, and geometrical and optical properties of the dust plume with a dust transport model. The model results and the experimental data show similar times regarding the appearance of the dust plume over each EARLINET site. Dust optical depth from the model agrees in most cases to particle optical depth measured with the Sun photometers. The vertical distribution of the mineral dust could be satisfactorily reproduced, if we use as benchmark the extinction profiles measured with lidar. In some cases we find differences. We assume that insufficient vertical resolution of the dust plume in the model calculations is one reason for these deviations

Comparison of different conditions for DNA extraction in sputum : A pilot study

Background: The analysis of microbiome in respiratory samples is a topic of great interest in chronic respiratory diseases. The method used to prepare sputum samples for microbiome analysis is very heterogeneous. The selection of the most suitable methodology for DNA extraction is fundamental to have the most representative data. The objective of this study was to compare different conditions for DNA extraction from sputum in adult patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: Five sputum samples from bronchiectasis patients were collected at the Policlinico Hospital in Milan, Italy. Eighteen conditions for DNA extraction were compared, including two enzyme-based (Roche and Zymo) and one beads-based (Mobio) technique. These techniques were tested with/without Dithiothreitol (DTT) and with/without lysostaphin (0.18 and 0.36 mg/mL) step. DNA was quantified, tested using Real-time PCR for 16S rDNA and S. aureus and, then, microbiome was evaluated. Results: Although 16S rDNA was similarly detected across all the different techniques, Roche kit gave the highest DNA yield. The lowest Ct values for Real-time PCR for S. aureus was identified when lysostaphin was added. Considering genera from microbiome, alpha diversity indices did not show any significant differences between techniques, while relative abundances were more similar in presence of DTT. Conclusions: None of the conditions emerged to be superior to the others even if enzyme-based kits seem to be needed in order to have a higher extraction yield

Immune Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in the Parietal Pleura of Patients with Tuberculous Pleurisy

The T lymphocyte-mediated immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the parietal pleura of patients with tuberculous pleurisy is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune response in the parietal pleura of tuberculous pleurisy compared with nonspecific pleuritis. We have measured the numbers of inflammatory cells particularly T-cell subsets (Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cells) in biopsies of parietal pleura obtained from 14 subjects with proven tuberculous pleurisy compared with a control group of 12 subjects with nonspecific pleuritis. The number of CD3+, CD4+ and CCR4+ cells and the expression of RORC2 mRNA were significantly increased in the tuberculous pleurisy patients compared with the nonspecific pleuritis subjects. The number of toluidine blue+ cells, tryptase+ cells and GATA-3+ cells was significantly decreased in the parietal pleura of patients with tuberculous pleurisy compared with the control group of nonspecific pleuritis subjects. Logistic regression with receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis for the three single markers was performed and showed a better performance for GATA-3 with a sensitivity of 75%, a specificity of 100% and an AUC of 0.88. There was no significant difference between the two groups of subjects in the number of CD8, CD68, neutrophil elastase, interferon (IFN)-γ, STAT4, T-bet, CCR5, CXCR3, CRTH2, STAT6 and FOXP3 positive cells. Elevated CD3, CD4, CCR4 and Th17 cells and decreased mast cells and GATA-3+ cells in the parietal pleura distinguish patients with untreated tuberculous pleurisy from those with nonspecific pleuritis

I'm ... and I can. Gender Bias nei giochi e nelle aspirazioni future

Il contributo di Anna Morena Tafuro e Rosita Maglie si pone come particolarmente ambizioso nella proposta di implementare, fin dalla scuola primaria, percorsi di educazione linguistica di genere attraverso l'utilizzo dell'inglese, ma non solo, come L2. Nello specifico, analizzando prodotti di consumo per l'infanzia, come giocattoli, film, cartoni, super eroi e pubblicità, le autrici si interrogano sulle modalità di costruzione e di decostruzione di gender bias in età scolare e avanzano proposte di didattica alterativa incentrate sulla trasmissione del concetto di gender equality

Sustainable mortars for application in the cultural heritage field

A large part of the world’s architectural heritage is composed of masonry buildings located in seismic areas, and its vulnerability has been shown by the damage caused by the last earthquakes. Meeting the safety demands of cultural heritage buildings according to the performance-based seismic codes requires a deep knowledge of the mechanical properties of material components. Traditional mortars are among these. However, significant samples of structural mortars cannot be taken from existing masonry walls to perform mechanical tests, but tests can, alternatively, be conducted on samples realized according to traditional instructions for composition. Based on a historical study of mix proportions, this paper presents the results of a mechanical test campaign of traditional mortars. The samples were obtained combining lime and pozzolan according to the proportions derived from ancient treatises. The laboratory tests were performed taking into account three different types of limes, and a discussion involving the results presented in the literature is provided. Besides the contribution to fulfilling the lack of knowledge about the mechanical properties of traditional lime mortars, the test results are good references for on-site preparation of mortars for use in restoration. There is a focus on natural pozzolanic lime mortars, widely used in the Neapolitan area and, in general, in the whole Italian territory

Experimental behavior of concrete columns confined by transverse reinforcement with different details

Introduction: Most of the existing reinforced concrete buildings often have columns with poor transverse reinforcement details. Models for computing the confined concrete strength were developed using experimental tests performed on specimens with transverse reinforcement typical of seismic design. The paper presents the results of an experimental program performed to investigate the effect of type, amount and pitch of transverse reinforcement on the behavior of confined concrete. Aim: The paper is also aimed at evaluating whether the current code models are suitable for estimating the confined strength of concrete in existing buildings. Methods: A total of 45 reinforced concrete columns with four volume ratios of transverse reinforcement were tested under axial loads. Type and pitch of transverse reinforcement typical of existing r/c buildings not designed according to seismic standards were considered. Therefore, columns reinforced by spiral and hoops with 135° or 90° hooks at the end are investigated for comparing their behavior. The confinement of spirals and hoops to core concrete is discussed as the amount of transverse and longitudinal reinforcement varies. Small increases in strength due to the concrete confinement were measured for hoop pitch of 150 mm (ranging between 2% and 7%), but also for hoops with 90° hook and pitch of 75 mm. Greater increments were obtained by spirals and hoops with 135° hook in the case of 75 mm pitch and when rhomboidal hoops or cross-ties were arranged in addition to the perimeter hoops. A comparison with some similar experimental results is also performed, achieving quite similar results. The mean experimental stress-strain curves are also analyzed. Results: The results show how the increase in concrete strength due to the confinement is more dependent on the transverse reinforcement pitch than the type and detail of transverse reinforcement or even less diameter of longitudinal bars. Finally, the experimental strength of confined concrete is then compared with the values provided by Eurocode 8 and the new Italian Building Code, showing that the higher the volumetric percentage of transverse reinforcement, the greater the overestimation of code models. Conclusion: An overestimation of codes up to 30% is assessed, systematically lower in the case of spirals, and higher in the case of hoops with 90° hooks at the end. The results highlight the need to develop specific equations to determine the strength increase due to the concrete confinement in the case of existing buildings with poor transverse reinforcement

Dust layer effects on the atmospheric radiative budget and heating rate profiles,

The effect of mineral aerosol optical properties and vertical distribution on clear-sky, instantaneous and daily-average aerosol direct radiative effects (DREs) and heating rates (HRs) is analyzed in the solar (S, 0.3-4 μm) and terrestrial (T, 4-80 μm) spectral domain, respectively. The used radiative transfer model is based on lidar, sun-sky photometer, and radiosonde measurements. The study focuses on the Sahara dust outbreak of July 16, 2009 which advected dust particles from north-western Africa over south-eastern Italy. Clear-sky, instantaneous aerosol DREs and HRs undergo large changes within few hours, for the variability of the dust aerosol properties and vertical distribution. The daily-average, clear-sky aerosol S-DRE is near -5 Wm -2 and -12 Wm -2 at the top of the atmosphere (ToA) and surface (sfc), respectively. The daily-average aerosol T-DRE offsets the S-DRE by about one third at the ToA and by about one half at the surface. The daily average aerosol HR integrated over the whole aerosol column is 0.5 and -0.3 K day -1 in the S and T domain, respectively. Thus, the all-wave integrated HR is 0.2 K day -1. These results highlight the importance of accounting for the interaction of dust particles with T and S radiation. Sensitivity tests indicate that the uncertainties of the aerosol refractive index, size distribution, and vertical distribution have on average a large impact on aerosol HRs in the S and T domain, respectively. Refractive index and aerosol size distribution uncertainties also have a large impact on S- and T-DREs. The aerosol vertical distribution that has a negligible impact on aerosol S-DREs, is important for aerosol T-DREs. It is also shown that aerosol HRs and DREs in the terrestrial domain are affected by the water vapour vertical distribution. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd