Anti-correlation between multiplicity and orbital properties in exoplanetary systems as a possible record of their dynamical histories

Previous works focused on exoplanets discovered with the radial velocity (RV) method reported an anti-correlation between the orbital eccentricities of the exoplanets and the multiplicity M (i.e., number of planets) of their system. We further investigate this reported anti-correlation here using a dataset comprising exoplanets discovered with both the RV and transit methods, searching for hints of its causes by exploring the connection between the number of planets and the dynamical state of the exosystems. To examine the correlation between multiplicity and orbital eccentricity, for every multiplicity case considered (1<M<7), we computed the weighted average eccentricities instead of the median eccentricities used previously. The average eccentricities were calculated using the inverse of the uncertainty on the eccentricity values as weights. The analysis of the dynamic state of the exosystems was performed by computing their angular momentum deficit (AMD), a diagnostic parameter used in the study of solar system and recently applied to exosystems. Our results confirm the reported multiplicity-eccentricity anti-correlation and show that the use of the uncertainties on the orbital eccentricities in the analysis allows for a better agreement between data and fits. Our best fit reproduces well the behaviour of average eccentricities for all systems with M>1, including the additional cases of TRAPPIST-1 (M=7) and solar system (M=8). The AMD analysis, while not conclusive due to the limited number of exosystems that could be analysed, also suggests the existence of an anti-correlation between the multiplicity and the AMD of exosystems. This second anticorrelation, if confirmed by future studies, raises the possibility that the population of low-multiplicity exosystems is contaminated by former high-multiplicity systems that became dynamically unstable and lost some of their planets

The daylighting contribution in the electric lighting energy uses: EN standard and alternative method comparison

The standard EN 15193: 2007. Energy performance of Buildings. Energy requirements for lighting includes a comprehensive method, which takes into account the daylighting contribution in the calculation procedure. Such contribution is obtained through several approximations. An alternative approach is developed, where the daylighting contribution is based on the availability of outdoor illuminance data and an explicit procedure. The methods are tested on a standard office building, whose lighting requirements are calculated for different visual tasks, observation positions and climatic zones. The results show discrepancies among the methods and address the need of a more accurate estimation of the lighting energy service

Effect of Martian Suspended Dust on Albedo Measurements from the MGS-TES Data

Suspended dust on Mars influences albedo measurements by orbiting instruments, but not necessary the real surface albedo. The aim of this study is to characterize the role of suspended aerosols on albedo measurement by remote sensing instruments

Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Roofs and Pavements. A Case Study at Sapienza University Campus

The progressively emerging concept of urban resilience to climate change highlights the importance of mitigation and adaptation measures, and the need to integrate urban climatology in the design process, in order to better understand the multiple effects of combined green and cool technologies for the transition to climate responsive and thermally comfortable urban open spaces. This study focuses the attention on selected mitigation and adaptation technologies; two renovation scenarios were designed and modeled according to the minimal intervention criterion. The study pays attention to the effect on surface temperature and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) of vegetation and high albedo materials characterizing the horizontal boundaries of the site. The Sapienza University campus, a historical site in Rome, is taken as a case study. These results highlight the importance of treed open spaces and the combination of permeable green pavements associated with cool roofs as the most effective strategy for the mitigation of summer heatwaves and the improvement of outdoor thermal comfort

Evaluation of early maturing maize (zea mays L.) hybrids for multiple-stress tolerance.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal in Africa, but a number of constraints including biotic, abiotic and socio-economic factors affect its production. The abiotic factors such as drought, low nitrogen (N) and heat contribute to the low grain yield production, which creates a challenge that needs to be addressed by researchers. Thus, development and use of early maturing maize hybrids could help in stabilizing maize production. Early maturing maize hybrids help in reducing the growing period to escape some of the abiotic stresses that contains variability for high yield potential and adaptive traits. This study, therefore, was aimed at breeding and identifying early maturing maize hybrids cultivars that are tolerant to drought and low N stresses. Fifty early maturing maize hybrids including six commercial checks were evaluated under stress and non-stress environments during the 2016/17 maize growing season in South Africa. The objectives were (i) to estimate variance components, correlation and path coefficients among grain yield and secondary traits in early maturing maize hybrids across stress and non-stress environments and (ii) to evaluate genotype by environment interaction effects and stability for grain yield performance in early maturing maize hybrids across stress and non-stress environments. To estimate the variance components, correlation and path coefficients among grain yield and secondary traits in early maturing maize hybrids across stress and non-stress environments, quantitative traits data including grain yield and its secondary components were recorded. Statistical analyses revealed that the effect of genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction were significant (P<0.01) for all the traits. Hybrids CZH16084, CZH16064 and CZH16095 under managed drought, low N and optimum environments, respectively, were identified as the outstanding genotypes for grain yield and recommended for further testing, release and registration. High magnitude of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation as well as high heritability were recorded for each single environment for anthesis days, silking days, ear height and plant height, suggesting that those traits interacted with the environment. Grain yield was positively correlated with anthesis days and ear height, field weight, grain moisture at Potchefstroom while at Lutzville and Cedara had negative correlation with those traits, suggesting that the genotypes differed significantly for most of the phenotypic traits. Path coefficient analyses revealed that anthesis days and anthesis-silking interval had positive direct effects while silking days, plant height and ear per plant had a negative direct effect on grain yield in all the environments. These traits are recommended for effective selection to the improvement of maize grain yield. To evaluate genotype by environment interaction effects and stability for grain yield performance in early maturing maize hybrids across stress and non-stress environments, data collected from all environments which were Lutzville (managed drought), Potchefstroom (optimum), Cedara (optimum) and Cedara (low nitrogen) during the 2016/17 summer planting season, were subjected to ANOVA and GGE biplot analyses. Analysis of variance for individual environments showed that the genotype mean squares were significant at P<0.01. The ANOVA across environments showed that the genotype, environment and genotype by environment interaction mean squares were significant at P<0.01 for grain yield. From the GGE biplot analysis, the two principal components (PC1 and PC2) contributed 64.8% of the total variability due to genotypes plus genotype by environment interaction, with PC1 and PC2 accounting for 35.97% and 28.83%, respectively. The use of GGE biplot analyses provided a clear basis for determining the stability and performance of the 50 early maize hybrids and ranked them according to order. The best performing genotypes were G13 (CZH15448), G46 (CZH15574), G15 (local check 2), G33 (CZH16094), G7 (CZH16083), G20 (CZH16090) and G4 (CZH16089). The following hybrids were adapted to specific environments as follows: G26 (CZH16070), G34 (CZH16074), G9 (CZH15499) and G18(CZH16071) at Cedara (optimum) conditions; G46 (CZH15574), G40 (CZH16069) and G12 (CZH16080) excluding the checks G23 (local check 1) and G14 (SC301) at Potchefstroom (optimum); G22 (CZH16093), G6 (CZH15575), G49 (CZH16068) and G17 (CZH15600) excluding the check G15 (local check 2) at Cedara (low N) and G33 (CZH16094), G37 (CZH15184), G41 (CZH16082), G28 (CZH16076) and G8 (CZH16065) at Lutzville (managed drought). The GGE biplot analysis also identified nine stable and high yielding genotypes, which included G6 (CZH15575), G46 (CZH15574), G22 (CZH16093), G49 (CZH16068), G12 (CZH16080), G17 (CZH15600), G28 (CZH16076), G47 (CZH15452), and G8 (CZH16065). These genotypes will contribute to high maize yields and stable grain production in specific and across environments and are therefore, recommended for further testing and release

Global energy performance of residential buildings: the role of the urban climate

Abstract The energy performance of buildings are strongly dependent on climatic conditions. Climatic data are acquired by measuring stations, generally located outside of the city, hence their reliability in reproducing the thermal conditions inside the urban environment should be carefully addressed. This paper deals with the analysis of the urban climate in Rome, city characterized by a composite urban texture and a high variability of the residential building stock. Air temperature and relative humidity were monitored in different neighborhoods of the city and in a microclimatic station placed in a countryside area for one year in 2015. The monitoring allowed to quantify relevant microclimatic indicators and to use the data as input to predict the impact on the energy performance of a reference building. It was found that UHI is uniform in winter, while it is zone dependent in summer. UHI hourly intensities reached 10.5 and 7.8°C in winter and summer, seasonal UHI reched 1.5°C in city centre. Urban cooling and heating degree days showed relevant variations up to 26% respect to the countryside area. In terms of predicted energy performance, UHI causes a winter reduction up to 36% and a summer increase up to 42%

Urban Overheating - Progress on Mitigation Science and Engineering Applications

The combination of global warming and urban sprawl is the origin of the most hazardous climate change effect detected at urban level: Urban Heat Island, representing the urban overheating respect to the countryside surrounding the city. This book includes 18 papers representing the state of the art of detection, assessment mitigation and adaption to urban overheating. Advanced methods, strategies and technologies are here analyzed including relevant issues as: the role of urban materials and fabrics on urban climate and their potential mitigation, the impact of greenery and vegetation to reduce urban temperatures and improve the thermal comfort, the role the urban geometry in the air temperature rise, the use of satellite and ground data to assess and quantify the urban overheating and develop mitigation solutions, calculation methods and application to predict and assess mitigation scenarios. The outcomes of the book are thus relevant for a wide multidisciplinary audience, including: environmental scientists and engineers, architect and urban planners, policy makers and students

A Difference-in-Differences Approach to Assess the Effect of a Heat Action Plan on Heat-Related Mortality, and Differences in Effectiveness According to Sex, Age, and Socioeconomic Status (Montreal, Quebec).

BackgroundThe impact of heat waves on mortality and health inequalities is well documented. Very few studies have assessed the effectiveness of heat action plans (HAPs) on health, and none has used quasi-experimental methods to estimate causal effects of such programs.ObjectivesWe developed a quasi-experimental method to estimate the causal effects associated with HAPs that allows the identification of heterogeneity across subpopulations, and to apply this method specifically to the case of the Montreal (Quebec, Canada) HAP.MethodsA difference-in-differences approach was undertaken using Montreal death registry data for the summers of 2000-2007 to assess the effectiveness of the Montreal HAP, implemented in 2004, on mortality. To study equity in the effect of HAP implementation, we assessed whether the program effects were heterogeneous across sex (male vs. female), age (≥ 65 years vs. &lt; 65 years), and neighborhood education levels (first vs. third tertile). We conducted sensitivity analyses to assess the validity of the estimated causal effect of the HAP program.ResultsWe found evidence that the HAP contributed to reducing mortality on hot days, and that the mortality reduction attributable to the program was greater for elderly people and people living in low-education neighborhoods.ConclusionThese findings show promise for programs aimed at reducing the impact of extreme temperatures and health inequities. We propose a new quasi-experimental approach that can be easily applied to evaluate the impact of any program or intervention triggered when daily thresholds are reached. Citation: Benmarhnia T, Bailey Z, Kaiser D, Auger N, King N, Kaufman J. 2016. A difference-in-differences approach to assess the effect of a heat action plan on heat-related mortality, and differences in effectiveness according to sex, age, and socioeconomic status (Montreal, Quebec). Environ Health Perspect 124:1694-1699; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP203