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- Merlone, Andrea, et al.
(author)
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A new challenge for meteorological measurements : The meteoMet project-Metrology for meteorology
- 2013
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In: AIP Conference Proceedings. - : AIP. - 0094-243X .- 1551-7616. - 9780735411784 ; , s. 1030-1035
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change and its consequences require immediate actions in order to safeguard the environment and economy in Europe and in the rest of world. Aiming to enhance data reliability and reduce uncertainties in climate observations, a joint research project called MeteoMet-Metrology for Meteorology started in October 2011 coordinated by the Italian Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM). The project is focused on the traceability of measurements involved in climate change: surface and upper air measurements of temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, solar irradiance and reciprocal influences between measurands. This project will provide the first definition at the European level of validated climate parameters with associated uncertainty budgets and novel criteria for interpretation of historical data series. The big challenge is the propagation of a metrological measurement perspective to meteorological observations. When such an approach will be adopted the requirement of reliable data and robust datasets over wide scales and long terms could be better met.
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| 2. |
- Al-Ahmad, A., et al.
(author)
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Time-resolved three-dimensional imaging of the left atrium and pulmonary veins in the interventional suite-A comparison between multisweep gated rotational three-dimensional reconstructed fluoroscopy and multislice computed tomography
- 2008
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In: Heart Rhythm. - : Elsevier BV. - 1547-5271. ; 5:4, s. 513-519
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to visualize left atrial (LA) anatomy for ablation of atrial fibrillation. We have developed a new imaging technique that allows acquisition and visualization of three-dimensional (3D) cardiac images in the catheter lab. Objective: We sought to compare LA and pulmonary vein (PV) dimensions acquired using gated multisweep rotational fluoroscopy (C-arm CT) system and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in an in vivo porcine model. Methods: A Siemens AXIOM Artis dTA C-arm system (Siemens AG, Medical Solutions) was modified to allow acquisition of four bidirectional sweeps during synchronized acquisition of the electrocardiogram signal to allow retrospective gating. C-arm CT image volumes were then reconstructed. Gated MSCT (SOMATOM Sensation 16 and 64, Siemens AG, Medical Solutions) and C-arm CT images were acquired in six animals. The two main PV diameters were measured in orthogonal axes. LA volumes were calculated. C-arm CT measurements were compared with the MSCT measurements. Results: The average PV diameters using the C-arm CT were 2.24 × 1.35 cm, versus 2.27 × 1.38 cm for CT. The average difference was 0.034 cm (1.9%) between the C-arm CT and standard CT. The average LA volume using MSCT was 49.1 ± 12.7 cm3, as compared with 51.0 ± 8.7 cm3 obtained by the C-arm CT. The average difference between the C-arm CT and the MSCT was 1.9 cm3 (3.7%). There were no significant differences in either the PV or LA measurements. Conclusions: Visualization of 3D cardiac anatomy during ablation procedures is possible and highly accurate. The 3D cardiac reconstructions acquired during ablation procedures will be valuable for procedural planning and guidance. © 2008 Heart Rhythm Society.
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| 4. |
- Hurry, V.M., et al.
(author)
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Effects of growth at cold hardening temperatures and temperature shifts on resistance to photoinhibition
- 1993
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In: Advances in plant cold hardiness. - Boca Raton : CRC Press. - 9781351069526 - 0849349508 ; , s. 103-112
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This chapter presents a summary of results that illustrate the photosynthetic responses of cold-tolerant cereals, spinach, and pine to low temperature-induced photoinhibition. Pre Exposure to a low temperature regime induces a cold-hardened state that imparts a certain level of freezing resistance and enhances the winter survival of the seedlings under natural conditions. Photosynthesis provides the energy for this cold hardening process. The phenomenon of resistance to photoinhibition was examined at several levels of cellular organization in winter rye: isolated thylakoids; isolated, intact mesophyll cells; and leaf segments. In contrast to the herbaceous cold-tolerant plants, Scots pine exposed to cold hardening conditions exhibited the same susceptibility to low temperature-induced photoinhibition as nonhardened Scots pine. To attain maximum cold hardiness, the herbaceous plants grow and develop at low temperatures and, as a consequence, develop a resistance to low temperature photoinhibition. The capacity to down-regulate PSII through photoinhibition may be an important characteristic that separates cold-tolerant from chilling-sensitive plant species.
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| 5. |
- Rands, Chris M., et al.
(author)
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Insights into the evolution of Darwin's finches from comparative analysis of the Geospiza magnirostris genome sequence
- 2013
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In: BMC Genomics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2164. ; 14, s. 95-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: A classical example of repeated speciation coupled with ecological diversification is the evolution of 14 closely related species of Darwin's (Galapagos) finches (Thraupidae, Passeriformes). Their adaptive radiation in the Galapagos archipelago took place in the last 2-3 million years and some of the molecular mechanisms that led to their diversification are now being elucidated. Here we report evolutionary analyses of genome of the large ground finch, Geospiza magnirostris. Results: 13,291 protein-coding genes were predicted from a 991.0 Mb G. magnirostris genome assembly. We then defined gene orthology relationships and constructed whole genome alignments between the G. magnirostris and other vertebrate genomes. We estimate that 15% of genomic sequence is functionally constrained between G. magnirostris and zebra finch. Genic evolutionary rate comparisons indicate that similar selective pressures acted along the G. magnirostris and zebra finch lineages suggesting that historical effective population size values have been similar in both lineages. 21 otherwise highly conserved genes were identified that each show evidence for positive selection on amino acid changes in the Darwin's finch lineage. Two of these genes (Igf2r and Pou1f1) have been implicated in beak morphology changes in Darwin's finches. Five of 47 genes showing evidence of positive selection in early passerine evolution have cilia related functions, and may be examples of adaptively evolving reproductive proteins. Conclusions: These results provide insights into past evolutionary processes that have shaped G. magnirostris genes and its genome, and provide the necessary foundation upon which to build population genomics resources that will shed light on more contemporaneous adaptive and non-adaptive processes that have contributed to the evolution of the Darwin's finches.
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| 6. |
- Roth, Stephan V., et al.
(author)
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Patterned Diblock co-polymer Thin Films as Templates for Advanced Anisotropic Metal Nanostructures
- 2015
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In: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 7:23, s. 12470-12477
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We demonstrate glancing-angle deposition of gold on a nanostructured diblock copolymer, namely polystytene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) thin film. Exploiting the selective wetting of gold on the polystyrene block, we are able to fabricate directional hierarchical structures. We prove the asymmetric growth of the gold nanoparticles and are able to extract the different growth laws by in situ scattering methods. The optical anisotropy of these hierarchical hybrid materials is further probed by angular resolved spectroscopic methods. This approach enables us to tailor functional hierarchical layers in nanodevices, such as nanoantennae arrays, organic photovoltaics, and sensor electronics.
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