Showing papers by "ARPA-E published in 2010"

Application of Remote Sensing in Water Resource Management: The Case Study of Lake Trasimeno, Italy

Abstract: Satellite multi-sensor data were used to investigate the evolution in time and space of Lake Trasimeno, a shallow and turbid lake in central Italy. Large-swath MERIS and MODIS sensors were proposed for regular broad scale monitoring of water quality, having compared the retrieved chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration, Secchi disk (SD) depth and surface water temperature with the 2005–2008 time-series of the in situ data. Although, in a shorter time span, also the MERIS-derived total suspended matter (TSM) matched the in situ data. MERIS-derived water quality products confirmed the meso-eutrophic conditions of Lake Trasimeno (average Chl-a = 8.5 mg/m3) and the low levels of transparency (average SD = 1 m). A negative correlation found between water levels and Chl-a suggest the importance of maintaining water levels as close as possible to the hydrometric zero. A spatial analysis of TSM also reveals how small tributaries may affect the load of suspended solids in the southern part of the lake. Higher spatial resolution satellite images were exploited both to describe land use/cover transformation from 1978 to 2008 and to assess the recent changes in macrophyte colonisation patterns. Land cover change detection analysis results showed a decrease in cultivated areas starting from the early Nineties and the subsequent increase in unproductive terrain (bare land and pastures) and natural woods as well as the changing fragmentation of agricultural areas through time. A reduction in macrophyte beds from 2003 to 2008 was also observed. We expect the results of this study to support local water authorities in redrawing the management plan of Lake Trasimeno.

Recommendations for assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes and Health-Related quality of life in clinical trials on allergy: a GA2LEN taskforce position paper

Abstract: The aim of this Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN) consensus report is to provide recommendations for patient-reported outcomes (PROs) evaluation in clinical trials for allergic diseases, which constitute a global health problem in terms of physical, psychological economic and social impact. During the last 40 years, PROs have gained large consideration and use in the scientific community, to gain a better understanding of patients' subjective assessment with respect to elements concerning their health condition. They include all health-related reports coming from the patient, without involvement or interpretation by physician or others. PROs assessment should be performed by validated tools (disease-specific tools when available or generic ones) selected taking into account the aim of the study, the expected intervention effects and the determinant and confounding factors or patient-related factors which could influence PROs. Moreover, each tool should be used exclusively in the patient population following the authors' indications without modification and performing a cross-cultural validation if the tool must be used in a language that differs from the original. The result analysis also suggests that the relevance of PROs results in any interventional study should include a pre-post assessment providing information concerning statistical differences within or among groups, rates of response for the PROs and a minimal important difference for the population. The report underlines the importance of further investigation on some topics, such as the quality assessment of existing PROs tools, the definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria and a more extensive evaluation of the correlation between PROs, besides health-related quality of life, and clinical data.

Estimation of rainfall thresholds triggering shallow landslides for an operational warning system implementation

Abstract: The Piemonte regional warning system service, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Piemonte (“ARPA Piemonte” as official Italian acronym), is based on an advanced meteo-hydrological automatic monitoring system, and it is integrated with forecasting activities of severe weather-related natural hazards. At present, a meteo-hydrological chain is operated to provide flood forecasting on the main river pattern. The development of a forecasting tool for shallow landslides triggered by heavy rainfall is presented. Due to the difficulties in modelling shallow landslides triggering in a large and complex area like the Piemonte region, an empirical model is developed on the basis of the correlation between rainfall and previous landslides in historical documents. The research focuses on establishing rainfall thresholds for landslides triggering, differentiating the critical rainfall values through a geological characterisation of the different territories. The period from 1990 to 2002 is considered. A total number of 160 landslides with hourly information and time of triggering are used to calibrate the system. As a first outcome, two different zones have been identified: (1) zones in alpine environments, principally characterised by a bedrock composed of metamorphic rocks, igneous rocks, dolostones or limestones that require high values of critical rainfall and (2) zones in hilly environments, principally characterised by sedimentary bedrock that require low values of critical rainfall. Verification has been performed on a total number of 429 landslides with known date of occurrence. The results show a good agreement with the model with no missed alarms and a very low number of false alarms, thus suggesting an effective operational implementation.

Application of the MoniFLaIR early warning system for rainfall-induced landslides in Piedmont region (Italy)

Abstract: Landslides triggered by rainfall can be foreseen by modeling the relationship between the time occurrence of landslides and rainfall. This paper deals with the argument by adopting a hydrological model called Forecasting of Landslides Induced by Rainfall (FLaIR). The model is applicable for forecasting recurrent landslides and it is based on the identification of a mobility function Y(.) that links the occurrence of a slope movement to the antecedent rainfall. Once the mobility function is defined, it is possible to define its critical values, the exceeding of which indicates that new mobilizations could occur. The FLaIR model has been used to study some phenomena that happened in Lanzo Valleys, a Western Alps sector of the Piedmont region (Northern Italy) where slope debris flows are the predominant landslide type. The study has led to the development of an early warning system, called MoniFLaIR, for real-time monitoring and forecasting of slope hazard. This article describes some details of the system and its performance.

Specific recommendations for PROs and HRQoL assessment in allergic rhinitis and/or asthma: a GA 2 LEN taskforce position paper

Abstract: The GA 2 LEN taskforce on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) published in 2009 a position paper concerning PROS and HRQoL assessment in clinical trials on allergy. Because of the specificity of this topic in asthma and rhinitis, specific recommendations are needed. The aim of this position paper is to define PROs and their meaning in asthma and rhinitis research, explore the available tools to provide criteria for a proper choice, identify patientrelated factor which could influence PROs assessment, define specific recommendations for assessment, analysis and results spreading, underline the unexplored areas and unmet needs. PROs assessment is gaining increasing importance, and it must be performed with a rigorous methodological procedure and using validated tools. This approach enables to better understand patient-related factors influencing clinical trials and real-life management outcomes, identify patients subgroups that can benefit from specific treatment and management plan and tailor treatment to address PROs (not only physician-defined targets) to improve asthma and rhinitis management.

Hydraulic zonation of the lagoons of Marano and Grado, Italy. A modelling approach

Abstract: The hydraulic regime-based zonation scheme of the Lagoons of Marano and Grado (Italy) has been derived by means of numerical models. A finite element modelling system has been used to describe the water circulation taking in account different forces such as tide, wind and rivers. The model has been validated by comparing the simulation results against measured water levels, salinity and water temperature data collected in several stations inside the lagoons. The analysis of water circulation, salinity and spatial distribution of passive tracers released at the inlets, led to a physically-based division of the lagoons system into six subbasins. The derived classification scheme is of crucial value for understanding the renewal capacity and pollutants distribution patterns in the lagoon.

High-resolution mapping of Bora winds in the northern Adriatic Sea using synthetic aperture radar

Abstract: [1] The Adriatic Sea is regularly subjected to strong Bora wind events from the northeast during winter. The events have a strong effect on the oceanography in the Adriatic, driving basin-scale gyres that determine the transport of biogeochemical material and extracting large amounts of heat. The Bora is known to have multiple surface wind jets linked to the surrounding orography and have been the focus of many studies, but it has not been possible to describe the detailed spatial structure of these jets by in situ observations. Using high-resolution spaceborne RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images collected during an active Bora period (23 January–16 February 2003), we created a series of high-resolution (300 m) maps of the wind field. The obtained winds show reasonable agreement with several in situ wind observations, with an RMS wind speed error of 3.6 m/s, slightly higher than the 2–3 m/s errors reported in previous studies. These SAR images reveal the spatial structure of the Bora wind in unprecedented detail, showing several new features. In the Senj region of Croatia, several images show rhythmic structure with wavelengths of 2–3 km that may reflect Bora pulsation seen at fixed locations by previous investigators. Along the Italian coast, several images show a wide (20–30 km) band of northwesterly winds that abruptly change to the northeasterly Bora winds further offshore. Meteorological model results suggest that these northwesterly winds are consistent with those of a barrier jet forming along the Italian Apennine mountain chain.

Risk of hematological malignancies associated with magnetic fields exposure from power lines: a case-control study in two municipalities of northern Italy

Abstract: Background: Some epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between electromagnetic field exposure induced by high voltage power lines and childhood leukemia, but null results have also been yielded and the possibility of bias due to unmeasured confounders has been suggested. Methods: We studied this relation in the Modena and Reggio Emilia municipalities of northern Italy, identifying the corridors along high voltage power lines with calculated magnetic field intensity in the 0.1-<0.2, 0.2-<0.4, and ≥ 0.4 microTesla ranges. We identified 64 cases of newly-diagnosed hematological malignancies in children aged <14 within these municipalities from 1986 to 2007, and we sampled four matched controls for each case, collecting information on historical residence and parental socioeconomic status of these subjects. Results: Relative risk of leukemia associated with antecedent residence in the area with exposure ≥ 0.1 microTesla was 3.2 (6.7 adjusting for socioeconomic status), but this estimate was statistically very unstable, its 95% confidence interval being 0.4-23.4, and no indication of a dose-response relation emerged. Relative risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia was 5.3 (95% confidence interval 0.7-43.5), while there was no increased risk for the other hematological malignancies. Conclusions: Though the number of exposed children in this study was too low to allow firm conclusions, results were more suggestive of an excess risk of leukemia among exposed children than of a null relation.

Simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 and HT-2 toxins in breakfast cereals and baby food by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract: In this study, the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 and HT-2 toxins in foodstuff was investigated. A new kind of multi-mycotoxin immunoaffinity columns (IACs) available on the market (DZT MS-PREP(®)) was tested. A sensitive, selective and accurate method by high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed, with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, with negative-positive-negative ion switching. The method was used for the analysis of samples marked in Italy, in the frame of official monitoring plans. The advantages of combining IACs and LC-MS/MS technique are as follows: efficient removal of matrix interferences, simple chromatographic outline, high selectivity, low detection limits (DLs) and separation of a wide range of molecules with different physico-chemical properties in a single run. The method was studied on two different matrices, breakfast cereal and baby food, at contamination levels close to Regulation limits (EC) 1126/2007. The recoveries obtained (60-100%) fulfil the performance criteria required by Regulation (EC) 401/2006. The DL is 60 µg/kg for DON and 10 µg/kg for ZEA, T-2 and HT-2. Linearity range of the calibration curves is suitable for adult and baby food.

Heavy Metal Contents and Distribution in Coastal Sediments of the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Abstract: A set of ten heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) was investigated in surface sediments (0-5 cm) collected in 21 sites of the Gulf of Trieste, Northern Adriatic Sea (Italy). The aim of this work was to obtain a preliminary assessment about the levels and spatial distribution of these selected elements. Ancillary parameters such as grain size, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen were also determined. The enrichment factor was calculated to discriminate if a natural condition or a status of anthropogenic contamination occurs. In addition, a set of sediment quality guidelines, mean effect low range and effect medium range quotients, was also applied in order to predict the probability of adverse biological effects on the benthic community.

A spatial consistency test for surface observations from mesoscale meteorological networks

Abstract: A spatial consistency test (SCT) is applied to temperature observations of a high-resolution meteorological network composed of automatic surface weather stations. The SCT's purpose is twofold: preventing gross errors (GEs) from entering automatic numerical elaborations and returning a spatial consistency flag to an external quality-control system. The algorithm is based on Bayesian concepts and exploits the existing objective analysis scheme by comparing each observed value with the corresponding cross-validation (CV) analysis value. Local data density is automatically taken into account to allow a less restrictive test for isolated stations that provide precious information on poorly observed areas. Thresholds and parameters are estimated statistically for large datasets, thus eliminating any subjective and ad hoc tuning. Misjudgment rates are estimated for both missed and false rejections. Special attention is devoted to the problem of large representativity errors which, being dependent on a prescribed scale, do require multiple cross-checks to avoid confusion with proper GEs. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society

Weather routing in long-distance Mediterranean routes

Abstract: The selection of ship routes based on modern weather forecasting is a mean of computing optimum shipping routes thereby increasing safety and comfort at sea, cutting down on transit time, and reducing fuel consumption. Further empirical research in the effectiveness of modern weather routing applications is required especially in applications concerning shorter routes in enclosed seas of limited geographical extent such as the Mediterranean Sea. The present study used two climatological simulations to test this state-of-the-art approach to ship routing. Simulations represented two theoretical routes: (1) a route between Italy and Greece and (2) a route between Cyprus and Italy. Both routes were analyzed across varying simulated climatic conditions and the results were compared with those of control routes. Furthermore, results were analyzed in terms of passenger and crew comfort, bunker consumption by ships, and time of crossing. The first simulation showed that weather routing would improve ship performance on 37% of days while the second simulation revealed that weather routing would support ship captains virtually all the time.

Pesticides and their metabolites in selected Italian groundwater and surface water used for drinking.

Abstract: The control of groundwater and surface water quality in relation to the presence of pesticides and their metabolites is a rather complicated task National and local authorities with the responsibility to guarantee an adequate quality of water cannot rely on international guidelines for monitoring activities In a national project, forty-three pesticides and pesticide metabolites were selected on the basis of sale, monitoring and physical-chemical data, and investigated from some of the main Italian agricultural areas, susceptible to pesticide contamination Twelve compounds were found in the tested water samples at levels exceeding the 01 µg/L European Union (EU) limit for drinking water (European Directive 98/83/EC) Maximum levels up to 062 were determined Several water samples were characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of pesticides and their metabolites (up to ten) In some samples, the total concentration of pesticides and their metabolites was higher than the EU limit of 05 µg/L Total triazine concentrations up to 102 µg/L were found In all the cases the highest concentrations were well below the respective guideline values defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water quality

Submarine wastewater discharges: dispersion modelling in the Northern Adriatic Sea.

Abstract: Background, aim and scope Opposite interests must coexist in coastal areas: the presence of significant cities and urban centres, of touristic and recreational areas, and of extensive shellfish farming. To avoid local pollution caused by treated wastewaters along the Northern Adriatic coast (Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Veneto regions), marine outfall systems have been constructed. In this study, the application of a numerical dispersion model is used to support the traditional monitoring methods in order to link information concerning the hydrodynamic circulation and the microbiological features, to evaluate possible health risks associated with recreational and coastal shellfish farming activities. The study is a preliminary analysis of the environmental impact of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with submarine discharge outfalls. It also could be useful for the water profile definition according to the Directive 2006/7/EC on the quality of bathing water and for the integrated areal analysis (Ostoich et al. 2006), to define the area of influence of each submarine discharge point.

Description and numerical modelling of the October 2000 Nora debris flow, Northwestern Italian Alps

Abstract: The Nora alluvial fan, which is located in the Orco River valley (Piedmont region, Italy), was affected by a debris flow of approximately 10 000 m3 in October 2000. The event was triggered by heavy rainfall that affected the whole Piedmont region at that time. The mobilization of the water-satured altered gneissic bedrock and colluvium in the upper zone of the Nora basin resulted in the detachment of a debris slide, which rapidly evolved into a channelized noncohesive debris flow. As information from post-event surveys and two pre-event digital elevation models (DEMs), with different resolutions, were available for the study site, the dynamics of the event has been numerically back-analyzed using the numerical code RASH3D. The obtained results have shown both the capability of the code to simulate the dynamics of a noncohesive debris flow, including the final deposit depth distribution, and the importance of on-site surveys and digital elevation model (DEM) resolution in interpreting numerical results and...

Radium isotopes in Estonian groundwater: Measurements, analytical correlations, population dose and a proposal for a monitoring strategy

Abstract: In some areas of Estonia, groundwater contains a significant number of natural radionuclides, especially radium isotopes, which may cause radiation protection concern depending on the geological structure of the aquifer. Indeed, the parametric value of 0.1 mSv y⁻¹ for the total indicative dose established by European Directive 98/83/EC, adopted as a limit value in Estonian national legislation, is often exceeded. A Twinning Project between Estonia and Italy was carried out within the framework of the Estonian Transition Facility Programme, sponsored by the European Union. Its aims were to assess the radiological situation of Estonian groundwater and related health consequences. The first step was a study of Estonian aqueducts and the population served by them, and a thorough analysis of the radiological database for drinking water, from which the relevant effective doses for the population were obtained. Particular attention was devoted to doses to children and infants. Correlations between the chemical parameters were investigated, in order to suggest the best possible analytical approach. Lastly, a monitoring strategy, i.e. sampling points and sampling frequencies, was proposed.

Effectiveness of high dose sublingual immunotherapy to induce a stepdown of seasonal asthma: a pilot study.

Abstract: Background:There is ample evidence to support the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on allergic rhinitis, while there is less solid data regarding asthma. We evaluated the effects of a high dose birch SLIT on birch-induced rhinitis and asthma in a controlled study.Methods:This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, single centre trial on SLIT with birch pollen allergen extract (Stallergenes, Antony, France) included 24 patients presenting severe rhinitis and slight to moderate asthma, 14 actively and 10 placebo treated. SLIT was performed by a pre-coseasonal protocol, and was repeated for 2 years. The study plan included a selection visit, a visit at the start of the first and the second treatment cycle, a follow-up visit after 1–3 months from the start of each cycle, and a final visit at the end of each yearly cycle.Results:A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in rhinorrhoea and nasal obstruction occurred in actively treated patients. The median number of days with asthma at visit 3...

Soft-bottom macrozoobenthos of the southern part of the Gulf of Trieste: faunistic, biocoenotic and ecological survey

Abstract: A faunistic, biocoenotic and ecological survey of soft-bottom macrozoobenthic communities was carried out for the southern part of the Gulf of Trieste on the basis of samplings in 2005 and 2006. At 28 sampled stations a total of 14595 specimens belonging to 306 animal taxa were identified The most abundant species were Capitella capitata, Lumbrineris gracilis, Heteromastus filiformis, Corbula gibba and Tellina distorta. The highest relative species abundance in all water bodies was close to 15%. The dominant species confirmed that the environment of the Gulf of Trieste is unstable. This environmental instability could also explain the rather high values of AMBI. The MDS analysis and other applied indices indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between water bodies. The values for Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and Pielou's index (J) were among the highest ever recorded for the soft-bottom assemblages of the Gulf of Trieste. The analysis of benthic biocoenoses revealed that the sampling area is a boundary between infra- and circalittoral belts, which could explain the very high species richness.