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Modeling Two-Pulse Convective Storms Induced by Orographic Forcing: A Meteo-Hydrological Approach for Urban Flood Risk Assessment
No full textExtreme rainfall events in coastal environments are often affected by local orography on the larger-scale atmospheric circulation, which triggers convective storms and influences the rainfall occurrence in the area. To assess the effects of this phenomenon on the water systems design and management, the previously undocumented role of Mount Epomeo (789 m a.s.l.) located on Ischia Island was considered to investigate its relevance in generating two-pulse convective storms that entail flash floods in the Phlegraean Fields (Naples, Italy). Namely, it was assumed that the mountain’s triangular-based pyramidal morphology provokes a two-stage uplift of moist air, in turn, entailing successive convective cloudbursts separated by a short rainfall lull. To test this hypothesis, twenty-three years of high-resolution rainfall data from the Pozzuoli rain gauge (2001–2023) were assessed by identifying the occurrence of characteristic two-pulse heavy precipitation events (HPEs). The dynamic interaction between Mt. Epomeo and the atmospheric flow was thus modeled, and local-scale Depth-Duration-Frequency (DDF) curves were derived and compared to regionalized approaches. The EPA-SWMM model was then applied to assess the hydraulic response of the urban drainage system serving a portion of the Phlegraean Fields under both historical and DDF-derived rainfall events. Results revealed that orographic forcing enhances local rainfall intensity by up to about 25–30% higher than regional estimates, thus inducing significant flood events. Linking pyramidal orography, two-pulse convective storms, and urban flash flood allowed providing a novel conceptual and technical insight into urban flash flood generation in Mediterranean areas
A critical overview of local energy communities: State-of-the-art, real-life applications & challenges and tackling the academia-industry gap
No full textThe transition from a centralized to a decentralized energy network has grown significantly. As a result, bidirectional energy platforms for consumers and producers have been established. In support, technological advancement in distribution networks is carried out, encouraging local consumers to participate in energy production, leading to the emergence of LECs, empowering them to captivate, generate and share renewable energy. A comprehensive review of LECs is presented in this paper, addressing their operational characteristics, control strategies, market interactions, regulatory frameworks, and real-world implementation challenges. Moreover, the paper provides the technical challenges related to grid integration, economic, and regulatory policies associated with peer-to-peer interaction are some of the hindrances in deploying a successful LEC strategy. The paper identifies a critical gap between the academic and real-world environment that can be bridged through realistic assumptions, adaptive control strategies, and measurements of cyber threats. Additionally, pilot projects are assessed to understand the feasibility and impact of LECs in real-world environments. This study proposes the requirements for establishing advanced network and monitoring technology, dynamic pricing strategy, and revised regulatory policies for the successful implementation of the LEC strategy
Comitato dei Garanti della Collana Marco Polo, diretta da Salvatore Prisco, Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli.
No full textObesity as a Risk Factor for Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textObjective: Obesity is characterized by a proinflammatory condition contributing to poor outcomes, but its association with autoimmunity is inconclusive. To fill this gap in knowledge, we searched PubMed and Embase for studies analyzing the association between obesity and the prevalence and/or incidence of autoimmune diseases.
Methods: Adjusted odds ratios (OR) or hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI relating to the prevalence or incidence of autoimmune diseases in people with BMI > 30, compared to BMI < 25, were pooled using generic inverse variance and fixed effect models. Of 1,311 records, 26 (8 cross-sectional and 18 longitudinal) studies were included in the meta-analysis.
Results: Obesity, compared with normal weight, was associated with increased prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis (OR = 1.11 [1.06, 1.16], p < 0.00001; OR = 1.35 [1.14, 1.59], p = 0.0004, respectively) and increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (HR = 1.30 [1.15, 1.49], p < 0.0001), psoriasis (HR = 1.18 [1.16, 1.20], p < 0.00001), multiple sclerosis (HR = 1.49 [1.25, 1.77], p < 0.00001), and Crohn's/ulcerative colitis (HR = 1.35 [1.11, 1.65], p < 0.003). Obesity was also significantly associated with incidence of any autoimmune disease (HR = 1.41 [1.24, 1.62], p < 0.00001).
Conclusions: Although definitive conclusions are still precluded for the single diseases, overall evidence supports obesity as a risk factor for autoimmunity
Mast-cell derived nerve growth factor drives ILC2 pro-tumoral functions in bladder cancer
No full text: Innate lymphoid cells type 2 (ILC2s) are key regulators of tissue homeostasis and inflammation. In cancer, ILC2s can exhibit pro-tumoral functions by increasing the myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC)/T-cell ratio. Nevertheless, the upstream ILC2 triggers remain poorly defined. Here, we identify nerve growth factor (NGF) as the driver of ILC2 pro-tumoral functions in patients with bladder cancer. We show that ILC2s express the NGF receptor TrkA and respond to NGF by secreting type-2 cytokines. In the tumor microenvironment, NGF-producing mast cells accumulate and activate ILC2s to induce regulatory T cells (Tregs), ultimately fostering tumor growth. In patients, NGF levels inversely correlate with survival in ILC2-rich tumors, underscoring the clinical significance of this axis. In vivo administration of a selective TrkA inhibitor improves survival in orthotopic tumor-bearing female mice and sensitizes them to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Overall, we identify NGF as an ILC2 activator that shapes pro-tumoral ILC2 functions. The blockade of TrkA+ ILC2s might represent a targetable strategy to improve survival, particularly in ICB-resistant patients
Effect of beneficial microbes applications on nutritional profiles of organic tomatoes revealed by LC-MS-qTOF metabolomics
No full textBACKGROUND The use of microorganisms and biostimulants is increasingly supported in agriculture because of their advantageous impact on plant disease management, growth enhancement and the synthesis of beneficial bioactive secondary metabolites (SMs). Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an important crop and is consumed worldwide because it is an excellent source of natural compounds (i.e. beta-carotene and flavonoids) and minerals useful for human health. Although the positive effects of individual microbial applications are well-documented, the impact of microbial consortia is underexplored. RESULTS In this study, the improvement of nutritional value of tomato (S. lycopersicum var. Heinz), by use of beneficial microorganisms, including selected strains of Streptomyces microflavus (S), Trichoderma harzianum (M10) and Trichoderma afroharzianum (T22), has been investigated. These microbes were applied on tomato plants, either as single inoculants or as microbial consortia. The effects were evaluated through statistical analysis of biological parameters. T22 treatments exhibited a significant increase in plant height (107.30 cm) compared to both control and M10-based treatments (104.30 and 102.80 cm, respectively). The similarities observed in plant height between S-treated plants (105.70 cm) and those treated with the combination of S and T22 (106.60 cm) highlight the potential beneficial effects of microbial consortia. Moreover, the berries were subjected to an untargeted metabolomic analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-quadrupole-time of flight that led to the identification of eighteen metabolites, including tomatine and its derivatives solafloridine. Multivariate analysis demonstrated differences in berries metabolic profiles, depending on the treatment applied. Specifically, T22-based treatment increased the accumulation of most of the identified metabolites compared to untreated plants, whereas combined treatment S + T22 induced a major accumulation of solafloridine. CONCLUSION Field microbial applications significantly induced the metabolic profile change of tomato and the accumulation of metabolites with nutraceutical value
First Identification of the Alien Species Mimosina affinis Millet, 1900, in the Tyrrhenian Sea
No full textIn recent decades, the Mediterranean Sea has been experiencing faunal changes associated with the impact of biological invasions resulting from the influx of invasive alien species (IAS). During the CNR-ISMAR Carg0222 oceanographic cruise, Mimosina affinis, a benthic foraminifera species of Indo-Pacific origin previously reported in more eastern sectors of the Mediterranean, was detected in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the seafloor off the Italian coast. The study of benthic foraminiferal assemblages, conducted along with sedimentological analysis of seafloor deposits, allowed to reconstruct the distribution of Mimosina affinis in the investigated area and define its relationship with seabed characteristics. The species is commonly found in samples collected at a water depth not shallower than nine metres, showing a preference for silty fine sand sediments. The abundance of the species, in terms of relative abundance, is higher in biocoenoses than in thanatocoenoses, suggesting that the species is established and actively spreading in the studied area
