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Morpheme-based reading and spelling in Italian children with developmental dyslexia and dysorthography.
No full textItalian 6th graders, with and without dyslexia, read pseudowords and low-frequency words which include high-frequency morphemes better than stimuli not including any morpheme. The present study assessed whether morphemes affect (i) younger children, with and without dyslexia; (ii) spelling as well as reading; (iii) words with low-frequency morphemes. Two groups of 3rd graders (sixteen children with dyslexia and dysorthography and 16 age-matched typically developing children) read aloud and spelt to dictation pseudowords and words. Pseudowords included (i) Root+Suffix in not existing combinations (e.g., lampadista, formed by lampad-, "lamp", and -ista, "-ist"); (ii) Orthographic sequences not corresponding to any Italian root or suffix (e.g., livonosto). Words had low frequency and included: (i) Root+Suffix, both of high frequency (e.g., bestiale, "beastly"); (ii) Root+Suffix, both of low frequency (e.g., asprigno, "rather sour"); (iii) Simple words (e.g., insulso, "vapid"). Children with dyslexia and dysorthography were less accurate than typically developing children. R+S pseudowords were read and spelt more accurately than non-morphological pseudowords by both groups. Morphologically complex (Root+Suffix) words were read and spelt better than simple words. However, task interacted with morphology: Reading was not facilitated by low-frequency morphemes. We conclude that children acquiring a transparent orthography exploit morpheme-based reading and spelling to face difficulties in processing long unfamiliar stimuli
Implications of sensor design for coral reef detection: Upscaling ground hyperspectral imagery in spacial and spectral scales
No full textRemote sensing offers a potential tool for large scale environmental surveying and monitoring. However, remote observations of coral reefs are difficult especially due to the spatial and spectral complexity of the target compared to sensor specifications as well as the environmental implications of the water medium above. The development of sensors is driven by technological advances and the desired products. Currently, spaceborne systems are technologically limited to a choice between high spectral resolution and high spatial resolution, but not both. The current study explores the dilemma of whether future sensor design for marine monitoring should prioritise on improving their spatial or spectral resolution. To address this question, a spatially and spectrally resampled ground-level hyperspectral image was used to test two classification elements: (1) how the tradeoff between spatial and spectral resolutions affects classification; and (2) how a noise reduction by majority filter might improve classification accuracy. The studied reef, in the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat), Israel, is heterogeneous and complex so the local substrate patches are generally finer than currently available imagery. Therefore, the tested spatial resolution was broadly divided into four scale categories from five millimeters to one meter. Spectral resolution resampling aimed to mimic currently available and forthcoming spaceborne sensors such as (1) Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) that is characterized by 25 bands of 6.5 nm width; (2) VENuS with 12 narrow bands; and (3) the WorldView series with broadband multispectral resolution. Results suggest that spatial resolution should generally be prioritized for coral reef classification because the finer spatial scale tested (pixel size<0.1 m) may compensate for some low spectral resolution drawbacks. In this regard, it is shown that the post-classification majority filtering substantially improves the accuracy of all pixel sizes up to the point where the kernel size reaches the average unit size (pixel<0.25 m). However, careful investigation as to the effect of band distribution and choice could improve the sensor suitability for the marine environment task. This in mind, while the focus in this study was on the technologically limited spaceborne design, aerial sensors may presently provide an opportunity to implement the suggested setup
Multi-modal knowledge base generation from very high resolution satellite imagery for habitat mapping
No full textMonitoring of ecosystems entails the evaluation of contributing factors by the expert ecologist. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent the quantitative variables, calculated solely by the spectral and textural information of the space-borne image, may reproduce verified habitat maps. 555 spectral and texture attributes are extracted and calculated from the image. Results reached an overall accuracy of 65% per object, 76% per pixel, and 77% in reproducing the original objects with segmentation. Taking into consideration the large number of different habitats queried and the lack of any ancillary information the results suggest the discriminatory power of the finally selected attributes. Potential and limitations are discussed
The phylogeography of Crocidura suaveolens from southern Italy reveals the absence of an endemic lineage and supports a Trans-Adriatic connection with the Balkanic refugium
No full textA molecular phylogeographic study using a fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome b (cytb) was performed on the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens, from seven localities in central and southern Italy. Comparison with cytb European haplotypes revealed the absence of endemic lineages in the region, in contrast to what has been observed for many other Italian terrestrial vertebrates. Indeed all the Italian specimens results nested with Balkanic conspecific within an Italo-Balkan clade. Historical demography of this clade showed a scenario of expansion which preceded the LGM. This evidence of glacial persistence indicates a certain flexibility of the classic models of Pleistocene biogeography
A review of assessment approaches for lake hydro-morphology before and after the European Water Framework Directive (WFD)
No full textEurope, as well as the other continents, is characterized by the presence of both natural lakes and reservoirs. The first scientific approach on lakes dealt with the biological and chemical aspects, in order to face the eutrophication problem; at the same time, physical aspects, such as mixing and stratification dynamics, started to be considered. It was only several years later that chemical, physical, biological and hydro-morphological aspects were considered all together, when researchers focused on the whole ecosystem. In fact, methods are aimed at evaluating the hydro-morphological quality through the use of indexes and related to biological quality have been defined only after WFD 2000/60. Before, only some Member States have developed studies and assessment methods based on single morphological or hydrological features. In this study, we will describe the change in the focus of research studies on lakes, considering in particular the development of methods for the evaluation of the hydro-morphological features in the European countries. In addition, we want to contribute to introduce different approaches on the same topic highlighting the strengths, the weaknesses and the shortcomings of each one. A summary of the main hydro-morphological features, typology of survey and feasibility on lakes is also presented. The new knowledge on hydro-morphology aspects and pressure on ecosystem will be useful to develop new studies and research to improve ecosystem and environmental quality
Impact du mode de gestion de la sub?raie de la Ma?mora (Maroc) sur la diversit? des champignons ectomycorhiziens associ?s ? Quercus suber
No full textThe cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversity conservation. However, this ecosystem is negatively impacted by extensive human- and climate-driven pressures, causing a strong decrease in its distribution and a worsening of the desertification processes. This study aims at characterising the impact of cork oak forest management on a major actor of its functioning, the ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community associated with Quercus suber, and the determination of EcM bio-indicators. The EcM fungal community has been monitored during spring and winter seasons in two sites of the Moroccan Ma?amora forest, corresponding to a forest site either impacted by human activities or protected. A significant impact of cork oak forest management on the EcM fungal community has been revealed, with major differences during the summer season. The results confirmed the potential ecological significance of several EcM fungi (e.g., Cenococcum) in the sustainability of the cork oak forest functioning, but also the significant association of certain EcM fungi (Pachyphloeus, Russula, Tomentella) with a perturbation or a season, and consequently to the cork oak forest status or to climatic conditions, respectively. The development of study at the Mediterranean scale may improve the robustness of ecological models to predict the impact of global changes on this emblematic ecosystem of Mediterranean basin.La sube? raie est un e? cosyste`me forestier occupant une place socio-e?conomique et e? cologique majeure au Maroc. Cet e? cosyste`me est cependant fortement impacte? par l\u27augmentation des pressions anthropiques et l\u27aggravation des conditions climatiques, entra??nant une forte re? gression de sa superficie et une acce? le? ration des processus de de? sertification. L\u27e?tude a pour objet de caracte? riser l\u27impact du mode de gestion de la sube? raie sur une composante majeure de son fonctionnement, la communaute? de champignons ectomycorhiziens (EcMs) associe?e au che?ne-lie` ge, et de de?terminer des bioindicateurs EcMs relatifs aux perturbations. La communaute? de champignons EcMs a e? te? suivie au cours de la pe? riode estivale et hivernale au sein de deux sites de la sube? raie de la Maa?mora (Maroc), caracte? rise? s ou non par une exploitation de la sube? raie. Un impact significatif du mode de gestion de la sube? raie sur la communaute? de champignons EcMs a e? te? mis en e?vidence, avec les diffe? rences les plus notables a` la pe? riode estivale. Ces travaux ont permis de confirmer l\u27importance e? cologique probable de plusieurs groupes de champignons (ex. Cenococcum) dans le maintien des fonctionnalite? s de la sube? raie, mais aussi de l\u27assujettissement de certains champignons EcMs (Pachyphloeus, Russula, Tomentella) a` une perturbation ou une saison, et par conse?quent a` l\u27e? tat de la sube? raie ou a` des conditions climatiques, respectivement. La ge?ne? ralisation de ce type d\u27e?tude a` l\u27ensemble de la sube? raie me? diterrane?enne pourrait permettre l\u27e? tablissement de mode` les plus robustes pour pre? dire l\u27impact des changements globaux sur cet e?cosyste`me emble?matique des re?gions me? diterrane?ennes
Action perception as hypothesis testing
No full textWe present a novel computational model that describes action perception as an active inferential process that combines motor prediction (the reuse of our own motor system to predict perceived movements) and hypothesis testing (the use of eye movements to disambiguate amongst hypotheses). The system uses a generative model of how (arm and hand) actions are performed to generate hypothesis-specific visual predictions, and directs saccades to the most informative places of the visual scene to test these predictions - and underlying hypotheses. We test the model using eye movement data from a human action observation study. In both the human study and our model, saccades are proactive whenever context affords accurate action prediction; but uncertainty induces a more reactive gaze strategy, via tracking the observed movements. Our model offers a novel perspective on action observation that highlights its active nature based on prediction dynamics and hypothesis testing
A proposito di acqua: la newsletter del CNR Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi di Verbania Pallanza
No full textNo abstract available- Perch? salvare i panda e sterminare gli scarafaggi? Tutti hanno sentito parlare di biodiversit?, pochi sanno veramente cos\u27? e a cosa serve, ancor meno sanno che la salvaguardia della biodiversit? non pu? passare solo attraverso il salvataggio delle specie "pubblicizzate" dalle campagne ambientaliste.... ... - L\u27Europa a supporto della ricerca ? argomento di cronaca in questo periodo la discussione sul ruolo dell\u27Europa nella nostra vita: ci si chiede spesso se l\u27avere accettato l\u27euro come moneta unica in Europa nel 2002 sia stato un vantaggio o meno per la societ?, cosa ci si guadagna dall\u27essere parte dell\u27Europa, e quali conseguenze ci siano state dopo l\u27entrata in vigore dell\u27Unione Europea. Non ? nostra competenza valutare le ripercussioni economiche, positive o negative che siano, o le relazioni politiche internazionali. Tocchiamo invece quotidianamente con mano cosa l\u27Europa faccia per la ricerca. Ed ? una lista di aspetti quasi esclusivamente positivi. ... - Cosa fa il fitoplancton nei laghi e perch? ? utile capirne l\u27ecologia: le indagini del CNR-ISE La fotosintesi clorofilliana ? quel processo biochimico grazie a cui un po\u27 di anidride carbonica ed un po\u27 di acqua vengono trasformate in sostanza organica, disponibile per il nutrimento degli organismi animali. La reazione ? possibile grazie all\u27energia solare, che i vegetali possono catturare ed utilizzare, tramite molecole come la clorofilla, i carotenoidi e le ficobiline. Chi effettua la fotosintesi in ambiente acquatico? Indubbiamente piante sommerse (macrofite) e macroalghe danno il loro apporto, tuttavia la parte da protagonisti ? svolta dal fitoplancton, insieme di organismi vegetali di dimensioni microscopiche... - News in pillole La targa offerta dal Presidente della Repubblica ai ricercatori organizzatori del XXXIII Congresso SIL; il progetto CYAO (CYAnobacteria platform Optimised for bioproduction); l\u27archivio storico del CNR ISE
Changes in tropical forest: assessing different detection techniques
No full textINTRODUCTION: The monitoring of forest ecosystem state involves the detection of changes which may have occurred in the specific area. The operational definition of ecosystem mapping and monitoring proposed by Maes et al.(2014) suggests that ecosystem changes can be quantified through Land Cover/Land Use (LC/LU) class changes. The detection of LC/LU class changes implies not only the identification of when and where they may have occurred, but also the definition of both the type and magnitude of target (e.g., forest) class transitions from time T1 to time T2, with T1<T2, along with the quantification of class modifications. The changes thus detected can then be used to identify anthropic and other pressures acting on the area (Nagendra et al., 2014; Sorrano et al., 2014). The present study compares the data obtained through the Cross-Correlation Analysis (CCA) technique, developed by the American company Earthsat, Inc., with those resulting from a traditional unsupervised technique in the detection of changes in tropical forest ecosystem. The CCA technique has already been used by Koeln and Bissonnette, (2000) and Civco et al. (2002) to analyse High Resolution (HR) (e.g., Landsat TM) and Medium Resolution (MR) imagery (e.g., MERIS). More recently, Tarantino et al. (2016) have applied the CCA technique to Very High Resolution (VHR) data (e.g., WorldView-2) to detect grassland ecosystems changes. Focusing on a protected area in Southern India, the present study investigates the advantages in terms of costs and Overall Accuracy (OA) of the CCA technique. A brief description of materials and methods used will be followed by indications of the study area and input data. Thereafter, the accuracy of the results obtained and their discussion will provide support to the operational implementation of the CCA technique and its application to tropical forest monitoring
A view-based model of data-cube to support big earth data systems interoperability
No full textBig Earth Data-Cube infrastructures are becoming more and more popular to provide Analysis Ready Data, especially for managing satellite time series. These infrastructures build on the concept of multidimensional data model (data hypercube) and are complex systems engaging different disciplines and expertise. For this reason, their interoperability capacity has become a challenge in the Global Change and Earth System science domains. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need in the community to reach a widely agreed definition of Data-Cube infrastructures and their key features. In this respect, a discussion has started recently about the definition of the possible facets characterizing a Data-Cube in the Earth Observation domain. This manuscript contributes to such debate by introducing a view-based model of Earth Data-Cube systems to design its infrastructural architecture and content schemas, with the final goal of enabling and facilitating interoperability. It introduces six modeling views, each of them is described according to: its main concerns, principal stakeholders, and possible patterns to be used. The manuscript considers the Business Intelligence experience with Data Warehouse and multidimensional "cubes" along with the more recent and analogous development in the Earth Observation domain, and puts forward a set of interoperability recommendations based on the modeling views