Hazard Scenarios Related to Submarine Volcanic-Hydrothermal Activity and Advanced Monitoring Strategies: A Study Case from the Panarea Volcanic Group (Aeolian Islands, Italy)

Geohazards associated to submarine hydrothermal systems still represent a tricky enigma to face and solve for the scientific community. The poor knowledge of a submarine environment, the rare and scarce monitoring activities, and the expensive and sometimes complicated logistics are the main problems to deal with. The submarine low-energy explosion, which occurred last November 3, 2002, off the volcanic island of Panarea, highlighted the absence of any hazard scenario to be used to manage the volcanic crisis. The "unrest" of the volcanic activity was triggered by a sudden input of deep magmatic fluids, which caused boiling water at the sea surface with a massive CO2 release besides changes in the fluids' geochemistry. That event dramatically pushed scientists to develop new methods to monitor the seafloor venting activity. Coupling the information from geochemical investigations and data collected during the unrest of volcanic activity, we were able to (a) develop theoretical models to gain a better insight on the submarine hydrothermal system and its relationships with the local volcanic and tectonic structures and (b) to develop a preliminary submarine volcanic hazard assessment connected to the Panarea system (Aeolian Islands). In order to mitigate the potential submarine volcanic hazard, three different scenarios are described here: (1) ordinary hydrothermal venting, (2) gas burst, and (3) volcanic eruption. The experience carried out at Panarea demonstrates that the best way to face any submarine volcanic-hydrothermal hazard is to improve the collection of data in near real-time mode by multidisciplinary seafloor observatories and to combine it with periodical sampling activity

Knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in individuals practicing regular amatorial physical activity: a cross-sectional study conducted in the Metropolitan Area of Palermo, Italy

IntroductionMediterranean Diet (MD) is a universal model of nutrition that prevents several metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. Main objective of the present study was to analyze adherence and knowledge regarding MD principles in a sample of individuals practicing amatorial sports from the Metropolitan Area of Palermo. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 Sports Centers, between October 2020 and September 2021, through a previously validated anonymous questionnaire structured in five sections including 74 items. ResultsOverall, 337 subjects answered to the questionnaire. Based on the multivariable analysis conducted, a higher knowledge score (KS) on MD principles was observed among individuals daily consuming vegetables (OR: 3.32; CI95%: 1.82-6.02) and in the ones more adherent to MD principles (OR: 10.15; CI95%:5.47-18.85). More in depth, using MEDAS score to analyze the adherence to MD, a significant lower adherence was observed among overweight/obese (OR: 0.57; CI95%:0.33-0.99) and among employed subjects (OR: 0.52; IC95%: 0.28-0.98); while, a higher adherence was highlighted among daily consumers of vegetables (OR: 2.52; CI95%:1.52-4.17), daily consumers of fruit (OR: 1.77; CI95%:1.08-2.90), and in individuals that have daily breakfast (OR: 4.29; CI95%:1.15-15.96). DiscussionIn accordance with the WHO Europe Gaining Health Campaign, Public Health Authorities should simplify accessibility to healthy food among general population, promoting principles and accessibility to MD

The seismic sequence of 30 May - 9 June 2016 in the geothermal site of Torre Alfina (central Italy) and related variations in soil gas emissions

In the framework of a medium-enthalpy geothermal exploitation project, seismicity and soil gas emissions have been monitored in the area of Castel Giorgio-Torre Alfina since 2014. A dedicated local seismic network deepened the knowledge of the natural local seismicity in terms of source mechanisms, high-quality event localization and magnitude estimation. From November 2014 to May 2016, 846 seismic events were recorded, with a magnitude range of Md 0.1-2.8 and hypocentres 4-8 km depth. On 30th May 2016 a Mw 4.3 earthquake occurred near Castel Giorgio, followed by almost 1700 aftershocks; the moment tensor solution depicts a WNW-ESE oriented normal fault. An overview of the epicentral distributions since 2014, highlights that the active tectonic structures are NE-SW and WNW-ESE orientated. The diffuse soil CO2 flux is monitored since 2013 in six target areas located around the future production and reinjection wells, in order to assess the level of background natural degassing. In all target areas the maximum value of soil CO2 flux has been recorded during the 2016 seismic sequence. However, the values of δ13C of the emitted CO2 indicated a shallow biological origin of the gas. At Torre Alfina, the Solfanare natural gas emission, with a CO2 dominated gas, has same composition of the gas hosted in the geothermal reservoir. Here, high values of diffuse soil CO2 flux were recorded. During the 2016 seismic sequence, the Solfanare gas was continuously analysed by an automatic gas- chromatographic station. Results show that apart from small perturbations, no significant compositional variations were recorded. The significant contribution of CLVD and isotropic components suggest a possible opening of fluid cracks below the geothermal reservoir hosted in fractured Mesozoic limestones. The seismo-tectonic scenario indicates that the Solfanare fault was not activated. Kinematics and orientation of the activated faults suggest a relationship with the Bolsena caldera collapsePublishedNapoli, Italy1IT. Reti di monitoraggi

Epidemiology of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: a review and protocol presentation for bridging tumor registry data with the Italian association for neuroendocrine tumors (Itanet) national database

: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors with diverse clinical behaviors. Large databases like the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and national NEN registries have provided significant epidemiological knowledge, but they have limitations given the recent advancements in NEN diagnostics and treatments. For instance, newer imaging techniques and therapies have revolutionized NEN management, rendering older data less representative. Additionally, crucial parameters, like the Ki67 index, are missing from many databases. Acknowledging these gaps, the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet) initiated a national multicenter prospective database in 2019, aiming to gather data on newly-diagnosed gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (GEP) NENs. This observational study, coordinated by Itanet, includes patients from 37 Italian centers. The database, which is rigorously maintained and updated, focuses on diverse parameters including age, diagnostic techniques, tumor stage, treatments, and survival metrics. As of October 2023, data from 1,600 patients have been recorded, with an anticipation of reaching 3600 by the end of 2025. This study aims at understanding the epidemiology, clinical attributes, and treatment strategies for GEP-NENs in Italy, and to introduce the Itanet database project. Once comprehensive follow-up data will be acquired, the goal will be to discern predictors of treatment outcomes and disease prognosis. The Itanet database will offer an unparalleled, updated perspective on GEP-NENs, addressing the limitations of older databases and aiding in optimizing patient care. STUDY REGISTRATION: This protocol was registered in clinicaltriasl.gov (NCT04282083)

Effect of air pressure on the electro-generation of H2O2 and the abatement of organic pollutants in water by electro-Fenton process

The electro-generation of H2O2 and the abatement of the model organic pollutant Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in water by an electro-Fenton process were perfomed under moderate air pressures (up to 11 bar) for the first time. An increase of the pressure gave rise to a drastic enhancement of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. At 11 bar, the reduction of oxygen gave rise at a graphite cathode to a concentration of H2O2 of about 12 mM, about one order of magnitude higher than that achieved at atmospheric pressure, as a result of mass transport intensification. Similarly, for electro-Fenton, a drastic increase of the abatement of TOC was achieved upon increasing the air pressure. The effect of the current density was also investigated in detail

Thermal recycling assessment for Groundwater Heat Pumps (GWHPs) with time-varying flow rates

Groundwater Heat Pumps (GWHPs) are gaining an increasing interest for the heating and cooling of buildings, due to their economic convenience and their low carbon intensity. They are usually composed of abstraction and injection well(s); reinjection is usually performed in order to avoid the depletion of the aquifer as large flow rates (i.e. tens of liter per second), and it takes place into the same aquifer to avoid geochemical alterations. This practice, however, may result in the return of part of the injected thermally altered groundwater to the abstraction well. Milnes and Perrochet [1] distinguish between thermal feedback (when the reinjection temperature is set) and thermal recycling (when a temperature difference between abstraction and reinjection is set). While thermal feedback has been studied for a long time [2-4], thermal recycling has been addressed more recently [5] due to a higher mathematical complexity of its modelling. In this work, we present the development of an explicit formula for the calculation of the maximum thermal alteration of abstracted water, occurring in the long term in a GWHP under typical operating conditions. A sinusoidal trend of the thermal power - and hence of the abstracted flow rate – with a yearly cycle was assumed, which mimics the typical trends of energy demands in buildings. The formula was derived based on a large number of numerical simulations with FEFLOW, and validated comparing to analytical formulae available in the literature [5, 6]. It considers a single use of the heating/cooling system; however, if both uses are foreseen, the prevailing one should be used, which is a conservative assumption. In this way it is possible to quickly assess, with a good approximation, the operational sustainability of a GWHP well doublet layout

Study of historical grouts through microscopic analysis SEM/EDX: the case study of the former Jesuit college of Amantea (Cs)

A key moment of the diagnostic phase, prior to the restoration project, is the morphological and chemical characterization of historical grouts. This analysis is essential when it's necessary carry brickwork's restoration actions of conservative nature on an architectural work. The current trend, relating to the choice of the grouts to be applied during restoration operations, is more and more one which the designers rely on the commercial products presented as "suitable" for different applications on historical structures, as well as able to guarantee specific performances for all eventualities. Today, therefore, the designers unlikely deepen the study of grouts to adopt and this doesn't make them fully aware of their characteristics, their chemical compositions as well as the level of compatibility with the historical material on which they will apply and with which they will interact. And this shallowness often leads to situations of premature structural deteriorations due to the application of not suitable products for the native materials or for the environmental conditions to which they are exposed. In this case it's suggested a study on the characterization of historical grouts through the SEM/EDX microscopic analysis to characterize the former Jesuit college of Amantea (Cs). The characterization of the grouts carried out on this structure, stands as an essential moment of the restoration process underway on this important architecture

A "clicked" macrocyclic probe incorporating Binol as the signalling unit for the chiroptical sensing of anions

We describe a macrocyclic chiroptical sensor for the detection of halide anions, with the Binol moiety acting as the CD signalling unit. The macrocycle is conveniently synthesized using CuAAC “click” reactions in the cyclization step; this methodology installs 1,2,3-triazole moieties within the macrocyclic backbone, able to directionally bind anions by means of CH…X- hydrogen bonds. 1H NMR complexation studies in CDCl3 reveal weak binding to halide and aliphatic carboxylate anions. Halide anions, however, when held into the macrocyclic cavity, are able to trigger a large chiroptical response originating from the steric interaction with the Binol moiety, which changes its dihedral angle, thus modulating its characteristic CD signature

NEW FIBER COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION

New fiber composite materials are presented in this work. They have been obtained by treating the surface of the fibers with a silane reactant used in the compounding stage to connect vegetables and mineral fibers to the other chemical components of the final composite materials. The silane reactant links on the surface of the fiber forming strong covalent bonds through the Si atoms. The other end moiety of the silane reactant carries an ammine group which is able to bind to epoxides in a copolymerization process. In such a way the fiber themselves becomes part of polymer networks which have much better mechanical properties with respect to the composite materials obtained by simply dispersing the fibres into polymer matrices. The observed physical and mechanical proprieties of these fiber composites candidates them to have future interesting applications in the field of conservation of cultural heritage

The sealing capacity of the cap rock above the Torre Alfina geothermal reservoir (Central Italy) revealed by soil CO2 flux investigations

Torre Alfina is a medium enthalpy (T = 140 °C) geothermal field in Central Italy, hosted in buried fractured Mesozoic limestones, extensively explored in the 1970s and 1980s, but which so far has not been exploited. A detailed diffuse soil CO2 flux investigation (1336 measurements over a surface of 12.6 km2) and the periodic monitoring of soil CO2 flux from target areas indicate that in most of the area, even above a pressurized gas cap existing at the reservoir top, the soil CO2 flux is low and mostly within the background threshold (48 g m−2 day−1) and is likely generated by biological soil respiration. Anomalous values (up to 30.250 g m−2 day−1) are found only in the proximity of a small zone with gas vents whose composition is identical to that of the gas produced by the geothermalwells tapping the reservoir. This is the only zonewhere a fault connecting the deep geothermal reservoir with the surface does exist. These data are compared with those of the near Latera high enthalpy geothermal field (T = 210 °C), where anomalous soil CO2 flux is recorded above the productive reservoir. The difference of soil CO2 release in the two fields is attributed to the differences in the impervious cover (allochthonous flysch deposits) above the carbonate reservoir, which is thin and locally lacking at Latera, and continuous and thick (N400 m) at Torre Alfina. Results demonstrate that soil CO2 flux investigations are useful in geothermal exploration, but only high flux values likely indicate the presence of a geothermal reservoir at depth, whereas low flux values can indicate either the lack of an active geothermal reservoir at depth or the presence of a very effective impervious cover above the reservoir