Carbon Dioxide Diffuse Emission from the Soil at Vesuvio and Campi Flegrei (Pozzuoli): Ten Years of Observations

Carbon dioxide flux from the soil is regularly monitored in selected areas of Vesuvio and Solfatara (Campi Flegrei, Pozzuoli) with the main aim of investigating if the surface phenomena could provide information about the processes occurring at depth. Surveyed areas include 15 fixed points around the rim of Vesuvio and 71 fixed points in the floor of Solfatara crater, where soil CO2 flux is measured since 1998, at least once a month. In addition, two automatic permanent stations, located at Vesuvio and Solfatara, continually measure the CO2 flux and some environmental parameters that can potentially influence the CO2 diffuse degassing. We analysed, with statistical procedures, the feature of the acquired signals, evaluating the spatial and temporal variations of the CO2 degassing process. Series acquired by continuous stations are characterized by an annual periodicity that is related to the typical periodicities of some meteorological parameters (e.g., air temperature, air humidity, etc.). Such a kind of signal permits to define the “reference” level of the CO2 degassing process that diffusely affects the flanks and the base of the volcanoes. Conversely, series of CO2 flux data arising from periodic measurements over the arrays of Vesuvio and Solfatara, are less dependent on external factors such as meteorological parameters, local soil properties (porosity, hydraulic conductivity) and topographic effects (high or low ground). Therefore we argue that the longterm trend of this signal contains the “best” possible representation of the endogenous signal related to the upflow of deep hydrothermal fluids. At Vesuvio and Solfatara, the variations of these series have shown some correspondence with other physical changes of the volcanic systems

Neuron numbers increase in the human amygdala from birth to adulthood, but not in autism.

Remarkably little is known about the postnatal cellular development of the human amygdala. It plays a central role in mediating emotional behavior and has an unusually protracted development well into adulthood, increasing in size by 40% from youth to adulthood. Variation from this typical neurodevelopmental trajectory could have profound implications on normal emotional development. We report the results of a stereological analysis of the number of neurons in amygdala nuclei of 52 human brains ranging from 2 to 48 years of age [24 neurotypical and 28 autism spectrum disorder (ASD)]. In neurotypical development, the number of mature neurons in the basal and accessory basal nuclei increases from childhood to adulthood, coinciding with a decrease of immature neurons within the paralaminar nucleus. Individuals with ASD, in contrast, show an initial excess of amygdala neurons during childhood, followed by a reduction in adulthood across nuclei. We propose that there is a long-term contribution of mature neurons from the paralaminar nucleus to other nuclei of the neurotypical human amygdala and that this growth trajectory may be altered in ASD, potentially underlying the volumetric changes detected in ASD and other neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders

Use of ICT in the teaching of art and design in the context of secondary education in Italy

Currently, we are participating in the discovery and use of different multimedia resources, digital platforms and technological devices that are making inroads into the educational system. This study deals with the use of new multimedia technologies, specifically developed in a Secondary School of First Cycle in Sicily in the province of Agrigento. The purpose of this communication is to present partial results of a broader research project on the use of ICT in teaching art and design in the context of secondary education in Sicily with the intention to explore the impact on the methodology multimedia teaching resources and technological devices. We intend to develop an innovative methodology for teaching art and image based on the use of the interactive whiteboard and tablets. We consider relevant the use of multimedia interactive whiteboard because it promotes student interaction with touch curriculum content or with a stylus. In this research from the constant daily use of the interactive whiteboard we try to promote and strengthen new and different ways of teaching and communication. We assume that the tablet in the classroom stimulates student participation, but at the same time transforms the role of the teacher. In addition, we aim to develop digital teaching strategies and action research tools in the classroom. This paper develops from the paradigm of qualitative research literature search that pays special attention both digital tools and skills to teachers and learners. We highlight the fundamental role of schools, as well as national and European institutions in decision-making regarding the use of technology in the classroom. Following the studies of Stake (1995) we opted for a case study working with a sample of 6 classrooms of the Comprehensive Agricento Institute (Sicily). Among the methods / research instruments highlight the diary, interviews, classroom observations and content analysis of the documentation center. The results are provisional as it is an ongoing investigation. The different interventions carried out with the use of ICT in the center under study are analyzed and described. The use of technology in school is an opportunity for students who want to grow with methodological innovation. The arrival of tablets and new digital technologies in the classroom have changed and revolutionized the educational contexts of all school staff, also underlining the need for change in Italian schools. We are in the process of analyzing and interpreting the information, although some interviews and classroom observations still need to be done. As for the conclusions we are in the development of research studies. The work done we can infer that these technologies favor school integration of all students and help train teachers in acquiring new skills / abilities. In addition, these technologies foster and strengthen an inclusive education and social cohesion in the classroom context (INCLUD-ED Project

Modeling and simulation of viscoelastic film retraction

In this paper, we investigate the retraction of a circular viscoelastic liquid film with a hole initially present in its center by means of finite element numerical simulations. We study the whole retraction process, aiming at understanding the hole opening dynamics both when the hole does not feel any confinement and when it interacts with the solid wall bounding the film. The retraction behavior is also interpreted through a simple toy model, that highlights the physical mechanism underlying the process.We consider three different viscoelastic constitutive equations, namely, Oldroyd-B, Giesekus (Gsk), and Phan Thien-Tanner (PTT) models, and several system geometries, in terms of the film initial radius and thickness. For each given geometry, we investigate the effects of liquid inertia, elasticity, and flow-dependent viscosity on the dynamics of the hole opening. Depending on the relative strength of such parameters, qualitatively different features can appear in the retracting film shape and dynamics.When inertia is relevant, as far as the opening hole does not interact withthe wall bounding the film, the influence of liquid elasticity is very moderate,and the retraction dynamics tends to the one of Newtonian sheets; whenthe hole starts to interact with the solid wall, hole radius/opening velocityoscillations are detected. Such oscillations enhance at increasing elasticity.From the morphological point of view, the formation of a rim at the edge ofthe retracting film is observed. If inertial forces become less relevant withrespect to viscous forces, R-oscillations disappear, the hole opening velocitygoes through a maximum and then monotonically decays to zero, and norim forms during the film retraction. Geometrical changes have the effect ofenlarging or reducing the portion of the retraction dynamics not influencedby the presence of the solid wall with respect to the one governed by thehole-wall interactions

Long Time Series Of Fumarolic Compositions At Volcanoes: The Key To Understand The Activity Of Quiescent Volcanoes

Long time series of fumarolic chemical and isotopic compositions at Campi Flegrei, Vulcano, Panarea, Nisyros and Mammoth volcanoes highlight the occurrence of mixing processes among magmatic and hydrothermal fluids. At Campi Flegrei temperatures of about 360°C of the hydrothermal system are inferred by chemical and isotopic geoindicators. These high temperatures are representative of a deep zone where magmatic gases mix with hydrothermal liquids forming the gas plume feeding the fumaroles. Similar mixing processes between magmatic fluids and a hydrothermal component of marine origin have been recognized at Vulcano high temperature fumaroles. In both the system a typical ‘andesitic’ water type composition and high CO2 contents characterizes the magmatic component. Our hypothesis is that pulsing injections of these CO2- rich magmatic fluids at the bottom of the hydrothermal systems trigger the bradyseismic crises, periodically affecting Campi Flegrei, and the periodical volcanic unrest periods of Vulcano. At Campi Flegrei a strong increase of the fraction of the magmatic component marked the bradyseismic crisis (seismicity and ground uplift) of 1982-84 and four minor episodes occurred in 1989, 1994 and 2000 and 2006. Increases of the magmatic component in the fumaroles of Vulcano were recorded in 1979-1981, 1985, 1988, 1996, 2004 and 2005 concurrently with anomalous seismic activity. Physicalnumerical simulations of the injection of hot, CO2 rich fluids at the base of a hydrothermal system, asses the physical feasibility the process. Ground deformations, gravitational anomalies and seismic crisis can be well explained by the complex fluid dynamic processes caused by magma degassing episodes. Sporadic data on the fumaroles of other volcanoes, for example Panarea, Nisyros (Greece), Mammoth (California), suggest that magma degassing episodes frequently occur in dormant volcanoes causing volcanic unrest processes not necessarily linked to magma movement but rather to pulsating degassing processes from deep pressurized, possibly stationary, magma bodies

Geochemical and biochemical evidence of lake overturn and fish-kill at Lake Averno, Italy.

Lake Averno is situated in the homonymous crater in the northwestern sector of the Campi Flegrei active volcanic system in Campania region, Italy. In February 2005 a fish kill event was observed in the lake, prompting a geochemical survey to ascertain the possible cause. In February 2005 a geochemical survey revealed that the lake water was unstratified chemically and isotopically, presumable, as a result of lake overturn. This fish-kill phenomenon was recorded at least two other times in the past. In contrast to the February 2005 results, data collected in October 2005, shows the Lake Averno to be stratified, with an oxic epilimnion (surface to 6 m) and an anoxic hypolimnion (6 m to lake bottom at about 33 m). Chemical and isotopic composition of Lake Averno waters suggests an origin by mixing of shallow waters with a Na-Cl hydrothermal component coupled with an active evaporation process. The isotopic composition of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon, as well as the composition of the non-reactive dissolved gas species again supports the occurrence of this mixing process. Decreasing levels of SO4 and increasing levels of H2S and CH4 contents in lake water with depth, strongly suggests anaerobic bacterial processes are occurring through decomposition of organic matter under anoxic conditions in the sediment and in the water column. Sulfate reduction and methanogenesis processes coexist and play a pivotal role in the anaerobic environment of the Lake Averno. The sulfate reducing bacterial activity has been estimated in the range of 14-22 μmol.m-2.day-1. Total gas pressure of dissolved gases ranges between 800 and 1400 mbar, well below the hydrostatic pressure throughout the water column, excluding the possibility, at least at the survey time, of a limnic eruption. Vertical changes in the density of lake waters indicate that overturn may be triggered by cooling of epilimnetic waters below 7°C. This is a possible phenomenon in winter periods if atmospheric temperatures remain frosty for enough time, as occurred in February 2005. The bulk of these results strongly support the hypothesis that fish kill was caused by a series of events that began with the cooling of the epilimnetic waters with breaking of the thermal stratification, followed by lake overturn and the rise of toxic levels of H2S from the reduced waters near the lake bottom

Does CDS trading affect risk-taking incentives in managerial compensation?

We find that managers receive more risk-taking incentives in their compensation packages once their firms are referenced by credit default swap (CDS) trading, particularly when institutional ownership is high and when firms are in financial distress. These findings provide suggestive evidence that boards offer pay packages that encourage greater risk taking to take advantage of the reduced creditor monitoring after CDS introduction. Further, we show that the onset of CDS trading attenuates the effect of vega on leverage, consistent with the threat of exacting creditors restraining managerial risk appetite