Performances of the Italian seismic network, 1985-2002: the hidden thing

Seismic data users and people managing a sesimic network are both interested in the potentiality of the data, with the difference that the former look at stability, the second at improvements. In this work we measure the performances of the Italian Telemetered Seismic Network in 1985-2002 by defining basic significant parameters and studying their evolution during the years. Then, we deal with the geological methods used to characterise or to plan a seismic station deployment in a few cases. Last, we define the gain of the network as the percentage of located earthquakes with respect to the total recorded earthquakes. By analysing the distribution of non-located ("missed") earthquakes, we suggest possible actions to take in order to increase the gain. Results show that completeness magnitude is 2.4 in the average over the analysed period, and it can be as low as 2.2 when we consider non-located earthquakes as well. Parameters such as the distance between an earthquake and the closest station, and the RMS location decrease with time, reflecting improvements in the location quality. Methods for geologic and seismological characterisation of a possible station site also proved to be effective. Finally, we represent the number of missed earthquakes at each station, showing that nine stations control more that 50% of all missed earthquakes, and suggesting areas in Italy where the network might be easily improved.Comment: 17 pages, 1 table, 11 figures. Submitted to Annals of Geophysic

La Torre della Marina di Vietri sulla Costa d’Amalfi: test statistico-predittivi di dati fotogrammetrici

[EN] The focus of the work is on close-range photogrammetry and mainly on the low-cost technologies, experimented in the survey of Tower of Marina di Vietri, a historical building erected in the sixteenth century at Vietri sul Mare in the Province of Salerno. The general objective is to codify a methodology for objectifying the comparisons of the results; hence, the research starts from an original analysis conducted on the returned orthophotos by several photogrammetric paradigms. To estimate its reliability and precision, we proceeded, at first, with the extension and application of an error propagation law and then with the validation of the comparison according to a predictive type test. The first results are presented here after a study on raster images generated according to different algorithms. Subsequently, on each graphic product, 73 points were identified and for each of the relative coordinates the deviation are evaluated by verifying them with the value of the standard deviation. Consequently, for the purpose of greater validation of the methodology, a predictive test was implemented with the aim to confirm the criterion used for the comparison and to guarantee, in probabilistic terms, the values analysed; finally, a further three-dimensional analysis was conducted directly on the 3D models. It is banal to observe that aleatory –subjectivity, etc.– which often characterizes already known approaches, in any case assumed as a starting point, does not always allow to obtain generally valid results and, therefore, extendable beyond the single case study. The implementation of this first test, otherwise, proved to be extremely valid in the survey for architecture, both for an absolute evaluation of the quality of the individual results and for the possibility to estimate, also predictively, the relative effectiveness of the method used. This guarantees the evaluation of the relative percentages of errors in probabilistic terms.Morena, S.; Barba, S. (2020). La Torre della Marina di Vietri sulla Costa d’Amalfi: test statistico-predittivi di dati fotogrammetrici. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 373-380. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2020.2020.11375OCS37338

La scenografia degli stucchi del Serpotta rivisitata. La materia e la forma

The material that lies beneath the smooth shining surface of the stuccoes of the Serpotta family who used to work in Sicily from 1670 to 1730, has been thoroughly studied in previous papers, disclosing the deep, albeit empirical, knowledge of materials science that guided the artists in creating their masterpieces. In this work, attention is focused on the solid perspective and on the scenographic sculpture by Giacomo Serpotta, who is acknowledged as the leading exponent of the School. The study deals with some particular works of the artist, the “small-scaled plastic theatres”, so-called “teatrini”, which he made for the San Lorenzo Oratory in Palermo. On the basis of archival documents and previous analogical photogrammetric plotting, integrated with digital solutions and computer-based technologies, the study investigates and interprets the geometric-formal genesis of the examined works of art. Knowledge of the material composition of the stuccoes, along with the ability to accurately reproduce their shapes, give interesting possibilities to provide a complete reading of the works of art damaged by deterioration or theft.La materia che si nasconde sotto le levigate e lucenti superfici degli stucchi della famiglia dei Serpotta, che operò in Sicilia tra il 1670 e il 1730, è stata ampiamente studiata in precedenti lavori, rivelando la profonda, se pur empirica, conoscenza della Scienza dei Materiali che guidava gli artisti nella realizzazione dei loro capolavori. In questo studio l’attenzione viene posta sulla prospettiva solida e sulla scultura scenografica dello scultore palermitano Giacomo Serpotta, riconosciuto come il principale esponente della Scuola. L’indagine si concentra su particolari opere dell’artista, i cosiddetti “teatrini plastici”, da lui eseguiti per l’Oratorio di San Lorenzo nel centro antico di Palermo. Sulla base di documenti di archivio e rilevamenti stereo fotogrammetrici analogici pregressi, integrati con tecniche di acquisizione dati di ultima generazione, lo studio presenta elaborazioni digitali che hanno permesso ricostruzioni virtuali a video di elementi scultorei non più esistenti. La conoscenza dei materiali che compongono le opere in stucco, insieme alla capacità di riprodurre con precisione le forme, offre interessanti possibilità di fornire una lettura completa delle opere d’arte danneggiate dal deterioramento o dal furto

Low-Voltage GaN Based Inverter for Power Steering Application

In the paper, an experimental evaluation of a low voltage Gallium Nitride (GaN) based inverter suitable for power steering application is presented. The inverter switches belong to the last generation of low voltage enhancement-mode normally-off GaN Field-Effect Transistor (FET). The main advantage in the usage of these devices is the high switching frequency capability with consequently volume reduction of the passive components. On the other hand, the layout and the device packaging solution are a challenge to reduce the parasitic inductances. Furthermore, the dv/dt increasing with the switching frequency need a deep investigation in a motor drive application. The paper deals with the advances and drawbacks of the GaN FETs in two-level Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) motor drive applications providing a piece of detailed experimental evidence and design guidelines

Motor imagery, perspective taking and gender differences: a VVIQ2-based study

Scientific literature highlighted gender differences in spatial orientation. In particular, men and women differ in terms of the navigational processes they use in daily life. Scientific literature highlighted that women use analytical strategies while men tend to use holistic strategies. Furthermore, studies exploring gender differences in self-reported dream perspectives reported that women dream mainly in first person and men mainly in third person. This work used Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 to verify if gender differences in perspective taking last also in motor imagery practice. The aim of VVIQ2 questionnaire is to determine the vividness of movement imagery. In the VVIQ2, the image can be obtained watching oneself while performing the movement from an external point of view (External Visual Imagery), or from an internal point of view, as if you were looking out through your own eyes while performing the movement (Internal Visual Imagery). The Questionnaire was administered to students of Sports Sciences Degree from University of Salerno

Earthquake geology: science, society and critical facilities

Earthquake geology studies the effects, the mechanics and the impacts of earthquakes in the geological environment. Its role is also to decode the fault history, therefore its approach is fault specific and its outcomes are of decisive value for seismic hazard assessment and planning. The term Earthquake geology includes aspects of modern instrumental studies, tectonics and structural geology, historical surface deformation and tectonic geomorphology, whereas paleoseismology is considered part of earthquake geology [...]