880 research outputs found
Quality of Life and Personality Traits in Patients with Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and Their First-Degree Caregivers.
Asbestos exposure causes significant pleural diseases, including malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Taking into account the impact of MPM on emotional functioning and wellbeing, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and personality traits in patients with MPM and their first-degree caregivers through the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). The sample was composed of 27 MPM patients, 55 first-degree relatives enrolled in Casale Monferrato and Monfalcone (Italy), and 40 healthy controls (HC). Patients and relatives reported poorer physical health than the HC. Patients had a higher overall sense of physical debilitation and poorer health than relatives and the HC, more numerous complaints of memory problems and difficulties in concentrating, and a greater belief that goals cannot be reached or problems solved, while often claiming that they were more indecisive and inefficacious than the HC. First-degree relatives reported lower opinions of others, a greater belief that goals cannot be reached or problems solved, support for the notion that they are indecisive and inefficacious, and were more likely to suffer from fear that significantly inhibited normal activities than were HC. In multinomial regression analyses, partial models indicated that sex, physical comorbidities, and the True Response Inconsistency (TRIN-r), Malaise (MLS), and Behavior-Restricting Fears (BRF) dimensions of the MMPI-2-RF had significant effects on group differences. In conclusion, health care providers should assess the ongoing adjustment and emotional wellbeing of people with MPM and their relatives, and provide support to reduce emotional distress
Reply to Kern, C. The Difficulty of Measuring the Absorption of Scattered Sunlight by H2O and CO2 in Volcanic Plumes: A Comment on Pering, et al. "A Novel and Inexpensive Method for Measuring Volcanic Plume Water Fluxes at High Temporal Resolution", Remote Sens. 2017, 9, 146
We would like to thank our colleague, Christoph Kern, for his comment [1] on our recent paper [2], which provides a valuable adjunct to that published piece [...
CO2 Flushing Triggers Paroxysmal Eruptions at Open Conduit Basaltic Volcanoes
Open conduit volcanoes erupt with the highest frequency on Earth. Their activity is characterized by an outgassing flux that largely exceeds the gas that could be released by the erupted magma; and by frequent small explosions intercalated by larger events that pose a significant risk to locals, tourists, and scientists. Thus, identifying the signs of an impending larger explosion is of utmost importance for the mitigation of volcanic hazard. Larger explosive events have been associated with the sudden ascent of volatile rich magmas, however, where and why magma accumulates within the plumbing system remains unclear. Here we show that the interaction between CO2-rich fluids and magma spontaneously leads to the accumulation of volatile-rich, low density and gravitationally unstable magma at depth, without the requirement of permeability barriers. CO2-flushing forces the exsolution of water and the increase of magma viscosity, which proceeds from the bottom of the magma column upward. This rheological configuration unavoidably leads to the progressive thickening of a gas-rich and low density (i.e., gravitationally unstable) layer at the bottom of the feeding system. Our calculations account for observations, gas monitoring and petrological data; moreover, they provide a basis to trace the approach to deeply triggered large or paroxysmal eruptions and estimate their size from monitoring data. Our model is finally applied to Stromboli volcano, an emblematic example of open conduit volcano, but can be applied to any other open conduit volcano globally and offers a framework to anticipate the occurrence of unexpectedly large eruptions
. New ground-based lidar enables volcanic CO2 flux measurements
There have been substantial advances in the ability to monitor the activity of hazardous volcanoes
in recent decades. However, obtaining early warning of eruptions remains challenging, because the
patterns and consequences of volcanic unrests are both complex and nonlinear. Measuring volcanic
gases has long been a key aspect of volcano monitoring since these mobile fluids should reach the
surface long before the magma. There has been considerable progress in methods for remote and
in-situ gas sensing, but measuring the flux of volcanic CO2—the most reliable gas precursor to an
eruption—has remained a challenge. Here we report on the first direct quantitative measurements
of the volcanic CO2 flux using a newly designed differential absorption lidar (DIAL), which were
performed at the restless Campi Flegrei volcano. We show that DIAL makes it possible to remotely
obtain volcanic CO2 flux time series with a high temporal resolution (tens of minutes) and accuracy
(<30%). The ability of this lidar to remotely sense volcanic CO2 represents a major step forward
in volcano monitoring, and will contribute improved volcanic CO2 flux inventories. Our results also
demonstrate the unusually strong degassing behavior of Campi Flegrei fumaroles in the current
ongoing state of unrest
First observations of the fumarolic gas output from a restless caldera: implications for the current period of unrest (2005–2013) at Campi Flegrei
The fumarolic gas output has not been quantified for any of the currently deforming calderas
worldwide, due to the lack of suitable gas flux sensing techniques. In view of resumption of ground uplift
(since 2005) and the associated variations in gas chemistry, Campi Flegrei, in southern Italy, is one of the
restless calderas where gas flux observations are especially necessary. Here we report the first ever
obtained estimate of the Campi Flegrei fumarolic gas output, based on a set of MultiGAS surveys
(performed in 2012 and 2013) with an ad-hoc-designed measurement setup. We estimate that the current
Campi Flegrei fumarolic sulphur (S) flux is low, on the order of 1.5–2.2 tons/day, suggesting substantial
scrubbing of magmatic S by the hydrothermal system. However, the fumarolic carbon dioxide (CO2)
output is 4606160 tons/day (mean6SD), which is surprisingly high for a dormant volcano in the
hydrothermal stage of activity, and results in a combined (fumarolesþsoil) CO2 output of 1560 tons/
day. Assuming magma to be the predominant source, we propose that the current CO2 output can be
supplied by either (i) a large (0.6–4.6 km3), deeply stored (>7 km) magmatic source with low CO2
contents (0.05–0.1 wt%) or (ii) by a small to medium-sized ( 0.01–0.1 km3) but CO2-rich (2 wt%)
magma, possibly stored at pressures of 100 to 120 MPa. Independent geophysical evidence (e.g.,
inferred from geodetic and gravity data) is needed to distinguish between these two possibilities
A Roadmap for the Restoration of Mediterranean Macroalgal Forests
Canopy-forming macroalgae play a crucial role in coastal primary production and nutrient cycling, providing food, shelter, nurseries, and habitat for many vertebrate and invertebrate species. However, macroalgal forests are in decline in various places and natural recovery is almost impossible when populations become locally extinct. Hence, active restoration emerges as the most promising strategy to rebuild disappeared forests. In this regard, significant efforts have been made by several EU institutions to research new restoration tools for shallow and mesophotic reef habitats (e.g., MERCES EU project, AFRIMED, and ROCPOP-life) and effective techniques have subsequently been proposed to promote self-sustaining populations. Recent research indicates that macroalgal forest recovery requires a broad spectrum of measures, ranging from mitigating human impacts to restoring the most degraded populations and habitats, and that the viability of large restoration actions is compromised by ongoing human pressures (e.g., pollution, overgrazing, and climate change). We propose a roadmap for Mediterranean macroalgal restoration to assist researchers and stakeholders in decision-making, considering the most effective methods in terms of cost and cost-effectiveness, and taking background environmental conditions and potential threats into account. Last, the challenges currently faced by the restoration of rocky coastal ecosystems under changing climate conditions are also discussed
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ACCEPTABILITY ENVELOPE FOR METAL HYDRIDE-BASED HYDROGEN STORAGE SYSTEMS
The design and evaluation of media based hydrogen storage systems requires the use of detailed numerical models and experimental studies, with significant amount of time and monetary investment. Thus a scoping tool, referred to as the Acceptability Envelope, was developed to screen preliminary candidate media and storage vessel designs, identifying the range of chemical, physical and geometrical parameters for the coupled media and storage vessel system that allow it to meet performance targets. The model which underpins the analysis allows simplifying the storage system, thus resulting in one input-one output scheme, by grouping of selected quantities. Two cases have been analyzed and results are presented here. In the first application the DOE technical targets (Year 2010, Year 2015 and Ultimate) are used to determine the range of parameters required for the metal hydride media and storage vessel. In the second case the most promising metal hydrides available are compared, highlighting the potential of storage systems, utilizing them, to achieve 40% of the 2010 DOE technical target. Results show that systems based on Li-Mg media have the best potential to attain these performance targets
Carbon dioxide diffuse emission and thermal energy release from hydrothermal systems at Copahue-Caviahue Volcanic Complex (Argentina).
The north-western sector of Caviahue caldera (Argentina), close to the active volcanic system of Copahue, is characterized by the presence of several hydrothermal sites that host numerous fumarolic emissions, anomalous soil diffuse degassing of CO2 and hot soils. In March 2014, measurements of soil CO2 fluxes in 5 of these sites (namely, Las M\ue1quinas, Las Maquinitas I, Las Maquinitas II, Anfiteatro, and Termas de Copahue) allowed an estimation that ~165t of deeply derived CO2 is daily released. The gas source is likely related to a relatively shallow geothermal reservoir containing a single vapor phase as also suggested by both the geochemical data from the 3 deep wells drilled in the 1980s and gas geoindicators applied to the fumarolic discharges. Gas equilibria within the H-C-O gas system indicate the presence of a large, probably unique, single phase vapor zone at 200-210\ub0C feeding the hydrothermal manifestations of Las M\ue1quinas, Las Maquinitas I and II and Termas de Copahue. A natural thermal release of 107MW was computed by using CO2 as a tracer of the original vapor phase. The magmatic signature of the incondensable fumarolic gases, the wide expanse of the hydrothermal areas and the remarkable high amount of gas and heat released by fluid expulsion seem to be compatible with an active magmatic intrusion beneath this portion of the Caviahue caldera
Combined ground and aerial measurements resolve vent-specific gas fluxes from a multi-vent volcano
Volcanoes with multiple summit vents present a methodological challenge for determining vent-specific gas emissions. Here, using a novel approach combining multiple ultraviolet cameras with synchronous aerial measurements, we calculate vent-specific gas compositions and fluxes for Stromboli volcano. Emissions from vent areas are spatially heterogeneous in composition and emission rate, with the central vent area dominating passive emissions, despite exhibiting the least explosive behaviour. Vents exhibiting Strombolian explosions emit low to negligible passive fluxes and are CO2-dominated, even during passive degassing. We propose a model for the conduit system based on contrasting rheological properties between vent areas. Our methodology has advantages for resolving contrasting outgassing dynamics given that measured bulk plume compositions are often intermediate between those of the distinct vent areas. We therefore emphasise the need for a vent-specific approach at multi-vent volcanoes and suggest that our approach could provide a transformative advance in volcano monitoring applications
Isotopically (δ13C and δ18O) heavy volcanic plumes from Central Andean volcanoes: a field study
Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen in volcanic
gases are key tracers of volatile transfer between Earth’s interior
and atmosphere. Although important, these data are available
for few volcanoes because they have traditionally been difficult
to obtain and are usually measured on gas samples collected
from fumaroles. We present new field measurements of bulk
plume composition and stable isotopes (δ13CCO2 and δ18OH2O+
CO2) carried out at three northern Chilean volcanoes using
MultiGAS and isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy. Carbon
and oxygen in magmatic gas plumes of Lastarria and Isluga
volcanoes have δ13C in CO2 of +0.76‰ to +0.77‰ (VPDB),
similar to slab carbonate; and δ18O in the H2O + CO2 system
ranging from +12.2‰ to +20.7‰ (VSMOW), suggesting significant
contributions from altered slab pore water and carbonate.
The hydrothermal plume at Tacora has lower δ13CCO2 of
−3.2‰ and δ18OH2O+CO2 of +7.0‰, reflecting various scrubbing,
kinetic fractionation, and contamination processes. We
show the isotopic characterization of volcanic gases in the field
to be a practical complement to traditional sampling methods,
with the potential to remove sampling bias that is a risk when
only a few samples from accessible fumaroles are used to characterize
a given volcano’s volatile output. Our results indicate
that there is a previously unrecognized, relatively heavy isotopic
signature to bulk volcanic gas plumes in the Central Andes,
which can be attributed to a strong influence from components
of the subducting slab, but may also reflect some local crustal
contamination. The techniques we describe open new avenues
for quantifying the roles that subduction zones and arc volcanoes
play in the global carbon cycle.Published653V. Proprietà dei magmi e dei prodotti vulcaniciJCR Journa
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