New data from borehole strainmeters to infer lava fountain sources (Etna 2011-2012)

In January 2011 eruptive activity resumed at Etna producing a new phase with frequent lava fountain episodes until April 2012. In November 2011, the first two borehole strainmeters were installed, which detected negative strain changes (~ 0.15 - 0.8 strain) during the paroxysmal events. A Finite Element Model was set up to estimate accurately the tilt and volumetric strain, taking into account the real profile of the volcano and the elastic medium heterogeneity. The numerical computations indicated an elongated depressurizing source located at 0 km b.s.l., which underwent a volume change of ~2 x 106 m3 which is the most of the magma volume erupted while a smaller remaining part is accommodated by the magma compressibility. This shallow source cannot accumulate large magma volumes and, thus, favours short term periodic eruptive events with a fairly constant balance between the refilling and the erupted magma

ALTERNATIVE 3D MODELING THROUGH THE USE OF ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY: ANALYSIS AND TESTS

Ultrasound technology can represent a valuable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods of foam-like materials like polyurethane, polystyrene and wax. Furthermore, other foam-like materials can be machined with the operation method proposed in this study, and this could be an alternative 3D modeling, at least for shaping and simple machining operations. In facts, depending both on the input parameters and on the material type, simple traditional operations like drilling of holes can be performed with encouraging results. This has been confirmed thanks to dimensional analyses comparison and material analyses. The first ones have been helpful for understanding the quality of the manufacturing process, while the second analyses made possible to understand the physics behind the manufacturing process. The dimensional analyses revealed that grooving operation performed on Polystyrene and Polyurethane has a good precision level, if considered together with the limitations of the physical properties of materials shaped. Of particular interest, as regards ultrasound processes, is the absence of dust and debris, which results in a considerable advantage for industries interested in shaping of these types of material

Albergues en promoción. Desarrollo turístico

La investigación que presentamos es el resultado de un proyecto que se ha puesto en marcha en cinco países de la Comunidad Europea, en Italia en el Distrito de Naxos y Taormina, en España en Santiago de Compostela, en Malta en Birgu, en Letonia en Riga y en Hungría en Budapest. El objetivo fue el de profundizar temas muy actuales como el fenómeno migratorio, los Derechos Humanos y el Principio de Ciudadanía activa y participativa, intentando fomentar el debate europeo y animar a los ciudadanos para que puedan reflexionar sobre el tipo de Europa al que quieren contribuir a construir. La inmigración es la entrada permanente o temporánea de individuos o grupos de individuos a un país o lugar distinto del de origen; es el fenómeno opuesto a la emigración. Tras el estudio de este fenómeno, he analizado cinco “Alberghi Diffusi” con sus propias comunidades en la región Sicilia (Albergo Diffuso Santa Caterina que se encuentra en Castiglione di Sicilia en Provincia de Catania, Albergo Diffuso di Scicli en Provincia de Ragusa, Albergo Diffuso Militello Val di Catania en Provincia de Catania, Albergo Diffuso de Montalbano Elicona en Provincia de Messina y Albergo Diffuso Borgo di Gallodoro en Provincia de Messina) gracias a los cuales se podría evitar el fenómeno del movimiento migratorio. En cada comunidad se les pidió a los operadores comerciales, a los habitantes y a los huéspedes que respondieran a tres tipos de formularios diferentes. Creemos que esta investigación ha sido muy útil para entender mejor la posibilidad concreta que cada comunidad tiene para desarrollarse y crecer gracias al fenómeno del “Albergo Diffuso”. Analizando los resultados de los datos recogidos, se ha evidenciado que las opiniones son claramente muy distintas según el barrio, la edad, el sexo y el empleo. Por ejemplo, en lo que se refiere a los posibles efectos del “Albergo Diffuso” sobre el fenómeno migratorio, parece que solamente las operadoras comerciales de Scicli (todas mujeres licenciadas y trabajadoras con edades entre los 26 y los 45 años), creen que éste puede aportar efectos positivos también en las generaciones futuras. Además, también en el caso de los habitantes de Scicli, parece que sólo las mujeres entrevistadas con edades entre los 18 y los 25 años creen que el “Albergo Diffuso” puede reducir el fenómeno migratorio.This study was carried out in five different EU countries: Italy (in the district of Taormina and Giardini Naxos), Spain (in Santiago de Compostela), Malta (in Birgu), Latvia (in Riga), and Hungary (in Budapest). The aim of this study was to examine urgent topics, such as migration, Human Rights, and the Principle of active and participatory Citizenship, in order to enliven the European debate and bring European citizens to reflect on what kind of Europe they would like to build together. The term immigration describes a permanent or temporary movement of single individuals or groups of people to a destination country or region of which they are not native to in order to settle or reside there; the opposite phenomenon is called emigration. Following this study I analysed five “Alberghi Diffusi” situated in Sicily and the villages they are located in: the Albergo Diffuso “Santa Caterina” in Castiglione di Sicilia (in the Province of Catania), the Albergo Diffuso in Scicli (in the Province of Ragusa), the Albergo Diffuso in Militello Val di Catania (in the Province of Catania), the Albergo Diffuso in Montalbano Elicona (in the Province of Messina) and finally the Albergo Diffuso Borgo in Gallodoro (in the Province of Messina). Thanks to these it is possible that the migration phenomenon could be averted. Three types of questionnaires were submitted to the business owners, the residents and the guests of each village. We strongly believe that this survey will help to better understand to what extent each community can develop and improve thanks to “Alberghi Diffusi”. After thorough examination the results obtained show varied opinions, sometimes opposing, according to the different villages, as well as to the age, gender and professions of the people interviewed. For example: if we consider the potential effects of “Alberghi Diffusi” on the immigration phenomenon, it can be observed that only the self-employed female business owners of Scicli, between the ages of 26 and 45, with a University degree believe that “Alberghi Diffusi” have a positive effect, for future generations as well. Moreover, as far as local residents are concerned, among the people interviewed only the female population of Scicli, between the ages of 18 and 25, believe that “Alberghi Diffusi” may help reduce migration

Finite element modeling of ground deformation and gravity field at Mt. Etna

An elastic 3-D axi-symmetric model based on Finite Element Method (FEM) is proposed to compute ground deformation and gravity changes caused by overpressure sources in volcanic areas. The numerical computations are focused on the modeling of a complex description of Mt Etna in order to evaluate the effect of topography, medium heterogeneities and source geometries. Both ground deformation and gravity changes are investigated by solving a coupled numerical problem considering a simplified ground surface profile and a multi-layered crustal structure inferred from seismic tomography. The role of the source geometry is also explored taking into account spherical and ellipsoidal volumetric sources. The comparison between numerical results and those predicted by analytical solutions disclosed significant discrepancies. These differences constrain the applicability of simple spherical source and homogeneous half-space hypotheses, which are usually implicitly assumed when analytical solutions are applied

Multifractality in local geomagnetic field at Etna volcano, Sicily (southern Italy)

International audienceWe applied the Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MF-DFA), which allows to detect multifractality in nonstationary signals, to the hourly means of local geomagnetic field recorded at Mt. Etna volcano (southern Italy). We studied the signal measured at one geomagnetic station, installed at the summit of volcano, which was characterized by a strong eruption on 27 October 2002. We analyzed two frames of signals, one measured before the eruption and the other after, in order to evaluate dynamical changes induced by the eruptive event. Our findings show that: i) the geomagnetic time series is multifractal; ii) the multifractal degree of the signal decreases after the occurrence of eruption. This study aims to propose another approach to investigate the complex dynamics of volcano-related geomagnetic field

Perception des avantages offerts par les TIC dans les bibliothèques publiques en France : le point de vue des usagers (La)

TNS, une société indépendante spécialisée dans les études, présente à l’international, a été mandatée par la Bill & Melinda Gates foundation (fondation Bill & Melinda Gates) pour mener une étude auprès de 17 pays de l’Union européenne. Cette étude est destinée à évaluer la perception des bibliothèques publiques et l’usage qui en est fait. Son objectif est de comprendre l’influence des bibliothèques publiques sur la vie de leurs usagers, au niveau de l’Union européenne

Influence of permeability on the hydrothermal system at Vulcano Island (Italy): inferences from numerical simulations

AbstractVolcano-hydrothermal systems are governed by complex interactions between fluid transport, and geochemical and mechanical processes. Evidence of this close interplay has been testified by distinct spatial and temporal correlations in geochemical and geophysical observations at Vulcano Island (Italy). To understand the interaction between fluid circulation and the geochemical and geophysical manifestations, we perform a parametric study to explore different scenarios by implementing a hydro-geophysical model based on the equations for heat and mass transfer in a porous medium and thermo-poroelastic theory. Numerical simulations allow us to define the controlling role of permeability distribution on the different modeled parameters as well as on the geophysical observables. Changes in the permeability within the highly fractured crater area could be responsible for the fluctuations in gas emission and temperature recorded during the crisis periods, which are accompanied by shallow volcano-seismicity in the absence of significant deformation and gravity variations. Despite the general medium permeability of the volcanic edifice, the presence of more highly permeable pathways, which allow the gas to rapidly escape, as testified by the presence of a well-developed fumarolic field, prevents the pressure buildup at shallow depths. Graphic abstrac

Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD): indicazioni ed efficacia nel trattamento dell'obesità

SommarioLa very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) è un protocollo alimentare fortemente ipocalorico e ipoglucidico che ha il fine di indurre la chetosi. Rispetto a una dieta ipocalorica tradizionale è vantaggiosa sulla fame, sul mantenimento della muscolatura, sull'infiammazione e sul decremento ponderale. Può essere attuata anche mediante l'utilizzo di prodotti sostitutivi in concomitanza a un percorso di educazione alimentare. La VLCKD rappresenta una valida opzione terapeutica nel trattamento dell'obesità

Integrated inversion of ground deformation and magnetic data at Etna volcano using a genetic algorithm technique

Geodetic and magnetic investigations have been playing an increasingly important role in studies on Mt. Etna eruptive processes. During ascent, magma interacts with surrounding rocks and fluids, and inevitably crustal deformation and disturbances in the local magnetic field are produced. These effects are generally interpreted separately from each other and consistency of interpretations obtained from different methods is qualitatively checked only a posteriori. In order to make the estimation of source parameters more robust we propose an integrated inversion from deformation and magnetic data that leads to the best possible understanding of the underlying geophysical process. The inversion problem was formulated following a global optimization approach based on the use of genetic algorithms. The proposed modeling inversion technique was applied on field data sets recorded during the onset of the 2002-2003 Etna flank eruption. The deformation pattern and the magnetic anomalies were consistent with a piezomagnetic effect caused by a dyke intrusion propagating along the NE direction

Enquête paneuropéenne destinée à évaluer les perceptions des utilisateurs à l’égard des avantages liés aux technologies de l’information et de la communication dans les bibliothèques publiques

TNS, une société indépendante spécialisée dans les études, présente à l’international, a été mandatée par la Bill & Melinda Gates foundation (fondation Bill & Melinda Gates) pour mener une étude auprès de 17 pays de l’Union européenne afin d\u27évaluer les perceptions des utilisateurs à l’égard des avantages liés aux technologies de l’information et de la communication dans les bibliothèques publique. La Bpi en a été le relais en France