Electromagnetic field measurements in ULF-ELF-VLF [0.001 Hz─100 KHz] bands

We are reporting the technological and scientific objectives of the MEM project. The MEM project has been activated in the INGV Observatory of L'Aquila to create in Central Italy a network of observatories in order to monitoring the electromagnetic signals in the frequency band [0.001 Hz–100 kHz]. Some examples of the instrumentation developed in the frame of the project are reported. An innovative technique, based on the wide band interferometry is proposed to obtain detailed information concerning the several detected electromagnetic sources. Moreover, data from each station will be elaborated to investigate different sectors as the structure of ground electric conductibility, the electromagnetic phenomena connected with seismic activity, the separation of the electromagnetic fields originated in the Earth's interior and the electromagnetic phenomena originated in the magnetosphere, in the ionosphere and in the Earth-ionosphere cavity

The development of the INGV tectonomagnetic network in the frame of the MEM Project

In the middle of 1989, the INGV (Italian <i>Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia</i>) installed in Central Italy a network of magnetic stations in order to investigate possible relationship of the local magnetic field with earthquakes occurrences. Actually the network consists of four stations, where the total magnetic field intensity data are being collected using proton precession magnetometers. Here we are report on the actual state and the future developments of the network. In the frame of the MEM (Magnetic and Electric fields Monitoring) Project, new stations will be added to the network by the end of 2007. The results of the test campaigns carried out in the sites chosen to widen the network are also discussed. Moreover, the 2006 complete data set of the network is also reported. Concerning the data analysis, a new approach is also discussed that takes into account the inductive effects on the local geomagnetic field by means of the inter-station transfer functions time variations analysis

Somatic embryogenesis of Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Sugraone) from stigma and style culture

Somatic embryo and plant regeneration were induced from stigma and style culture of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Sugraone). To obtain somatic embryogenesis, explants were cultured on Nitsch and Nitsch basal medium (NN) supplemented with 88 mM sucrose and various combinations of the auxin β-naphthoxyacetic acid (NOA, 0-10 μM) and the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 0-9 μM). Growth regulators (BA and NOA) in the culture medium were essential for induction of somatic embryogenesis since explants incubated on hormone-free medium never regenerated somatic embryos. Usually, the regenerated somatic embryos become visible as small white globular structures on the surface of the callus 3-4 months after culture initiation. The best embryogenic response (27 %) was obtained when stigma and style explants were cultured on NN medium supplemented with 5 μM NOA and 9 μM BA. Somatic embryos developed into plantlets when transferred to a hormone-free semisolid NN medium. 35 % of primary somatic embryos showed secondary embryogenesis

Contribution to the vascular flora of Papasidero (north-western Calabria, Italy)

A floristic survey of the Papasidero municipality (54.65 km2) was carried out from 2008 to 2011, allowing us to list 580 specific and infraspecific taxa (567 verified by us), belonging to 353 genera and 89 families. Several species are rather interesting from a phytogeographic and/or conservation point of view. 14 exotic species were also recorded, 10 of which are considered invasive in the regional flora. The most represented families are Asteraceae (66 taxa), Fabaceae (56), Lamiaceae (40), Poaceae (31), while most represented genera are Trifolium (11), Euphorbia and Ophrys (9), Lathyrus and Geranium (8). Biological and chorological spectra show a clear dominance of Hemicriptophytes and Mediterranean elements respectively, as one can expect based on the climatic conditions of the area at issues

The study of the electromagnetic anomalies linked with the Earth's crustal activity in the frequency band [0.001 Hz?100 kHz]

International audienceThe technological and the scientific objectives of the MEM (Magnetic and Electric fields Monitoring) project concerning to the study of the electromagnetic signals linked with the Earth's crustal activity are reported. The MEM project has been activated in Central Italy to create a network of observatories so as to monitoring the electromagnetic signals, both natural and artificial, in the frequency band [0.001 Hz?100 kHz]. Some examples of the developed instrumentation and the know-how transfer to the industry are reported. We also report some results obtained in the first MEM station installed in the area of the INGV (Italian Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) Observatory of L'Aquila. Using the single station magnetotelluric approach we have obtained some valuables information about the underground resistivity structure in the area of the measurement station. Concerning to the study of the magnetic signals linked with the tectonic activity we have reported an example of the long term behaviour of the magnetic induction vectors characteristics in the lower frequency band [0.001?0.5] Hz, showing their normal behaviour when no large crustal changes due to geodynamical processes are present

Genetics influences drug consumption in medication overuse headache, not in migraine. Evidence from Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism analysis

Background: The Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism can influence drug consumption in psychiatric patients with impulsive addictive behavior. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the prevalence of the Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism in MOH, a secondary headache belonging to the spectrum of addictive disorders, episodic migraine (EM), and healthy subjects (HS), and its influence on drug consumption. Methods: One-hundred and seventy-two EM, 107 MOH, and 83 HS were enrolled and genotyped for the Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism. Subjects were classified as homozygous for allele His (H/H subjects), homozygous for allele Arg (R/R subjects), and heterozygous (H/R subjects), regrouped as R/R and carriers of allele H (non-R/R), and matched for clinical data. Results: There were no differences in allelic distributions between the three groups (p = 0.19). Drug consumption and other clinical characteristics were not influenced by the Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism (p = 0.42; β = 0.04) in the EM group. Among the MOH population, R/R subjects consumed more analgesics (p < 0.0001; β = −0.38), particularly combination drugs (p = 0.0001; d = 2.32). Discussion: The Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism has a similar prevalence between the MOH, EM, and HS groups. The presence of the R/R genotype does not influence symptomatic drug consumption in EM, whereas it determines an increased use of symptomatic drugs in the MOH group, in particular combination drugs (i.e., drugs containing psychoactive compounds). Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the Wolframin His611Arg polymorphism plays its effect only in the MOH population, influencing the impulsivity control underlying addictive behavior

The study of the electromagnetic anomalies linked with the Earth's crustal activity in the frequency band [0.001Hz-100kHz]

The technological and the scientific objectives of the MEM (Magnetic and Electric fields Monitoring) project concerning to the study of the electromagnetic signals linked with the Earth’s crustal activity are reported. The MEM project has been activated in Central Italy to create a network of observatories so as to monitoring the electromagnetic signals, both natural and artificial, in the frequency band [0.001 Hz-100 kHz]. Some examples of the developed instrumentation and the know-how transfer to the industry are reported. We also report some results obtained in the first MEM station installed in the area of the INGV (Italian Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) Observatory of L’Aquila. Using the single station magnetotelluric approach we have obtained some valuables information about the underground resistivity structure in the area of the measurement station. Concerning to the study of the magnetic signals linked with the tectonic activity we have reported an example of the long term behaviour of the magnetic induction vectors characteristics in the lower frequency band [0.001-0.5] Hz, showing their normal behaviour when no large crustal changes due to geodynamical processes are present

Electromagnetic field measurements in ULF-ELF-VLF [0.001 Hz–100KHz] bands

We are reporting the technological and scientific objectives of the MEM project. The MEM project has been activated in the INGV Observatory of L’Aquila to create in Central Italy a network of observatories in order to monitoring the electromagnetic signals in the frequency band [0.001 Hz–100 kHz]. Some examples of the instrumentation developed in the frame of the project are reported. An innovative technique, based on the wide band interferometry is proposed to obtain detailed information concerning the several detected electromagnetic sources. Moreover, data from each station will be elaborated to investigate different sectors as the structure of ground electric conductibility, the electromagnetic phenomena connected with seismic activity, the separation of the electromagnetic fields originated in the Earth’s interior and the electromagnetic phenomena originated in the magnetosphere, in the ionosphere and in the Earth-ionosphere cavity

Analysis of flash flood scenarios in an urbanized catchment using a two-dimensional hydraulic model

Abstract. In Italy, growing urbanization is leading to a higher risk of flooding of small water courses, especially in steep catchments of limited area, where severe flash flood events can occur. The assessment of flash flood hazard requires new modelling tools that can reproduce both the rainfall–runoff processes in the catchment, and the flow processes in the drainage network. In this paper we propose the use of a simple two-dimensional hydraulic model for analysing a flood scenario in a small valley within the urban area of the city of Bologna, Italy. Historically this area has been prone to severe flood events, the most recent of which occurred in 1955 and 1932. Since then there has been a significant increase in urbanization of the lower portion of the catchment, while the natural stream bed has been partially replaced by a culvert. The two-dimensional hydraulic model was therefore applied at catchment scale, in order to simulate the possible effects of historical scenarios in the present catchment configuration. Rainfall and runoff data measured during recent rainfall events were used to calibrate model parameters. Model results show that the current culvert section would be insufficient to drain the runoff produced by intense rainfall events, with potential inundation of surrounding urban areas