Geochemical and isotopical variations within the Campanian Comagmatic Province: implications on magma source composition

A spatial variation in chemical and isotopical composition is observed between the volcanoes belonging to the Campanian Comagmatic Province. At a given MgO content, magmas from volcanic islands (Procida and Ischia) are enriched in Ti, Na, depleted in La, Ba, Rb, Sr, Th, K contents, and shows lower LREE/HFSE (e.g., La/Nb = 1-2), lower Sr-Pb isotopic ratios and higher Nd isotopic ratios with respect to magmas from volcanoes located inland (Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius). The observed compositional variations are explained involving two different mantle sources in the genesis of the magmas erupted in this region: a deeper asthenospheric mantle source, from which the Tyrrhenian magmas also derived and a lithospheric mantle source enriched by slabderived fluids. The contribution of the enriched-lithospheric mantle became more pronounced moving from the Tyrrhenian abyssal plain through the Italian Peninsula where it dominates, likely in response to the thickening of the lithosphere observed under the Peninsula

CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF REDUCED EXPRESSION OF SNAP-25 IN NEURONAL NETWORKS

Synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) is a protein that participates in the regulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and modulates voltage-gated calcium channels activity. Altered levels of SNAP-25 expression have been associated to different neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, and lower levels of SNAP-25 have been described in patients with schizophrenia. I used Snap-25 heterozygous (Snap-25+/ 12) mice, expressing reduced levels of SNAP-25, to investigate at which extent the reduction of the protein expression affects neuronal network function and mouse behaviour. Snap-25+/ 12 mice displayed a moderate hyperactivity, which disappeared in the adult animals and showed an impairment in associative learning and recognition memory. Electroencephalographic recordings revealed the occurrence of frequent spikes, suggesting a diffuse network hyperexcitability. Moreover, SNAP-25+/ 12 mice displayed higher susceptibility to kainate-induced seizures. Notably, treatment with antiepileptic drugs improve both EEG profile and cognitive defects. The abnormal EEG profile observed in SNAP-25+/- mice could contribute to the learning and memory defects. Based on the results i have obtained, showing the occurrence of cognitive disabilities in mice expressing reduced levels of SNAP-25 i conducted a functional analysis on SNP rs363050, which associates with low performance IQ and is located on intron 1 of the Snap-25 gene, to investigate whether the presence of the parental or minor allele may affect the expression of SNAP-25. The presence of minor allele resulted in a reduction of the transcription capability, while the parental allele did not increase the basal activity of an heterologous promoter. These results indicate that reduction of SNAP-25 expression is associated to generation of epileptiform discharges and cognitive dysfunctions, which can be effectively treated by antiepileptic drugs and support the evidence that the rs363050 polymorphism might have a role in modulating Snap-25 gene expression levels

Landslide susceptibility mapping on the islands of Vulcano and Lipari (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy), using a multi-classification approach on conditioning factors and a modified GIS matrix method for areas lacking in a landslide inventory

The final publication is available at (la publicación final está disponible en): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10346-019-01148-0#citeas https://rdcu.be/duoifIn areas prone to landslides, the identification of potentially unstable zones has a decisive impact on the risk assessment and development of mitigation plans. Active volcanic islands are particularly prone to instability phenomena as they are always in the early stage of dynamic unrest. A historical example of slope instability is the landslide which occurred in 1988 along the northwestern flank of La Fossa Cone on the island of Vulcano (Aeolian Archipelago). Based on this past activity, a susceptibility assessment using the bivariate technique of the GIS matrix method (GMM) was carried out on the islands of Lipari and Vulcano. Nevertheless, this case is congruent with those where a part of the surface was not assigned to stable or unstable areas, since a comprehensive inventory was only available for the island of Lipari. Some of the implemented steps of the susceptibility matrix method were modified to enable the model developed in the Lipari area to be applied to both islands. Considering the important role that the classification of conditioning factors plays in susceptibility analysis, the degree of association with landslide spatial distribution for the multiple classifications of each factor was assessed. Furthermore, an innovative clustering approach based on text and data mining techniques (self-organizing map neural network) was applied and compared with a heuristic classification of the categorical variable of lithology units. In addition to the extensive contingency analysis, up to 14 factor combinations were submitted to the GMM, validated and compared so as to select the one that best explains the susceptibility zoning. The effects of these incorporated processes in the previous phase of classification were discussed and reliminary susceptibility map was generated for both islands. After the validation of the susceptibility assessment, it is shown that the highest classes (High and Very High) matched 76.9% (relative accuracy) of the test inventory, while the lower susceptibility classes (Very Low and Low) resulted in a degree of fit of 14.39% (relative error).This work was supported by the DPC-INGV Project V3 on the island of Vulcano (http://sites.google.com/site/progettivulcanologici), founded by the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and by the Italian Civil Protection Department. The 2008 ALS DTM was provided by the Italian Ministry for Environment.This work has been supported by the RNM121 Group of the Andalusian Regional Government

Geochemical and isotopical variations within the Campanian Comagmatic Province: implications on magma source composition

A spatial variation in chemical and isotopical composition is observed between the volcanoes belonging to the Campanian Comagmatic Province. At a given MgO content, magmas from volcanic islands (Procida and Ischia) are enriched in Ti, Na, depleted in La, Ba, Rb, Sr, Th, K contents, and shows lower LREE/HFSE (e.g., La/Nb = = 1-2), lower Sr-Pb isotopic ratios and higher Nd isotopic ratios with respect to magmas from volcanoes locat- ed inland (Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius). The observed compositional variations are explained involving two different mantle sources in the genesis of the magmas erupted in this region: a deeper asthenospheric man- tle source, from which the Tyrrhenian magmas also derived and a lithospheric mantle source enriched by slab- derived fluids. The contribution of the enriched-lithospheric mantle became more pronounced moving from the Tyrrhenian abyssal plain through the Italian Peninsula where it dominates, likely in response to the thickening of the lithosphere observed under the Peninsul

Assessing patients needs in outpatients with advanced heart failure

Background. Because of the progressive ageing of the population and the extensive use of recommended drugs, the number of patients with advanced heart failure (AHF) constantly increases. AHF is the most common cause of acute hospital admission. The outcome and quality of life are generally poor for repeated hospital readmission. Objective. To assess a mixed method approach: face-to-face semi-structured qualitative interview incorporating quantitative analysis of demographic data and qualitative exploration of perception of needs in outpatients AHF, plus Barthel score [BS], Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire [SPMSQ] and Moriski Medication Adherence Scale [MS]). Methods. Longitudinal prospective study in 50 elderly (age > 75 years) patients with AHF (stage C and D AHA/ACC plus almost two hospital admission in the last 12 months with main diagnosis of HF). Patients and caregivers were asked what they considered to be their main needs, including social support and the provision of practical care, psychological support; and information and choice. In the same time, BS, SPMSQ and MS were delivered. Main Results. The main areas of needs identified by patients were knowledge of available social and health services (80%) and disease and lifestyle habits (respectively 66% and 72% of patients), clear identification of the care-manager (70%), awareness of alarm and worsening symptoms (60%). Patients experienced difficulty in communication and information exchange, and fragmented co-ordination between social and care services was identified. The quality of life was generally poor for repeated hospital readmission, mainly for poor adherence to drugs and lifestyle, lacking attention to new onset or worsening symptoms, no planning of hospital discharge and for inadequate social support. Conclusions. The semi-structured interview is a useful tool to identify the patient information and educational needs. The main care needs identified by advanced HF outpatients relate to the everyday social and practical aspects of care. There is a need to reform the delivery of care to address the educational and lifestyle support

Acoustical performance of an innovative dry-wall facade system with high thermal properties

INTESA (INTegrazione ed elevata Efficienza con sistemi a Secco per l’Abitare, Integration and high efficiency with drywall technology for building envelopes) is an innovative solu-tion of a drywall façade embedding electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems, especially de-signed for residential needs. The INTESA system is usable either for new and retrofit design and is competitive with the traditional wet technology made of clay bricks or blocks. Since the early stage of the project, an integrated approach has been the key element to design the wall system in order to obtain an easy and efficient way of assembling, a perfect integration of the plants, as well as high thermal and acoustical performances. In-field INTESA perfor-mances were tested in laboratory and in a real case study through the construction of a proto-type building located in Calliano d’Asti, near Turin, where the following acoustical parame-ters were measured: the apparent sound reduction index (R’), the standardized sound level difference of a façade (D2m,nT) and the vibration sound reduction index (Kij), a quantity relat-ed to the vibrational power transmission over a junction between structural elements

Long-term magmatic evolution reveals the beginning of a new caldera cycle at Campi Flegrei

Understanding the mechanisms that control the accumulation of large silicic magma bodies in the upper crust is key to determine the potential of volcanoes to form caldera-forming eruptions. Campi Flegrei is an active and restless volcano, located in one of the most populated regions on Earth, which has produced two cataclysmic caldera-forming eruptions and numerous smaller eruptive events over the last 60,000 years. Here we combine the results of an extensive petrological survey with a thermo-mechanical model to investigate how the magmatic system shifts from frequent, small eruptions to large caldera-forming events. Our data reveal that the most recent eruption of Monte Nuovo is characterized by highly differentiated magmas akin to those that fed the pre-caldera activity and the initial phases of the caldera-forming eruptions. We suggest that this eruption is an expression of a state shift in magma storage conditions, whereby significant amounts of volatiles start to exsolve in the shallow reservoir. The presence of an exsolved gas phase has fundamental consequences for the physical properties of the reservoir and may indicate that a large magma body is currently accumulating underneath Campi Flegrei

INTESA System: A New High-performance and Highly Integrated Drywall Façade

INTESA is an innovative vertical envelope for residential, industrial and service tertiary buildings. It is a drywall façade system with high thermal and acoustic properties, embedding electrical and plumbing systems. The system was developed over two years by a multidisciplinary team, which involved researchers, manufacturers and consultants. An integrated approach has been the key element to design and prototype an innovative double cavity drywall façade, composed by plasterboard layers and blown-in cellulose flakes, with and without a thin layer of Phase Change Material. Thermal and acoustical properties have been optimized through laboratory measurements and simulations and later tested in a prototype building

t(15;21) translocations leading to the concurrent downregulation of RUNX1 and its transcription factor partner genes SIN3A and TCF12 in myeloid disorders.

Through a combined approach integrating RNA-Seq, SNP-array, FISH and PCR techniques, we identified two novel t(15;21) translocations leading to the inactivation of RUNX1 and its partners SIN3A and TCF12. One is a complex t(15;21)(q24;q22), with both breakpoints mapped at the nucleotide level, joining RUNX1 to SIN3A and UBL7-AS1 in a patient with myelodysplasia. The other is a recurrent t(15;21)(q21;q22), juxtaposing RUNX1 and TCF12, with an opposite transcriptional orientation, in three myeloid leukemia cases. Since our transcriptome analysis indicated a significant number of differentially expressed genes associated with both translocations, we speculate an important pathogenetic role for these alterations involving RUNX1