Results of a research regarding the variability of spring depletion curves

Springs, no recharge periods, discharge process, depletion coefficient

The August 17, 1999 Izmit, Turkey, earthquake: slip distribution from dislocation modeling of DInSAR and surface offset

We show the results of application of Differential SAR Interferometry to the MW 7.4, August 17, 1999, Izmit earthquake, Western Turkey. The differential interferogram is obtained using an interferometric ERS2 ascending pair with a time interval of 35 days (August 13th - September 17th). The fringe pattern clearly defines the coseismic displacement field extended in an area of about 100 km N-S and 120 km E-W. The analysis of the interferogram shows the right-lateral strike-slip movement on the activated section of the North Anatolian fault system. The maximum SAR-detected displacement ranges between 117.6 cm and 134.4 cm in the proximity of Gölcük. We invert SAR data for uniform dislocation on a single fault plane using a Montecarlo procedure, with the aim of testing a large set of a priori possible asperity distributions on the fault. We then use a forward modeling approach to evaluate the slip variability for the dislocation using additional constraints as surface offsets and seismicity distribution: in this case we allow unit cells to undergo different values of slip in order to refine the initial dislocation model. Misfits between SAR data and modeled slant range displacements are generally low for all our models (~ 12 cm). Our results indicate that slip is concentrated in the central-western part of the fault, in the upper 10-15 km, tapering to the fault tips. For the Izmit case, we note that a well constrained fault model can be obtained only integrating DInSAR data with additional observations. This is mainly due to an undersampling of the displacement field by DInSAR, caused by decorrelation and lack of image data

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of In Vivo and In Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Lesson from Human Sperm

Despite the major target of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, being the respiratory system, clinical evidence suggests that the male reproductive system may represent another viral target organ. Revealing the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on testis and sperm is a priority for reproductive biology, as well as for reproductive medicine. Here, we confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed on human testis and ejaculated sperm; moreover, we provide evidence for the expression of the co-receptors transmembrane protease/serine (TMPRSS2), Basigin (BSG), and Catepsin L (CTSL). Human sperm were readily infected, both in vivo and in vitro, by SARS-CoV-2, as demonstrated by confocal and electron microscopy. The demonstration that the seminiferous epithelium and sperm support SARS-CoV-2 viral replication suggests the possibility that the spermatogenetic process may be detrimentally affected by the virus, and at the same time, supports the need to implement safety measures and guidelines to ensure specific care in reproductive medicine

External quality assessment of HIV-1 DNA quantification assays used in the clinical setting in Italy

none18no: Total cell-associated HIV-1 DNA is a surrogate marker of the HIV-1 reservoir, however, certified systems for its quantification are not available. The Italian HIV DNA Network was launched to validate HIV-1 DNA quantification methods in use at University and Hospital labs. A quality control panel including HIV-1 DNA standards, reconstructed blood samples (RBSs) and DNA from different HIV-1 subtypes was blindly tested by 12 participating labs by quantitative real-time PCR (n = 6), droplet digital PCR (n = 3) or both (n = 3). The median 95% hit rate was 4.6 (3.7-5.5) copies per test and linearity in the tested range was excellent (R2 = 1.000 [1.000-1.000]). The median values obtained across labs were 3,370 (2,287-4,245), 445 (299-498), 59 (40-81) and 7 (6-11) HIV-1 DNA copies, for the 3,584, 448, 56 and 7-copy standards, respectively. With RBSs, measured values were within twofold with respect to the median in two thirds of cases. HIV-1 subtypes were missed (CRF01_AE by 3 labs) or underestimated by > 1 log (subtypes A, C, D, F by one lab; CRF01_AE by one lab; CRF02_AG by one lab). The overall performance was excellent with HIV-1 DNA standards, however detection of different HIV-1 subtypes must be improved.openVicenti, Ilaria; Dragoni, Filippo; Giannini, Alessia; Casabianca, Anna; Lombardi, Francesca; Di Sante, Laura; Turriziani, Ombretta; Racca, Sara; Paolucci, Stefania; Lai, Alessia; Bon, Isabella; Abbate, Isabella; Rozera, Gabriella; Belmonti, Simone; Scutari, Rossana; Alteri, Claudia; Saladini, Francesco; Zazzi, MaurizioVicenti, Ilaria; Dragoni, Filippo; Giannini, Alessia; Casabianca, Anna; Lombardi, Francesca; Di Sante, Laura; Turriziani, Ombretta; Racca, Sara; Paolucci, Stefania; Lai, Alessia; Bon, Isabella; Abbate, Isabella; Rozera, Gabriella; Belmonti, Simone; Scutari, Rossana; Alteri, Claudia; Saladini, Francesco; Zazzi, Maurizi

Altered DNA methylation and gene expression predict disease severity in patients with Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome

Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS) is a rare neuro-inflammatory disease characterized by increased expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Disease-causing mutations are present in genes associated with innate antiviral responses. Disease presentation and severity vary, even between patients with identical mutations from the same family. This study investigated DNA methylation signatures in PBMCs to understand phenotypic heterogeneity in AGS patients with mutations in RNASEH2B. AGS patients presented hypomethylation of ISGs and differential methylation patterns (DMPs) in genes involved in "neutrophil and platelet activation". Patients with "mild" phenotypes exhibited DMPs in genes involved in "DNA damage and repair", whereas patients with "severe" phenotypes had DMPs in "cell fate commitment" and "organ development" associated genes. DMPs in two ISGs (IFI44L, RSAD2) associated with increased gene expression in patients with "severe" when compared to "mild" phenotypes. In conclusion, altered DNA methylation and ISG expression as biomarkers and potential future treatment targets in AGS

A Multi-Scale Approach in Hydraulic Characterization of a Metamorphic Aquifer: What Can Be Inferred about the Groundwater Abstraction Possibilities

Hard-rock aquifers, which constitute a water supply source in many countries, are highly heterogeneous and defining a realistic model of an aquifer can be extremely complex. The objective of this study was to hydraulically characterize a metamorphic aquifer in a representative area of Italy and to identify the most appropriate approach for tapping of groundwater in this challenging environment. The results of surface fracture surveys, injection tests, pumping tests, and a simplified numerical model were compared. From the surface fracture survey, a model of the rock mass characterized by a well-developed discontinuity network and by a high frequency of discontinuities resulted. The injection tests showed the extreme heterogeneity and the lower hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass in comparison with the results of the pumping tests. The independent estimate of the hydraulic parameter resulting from numerical model highlighted a range of values higher than those resulting from the pumping tests. The study demonstrated that the continuum medium approach can be used in the case of hard-rock aquifers with a dense network of discontinuities. The multi-scale approach is recommended for investigating hydraulic heterogeneity and significantly helps to identify the most promising areas for well locations and their characteristics in relation to the style of fracturing