Il quadro sismotettonico del grande terremoto del 1905

La storia della Calabria è una storia lunga – molto più lunga di quanto qualunque essere umano possa immaginare, aggiungeremmo noi geologi – di grandi e piccoli terremoti. Catastrofi improvvise e catastrofi parzialmente annunciate, terremoti improvvisi e isolati e sequenze interminabili che sembravano non voler lasciare in piedi nulla di questa regione. Lo spaventoso livello di sismicità della Calabria, di cui qualunque calabrese è testimone almeno indiretto, è oggi quantomeno ben accertato da ricerche sempre più specialistiche e dettagliate. Due degli elementi fondamentali per descrivere la sismicità calabrese consistono nello studio dei terremoti del passato e nello studio della geologia e tettonica di questa regione, riconosciuta da sempre come uno dei luoghi maggiormente attivi di tutto il Mediterraneo. Questi elementi confluiscono in modelli di pericolosità sismica (Gruppo di Lavoro MPS, 2004; fig. 1), che puntualmente fotografano una propensione di questa terra a dare terremoti più forti e più frequenti di quanto non avvenga in qualunque altra zona della penisola. Questa relazione tenta di tratteggiare sinteticamente questa forte propensione alla sismicità, muovendosi tra le caratteristiche geologiche della Calabria e la sua poco invidiabile storia sismica. La relazione si avvale di risultati di ricerche recenti e recentissime, condotte sia presso l’Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), sia dalla comunità sismologica nazionale che fa riferimento alle università. La relazione privilegia ampiamente il materiale iconografico basato su tali ricerche. Per ulteriori approfondimenti si raccomandano i lettori di consultare il sito Internet dell’INGV (www.ingv.it), che nelle sue pagine interne offre numerosissime informazioni di facile accessibilità e comprensione

Shaking Scenarios from Multiple Source Models Shed Light on the 8 September 1905 Mw 7 Calabria Earthquake (Southern Italy)

4noThe earthquake (Mw 7) that struck western Calabria (southern Italy) on 8 September 1905 profoundly struck a broad region, causing 557 deaths, injuring more than 2000 people, and leaving about 300,000 people homeless. Historical documents also reported a tsunami, although not devastating, for which effects were observed both along the coast and offshore. For all the damage it caused, this event was much studied but not fully explained. Literature source models for the 1905 earthquake are numerous and diverse, in fault geometry, location, and even associated magnitude. They also differ in nature, because these solutions are either field-based or derived from tsunami modeling and macroseismic data inversion. Above all, few or none of the previously published source models appear to be fully compatible with the damage pattern caused by this earthquake. To contribute to the identification of the seismogenic source of this destructive event, we computed a series of ground-shaking scenarios based on the different fault-source models that various authors associated with this event. The only documented data available that are suitable for our comparative purposes are the macroseismic intensities associated with localities affected by the event. Our results show that shaking scenarios for two out of seven literature source models are compatible with the damage distribution caused by the 1905 earthquake. The different parameters and boundary conditions constraining these two solutions suggest that either seismogenic source should include further complexities. Alternatively, because these two sources are antithetic and partially form a graben, they might have kinematically interacted, if passively, on 8 September 1905. Also, our critical analysis attempts to take site effects into account, at least qualitatively, allowing a more robust evaluation of damage distribution against numerical models.openembargoed_20160430Sandron, Denis; Loreto, Maria Filomena; Fracassi, Umberto; Tiberi, LaraSandron, Denis; Loreto, Maria Filomena; Fracassi, Umberto; Tiberi, Lar

Effects of environmental and electric perturbations on the pKa of thioredoxin cysteine 35: a computational study

Here we present a theoretical-computational study dealing with the evaluation of the pKa of the Cysteine residues in Thioredoxin (TRX) and in its complex with the Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). The free energy differences between the anionic and neutral form of the Cysteine 32 and 35 have been evaluated by means of the Perturbed Matrix Method with classical perturbations due to both the environment and an exogenous electric field as provided by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The evaluation of the free energies allowed us to show that the effect of the perturbing terms is to lower the pKa of Cysteine 32 and Cysteine 35 with respect to the free amino-acid. On the other hand, in the complex TRX-TXNIP, our data show an enhanced stabilization of the neutral reduced form of Cys 35. These results suggest that external electric stimuli higher than 0.02 V/nm can modulate the Cysteine pKa, which can be connected to the tight regulation of the TRX acting as an antioxidant agent

Thermally driven circulation in a region of complex topography: comparison of wind-profiling radar measurements and MM5 numerical predictions

The diurnal variation of regional wind patterns in the complex terrain of Central Italy was investigated for summer fair-weather conditions and winter time periods using a radar wind profiler. The profiler is located on a site where interaction between the complex topography and land-surface produces a variety of thermally and dynamically driven wind systems. The observational data set, collected for a period of one year, was used first to describe the diurnal evolution of thermal driven winds, second to validate the Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) that is a three-dimensional numerical model. This type of analysis was focused on the near-surface wind observation, since thermally driven winds occur in the lower atmosphere. According to the valley wind theory expectations, the site – located on the left sidewall of the valley (looking up valley) – experiences a clockwise turning with time. Same characteristics in the behavior were established in both the experimental and numerical results. <P style="line-height: 20px;"> Because the thermally driven flows can have some depth and may be influenced mainly by model errors, as a third step the analysis focuses on a subset of cases to explore four different MM5 Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) parameterizations. The reason is to test how the results are sensitive to the selected PBL parameterization, and to identify the better parameterization if it is possible. For this purpose we analysed the MM5 output for the whole PBL levels. The chosen PBL parameterizations are: 1) Gayno-Seaman; 2) Medium-Range Forecast; 3) Mellor-Yamada scheme as used in the ETA model; and 4) Blackadar

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation in dogs with hypothyroidism before and after levothyroxine supplementation: A prospective controlled study

Background: Improvement in cardiac function has been demonstrated after thyroxine treatment in humans with hypothyroidism using the myocardial performance index (MPI). Cardiac changes after thyroxine supplementation are poorly documented in dogs with spontaneous hypothyroidism and comparison with clinically healthy dogs is lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the electrical activity and mechanical function of the heart in dogs with primary hypothyroidism at baseline (T0) and after thyroxine supplementation (T60). Animals: Forty client-owned dogs with hypothyroidism and 20 clinically healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Selected electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables, including the MPI, were measured in all dogs at T0 and in 30 hypothyroid dogs at T60. Results: Hypothyroid dogs had significantly decreased median or mean heart rate (HR), P wave amplitude, and R wave amplitude (P =.04, P =.002, and P =.003, respectively) and E-point-to-septal separation normalized to body weight (EPSSn) and trans-mitral E wave velocity (E max; P <.001 and P =.025, respectively) at T0 compared to control dogs. At T60, significantly increased median or mean HR, P wave amplitude, fractional shortening, and E max (P <.001, P =.004, P =.002, and P =.009, respectively) and significantly decreased left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, and normalized systolic diameter and EPSSn (P =.03, P =.03, and P =.001, respectively) were found. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Hypothyroidism in dogs induces mild and reversible changes of electromechanical cardiac function. The MPI does not have clinical importance in identifying cardiac dysfunction in affected dogs

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation in dogs with hypothyroidism before and after levothyroxine supplementation: A prospective controlled study.

Background: Improvement in cardiac function has been demonstrated after thyroxine treatment in humans with hypothyroidism using the myocardial performance index (MPI). Cardiac changes after thyroxine supplementation are poorly documented in dogs with spontaneous hypothyroidism and comparison with clinically healthy dogs is lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the electrical activity and mechanical function of the heart in dogs with primary hypothyroidism at baseline (T0) and after thyroxine supplementation (T60). Animals: Forty client-owned dogs with hypothyroidism and 20 clinically healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Selected electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables, including the MPI, were measured in all dogs at T0 and in 30 hypothyroid dogs at T60. Results: Hypothyroid dogs had significantly decreased median or mean heart rate (HR), P wave amplitude, and R wave amplitude (P =.04, P =.002, and P =.003, respectively) and E-point-to-septal separation normalized to body weight (EPSSn) and trans-mitral E wave velocity (E max; P <.001 and P =.025, respectively) at T0 compared to control dogs. At T60, significantly increased median or mean HR, P wave amplitude, fractional shortening, and E max (P <.001, P =.004, P =.002, and P =.009, respectively) and significantly decreased left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, and normalized systolic diameter and EPSSn (P =.03, P =.03, and P =.001, respectively) were found. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Hypothyroidism in dogs induces mild and reversible changes of electromechanical cardiac function. The MPI does not have clinical importance in identifying cardiac dysfunction in affected dogs

Evaluation of clinicopathological features in cats with chronic gastrointestinal signs

Food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and alimentary tract lymphoma (AL) are often the remaining differentials for cats presenting with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) signs. Differential diagnosis is further complicated by overlapping clinicopathological features and histopathological changes, however. In this study we describe the clinical presentation of cats with chronic GI signs secondary to FRE, IBD, and AL, and evaluate possible associations between clinical, clinicopathological, ultrasonographic findings and diagnosis. The medical records of client-owned cats with chronic GI signs secondary to FRE, IBD, and AL were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were used for testing the data. Of the 56 cats included in the study, 22 were diagnosed with FRE (mean age, 70 months ± 49), 17 with IBD (mean age, 101 months ± 40), and 17 with AL (mean age, 122 months ± 45). Cats with FRE were younger and presented more often with diarrhea and less frequently with muscle wasting than cats with IBD or AL. In cats with AL, serum cobalamin levels were lower than in those with FRE or IBD (239 ± 190 ng/L vs. 762 ± 408 ng/L and 625 ± 443 ng/L, respectively) and folate levels were higher than in cats with IBD (18.2 ± 4.2 μg/L vs. 9.1 ± 4.7 μg/L, respectively). Multivariate/ROC curve analysis showed increased values of BUN (sensitivity 100, specificity 29.4, criterion >37 mg/dl) and serum folate (sensitivity 80, specificity 100, criterion >15.6 μg/L) and reduced values of cobalamin (sensitivity 100, specificity 62.5, criterion â¤540 ng/L), which suggested a diagnosis of AL versus IBD. Some clinicopathological features evaluated at diagnosis might suggest AL; however, because differentiating AL from IBD is often difficult, definitive diagnosis should be based on invasive diagnostic workup

Seismogenic sources of the Adriatic domain

We present an overview of the seismogenic source model of the Adriatic domain included in the latest version of the DISS database (http://diss.rm.ingv.it/diss/) and in the European SHARE database (http://diss.rm.ingv.it/SHARE/). The model consists of Composite and Individual Seismogenic Sources located inside and along the margins of the Adria plate. In order to locate and parameterize the sources, we integrated a wide set of geological, geophysical, seismological and geodynamic data, either available from published literature or resulting from our own field work, seismic profile interpretations and numerical modelling studies. We grouped the sources into five regions based on geometrical and kinematic homogeneity criteria. Seismogenic sources of the Central Western Adriatic, North-Eastern Adriatic, Eastern Adriatic and Central Adriatic regions belong to the Northern Apennines, External Dinarides and offshore domains, respectively. They are characterized by NWeSE strike, reverse to oblique kinematics and shallow crustal seismogenic depth. Seismogenic sources of the Southern Western Adriatic region instead are EeW striking, dextral strike-slip faults, cutting both the upper and lower crust. The fastest moving seismogenic sources are the most southern thrusts of the Eastern Adriatic and the strike-slip sources of the Southern Western Adriatic, while the seismogenic sources of the Central Adriatic exhibit the lowest slip rates. Estimates of maximum magnitude are generally in good agreement with the historical and instrumental earthquake records, except for the North-Eastern Adriatic region, where seismogenic sources exhibit a potential for large earthquakes even though no strong events have been reported or registered. All sources included in the database are fully geometrically and kinematically parameterized and can be incorportaed in seismic hazard calculations and earthquake or tsunami scenario simulations

Comparison of laparoscopic steerable instruments performed by expert surgeons and novices

As an alternative to the surgical robot, some medical companies have engineered new steerable devices that mimic the robot's capacities. This study aimed to assess how steerable instruments ameliorate the efficacy of suturing in comparison with the traditional instrument, and a combination instruments, performed by experienced and novice surgeons. The study was performed by three experienced surgeons and three novice surgeons. The instruments employed were divided into three surgical sets: two steerable dissectors; one steerable dissector and one straight needle ; two straight needle holders. The study supervisor recorded the total time for the procedure, the number of bites completed, the time for each bite, and the quality of the procedure. In our study, we found consistent data demonstrating that experienced laparoscopists completed the prescribed suture pattern with more bites in less time than novices. The use of two steerable instruments was more time consuming than standard straight instruments, but a combination of instruments was significantly less time consuming, as was the use of two straight needle holders. This result was even observed in novice surgeons. Combining a steerable instrument with a traditional straight needle holder provided more advantages in this study

Approaching the seismogenic source of the Calabria 8 September 1905 earthquake: New geophysical, geological and biochemical data from the S. Eufemia Gulf (S Italy)

Recognizing the seismogenic source of major historical earthquakes, particularly when these have occurred offshore, is a long-standing issue across the Mediterranean Sea and elsewhere. The destructive earthquake (M ~7) that struck western Calabria (southern Italy) on the night of 8 September 1905 is one such case. having various authors proposed a seismogenic source, with apparently diverse hypotheses and without achieving a unique solution. To gain novel insight into the crustal volume where the 1905 earthquake took place and to seek a more robust solution for the seismogenic source associated with this destructive event, we carried out a well-targeted multidisciplinary survey within the Gulf of S. Eufemia (SE Tyrrhenian Sea), collecting geophysical data, oceanographic measurements, and biological, chemical and sedimentary samples. We identified three main tectonic features affecting the sedimentary basin in the Gulf of S. Eufemia: 1) a NE-SW striking, ca. 13-km-long, normal fault, here named S. Eufemia Fault; 2) a WNW-striking polyphased fault system; and 3) a likely E-W trending lineament. Among these, the normal fault shows evidence of activity witnessed by the deformed recent sediments and by its seabed rupture along which, locally, fluid leakage occurs. Features in agreement with the anomalous distribution of prokaryotic abundance and biopolymeric C content, resulted from the shallow sediments analyses. The numerous seismogenic sources proposed in the literature during the past 15 years make up a composite framework of this sector of western Calabria, that we tested against a) the geological evidence from the newly acquired dataset, and b) the regional seismotectonic models. Such assessment allows us to propose the NE-SW striking normal fault as the most probable candidate for the seismogenic source of the 1905 earthquake. Re-appraising a major historical earthquake as the 1905 one enhances the seismotectonic picture of western Calabria. Further understanding of the region and better constraining the location of the seismogenic source may be attained through integrated interpretation of our data together with a) on-land field evidence, and b) seismological modeling