Synthesis of Co–TiO2 nanostructured photocatalytic coatings for MDF substrates

This paper describes for the first time the development of novel photocatalytic coatings specifically for medium density fibreboard (MDF) substrates. Anatase nanostructures were manufactured using a sol–gel synthesis route and subsequently heat-treated to form micro-sized agglomerates. In this study titanium dioxide particles were doped with cobalt in order to reduce the band gap and promote photocatalysis in the visible wavelength range. These agglomerates were then bound to MDF using a polyurethane-based binder. The subsequent coatings were tested under white, green and ultraviolet light using ink intelligent photoactive dyes in a gaseous environment and methylene blue indicator in an aqueous environment. Manufactured particles were also compared to the commercially available products P25 and Kronoclean 7000. The physical and chemical properties of the manufactured particles and substrates were evaluated using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. This work demonstrates the performance of photocatalytic coatings applied to MDF

Intrinsic Qp at Mt. Etna from the inversion of rise times of 2002 microearthquake sequence

About three-hundred microearthquakes, preceeding and accompanying the 2002-2003 Mt. Etna flank eruption, were considered in this study. On the high-quality velocity seismograms, measurements of the first half cycle of the wave, the so-called rise time τ, were carried out. By using the rise time method, these data were inverted to infer an estimate of the intrinsic quality factor Qp of P waves and of the source rise time τ0 of the events, which represents an estimate of the duration of the rupture process. Two kind of inversions were carried out. In the first inversion τ0 was derived from the magnitude duration of the events, assuming a constant stress drop and Qp was inferred from the inversion of reduced rise times τ−τ0. In the second inversion both τ0 and Qp were inferred from the inversion of rise times. To determine the model parameters that realize the compromise between model simplicity and quality of the fit, the corrected Akaike information criterion was used. After this analysis we obtained Qp=57±42. The correlation among the inferred τ0 and Qp, which is caused by some events which concomitantly have high τ0 (>30 ms) and high Qp (>100) indicates that the technique used is able to model rise time versus travel time trend only for source dimensions less than about 80 m

Fault plane orientations of microearthquakes at Mt. Etna from theinversion of P-wave rise times

A crucial point in the analysis of tectonic earthquakes occurring in a volcanic area is the inference of the orientation of the structures along which the ruptures occur. These structures represent zones of weakness which could favor the migration of melt toward the surface and the assessment of their geometry is a fundamental step toward efficient evaluation of volcanic risk. We analyzed a high-quality dataset of 171 lowmagnitude, tectonic earthquakes that occurred at Mt. Etna during the 2002–2003 eruption. We applied a recently developed technique aimed at inferring the source parameters (source size, dip and strike fault) and the intrinsic quality factor Qp of P waves from the inversion of rise times. The technique is based on numerically calibrated relationships among the rise time of first P waves and the source parameters for a circular crack rupturing at a constant velocity. For the most of the events the directivity source effect did not allow us to constrain the fault plane orientation. For a subset of 45 events with well constrained focal mechanisms we were able to constrain the “true” fault plane orientation. The level of resolution of the fault planes was assessed through a non linear analysis based on the random deviates technique. The significance of the retrieved fault plane solutions and the fit of the assumed source model to data were assessed through a χ-square test. Most of the retrieved fault plane solutions agree with the geometrical trend of known surface faults. The inferred source parameters and Qp are in agreement with the results of previous studie

Fault plane orientation of microearthquakes at Mt. etna from the inversion of P-wave rise times

crucial point in the analysis of tectonic earthquakes occurring in a volcanic area is the inference of the orientation of the structures along which the ruptures occur. These structures represent zones of weakness which could favor the migration of melt toward the surface and the assessment of their geometry is a fundamental step toward efficient evaluation of volcanic risk. We analyzed a high-quality dataset of 171 low-magnitude, tectonic earthquakes occurred at Mt. Etna during the 2002-2003 eruption. We applied a recently developed technique aimed at inferring the source parameters (source size, dip and strike fault) and the intrinsic quality factor Qp of P waves from the inversion of rise times. The technique is based on numerically calibrated relationships among the rise time of first P waves and the source parameters for a circular crack rupturing at a constant velocity. For the most of the events the directivity source effect did not allow us to constrain the fault plane orientation. For a subset of 45 events with well constrained focal mechanisms we were able to constrain the “true” fault plane orientation. The level of resolution of the fault planes was assessed through a non linear analysis based on the random deviates technique. The significance of the retrieved fault plane solutions and the fit of the assumed source model to data was assessed through a χ-square test. Most of the retrieved fault plane solutions agree with the geometrical trend of known surface faults. The inferred source parameters and Qp are in agreement with the results of previous studies

Synthesis of Co–TiO2 nanostructured photocatalytic coatings for MDF substrates

This paper describes for the first time the development of novel photocatalytic coatings specifically for medium-density fibreboard (MDF) substrates. Anatase nanostructures were manufactured using a sol–gel synthesis route and subsequently heat-treated to form micro-sized agglomerates. In this study titanium dioxide particles were doped with cobalt in order to reduce the band gap and promote photocatalysis in the visible wavelength range. These agglomerates were then bound to MDF using a polyurethane-based binder. The subsequent coatings were tested under white, green and ultraviolet light using ink intelligent photoactive dyes in a gaseous environment and methylene blue indicator in an aqueous environment. Manufactured particles were also compared to the commercially available products P25 and Kronoclean 7000. The physical and chemical properties of the manufactured particles and substrates were evaluated using electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. This work demonstrates the performance of photocatalytic coatings applied to MDF. </jats:p

Spinal hemangioblastomas: analysis of surgical outcome and prognostic factors

The prognostic factors for surgically removed spinal hemangioblastomas, the impact of VHL disease on outcome, and the role of intraoperative neuromonitoring are still not completely clear. The aim of this study was to review our experience with spinal hemangioblastomas in order to assess potential predictors of neurological outcome after surgery. All cases of spinal hemangioblastomas removed at two Italian academic institutions from 1985 to 2020 were reviewed. Data about clinical presentation and symptom duration, diagnosis of VHL, surgical approach, use of IONM, duration of hospital stay, follow-up, and modified McCormick grade before and after surgery were extracted. Sixty-one patients (31 F, 30&nbsp;M) underwent 69 surgeries to remove 74 spinal hemangioblastomas (37 cervical, 32 thoracic, 5 lumbar). Improvement was found in 32.3% of cases, neurological condition remained stable in 51.6% of cases, and deteriorated in 16.1% of patients. A worsening trend in VHL patients and an improvement trend in non-VHL patients were detected, despite the lack of statistical significance. Laminotomy and use of IONM were found to be associated with better outcome, although no association was found between surgery without IONM and worse outcome. In most cases, patients affected by spinal hemangioblastomas can expect a good long-term outcome. In our experience, laminotomy seems to be associated with better outcome compared to laminectomy. While its absence is not associated with worse outcome, IONM seems to be associated with a better neurological outcome. Our study suggests that the more impaired the preoperative neurological condition, the worse the outcome

The XMM Cluster Survey: the interplay between the brightest cluster galaxy and the intracluster medium via AGN feedback

Using a sample of 123 X‐ray clusters and groups drawn from the XMM Cluster Survey first data release, we investigate the interplay between the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG), its black hole and the intracluster/group medium (ICM). It appears that for groups and clusters with a BCG likely to host significant active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback, gas cooling dominates in those with T X > 2 keV while AGN feedback dominates below. This may be understood through the subunity exponent found in the scaling relation we derive between the BCG mass and cluster mass over the halo mass range 10 13 < M 500 < 10 15  M ⊙ and the lack of correlation between radio luminosity and cluster mass, such that BCG AGN in groups can have relatively more energetic influence on the ICM. The L X – T X relation for systems with the most massive BCGs, or those with BCGs co‐located with the peak of the ICM emission, is steeper than that for those with the least massive and most offset, which instead follows self‐similarity. This is evidence that a combination of central gas cooling and powerful, well fuelled AGN causes the departure of the ICM from pure gravitational heating, with the steepened relation crossing self‐similarity at T X = 2 keV. Importantly, regardless of their black hole mass, BCGs are more likely to host radio‐loud AGN if they are in a massive cluster ( T X ≳ 2 keV) and again co‐located with an effective fuel supply of dense, cooling gas. This demonstrates that the most massive black holes appear to know more about their host cluster than they do about their host galaxy. The results lead us to propose a physically motivated, empirical definition of ‘cluster’ and ‘group’, delineated at 2 keV.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/91324/1/j.1365-2966.2012.20764.x.pd

Predictors of long-term memory and network connectivity 10 years after anterior temporal lobe resection

\ua9 2024 The Author(s). Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.Objective: Anterior temporal lobe resection (ATLR) effectively controls seizures in medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy but risks significant episodic memory decline. Beyond 1 year postoperatively, the influence of preoperative clinical factors on episodic memory and long-term network plasticity remain underexplored. Ten years post-ATLR, we aimed to determine biomarkers of successful memory network reorganization and establish presurgical features\u27 lasting impact on memory function. Methods: Twenty-five ATLR patients (12 left-sided) and 10 healthy controls underwent a memory-encoding functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm alongside neuropsychometry 10 years postsurgery. Generalized psychophysiological interaction analyses modeled network functional connectivity of words/faces remembered, seeding from the medial temporal lobes (MTLs). Differences in successful memory connectivity were assessed between controls and left/right ATLR. Multivariate regressions and mixed-effect models probed preoperative phenotypes\u27 effects on long-term memory outcomes. Results: Ten years post-ATLR, lower baseline functioning (verbal and performance intelligence quotient) and a focal memory impairment preoperatively predicted worse long-term memory outcomes. Poorer verbal memory was significantly associated with longer epilepsy duration and earlier onset age. Relative to controls, successful word and face encoding involved increased functional connectivity from both or remnant MTL seeds and contralesional parahippocampus/hippocampus after left/right ATLR. Irrespective of surgical laterality, successful memory encoding correlated with increased MTL-seeded connectivity to frontal (bilateral insula, right anterior cingulate), right parahippocampal, and bilateral fusiform gyri. Ten years postsurgery, better memory performance was correlated with contralateral frontal plasticity, which was disrupted with longer epilepsy duration. Significance: Our findings underscore the enduring nature of functional network reorganizations to provide long-term cognitive support. Ten years post-ATLR, successful memory formation featured stronger connections near resected areas and contralateral regions. Preoperative network disruption possibly influenced effectiveness of postoperative plasticity. These findings are crucial for enhancing long-term memory prediction and strategies for lasting memory rehabilitation

Seismological constraints for the dyke emplacement of the July-August 2001 lateral eruption at Mt. Etna volcano, Italy

In this paper we report seismological evidence regarding the emplacement of the dike that fed the July 18 - August 9, 2001 lateral eruption at Mt. Etna volcano. The shallow intrusion and the opening of the eruptive fracture system, which mostly occurred during July 12, and July 18, were accompanied by one of the most intense seismic swarms of the last 20 years. A total of 2694 earthquakes (1 £ Md £ 3.9) were recorded from the beginning of the swarm (July 12) to the end of the eruption (August 9). Seismicity shows the upward migration of the dike from the basement to the relatively thin volcanic pile. A clear hypocentral migration was observed, well constraining the upwards propagation of a near-vertical dike, oriented roughly N-S, and located a few kilometers south of the summit region. Earthquake distribution and orientation of the P-axes from focal mechanisms indicate that the swarm was caused by the local stress source related to the dike intrusion

TOMO-ETNA experiment at Etna volcano: Activities on land

In the present paper we describe the on-land field operations integrated in the TOMO-ETNA experiment carried out in June-November 2014 at Mt. Etna volcano and surrounding areas. This terrestrial campaign consists in the deployment of 90 short-period portable three-component seismic stations, 17 broadband seismometers and the coordination with 133 permanent seismic station belonging to Italy’s Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). This temporary seismic network recorded active and passive seismic sources. Active seismic sources were generated by an array of air-guns mounted in the Spanish oceanographic vessel “Sarmiento de Gamboa” with a power capacity of up to 5200 cubic inches. In total more than 26,000 shots were fired and more than 450 local and regional earthquakes were recorded. We describe the whole technical procedure followed to guarantee the success of this complex seismic experiment. We started with the description of the location of the potential safety places to deploy the portable network and the products derived from this search (a large document including full characterization of the sites, owners and indication of how to arrive to them). A full technical description of the seismometers and seismic sources is presented. We show how the portable seismic network was deployed, maintained and recovered in different stages. The large international collaboration of this experiment is reflected in the participation of more than 75 researchers, technicians and students from different institutions and countries in the on-land activities. The main objectives of the experiment were achieved with great success.PublishedS04272SR. VULCANI - Servizi e ricerca per la SocietàJCR Journalope