Geophysical and geomorphological integrated investigations to identify mantled sinkholes

In a mantled evaporite karst system, sinkholes are not always easily identifiable. These phenomena are not deeply studied in the Italian peninsula, because they do not cause so frequent and severe damages as for example in other countries like the United States and Spain. However, they are quite frequent in specific areas where gypsum is exposed or mantled, especially in some alpine valleys where evaporites acted as a tectonic lubricant during the main alpine orogenetic compression phases. This is the case of some portions of the north-eastern corner of Italy where, along the high Tagliamento valley, there are several villages built in areas where the alluvial deposits of the Tagliamento River created thick terraces over a buried evaporitic bedrock. In the past, within this area, several sinkhole events were recorded, few of them occurred below or close to the built houses and the farmers usually refilled the voids in order to continue to exploit the land, while ignoring the actual cause of those sudden events. This is the case of Quinis village, a hamlet of Enemonzo, where the farming activities masked for a period the precursor signs of the sinkhole occurrences. The outline of the sinkhole events appear to be particularly difficult in an urbanized environment where the geomorphological surveys do not guarantee a recognition of their characteristic shapes, while trenching activities are not always possible and are of high impact. For these reasons, geophysical techniques are a valid approach in the study of these phenomena. In an area under cultivation, just outside from the inhabited zone, an integrated geophysical investigations (2D, 3D electrical resistivity tomography, and gravimetric measurements) have been performed in order to image the subsurface below a smoothed surface depression which represents a possible hint of a mantled sinkhole. In the 3D acquisition we used a \u201chorseshoe\u201d electrodic geometry, with 72 electrodes having a constant spacing equal to 2m and located all around the resistivity anomaly previously recognized along a 2D resistivity profile crossing the surface depression. A gravimetric profile with 10m-spaced data was at first realised along the 2D resistivity profile. Later 74 additional measurements were collected within a 5m grid centred in correspondence of the depressed area. The geophysical investigations permit to locate an approximately 15 m wide zone vertically extending for tens of meters. The evaporitic bedrock in the sinkhole area lies at a depth exceeding 100 m and is masked in the electrical data by an aquifer reaching a depth of about 45 m below the surface. The experience realised in the area permitted to identify the best approach to investigate these type of buried phenomena, highlighting that the 3D electrical tomography is a useful tool to image the lateral extension, the depth and the shape of the sinkhole

Multisource energy conversion in plants with soft epicuticular coatings

Living plants have recently been exploited for unusual tasks such as energy conversion and environmental sensing. Yet, using plants as small-scale autonomous energy sources is often impeded by multicable and -electrode installations on the plants. Moreover, insufficient power outputs for steadily driving even low-power electronics made a realization challenging. Here, we show that plants, by a modification of the leaf epicuticular region can be transformed into cable-free, fully plant-enabled integrated devices for multisource energy conversion. In detail, leaf contact electrification caused by wind-induced inter-leaf tangency is magnified by a transparent elastomeric coating on one of two interacting leaves. This enables converting wind energy into harvestable electricity. Further, the same plant is used as an unmatched Marconi-antenna for multi-band radio frequency (RF) energy conversion. This enables the use of the same plant as a complementary multi-energy system with augmented power output if both sources are used simultaneously. In combination, we observed over 1000% enhanced energy accumulation respective to single source harvesting in the specific application case and common plants like ivy could power a commercial sensing platform wirelessly transmitting environmental data. This shows that living plants have potential to autonomously supply application-oriented electronics while maintaining the positive environmental impact by their intrinsic sustainability and benefits such as O-2 production, CO2 fixation, self-repair, and many more

A technology evaluation method for assessing the potential contribution of energy technologies to decarbonisation of the Italian production system

A methodology focused on technology evaluation is proposed to give a footprint of the development potential of energy technologies in Italy. The approach focuses on the impact on climate, the potential in terms of R&D, the competitiveness of Italian companies and their diffusion on the territory. A reference Catalogue was realised in the framework  of the ‘Technical Board on Decarbonisation of the Economy’, established by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers. 36 datasheets, containing quantitative and qualitative information on Technology Readiness Level (TRL), efficiency, environmental and economic impacts and policy aspects were filled by 70 experts for each technology. Some data were extracted from the Catalogue - TRL, CO2 emissions, developers, and centres of excellence - and further analysed with other information relating to the Italian production and innovation system collected from the National Enterprise Registry (ASIA). Companies and research centres  are involved in development of technologies based on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Storage (ES) with different levels of TRL and high potential for mitigating effects on climate. However, their distribution shows a rather inhomogeneous presence at territorial level. This evaluation provided useful elements to elaborate policy measures to support the diffusion of energy technologies

Geology of the Classical Karst Region (SW Slovenia–NE Italy)

ABSTRACTThe paper aims to present the geology of the western part of the Classical Karst (NW Dinarides), located at the border between Slovenia and Italy. The work is based on archive, published and new data collected by Slovenian and Italian researchers within several scientific national and Cross Border Cooperation projects. The map, produced at a scale of 1:50,000, summarizes the lithological and structural setting and is supplemented by three geological cross-sections of the study area

Polysaccharides on gelatin-based hydrogels differently affect chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells

Selection of feasible hybrid-hydrogels for best chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) represents an important challenge in cartilage regeneration. In this study, three-dimensional hybrid hydrogels obtained by chemical crosslinking of poly (ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE), gelatin (G) without or with chitosan (Ch) or dextran (Dx) polysaccharides were developed. The hydrogels, namely G-PEG, G-PEG-Ch and G-PEG-Dx, were prepared with an innovative, versatile and cell-friendly technique that involves two preparation steps specifically chosen to increase the degree of crosslinking and the physical-mechanical stability of the product: a first homogeneous phase reaction followed by directional freezing, freeze-drying and post-curing. Chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSC) was tested on these hydrogels to ascertain whether the presence of different polysaccharides could favor the formation of the native cartilage structure. We demonstrated that the hydrogels exhibited an open pore porous morphology with high interconnectivity and the incorporation of Ch and Dx into the G-PEG common backbone determined a slightly reduced stiffness compared to that of G-PEG hydrogels. We demonstrated that G-PEG-Dx showed a significant increase of its anisotropic characteristic and G-PEG-Ch exhibited higher and faster stress relaxation behavior than the other hydrogels. These characteristics were associated to absence of chondrogenic differentiation on G-PEG-Dx scaffold and good chondrogenic differentiation on G-PEG and G-PEG-Ch. Furthermore, G-PEG-Ch induced the minor collagen proteins and the formation of collagen fibrils with a diameter like native cartilage. This study demonstrated that both anisotropic and stress relaxation characteristics of the hybrid hydrogels were important features directly influencing the chondrogenic differentiation potentiality of hBM-MSC

FITFES: A Wearable Myoelectrically Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulator Designed Using a User-Centered Approach

Myoelectrically Controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation (MeCFES) has proven to be a useful tool in the rehabilitation of the hemiplegic arm. This paper reports the steps involved in the development of a wearable MeCFES device (FITFES) through a user-centered design. We defined the minimal viable features and functionalities requirements for the device design from a questionnaire-based survey among physiotherapists with experience in functional electrical stimulation. The result was a necklace layout that poses minimal hindrance to task-oriented movement therapy, the context in which it is aimed to be used. FITFES is battery-powered and embeds a standard low power Bluetooth module, enabling wireless control by using PC/Mobile devices vendor specific built-in libraries. It is designed to deliver a biphasic, charge-balanced stimulation current pulses of up to 113 mA with a maximum differential voltage of 300 V. The power consumption for typical clinical usage is 320 mW at 20mA stimulation current and of less than $10~\mu \text{W}$ in sleep mode, thus ensuring an estimated full day of FITFES therapy on a battery charge. We conclude that a multidisciplinary user-centered approach can be successfully applied to the design of a clinically and ergonomically viable prototype of a wearable myoelectrically controlled functional electrical stimulator to be used in rehabilitation

Pheochromocytoma in dogs undergoing adrenalectomy

Pheochromocytoma is frequent in dogs and carries a guarded prognosis. Current histological criteria may not predict malignant behavior in dogs, similar to humans. In humans, characterization of tumors has been refined using the pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled score (PASS) and by immunohistochemistry. The study aim was to investigate PASS and immunohistochemical markers used in humans in 24 dogs with pheochromocytoma that underwent adrenalectomy. Dogs with pheochromocytomas were reviewed and tumors collected. Histological sections were evaluated to apply the PASS and were single-labeled for chromogranin A, Ki-67, COX-2, p53, BCL-2, c-erbB-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and S100. Survival, age, and vascular and capsular invasion were compared for PASS and immunohistochemical markers; results of PASS were also compared for each marker. Associations between markers were tested. PASS and immunohistochemical markers did not differ for survival, age, and vascular and capsular invasion. Tumors showing BCL-2 expression in >50% cells had lower PASS than those with lower expression (PASS: 7 ± 2 vs 9 ± 2; P = .011). Tumors positive for S100 had higher PASS than those that were negative (PASS: 10 ± 2 vs 7 ± 2; P = .001). Results of the different markers were not associated. In conclusion, in the context of canine pheochromocytoma, PASS and the selected immunohistochemical markers are not associated with survival, age, or vascular or capsular invasion. The higher PASS in S100-positive tumors may indicate that pheochromocytomas developing morphologic changes acquire S100 expression. The significance of lower PASS in tumors with elevated BCL-2 expression is uncertain. Overall, the use of PASS and the present immunohistochemical markers may not be useful in dogs with pheochromocytoma

Platy limestones. 10 case studies in the Classical Karst

Il progetto RoofOfRock, finanziato nell’ambito del 2° bando di cooperazione transfrontaliera dell’Adriatico IPA 2007-2013 è iniziato nell’ottobre 2012, si concluderà a fine settembre del 2015 e coinvolge 10 partner di 4 nazioni: Slovenia, Italia, Croazia e Bosnia Erzegovina. In qualità di partner associato e stakeholder partecipano le regioni Friuli Venezia Giulia e Veneto. Il progetto RoofOfRock ha tra le sue finalità quelle di proporre un utilizzo del calcare tabulare compatibile con l’ambiente, di favorirne la protezione e la promozione nonché di elaborare delle linee guida utili per una sua valorizzazione come patrimonio naturale e culturale.Pri projektu RoofOfRock, ki je bil izbran za sofinanciranje v okviru 2. poziva Jadranskega čezmejnega programa IPA 2007–2013, sodeluje deset projektnih partnerjev iz štirih držav, in sicer iz Slovenije, Italije, s Hrvaške ter iz Bosne in Hercegovine. Projekt se je začel izvajati oktobra 2012 in se bo zaključil konec septembra 2015. Pri projektu sodelujeta tudi italijanski pokrajini Furlanija - Julijska krajina kot deležnik in Benečija kot pridruženi partner. Namen projekta RoofOfRock je vzpostaviti skupni temelj za trajnostno rabo, zaščito in promocijo ploščastih apnencev ter oblikovati uporabne smernice za trajnostno upravljanje ploščastih apnencev kot skupne naravne in kulturne vrednote na celotnem projektnem prostoru.The RoofOfRock Project is being implemented under 2nd call for ordinary projects of Adriatic IPA CBC Programme 2007, joining 10 partners from 4 countries Slovenia, Italy, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It started in October 2012 and is going to be implemented until the end of September 2015. Two Italian Regions Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto are participating as stakeholder and associate partner . The RoofOfRock intention is to establish joint platform for platy limestone sustainable use, preservation and promotion, to create the relevant guidelines and to upgrade both individual and joint capacities in preserving such common natural and cultural heritage