A geology-based 3D velocity model of the Amatrice Basin (Central Italy)

In this paper we present a new methodological approach which integrates geological and geophysical data into a 3D modelling process to be mainly employed in seismic hazard assessment studies of earthquake-prone areas around the world, as well as in applications for land use and urban planning. As a case study, the reconstruction of a geology-based 3D velocity model of the uppermost hundreds of metres of the Amatrice high-seismic-hazard area is described. The model was constructed using geological (e.g., maps, cross-sections and core-wells) and geophysical (e.g., down-hole, MASW, refraction, and seismic noise measurements) data, which were georeferenced and uploaded into 3D geological modelling software, where faults, stratigraphic boundaries, and geophysical attributes were digitised, checked, hierarchised, and modelled. The performed 3D geological model was parameterised with Vs and Vp velocities and, finally, the environmental noise (i.e., horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio analysis, HVSR) recorded at some seismic stations was compared with the seismic responses modelled at some nearby control points. In the study area, the proposed geology-based 3D velocity model represents both a new potential geophysical prediction tool for areas devoid of geophysical measurements (i.e. HVSR curves) and a potential input-model for future ground-motion and seismic-wave-propagation simulations aimed at a more precise local seismic response assessment and, consequently, at the development of more realistic seismic hazard scenarios. The model here presented constitutes a first version of the 3D geological-geophysical model for the studied area, which will be improved with new data and more advanced algorithms available in the future

VIGOR: Sviluppo geotermico nelle Regioni della Convergenza

La valutazione del potenziale geotermico. Quadro normativo e iter autorizzativo per la ricerca e la coltivazione di risorse geotermiche. Accettabilità sociale della geotermia. Il caso tipo di Termini Imeres

Improved high-order bending analysis of double curved sandwich panels subjected to multiple loading conditions

For the first time, the bending analysis of a double curved sandwich panel was presented which was subjected to point load, uniform distributed load on a patch, and harmonic distributed loads and was based on a new improved higher order sandwich panel theory. Since the cross-sectional warping was accurately modeled by this theory, it did not require any shear correction factor. Also, the present analysis incorporated trapezoidal shape factor (the 1+z/R terms) of a curved panel element. Geometry was used for the consideration of different radii curvatures of the face sheets, while the core was unique. Unlike most of other reference works, the core can have non-uniform thickness. The governing equations were derived by the principle of minimum potential energy. The effects of types of boundary conditions, types of applied loads, core to panel, and radii curvatures ratios on the bending response were also studied

Seasonal Pattern in Suicide in Iran

BACKGROUND: Various studies have shown a seasonal pattern in suicide in the developed societies; however, this pattern is not taken into consideration in most countries including Iran. OBJECTIVES: The current paper studied the seasonal pattern of committing suicide in Northern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a longitudinal study with time series features. Subject included suicide attempts recorded by emergency wards of all hospitals in Mazandaran province, Iran. The variable time, in this study, was defined as each month of study years (2005 - 2011), which included 84 monthly time points. To analyze data, the Student's independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were used. RESULTS: Of the 14,437 suicide attempts reported during the seven-year period, 5359 (37.1%) were related to males. Suicide attempts reached a peak in June (1418 cases) and November (1352 cases), but were at their lowest level in March (991 cases) (P = 0.877). CONCLUSIONS: The suicide seasonality range is broad in this part of Iran. Moreover, there were two noticeable suicide peaks in June and November

Assessing preventive health behaviors from COVID-19: a cross sectional study with health belief model in Golestan Province, Northern of Iran

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new viral disease that has caused a pandemic in the world. Due to the lack of vaccines and definitive treatment, preventive behaviors are the only way to overcome the disease. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the preventive behaviors from the disease based on constructs of the health belief model. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study during March 11�16, 2020, 750 individuals in Golestan Province of Iran were included in the study using the convenience sampling and they completed the questionnaires through cyberspace. Factor scores were calculated using the confirmatory factor analysis. The effects of different factors were separately investigated using the univariate analyses, including students sample t-test, ANOVA, and simple linear regression. Finally, the effective factors were examined by the multiple regression analysis at a significant level of 0.05 and through Mplus 7 and SPSS 16. Results: The participants� mean age was 33.9 ± 9.45 years; and 57.1 of them had associate and bachelor's degrees. Multiple regression indicated that the mean score of preventive behavior from COVID-19 was higher in females than males, and greater in urban dwellers than rural dwellers. Furthermore, one unit increase in the standard deviation of factor scores of self-efficacy and perceived benefits increased the scores of preventive behavior from COVID-19 by 0.22 and 0.17 units respectively. On the contrary, one unit increase in the standard deviation of factor score of perceived barriers and fatalistic beliefs decreased the scores of the preventive behavior from COVID-19 by 0.36 and 0.19 units respectively. Conclusions: Results of the present study indicated that female gender, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, fatalistic beliefs, perceived interests, and living in city had the greatest preventive behaviors from COVID-19 respectively. Preventive interventions were necessary among males and villagers. © 2020, The Author(s)

HLA-G in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: does it correlate with disease severity?

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease wi th worl dwi de di stri buti on. Human l eukocyte anti gen G (HLA-G) is postulated to be associated with this inflammatory and autoimmune condition. However, its role has not been well established in the literature. The study aimed to evaluate the plasma level of HLA-G in PV patients and assess its correlation with disease severity and compare it with normal subjects. Methods: Thirty PV patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. A blood sample was taken from each participant; samples were analyzed for the soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) plasma level by applying an ELISA kit (sHLA-G ELISA kit; Exbio, Czech Republic). Patients� clinical and demographic data were recorded and analyzed. Results: Higher levels of sHLA-G were seen in PV patients compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There was a negative linear relationship between plasma HLA-G level and PV based on all ABSIS indices except for oral involvement (-1 < R < 0); however, these correlations were not statistically significant (P�0.05). Conclusion: Our data showed higher plasma sHLA-G levels in PV patients, which did not correlate with disease severity. © 2022 Iranian Society of Dermatology