234 research outputs found
Stationary growth and unique invariant harmonic measure of cylindrical DLA
We prove that the harmonic measure is stationary, unique and invariant on the
interface of DLA growing on a cylinder surface. We provide a detailed
theoretical analysis puzzling together multiscaling, multifractality and
conformal invariance, supported by extensive numerical simulations of clusters
built using conformal mappings and on lattice. The growth properties of the
active and frozen zones are clearly elucidated. We show that the unique scaling
exponent characterizing the stationary growth is the DLA fractal dimension
Role of the polygalacturonate network on the iron (III) reduction by caffeic acid
This communication reports the role of polygalacturonate network on the Fe(III) reduction by caffeic acid. The effect of phosphate ions on the redox reaction is also considered
Infrasound array criteria for automatic detection and front velocity estimation of snow avalanches: Towards a real-time early-warning system
Avalanche risk management is strongly related to the ability to identify and
timely report the occurrence of snow avalanches. Infrasound has been applied
to avalanche research and monitoring for the last 20 years but it never
turned into an operational tool to identify clear signals
related to avalanches. We present here a method based on the analysis of
infrasound signals recorded by a small aperture array in Ischgl (Austria),
which provides a significant improvement to overcome this limit. The method
is based on array-derived wave parameters, such as back azimuth and apparent
velocity. The method defines threshold criteria for automatic avalanche
identification by considering avalanches as a moving source of infrasound. We
validate the efficiency of the automatic infrasound detection with
continuous observations with Doppler radar and we show how the velocity of a
snow avalanche in any given path around the array can be efficiently
derived. Our results indicate that a proper infrasound array analysis allows
a robust, real-time, remote detection of snow avalanches that is able to
provide the number and the time of occurrence of snow avalanches occurring
all around the array, which represent key information for a proper
validation of avalanche forecast models and risk management in a given area
Synergistic and Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Conservation of Monumental Heritage: Cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy
This paper presents the results of an interdisciplinary study carried out on Brunelleschiâs Cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore in
Florence, Italy, one of the most emblematic masonry domes in the world. The cupola has been affected since the beginning of its construction by a widespread cracking phenomenon, and several studies were done over the centuries to clarify its safety conditions. To have a direct and indirect record of the cracks opening or closing, a complex monitoring system was installed on the monument during the last century. An
accurate analysis of crack widths and global displacements, performed considering both historical and recent monitoring data, has allowed for the identification of the movements developed in the monument, evaluating their relationship with environmental and seismic events. In line with the interdisciplinary approach strongly recommended in the field of assessment and conservation of monumental heritage, this paper reconsiders some issues concerning the causes of the actual damage to the cupola. In particular, in light of the obtained results, the famous seventeenth century Vivianiâs conclusions about the cupolaâs damage, confirmed by Chiarugi in the 1980s, are compared with other
hypotheses, such as the differential settlement of pillars (Cecchini in 1698 and Ximenes in 1757) and the influence of temperature variations (Nervi in 1934). The large amount of measured data and the results of the last numerical models of the cupola, combined with recent dynamic measurements, allowed the updating of some previous conclusions on damage causes and trends. Starting from these conclusions, a more reliable forecasting model of the monument can be set up that could be useful in identifying effective conservation strategy for this outstanding monument
Multi-Parametric Field Experiment Links Explosive Activity and Persistent Degassing at Stromboli
Visually unattainable magmatic processes in volcanic conduits, such as degassing, are closely linked to eruptive styles at the surface, but their roles are not completely identified and understood. To gain insights, a multi-parametric experiment at Stromboli volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) was installed in July 2016 focusing on the normal explosive activity and persistent degassing. During this experiment, gas-dominated (type 0) and particle-loaded (type 1) explosions, already defined by other studies, were clearly identified. A FLIR thermal camera, an Ultra-Violet SOâ camera and a scanning Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy were deployed to record pyroclast and SO2 masses emitted during individual explosions, as well as persistent SOâ fluxes, respectively. An ASHER instrument was also deployed in order to collect ash fallouts and to measure the grain size distribution of the samples. SO2 measurements confirm that persistent degassing was far greater than that emitted during the explosions. Further, we found that the data could be characterized by two periods. In the first period (25â27 July), activity was mainly characterized by type 0 explosions, characterized by high velocity jets. Pyroclast mass fluxes were relatively low (280 kg/event on average), while persistent SO2 fluxes were high (274 t/d on average). In the second period (29â30 July), activity was mainly characterized by type 1 explosions, characterized by low velocity jets. Pyroclast mass fluxes were almost ten times higher (2,400 kg/event on average), while persistent gas fluxes were significantly lower (82 t/d on average). Ash characterization also indicates that type 0 explosions fragments were characterized by a larger proportion of non-juvenile material compared to type 1 explosions fragments. This week-long field experiment suggests that, at least within short time periods, Stromboliâs type 1 explosions can be associated with low levels of degassing and the mass of particles accompanying such explosive events depends on the volume of a degassed magma cap sitting at the head of the magma column. This could make the classic particle-loaded explosions of Stromboli an aside from the true eruptive state of the volcano. Instead, gas-dominated explosions can be associated with high levels of degassing and are indicative of a highly charged (with gas) system. We thus suggest that relatively deep magmatic processes, such as persistent degassing and slug formation can rapidly influence the superficial behavior of the eruptive conduit, modulating the presence or absence of degassed magma at the explosion/fragmentation level
Towards a better understanding of debris flow sediment sources: Monitoring of an active rock slope at Spitze Stei, Switzerland
Rapid process cascades can lead to destructive debris flows. Identifying and characterizing the processes conditioning debris-flow occurrence will strongly contribute to the mitigation of debris-flow hazards. In recent years, the rock slope near âSpitze Steiâ, in the Kandersteg region, Switzerland, has exhibited elevated displacement rates exceeding 10 cm per day, suggesting a growing instability up to 20 million m3. The accumulated sediments at the bottom of the Spitze Stei slope are mobilized as debris flows by melting snow and heavy summer precipitations. Here, we use seismology combined with an intelligent algorithm to automatically detect rockfall and landslides at the Spitze Stei rock slope. These mass movements act as primary sediment sources delivering sediments to a debris-prone channel. Our initial results quantify mass movement activity before two debris flow events that occurred in 2022 and identify their triggers. Such analysis can contribute towards mitigating debris flow hazards and extending warning time, especially for debris flows triggered by factors other than precipitation
Tracking dynamics of magma migration in open-conduit systems
Open-conduit volcanic systems are typically characterized by unsealed volcanic conduits feeding permanent or quasi-permanent volcanic activity. This persistent activity limits our ability to read changes in the monitored parameters, making the assessment of possible eruptive crises more difficult. We show how an integrated approach to monitoring can solve this problem, opening a new way to data interpretation. The increasing rate of explosive transients, tremor amplitude, thermal emissions of ejected tephra, and rise of the very-long- period (VLP) seismic source towards the surface are interpreted as indicating an upward migration of the magma column in response to an increased magma input rate. During the 2014 flank eruption of Stromboli, this magma input pre- ceded the effusive eruption by several months. When the new lateral effusive vent opened on the Sciara del Fuoco slope, the effusion was accompanied by a large ground deflation, a deepening of the VLP seismic source, and the cessation of summit explosive activity. Such observations suggest the drainage of a superficial magma reservoir confined between the crater terrace and the effusive vent. We show how this model successfully reproduces the measured rate of effusion, the observed rate of ground deflation, and the deepening of the VLP seismic source. This study also demonstrates the ability of the geophysical network to detect superficial magma recharge within an open-conduit system and to track magma drainage during the effusive crisis, with a great impact on hazard assessment
Religious Pilgrimage: Experiencing Places, Objects and Events
This article explores the concept of the Eventization of faith (Pfadenhauer, 2010) through application of three case studies, to identify learning that might be applied to a traditional pilgrimage destination, such as Jerusalem. This Holy City is held sacred by the three Abrahamic religions, and faith-based tourism is central both to the Holy Land and to the city of Jerusalem (Leppakari & Griffin, 2017). This paper builds on research that identifies processes and models that provide insight into the developing concept of the eventization of faith. The work examines outcomes from three different perspectives: - The impact of traditional church-led pilgrimages to places in the Holy Land, on participants and their local church communities. - The successful eventization of the Lindisfarne Gospels as part of their release to Durham University in 2013, and the impact on local historical, cultural and religious identity and heritage (Dowson, 2019). - The shared pilgrimage experience of thousands of Christian women participating in the annual Cherish Conference in Leeds, Yorkshire, held in a secular event venue (Dowson, 2016). In analysing these three case study examples, this paper aims to identify factors that might enhance our understanding of the concept of eventization of faith. Utilising face to face interviews and online survey results, the research focuses on the aspects of community, identity and authenticity. Events enable shared experiences in a faith context (Lee et al., 2015), and so this research develops a model that captures and expresses approaches that might encourage pilgrimages to traditional destinations, through the medium of events, adding insight into the development of the academic concept of Eventization of Faith
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