Laboratory observations of slow earthquakes and the spectrum of tectonic fault slip modes

Slow earthquakes represent an important conundrum in earthquake physics. While regular earthquakes are catastrophic events with rupture velocities governed by elastic wave speed, the processes that underlie slow fault slip phenomena, including recent discoveries of tremor, slow-slip and low-frequency earthquakes, are less understood. Theoretical models and sparse laboratory observations have provided insights, but the physics of slow fault rupture remain enigmatic. Here we report on laboratory observations that illuminate the mechanics of slow-slip phenomena. We show that a spectrum of slow-slip behaviours arises near the threshold between stable and unstable failure, and is governed by frictional dynamics via the interplay of fault frictional properties, effective normal stress and the elastic stiffness of the surrounding material. This generalizable frictional mechanism may act in concert with other hypothesized processes that damp dynamic ruptures, and is consistent with the broad range of geologic environments where slow earthquakes are observed

Innate effector cells in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are distinct and complex processes requiring a finely tuned balance between stimulatory and inhibitory signals. During adulthood, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are activated at sites of tumor growth, tissue injury and remodeling, and chronic inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietin (ANGPTs) and a multitude of additional signaling molecules play distinct roles in the modulation of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis. VEGFs and ANGPTs activate specific tyrosine kinase receptor (e.g., VEGFR1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3 and TIE2 respectively), expressed on blood endothelial cells (angiogenesis) and lymphatic endothelial cells (lymphangiogenesis). Although tumor cells produce VEGFs and other proangiogenic mediators, tissue resident (e.g., macrophages, mast cells) and circulating immune cells (e.g., basophils, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils) are an important source of angiogenic/lymphangiogenic mediators in inflammation and in tumor microenvironment and at site of chronic inflammation. Certain immune cells can also release anti-angiogenic factors. Mast cells, basophils, neutrophils and presumably other immune cells are not only a source of angiogenic/lymphangiogenic molecules, but also their target. Cells of the immune system need consideration as major players and possible targets for therapeutic manipulation of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis in chronic inflammatory disorders and tumors

Investigating microstructure evolution of lithium metal during plating and stripping via operando X-ray tomographic microscopy

Efficient lithium metal stripping and plating operation capable of maintaining electronic and ionic conductivity is crucial to develop safe lithium metal batteries. However, monitoring lithium metal microstructure evolution during cell cycling is challenging. Here, we report the development of an operando synchrotron X-ray tomographic microscopy method capable of probing in real-time the formation, growth, and dissolution of Li microstructures during the cycling of a Li||Cu cell containing a standard non-aqueous liquid electrolyte solution. The analyses of the operando X-ray tomographic microscopy measurements enable tracking the evolution of deposited Li metal as a function of time and applied current density and distinguishing the formation of electrochemically inactive Li from the active bulk of Li microstructures. Furthermore, in-depth analyses of the Li microstructures shed some light on the structural connectivity of deposited Li at different current densities as well as the formation mechanism of fast-growing fractal Li microstructures, which are ultimately responsible for cell failure

Evolution of elastic and mechanical properties during fault shear. The roles of clay content, fabric development, and porosity

Phyllosilicates weaken faults due to the formation of shear fabrics. Although the impacts of clay abundance and fabric on frictional strength, sliding stability, and porosity of faults are well studied, their influence on elastic properties is less known, though they are key factors for fault stiffness. We document the role that fabric and consolidation play in elastic properties and show that smectite content is the most important factor determining whether fabric or porosity controls the elastic response of faults. We conducted a suite of shear experiments on synthetic smectite-quartz fault gouges (10–100 wt% smectite) and sediment incoming to the Sumatra subduction zone. We monitored Vp, Vs, friction, porosity, shear and bulk moduli. We find that mechanical and elastic properties for gouges with abundant smectite are almost entirely controlled by fabric formation (decreasing mechanical and elastic properties with shear). Though fabrics control the elastic response of smectite-poor gouges over intermediate shear strains, porosity is the primary control throughout the majority of shearing. Elastic properties vary systematically with smectite content: High smectite gouges have values of Vp ~ 1,300–1,800 m/s, Vs ~ 900–1,100 m/s, K ~ 1–4 GPa, and G ~ 1–2 GPa, and low smectite gouges have values of Vp ~ 2,300–2,500 m/s, Vs ~ 1,200–1,300 m/s, K ~ 5–8 GPa, and G ~ 2.5–3 GPa. We find that, even in smectite-poor gouges, shear fabric also affects stiffness and elastic moduli, implying that while smectite abundance plays a clear role in controlling gouge properties, other fine-grained and platy clay minerals may produce similar behavior through their control on the development of fabrics and thin shear surfaces

Innate immune modulation by GM-CSF and IL-3 in health and disease

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and inteleukin-3 (IL-3) have long been known as mediators of emergency myelopoiesis, but recent evidence has highlighted their critical role in modulating innate immune effector functions in mice and humans. This new wealth of knowledge has uncovered novel aspects of the pathogenesis of a range of disorders, including infectious, neoplastic, autoimmune, allergic and cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, GM-CSF and IL-3 are now being investigated as therapeutic targets for some of these disorders, and some phase I/II clinical trials are already showing promising results. There is also pre-clinical and clinical evidence that GM-CSF can be an effective immunostimulatory agent when being combined with anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (anti-CTLA-4) in patients with metastatic melanoma as well as in novel cancer immunotherapy approaches. Finally, GM-CSF and to a lesser extent IL-3 play a critical role in experimental models of trained immunity by acting not only on bone marrow precursors but also directly on mature myeloid cells. Altogether, characterizing GM-CSF and IL-3 as central mediators of innate immune activation is poised to open new therapeutic avenues for several immune-mediated disorders and define their potential in the context of immunotherapies

Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis to assess the expression levels of multiple transcripts from the same sample

We describe a semiquantitative RT-PCR protocol optimized in our laboratory to extract RNA from as little as 10,000 cells and to measure the expression levels of several target mRNAs from each sample. This procedure was optimized on the human erythroleukemia cell line TF-1 but was successfully used on primary cells and on different cell lines. We describe the detailed procedure for the analysis of Bcl-2 levels. Aldolase A was used as an internal control to normalize for sample to sample variations in total RNA amounts and for reaction efficiency. As for all quantitative techniques, great care must be taken in all optimization steps: the necessary controls to ensure a rough quantitative (semi-quantitative) analysis are described here, together with an example from a study on the effects of TGF-β1 in TF-1 cells

Geographical Analysis of Agro-Environmental Measures for Reduction of Chemical Inputs in Tuscany

The agro-environmental policies included in rural development plans are getting increasing importance in European Community strategies. These policies represent the meeting point between demand and supply of positive externalities. The difficulty of assessing real envi- ronmental efficiency is one of the elements characterizing agro-environmental measures. This difficulty is related to the identification of suitable parameters for evaluating farms according to their impact on the territory. This impact is mainly related both to chemical inputs and to the territorial characteristics of the farm. Different types of fertilizers, pesti- cides and herbicides are currently used in production processes; however, the analysis has focused only on nitrates, as they represent the most critical types of chemicals related to soil pollution. A case study is provided by analysis of agro-environmental measures in Tuscany for the reduction of nitrates in organic and integrated farms. Using spatial multicriteria analysis, integrated and organic farms were classified according to their geographical loca- tions and their release of nitrates into the soil. This classification permits the highlighting of farms that make the greatest economic efforts to reduce pollution and therefore it could determine environmental benefits. Considering that the trend of policy strategies is toward a reduction of monetary resources, the classification could help decision makers choose the right allocation of future resources

Delayed open conversion after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm: Device-specific surgical approach

none7Objectives: Despite several advances in endoluminal salvage for failed endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR), in our experience an increasing number of cases necessitate delayed open conversion (dOC). Methods: EVAR patients requiring delayed (>30 days) conversion were prospectively collected in a computerized database including demographics, details of aortoiliac anatomy, procedural and clinical success, and postoperative complications. Results: Between 2005 and 2011, 54 patients were treated for aortic stent-graft explantation. Indications included 34 type I and III endoleaks, 13 type II endoleaks with aneurysm growth, 4 cases of material failures, and 3 stent-graft infections. All fit-for-surgery patients with type I/III endoleak underwent directly dOC. Different surgical approaches were used depending on the type of stent-graft. Overall 30-day mortality was 1.9%. Overall morbidity was 31% mainly due to acute renal failure (13 cases). Mean hospitalization was 6 days (range, 5-27 days). Overall survival at mean follow-up of 19 months was 78%. Conclusions: In recent years, the use of EVAR has increased dramatically, including in young patients regardless of their fitness for open repair. dOC after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm seems to be a lifesaving procedure with satisfactory initial and mid-term results. © 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Marone, E.M.; Mascia, D.; Coppi, D.; Tshomba, Y.; Bertoglio, L.; Kahlberg, A.; Chiesa, R.Marone, ENRICO MARIA; Mascia, D.; Coppi, D.; Tshomba, Y.; Bertoglio, L.; Kahlberg, A.; Chiesa, R

Thinning in black pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold) forests: The economic sustainability of the wood-energy supply chain in a case study in Italy

In Italy, black pine has been largely used in reforestation projects in the past. Most of these reforestations are characterized by a high instability, vulnerability, and a limited resistance to atmospheric agents. In this situation, it is crucial to define silvicultural interventions able to increase the ecological stability of black pine stands and at the same time to guarantee the economic sustainability of the wood products obtained. Thinning in black pine forests can provide wood material for energy use. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the economic sustainability of a local wood-energy supply chain applying three different forest management options. The case study was Monte Morello forest, a degraded black pine forest located in Central Italy. The results show that the long-term economic sustainability of the wood-energy supply chain is ensured only when the use of bio-fuel is characterized by high energy efficiency. In addition, the results show that public contributions are fundamental to ensure that silvicultural interventions are realized with a positive economic balance and that to surmount this situation many loggings companies are organizing. Finally, the results highlighted the importance of the quantities of thermal energy sold to ensure the economic and environmental efficiency of the wood-energy supply chain