Fault tectonics of the Tuscan Nappe in the eastern sector of the Apuan Alps (Italy)

We present the geological-structural map of the Tuscan Nappe exposed on the eastern border of the Apuan Alps metamorphic dome (Tuscany, Italy). The 1:6,500 scaled Main Map covers an area of about 10 km(2). It contains the first detailed overview of the fault tectonics affecting the Tuscan Nappe during the exhumation and uplift of the Tuscan Metamorphic Units. We documented a polyphase fault tectonics that initially produced low-angle extensional faults and later high-angle faults. The latter started within a transtensional tectonic regime that produced left-lateral strike-slip faults. Lately a pure extensional tensor, indicating a switch of the maximum compression sigma 1 axis from sub-horizontal to sub-vertical, produced faults with a dominant dip-slip component. In our reconstruction the lateral thickness variations documented in several formations of the Tuscan Nappe is mainly controlled by tectonics and not by stratigraphy, as previously suggested

Immediate-loading post extractive implants: indications, advantages and limits

The possibility of rehabilitating immediately an edentulous patient offers today remarkable advantages because it satisfies the patient’s demands for comfort, aesthetics, and functionality and reduces the surgical stages for the professional. In the last years clinicians and companies have been concentrating their efforts in the development of new surgical techniques and biomaterials in order to speed up the osteointegration process, which fosters the functionality, that is the immediate-loading. This clinical report, based on the analysis of the literature and on the presentation of a case report, shows how satisfying results in functionality and aesthetic can be obtained by a careful diagnosis and an accurate therapeutic planning, reducing at the same time the stress for the patient and the surgical stages for the professional. In any case, it is necessary to have the rehabilitations with immediate-loaded implants directed by workers with a good knowledge and experience in surgery, periodontology, and prosthesis or by a work team able to face all the complications such advanced rehabilitations may cause

Popularizing Structural Geology: Exemplary Structural Geosites from the Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Popularizing endogenic geological processes that act deep on the Earth during geologic time producing orogenic belts requires a great effort. Consequently, geosites dealing with structural geology are surveyed with a lower frequency. Geological structures, however, may strongly control and model the territory and/or trigger the exogenous processes responsible for a specific landform/landscape. We describe here three geosites in the Apuan Alps UNESCO Global Geopark (Tuscany, Italy) to highlight their geoheritage values. We used the classical methods applied in structural geology to conceive and design three new interpretative panels of structural geosites using simple language and graphic schemes that facilitate the understanding of geological structures. The three selected structures were produced by different deformation regimes and at different structural depths. The first geosite is the boundary between the metamorphic and non-metamorphic rocks and represents the boundary of the Apuan Alps tectonic window. The second geosite is the spectacular Mt. Forato natural arch and the third represents a beautiful example of folds. Each panel is characterized by QR codes that allow the reader to access a short geological glossary, the Apuan Alps Geopark website, and a short evaluation survey on the quality of the interpretative panel

The External Ligurian units (Northern Apennine, Italy): from rifting to convergence of a fossil ocean-continent transition zone

The External Ligurian Units of the Northern Apennine are interpreted as derived from the continent-ocean transition domain at the northern thinned conti- nental margin of the Adria microplate, i.e. the External Ligurian domain. The evolution of this paleogeographic realm from pre-orogenic times to the Eo- alpine and Meso-alpine tectonics is presented here, through a review of stratigraphic, petrological and structural data. The tectono-metamorphic evolution started in the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian (about 290 Ma), with the emplacement at deep crustal levels of the gabbroic protholits of mafic granulites. These lower continental crust rocks subsequentely underwent Permo-Triassic tectonic exhumation and were finally exhumed at shallow crustal levels in mid- dle Jurassic. The latter period was characterized by extensive brittle faulting at shallow crustal levels, giving rise to extensional allochtons formed by stretched slices of upper continental crust (mainly granitoids). At deep structural levels high temperature shearing of ophiolitic gabbros took place. Opening of the Lig- urian Tethys is finally testified by the basalt emplacement and radiolarian chert sedimentation in the Late Jurassic. During Late Cretaceous, development of Alpine intraoceanic subduction led to the inversion of the External Ligurian domain: the Eo-alpine deformation is recorded by syn-tectonic sedimentation of the Complessi di Base Auct., by development of very low-grade metamorphism and deformation at about 80 Ma. Middle Eocene deformation related with collision and indentation of the Adria with the Alpine accretionary wedge can be subdivided in two main stages: the first one (Ligurian Phase 1) implies large-scale, westward displacement of the EL Units, whereas the second stage (Ligurian Phase 2) is characterized by east- verging structures probably driven by the thinning of the preexisting nappe pile associated with exumation of underplated HP/LT Alpine units

Surface disinfection: evaluation of the efficacy of a nebulization system spraying hydrogen peroxide

Introduction. The study assessed the efficacy of a system of nebulization of a hydrogen peroxide-based solution for surface disinfection. Methods. Different concentrations (1, 2 and 4 ml/m3) of the same disinfectant solution (active principle: hydrogen peroxide) were nebulized inside a 50 m3 experimental environment. Sampling was carried out on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, and the total bacterial load at 37 °C was determined by means of direct contact with Rodac plates. The disinfection efficacy of the system was evaluated by comparing the total bacterial load measured on the surfaces before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Stata/SE9® software. Results. The percentage reduction in the mean bacterial load on horizontal surfaces as a result of treatment at concentrations of 1, 2 and 4 ml/m3 proved to be 54.9%, 70.9% and 86.9%, respec- tively. With regard to vertical surfaces, the percentage reduction was 100% in all experimental conditions. Discussion and conclusions. The system tested proved to be efficacious in disinfecting surfaces inside environments of 50 m3 in volume. It could therefore be used to disinfect surfaces in hos- pital and community settings. In healthcare facilities, disinfection by means of nebulization systems could help to reduce the risk of spreading nosocomial infections

U-Pb zircon geochronology of intrusive rocks from an exotic block in the Late Cretaceous – Paleocene Taraklı Flysch (northern Turkey): Constraints on the tectonics of the Intrapontide suture zone

In the Boyal\u131 area (northern Anatolia), a thick succession of the Early Maastrichtian - Middle Paleocene Tarakl\u131 Flysch crops out. The Tarakl\u131 Flysch represents a foredeep sediment deposited during the final stage of collision between the Sakarya and Istanbul-Zonguldak continental margins, that developed as a consequence of the closure of the Intrapontide oceanic basin. The top of the Tarakl\u131 Flysch is characterized by a level of slide-block in shaly-matrix lithofacies that can be considered as the result of several fast catastrophic events predating the closure of the basin and its deformation. This level consists of slide-blocks surrounded by monomict pebbly-mudstones and pebbly-sandstones. Among the slide-blocks, the biggest one consists of quartz-monzonites and leucocratic granodiorites of Late Permian age (260.8 \ub1 2.2 Ma) dated by zircon LA-ICP-MS method. By comparison with the regional data, the source area of these granitoids can be identified in the Istanbul-Zonguldak terrane. This evidence suggests a new picture for the paleogeographic setting of the ultimate stage of the continental collision between the Istanbul-Zonguldak and the Sakarya continental margins. In this scenario the coarse-grained deposits of the Tarakl\u131 Flysch are supplied by an orogenic wedge, consisting of oceanic units topped by the Istanbul-Zonguldak terrane. This orogenic wedge represented the north side of the foredeep, while the southern one was represented by the still undeformed Sakarya continental margin

Polyphase folding at upper structural levels in the Borbera valley (Northern Apennines, Italy): implications for the tectonic evolution of the linkage area between Alps and Apennines

The Borbera Valley (northwestern Italy) is located in a complex geological area where the linkage between Alps and Apennines occurs. In this area the Antola Unit (Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene) is unconformably overlain by the Upper Eocene–Miocene succession of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin. The structural analysis indicates the occurrence of a folding phase of Late Oligocene–Early Miocene age, characterised by recumbent F2 folds. These folds are superposed onto D1 structures related to an early folding phase of Middle Eocene, affecting only the Antola Unit. The occurrence of map-scale D2 folding phase structures that affect the Tertiary Piedmont Basin succession suggests that the linkage area between Alps and Apennines was reactivated during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene

Environmental monitoring programme in the cell therapy facility of a research centre: preliminary investigation

Introduction. Recent discoveries in cell therapy research present new opportunities for cellular products to be used to treat severe, and as yet incurable, diseases. It is therefore essential to implement a quality control programme in order to ensure that safe cells and tissues are provided. Methods. In a preliminary phase of the setting up of a the cell factory, monitoring was carried out monthly over a 6-month period in one out of three cell therapy laboratories and filter rooms in order to evaluate the microbial contamination of air and surfaces and the presence of airborne particulates. Results. The mean total bacterial and fungal loads measured in the air in the centre of the filter room were 20.7 ± 28.9 colonyforming units (cfu)/m3 and 9.2 ± 15.4 cfu/m3, respectively, and 5.2 ± 4.1 cfu/m3 and 6.8 ± 13.4 cfu/m3, respectively, in the laboratory. The mean fungal load values recorded on the surfaces sampled in the laboratory were in 6 out of 18 cases higher than the reference values (5 cfu/plate). As to the results of particulate monitoring, with regard to the 0.5 ?m particles, about 83% of the samples revealed values below the limit of 350.000 particles per cubic metre. Conclusions. In this set-up phase, monitoring was able to pick out structural and organisational flaws acceptable in a laboratory compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices class C (Annex 1), but not in a class B facility. Thanks to this preliminary monitoring phase, and by correcting these flaws, the clean room facility could achieve compliance to class B

Evidences for a Late Cretaceous continental arc in the Central Pontides: new insights on alternative geodynamic reconstructions for the Neotethys in Northern Turkey

The Intra-Pontide Suture Zone (IPSZ) is the less known one among the suture zones present in Turkey. The IPSZ is well exposed along the Daday-Arac-Kursunlu and Tosya – Emirköy geotraverses where several tectonic units can be recognized. Most of these units are characterized by the occurrence of basic rocks reflecting distinct tectonic origins and geochemical signatures. The study of the basic rocks emerges as an important tool for the geodynamic reconstruction as it can reveal the occurrence of of different types of oceanic basins, the development of a magmatic arc or the presence of rifting-related magmatism. The study of the geotraverses indicates that the imbricate stack of the IPSZ consists of four distinct tectonic units whose successions bear basic rocks: the Aylı Dağ ophiolite Unit, the Arkot Dağ Mèlange and two metamorphic units, referred to as Daday and Devrekani Units. This imbricate stack is probably the result of several episodes of out-of-sequence thrusts that affected the whole IPSZ. The Aylı Dağ Unit includes an about 5 km-thick ophiolite sequence topped by the middle Bathonian to early Callovian radiolarian cherts. In addition, a metamorphic sole is present at the base of the serpentinized peridotites. The geochemical evaluation of pillow-basalts and dykes highlights subduction-related characteristics, similar to IAT- and BABB-type lavas generated above intra-oceanic subduction systems. The Arkot Dağ Mèlange consists of an assemblage of slide-blocks, with different size and lithology, enclosed in a Late Santonian sedimentary matrix. The slide-blocks also include ophiolitic lithologies, mainly represented by basalts, but gabbros and peridotites are also found. The slide-blocks of basalts display affinites to IAT- and BABB-type magmas, signifying the involvement of subduction component, whereas no MORB-like basalt have been found. The Daday unit is characterized by metasedimentary and metabasic rocks deformed under blueschist to subgreenschist metamorphic facies conditions. The metasedimentary rocks include mica-bearing schists, fine-grained marbles and black quartzites. The metabasic lithologies, on the other hand, comprise actinolite-bearing schists and Naamphibole- bearing varieties possibly derived from basaltic and gabbroic protoliths. The metabasic rocks have a wide range of chemical compositions, displaying N-MORB-, E-MORB-, OIB- BABB- and IAT-type signatures. The Devrekani Unit is represented by an assemblage of amphibolites, marbles and micaschists showing a metamorphic climax developed under upper amphibolite facies in the Late Jurassic time. The amphibolites display EMORB-, OIB- BABB- and IAT-type signatures. The geochemical signature of the studied basic rocks provide the evidence that all the basic rocks from the tectonic units of IPSZ are derived by a supra-subduction zone. This finding can provide new nsights for the recostruction of the sgeodynamic history of the Intra-Pontide domain