Holocene evolution of halite caves in the Cordillera de la Sal (Central Atacama, Chile) in different climate conditions

Geomorphological studies have been carried out in rapidly evolving salt caves related to small watersheds in the San Pedro de Atacama area, Chile. Radiocarbon ages of bones and wood from cave deposits, combined with the presence of large salt caves, geomorphological and sedimentological observations, and the results of micrometer measurements outside and in some of the caves, suggest a period of speleogenesis in the Cordillera de la Sal during the onset of the Holocene, during which the large halite cave systems developed, followed by an early Holocene hyperarid period.Most smaller caves (i.e. Lechuza del Campanario) most probably formed at the start of the wetter mid-Holocene period (5–4.4 ka), when precipitation was never intense enough to entrain large amounts of sediments, but enough to trigger cave development. A diamicton in Lechuza del Campanario Cave radiocarbon dated at ca. 4.4 ka shows that at least one high intensity rainfall event occurred in this recharge basin during the mid-Holocene wet interval. A wet period with lower intensity rainfall events followed between 4.0 and 2.5 ka, causing the 4.4 kyrs old diamicton in Lechuza del Campanario Cave to be entrenched, and the alluvial fan at the downstream end of Palacio del Sal Cave to be covered with windborne sediments dated by OSL at around 3.6 ka. At ca. 2 ka there was a high-intensity rainfall event documented by the age of a twig stuck in the ceiling of the Palacio del Sal Cave, followed by a period with lower intensity rain events until ca. 1.3 ka, when another intense flood produced a mudflow that deposited a second diamicton in Lechuza del Campanario Cave. From then on clustering of radiocarbon ages forwood and bone recovered fromcaves indicates increased rainfall intensity in the period ca. 0.9–0.5 ka, followed by no registered events until a minor flood at ca. 0.13 ka. The fourcenturies long wetter time interval (0.9–0.5 ka), corresponding to the Medieval Climate Anomaly, has been an archeologically important period in the Atacama Desert (Tiwanaku culture). The observations and a detailed review of paleoclimate literature from this key area have allowed the development of a landscape evolution model related to changing climate conditions during the Late Holocene

Role of the Giudicarie Belt and eastern Southern Alps in Adriatic Indentation

The Giudicarie Belt (GB) sinistrally offsets the Alpine orogenic edifice by some 70 km, including the front of the Adriatic Indenter as defined at the surface by Periadriatic Fault. The GB is a composite structure, comprising northern and southern segments of the Giudicarie Fault (GF), as well as a ≤50 km wide fold-and-thrust belt that strikes obliquely to ENE-WSW trending thrusts affecting Permo-Mesozoic sediments and basement of the eastern Southern Alps (Fig. 1). Stratigraphic and thermochronological constraints indicate that sinistral transpression within the GB began at 21-22 Ma and ceased no later than latest Miocene time. Minimum shortening across the GB in the range of 12-35 km was accommodated by thrusts and strike-slip faults that are inferred to reach down to 15-20 km and to link with the GF (Verwater et al. 2021). The GB does not offset the Moho and also does not coincide with observed changes in lithospheric mantle structure imaged by teleseismic Vp tomography. It is therefore not the site of a slab gap or tear, but forms part of an intracrustal fault system that is linked to the north with thrusts and strike-slip faults beneath the Tauern Window. In the Southern Alps east of the GB, SE-directed folding and thrusting accommodated shortening of 30-50 km. It initiated at 14 Ma (Langhian-Serravalian flysch beneath the Valsugana thrust) and propagated SE-wards to the active Montello thrust along the orogenic front of the Southern Alps (Fig. 1). Thus, thrusting in the eastern Southern Alps began later than within the GB, though deformation within these domains probably overlapped in mid-late Neogene time. We propose that a 1st phase of Adriatic indentation at 23-14 Ma involving sinistral transpression along the GB was linked to an intracrustal detachment that accommodated rapid exhumation of Penninic units in the Tauern Window and eastward lateral extrusion of orogenic crust in the E. Alps (Fig. 1). A 2nd phase of indentation since 14 Ma involved NNW-SSE-directed shortening that crumpled the leading edge of the Adriatic indenter. Section balancing (McPhee et al., this vol.) indicates that thrusts of this 2nd phase are directly linked to bulging and northward wedging of the Adriatic lower crust, as also indicated by local earthquake tomography obtained from Swath D (Fig. 2, Jozi Najafabadi et al. 2022). We note that the model above differs from our original interpretation of broadly coeval activity of the GB and the eastern Southern Alps during late Paleogene-Neogene Adria-Europe convergence (Verwater et al., 2021). In our present view, the Trento-Cles strike-slip fault accommodated differential shortening only within the GB and was not linked to the Schio-Vicenza fault system. The latter is marked by only minor (≤ 4 km) sinistral offset and was reactivated as a Mio-Pliocene normal fault in the foreland of the Apennines (Verwater et al. 2021)

Cortical atrophy in chronic subdural hematoma from ultra-structures to physical properties

Several theories have tried to elucidate the mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, this process is complex and remains mostly unknown. In this study we performed a retrospective randomised analysis comparing the cortical atrophy of 190 patients with unilateral CSDH, with 190 healthy controls. To evaluate the extent of cortical atrophy, CT scan images were utilised to develop an index that is the ratio of the maximum diameter sum of 3 cisterns divided by the maximum diameter of the skull at the temporal lobe level. Also, we reported, for the first time, the ultrastructural analyses of the CSDH using a combination of immunohistochemistry methods and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Internal validation was performed to confirm the assessment of the different degrees of cortical atrophy. Relative Cortical Atrophy Index (RCA index) refers to the sum of the maximum diameter of three cisterns (insular cistern, longitudinal cerebral fissure and cerebral sulci greatest) with the temporal bones' greatest internal distance. This index, strongly related to age in healthy controls, is positively correlated to the preoperative and post-operative maximum diameter of hematoma and the midline shift in CSDH patients. On the contrary, it negatively correlates to the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC) showed that RCA index effectively differentiated cases from controls. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the newly formed CD-31 positive microvessels are higher in number than the CD34-positive microvessels in the CSDH inner membrane than in the outer membrane. Ultrastructural observations highlight the presence of a chronic inflammatory state mainly in the CSDH inner membrane. Integrating these results, we have obtained an etiopathogenetic model of CSDH. Cortical atrophy appears to be the triggering factor activating the cascade of transendothelial cellular filtration, inflammation, membrane formation and neovascularisation leading to the CSDH formation

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Campagna d’acquisizione di dati sismici a riflessione e rifrazione ad alta risoluzione con sorgente vibratoria Ivi-MiniVib svolta nel comune di Parcines (BZ).

Il presente lavoro ha avuto come obiettivo lo studio dettagliato della porzione superficiale (0-1000 metri di profondità) di un settore della Val Venosta, Alto Adige Occidentale, al fine di caratterizzare, in termini di spessori e di velocità di propagazione, le spesse coltri dei sedimenti di conoide che costituiscono i terreni affioranti della zona. L’indagine è stata tarata anche al fine di ricostruire la geometria e la profondità del substrato roccioso. Sono stati acquisiti due profili sismici a riflessione ad alta risoluzione che coprono l’intera ampiezza della valle, per un totale di 2050 metri di stendimento. I dati sono stati registrati impiegando una sorgente sismica vibratoria ad alta risoluzione (Ivi-MiniVib®)

Comment on: “Uplift and contractional deformation along a segmented strike-slip fault system: the Gargano Promontory, southern Italy” by C.M. Brankman and A. Aydin,Journal of Structural Geology, 26, 807-824

Brankman and Aydin (2004) propose a model to explain the anomalous elevation and position of the Gargano Promontory (Southern Italy). The model in itself is absolutely consistent but is not supported by the data and is thus not really relevant for the Gargano Promontory. On the contrary, the model is often in apparent contradiction with available information. It is unfortunate that Brankman and Aydin (2004) disregard a substantial body of literature and thus reach conclusions that are not compatible with the observations. The basic idea of the paper is that the elevated position of the Gargano Promontory is related to a contractional stepover between two sinistral, E–W-trending faults. Obviously, the main ‘field’ ingredient of such a model are the two faults. Unfortunately they are not there; at least not where they are needed. Getting in some more detail and referring to Fig. 2 of Brankman and Aydin (2004), the following comments must be made. Although not stated clearly, one gathers from Fig. 2 that the fault forming the southern rail of the system is the Mattinata fault. Some observations are here relevant: – the Mattinata fault is well inside the elevated portion of the Gargano Promontory and it does not correspond to the first order change in the dip of sedimentary layers which is located a few kilometers to the south (see Fig. 4 in Bertotti et al., 1999). The statement of the authors that “.the Mattinata fault, which is located along the southern margin of the Gargano uplift” is therefore not correct. – The statement of the authors that “There is no evidence for the continuation of the Mattinata fault to the west; rather the fault appears to terminate at the southwestern corner of the of the uplifted block” disregards available observations and is therefore incorrect. Chilovi et al. (2000), using a large body of seismic data, demonstrate that the Mattinata fault does have a continuation to theW under the Apennine foredeep. The reason for the ‘disappearance’ of the Mattinata fault is simply that it is covered by Plio-Quaternary sediments. Also for this reason, the Mattinata Fault cannot be the southern ‘rail’ of the system. The northern rail of the strike-slip system is also missing. Inspection of Fig. 2 of Brankman and Aydin (2004) provides no clue as to the position of such an allegedly important fault. Some continuous lines (unspeci- fied faults) are indicated south of Lago di Varano. In reality (see detailed geological sections in Casolari et al. (2000) and Bertotti et al. (1999)), the indicated structures are SWvergent thrusts. No strike-slip fault is visible in the field. No strike-slip fault is visible in the seismic north of the Gargano Promontory either (Bertotti et al., 2001). Several additional statements contained in the article by Brankman and Aydin (2004) are incorrect: – “The Rignano fault (see Fig. 2) is .not a fault”. Themorphological cliffs (sharp break in slope according to the wording of Brankman and Aydin (2004)) correspond to the steep flank of a S-vergent fold (see geological sections in Bertotti et al., 1999). – The statement that “bedding is especially disrupted and/or dips steeply in the vicinity of faults” is in fact the product of circular reasoning. Brankman and Aydin (2004) have placed the faults there where layers are steep, but without detailed field observation. The steepest beds are encountered N of the Mattinata fault and N of what the authors call the Rignano fault. In both cases, the steep position of sedimentary layers is associated with folding. Faulting is not instrumental for their position. – That “the NW-trending lineaments .have been mapped.but not documented in detail” reflects the insuf- ficient knowledge of the authors rather than the reality. We refer to Bertotti et al. (1999) and references therein. – Contrary to what is stated by the authors these contractional structures are not in contrast with the..

Jurassic stratigraphy of the Belluno Basin and Friuli Platform: a perspective on far-field compression in the Adria passive margin

Anomalous patterns of the sedimentary archi- tecture have been recognized in passive margins, and only recently they have been associated with plate reorganiza- tion or compressional deformations propagating from dis- tant margins. With the aim of discussing the sedimentary architecture and the potential tectonic perturbations to the passive margin pattern, we present the revision of the stratigraphy of a fossil passive margin, involved in the retrobelt of the Alpine orogeny. The main events at the transition from rifted to passive margin have been con- trolled by palaeoceanography, i.e. the trophic state of sur- face waters that hampered the carbonate photozoan productivity for a long period between Toarcian and Callovian. Toward the latest Bajocian–earliest Bathonian, the platform productivity increased, dominated by ooids. A regressional trend up to the Middle Bathonian allowed the rapid infilling of the previous rift basin. The successive aggradation in the platform was still dominated by non- skeletal grains until the Early Oxfordian. The Middle Oxfordian to Early Kimmeridgian was a time of recovery of the palaeoceanographic conditions allowing the estab- lishment of a hydrozoan/coral rich platform. The sedi- mentation rates in the platform increased at the margin of the productive Friuli–Adriatic Platform. From Late Kim- meridgian on, the sedimentation rates at the platform margin returned to the pre-Oxfordian values. At the scale of the whole Adriatic Platform, the Middle Oxfordian to Early Kimmeridgian interval is variable in thickness from 0 to 800 m, and it depicts a couple of folds of around 80–100 km of wavelength. The subsidence analysis of wells and composite logs from literature suggests this interval as a perturbation to the passive margin trend of around 3 Myr of duration. We interpret this folding event, superimposed to the passive margin subsidence, as the far field expression of the transition from intraoceanic to continental obduction, occurred at the eastern Adria active margin