Evidences for strong directional resonances in intensely deformed zones of the Pernicana fault, Mount Etna, Italy

In this paper we investigate ground motion properties in the western part of the Pernicana fault. This is the major fault of Mount Etna and drives the dynamic evolution of the area. In a previous work, Rigano et al. (2008) showed that a significant horizontal polarization characterizes ground motion in fault zones of Mount Etna, both during earthquakes and ambient vibrations. We have performed denser microtremor measurements in the NE rift segment and in intensely deformed zones of the Pernicana fault at Piano Pernicana. This study includes mapping of azimuth-dependent horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios along and across the fault, frequency–wave number techniques applied to array data to investigate the nature of ambient vibrations, and polarization analysis through the conventional covariance matrix method. Our results indicate that microtremors are likely composed of volcanic tremor. Spectral ratios show strong directional resonances of horizontal components around 1 Hz when measurements enter the most damaged part of the fault zone. Their polarization directions show an abrupt change, by 20° to 40°, at close measurements between the northern and southern part of the fault zone. Recordings of local earthquakes at one site in the fault zone confirm the occurrence of polarization with the same angle found using volcanic tremor. We have also found that the directional effect is not time-dependent, at least at a seasonal scale. This observation and the similar behavior of volcanic tremors and earthquake-induced ground motions suggest that horizontal polarization is the effect of local fault properties. However, the 1-Hz resonant frequency cannot be reproduced using the 1-D vertically varying model inferred from the array data analysis, suggesting a role of lateral variations of the fault zone. Although the actual cause of polarization is unknown, a role of stress-induced anisotropy and microfracture orientation in the near-surface lavas of the Pernicana fault can be hypothesized consistently with the sharp rotation of the polarization angle within the damaged fault zone

Evidence for ground motion polarization on fault zones of mt. etna volcano

During local and regional earthquakes, an evident amplification of horizontal ground motion is observed at two seismological stations near the Tremestieri fault, on the southeastern flank of Mt. Etna volcano. Rotated-component spectral ratios show a narrow spectral peak around 4-Hz along a N40°E direction. A conventional polarization analysis using the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix confirms the very stable directional effect enhancing the approximately NE-SW elongation of the horizontal ground motion in the fault zone. The effect is evident during the entire seismogram and independent of source backazimuth as well as distance and depth of earthquakes. The same polarization is observed in ambient noise as well. This consistency allowed us to use microtremors for checking ground motion polarization along and across the Tremestieri fault zone with a high spatial resolution. The result is a stable polarization of horizontal motion in the entire area, interesting a broad frequency band. To check whether this ground motion property is recurrent and understand a possible relationship with fault strike, faulting style, or orientation of fractures, ambient noise was recorded on other mapped faults of the Mt. Etna area, the Moscarello, Acicatena and Pernicana faults. The latter, in particular, is characterized by different strike and faulting style. A systematic tendency of ambient noise to be polarized is found in all of the faults. A picture emerges where normal faults of the eastern flank show a E-W to NE-SW polarization that changes on the Pernicana fault, which develops approximately E-W and is characterized by a prevailing NW-SE to NS polarization. Directions of polarization were never parallel to the fault strike. Moreover, polarization persists too far away from the fault trace, excluding an effect limited to a narrow low velocity zone hosted between harder wall rocks. Both these observations rule out an interpretation in terms of fault-trapped waves. The cause of observed polarizations will be the subject of future studies. However, the consistency with recent results of velocity anisotropy in a part of the investigated area suggests a possible role of attenuation anisotropy on horizontal amplitude variations versus azimuth

Bismuth-Gold absorber for large area TES spiderweb bolometer

Large area spiderweb bolometer of about one centimetre diameter are required for matching multimode or quasi-optical cavities in microwave antenna for CMB measurements as proposed for the Large Scale Polarization Explorer balloon borne sky survey at 140, 220, 250 GHz. Possible applications at low frequencies, 40 GHz or less, in single mode are also foreseen. The main drawback of such large absorber is the achievement of an optimal trade-off among the thermal properties, like fast internal thermal diffusivity, heat capacity and milli-second recovery time and EM characteristics, like the matching impedance and EM power dissipation. In parallel with standard micropatterned gold film absorber deposited onto silicon nitride membrane, we have tested the Bismuth Gold in order to reduce the heat capacity even if with an increase of resistivity. Films of Bismuth Gold may have low resistivity under application of a proper post-production thermal cycle. We present the fabrication method of Bismuth Gold films for our microwave absorbers and the bolometer characterization at low temperature

A Novel Protein Hydrolysate-Based Biostimulant Improves Tomato Performances under Drought Stress

Abiotic stresses adversely affect crop production causing yield reductions in important crops, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Among the different abiotic stresses, drought is considered to be the most critical one, since limited water availability negatively impacts plant growth and development, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The aim of this study was to understand how biostimulants may interact with critical physiological response mechanisms in tomato under limited water availability and to define strategies to improve tomato performances under drought stress. We investigated the physiological responses of the tomato genotype ‘E42’ grown in open fields under optimal conditions (100% irrigation) and limited water availability (50% irrigation) treated or not with a novel protein hydrolysate-based biostimulant (CycoFlow, Agriges, BN, Italy). Plants treated with the protein hydrolysate showed a better water status and pollen viability, which also resulted in higher yield under drought stress compared to untreated plants. The treatment with the biostimulant had also an effect on antioxidant contents and activity in leaves and fruits depending on the level of irrigation provided. Altogether, these results indicate that the application of protein hydrolysates on tomato improved plant performances under limited water availability and in different experimental fields

Triterpenoids from vitellaria paradoxa stem barks reduce nitrite levels in lps-stimulated macrophages

open7siVitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn is widely used in African traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory remedy to treat rheumatism, gastric problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. The phyto-chemical investigation of the ethyl acetate extract of V. paradoxa stem bark collected in Burkina Faso led to the isolation of eight known and two triterpenes undescribed to date (7 and 10), in the free alcohol form or as acetyl and cinnamyl ester derivatives. The stereostructures of the new compounds were elucidated using HR-ESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR data. The isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory effect on nitrite levels on murine macrophages J774 stimulated with the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Among all the compounds tested, lupeol cinnamate (3) and betulinic acid (5) showed a beneficial effect in reducing nitrite levels produced after LPS stimulation.openSirignano C.; Nadembega P.; Poli F.; Romano B.; Lucariello G.; Rigano D.; Taglialatela-Scafati O.Sirignano C.; Nadembega P.; Poli F.; Romano B.; Lucariello G.; Rigano D.; Taglialatela-Scafati O

Can Directional Resonances Be Used to Map Intensely Deformed Fault Zones of Mt. Etna Volcano ?

Mt. Etna is characterized by flank instability of the eastern to south-western portions of the volcanic edifice, producing down-slope movements with rates up to several decimeters in a month during eruptive events of the 2002-2003 activity. The unstable sector is bounded to the North by a E-W transtensive fault (the Pernicana fault system), extending from the NE Rift to the coastline of the Ionian Sea for a length of >18 km. The western portion of the Pernicana fault system (close to Piano Pernicana area) is characterized by the most intense deformation. In this area we have performed volcanic tremor measurements on a dense grid along and across the fault zone. Ambient vibration measurements are also performed along a second fault (Tremestieri fault) which confines the slip of the eastern flank to the south-east. The analysis using both microtremors and local earthquakes recorded in these faults shows persistent polarization of ground motion. Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) show large directional resonances of horizontal components within the damaged fault zones. The resonance occurs around 1Hz at Piano Pernicana, and around 4 Hz in the Tremestieri fault zone. The resonance amplitude in the HVSRs seems to be fairly well correlated to soil gas anomalous concentrations (in particular, radon and CO2 both considered tracer gases of major crustal discontinuity) in the two fault zones, suggesting that both the effects are linked to local fracturing conditions. According to previous results on velocity anisotropy in the shallow crust, we believe that a role on polarization could be played by stress-induced anisotropy and micro-fracture orientation in the near-surface lavas. The occurrence of directional resonances, if confirmed in other faults, can be a powerful tool to map buried damaged fault zones on the Mt. Etna volcano

International multicenter, multiplatform study to validate Taipan snake venom time as a lupus anticoagulant screening test with ecarin time as the confirmatory test: communication from the ISTH SSC subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant/Antiphospholipid antibodies

Background Lupus anticoagulant (LA) assays are compromised in anticoagulated patients, and existing strategies to overcome the interferences have limitations. The prothrombin-activating Taipan snake venom time (TSVT) screening test and ecarin time (ET) confirmatory test are innately insensitive to vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and direct factor Xa inhibitors (DFXaI). Objectives Validate standardised TSVT/ET reagents for LA detection, in a multi-centre, multi-platform study. Patients/Methods Six centres from four countries analysed samples with TSVT/ET from 81 non-anticoagulated patients with LA, patients with established antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and proven persistent LA who were either not anticoagulated (n=120) or were anticoagulated with VKAs (n=180) or DFXaIs (n=71). Additionally, 339 non-anticoagulated LA-negative patients, and 575 anticoagulated non-APS patients (172 VKA, 403 DFXaI) were tested. Anticoagulant spiking experiments were performed and 112 samples containing potential interferences (i.e. direct thrombin inhibitors) were tested. Results were evaluated against locally derived cut-offs. Imprecision was evaluated. Results Cut-offs were remarkably similar despite use of different analysers and donor populations. Cut-offs for TSVT ratio, ET ratio, percent correction and normalised TSVT ratio/ET ratio ranged between 1.08-1.10, 1.09-1.12, 9.3%-14.8% and 1.10-1.15 respectively. Coefficients of variation for TSVT and ET ratios were ≤5.0%. TSVT/ET exhibited sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of 78.2%/95.0%/86.3%/91.5% respectively with established APS as the LA-positive population, and 86.9%/95.0%/76.8%/97.4% respectively with triple-positive APS. Interference was seen with direct thrombin inhibitors, unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparins, but not VKAs or DFXaIs. Conclusions TSVT/ET are validated for LA detection in non-anticoagulated patients and those on VKAs or DFXaIs

Androgens and Female Sexuality: Molecular Insights, Neuroendocrine Crosstalk and Future Therapeutic Directions

Objective: The scientific community has recently directed its attention towards investigating the role of androgens in female sexuality. This narrative review aims to elucidate the central and peripheral androgen-mediated mechanisms involved in female sexual health and function. Additionally, the current state of androgen therapeutic options is discussed. Mechanism: We searched several scientific literature databases, including EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed Central, and Scopus, utilizing keywords, index terms, and MeSH terms, such as “androgen*”, “female sexuality”, “female sexual function”, “women’s sexual dysfunctions”, “androgen therapy in women”, and various combinations thereof. Findings in Brief: Progesterone or estrogens are commonly prescribed as first-line treatments for female sexual dysfunctions. However, these medications may frequently lead to therapeutic failure and cause harm by increasing sex-hormone-binding-globulin plasma levels and decreasing testosterone plasma concentrations. Currently, there are limited androgen therapies available for women, and the evidence for their effectiveness and safety is still limited. Conclusions: The knowledge of neuroendocrine interactions that underlie sexual arousal and pleasure is rapidly expanding, and ongoing research is striving to develop more appropriate clinical practices for managing sexual dysfunctions in women

Eco-Physiological Screening of Different Tomato Genotypes in Response to High Temperatures: A Combined Field-to-Laboratory Approach

High temperatures represent a limitation for growth and development of many crop species. Several studies have demonstrated that the yield reduction of tomato under high temperatures and drought is mainly due to a photosynthetic decline. In this paper, a set of 15 tomato genotypes were screened for tolerance to elevated temperatures by cultivating plants under plastic walk-in tunnels. To assess the potential tolerance of tomato genotypes to high temperatures, measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence, pigments content and leaf functional traits have been carried out together with the evaluation of the final yields. Based on the greenhouse trials, a group of eight putative heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant tomato genotypes was selected for laboratory experiments aimed at investigating the effects of short-term high temperatures treatments in controlled conditions. The chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics were recorded on detached leaves treated for 60 min at 35 °C or at 45 °C. The last treatment significantly affected the photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency (namely maximum PSII quantum efficiency, Fv/Fm, and quantum yield of PSII electron transport, ΦPSII) and the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) in the majority of genotypes. The short-term heat shock treatments also led to significant differences in the shape of the slow Kautsky kinetics and its significant time points (chlorophyll fluorescence levels minimum O, peak P, semi-steady state S, maximum M, terminal steady state T) compared to the control, demonstrating heat shock-induced changes in PSII functionality. Genotypes potentially tolerant to high temperatures have been identified. Our findings support the idea that chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (i.e., ΦPSII or NPQ) and some leaf functional traits may be used as a tool to detect high temperatures-tolerant tomato cultivars