Real-time setup to measure radon emission during rock deformation. Implications for geochemical surveillance

Laboratory experiments can represent a valid approach to unravel the complex interplay between the geochemical behaviour of radon and rock deformation mechanisms. In light of this, we present a new real-time experimental setup for analysing in continuum the alpha-emitting 222Rn and 220Rn daughters over variable stress–strain regimes. The most innovative segment of this setup consists of the radon accumulation chamber obtained from a tough and durable material that can host large cylindrical rock samples. The accumulation chamber is connected, in a closed-loop configuration, to a gas-drying unit and to a RAD7 radon monitor. A recirculating pump moves the gas from the rock sample to a solid-state detector for alpha counting of radon and thoron progeny. The measured radon signal is enhanced by surrounding the accumulation chamber with a digitally controlled heating belt. As the temperature is increased, the number of effective collisions of radon atoms increases favouring the diffusion of radon through the material and reducing the analytical uncertainty. The accumulation chamber containing the sample is then placed into a uniaxial testing apparatus where the axial deformation is measured throughout a linear variable displacement transducer. A dedicated software allows obtaining a variety of stress–strain regimes from fast deformation rates to long-term creep tests. Experiments conducted with this new real-time setup have important ramifications for the interpretation of geochemical anomalies recorded prior to volcanic eruptions or earthquakes

Misalignment factors to affect the fatigue of welded load-carrying joints

To assess the effects of misalignment on the weld fatigue, we present experimental fatigue test results of load- carrying cruciform joints which are subjected to axial variable amplitude loading. The welds were produced from steel AH36 grade and fatigue strength improved by high-frequently mechanical impact treatment. We identify several misalignment factors affecting the fatigue by considering the real and reference welded joint geometries. Our methodology includes proposals for the empirical calibration functions and local stress analyses by using the Structural Hot Spot Stress, Effective Notch Stress and Peak Stress Method. Additionally, we apply our methodology to other sixteen data sets which are extracted from the literature for load-carrying cruciform and butt welded joints subjected to constant amplitude loading. Finally, we present the resultant calibration functions with respect to corresponding fatigue test data

Testing the Properties of Radon Barrier Materials and Home Ventilation to Mitigate Indoor Radon

Indoor radon is the second cause of lung cancer. Mitigation strategies are based on (i) building protection with radon barrier materials, (ii) increasing home ventilation or (iii) room pressurization. A scale model room created with a porous ignimbrite rich in radon precursors was used as an analogue to test the indoor radon reduction ability of various radon barrier materials in a real room. The properties of these materials were tested with and without room pressurization by introducing outdoor air at different flow rates. The best materials reduced indoor radon up to 80% and, when the highest pressurization was applied, to 93%

A new test for equilibrium based on clinopyroxene-melt pairs: Clues on the solidification temperatures of Etnean alkaline melts at post-eruptive conditions

We have performed new global regression analyses to calibrate a model of equilibrium between clinopyroxene and co-existing melt. Then we have applied this model to a restricted but important range of clinopyroxene and melt compositions from Mt. Etna volcano. The degree of disequilibrium is determined through the comparison between components “predicted” for clinopyroxene via regression analyses of clinopyroxene-liquid pairs in equilibrium conditions, with those “measured” in the analyzed crystals. The model is tested using compositions not included into the calibration dataset, i.e., clinopyroxene-melt pairs obtained from equilibrium and cooling rate experiments conducted at ambient pressure on an Etnean trachybasalt. The experiments were duplicated at the NNO+1.5 and QFM oxygen buffering conditions estimated for magmas at Mt. Etna. Both equilibrium and disequilibrium clinopyroxene-melt pairs from the experiments were also used as input data for one of the most recent thermometers based on the Jd-DiHd exchange reaction. Results from calculations indicate that, under rapid cooling rate conditions, clinopyroxenes do not equilibrate with the melt. Consequently, the thermometers predict higher crystallization temperatures compared to the final experimental temperature, prior to rapid quenching of the experiment. The systematic difference between expected and measured compositions and temperatures allows us to calibrate a model that describes undercooling based on disequilibrium exchange reactions. We use this new tool to estimate the thermal history of naturally cooled lava flows and dikes at Mt. Etna volcano

Immuno-Cytochemistry with Backscattered Electrons

Some cytochemical reaction products are visible inside the cytoplasm of cells observed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) using the backscattered electron imaging (BEI) mode. Methods can be utilized whenever they result in the deposition of heavy metal, like silver, lead or osmium at the sites of the enzymatic reaction. More recently the BEI mode of the SEM has been demonstrated to improve the detection of immunogold labeled cell surface antigens. Colloidal gold particles, 40 to 15 nm in diameter can be efficiently used for immuno-specific labeling. Moreover, cytochemical reactions can be applied to previously immunogold labeled cells, therefore combining the results of enzyme cytochemistry and of surface labeling at the level of each individual cell. The choice of fixative, incubation media, dehydration and drying methods should be guided by considerations on the sample characteristics for optimal electron scattering. Cytochemical as well as immuno-labeling reactions are not used per se but in combination with the study of cell surface morphology which needs, therefore, to be sufficiently well preserved. Coating should provide good conductivity and secondary electron emission, while emitting a minimal number of backscattered electrons. The application of these methods considerably enhances our capacity to characterize with the SEM the surface morphology of precisely identified subpopulations of many cell types

Scanning Electron Microscope Cytochemistry of Blood Cells

The backscattered electron imaging (BEI) mode of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been applied to study various histo-cytochemical reactions in biological specimens since the early seventies. Due to numerous, recent technical improvements the BEI mode of SEM now belongs to the routine of many SEM laboratories. For cytochemistry, BEI has been mainly used to: visualize intracellular structures and organelles; recognize the different cell types in heterogeneous populations or tissues; study the correlations between enzymatic activities and cell surface features. We have evaluated the most relevant results obtained in the study of blood cells and the possible future applications of these techniques

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pornography habits: a global analysis of Google Trends

As the COVID-19 spread globally, social distancing, self-isolation/quarantine, and national lockdowns have become crucial to control the pandemic. However, these measures may also lead to increases in social isolation, loneliness, and stress, which can alter the consumption of pornography habits. The aim of the study was thus to explore the interest pattern in pornography and coronavirus-themed pornography during the COVID-19 outbreak. Google Trends\uae was employed to determine the most popular porn websites (Porn, XNXX, PornHub, xVideos, and xHamster), and coronavirus-themed pornography worldwide and in six nations with different COVID-19 outbreak and self-isolation recommendations. We analyzed every search trend on Google\uae from January 9, 2020 to May 25, 2020 using \u201cjoint point regression analysis\u201d. Comparisons of week relative search volume (WRSV) and temporal patterns were analyzed to assess the change of interest in search terms during nations lockdowns. Paired t-test was used to compare WRSV values among the porn websites during the national lockdowns and the equivalent timespan of the weeks in the previous 4 years. The research trend of almost every keyword increased with significant inflection points for those nations with a straight \u201cstay at home orders\u201d (China, Italy, Spain, and France). \u201cPornHub\u201d and \u201cPorn\u201d showed the highest increase of interest worldwide with an average weekend percentage change (AWPC) of 4.9 and 3.8, respectively. The mean WRSV for keywords in USA and Sweden did not show a similar increase as the other nations. The WRSV percentage change with the historical data had a peak during the straight nations\u2019 lockdowns (p < 0.01). All the nations had a significant increase in WRSV coronavirus-themed pornography for each keyword (p < 0.01) with an AWPC, ranging worldwide between 18.5 and 61.8 (p < 0.01), after the beginning of self-quarantine. As strengths this study uses a big data technology to collect worldwide trend of interest, however, data are anonymous and do not allow analysis of subpopulation groups. In conclusion, we demonstrated an increased interest in pornography and coronavirus-themed pornography after the outbreak of COVID-19 in nations with a straight \u201cstay at home orders\u201d

Distribution in the brain and possible neuroprotective effects of intranasally delivered multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are currently under active investigation for their use in several biomedical applications, especially in neurological diseases and nervous system injury due to their electrochemical properties. Nowadays, no CNT-based therapeutic products for internal use appear to be close to the market, due to the still limited knowledge on their fate after delivery to living organisms and, in particular, on their toxicological profile. The purpose of the present work was to address the distribution in the brain parenchyma of two intranasally delivered MWCNTs (MWCNTs 1 and a-MWCNTs 2), different from each other, the first being non electroconductive while the second results in being electroconductive. After intranasal delivery, the presence of CNTs was investigated in several brain areas, discriminating the specific cell types involved in the CNT uptake. We also aimed to verify the neuroprotective potential of the two types of CNTs, delivering them in rats affected by early diabetic encephalopathy and analysing the modulation of nerve growth factor metabolism and the effects of CNTs on the neuronal and glial phenotypes. Our findings showed that both CNT types, when intranasally delivered, reached numerous brain areas and, in particular, the limbic area that plays a crucial role in the development and progression of major neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrated that electroconductive MWCNTs were able to exert neuroprotective effects through the modulation of a key neurotrophic factor and probably the improvement of neurodegeneration-related gliosis

Deliverable # 3.01.1 Technical report illustrating the results obtained in the Crotone Peninsula based on geological and InSAR data

This work was aimed at collecting data to estimating the rate of uplift over several temporal scales. The analysis includes a very short-term analysis (tens of years) of InSAR data, a middle-term analysis of Holocene geological data, and a long-term analysis of Middle-Late Pleistocene geological data. After a preliminary reconnaissance in a large area, all final datasets focus strictly on the area of the Crotone Peninsula. The techniques applied span from Small Baseline Subset Interferometric SAR, to classic geomorphic and stratigraphic analysis aided by radiocarbon and U/Th dating.Agreement INGV-DPC 2007-2009 Project S1: Analysis of the seismic potential in Italy for the evaluation of the seismic hazardPublished3.2. Tettonica attiva4.2. TTC - Modelli per la stima della pericolosità sismica a scala nazionaleope

Internet of Things Based on Situation-Awareness for Energy Efficiency

The reduction of electric energy consumption is considered as one of the main challenges in diverse sectors of the economy. To residential customers, the management of energy consumption can bring significant costs reduction and decreased environmental impact. This work presents a solution based on the use of situation-awareness applied in IOT that helps the users to reduce the consumption of electric energy through its own residence. The practical results obtained in the application of this proposal in a real-live scenario confirmed the option of collecting information directly of electrical appliances and inform the user of their energy expenditures in real-time, allowing the knowledge and the management of their expenses