On the peritidal cycles and their diagenetic evolution in the Lower Jurassic carbonates of the Calcare Massiccio Formation (Central Apennines)

This paper shows the environmental changes and high-frequency cyclicity recorded by Lower Jurassic shallow- water carbonates known as the Calcare Massiccio Formation which crop out in the central Apennines of Italy. Three types of sedimentary cycle bounded by subaerial erosion have been recognized: Type I consists of a shallowing upward cycle with oncoidal floatstones to rudstones passing gradationally up into peloidal packstone alternating with cryptoalgal laminites and often bounded by desiccation cracks and pisolitic-peloidal wackestones indicating a period of subaerial exposure. Type II shows a symmetrical trend in terms of facies arrangement with peloidal packstones and cryptoalgal laminites present both at the base and in the upper portion of the cycle, separated by oncoidal floatstones to rudstones. Type III displays a shallowing upward trend with an initial erosion surface overlain by oncoidal floatstones to rudstones that, in turn, are capped by pisolitic-peloidal wackestones and desiccation sheet cracks. Sheet cracks at the top of cycles formed during the initial phase of subaerial exposure were successively enlarged by dissolution during prolonged subaerial exposure. The following sea-level fall produced dissolution cavities in subtidal facies, while the successive sea-level rise resulted in the precipitation of marine cements in dissolution cavities. Spectral analysis revealed six peaks, five of which are consistent with orbital cycles. While a tectonic control cannot be disregarded, the main signal recorded by the sedimentary succession points toward a main control related to orbital forcing. High frequency sea-level fluctuations also controlled diagenetic processes

Risposta alle variazioni eustatiche e trofiche dei sistemi di piattaforma carbonatica oligo-miocenici del Mediterraneo Occidentale

L’intervallo Oligo-Miocene rappresenta un intervallo temporale cruciale poiché caratterizzato da una molteplicità di fattori sia climatici, oceanografici, sedimentologici e geodinamici che hanno svolto un ruolo fondamentale nello sviluppo delle successioni sedimentarie. Nell’Oligocene inizial’evoluzione verso le condizioni climatiche attuali; in prossimità del Miocene medio, la coltre glaciale dell’Antartico orientale si era già totalmente formata e la circolazione oceanica tendeva verso condizioni analoghe alle attuali. Una volta definita la situazione oceanografica, la struttura climatica si avviò verso quella quaternaria. Ciononostante molti punti dell’evoluzione del sistema oceanografico-climatico del Mediterraneo rimangono da chiarire. Nel Mediterraneo, nel Miocene si ha lo sviluppo di diverse fattorie carbonatiche dipendenti dalla batimetria, dalle temperature e anche dalle condizioni trofiche, con differenti tassi di produzione, che generano diversi tipi di piattaforme carbonatiche che rispondono diversamente alle oscillazioni relative del livello marino. In questo lavoro saranno analizzate successioni sedimentarie miste carbonatico-silicoclastiche e carbonatiche di età Oligocene superiore-Miocene affioranti nel Mediterraneo occidentale. Tali successioni si sono deposte in due contesti geodinamici differenti: uno di retroarco (back-arc) e uno di avampaese (foreland). Per quanto riguarda il dominio di retroarco sono state prese in esame le successioni carbonatico-terrigene burdigaliane affioranti nel bacino di Bonifacio (Corsica meridionale) e a Capo Testa (Sardegna settentrionale) mentre invece per il dominio di avampaese sono stati studiati i depositi oligo-miocenici a sedimentazione carbonatico della Formazione di Bolognano (Montagna della Majella, Appennino Centrale) e quelli misti carbonatico-silicoclastici della successione umbro-marchigiana di età Oligocene-Miocene (Formazione della Scaglia Cinerea, Bisciaro e Schlier). Il fine di questa ricerca è un’analisi di alcune successioni sedimentarie carbonatiche e carbonaticosilicoclastiche dall’Oligocene Superiore al Miocene nel Mediterraneo occidentale. Per fare ciò è fondamentale tener presente come i sistemi carbonatici e i sistemi clastici, seppur sottoposti ai medesimi fattori ambientali, climatici, idrodinamici, rispondano differentemente l’uno dall’altro. producendo differenti segnali stratigrafici. Ciò accade perché i sistemi carbonatici sono sistemi deposizionali estremamente complessi e con un grado di eterogeneità elevato. A differenza dei sistemi clastici che rispondono principalmente agli effetti combinati dell’interazione spazio di accomodamento fisico ed idrodinamismo, i sistemi carbonatici devono rispondere anche a fattori chimici e biologici ma soprattutto allo spazio di accomodamento sia fisico che ecologico (sensu Pomar 2001a,b). Con questa ricerca si intende studiare e caratterizzare alcune successioni a sedimentazione mista carbonatico-silicoclastica e carbonatica pura descrivendone sia le litofacies caratterizzanti tali successioni sia le associazioni di facies per poter poi ricostruire gli ambienti di sedimentazione, il modello deposizionale, le condizioni paleoambientali e fornire una caratterizzazione del tipo di produzione carbonatica (tipo di factory carbonatica) e dell’input silicoclastico di tali successioni carbonatiche e miste (carbonatiche-silicoclastiche). L’analisi degli isotopi stabili del 13C è stata finalizzata allo studio delle relazioni tra le condizioni trofiche e il tipo di produzione carbonatica. Infine le successoni sono state poi interpretate secondo i criteri della stratigrafia sequenziale, ed inserite in un quadro stratigrafico quanto più oggettivamente attendibile, ricostruendo le sequenze deposizionali di II e III ordine registrate da tali successioni focalizzando la risposta fisica dei sistemi investigati alle variazioni eustatiche del livello marino. Dalla convergenza di tutte queste informazioni si vuole arrivare a definire l’obiettivo più importante di questa ricerca ovvero quello di individuare il ruolo dei fattori globali versus i fattori regionali sul controllo del tipo di produzione carbonatica nei sistemi investigati durante l’intervallo Oligo- Miocene nelle successioni silicoclastiche e silicoclastiche-carbonatiche nell’area mediterranea

The Eocene–Oligocene transition in the C-isotope record of the carbonate successions in the Central Mediterranean

The Eocene-Oligocene transition marks a fundamental step in the evolution of the modern climate. This climate change and the consequent major oceanic reorganisation affected the global carbon cycle, whose dynamics across this crucial interval are far from being clearly understood. In this work, the upper Eocene to lower Oligocene δ13CCarb and δ13CTOC records of a shallow-water and a hemipelagic carbonate settings within the Central Mediterranean area have been studied and discussed. The shallow-water carbon isotope signal has been analysed in the northern portion of the Apula Platform, cropping out in the Majella Mountain, Central Apennines (Santo Spirito Formation). A coeval Umbria-Marche basinal succession has been investigated in the Massignano section (Conero area, Central Italy). The purposes of this work are: to discriminate between the global and the local (Mediterranean) signature of C-isotope record during the Oi-1 event, to correlate the regional C-isotope signal with the global record, and to evaluate the carbon cycle dynamics across the greenhouse-icehouse transition through the integration of complementary records (shallow-water vs pelagic settings, δ13CCarb vs δ13CTOC). The upper Eocene carbon isotope record of the analysed successions matches with the global signal. The overall trend shows a decrease of the δ13CCarb and a contemporary increase of the δ13CTOC. The decoupling of the two curves is consistent with a reduced fractionation effect by primary producers that characterised the interval between the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum and the onset of the Oi-1 event. However, regional factors superimposed the global signal. In fact, the upper Eocene basinal δ13CTOC record is marked by short-term negative spikes, which possibly represent times of higher productivity triggered by the westward subtropical Eocene Neotethys current entering from the Arabian-Eurasian gateway. On the contrary, the shallow-water record does not display these short-term productivity pulses. A change in the carbonate factory is only recorded at the Eocene-Oligocene transition, marked by a reduction of the larger benthic foraminifera and the spread of seagrass and corals. Moreover, in the shallow-water record of the Santo Spirito Formation, no major carbon isotope shift related to the Oi-1 event is recorded due to the presence of extensive slumps that disrupt the bedding. These slumps are the main evidence of the sea-level drop that occurred concomitantly with the onset of the Antarctica ice-sheet, which caused the deepening of the storm wave base and increased the instability over the entire ramp

Stratigraphical and sedimentological relationships of the Bolognano Formation (Oligocene–Miocene, Majella Mountain, Central Apennines, Italy) revealed by geological mapping and 3D visualizations

The characterization and comprehension of buried reservoirs receive remarkable benefits from detailed studies of outcropping analogues which help to define the architecture of the buried sedimentary units and their petrophysical features. In particular, modern 3D techniques of geological data analysis can better constrain the geological mapping process and reveal the geometry of the sedimentary units with complex lateral and vertical relationships. By means of the 3D Move software, we define the sedimentological and stratigraphical relationships between lithostratigraphic units of the Bolognano Formation, outcropping in the northernmost sector of the Majella Mountain (Central Apennines, Italy). The study area belongs to the Apulian carbonate platform and the Majella Mountain represents the northward outcropping portion of its margin. The sedimentary succession of the Majella Mountain consists of Upper Jurassic to upper Miocene limestone and dolostone deposits. In the investigated area, outcropping deposits mainly belong to the Oligo-Miocene Bolognano Formation characterized by five lithofacies associations and representing a carbonate ramp developed in a warm subtropical depositional environment within the oliaophotic to aphotic zone. The Bolognano Fm. represents, due to its specific hydraulic properties (e.g. porosity and permeability), an outcropping analogue of worldwide common reservoirs (i.e. porous calcarenite deposits of a carbonate ramp formed by benthic foraminifers such as lepidocyclinids, nummulitids, red algae, corals). In the study area, several geological units of the Bolognano Fm. are characterized by abundant hydrocarbon (bitumen) occurrences infilled within the high-porosity of the cross-bedded calcarenites ascribed to the Chattian and Burdigalian interval. The geological field mapping of the area and the visualization of the geological data in a 3D environment show that the unit formed by mid-ramp calcarenites (Lepidocyclina calcarenites 2 unit, Chattian-Burdigalian) increases in thickness towards the NE (basinward) direction as a consequence of sediment shedding from inner ramp. Our study illustrates how the geological mapping and the visualization and analysis of geological data in a 3D environment of the northernmost sector of the Majella Mountain confirms depositional models of the Bolognano Formation and represents a valid tool for the characterization of the lateral stratigraphic relationships within this formation, and hence of its potential hydrocarbon occurrences

Trends in social acceptance of renewable energy across Europe. A literature review

Social acceptance has proven to be a significant barrier in the implementation of renewable energy systems (hereinafter "RES"). While a general acceptance of RES is high, low local acceptance has hindered the development of renewable energy projects (hereinafter "REP"). This study assesses the determinants of local and general social acceptance of REP across Europe through a qualitative analysis from 25 case studies of the most significant social drivers and barriers that include all European countries. These case studies contain qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main factors for social acceptance of many representative groups including residents, stakeholders, and experts. Understanding the influences of social acceptance enables us to create strategies that will promote the development of REP by mitigating any public opposition

Geometry and stratigraphic relationships of lower Oligocene coral reefs in Lumignano (Berici Hills, northern Italy)

The Cliffs of Lumignano (Northern Italy) are a renowned climbing area, set on the steep walls of lower Oligocene limestones of the Castelgomberto formation which are made mainly of coral boundstone. Lumignano lies approximately on the south-eastern margin of a Cenozoic carbonate platform known as the Lessini Shelf, but the depositional environment of coral reefs is still debated, and it is unclear whether it was a Caribbean-type carbonate platform with a lagoon and steep slope, or a carbonate ramp with coral reefs on the mid ramp. We produced a geological map of the Lumignano area, in which five lithofacies are distinguished and mapped within the Castelgomberto formation. Their spatial distribution and main sedimentological characters outline that landward of coral reefs, a high-energy environment was present and was shallower than the reefs. Seaward of coral reefs, coralline algae and marlstones with bryozoans occur, while no evidence of a slope made of coral rubble was found. Hence, the detailed geological mapping and the documentation of the stratigraphic relationships between lithofacies provided a valuable contribution to the understanding of depositional environments of the lower Oligocene Lessini Shelf. This work also suggests elements for a better definition of the Castelgomberto formation, which could be split in members or lithofacies that can be mapped at a reasonably large scale (1:10000). The coralline algal lithofacies of the Castelgomberto formation is locally indistinguishable from the analogous facies of the underlying Priabona formation, but the boundary between these two units is always marked by an unconformity, which is easy to identify and may be used for the lithostratigraphic definition of the Castelgomberto formation

The Role of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Systemic Sclerosis Interstitial Lung Disease: A Systematic Literature Review

The role of Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) in the evaluation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) interstitial lung disease (ILD) is still controversial. The aim of this systematic literature review was to investigate the use of BAL in SSc-ILD, and to focus on the pros and cons of its real-life application. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were questioned from inception until 31 December 2021. Results: Eighteen papers were finally analyzed. A positive correlation was observed between lung function and BAL cytology; in particular, BAL neutrophilia/granulocytosis was related to lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) values and lower forced vital capacity (FVC). Moreover, a positive correlation between BAL cellularity and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings has been reported by several authors. Cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, coagulation factors, and eicosanoids have all been shown to be present, more often and in higher quantities in SSc-ILD patients than in the health control and, in some cases, they were related to more severe pulmonary disease. There was no consensus regarding the role of BAL cellularity as a predictor of mortality

Assessment of energy, mobility, waste, and water management on Italian small islands

Small islands are recognized for their vulnerability to climate change. In this context, mitigation and adaptation policies are needed, but the ecological transition must be based on data. This study aims to assess the level of sustainability reached by 26 of the inhabited Italian small islands; it collects and analyzes the data and initiatives on the energy, mobility, waste, and water sectors and discusses the islands’ steps toward sustainability. The findings show that 18 of the 26 islands are not interconnected with the national grid and that the renewable sources cover less than 5% of the energy demand on 25 of the 26 islands. The number per capita of private vehicles reaches 90 cars per 100 inhabitants on three islands. The average of the separate collection of waste on the islands is 52%, which is far from the minimum recommended threshold of 65%. Pipelines or tankers on 17 of the 26 islands guarantee the water supply, and desalination plants are still not the rule, while the presence of wastewater treatment has been detected on 12 islands, and it often provides only partial treatment. An ambitious multi-stakeholder sustainability plan for each island should be developed to overcome the typical barriers of the island and to increase the building capacity in order to use economic incentives for that goal

HNF1α inhibition triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human liver cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1α (HNF1α) is an atypical homeodomain-containing transcription factor that transactivates liver-specific genes including albumin, α-1-antitrypsin and α- and β-fibrinogen. Biallelic inactivating mutations of <it>HNF1A </it>have been frequently identified in hepatocellular adenomas (HCA), rare benign liver tumors usually developed in women under oral contraceptives, and in rare cases of hepatocellular carcinomas developed in non-cirrhotic liver. HNF1α-mutated HCA (H-HCA) are characterized by a marked steatosis and show activation of glycolysis, lipogenesis, translational machinery and mTOR pathway. We studied the consequences of HNF1α silencing in hepatic cell lines, HepG2 and Hep3B and we reproduced most of the deregulations identified in H-HCA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We transfected hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Hep3B with siRNA targeting HNF1α and obtained a strong inhibition of HNF1α expression. We then looked at the phenotypic changes by microscopy and studied changes in gene expression using qRT-PCR and Western Blot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hepatocytes transfected with HNF1α siRNA underwent severe phenotypic changes with loss of cell-cell contacts and development of migration structures. In HNF1α-inhibited cells, hepatocyte and epithelial markers were diminished and mesenchymal markers were over-expressed. This epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was related to the up regulation of several EMT transcription factors, in particular <it>SNAIL </it>and <it>SLUG</it>. We also found an overexpression of TGFβ1, an EMT initiator, in both cells transfected with HNF1α siRNA and H-HCA. Moreover, TGFβ1 expression is strongly correlated to HNF1α expression in cell models, suggesting regulation of TGFβ1 expression by HNF1α.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that HNF1α is not only important for hepatocyte differentiation, but has also a role in the maintenance of epithelial phenotype in hepatocytes.</p

Analytical study of waterlogged ivory from the Bajo de la campana site (Murcia, Spain)

[EN] This work reports an analytical study conducted prior to the conservation intervention of a collection of elephant tusks excavated from a wreck site of a 600-500 BC Phoenician trading vessel in Bajo de la campana (Murcia, Spain). The conservation state of ivory, determined by prolongated immersion in a marine environment, was established by a multi-technique methodology: light microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy X-ray microanalysis (FESEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), spectrophotometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The analyses demonstrated that the structure and composition of both tusk parts, namely the inner ivory and outer cementum, were altered due to characteristic diagenetic processes of a marine environment. Ca enrichment was observed in both tusk parts, which gave higher Ca/P molar ratio values than for ideal hydroxyapatite. Mg leaching was observed, together with uptake of exogenous elements (F, Cl, Si, Al, S, Na, Fe, Cu, Sr, Pb, Sn, Ag, V, Ni, Cd and Zn), which were prevalently identified in the external tusk part. Uptake of S and Fe was associated with the neoformation of pyrite framboids. The high carbonate content measured by FTIR, which agreed with the higher Ca/P ratios found in the archaeological tusk, was ascribed to the carbonate substitution of phosphate groups (type-B) in the bioapatite accompanied by some authigenic calcium carbonate that infilled ivory. An increased degree of crystallinity was observed when comparing the values of several crystallinity indices found in the archaeological bioapatite with those of a modern tusk, used as the reference material. Increased crystallinity prevalently took place in the cementurn. In accordance with increased crystallinity, the HPO42- content index indicated that the hydrated layer of bioapatite nanocrystals diminished in the archaeological tusk, and prevalently in the cementum. All these changes correlated with the significant organic matter loss reported for the archaeological tusk. Interestingly, remaining collagenous matter noticeably altered with enrichment in glycine and depletion in acid amino acids. Changes in the secondary structure of proteins were also recognised and associated with collagen gelatinisation. In addition to proteinaceous materials, small amounts of long-chain fatty acids, monoglycerides and cholesteryl oleate were identified by GC-MS. Cholesteryl oleate was associated with blood, which could have precipitated at the time of specimen death. The identification of large amounts of pyrite framboids and the high oleic acid/palmitic acid ratio in the archaeological tusk suggested minimal oxidative degradation processes, probably due to the slightly anoxic conditions of the underwater Bajo de la campana site environment. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors wish to thank CITES Espana and Direccion General de Bienes Culturales y Ensenanzas Artisticas, de la Consejeria de Educacion, Cultura y Universidades de la Comunidad Autonoma de la Region de Murcia, Museo Nacional de Arqueologia Subacuatica. Financial support is gratefully acknowledged from Spanish "I + D + I MINECO" projects CTQ2011-28079-CO3-01 and 02 and CTQ2014-53736-C3-1-P supported by ERDEF funds. The authors also wish to thank Mr. Manuel Planes and Dr. Jose Luis Moya, technical supervisors of the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Domenech Carbo, MT.; Buendía Ortuño, MDM.; Pasies Oviedo, T.; Osete Cortina, L. (2016). Analytical study of waterlogged ivory from the Bajo de la campana site (Murcia, Spain). Microchemical Journal. 126:381-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2015.12.022S38140512