15 research outputs found
Infrasound array criteria for automatic detection and front velocity estimation of snow avalanches: Towards a real-time early-warning system
Avalanche risk management is strongly related to the ability to identify and
timely report the occurrence of snow avalanches. Infrasound has been applied
to avalanche research and monitoring for the last 20 years but it never
turned into an operational tool to identify clear signals
related to avalanches. We present here a method based on the analysis of
infrasound signals recorded by a small aperture array in Ischgl (Austria),
which provides a significant improvement to overcome this limit. The method
is based on array-derived wave parameters, such as back azimuth and apparent
velocity. The method defines threshold criteria for automatic avalanche
identification by considering avalanches as a moving source of infrasound. We
validate the efficiency of the automatic infrasound detection with
continuous observations with Doppler radar and we show how the velocity of a
snow avalanche in any given path around the array can be efficiently
derived. Our results indicate that a proper infrasound array analysis allows
a robust, real-time, remote detection of snow avalanches that is able to
provide the number and the time of occurrence of snow avalanches occurring
all around the array, which represent key information for a proper
validation of avalanche forecast models and risk management in a given area
Tracking dynamics of magma migration in open-conduit systems
Open-conduit volcanic systems are typically characterized by unsealed volcanic conduits feeding permanent or quasi-permanent volcanic activity. This persistent activity limits our ability to read changes in the monitored parameters, making the assessment of possible eruptive crises more difficult. We show how an integrated approach to monitoring can solve this problem, opening a new way to data interpretation. The increasing rate of explosive transients, tremor amplitude, thermal emissions of ejected tephra, and rise of the very-long- period (VLP) seismic source towards the surface are interpreted as indicating an upward migration of the magma column in response to an increased magma input rate. During the 2014 flank eruption of Stromboli, this magma input pre- ceded the effusive eruption by several months. When the new lateral effusive vent opened on the Sciara del Fuoco slope, the effusion was accompanied by a large ground deflation, a deepening of the VLP seismic source, and the cessation of summit explosive activity. Such observations suggest the drainage of a superficial magma reservoir confined between the crater terrace and the effusive vent. We show how this model successfully reproduces the measured rate of effusion, the observed rate of ground deflation, and the deepening of the VLP seismic source. This study also demonstrates the ability of the geophysical network to detect superficial magma recharge within an open-conduit system and to track magma drainage during the effusive crisis, with a great impact on hazard assessment
The Stromboli geophysical experiment. Preliminary report on wide angle refraction seismics and morphobathymetry of Stromboli island (Southern Tyrrhenian sea, Italy)based on integrated offshore-onshore data acquisition (cruise STRO-06 R/V Urania)
The Stromboli geophysical experiment, performed to acquire onshore and offshore seismic data through a combined on-land and marine network, was finalized to reconstruct the
seismic tomography of the volcano and to investigate the deep structures and the location of magma chambers. A detailed swath bathymetry around the volcano has also been acquired by the R/V Urania Multibeam. In particular, high resolution bathymetry of the âSciara del Fuocoâ area allows to image the present-day seafloor setting of the area involved by the submarine slide of 2002-12-30. During the experiment wide angle refraction seismics was performed all around the Stromboli volcano by a 4 GI-GUN tuned array. The data were recorded by the permanent seismic network of the INGV and 20 temporary stations and 10 OBS deployed on the SE, SW and NE submerged flanks of the volcano after detailed morpho-bathymetric analysis
Phase Ib study of poly-epitope peptide vaccination to thymidylate synthase (TSPP) and GOLFIG chemo-immunotherapy for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients
ABSTRACT: Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a tumor-associated enzyme critical for DNA replication and main 5âČ-fluorouracil (5âČ-FU) target. TSPP/VAC1 is a multi-arm trial phase-Ib trial program aimed to investigate the toxicity and biomodulatory activity of a poly-epitope-peptide vaccine to TS (TSPP) in cancer patients (pts). Here, we present the results of the TSPP/VAC1/arm C trial aimed to evaluate TSPP in combination with chemo-immunotherapy in pretreated metastatic colo-rectal cancer (mCRC) pts. Twenty-nine pts, 14 males and 15 females, received poly-chemotherapy with gemcitabine [GEM; 1,000 mg/sqm, day-1], oxaliplatin [OX; 80 mg/sqm, day-2], levofolinate [100 mg/sqm, days 1â2], bolus/infusional 5âČ-FU [400 mg/800 mg/sqm, days 1â2], sargramostim [50 Όg, days 3â7/q30], and interleukin-2 [sc. 0.5 MIU twice a day, days 8â14/18â30] [GOLFIG-regimen]. Seventeen pts received sc. TSPP injections at escalating dosage [3 pts, 100 ”g (DL-1); 3 pts, 200 ”g (DL-2) and 11pts, 300 ”g (DL-3)] one week after each chemotherapy cycle (concomitant module), while 10 out 12 pts received TSPP (300 ”g) after 12 GOLFIG courses [dose level (DL)-0] (sequential module). TSPP MTD was not achieved. Adverse events consisted in swelling/erythema at injection sites (17 cases), G1â2 haematological (16 cases) and gastro-enteric events (12), fever, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and poly-arthralgia and rise in auto-antibodies [ANA, ENA, c-ANCA, p-ANCA in the DL1â3 pts]. Both treatment-modules showed immunomodulating and antitumor activity (disease-control-rate, DL1â3 and DL0 were 70.6% and 83.3%, respectively) with a better survival recorded in the second group [median OS DL1â3 vs. DL0 = 8 vs. 16 mo, p = 0.049]. The promising long-term survival produced by the sequential treatment module deserves further phase II evaluation