Neogene and Quaternary geodynamic evolution of the Italian peninsula: the contribution of paleomagnetic data

Paleomagnetism has played an important role in the development of geodynamic models for the Italian peninsula. Paleomagnetic data from this area have been increasingly reported since the late 1960s, placing important constraints on geodynamics. A brief outline of the main concepts underlying a paleomagnetic study is provided in the first part of this paper. We also discuss the criteiia for the assessment of the reliability of paleomagnetic data. Finally,the data collected over the past 25 years in peninsular and insular Italy are synthetically reviewed, discussing the main implications for the geodynamic evolution of the Tyrrhenian - Apennines foreland system

Pyroclastic Stones as Building Materials in Medieval Romanesque Architecture of Sardinia (Italy): Chemical-Physical Features of Rocks and Associated Alterations

The paper discusses the chemical-physical-petrographic features and decay processes of San Nicola Church (11th−14th century) building materials, one of the most representative Medieval Churches in Sardinia, stylistically attributable to the Romanesque architecture. The monument was built up into two stages and shows a characteristic size uniformity of the ashlars. The masonry is mainly made up of rhyodacitic pyroclastites belonging to the Sardinian Eocene-Miocene mag- matic phase (38–15 My). These volcanic rocks were widely used in Medieval architecture for the excellent workability, but its minero-petrographic features greatly favor the decay, due to the action of chemical-physical alteration processes. Although the alteration degree and macroscopic forms of decay vary from zone to zone in the monument, according to the different compositional features of the volcanic stones, weathering and exposure condition, the pyroclastic rocks are generally affected by greater alteration than other igneous lithotypes, due to their petrographic- volcanological characteristics (e.g., low-medium welding grade, medium-high porosity). The results concerning mineralogical and petrographic features, respectively, carried out by the application of X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Optical Microscope (OM), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques, both on fresh building rocks and associated alterations, are here presented and discussed. Furthermore, the relationships between fresh pyroclastites and altera- tion processes affecting these rocks will be discussed

Optical Time-Frequency Packing: Principles, Design, Implementation, and Experimental Demonstration

Time-frequency packing (TFP) transmission provides the highest achievable spectral efficiency with a constrained symbol alphabet and detector complexity. In this work, the application of the TFP technique to fiber-optic systems is investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The main theoretical aspects, design guidelines, and implementation issues are discussed, focusing on those aspects which are peculiar to TFP systems. In particular, adaptive compensation of propagation impairments, matched filtering, and maximum a posteriori probability detection are obtained by a combination of a butterfly equalizer and four 8-state parallel Bahl-Cocke-Jelinek-Raviv (BCJR) detectors. A novel algorithm that ensures adaptive equalization, channel estimation, and a proper distribution of tasks between the equalizer and BCJR detectors is proposed. A set of irregular low-density parity-check codes with different rates is designed to operate at low error rates and approach the spectral efficiency limit achievable by TFP at different signal-to-noise ratios. An experimental demonstration of the designed system is finally provided with five dual-polarization QPSK-modulated optical carriers, densely packed in a 100 GHz bandwidth, employing a recirculating loop to test the performance of the system at different transmission distances.Comment: This paper has been accepted for publication in the IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technolog

Silvicultural strategies for introduced tree species in Northern Italy

The bio-deterioration of the historical heritage by fast growing and vigorous introduced tree species, and the reduction of native diversity, mostly in riparian, forest, wetland, and coastal habitats are considered amongst particularly relevant impacts for Italy. According to a recent survey of EU Life+ projects, the introduced tree species most often targeted for eradication by conservation projects across Europe are black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.). In this chapter, we report on the few field experiences and success stories of silvicultural control of these introduced tree species in urban and natural habitats in northern Italy

Land-use history and topographic gradients as driving factors of subalpine Larix decidua forests

none6restrictedMatteo Garbarino;Emanuele Lingua;Peter J. Weisberg;Alessandra Bottero;Fabio Meloni;Renzo MottaMatteo, Garbarino; Lingua, Emanuele; Peter J., Weisberg; Alessandra, Bottero; Fabio, Meloni; Renzo, Mott

Vitamin E–loaded dialyzer resets PBMC-operated cytokine network in dialysis patients

Vitamin E–loaded dialyzer resets PBMC-operated cytokine network in dialysis patients.BackgroundIn hemodialysis patients the activity of stimulated Th1 lymphocytes is depressed, while Th2 cells are constitutively primed. Such phenomena may depend on monocyte activation and altered release of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18, which regulate Th cell differentiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate monocytes; therefore, a hemodialyzer with antioxidant activity would contrast ROS, prevent monocyte activation, reset IL-12 and IL-18 release, and restore Th1/Th2 balance.MethodsTen patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT) with cellulosic membrane (CM) were shifted to vitamin E–coated dialyzer (VE). During treatment with CM and after 3, 6, and 12months of treatment with VE, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and purified CD4+ cells were isolated, and cultured, resting, mitogen-stimulated, and interferon γ (IFNγ), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18 release was measured. Vitamin E and A plasma levels and the effects of a single dialysis session on peripheral blood NO levels were assayed.ResultsThe constitutive release of IL-4 and IL-10 by CD4+ cells was abated significantly by treatment with VE (nadir -77.8% and -55.3%, respectively, at 12months). INFγ release by mitogen-stimulated CD4+ recovered with VE (zenith +501% at 12months). PBMC constitutive production of IL-12 and IL-18 was significantly reduced by VE (nadir at 12months -64.7% and -51.3%, respectively). VE increased plasma levels of vitamins E and A. NO plasma levels fell after a single dialysis treatment with VE (-17%, P < 0.05) in contrast with CU (+27.1%, P < 0.05).ConclusionThe network of cytokines released by monocytes and Th cells is reset toward normality by treatment with vitamin E–coated dialyzer