Active strain-rate Across the Messina Straits and Kinematics of Sicily and Calabria From GPS Data

The Messina Straits is the locus of one of the strongest seismic event that ever hit Italy during historical times, the 1908 Mw 7.1 earthquake, and the same region also suffered major damage from other strong earthquakes in the last few centuries. However, despite the large amount of data and studies carried out, our knowledge of the present-day deformation of this area is still debated. While a general consensus has been reached about the kinematics of the 1908 causative fault, less is known about the rate and shape of interseismic loading across the Straits, and debate continues also about the general kinematics and geodynamic framework of this region which are strongly influenced by subduction and retreat of Ionian lithosphere. Thanks to the increasing number of GPS Networks in the study region it is now possible to study both the regional kinematics and strain loading across active faults. In this work we analyze all the observations collected over the Messina non-permanent GPS Network for the 1994-2008 time span, and data from about 600 CGPS stations in the Euro-Mediterranean region, using the GAMIT software. The output of our analysis is a new and denser velocity field, which is used to study the plate kinematics and the rate of interseismic strain building across the Straits. GPS velocities show a sudden change in their orientation across the Straits moving to NNW-ward, in Estern Sicily, to NNE-ward in Western Calabria, depicting this area as a primary boundary between two different tectonic domains. The maximum strain-rates observed across the Straits are about 120 nanostrain/yr, with extension oriented about normal to the coasts of Sicily according to the presence of a normal fault. The measured velocity gradient can be used to model the creeping dislocation at depth, however, over the Messina Straits the interseismic elastic strains accumulating across other nearby active faults can significantly affect the observed velocity gradient.For this reason we investigate, using a regional elastic block-modeling approach, these effects. We use the block model to test for different microplates configurations and to account for nearby active faults while inverting for optimal fault geometry and intersismic slip-rates across the Straits

Kinematics of the Central Mediterranean Plate Boundary, Internal Deformation of Sicily and Interseismic Strain Accumulation Across the Messina Straits

In this work we present a new velocity field, obtained by analyzing continuous GPS (CGPS) stations operating in the Mediterranean area (updated to September 2007)and epoch GPS (EGPS) stations in the 1991-2006 time span, particularly denser in the Iblean plateau and across the Messina Straits

Dynamical system analysis and forecasting of deformation produced by an earthquake fault

We present a method of constructing low-dimensional nonlinear models describing the main dynamical features of a discrete 2D cellular fault zone, with many degrees of freedom, embedded in a 3D elastic solid. A given fault system is characterized by a set of parameters that describe the dynamics, rheology, property disorder, and fault geometry. Depending on the location in the system parameter space we show that the coarse dynamics of the fault can be confined to an attractor whose dimension is significantly smaller than the space in which the dynamics takes place. Our strategy of system reduction is to search for a few coherent structures that dominate the dynamics and to capture the interaction between these coherent structures. The identification of the basic interacting structures is obtained by applying the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) to the surface deformations fields that accompany strike-slip faulting accumulated over equal time intervals. We use a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) architecture for the identification of the system dynamics projected onto the subspace (model space) spanned by the most energetic coherent structures. The ANN is trained using a standard back-propagation algorithm to predict (map) the values of the observed model state at a future time given the observed model state at the present time. This ANN provides an approximate, large scale, dynamical model for the fault.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figure

Numerical Simulation of a Passive Control of the Flow Around an Aerofoil Using a Flexible, Self Adaptive Flaplet

© 2018 The Author(s) Self-activated feathers are used by almost all birds to adapt their wing characteristics to delay stall or to moderate its adverse effects (e.g., during landing or sudden increase in angle of attack due to gusts). Some of the feathers are believed to pop up as a consequence of flow separation and to interact with the flow and produce beneficial modifications of the unsteady vorticity field. The use of self adaptive flaplets in aircrafts, inspired by birds feathers, requires the understanding of the physical mechanisms leading to the mentioned aerodynamic benefits and the determination of the characteristics of optimal flaps including their size, positioning and ideal fabrication material. In this framework, this numerical study is divided in two parts. Firstly, in a simplified scenario, we determine the main characteristics that render a flap mounted on an aerofoil at high angle of attack able to deliver increased lift and improved aerodynamic efficiency, by varying its length, position and its natural frequency. Later on, a detailed direct numerical simulation analysis is used to understand the origin of the aerodynamic benefits introduced by the flaplet movement induced by the interaction with the flow field. The parametric study that has been carried out, reveals that an optimal flap can deliver a mean lift increase of about 20% on a NACA0020 aerofoil at an incidence of 20 o degrees. The results obtained from the direct numerical simulation of the flow field around the aerofoil equipped with the optimal flap at a chord Reynolds number of 2 × 10 4 shows that the flaplet movement is mainly induced by a cyclic passage of a large recirculation bubble on the aerofoil suction side. In turns, when the flap is pushed downward, the induced plane jet displaces the trailing edge vortices further downstream, away from the wing, moderating the downforce generated by those vortices and regularising the shedding cycle that appears to be much more organised when the optimal flaplet configuration is selected

The abundant marine bacterium Pelagibacter simultaneously catabolizes dimethylsulfoniopropionate to the gases dimethyl sulfide and methanethiol

Marine phytoplankton produce ~109 tons of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) per year1,2, an estimated 10% of which is catabolized by bacteria through the DMSP cleavage pathway to the climatically active gas dimethyl sulfide (DMS)3,4. SAR11 Alphaproteobacteria (order Pelagibacterales), the most abundant chemoorganotrophic bacteria in the oceans, have been shown to assimilate DMSP into biomass, thereby supplying this cell’s unusual requirement for reduced sulfur5,6. Here we report that Pelagibacter HTCC1062 produces the gas methanethiol (MeSH) and that simultaneously a second DMSP catabolic pathway, mediated by a cupin-like DMSP lyase, DddK, shunts as much as 59% of DMSP uptake to DMS production. We propose a model in which the allocation of DMSP between these pathways is kinetically controlled to release increasing amounts of DMS as the supply of DMSP exceeds cellular sulfur demands for biosynthesis

Expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammatory lung diseases are a major morbidity factor in children. Therefore, novel strategies for early detection of inflammatory lung diseases are of high interest. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized via Toll-like receptors and CD14. CD14 exists as a soluble (sCD14) and membrane-associated (mCD14) protein, present on the surface of leukocytes. Previous studies suggest sCD14 as potential marker for inflammatory diseases, but their potential role in pediatric lung diseases remained elusive. Therefore, we examined the expression, regulation and significance of sCD14 and mCD14 in pediatric lung diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>sCD14 levels were quantified in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with infective (pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, CF) and non-infective (asthma) inflammatory lung diseases and healthy control subjects by ELISA. Membrane CD14 expression levels on monocytes in peripheral blood and on alveolar macrophages in BALF were quantified by flow cytometry. <it>In vitro </it>studies were performed to investigate which factors regulate sCD14 release and mCD14 expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>sCD14 serum levels were specifically increased in serum of children with pneumonia compared to CF, asthma and control subjects. <it>In vitro</it>, CpG induced the release of sCD14 levels in a protease-independent manner, whereas LPS-mediated mCD14 shedding was prevented by serine protease inhibition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates for the first time the expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases and suggests sCD14 as potential marker for pneumonia in children.</p

Expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammatory lung diseases are a major morbidity factor in children. Therefore, novel strategies for early detection of inflammatory lung diseases are of high interest. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized via Toll-like receptors and CD14. CD14 exists as a soluble (sCD14) and membrane-associated (mCD14) protein, present on the surface of leukocytes. Previous studies suggest sCD14 as potential marker for inflammatory diseases, but their potential role in pediatric lung diseases remained elusive. Therefore, we examined the expression, regulation and significance of sCD14 and mCD14 in pediatric lung diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>sCD14 levels were quantified in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of children with infective (pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, CF) and non-infective (asthma) inflammatory lung diseases and healthy control subjects by ELISA. Membrane CD14 expression levels on monocytes in peripheral blood and on alveolar macrophages in BALF were quantified by flow cytometry. <it>In vitro </it>studies were performed to investigate which factors regulate sCD14 release and mCD14 expression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>sCD14 serum levels were specifically increased in serum of children with pneumonia compared to CF, asthma and control subjects. <it>In vitro</it>, CpG induced the release of sCD14 levels in a protease-independent manner, whereas LPS-mediated mCD14 shedding was prevented by serine protease inhibition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates for the first time the expression, regulation and clinical significance of soluble and membrane CD14 receptors in pediatric inflammatory lung diseases and suggests sCD14 as potential marker for pneumonia in children.</p

Pregnancy as a risk factor for severe influenza infection: an individual participant data meta-analysis

Background: WHO identifies pregnant women to be at increased risk for severe outcomes from influenza virus infections and recommends that they be prioritized for influenza vaccination. The evidence supporting this, however, is inconsistent. Ecologic studies in particular suggest more severe outcomes from influenza infection during pregnancy than studies based on individual patient data. Individual studies however may be underpowered and, as reported in a previous systematic review, confounding factors could not be adjusted for. We therefore conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis to assess the risk for severe outcomes of influenza infection in pregnant women while adjusting for other prognostic factors. Methods: We contacted authors of studies included in a recently published systematic review. We pooled the individual participant data of women of reproductive age and laboratory confirmation of influenza virus infection. We used a generalized linear mixed model and reported odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 33 datasets with data on 186,656 individuals were available, including 36,498 eligible women of reproductive age and known pregnancy status. In the multivariable model, pregnancy was associated with a 7 times higher risk of hospital admission (OR 6.80, 95%CI 6.02–7.68), among patients receiving medical care as in- or outpatients, pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of admission to intensive care units (ICU; OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.48–0.69), and was not significantly associated with death (OR 1.00, 95%CI 0.75–1.34). Conclusions: Our study found a higher risk of influenza associated hospitalization among pregnant women as compared to non-pregnant women. We did not find a higher mortality rate or higher likelihood of ICU admission among pregnant women who sought medical care. However, this study did not address whether a true community based cohort of pregnant women is at higher risk of influenza associated complications.Fil: Mertz, Dominik. Mc Master University; CanadáFil: Lo, Calvin Ka Fung. Mc Master University; CanadáFil: Lytvyn, Lyubov. Mc Master University; CanadáFil: Ortiz, Justin R.. Organizacion Mundial de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Loeb, Mark. Mc Master University; CanadáFil: Ang, Li Wei. Ministry of Health; SingapurFil: Anlikumar, Mehta Asmita. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham; IndiaFil: Bonmarin, Isabelle. Santé publique; FranciaFil: Borja Aburto, Victor Hugo. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social; MéxicoFil: Burgmann, Heinz. Medical University Vienna; AustriaFil: Carratalà, Jordi. Universidad de Barcelona; España. Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge; España. Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases; EspañaFil: Chowell, Gerardo. Georgia State University; Estados Unidos. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Cilloniz, Catia. Universidad de Barcelona; España. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer; EspañaFil: Cohen, Jessica. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados UnidosFil: Cutter, Jeffery. Ministry of Health; SingapurFil: Filleul, Laurent. Santé publique; Francia. French National Public Health Agency; FranciaFil: Garg, Shikha. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados UnidosFil: Geis, Steffen. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Reino UnidoFil: Helferty, Melissa. Public Health Agency; CanadáFil: Huang, Wan Ting. Taiwan Centers for Disease Control; ChinaFil: Jain, Seema. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Estados UnidosFil: Sevic, Biljana Joves. Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina; SerbiaFil: Kelly, Paul. Australian Capital Territory Health Directorate; Australia. Australian National University Medical School; AustraliaFil: Kusznierz, Gabriela. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias; ArgentinaFil: Lehners, Nicola. Ruprecht Karls Universitat Heidelberg; AlemaniaFil: Lenzi, Luana. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Ling, Ivan T.. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; AustraliaFil: Mitchell, Robyn. Public Health Agency; CanadáFil: Mulrennan, Siobhain A.. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; Canadá. University of Western Australia; AustraliaFil: Nishioka, Sergio A.. Ministerio de Salud de Brasil; BrasilFil: Norton, Robert. Townsville Hospital; AustraliaFil: Oh, Won Sup. Kangwon National University School of Medicine; Corea del SurFil: Orellano, Pablo Wenceslao. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin