Drivers for universities’ contribution to the sustainable development goals: An analysis of Spanish public universities

Universities have a critical role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both for implementing active policies and for encouraging other actors to participate. This requires having the skills and mind-sets to contribute to these challenges. The relevance and the commitment of universities to sustainability has led to the inclusion of SDGs in the strategies and agendas of these institutions. This requires the involvement of all the actors and some structural and cultural changes that put SDGs at the core of the governance and management of the university, embracing all the stakeholders. Various internal and external factors may influence the impact and success of the policies and activities aiming at achieving the SDGs, both from an overall perspective and for individual SDGs. This paper assesses the influence of some internal factors, such as the presence of universities on the internet, the level of internationalization or the availability of financial resources. Through both regression analyses and the Gephi method, our results confirm the importance of the presence on the internet, the internationalization of the university and the financial resources for research and infrastructure received from regional governments for Spanish public universities to make a greater contribution to SDGs

The relationship between thyroid disorders and vitamin A. A narrative minireview

: The terms "vitamin A" and "retinoids" encompass a group of fat-soluble compounds essential for human nutrition. Some of them (retinol, retinal, 9-cis-retinoic acid, tretinoin, and 13-cis-retinoic acid) are fully natural, while others are synthetic compounds used mostly for therapeutic purposes. Some evidence indicates that the nutritional status of these retinoids (i.e., the presence or absence of deficiency) is able to modulate thyroid gland metabolism. Vitamin A deficiency is tightly correlated with structural and functional impairment of the thyroid gland and is often associated with iodine deficiency. Furthermore, retinoids are involved in different immune functions, as well as in the process of activation, proliferation, and differentiation of regulatory T cells (Treg). This is particularly significant given the high prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disorders, whose pathogenesis seems to be related to the altered homeostasis of regulatory T cells. Retinoids are also involved in the modulation of gene expression via their interaction with nuclear receptors, and they also act as cofactors in cell growth and differentiation. The ability of retinoic acid to increase iodine uptake and sodium-iodine symporter activity in human thyroid cancer cell lines suggests that some retinoids and their derivatives may be of use in the treatment of different thyroid tumors. This minireview summarizes the current knowledge on the link between nutritional intake of vitamin A and various thyroid disorders

Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids from the eastern sector of the Sabatini Volcanic District (central Italy).

This study reports a complete geochemical dataset of 215 water and 9 gas samples collected in 2015 from thermal and cold discharges located in the eastern sector of the Sabatini Volcanic District (SVD), Italy. Based on these data, two main aquifers were recognized, as follows: 1) a cold Ca-HCO3 to Ca(Na)-HCO3 aquifer related to a shallow circuit within Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic and sedimentary formations and 2) a deep CO2-pressurized aquifer hosted in Mesozoic carbonate-evaporitic rocks characterized by a Ca- HCO3(SO4) to Na(Ca)-HCO3(Cl) composition. A thick sequence of low-permeability formations represents a physical barrier between the two reservoirs. Interaction of the CO2-rich gas phase with the shallow aquifer, locally producing high-TDS and low-pH cold waters, is controlled by fractures and faults related to buried horst-graben structures. The d18O-H2O and dD-H2O values indicate meteoric water as the main source for both the shallow and deep reservoirs. Carbon dioxide, which is characterized by d13C-CO2 values ranging from 4.7 to þ1.0‰ V-PDB, is mostly produced by thermo-metamorphic decarbonation involving Mesozoic rock formations, masking possible CO2 contribution from mantle degassing. The relatively low R/Ra values (0.07e1.04) indicate dominant crustal He, with a minor mantle He contribution. The CO2/3He ratios, up to 6 1012, support a dominant crustal source for these two gases. The d34SH2S values (from þ9.3 to þ11.3‰ V-CDT) suggests that H2S is mainly related to thermogenic reduction of Triassic anhydrites. The d13C-CH4 and dD-CH4 values (from 33.4 to 24.9‰ V-PDB and from 168 to 140‰ V-SMOW, respectively) and the relatively low C1/C2þ ratios (<100) are indicative of a prevailing CH4 production through thermogenic degradation of organic matter. The low N2/Ar and high N2/ He ratios, as well as the 40Ar/36Ar ratios (<305) close to atmospheric ratio, suggest that both N2 and Ar mostly derive from air. Notwithstanding, the positive d15N-N2 values (from þ0.91 to þ3.7‰ NBS air) point to a significant extra-atmospheric N2 contribution. Gas geothermometry in the CH4-CO2-H2 and H2S-CO2-H2 systems indicate equilibrium temperatures <200 C, i.e. lower than those measured in deep geothermal wells (~300 C), due to either an incomplete attainment of the chemical equilibria or secondary processes (dilution and/or scrubbing) affecting the chemistry of the uprising fluids. Although the highly saline Na-Cl fluids discharged from the explorative geothermal wells in the study area support the occurrence of a well-developed hydrothermal reservoir suitable for direct exploitation, the chemistry of the fluid discharges highlights that the uprising hydrothermal fluids are efficiently cooled and diluted by the meteoric water recharge from the nearby Apennine sedimentary belt. This explains the different chemical and isotopic features shown by the fluids from the eastern and western sectors of SVD, respectively, the latter being influenced by this process at a lesser extent. Direct uses may be considered a valid alternative for the exploitation of this resource.Published187-2016A. Geochimica per l'ambiente2IT. Laboratori sperimentali e analitici1VV. AltroJCR Journa

Diagnostic efficacy of the ELISA test for the detection of deamidated anti-gliadin peptide antibodies in the diagnosis and monitoring of celiac disease

Volcano plot of differential gene expression in IZE_Suc vs IZE, ZE_5w vs IZE_Suc and SE_5w vs IZE. (DOCX 256 kb

Plume composition and volatile flux of Nyamulagira volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo, during birth and evolution of the lava lake, 2014–2015

Very little is known about the volatile element makeup of the gaseous emissions of Nyamulagira volcano. This paper tries to fill this gap by reporting the first gas composition measurements of Nyamulagira’s volcanic plume since the onset of its lava lake activity at the end of 2014. Two field surveys were carried out on 1 November 2014, and 13–15 October 2015. We applied a broad toolbox of volcanic gas composition measurement techniques in order to geochemically characterize Nyamulagira’s plume. Nyamulagira is a significant emitter of SO2, and our measurements confirm this, as we recorded SO2 emissions of up to ~ 14 kt/d during the studied period. In contrast to neighbouring Nyiragongo volcano, however, Nyamulagira exhibits relatively low CO2/SO2 molar ratios ( 92%of total gas emissions). Strong variations in the volatile composition, in particular for the CO2/SO2 ratio, were measured between 2014 and 2015, which appear to reflect the simultaneous variations in volcanic activity.We also determined the molar ratios for Cl/S, F/S and Br/S in the plume gas, finding values of 0.13 and 0.17, 0.06 and 0.11, and 2.3·10−4 and 1·10−4, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. A total gas emission flux of 48 kt/ d was estimated for 2014. The I/S ratio in 2015 was found to be 3.6·10−6. In addition, we were able to distinguish between hydrogen halides and non-hydrogen halides in the volcanic plume. Considerable amounts of bromine (18–35% of total bromine) and iodine (8–18%of total iodine) were found in compounds other than hydrogen halides. However, only a negligible fraction of chlorine was found as compounds other than hydrogen chloride.Published905V. Dinamica dei processi eruttivi e post-eruttiviJCR Journa

Plume composition and volatile flux from Nyamulagira volcano

Nyamulagira, in the Virunga volcanic province (VVP), Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. The volcano is located about 25 km north-northwest of Lake Kivu in the Western Branch of the East African Rift System (EARS). The activity is characterized by frequent eruptions (on average, one eruption every 2–4 years) which occur both from the summit crater and from the flanks (31 flank eruptions over the last 110 years). Due to the peculiar low viscosity of its lava and its location in the floor of the rift, Nyamulagira morphology is characterized by a wide lava field that covers over 1100 km2 and contains more than 100 flank cones. Indeed, Nyamulagira is a SiO2- undersaturated and alkali-rich basaltic shield volcano with a 3058 m high summit caldera with an extension of about 2 km in diameter. In November 2014 a field expedition was carried out at Nyamulagira volcano and we report here the first assessment of the plume composition and volatile flux from Nyamulagira volcano. Helicopter flights and field observations allowed us to recognize the presence of lava fountains inside an about 350-meter wide pit crater. The lava fountains originated from an extended area of about 20 to 40 m2, in the northeast sector of the central caldera. A second smaller source, close to the previous described one, was clearly visible with vigorous spattering activity. There was no evidence of a lave lake but the persistence of intense activity and the geometry of the bottom of the caldera might evolve in a new lava lake. Using a variety of in situ and remote sensing techniques, we determined the bulk plume concentrations of major volatiles, halogens and trace elements. We deployed a portable MultiGAS station at the rim of Nyamulagira crater, measuring (at 0.5 Hz for about 3 hours) the concentrations of major volcanogenic gas species in the plume (H2O, CO2, SO2, H2S). Simultaneously, scanning differential optical absorption spectroscopy instruments were applied inside the crater as well as downwind the volcano and active alkaline traps (Raschig-Tube and Drechsel bottle) were exposed. The alkaline solution traps acidic species (CO2, SO2, H2S, HCl, HF, HBr, HI) due to the acid-base reactions. Moreover, filter packs technique have also been used to collect both the volatile phase of the plume (sulphur and halogen species) and the particulate phase (major and trace metals) emitted from the volcano. These new results will add to our lacking knowledge of volcanic degassing in VVP, and will increase constraints on the abundances and origins of volatiles from the mantle source which feeds volcanism in the western branch of the EARS

Environmental impact of volcanic emissions at Nyiragongo (DRC)

The large amount of trace elements emitted from volcanoes has a strong impact on the close surrounding areas. Nyiragongo Volcano (Democratic Republic of Congo) belongs to the Virunga volcanic chain and is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. It is characterized by the presence of an active and permanent lava lake with a persistent degassing activity. During a field trip in October-November 2014, we investigated the impact of the volcanogenic deposition in the surrounding of the crater by using different sampling techniques. Rain-gauges were used to collect atmospheric bulk deposition. Active and passive biomonitoring techniques (moss-bags and leaves of endemic plants – Senecio spp. and Amarantus viridis) were applied in order to investigate the dispersion of volcanic gas and particle emissions. We collected daily rainfall events at various sites: seven samples at the crater rim (on the western and southern side, 3470 m a.s.l.), one sample at the village Kibati (south-eastern flank, 1955 m a.s.l.) located at the up-wind base of the volcano (representing the local background), and four samples in the city of Goma (southern flank of the volcano, 1500 m a.s.l.). In order to implement our dataset, several samples of rainwater, amaranth leaves, soils and atmospheric depositions (by moss-bags and filters exposition) were sampled after the field trip by the researchers of the Goma Volcano Observatory (GVO). Since, the prevalent wind direction was blowing the plume in westerly or southwesterly direction, we exposed the raingauges in the villages of Bulengo, Rusayo and Kingi in the southwestern side respect to the volcano, and Kibumba in the southesthern as a background site, at increasing distance from the rim. In the same sites, leaves of Amarantus viridis, which is one of the principal vegetables eaten by the local population, were collected. Rainwater, moss bags and plant samples were analyzed for major and trace elements by IC, ICP-OES and ICP-MS. The large amount of emitted volcanic gases and particles includes sulfur, halogens and trace elements, that strongly affect rainwater chemistry and have a widespread impact on the surrounding vegetation of the volcano. Indeed, rainwater samples collected at the rim of the crater have low pH values (_ 3), high concentration of F- and Cl- (up to 12.0 and 12.8 mg/l, respectively) and dissolved toxic elements (such as Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe and Pb), whereas samples from the city of Goma have pH values above 5 and the same elements show orders of magnitude lower concentrations. The biomonitoring results highlight that bioaccumulation of trace elements is extremely high in the proximity of the crater rim and decreases with the distance from the active craters. The data will be compared to earlier measurements taken in December 2011 and the impact of a slightly decreasing gas emission on the vegetation will be discussed

Plume composition changes during the birth of a new lava lake - Nyamulagira volcano, DR Congo

Nyamulagira, in the Virunga Volcanic Province (VVP), Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. The volcano is located about 25 km north-northwest of Lake Kivu in the Western Branch of the East African Rift System (EARS) with a distance of only 15 km to Nyiragongo, which is well known for its decades-old active lava lake. Nyamulagira is a shield volcano with a 3058 m high and 2000 m wide summit caldera. The volcano is characterized by frequent eruptions, which occur both from the summit crater and from the flanks (31 flank eruptions over the last 110 years). Due to the low viscosity lava, although significantly higher than the one of Nyiragongo, wide lava fields cover over 1100 km2 and lava flows often reach > 20 km length. More than 100 flank cones can be counted around the summit crater. A part from its frequent eruptions Nyamulagira had a long period of lava lake activity in the past, at least from 1912 to 1938. During the past decades, gas emissions from Nyamulagira have been only reported during eruptions. This changed in 2012, however, when Nyamulagira began emitting a persistent gas plume above its crater. By the end of 2014, and beginning in 2015, a lava lake was born, a feature that\u2014as of the time of this writing\u2014is still growing. To date, very little is known about gas emissions of Nyamulagira volcano with the only exception for SO2. Very few studies have been conducted regarding the volatile chemistry of Nyamulagira. We try to fill this gap by reporting gas composition measurements of Nyamulagira\u2019s volcanic plume during the birth of the lava lake, and in the first year of the lake\u2019s activity. Two field surveys have been carried out, the first one on November 1st, 2014 and the second one October 13th \u2013 15th, 2015. Applying the broad toolbox of volcanic gas composition measurement techniques offered us the opportunity to characterize Nyamulagira\u2019s plume in excruciating detail. Nyamulagira is known to be a significant emitter of SO2 but shows, perhaps counterintuitively, low CO2/SO2 ratios (min. CO2/SO2 below 0.4). In contrast to Nyiragongo the H2O contribution to the volatile budget of Nyamulagira is high (> 92 % of total gas emissions in 2014). We further determined that molar plume gas ratios of Cl/S, F/S and Br/S all decreased by a factor of two or even more between 2014 and 2015. We will discuss the changes of plume composition in the light of the visually observed evolution of the lava lake and an interpretation on the volcanic system is attempted