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The densely inhabited area of Naples (Italy), between the Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio volcanoes, is one of the most hazardous regions in the world. After two decades of sustained subsidence, Campi Flegrei has been experiencing an accelerating uplift since 2005. The uplift is currently associated with unusual seismicity and increased degassing. To try to identify the cause of the shift from subsidence to uplift and explore any connection between Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio, we analysed the ground displacement time series of the two volcanoes from 1993 to 2010, obtained from ERS/ENVISAT Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery. To distinguish between the various sources of deformation, we used simple scatter plots and a blind source separation technique called variational Bayesian independent component analysis (vbICA). We obtained consistent results using both approaches. Specifically, with vbICA, we identified two significant independent components (ICs). IC1 describes the subsidence that occurred at Campi Flegrei prior to 2000, including the mini-uplifts of 2000 and 2005, and part of the post-2005 uplift. The expansion and contraction of two volumes beneath Campi Flegrei satisfy IC1: a sill-shaped volume at a depth of approximately 3 km and a small volume at a depth of 1–2 km, respectively. The two sources of deformation reproduce the large-scale deformation in the Campi Flegrei area and the local deformation in the Solfatara area, respectively. In the Campi Flegrei area, IC2 exhibits primarily uplift, which is concentrated in the eastern part of the caldera. The deformation pattern is complex and difficult to interpret. If we model it using simple spheroidal deformation sources, the pattern suggests that two volumes at depths of approximately 9 and 8 km are experiencing opposite activity, namely contraction (beneath the southwestern part of the caldera) and expansion (beneath the central part of the caldera). In the Vesuvio area, IC2 is consistent with the deformation induced by the contraction of a volume at a depth of around 9 km. The contraction beneath Vesuvio is smaller in magnitude than the expansion/contraction beneath Campi Flegrei. The correlation observed after 2002 between uplift at Campi Flegrei and subsidence at Vesuvio suggests the transfer of magma and/or magmatic fluids between the two plumbing systems at 8–9 km depth. This implies that part of the ongoing unrest at Campi Flegrei may have been promoted by mass transfer from below Vesuvio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio volcanoes are only about 25 km apart, located on opposite sides of the densely inhabited area of Naples (Italy). Since neighbouring volcanoes may influence each other's activity, it is of great interest to identify signs of any mutual interaction between Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio, or at least note coincidences in their recent deformation dynamics. After a large uplift, Campi Flegrei was generally subsiding from 1985 to 2001, while it has been uplifting—probably driven by deep magma inflation—at an accelerating rate since then. Here, we analysed the ground displacement in the whole Vesuvian area and its surroundings around the early 2000s using 1993–2010 ERS/ENVISAT ascending- and descending-orbit line-of-sight displacements obtained through the Small BAseline Subset Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry technique. Although ground deformation is slow—a few millimetres per year—Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis shows a sudden trend change around 2001. Pre-2001 velocity maps confirm previously published results: subsidence mainly occurred inside the caldera rim—probably because of the sliding and compaction of young incoherent materials—and in a few spots around 10 km from the summital crater; eastward displacement occurred in a lobe east of Vesuvio, and westward displacement occurred in a lobe west of Vesuvio, as in the case of the spreading of the volcanic edifice and/or extensional tectonics. We attribute the subsidence spots to the previous high local number of new buildings per year. Post-2002 velocity maps provide evidence of a very different scenario: general subsidence in the whole Vesuvian area, westward displacement in a lobe east of Vesuvio, and eastward displacement in a lobe west of Vesuvio. This last arrangement of the ground displacement field is made even clearer by subtracting the post-2002 velocity from the pre-2001 value. The results of our analyses are consistent with the deflation of a deep pressurised source. Additionally, Vesuvio's deep seismicity decreased at the beginning of 2002. The coincidence between the transition from deflation to inflation at Campi Flegrei and the onset of deflation below Vesuvio may suggest the possible transfer of magma and/or magmatic fluids between the two plumbing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the characteristics of a volcanic system is always important and becomes crucial when the volcano is in pluri-decadal unrest and located in a densely populated area, such as Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Ground deformation is a powerful source of information for studying the activity of magmatic sources and hydrothermal systems, even when difficult to detect otherwise. Here, we use ground displacement from ERS-ENVISAT and Sentinel-1A SAR images to investigate the 1993–2000 subsidence and part (2015–2022) of the present unrest. For each of the two time periods, we combine the line-of-sight displacements to obtain vertical and eastward displacements, and apply the empirical orthogonal function analysis to these latter time series—treated as a single data set—to decompose space-time fields into separated modes, consisting of uncorrelated spatial patterns and associated temporal evolutions. We only retain the first mode, since it captures the main deformation during both investigated periods, is the sole mode related to long-lasting (years) processes, and is less affected by noise than original data. Our analyses: (i) Confirm that most of the deformation is related to the activity of a 3–4 km deep sill-like source, which is inflated by magma and/or magmatic fluids during periods of unrest and deflates during periods of subsidence; (ii) Evidence ongoing deformation linked to local fluid migration in the Solfatara area; (iii) Identify persistent deformation features where peculiar fluid migration processes occurred during the 1982–1984 unrest; (iv) Most importantly, provide direct evidence of deep magma inflation at least since 2015, thus giving a strong warning of increasing risk at Campi Flegrei. Results demonstrate the capability of our approach to disclose hardly detectable processes and suggest a tool to monitor the activity of the deep magmatic source. Our approach can be useful also in other volcanic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of hydrology‐associated deformation spans from the study of the rock hydrological properties and aquifer dynamics to the identification of geological disaster precursors. We analyze a comprehensive set of hydrology‐associated deformation signals, recorded by two underground 70 m long strainmeters (GAL16 and LAB780) operating under the Central Pyrenees (Spain) from the end of 2011 to the end of 2018. The two strainmeters measure extensional strain at the picostrain (10−12) level along two nearly orthogonal horizontal directions. Sign (compression or extension along any of the two directions), size, and time evolution of hydrology‐associated deformation vary considerably from season to season. We identify four classes of signals, related to summer rainfalls (producing compression along both GAL16 and LAB780), late‐spring and autumn rainfalls (producing extension along GAL16 and compression along LAB780), snow melting (producing opposite diurnal cycles along GAL16 and LAB780), and winter snowfalls (producing extension along both GAL16 and LAB780). Similar precipitations of the same class can give rise to differently sized signals; differences may be due to infiltration and/or surface load inhomogeneities as well as to complexities of the underground hydrogeological set up, which can lead to nonlinear, intrinsically time‐dependent, responses. Our modeling sheds light on the diverse effects associated with different environmental conditions. The variety of hydrology‐associated deformation we report is warning for the interpretation of all kinds of deformation data, as for their difficult modeling, the causative physical mechanisms, and the extreme care that is needed when removing hydrologically induced effects. Our insights are particularly useful in mountain areas. Key Points: Four classes of hydrology‐associated deformation signals are clearly visible in the records by two underground high‐sensitivity strainmetersSign (compression/extension), size, and timing of deformation (related to rainfalls, snowfalls, and snow melting) vary from season to seasonDeformation is probably caused by either snow load or infiltration and subsequent groundwater push by the karst aquifer on impermeable rock [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth deformation at the diurnal tidal frequencies includes the resonant tidal-forcing response caused by the Free Core Nutation (FCN), a retrograde mode related to the slight misalignment of the rotation axes of the outer core and mantle. We analyse data from four underground high-sensitivity laser extensometers, whose signal-to-noise ratio in the diurnal tidal band is particularly high, and provide an alternative independent estimate of the FCN complex frequency with respect to more usual techniques (nutation and gravity). Firstly, we differentiate displacements due to diurnal solid tides to obtain extension along any azimuthal direction in terms of three complex parameters (A, S, C) which depend on latitude and frequency. Then, we demonstrate that we can invert the FCN complex frequency and the sensitivity of Im(A) and Re(S) to the resonance from our data. Lastly we obtain the probability distributions of those four parameters. Our results are in full agreement with those from nutation and gravity, as well as with reference IERS (International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service) values. Sensitivities of Im(A) and Re(S) to the resonance are estimated here for the first time and are in agreement with values computed using reference Love and Shida numbers from IERS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognized that monocytes-macrophages adopt a wide variety of phenotypes, influencing the inflammatory activity and demyelination in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, how the phenotype of human monocytes evolves in the course of MS is largely unknown. The aim of our preliminary study was to analyse in monocytes of relapsing-remitting and progressive forms of MS patients the expression of a set of miRNAs which impact monocyte-macrophage immune function and their communication with brain cells. Quantitative PCR showed that miRNAs with anti-inflammatory functions, which promote pro-regenerative polarization, are increased in MS patients, while pro-inflammatory miR-155 is downregulated in the same patients. These changes may indicate the attempt of monocytes to counteract neuroinflammation. miR-124, an anti-inflammatory marker but also of myeloid cell quiescence was strongly downregulated, especially in progressive MS patients, suggesting complete loss of homeostatic monocyte function in the progressive disease phase. Profiling of miRNAs that control monocyte polarization may help to define not only the activation state of monocytes in the course of the disease but also novel pathogenic mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leukocyte trafficking is a key event during autoimmune and inflammatory responses. The subarachnoid space (SAS) and cerebrospinal fluid are major routes for the migration of encephalitogenic T cells into the central nervous system (CNS) during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis, and are sites of T cell activation before the invasion of CNS parenchyma. In particular, autoreactive Th1 and Th17 cell trafficking and reactivation in the CNS are required for the pathogenesis of EAE. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling T cell dynamics during EAE are unclear. We used two-photon laser microscopy to show that autoreactive Th1 and Th17 cells display distinct motility behavior within the SAS in the spinal cords of mice immunized with the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide MOG35−55. Th1 cells showed a strong directional bias at the disease peak, moving in a straight line and covering long distances, whereas Th17 cells exhibited more constrained motility. The dynamics of both Th1 and Th17 cells were strongly affected by blocking the integrin LFA-1, which interfered with the deformability and biomechanics of Th1 but not Th17 cells. The intrathecal injection of a blocking anti-LFA-1 antibody at the onset of disease significantly inhibited EAE progression and also strongly reduced neuro-inflammation in the immunized mice. Our results show that LFA-1 plays a pivotal role in T cell motility during EAE and suggest that interfering with the molecular mechanisms controlling T cell motility can help to reduce the pathogenic potential of autoreactive lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caldera unrest is often caused by kilometer‐sized kilometer‐deep sills. Still unanswered questions include the following: How do sills spread? Why can magma propagate for kilometers without solidifying? Why do ground deformation data rarely, if ever, detect sill propagation? We show that kilometer‐sized kilometer‐deep magmatic sills spread like hydraulic fractures in an infinite medium. How magma propagates depends on overburden pressure, magma viscosity, injection rate, and difference between magma and rock temperatures. A small lag, filled with vapors from the fluid and/or the rock, exists between the propagating magma and fracture fronts. If the sill spreads along an interface, the lag slightly affects isothermal sill spreading but takes a key role in the case of nonisothermal propagation: A sill would stop after few tens of meters without it, unless magma intrudes rocks that are as hot as the solidification temperature or has unrealistic overpressures, because spreading velocity decreases soon to the critical value at which the tip becomes blocked with solidified magma. The lag defers magma solidification as heat exchange between the magma and the rock is effective only behind the thermal‐insulating lag, where magma has some finite thickness and sill opening grows with distance from the tip faster than thickness of solidified magma. Thus, the critical velocity decreases, allowing greater maximum sill sizes. We also show that the ground deformation pattern does not change appreciably over time if the final sill radius is smaller than 2 to 3 km, explaining why deformation is usually attributed to the inflation of a stationary source. Plain Language Summary: Quick eruption of large magma volumes may cause subsidence and form a caldera. Although calderas are particularly active dangerous volcanoes, many urban areas are located nearby or within them. Calderas often suffer unrest, defined by ground deformation, enhanced seismicity, and increased degassing: Sometimes unrest leads to eruption, at other times it does not. Caldera unrest is often attributed to the emplacement and inflation of a kilometer‐sized flat magmatic intrusion (sill) at few‐kilometer depth; remarkable examples are Fernandina and Sierra Negra (Galápagos), Kilauea south caldera (Hawaii), and Campi Flegrei (Italy). The mechanism controlling magmatic sill formation is under investigation since at least half a century, but important questions are still unanswered, among which are the following: How do sills spread? Why can magma propagate for kilometers without solidifying? Why do ground deformation data rarely, if ever, detect sill propagation, while they usually evidence inflation? We modeled sill spreading and found that kilometer‐sized sills do not require high rock temperatures and/or injection rates to form: A small thermal‐insulating lag, located between the propagating magma and fracture fronts and filled with vapors from the magma and/or the rock, delays magma solidification and allows sill spreading for kilometers. Key Points: Kilometer‐sized kilometer‐deep magmatic sills spread in homogeneous rock or along a rock interface like hydraulic fractures in an infinite mediumThe small lag between the magma and fracture fronts slightly affects spreading velocity but greatly defers stopping by magma solidificationFor sill radii shorter than 2–3 km, the ground deformation pattern is about constant during spreading, as for a stationary inflating source [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles including microvesicles and exosomes which differ in their distinct size, density, biogenesis, and content. Until recently, EVs were considered as simply scrap products. Nowadays, they are engendering huge interest and their shedding plays a well-recognized role in intercellular communication, not only participating in many physiological processes, but also suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The present review aims to summarize the latest updates on immune cell-derived EVs, focusing on the current status of knowledge in Multiple Sclerosis. Significant progress has been made on their physical and biological characterization even though many aspects remain unclear and need to be addressed. However, it is worth further investigating in order to deepen the knowledge of this unexplored and fascinating field that could lead to intriguing findings in the evaluation of EVs as biomarkers in monitoring the course of diseases and the response to treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two laser strainmeters are being operated in the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC, Central Pyrenees, Spain) at about 350 m depth. One of the two laser strainmeters (GAL16, striking 76o) is located about 670 m from the Spanish entrance of a decommissioned train tunnel, along the side wall of one of the bypasses connecting a recent highway tunnel to the train tunnel. The other strainmeter (LAB780, striking −32o) is located about 780 m from the Spanish entrance of the train tunnel, inside two narrow side halls parallel to and built at the same time as the train tunnel. Their mechanical and optical setups derive from a previous installation at Gran Sasso, Italy, with some changes and improvements. Here we show the main instrument features in the frequency range of 100-0.001 mHz. At frequencies lower than 4 mHz, strain noise compares well with the best laser strainmeters made till now, while at higher frequencies strain noise is higher than at Kamioka, Japan, probably because of frequency instabilities of the laser source. Environmental (air temperature and pressure) effects on measured strain are quite small; thus, signal-to-noise ratio in the tidal bands is unusually high. In particular, diurnal Ψ1 and Φ1 tides clearly emerge from noise even using a 2-year-long strain record, giving the opportunity to improve previous determinations of the Free Core Nutation parameters from strain data as soon as more data are acquired. The features of the LSC strainmeters allow investigating the Earth in a very broad frequency range, with a signal-to-noise ratio as good as or better than that of the best laser strainmeters in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoparticles originated from different cell types, seem to be implicated in several cellular activities. In the Central Nervous System (CNS), glia and neurons secrete EVs and recent studies have demonstrated that the intercellular communication mediated by EVs has versatile functional impact in the cerebral homeostasis. This essential role may be due to their proteins and RNAs cargo that possibly modify the phenotypes of the targeted cells. Despite the increasing importance of EVs, little is known about their fluctuations in physiological as well as in pathological conditions. Furthermore, only few studies have investigated the contents of contemporary EVs subgroups (microvesicles, MVs and exosomes, EXOs) with the purpose of discriminating between their features and functional roles. In order to possibly shed light on these issues, we performed a pilot study in which MVs and EXOs extracted from serum samples of a little cohort of subjects (patients with the first clinical evidence of CNS demyelination, also known as Clinically Isolated Syndrome and Healthy Controls) were submitted to deep small-RNA sequencing. Data were analysed by an in-home bioinformatics platform. In line with previous reports, distinct classes of non-coding RNAs have been detected in both the EVs subsets, offering interesting suggestions on their origins and functions. We also verified the feasibility of this extensive molecular approach, thus supporting its valuable use for the analysis of circulating biomarkers (e.g., microRNAs) in order to investigate and monitor specific diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microvesicles (MVs) are released by immune cells especially of the myeloid lineage upon stimulation with ATP on its cognate receptor P2X7, both in physiological and pathological conditions. In multiple sclerosis (MS) the role of MVs remains little investigated. We aimed to compare the release of MVs in peripheral blood monocytes from MS patients with healthy donors (HDs) and to see how current MS treatment may affect such a production. We also assessed the treatment effect on M1 and M2 monocyte p olarization and on the inflammasome components. Spectrophotometric quantification was performed to compare monocyte-derived MVs from 20 untreated relapsing-remitting MS patients and 20 HDs and to evaluate the effect of different treatments. Subgroups of nine interferon-beta and of five teriflunomide-treated MS patients were evaluated at baseline and after 2, 6, and 12 months of treatment. Six MS patients taking Fingolimod, after switching from a first-line therapy, were included in the study and analyzed only at 12 months of treatment. MVs analysis revealed that monocytes from MS patients produced vesicles in higher amounts than controls. All treatments reduced vesicle production but only teriflunomide was associated with a downregulation of purinergic P2X7 receptor and inflammasome components expression. The therapies modulated mRNA expression of both M1 and M2 monocyte markers. Our results, suggesting new molecular targets for drugs currently used in MS, may potentially provide useful novel evidence to approach the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mw = 6·3 L'Aquila earthquake on 6 April 2009 produced a mainshock that caused significant changes in the hydrogeology of the Gran Sasso carbonate fractured aquifer: (i) the sudden disappearance at the time of the mainshock of some springs located exactly along the surface trace of the Paganica normal fault (PF); (ii) an immediate increase in the discharge of the Gran Sasso highway tunnel drainages and of other springs and (iii) a progressive increase of the water table elevation at the boundary of the Gran Sasso aquifer during the following months. Using the data collected since the 1990s that include aftershock monitoring as well as data regarding spring discharge, water table elevations, turbidity and rainfall events, a conceptual model of the earthquake's consequences on the Gran Sasso aquifer is proposed herein. In this model that excludes the contribution of seasonal recharge, the short-term hydrologic effects registered immediately after the mainshock are determined to have been caused by a pore pressure increase related to aquifer deformation. Mid-term effects observed in the months following the mainshock suggest that there was a change in groundwater hydrodynamics. Supplementary groundwater that flows towards aquifer boundaries and springs in discharge areas reflects a possible increase in hydraulic conductivity in the recharge area, nearby the earthquake fault zone. This increase can be attributed to fracture clearing and/or dilatancy. Simulations by numerical modelling, related to pore pressure and permeability changes with time, show results in accordance with observed field data, supporting the conceptual model and confirming the processes that influenced the answer of the Gran Sasso aquifer to the L'Aquila earthquake. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate knowledge of snow cover extent, depth (SD), and water equivalent is essential for studying the global water cycle, climate, and energy–mass exchange in the Earth–atmosphere system, as well as for water resources management. Ratio between SAR cross- and co-polarization backscattering ( σ V H / σ V V ) was used to monitor SD during snowy months in mountain areas; however, published results refer to short periods and show lack of correlation during non-snowy months. We analyze Sentinel-1A images from a study area in Central Pyrenees to generate and investigate (i) time series of σ V H / σ V V spatial dispersion, (ii) spatial distribution of pixelwise σ V H / σ V V temporal standard deviation, and (iii) fundamental modes of σ V H / σ V V evolution by non-negative matrix factorization. The spatial dispersion evolution and the first mode are highly correlated (correlation coefficients larger than 0.9) to SD evolution during the whole seven-year-long period, including snowy and non-snowy months. The local incidence angle strongly affects how accurately σ V H / σ V V locally follows the first mode; thus, areas where it predominates are orbit-dependent. When combining ascending- and descending-orbit images in a single data matrix, the first mode becomes predominant almost everywhere snow pack persists during winter. Capability of our approach to reproduce SD evolution makes it a very effective tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the removing tidal and atmospheric effects from earth deformation measurements. Development of numerical procedure for removing tidal and atmospheric effects from earth deformation; Use of the method to manage semi-automatically sequences; Effectiveness of the non-harmonic method for the analysis and prediction of oceanic tide.

Describes the operation of a geophysical interferometer installed beside the Gran Sasso Tunnel on the highway connecting Rome to Teramo in Central Italy and in the vicinity of an underground laboratory for Particle Physics and Astrophysics. Description of the apparatus; Optical setup of the interferometer; Retrieval of tidal frequencies.

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Background Recent findings suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU). It has been demonstrated that desloratadine has an antioxidant activity in vitro. We evaluated the effects of desloratadine on markers of oxidative stress in patients with CIU. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 10 patients with CIU before and after 4 weeks of treatment with desloratadine. Blood samples from 10 healthy volunteers were used as controls. In platelets from both patients and controls, radical oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using spectrofluorimetric detection of dichloro-fluorescein oxidation, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined by means of the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Results Radical oxygen species concentrations and SOD activity were significantly elevated in patients with CIU at baseline as compared with control subjects. Treatment with desloratadine caused a relevant reduction of ROS levels and SOD activity ( P < 0.005). Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that desloratadine exerts antioxidant effects also in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts to improve the SOPRA DMDP2000 spectrometer by a Michelson interferometer. Technical description of the SOPRA DMDP2000.

Investigates the spectroscopic measurement on gases for atmospheric sciences purposes using a long-base-line multiple reflection cell. Range of the optical path; Performance of tests of the instrument by measuring the Rayleigh cross section of molecular nitrogen.

Reports on findings from the authors' cumulative experience in the management of seborrhoeic dermatitis with intermittent treatment with oral terbinafine. Improvement in signs and symptoms following treatment; Possible explanations for the absence of an acute exacerbation of symptoms.

Discusses the case of a 36-year-old female patient presenting with contact dermatitis as a result of wearing rhodium-plated 'nickel-free' earrings. Clinical signs and symptoms; Results of patch testing; Background on the rhodium metal.