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Aiming at understanding the source of the fluids that mineralizing within seismically active fault zones, we investigate the noble gas isotopes (i.e., helium (He), neon (Ne), and argon (Ar)) in the fluid inclusions (FIs) trapped in the calcite veins sampled along high‐angle fault zones of the Contursi hydrothermal basin, southern Italy. The latter basin lies in close vicinity of the MW = 6.9, 1980 Irpinia earthquake and exposes numerous fault scarps dissecting Mesozoic shallow‐water carbonates. The analyses of noble gases (He, Ne, Ar) are conducted to identify the origin of the volatiles circulating along the faults at the time of calcite precipitation. Then, outcomes of this discussions are compared with currently outgassing of deep‐sourced CO2 coupled to mantle‐derived He in that area, whose output is larger than those from some volcanic areas worldwide. The results indicate that He in FIs is dominated by a crustal radiogenic component (4He), and by an up to 20% of a mantle‐derived component (3He), with a highest isotopic signature of 1.38 Ra. This value is consistent with the highest percentage of mantle‐derived He associated to high‐flux CO2 gas emission in the investigated area (1.41 Ra). We propose that the variability of the He isotopic signature measured in primary FIs can result from early trapping of fluid inclusions or post trapping processes and seismic activity that modify the pristine He isotopic signature (i.e., derived from the crust and/or mantle) in groundwater along the faults during periods of background seismicity. Such investigations are fundamental to understand fluid migration in fault systems and the role of fluids in processes of earthquake nucleation. Key Points: Paleofluids in the studied seismogenic fault derive from the mixing between crustal and mantle (∼20%) derived fluidsThe variability of the He isotopic signature registered in fluid inclusions results from either early trapping processes (due to past possible earthquakes events) or post trapping processes by addition of radiogenic 4He produced within fractured calcite veins over time (vein aging)The pristine mantle source has been active in the Irpinia area (southern Italy) for at least 1 Ma based on the post trapping process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cropping systems in semiarid regions have frequently relied on continuous tillage and irrigation, but declining groundwater resources have prompted a greater focus on conservation practices to improve soil health and water storage. We compared soil health responses from cotton production systems in semiarid, coarse-textured soils with different crop management strategies under high or low irrigation levels. Management systems included continuous cotton with conventional tillage (CCCT) compared to no-till cotton with a rye cover crop (NTCR) and no-till cotton with a wheat-fallow rotation (NTCW), including high or low irrigation zones within each system. Samples were collected annually from two bulk soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) and root-associated soils 7 years after systems were established and continued for 2 years. We found that cropping system, but not irrigation level, altered soil microbial communities and other soil health indicators. Despite variation between study years and sampling zones, the conservation systems had greater soil microbial community size via ester-linked fatty acid methyl ester (EL-FAME or FAME) analysis, extracellular enzyme activities, and soil organic matter than the CCCT system. The NTCW system also had greater arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi FAME abundance. Our study suggests that no-till and conservation strategies such as cover cropping and rotation can improve biological soil health indicators in these sandy semiarid soils even with limited irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatomical education is pivotal for medical students, and innovative technologies like augmented reality (AR) are transforming the field. This study aimed to enhance the interactive features of the AEducAR prototype, an AR tool developed by the University of Bologna, and explore its impact on human anatomy learning process in 130 second‐year medical students at the International School of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Bologna. An interdisciplinary team of anatomists, maxillofacial surgeons, biomedical engineers, and educational scientists collaborated to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the study's objectives. Students used the updated version of AEducAR, named AEducAR 2.0, to study three anatomical topics, specifically the orbit zone, facial bones, and mimic muscles. AEducAR 2.0 offered two learning activities: one explorative and one interactive. Following each activity, students took a test to assess learning outcomes. Students also completed an anonymous questionnaire to provide background information and offer their perceptions of the activity. Additionally, 10 students participated in interviews for further insights. The results demonstrated that AEducAR 2.0 effectively facilitated learning and students' engagement. Students totalized high scores in both quizzes and declared to have appreciated the interactive features that were implemented. Moreover, interviews shed light on the interesting topic of blended learning. In particular, the present study suggests that incorporating AR into medical education alongside traditional methods might prove advantageous for students' academic and future professional endeavors. In this light, this study contributes to the growing research emphasizing the potential role of AR in shaping the future of medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Southern Alps fold‐and‐thrust belt (ESA) is part of the seismically active S‐verging retro‐wedge of the European Alps. Its temporal tectonic evolution during continental shortening has so far been constrained by few and low‐resolution indirect time constraints. Aiming at better elucidating the ESA spatiotemporal evolution, we gathered new structural and geochronological data from two regional thrust systems: the innermost south verging Valsugana Thrust (VT) and the more external Belluno Thrust System (BTS). Field work allowed us to constrain the geometry and kinematics of those thrusts and related folds and informed our sampling strategy to carry out fault gouge K‐Ar and tectonic carbonate U‐Pb dating from representative samples structurally associated with the VT and BTS. Our results suggest that the VT was active already in the Late Cretaceous (between ∼78 and 76 Ma) in response to far‐field stresses, with repeated reactivation continuing to the Late Miocene (∼6 Ma). The BTS recorded two distinct deformation events during the Oligocene (∼30 Ma) and at the Oligocene‐Miocene boundary (∼23 Ma). The VT was active for ∼72 Myr and partly acted during out‐of‐sequence thrusting. Based on regional correlations, we propose that the ESA share a similar spatiotemporal deformation history with the central Southern Alps farther to the west. We suggest a conceptual regional tectonic model wherein multiple, broadly coeval deformation events occurred in the entire Southern Alps during their long‐lived orogenic deformation in response to generally continuous NW‐SE shortening. Key Points: Tectonic evolution of the Eastern Southern AlpsLong‐lived orogenic deformation in the AlpsCretaceous far field tectonics, multiple (re)activation, and out‐of‐sequence thrusting constrained through K‐Ar and U‐Pb dating [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of perchlorate resistance of the desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 was investigated by assessing whether the pathways associated with its desiccation tolerance might play a role against the destabilizing effects of this chaotropic agent. During 3 weeks of growth in the presence of 2.4 mM perchlorate, an upregulation of trehalose and sucrose biosynthetic pathways was detected. This suggested that in response to the water stress triggered by perchlorate salts, these two compatible solutes play a role in the stabilization of macromolecules and membranes as they do in response to dehydration. During the perchlorate exposure, the production of oxidizing species was observed by using an oxidant‐sensing fluorochrome and determining the expression of the antioxidant defense genes, namely superoxide dismutases and catalases, while the presence of oxidative DNA damage was highlighted by the over‐expression of genes of the base excision repair. The involvement of desiccation‐tolerance mechanisms in the perchlorate resistance of this desert cyanobacterium is interesting since, so far, chaotropic‐tolerant bacteria have been identified among halophiles. Hence, it is anticipated that desert microorganisms might possess an unrevealed capability of adapting to perchlorate concentrations exceeding those naturally occurring in dry environments. Furthermore, in the endeavor of supporting future human outposts on Mars, the identified mechanisms might contribute to enhance the perchlorate resistance of microorganisms relevant for biologically driven utilization of the perchlorate‐rich soil of the red planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convergent plate boundaries are often characterized by widely deformed zones, where coexisting tectonic processes and variable fault kinematics can occur. Here, we quantify this variability along the Africa‐Eurasia deformed boundary in southern Italy, based on the evaluation of geodetic strain rate by recent space geodesy observations and plate motions, which are integrated by main geometric properties of detected faults in the area. We propose a compilation of 160 known faults. We use numerical methods to predict fault kinematics and net slip rate, due to the geodetic deformation field with the inclusion of fault strain accommodation. The obtained tectonic setting is compared with the observable, showing a fault rake agreement of the 73%, which allows us to consider this approach potentially favorable to improve the knowledge of fault kinematics along diffuse plate boundaries, when fault properties are not directly available. Plain Language Summary: A boundary between two plates is not a single line but it is often a large area with diffuse deformation, simultaneous tectonic processes and complex geodynamics. Here, we analyze the Africa‐Eurasia convergent and deformed boundary in southern Italy, central Mediterranean, where the lineaments along which crustal blocks move, the faults, show variable motion directions. We integrated the data describing the accurate displacement of the Earth's surface coming from recent satellite observations and from global plate motion models, together with geometric characteristics of 160 known faults, which we compiled for the purpose of computing the deformation field, that is, the geodetic strain rate, and kinematics along the faults of the area, using numerical methods. The procedure to integrate geodetic and geological observed data allows us to model crustal deformation both offshore and onshore the study area, and the agreement of the 73% between observed versus predicted fault kinematics suggests that this approach can help to investigate tectonics deformation along diffuse plate boundaries worldwide, when fault properties cannot be directly observed. Key Points: We combine 392 recent Global navigation satellite system rates and the geometry of 160 faults of southern Italy to compute new strain rate field using numerical methodsWe present fault kinematics of the region and compare it to reference literatureWe obtain a tectonic setting which suggests this approach is useful to investigate fault kinematics along diffuse plate boundaries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we firstly report on the use of highly active and selective Aquivion superacid resins as heterogeneous catalysts for the acylation of 1,2‐methylenedioxybenzene (MDB) with propionic anhydride (AP). The reaction was investigated and optimized using solvent‐free conditions to selectively produce 3,4‐methylenedioxypropiophenone (MDP1P), a key intermediate for the manufacture of active ingredients used in insecticide formulations with a volume of production of roughly 3000 t/y. Interestingly, Aquivion‐based catalysts allows to work in mild reaction conditions (i. e. 80 °C), obtaining MDP1P yields as high as 44 % after only 1 h of reaction (selectivity 83 %). A detailed study of the AP reactivity demonstrated its tendency to promote oligomerization reactions that, as confirmed by ex‐situ and in‐situ FT‐ATR analyses, caused the deactivation of the catalyst forming surficial carbonaceous residues. In this context, a fast oxidation of the resin surface organic residues using a diluted HNO3 (or H2O2) solution was proven to be an efficient method to regenerate the catalyst, which can be reused for several reaction cycles. The results obtained in preliminary scale‐up tests were basically unaffected by the reaction volume (up to 800 mL), paving the way for possible future applications of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex immune diseases that are mediated by T cells and share multiple comorbidities. Previous studies have suggested psoriatic patients are at higher risk of MS; however, causal relationships between the two conditions remain unclear. Through epidemiology and genetics, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship, and share molecular factors between psoriasis and MS. Methods: We used logistic regression, trans‐disease meta‐analysis and Mendelian randomization. Medical claims data were included from 30 million patients, including 141,544 with MS and 742,919 with psoriasis. We used genome‐wide association study summary statistics from 11,024 psoriatic, 14,802 MS cases, and 43,039 controls for trans‐disease meta‐analysis, with additional summary statistics from 5 million individuals for Mendelian randomization. Results: Psoriatic patients have a significantly higher risk of MS (4,637 patients with both diseases; odds ratio [OR] 1.07, p = 1.2 × 10−5) after controlling for potential confounders. Using inverse variance and equally weighted trans‐disease meta‐analysis, we revealed >20 shared and opposing (direction of effect) genetic loci outside the major histocompatibility complex that showed significant genetic colocalization (in COLOC and COLOC‐SuSiE v5.1.0). Co‐expression analysis of genes from these loci further identified distinct clusters that were enriched among pathways for interleukin‐17/tumor necrosis factor‐α (OR >39, p < 1.6 × 10−3) and Janus kinase–signal transducers and activators of transcription (OR 35, p = 1.1 × 10−5), including genes, such as TNFAIP3, TYK2, and TNFRSF1A. Mendelian randomization found psoriasis as an exposure has a significant causal effect on MS (OR 1.04, p = 5.8 × 10−3), independent of type 1 diabetes (OR 1.05, p = 4.3 × 10−7), type 2 diabetes (OR 1.08, p = 2.3 × 10−3), inflammatory bowel disease (OR 1.11, p = 1.6 × 10−11), and vitamin D level (OR 0.75, p = 9.4 × 10−3). Interpretation: By investigating the shared genetics of psoriasis and MS, along with their modifiable risk factors, our findings will advance innovations in treatment for patients suffering from comorbidities. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:384–397 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Photosensitivity is one of the most common manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet its pathogenesis is not well understood. The normal‐appearing epidermis of patients with SLE exhibits increased ultraviolet B (UVB)–driven cell death that persists in cell culture. Here, we investigated the role of epigenetic modification and Hippo signaling in enhanced UVB‐induced apoptosis seen in SLE keratinocytes. Methods: We analyzed DNA methylation in cultured keratinocytes from SLE patients compared to keratinocytes from healthy controls (n = 6/group). Protein expression was validated in cultured keratinocytes using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. An immortalized keratinocyte line overexpressing WWC1 was generated via lentiviral vector. WWC1‐driven changes were inhibited using a large tumor suppressor kinase 1/2 (LATS1/2) inhibitor (TRULI) and small interfering RNA (siRNA). The interaction between the Yes‐associated protein (YAP) and the transcriptional enhancer associate domain (TEAD) was inhibited by overexpression of an N/TERT cell line expressing a tetracycline‐inducible green fluorescent protein–tagged protein that inhibits YAP–TEAD binding (TEADi). Apoptosis was assessed using cleaved caspase 3/7 and TUNEL staining. Results: Hippo signaling was the top differentially methylated pathway in SLE versus control keratinocytes. SLE keratinocytes (n = 6) showed significant hypomethylation (Δβ = −0.153) and thus overexpression of the Hippo regulator WWC1 (P = 0.002). WWC1 overexpression increased LATS1/2 kinase activation, leading to YAP cytoplasmic retention and altered proapoptotic transcription in SLE keratinocytes. Accordingly, UVB‐mediated apoptosis in keratinocytes could be enhanced by WWC1 overexpression or YAP–TEAD inhibition, mimicking SLE keratinocytes. Importantly, inhibition of LATS1/2 with either the chemical inhibitor TRULI or siRNA effectively eliminated enhanced UVB‐apoptosis in SLE keratinocytes. Conclusion: Our work unravels a novel driver of photosensitivity in SLE: overactive Hippo signaling in SLE keratinocytes restricts YAP transcriptional activity, leading to shifts that promote UVB apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of the Apennine wedge has seen the time‐space migration of the forebulge, foredeep, thrust wedge, and back‐arc extension phases in the wake of the Eastward rollback of the subducting Adria slab. In this framework, thrusting and post‐orogenic extensional faulting have occurred in two parallel forelandward‐migrating ribbons, with extensional deformation overprinting or partly exploiting anisotropies of the inherited thrust system. Here, we explore the tectonic framework and the timing of thrusting and subsequent negative inversion of the Circeo thrust, one of the major thrusts in the inner portion of the central Apennines, with the main aim to constrain the timing and mode of the compression to extension switch. Structural analysis, carbonate C and O and clumped isotopes analysis, X‐ray diffraction of clay minerals, and U‐Pb dating of calcite slickenfibers have been integrated with seismic interpretation, cross‐section balancing, and 1D burial and thermal modeling. We show that the Circeo thrust developed during Langhian‐Serravallian time. Its extensional reactivation is dated at the Serravallian, during the stacking of an underlying thrust slice, before the onset of Pliocene back‐arc extension in the area. Combination of our data with the age of thrusts, extensional basins, and base of the foredeep infill of the central Apennines, demonstrates that forelandward migration of the foredeep‐thrust system occurred at variable velocities. Accelerations and decelerations are synchronous, respectively, with the opening of the Liguro‐Provençal and Tyrrhenian back‐arc basins and with the interluding quiescent period. Key Points: We build a balanced cross section across the Circeo thin‐skinned thrust, one of the innermost structures of the central ApenninesThe section is validated by means of carbonate C and O and clumped isotopes, U‐Pb dating, seismic interpretation and burial modelingA regional synthesis of the age of foredeep infill, thrusts, and extensional basins for the central Apennines is presented [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary fibrosis involves various types of immune cells and soluble mediators, including TGF‐β and IL‐35, a recently identified heterodimeric cytokine that belongs to the IL‐12 cytokine family. However, the effect of regulatory IL‐35 may play an important role in fibrotic diseases. The aim of this paper is to explore the immunoregulatory role of IL‐35 in the development of fibrosis in interstitial lung disease (ILD). To gain a better understanding of this issue, the concentrations of IL‐35 and different profibrotic cytokines in fibrotic (F‐ILD) and non‐fibrotic (NF‐ILD) patients by ELISA were compared to that of intracellular IL‐35 and IL‐17 on CD4+ T cells stimulated in the presence of BAL or with different ratios of recombinant IL‐35 (rIL‐35) and TGF‐β (rTGF‐β), which were evaluated by flow cytometry. We observed that BAL concentration of IL‐35 was lower in F patients (p < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with concentrations of TGF‐β (p < 0.001) and IL‐17 (p < 0.001). In supplemented cell cultures, BAL from NF but not F patients enhanced the percentage of IL‐35 + CD4+ T (p < 0.001) cells and decreased the percentage of IL‐17 + CD4+ T cells (p < 0.001). The percentage of IL‐35 + CD4+ T cells correlated positively with BAL concentration of IL‐35 (p = 0.02), but correlated negatively with BAL concentrations of IL‐17 (p = 0.007) and TGF‐β (p = 0.01). After adjusting the concentrations of recombinant cytokines to establish a TGF‐β: IL‐35 ratio of 1:4, an enhanced percentage of IL‐35 + CD4+ T cells (p < 0.001) but a decreased percentage of IL‐17 + CD4+ T cells (p < 0.001) was observed. After adding recombinant IL‐35 to the BAL from F patients until a 1:4 ratio of TGF‐β: IL‐35 was reached, a significantly increased percentage of IL‐35 + CD4+ T cells (p < 0.001) and a decreased percentage of IL‐17 + CD4+ T cells (p = 0.003) was found. These results suggest that IL‐35 may induce an anti‐fibrotic response, regulating the effect of TGF‐β and the inflammatory response on CD4+ T cells. In addition, the TGF‐β: IL‐35 ratio in BAL has been shown to be a potential biomarker to predict the outcome of F patients with ILD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post‐orogenic back‐arc magmatism is accompanied by hydrothermal ore deposits and mineralizations derived from mantle and crustal sources. We investigate Zannone Island (ZI), back‐arc Tyrrhenian basin, Italy, to define the source(s) of mineralizing hydrothermal fluids and their relationships with the regional petrological‐tectonic setting. On ZI, early Miocene thrusting was overprinted by late Miocene post‐orogenic extension and related hydrothermal alteration. Since active submarine hydrothermal outflow is reported close to the island, Zannone provides an ideal site to determine the P‐T‐X evolution of the long‐lived hydrothermal system. We combined field work with microstructural analyses on syn‐tectonic quartz veins and carbonate mineralizations, X‐ray diffraction analysis, microthermometry and element mapping of fluid inclusions (FIs), C, O, and clumped isotopes, and analyses of noble gases (He‐Ne‐Ar) and CO2 content in FIs. Our results document the evolution of a fluid system of magmatic origin with increasing mixing of meteoric fluids. Magmatic fluids were responsible for quartz veins precipitation at ∼125 to 150 MPa and ∼300°C–350°C. With the onset of extensional faulting, magmatic fluids progressively interacted with carbonate rocks and mixed with meteoric fluids, leading to (a) host rock alteration with associated carbonate and minor ore mineral precipitation, (b) progressive fluid neutralization, (c) cooling of the hydrothermal system (from ∼320°C to ∼86°C), and (d) embrittlement and fracturing of the host rocks. Both quartz and carbonate mineralizations show noble gases values lower than those from the adjacent active volcanic areas and submarine hydrothermal systems, indicating that the fossil‐to‐active hydrothermal history is associated with the emplacement of multiple magmatic intrusions. Key Points: Deciphering the fossil‐to‐active hydrothermal system on Zannone Island in which magmatic and meteoric fluids mixedPolyphase and long‐lived hydrothermal activity associated with mantle‐ and crustal‐derived magmasFluid mixing and fluid‐rock interaction led to fluid neutralization, cooling, embrittlements, alteration, and minor ore minerals [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this work is to investigate the biological effects of IQOS smoking on human gingival fibroblasts and human keratinocytes analysing cell viability, morphology, migration, apoptosis and cell cycle. Background: Electronic cigarettes and tobacco heating systems have been marketed to reduce smoking damages caused by combustion. Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts and human keratinocytes viability was determined by a colorimetric assay measuring mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay); after an in vitro exposure of 24 h, cell morphology was analysed with scanning electron microscope and cell migration was tested by Scratch assay, a method to mimic the migration of the cells during wound healing in vivo. Apoptosis and cell cycle were analysed with flow cytometry, and the expression of related genes (p53, Bcl2, p16 and p21) was indagated using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results: IQOS extracts increased both cell viability (23%‐41% with fibroblasts and 30%‐79% with keratinocytes) and migration. No morphological alterations were observed. IQOS extracts did not induced an increase in cell death, but rose the number of S‐ and G2/M‐phase cells. IQOS extracts also significantly increased p53 expression by fibroblasts (undiluted and 6.25% dilution, 2‐ and 3.6‐fold higher, respectively) and reduced both Bcl2 (about two‐ and fivefold, respectively) and p21 expressions (about twofold with both extracts), while on keratinocytes both undiluted and 6.25% dilution extracts increased Bcl2 expression (about four‐ and threefold higher, respectively) and reduced p53 expression (about two‐ and fivefold, respectively). Conclusion: IQOS smoke seemed to induce proliferation as highlighted by a viability assay, and migration and cell cycle analysis. The increased cell proliferation induced by IQOS devices must be carefully investigated for its possible clinical effects on oral cell populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are increasingly acknowledged as crucial when facing climate change—and the environmental crisis more in general—, offering challenges and opportunities in terms of both mitigation and adaptation. Climate change‐sensitive urban governance requires proactive, integrated, and contextualized approaches, making room for the complex, multilayered, multiscalar, and dynamic processes constituting a city. The notion of "resilience" has been acquiring growing recognition as a flexible and powerful concept to respond to these challenges. Resilience itself, however, is also a polysemic notion, often treated as little more than a catchword or a wishful aim or superimposed with other climate‐related terms, such as risk, vulnerability, or adaptation. To promote a stronger integration among different problem‐settings and epistemic communities, this paper advances six analytical distinctions aiming to provide structure and articulation to existing definitions of the concept of "resilience." Likewise, it offers an integrated analytical framework and methodological pipeline to streamline resilience analysis in the context of urban climate risk assessment. The framework is specially defined to link up with the definition of climate risk provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) latest Assessment Reports and is illustrated through examples derived from the recent experience of the Chilean Climate Risk Atlas. Plain Language Summary: This paper offers an integrated terminology, analytical framework, and procedure to measure and predict a city's resilience in the face of climate threats. Based on a thorough review and discussion of the literature on the topic, the proposal is designed to articulate existing approaches, usages, and interpretations of the concept. It aims to guide scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to employ resilience as a tool for urban planning and governance. Key Points: We advance six analytical distinctions and a methodological pipeline to streamline resilience in urban climate risk assessmentOur framework promotes integrated and interdisciplinary efforts toward climate‐sensitive urban risk assessment and planningPolycentric governance is required to balance autonomy and coherence across the systems constituting urban Systems‐of‐Systems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tyrrhenian back‐arc basin developed at the rear of the E‐ward migrating Apennine fold‐and‐thrust belt, with northward decreasing rollback of the subducting Adria slab leading to northward fading of back‐arc extension. The northern portion of the Tyrrhenian basin is made of thinned continental crust, whereas in the central/southern portion extension eventually evolved to oceanic crust production. In this framework, a long‐lasting debate concerns the existence of a >200 km long transform zone along the 41st parallel, which should separate the two portions of the Tyrrhenian basin. At its eastern termination, a branch of the presumed transform zone enters the Tyrrhenian margin of the Apennine belt and occurs as an accommodation zone made of a ribbon of extensional faults and related basins. This accommodation zone, which separates areas of mutually perpendicular extension directions, is here introduced, described, and named the Ponza‐Alife accommodation zone. Interpretation of seismic lines and new structural and stratigraphic data from this accommodation zone have been used to constrain the pre‐orogenic and syn‐orogenic architecture of the subducting plate and the Plio‐Quaternary back‐arc extensional stage. Our data indicate that the studied zone retraces a deep‐seated transform fault system located in the subducting plate and inherited from an Early Jurassic rifting episode, which caused the lateral juxtaposition of different rift domains in the subducting plate. We propose that during collision and trench retreat, this lateral juxtaposition has controlled differential retreat of the subducting plate across the studied zone, forcing the development of the Ponza‐Alife accommodation zone in the overlying back‐arc basin's margin. Key Points: The Ponza‐Alife accommodation zone segmenting the Apenninic margin of the Tyrrhenian back‐arc basin is introducedStructural and stratigraphic data, and seismic interpretation allowed us to unravel the evolution of this accommodation zoneThe accommodation zone originated from tearing in the downgoing plate reworking Jurassic faults that segmented the associated rift system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though flooding is a threat to rural communities in plains drained by ephemeral rivers, the magnitude of its impact, coping/prevention mechanisms, and the implications for river management are not well known. In this study, data were collected using a phenomenological-based research design. Field observations, a questionnaire (n = 440), key informant interviews (10), and one focus group discussion (with seven discussants) were used to collect the desired data from flood-prone farmers. As the results show, 42% of the respondents believe that flooding has become stronger over the past 20 years, whereas 38% believe there has been no change. As mitigation measures, 52% of the respondents suggested evacuating to neighbouring villages as the best option. Most of the damage was experienced in farmlands (including crops, either harvested or standing) and settlements. As coping mechanisms, 31% of the respondents were displaced, whereas an additional 40% were forced to construct new houses for their settlement. Chi-square testing showed that the farmers' responses statistically varied among different groups (p < .001). In the meantime, community participation in flood control and catchment management is important. Improving flood management knowledge and the skills of different groups in a community is equally important. In this case, a qualitative inquiry approach was a good option to assess the hydrological conditions of rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During earthquakes, fault rupture can involve multiple segments in synchronous or cascade mechanisms, leading to an increasing magnitude of the mainshock or rate of aftershocks. Since the seismogenic portions of faults are inaccessible, studying the geometrical and mechanical interaction between exhumed fault segments can contribute to the understanding of multisegment and cascade earthquake scenarios at depth. We investigated a segmented active normal fault system in the Campo Felice area (central Italian Apennines), where fault scarps are well exposed. In this area, there are no instrumental‐historical records of intermediate‐strong earthquakes, although paleoseismology provided evidence for ancient Mw > 5 earthquakes. Geometry and kinematics of the studied faults as well as their physical linkage and mechanical interaction were assessed. Results of field surveys and geological‐structural mapping, serial cross‐sections, and throw versus distance diagrams highlight different stages of mechanical interaction between the Campo Felice faults. The suitability of three empirical equations relating earthquake rupture length and magnitude was tested in comparison to a new equation that we developed considering the last seven Mw > 5.5 earthquakes (1997–2016) from the central Apennines. Results show that the Campo Felice faults can produce earthquakes with maximum Mw of ∼5.8 and 6.2 with single or synchronous ruptures, respectively. In turn, Coulomb stress change modeling shows that the seismic hazard can increase considering a quasi‐synchronous or cascade activation of the Campo Felice faults together with nearby faults. Key Points: Single and multisegment seismic potential for the Campo Felice normal faults (5.7 ≤ Mw ≥ 6.2)Geological mapping and structural analyses for the reconstruction of possible future seismic scenariosValidation of rupture length‐earthquake magnitude empirical equations for central Apennines and comparison with a new proposed equation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The hypermobile type of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is likely the most common hereditary disorder of connective tissue mainly characterized by joint hypermobility. Patients with hEDS suffer joint pain, in particular low back pain, commonly resistant to drug therapy. The aim of this research was to evaluate a neurocognitive rehabilitation approach based not only on the motion and function recovery but also on the pain management. Methods. In this nonrandomized clinical trial, eighteen hEDS patients (4 males and 14 females) with mean age 21 years (range 13-55) were recruited and evaluated before and after three months of rehabilitation treatment. Results. The outcome scores showed significant statistical results after treatment in reducing pain symptoms (numerical rating scale, P = 0.003 ; McGill (total score), P = 0.03), fatigue (fatigue severity scale, P = 0.03), fear of movement (Tampa scale, P = 0.003), and pain-associated disability (Oswestry disability index, P = 0.03). Conclusion. The clinical results observed in our study seem to confirm the role of a specific neurocognitive rehabilitation program in the chronic pain management in the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome; the rehabilitation treatment should be tailored on patient problems and focused not only in the recovery of movement but also on pain perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gully erosion is a major cause of soil loss and severe land degradation in sub‐humid Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate the role and the effect of subsurface water level change on gully headcut retreat, gully formation and expansion in high rainfall tropical regions in the Ethiopian highlands. During the rainy seasons of 2017–2019, the expansion rate of 16 fixed gullies was measured and subsurface water levels were measured by piezometers installed near gully heads. During the study period, headcut retreats ranged from 0.70 to 2.35 m, with a mean value of 1.49 ± 0.56 m year−1, and average depth of the surface water level varied between 1.12 and 2.82 m, with a mean value of 2.62 m. Gully cross‐section areas ranged from 2.90 to 20.90 m2, with an average of 9.31 ± 4.80 m2. Volumetric retreat of gully headcuts ranged from 4.49 to 40.55 m3 and averaged 13.34 ± 9.10 m3. Soil loss from individual gullies ranged from 5.79 to 52.31 t year−1 and averaged 17.21 ± 11.74 t year−1. The headcut retreat rate and sediment yield were closely related over the three study seasons. Elevated subsurface water levels facilitated the slumping of gully banks and heads, causing high sediment yield. When the soil was saturated, bank collapse and headcut retreat were favoured by the combination of elevated subsurface water and high rainfall. This study indicates that area exclosures are effective in controlling subsurface water level, thus reducing gully headcut retreat and associated soil loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A 20‐year‐old grey Warmblood gelding that had history of dermal melanomatosis. Objective: To report surgical treatment of a 6‐cm large malignant metastatic melanoma located in the cutaneous trunci muscle of the left lateral thorax of a horse. Methods: A 20‐year‐old grey Warmblood gelding was referred for evaluation of a large, rapidly growing, thoracic mass. Clinical examination revealed an ovoid, firm, non‐painful, movable mass, approximately 6 cm in diameter, located in the cutaneous trunci muscle of the left lateral thorax. Multiple melanocytic nodules were also found at the perianal region and ventral tail. Rectal examination, ultrasonography and endoscopy of the respiratory tract revealed no melanomas internally. Haematological and biochemical values were within normal limits. Surgical excision of both the thoracic mass and perianal nodules was the treatment of choice. Histopathology of the distant thoracic mass confirmed the diagnosis of malignant metastatic melanoma secondary to the perineal lesions that were confirmed as dermal melanomatosis. Results: The horse recovered uneventfully. Up until 3 years post surgery there was no tumour regrowth at the excision sites. Conclusion: Surgical excision of the metastatic melanoma was performed and considered successful, with no gross evidence of tumour reoccurrence. Despite the fact that surgical excision is considered a treatment option regarding equine dermal melanomatosis, there is no previously published study proposing surgical removal of distant malignant metastatic melanocytic masses. This is the first report of a successful surgical excision of a large (6 cm) metastatic melanocytic tumour from the skeletal muscle of the lateral thorax of a horse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse the welfare impact of greater wage flexibility in the presence of an occasionally binding zero lower bound (ZLB) constraint on the nominal interest rate. We show that the ZLB constraint generally amplifies the adverse effects of greater wage flexibility on welfare when the central bank follows a conventional Taylor rule. When demand shocks are the driving force, the ZLB implies that an increase in wage flexibility reduces welfare even under the optimal monetary policy with commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inner Apennines (Italy) are characterized by scattered outcrops of continent‐derived orogenic metamorphic units exposed along the Tyrrhenian coast from northern to southern Apennines. At least since the 1970s, some peculiar rocks exposed on Zannone Island (central Italy) have been described as the only Paleozoic‐Triassic metamorphic complex linking those exposed in the northern—with those in the southern Apennines. Assessing the protolith nature, thermobaric conditions, and structural features of what is accepted to be the metamorphic unit of Zannone is, therefore, crucial to elucidate the early paleotectonic evolution of the Apennines‐Tyrrhenian orogenic system. To that end, we interpreted seismic reflection profiles offshore Zannone, we carried out mesoscale and microscale structural investigations of representative outcrops on the island, performed X‐ray diffraction analysis, and K‐Ar and U‐Pb geochronology of representative clay gouge and syntectonic carbonate veins. Results show that the metamorphic rocks of Zannone can actually be reinterpreted as belonging to nonmetamorphic siliciclastic turbidites, likely deposited in foredeep settings, and coeval to the Oligocene‐Miocene Macigno Fm. of the northern Apennines. The turbiditic sequence was overthrust by Triassic dolostone in the early Miocene (~22 Ma), weakly deformed at <200°C, and downfaulted by postorogenic extensional faults starting ~7 Ma ago. Hence, Zannone represents a unique geological location in central Italy where to study the innermost (i.e. oldest) thrust sheet of the central‐northern Apennines, thereby shedding new light onto the early tectonics of the Apennines. Based on this evidence, a new evolutionary scheme for the early stage of the Apennines tectonic evolution is proposed. Key Points: Discovery of a hitherto unknown early thrust in the ApenninesNew radiometric dating of Apennine tectonic phasesReinterpreting and overturning of a long‐held assumption in the Apennines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Adria microplate is the foreland of the oppositely verging Apennines and Alps or Dinarides fold‐thrust belts associated to the related subduction zones. Along its western margin, the Adria plate hosts the active Northern Apennines accretionary prism, which is buried under the Adriatic Sea and the Po Plain. The interpretation of seismic reflection profiles and borehole data allowed us to define the geometry of the transition from the Apennines fold‐thrust belt to its undeformed foreland. Moreover, continuous GPS (CGPS) data from offshore hydrocarbon platforms anchored to the seabed of the northern Adriatic plate allow to measure present‐day kinematics. Although the CGPS signals are affected by non‐tectonic components associated with hydrocarbon extraction, the integration of geodetic analysis, subsurface geological reconstructions, and analytical modeling allowed us to constrain the ongoing tectonic activity. Shortening is currently accommodated by aseismic slip along the basal detachment, likely accumulating elastic energy along the frontal ramp that may eventually seismically slip. Our multidisciplinary study suggests that the study area may not be sheltered from relevant seismic sequences similar to the Mw 6 Emilia 2012 events and that the occurrence of potential seismogenic sources in the area should be carefully evaluated. Similar studies may be useful to constrain the present‐day activity in other marine areas and to identify potential and hitherto unrecognized seismogenic sources along the entire Apennines belt and other accretionary prisms worldwide. Key Points: Seismic reflection profiles in the northern Adriatic Sea allow to reconstruct the Apennines fold‐thrust belt geometry and its forelandOffshore CGPS data allow computation of the active shortening in the accretionary prismAnalytical modeling provides a first‐order estimation of the current slip rate of the unlocked and locked surfaces of the basal decollement [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnitudes of flash floods and their effect on channel width changes were investigated for Hara River in the Raya graben (northern Ethiopia). Precipitation was measured using rain gauges evenly distributed over the study catchment. Event peak discharges were measured with crest‐stage gauges at a reference cross‐section. Changes in channel width were measured at six monitoring sites along a 1.5 km long reach. Decadal channel width change was analyzed over the period 1965–2014. The average rainfall depth of the rainy days was 14.2 ± 9.4 mm whereas the highest was 41.9 mm and the lowest, capable to generate some flow in the river, was only 1.8 mm. The maximum calculated discharge peaked at 408 m3/s whereas the lowest flow was 19.5 m3/s. An average widening of 0.11 ± 0.19 m per flood (for a total of 3.74 m) was measured. The cumulative precipitation and cumulative channel widening suggest that larger and longer lasting rains have substantial influence on channel width change. A marked increase in channel width commonly accompanies 2–3 days of flood duration; it is less marked where there is riparian vegetation on the banks. The long‐term (1965, 1986, 2005, and 2010) measurements indicate that channel width increased rapidly over the last 50 years; nearly 25 m of widening. Generally, channel changes are mainly induced by the duration of floods rather than by their intensity and the data clearly show that ephemeral streams channel dynamics can be triggered also by floods much smaller than bankfull. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faults have grooves that are formed by abrasion and wear during slip. Recent observations indicate that this grooving is only a large‐scale feature, indicating brittle behavior has a length scale limit. The connection between this scale and earthquake behavior remains limited because no examples exist from a proven seismogenic fault. Here, we address this problem and analyze differences in this scale between lithologies to further our understanding of the underlying mechanics. This study uses samples from the Mt. Vettoretto fault collected after the Norcia earthquake of 2016. We imaged fault topography with a white light interferometer and 10 μm resolution structure from motion and then calculated a Monte Carlo version of root mean square roughness. We found a minimum scale of grooving of ~100 μm. In comparing this fault to the Corona Heights fault, we find that this minimum grooving scale is consistent with predictions based on material properties. Plain Language Summary: As two surfaces slide past each other, harder material can cause grooves or scratches to form in the direction of slip. Recent work showed that on a fault, there exists a change in geometry, or roughness, within these grooves that is evidence of a change in how frictional contacts are deformed. At the micrometer scale, these contacts are deforming without breaking. To link this process to earthquakes, we aim to measure this scale on a fault that hosts known earthquakes. Here, we measure roughness on a fault slipped during the 2016 Norcia earthquake using interferometry and photography. We find this scale and show that it is predictable by measuring properties of the fault. This gives a link between laboratory and natural earthquakes by measuring a length scale and a deformation process that is common to both. Key Points: Lithological differences between faults explain the varying values of the minimum scale of groovingThe small‐scale fault roughness of a seismogenic fault shows evidence of plastic deformationWe develop micrometer scale structure from motion combined with Monte Carlo RMS analysis as a high‐resolution method to study roughness [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2016 Mw ≥ 6.0 Amatrice‐Norcia earthquakes (central Apennines, Italy) and the related seismic sequence were associated with increases in arsenic and vanadium concentrations recorded in groundwater springs a few months before the earthquakes occurred. To evaluate these signals as reliable seismic precursors and effective predictive tools, we studied the geochemical processes that caused these anomalies. Using chemical and isotope models, we show that increased concentrations of arsenic and vanadium, a slight increase in boron concentrations, and a concomitant lowering of the boron isotope ratio may be due to mineral desorption (e.g., from iron oxides and/or clays). We argue that a displacing effect on the trace elements sorbed on minerals was triggered by an excess of deep CO2 in groundwater, which occurred prior to the main seismic event as a result of preseismic crustal dilation. Our observations confirm the pivotal role of CO2 in the release of trace elements by alteration of solid phases and provide a new understanding of earthquake‐related water chemical anomalies. Key Points: Geochemical processes behind water anomalies prior to the 2016 earthquakes in Italy are investigated by chemical modelsIncreased concentrations of As and V, a slight B increase, and a concomitant lowering of B isotope ratio occurred due to mineral desorptionDesorption was triggered by an excess of deep CO2 in groundwater, which occurred prior to the mainshock due to preseismic crustal dilation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mt. Massico ridge (central southern Apennines, Italy) is characterized by a ~150‐m‐thick tectonic mélange located at the base of a Tortonian‐lower Messinian heterogeneous clastic succession consisting of layered sandstones, limestones, marls, and claystones with intercalated mass wasting deposits and isolated olistoliths, which deposited above Meso‐Cenozoic limestones. Geological mapping and structural analyses, integrated with illite‐smectite paleothermal indicators and U‐Pb dating of syntectonic calcite veins and slickenfibers, allowed us to unravel (1) the tectonic evolution of the Mt. Massico ridge and (2) the development of the intrawedge tectonic mélange in the framework of the Apennine accretionary wedge evolution. Results show that after thrusting and folding of Meso‐Cenozoic limestones during late Tortonian times (7.0 ± 1.6 Ma), late Messinian‐early Pliocene out‐of‐sequence thrusting (5.1 ± 3.7 Ma) juxtaposed ~3,300‐m‐thick, imbricate thrust sheets above the Tortonian‐lower Messinian clastic succession. During out‐of‐sequence thrusting, the base of the weak clastic deposits acted as a décollement horizon due to the rheological contrast and mechanical buttress with the underlying competent Mesozoic‐Cenozoic limestones. Heterogeneous deformation along the base of the clastic succession was accommodated by ductile pressure solution of claystones and marls, by brittle stratal disruption and fracturing/veining of competent olistoliths and primary foliation (i.e., sandstones and limestones strata), thus leading to the development of a tectonic mélange. The compressional phase was followed by extensional tectonics after the late Pliocene (minimum age 2.9 ± 0.5 Ma). We conclude that out‐of‐sequence thrusting, buttressing, and intraformational rheological contrast can be fundamental factors for the development of intrawedge tectonic mélange. Key Points: Neogene tectonic evolution of the central southern Apennines accretionary wedge reconstructed by U‐Pb dating of syntectonic calciteIntrawedge tectonic mélange generated by out‐of‐sequence thrusting, rheological contrast, and buttressingTortonian (~10‐7 Ma) in sequence to Pliocene (~5 Ma) out‐of‐sequence thrusting were followed by Pleistocene (~2.8 Ma) postorogenic extension [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Natural resins exude from trees as viscous liquids, which subsequently harden by evaporation and/or oxidation. Their compositions and textures are complex and vary during the solidification processes, producing a typical volatile fragrant fraction. Many techniques have been applied to the study of resins in order to obtain considerable chemical information but no exploratory work has been conducted using Proton Transfer Reaction Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR‐ToF‐MS). For this reason its potential to rapidly obtain the Volatiles Organic Compounds (VOCs) mass profiles of several natural resins has been tested. A Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA) have been performed to classify all samples based on their species, family or order on the basis of the VOCs emission profiles of 31 natural resins derived from different tree species. The sensitivities and specificities obtained were higher than 95% whilst a correct classification was higher for family (94.23% on 7 classes) and order (94.12% on 6 classes), than that of species (89.06% on 31 classes). Finally confusion matrices based on PLSDA models were produced to observe and draw conclusions about non‐correct classifications. In our study we successfully determined the volatile profiles for 31 different tree natural resins assessing the possibility of correctly identify the taxonomic position of the trees by the analysis of their aromatic profiles. This preliminary study could lay down the bases for future studies on the VOC emissions of resins, by qualifying PTR‐ToF‐MS as a promising tool for a fast resin identification of complex matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the temporal variability and effects of bio-climatic factors and bridges on local hydro-geomorphic conditions that cause excess sedimentation and flood hazard in ephemeral rivers of the Raya graben (northern Ethiopia). Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was analyzed using Landsat imageries of 1972, 1986, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2014. Daily rainfall data of three meteorological stations were considered to analyze the temporal trends and return time intervals of rainfall intensity in 24 h. Stream-bed gradient and bed material grain size were measured in 20 river reaches. Results show that the maximum NDVI values were recorded in the time interval from 2000 to 2014. Nevertheless, during this decade, the study bridges experienced the largest excess sedimentation, in some bridges up to 1·6 m. Different factors to account for it are discussed as no evidence of rainfall pattern, accountable for an increase in sediment delivery from the headwaters, is found. The field data show that channel narrowing at bridges is the main cause of thick upstream sedimentation and of increasing frequency of overbank flows during the last 15 years. A simple hydraulic approach is presented to explain the variability of sediment deposition at bridges and change in bed material grain size between the main stem and the reach right upstream of the bridge. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism represents the core of a network of signaling pathways which modulate many cellular functions including cell proliferation, cell differentiation, apoptosis, and membrane trafficking. An array of kinases, phosphatases, and lipases acts on PI creating an important number of second messengers involved in different cellular processes. Although, commonly, PI signaling was described to take place at the plasma membrane, many evidences indicated the existence of a PI cycle residing in the nuclear compartment of eukaryotic cells. The discovery of this mechanism shed new light on many nuclear functions, such as gene transcription, DNA modifications, and RNA expression. As these two PI cycles take place independently of one another, understanding how nuclear lipid signaling functions and modulates nuclear output is fundamental in the study of many cellular processes. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1645-1655, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we show for the first time how quantitative stress estimates can be derived by combining calcite twinning and stylolite roughness stress fingerprinting techniques in a fold-and-thrust belt. First, we present a new method that gives access to stress inversion using tectonic stylolites without access to the stylolite surface and compare results with calcite twin inversion. Second, we use our new approach to present a high-resolution deformation and stress history that affected Meso-Cenozoic limestone strata in the Monte Nero Anticline during its late Miocene-Pliocene growth in the Umbria-Marche Arcuate Ridge (northern Apennines, Italy). In this area an extensive stylolite-joint/vein network developed during layer-parallel shortening (LPS), as well as during and after folding. Stress fingerprinting illustrates how stress in the sedimentary strata did build up prior to folding during LPS. The stress regime oscillated between strike slip and compressional during LPS before ultimately becoming strike slip again during late stage fold tightening. Our case study shows that high-resolution stress fingerprinting is possible and that this novel method can be used to unravel temporal relationships that relate to local variations of regional orogenic stresses. Beyond regional implications, this study validates our approach as a new powerful toolbox to high-resolution stress fingerprinting in basins and orogens combining joint and vein analysis with sedimentary and tectonic stylolite and calcite twin inversion techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding spoken words involves a rapid mapping from speech to conceptual representations. One distributed feature-based conceptual account assumes that the statistical characteristics of concepts' features-the number of concepts they occur in ( distinctiveness/ sharedness) and likelihood of co-occurrence ( correlational strength)-determine conceptual activation. To test these claims, we investigated the role of distinctiveness/sharedness and correlational strength in speech-to-meaning mapping, using a lexical decision task and computational simulations. Responses were faster for concepts with higher sharedness, suggesting that shared features are facilitatory in tasks like lexical decision that require access to them. Correlational strength facilitated responses for slower participants, suggesting a time-sensitive co-occurrence-driven settling mechanism. The computational simulation showed similar effects, with early effects of shared features and later effects of correlational strength. These results support a general-to-specific account of conceptual processing, whereby early activation of shared features is followed by the gradual emergence of a specific target representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To study the magnitude of land degradation, desertification or resilience in Montenegro throughout the 20th and early-21st centuries, we rephotographed the landscapes recorded on 48 historical photographs dating back to between 1890 and 1985, and analysed in a semi-quantitative way the land use and cover changes that had occurred using an expert rating system (six correspondents). Time-series of hydrology and population density were analysed for the period since 1948 and were compared with the changes observed using repeat photography. Overall, vegetation cover has strongly increased, and barren areas occupy less space. The industrialisation that expanded in the 1950s led to strong urbanisation. Despite steadily increasing population (with the notable exception of the mountain region), the vegetation cover has increased markedly everywhere. This denser vegetation has led to higher infiltration of rainfall. Partitioning of water led, on one hand, to deep infiltration and better low flows and to increased evapo-transpiration at the boundary layer, leading to decreased total runoff coefficients. In the mountain region, runoff coefficients have increased, which may be related to earlier snowmelt. Overall, the findings of this study are in line with observations elsewhere in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and suggest that, as a result of erosion control and significant vegetation regrowth, the changes observed over a century there has been land resilience and not degradation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recovery of the European beaver ( Castor fiber) and their capacity to engineer fluvial landscapes, questions arise as to how they influence sediment transport, including the spatio-temporal trends and patterns of sedimentation in beaver ponds. The Chevral river (Ardennes, Belgium) contains two beaver dam sequences, which appeared in 2004. Volumes of sediment deposited behind the dams were measured, and grain-size distribution patterns were determined. Flow discharges and sediment fluxes were measured at the inflow and outflow of each dam sequence. Between 2004 and 2011, 1710.1 m3 of sediment was deposited behind the beaver dams, with an average sediment thickness of 25.1 cm. The thickness of the sediment layer was significantly ( p < 0.001) related to the area of the beaver ponds. Along the stream, beaver pond sediment thickness displayed a sinusoidal deposition pattern, in which ponds with thick sediment layers were preceded by a series of ponds with thinner sediment layers. A downstream textural coarsening in the dam sequences was also observed, probably because of dam failures subsequent to surges. Differences in sediment flux between the inflow and outflow at the beaver pond sequence were related to the river hydrograph, with deposition taking place during the rising limbs and slight erosion during the falling limbs. The 7-year-old sequences have filtered 190.19 ton of sediment out of the Chevral river, which is of the same order of magnitude as the 374.4 ton measured in pond deposits, with the difference between the values corresponding to beaver excavations (60.24 ton), inflow from small tributaries, and runoff from the valley flanks. Hydrogeomorphic effects of C. fiber and Castor canadensis activity are similar in magnitude. The detailed analysis of sedimentation in beaver pond sequences confirms the potential of beavers to contribute to river and wetland restoration, and catchment management. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired causes of gastric outlet obstruction ( GOO) are rarely encountered in infancy, having an approximate incidence of 1 per 100 000 live births. Reports of short-term exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs having adverse events are few. We present the case of a previously healthy 3-year-old boy who developed severe chronic gastric outlet obstruction and antral stenosis after a short-term ingestion of liquid ibuprofen at a dosage not thought to be associated with unfavorable effects. Even though the optimal management of these cases remains to be determined, we report on a prompt and successful endoscopic treatment for this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Statement of problem: Immediate occlusal loading of dental implants in the edentulous mandible has proven to be an effective, reliable, and predictable treatment protocol. However, there is limited long-term data available in the literature, when an electroeroded definitive cast-titanium fixed prosthesis is used for this treatment protocol. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of dental implants (Astra Tech Dental, Mölndal, Sweden) in the edentulous mandible immediately loaded with an electroeroded cast-titanium screw-retained fixed prosthesis. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients received five implants each in the interforaminal area. All the implants were inserted with torque up to 40 Ncm and the distal implants were distally tilted approximately 20 to 30 degrees to minimize the length of posterior cantilevers. Implants were loaded within 48 hours of placement with an acrylic resin-titanium screw-retained prosthesis fabricated by electroerosion. Results: Two of the 225 inserted implants failed after 3 and 16 months of healing, respectively, with a cumulative survival rate of 99.1% and a prosthetic survival rate of 97.8%. Conclusion: Immediate loading of tilted dental implants inserted in the edentulous mandible with a screw-retained titanium definitive prosthesis fabricated with electrical discharge machining provide reliable and predictable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As with most Italian rivers, the Reno River has a long history of human modification, related also to morphological changes of the lower Po River since Roman times, but in the last decades, significant land use changes in the headwaters, dam construction, torrent control works and extensive bed material mining have caused important channel morphology and sediment budget changes. In this paper, two main types of channel adjustment, riverbed incision and channel narrowing, are analysed. Riverbed degradation is discussed by comparing four different longitudinal profiles surveyed in 1928, 1951, 1970 and 1998 in the 120 km long reach upstream of the outlet. The analysis of channel narrowing is carried out by comparing a number of cross-sections surveyed in different years across the same downstream reach. Field sediment transport measurements of seven major floods that occurred between 2003 and 2006 are compared with the bedload transport rates predicted by the most renowned equations. The current low bedload yield is discussed in terms of sediment supply limited conditions due to land use changes, erosion-control works and extensive and out of control bed material mining that have affected the Reno during the last decades. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-arthroplasty infections are a devastating problem in orthopaedic surgery. While acute infections can be treated with a single stage washout and liner exchange, chronic infections lead to multiple reoperations, prolonged antibiotic courses, extended disability, and worse clinical outcomes. Unlike previous mouse models that studied an acute infection, this work aimed to develop a model of a chronic post-arthroplasty infection. To achieve this, a stainless steel implant in the knee joints of mice was inoculated with a bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus strain (1 × 102-1 × 104 colony forming units, CFUs) and in vivo imaging was used to monitor the bacterial burden for 42 days. Four different S. aureus strains were compared in which the bioluminescent construct was integrated in an antibiotic selection plasmid (ALC2906), the bacterial chromosome (Xen29 and Xen40), or a stable plasmid (Xen36). ALC2906 had increased bioluminescent signals through day 10, after which the signals became undetectable. In contrast, Xen29, Xen40, and Xen36 had increased bioluminescent signals through 42 days with the highest signals observed with Xen36. ALC2906, Xen29, and Xen40 induced significantly more inflammation than Xen36 as measured by in vivo enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-neutrophil flourescence of LysEGFP mice. All four strains induced comparable biofilm formation as determined by variable-pressure scanning electron microscopy. Using a titanium implant, Xen36 had higher in vivo bioluminescence signals than Xen40 but had similar biofilm formation and adherent bacteria. In conclusion, Xen29, Xen40, and especially Xen36, which had stable bioluminescent constructs, are feasible for long-term in vivo monitoring of bacterial burden and biofilm formation to study chronic post-arthroplasty infections and potential antimicrobial interventions. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:335-340, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous disorder caused by concomitant impairment of insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells and of insulin action in peripheral target tissues. Studies with inhibitors and agonists established a role for PLC in the regulation of insulin secretion but did not distinguish between effects due to nuclear or cytoplasmic PLC signaling pathways that act in a distinct fashion. We report that in MIN6 β cells, PLCβ1 localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm, PLCδ4 in the nucleus, and PLCγ1 in the cytoplasm. By silencing each isoform, we observed that they all affected glucose-induced insulin release both at basal and high glucose concentrations. To elucidate the molecular basis of PLC regulation, we focused on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a nuclear receptor transcription factor that regulates genes critical to β-cell maintenance and functions. Silencing of PLCβ1 and PLCδ4 resulted in a decrease in the PPARγ mRNA level. By means of a PPARγ- promoter-luciferase assay, the decrease could be attributed to a PLC action on the PPARγ-promoter region. The effect was specifically observed on silencing of the nuclear and not the cytoplasmic PLC. These findings highlight a novel pathway by which nuclear PLCs affect insulin secretion and identify PPARγ as a novel molecular target of nuclear PLCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MyD88 is an adapter molecule that is used by both IL-1R and TLR family members to initiate downstream signaling and promote immune responses. Given that IL-1β is induced after Staphylococcus aureus infections and TLR2 is activated by S. aureus lipopeptides, we hypothesized that IL-1β and TLR2 contribute to MyD88-dependent protective immune responses against post-arthroplasty S. aureus infections. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model of a post-arthroplasty S. aureus infection to compare the bacterial burden, biofilm formation and neutrophil recruitment in IL-1β-deficient, TLR2-deficient and wild-type (wt) mice. By using in vivo bioluminescence imaging, we found that the bacterial burden in IL-1β-deficient mice was 26-fold higher at 1 day after infection and remained 3- to 10-fold greater than wt mice through day 42. In contrast, the bacterial burden in TLR2-deficient mice did not differ from wt mice. In addition, implants harvested from IL-1β-deficient mice had more biofilm formation and 14-fold higher adherent bacteria compared with those from wt mice. Finally, IL-1β-deficient mice had ∼50% decreased neutrophil recruitment to the infected postoperative joints than wt mice. Taken together, these findings suggest a mechanism by which IL-1β induces neutrophil recruitment to help control the bacterial burden and the ensuing biofilm formation in a post-surgical joint. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1621-1626, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]