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Abstract: Risk assessment of snow avalanches is mostly related to weather conditions and snow cover. However, a robust risk validation requires avalanche activity data, in order to compare predictions to actual events. For this purpose in December 2009 we installed a temporary 4-element, small aperture (150m), infrasound array in the northwestern Italian Alps. The array was installed south of Mt. Rosa, at an elevation of 2000ma.s.l. in the valley of Gressoney, Italy, where natural avalanches are expected and avalanche control by explosives is regularly performed. A multi-channel correlation analysis is carried out on the continuous infrasound data set recorded by the array as a function of apparent velocity, back-azimuth and frequency of recorded infrasound. This allowed detectionof infrasonic signals propagating across the array from the background noise. During the 5-month-long experiment, 343 infrasonic events have been detected and characterized. These include sharp infrasonic transients (99 events) produced by explosions during avalanche control as well as longer lasting signals (244 events) possibly caused by avalanches. Although only few of these events were validated by direct avalanche observation, obtained results are promising and encouraging application of infrasound for long-term avalanche observation on wide areas, as the peak in avalanche activity in winter 2009–2010 was observed shortly after the infrasound events peaked as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eruptive plume dynamics is a direct expression of explosive style, where duration and altitude of eruptive clouds and dispersion of erupted products is proportional to the degree of fragmentation. We present an analysis of infrasonic and thermal records for explosions at Villarrica (Chile), Stromboli (Italy), Santiaguito and Fuego (Guatemala) volcanoes. Across these four systems magma composition spans from basaltic to dacitic and explosive activity is typically described as ranging from Strombolian to Vulcanian. We use this analysis to provide a quantitative, geophysically-based description of, and discrimination between, the different explosive styles that characterize the four volcanoes. While infrasound is directly related to the emission of over-pressurized gas, and thus solely reflects the plume emission, both plume emission and ascent are detected thermally. Thus, the two data sets together provide a complete description of the plume dynamics. In particular, while infrasound solely reflects the gas-thrust phase driving plume emission, thermal radiation energy is also affected by buoyancy during plume ascent. Thermal radiation energy estimated for explosions at Stromboli and Villarrica (104–107 J) is lower than that for events at Santiaguito and Fuego (108–109 J), but infrasonic energies overlap. This suggests a greater contribution of buoyancy for eruptive clouds at Santiaguito and Fuego when compared with Stromboli and Villarrica. We further investigated the plume dynamics by comparing infrasonic energy, which reflects gas-thrust (E GT ), with the difference between thermal radiation and infrasonic energies, which mostly reflects buoyancy (E B ). Our data distribution reveals two separate clusters. Explosions at Stromboli and Villarrica share low values of buoyancy, pointing to a gas-thrust dominated emission, efficient coupling of the infrasonic source to the atmosphere, and a Strombolian-type source process to generate a plume rich in coarse fragments. In contrast, explosions at Santiaguito and Fuego share large buoyancy (E B ), and are consistent with Vulcanian-type events in which a large part of infrasonic energy is spent in magma fragmentation leading to ascent of buoyant, ash-rich plumes. We demonstrate that the comparison between thermal radiation and infrasonic energies of explosions allows a quantitative discrimination between, and characterization of, Strombolian- and Vulcanian-type explosions, which leads us to suggest that such an approach may be used as an index to further (and quantitatively) discriminate between eruptive styles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Among ground-based volcano monitoring techniques, infrasound is the only one capable of detecting explosive eruptions from distances of thousands of kilometers. We show how infrasound array analysis, using acoustic amplitude and detection persistency, allows automatic, near-real-time identification of eruptions of Etna volcano (Italy), for stations at distances greater than 500 km. A semi-empirical attenuation relation is applied to recover the pressure time history at the source using infrasound recorded at global scale (>500 km). An infrasound parameter (IP), defined as the product between the number of detections, filtered for the expected back-azimuth of Etna volcano, and range corrected amplitude, is compared with the explosive activity at Etna volcano that was associated with aviation color code RED warnings. This shows that, during favourable propagation conditions, global arrays are capable of identifying explosive activity of Etna 87% of the period of analysis without negative false alerts. Events are typically not detected during unfavourable propagation conditions, thus resulting in a time variable efficiency of the system. We suggest that infrasound monitoring on a global scale can provide timely input for Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) even when a latency of ~1 hour, due to propagation time, is considered. The results highlight the capability of infrasound for near-real-time volcano monitoring at a regional and global scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The preservation of historical buildings mainly depends on our capacity to monitor their ageing and quickly detect potential damage. We show how the dynamic characteristics of a building (i.e., frequency, shapes mode and seismic wave velocity) can be automatically identified and tracked in real-time by combining modal analysis with seismic interferometry. The assessment of these characteristics is performed on Giotto's bell tower in Firenze, Italy, by installing a temporary network of seismic sensors. The natural frequencies and modal shapes of the structure are calculated by enhanced frequency domain decomposition (EFDD). The impulse response functions estimated by following a waveform deconvolution approach are analysed to investigate the seismic wave dispersion in Giotto's bell tower. We show that Giotto's bell tower is a dispersive structure affected by a bending deformation, with a weak contribution from soil-system interaction. Combining the results of operational modal analysis (OMA) and seismic interferometry from the same ambient noise recording provides a unique and complete dynamic response of important monuments such as Giotto's bell tower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We used a network of stations to perform systematic radon surveys at Stromboli volcano. The time series of periodic measurements show that monthly average 222Rn emissions reflect changes in volcanic activity and exhibit increasing trends prior and during the last major eruptive cycles. Maps of radon emissions indicate that diffuse degassing is operative at Stromboli volcano. Concentrated degassing essentially occurs in the summit area and within a sector proximal to the two major NE trending faults. These sites were chosen for deploying the two real-time stations that are currently operating at Stromboli. In these devices, the 222Rn electronic dosimeters are connected to a radiomodem for wireless data transfer to a receiving station at the volcano observatory. Radon activity, soil temperature and atmospheric pressure data are sampled and instantaneously transferred via web so that they can be checked remotely. Collected time series reveal an overall inverse correlation between radon emissions and seasonal temperature variations. Radon emissions in sectors of diffuse degassing are modulated by tidal forces as well. Radon activities recorded at the summit station, located along the fracture zone where the gas flux is concentrated, are positively correlated with changes in atmospheric pressure and confirm the occurrence of the “atmospheric stack effect”. We finally emphasize that real-time radon monitoring is an innovative technique that may be systematically applied in volcano surveillance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Stromboli volcano erupted on February 27, 2007, after an intense Strombolian activity lasted about 2 months. The eruption was characterized by a series of rapidly evolving phenomena, like the propagation of an effusive fracture along the crater rim, the opening of lateral effusive vents, an unusually large effusive flux (>10 m3/s), the collapse of the crater system, and a major strombolian explosion. This eruption was monitored by an integrated network of multiparameter instruments: broad-band seismometers, infrasonic array, thermal cameras and bore-hole tiltmeters. All the information collected and processed in real-time allowed to draw a clear picture of the eruption dynamics. Thermal imagery documented in real-time how the effusive fracture propagated at 12:24 GMT of February 27 along the northern rim of the NE crater towards the NE direction. The infrasonic array showed that explosive and degassing activity ceased at 10:32 GMT, a couple of hours before the opening of the effusive fractures. The end of the explosive activity coincided with an intense phase of high-frequency (4–22 Hz) tremor which showed two episodes of harmonic spectrum gliding from 4–7 Hz to ~22 Hz. The end of this phase was characterized at 18:26 GMT by a strong infrasonic signal located by the array in the Sciara del Fuoco and associated with the landslide induced by the opening of a lateral effusive vent at 400 m of elevation. This eruption provided a clear example on how the strategy of integrating in near-real-time geophysical information can pinpoint the transition from explosive to effusive activity of the shallow volcanic system at Stromboli. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

(1) Background : The products of guanine oxidation in DNA and RNA excreted in urine are 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo), and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo). Despite intra and inter-individual variability, it is possible to identify situations that significantly increase the levels of these compounds when comparing urinary concentrations of some workers to those of the general population. (2) Methods : urines from gasoline pump attendants (58 from Saudi Arabia and 102 from Italy), 24 workers of a fiberglass reinforced plastics plant, 17 painters and 6 divers were analyzed by HPLC/MS-MS. To test the individual variability, two subjects provided daily samples for one month, and 132 urine samples from the general population were analyzed. (3) Results : We summarized the results for each biomarker, and found the following were statistically higher than in the general population: 8-oxoGua in fiberglass and Italian gasoline workers; 8-oxodGuo in fiberglass and both Saudi Arabian and Italian gasoline workers; 8-oxoGuo in fiberglass workers, both Saudi Arabian and Italian gasoline workers, and painters after the working shift. (4) Conclusions : these results confirm that both 8-oxodGuo and 8-oxoGuo are valuable biomarkers for occupational exposures to dangerous chemicals and seem to suggest that 8-oxoGuo, related to RNA oxidation, is a suitable biomarker to evaluate short term, reversible effects of occupational exposures even within the health-based limit values.

The aim of present study is to evaluate the greater risk of periodontal disease in subjects affected by cardiovascular disease. The statistical study includes 200 patients equally divided into a test and a control group. The test group is made up of hospitalized patients from the cardiology division of the S. Salvatore hospital of L'Aquila and the second made up of subjects that frequented a dental clinic. All patients were subject to anamnesis and clinical evaluation for periodontal disease. The index used for this clinical examination were CPTIN index (Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs), pocket depth index (PPD), probing bleeding index (PBI), and plaque index (Silness, Loe). All data were collected and a comparative analysis was done of the results obtained from the two groups. Analysing the data concerning the average of lost and present teeth in the oral cavity and the damage of periodontal attachment we notice that cardiopathic subjects had a loss of periodontal attachment 2 times greater than in the control group and major condition of edentulism. A frequency test called the "chi-square test" showed that cardiopathic patients had a greater frequency of periodontal disease. The development of periodontal disease in subject suffering from coronary heart disease is faster and more aggressive than in healthy subjects. Therefore, the prevention of periodontal disease is simple and effective way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease., (Copyright 2019 Biolife Sas. www.biolifesas.org.)

This article presents the new Italian database of physical agents, which is available at http://www.portaleagentifisici.it. It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Italy's Legislative Decree 81/2008 (transposing into law European Union Directives 2003/10/EC, 2002/44/EC, 2004/40/EC and 2006/25/EC). The database currently contains measurements and declared European Community (EC) values from over 2540 machines; in particular, the database hosts data on mechanical vibration from over 1430 hand-held power tools (e.g., pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 1020 whole-body machines (e.g., buses, fork lifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired.

The Italian vibration database is presented. It is hosted by a web server at the National Institute of Occupational Prevention and Safety (ISPESL) in Rome, Italy (http: / /www.ispesl.it/vibrationdatabase). It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Legislative Decree 187/05, now replaced by Legislative Decree 81/08, which transposes into law Vibration Directive 2002/44/EC. The database currently contains measurements and EC-declared values from over 980 hand-held power tools (such as pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 420 vehicles (such as buses, forklifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired.

Most international trials support the recommendation that all women planning or at risk of pregnancy take a daily multivitamin supplement containing folic acid, beginning one month before conception and continuing through the first trimester for primary prevention of neural tube defects and other congenital malformations. Recently an intervention project started also in Italy, in order to support and maintain the periconceptional supplementation and to evaluate the efficacy of a national preventive campaign on parents' behaviour.

This study describes the evolution of the concept of health in Italian occupational health legislation (1900-2001). Mental health dimensions at work (such as reduction in monotony and repetitiveness, mental risks in pregnancy and so on) were introduced only recently. This can be explained with: 1) poor working conditions; 2) the delay of the occupational health community in including mental health in the concept of health; 3) the gap between scientific knowledge of risk factors for mental health and legislation aimed at prevention.

In our statistic the number of cases of vaginal trichomoniasi in which discariosi, displasie, metaplasie are found are represented in about 40%. While 37,5% of women affected with neoplastic lesions had Trichomonas vaginalis. It is certain that in the presence of flogosi from Trichomonas vaginalis we meet more frequently than normal, atipie cellulars and that often an exact valutation of this lesion is put back to an exam after the recovery of the Trichomonas vaginalis, because fortunately, more than often these disturbances disappear.

The casuistics refers to 1646 cases equal to 20,5% of vaginal trichomoniasis in a total of 7996 pap tests examined in the service of Anatomy and Histology Pathology in the hospital of Terni. The exams of the incidences of trichomoniasis in the various age classes, reveals that the main frequency is found in the 2nd., 3rd., 4th decades of life, that is in the period of maximum sexual attivity. Vaginal Trichomonas is rarer before puberty and after the menopause.