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Abstract The fast individuation and modeling of faults responsible for large earthquakes are fundamental for understanding the evolution of potentially destructive seismic sequences. This is even more challenging in case of buried thrusts located in offshore areas, like those hosting the 9 November 2022 Ml 5.7 (Mw 5.5) and ML 5.2 earthquakes that nucleated along the Apennines compressional front, offshore the northern Adriatic Sea. Available on- and offshore (from hydrocarbon platforms) geodetic observations and seismological data provide robust constraints on the rupture of a 15 km long, ca. 24° SSW-dipping fault patch, consistent with seismic reflection data. Stress increase along unruptured portion of the activated thrust front suggests the potential activation of longer portions of the thrust with higher magnitude earthquake and larger surface faulting. This unpleasant scenario needs to be further investigated, also considering their tsunamigenic potential and possible impact on onshore and offshore human communities and infrastructures.

This study presents and discusses horizontal and vertical geodetic velocities for a low strain rate region of the south Alpine thrust front in northeastern Italy obtained by integrating GPS, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and leveling data. The area is characterized by the presence of subparallel, south-verging thrusts whose seismogenic potential is still poorly known. Horizontal GPS velocities show that this sector of the eastern Southern Alps is undergoing ∼1 mm a−1 of NW–SE shortening associated with the Adria–Eurasia plate convergence, but the horizontal GPS velocity gradient across the mountain front provides limited constraints on the geometry and slip rate of the several subparallel thrusts. In terms of vertical velocities, the three geodetic methods provide consistent results showing a positive velocity gradient, of ∼ 1.5 mm a−1, across the mountain front, which can hardly be explained solely by isostatic processes. We developed an interseismic dislocation model whose geometry is constrained by available subsurface geological reconstructions and instrumental seismicity. While a fraction of the measured uplift can be attributed to glacial and erosional isostatic processes, our results suggest that interseismic strain accumulation at the Montello and the Bassano–Valdobbiadene thrusts it significantly contributing to the measured uplift. The seismogenic potential of the Montello thrust turns out to be smaller than that of the Bassano–Valdobbiadene fault, whose estimated parameters (locking depth equals 9.1 km and slip rate equals 2.1 mm a−1) indicate a structure capable of potentially generating a Mw>6.5 earthquake. These results demonstrate the importance of precise vertical ground velocity data for modeling interseismic strain accumulation in slowly deforming regions where seismological and geomorphological evidence of active tectonics is often scarce or not conclusive.

Since the beginning of the ongoing Amatrice seismic sequence on August 24, 2016, initiated by a Mw 6.0 normal faulting earthquake, the EMERGEO Working Group (an INGV team devoted to earthquake aftermath geological survey) set off to investigate any coseismic effects on the natural environment. Up to now, we surveyed about 750 km2 and collected more than 3200 geological observations as differently oriented tectonic fractures together with intermediate- to small- sized landslides, that were mapped in the whole area. The most impressive coseismic evidence was found along the known active Mt. Vettore fault system, where surface ruptures with clear vertical/horizontal offset were observed for more than 5 km, while unclear and discontinuous coseismic features were recorded along the Laga Mts. Fault systems.

Abstract Encephalomyocarditis virus (Picornaviridae, Cardiovirus A) is the causative agent of the homonymous disease, which may induce myocarditis, encephalitis and reproductive disorders in various mammals, especially in swine. Despite the disease occurred endemically in pig farms since 1997, the recent increase of death experimented in Northern Italy prompted to furtherly investigate the evolution of the virus and the actual spread of the infection. Italian EMC viruses, collected between 2013 and 2019, showed an overall antigenic stability. The in-house ELISA Monoclonal Antibodies based, able to reveal changes in seven different antigenic sites, showed only sporadic and occasional mutations in considered samples and the subsequent phylogenetic analysis confirmed antigenic panel’s remarks. All the isolates could be classified within a unique lineage, which comprise other European strains and confirm that the viruses currently circulating in Italy developed from a unique common ancestor. Despite the demonstrated stability of virus, some putative newly emerged variants were detected through antigenic profile analysis and phylogenesis. Finally, the serosurvey proved that spread of EMCV is greater than the diffusion of fatal infections would suggest, due to subclinical circulation of EMCV. It demonstrated an increase in the proportion of seropositive farms, if compared with previous data with no remarkable differences between farms with and without clinical evidence of disease.

The hydrolytic processes occurring at the surface of silicon nitride (Si3N4) bioceramic have been indicated as a powerful pathway to instantaneous inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the virus inactivation mechanisms promoted by Si3N4 remain yet to be elucidated. In this study, we provide evidence of the instantaneous damage incurred on the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon contact with Si3N4. We also emphasize the safety characteristics of Si3N4 for mammalian cells. Contact between the virions and micrometric Si3N4 particles immediately targeted a variety of viral molecules by inducing post-translational oxidative modifications of S-containing amino acids, nitration of the tyrosine residue in the spike receptor binding domain, and oxidation of RNA purines to form formamidopyrimidine. This structural damage in turn led to a reshuffling of the protein secondary structure. These clear fingerprints of viral structure modifications were linked to inhibition of viral functionality and infectivity. This study validates the notion that Si3N4 bioceramic is a safe and effective antiviral compound; and a primary antiviral candidate to replace the toxic and allergenic compounds presently used in contact with the human body and in long-term environmental sanitation.

In the last years, direct sale of raw milk by vending machines has largely increased in several European Countries and Italy. As a consequence, adequate hygienic measures and correct consumer’s information is required in order to reduce any potential risk linked to this product. In the present study, the occurrence of pathogens (Salmonella spp., verocytotoxigenic E.coli, Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, S.aureus) in raw milk and bovine faeces collected in 4 farms in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy), between January 2007 and March 2009 has been investigated; 99.5% of milk samples resulted negative for the pathogens considered and complying with the regulation S. aureus limits. Campylobacter has been found in 0.44% of the samples, collected during summer, while only one sample resulted positive to a non-verocytotoxigenic E.coli O157. In respect to faeces, 62.6% of the samples resulted negative, 33.6% were contaminated by Campylobacter spp. (68% Campylobacter coli and 32% Campylobacter jejuni) and 3.8% by E.coli O157. No samples resulted positive for Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes. The results highlight the necessity of a strict plan of hygienic and sanitary controls, with particular attention to milking process hygiene and raw milk storage, to reduce the risk of contamination of the product.

in this study, samples of “Ciabuscolo”, a raw fermented meat product listed among the traditional products of the Marche Region, were collected from four meat processing plants and analysed to evaluate microbiological process and product’s standards.

This work studies by approximation thc problem of tbe energy distribution among thc seichcs oi a lake oi various no de. It is obvious that particular conditions may affect tbe prevalent rise of one seiche rather than another, however, st atistically the probability to observe the uninodale 18 genera~ly bigger than the probability of observing tbe binodale etc.; becau8e, still statistically tbe arnplitudes of the uninodalc are, on thc average, bigger, compared with the others. The determination oi the statistical distribution of the energies and consequently the amplitudes, i8 the purpose of this work.

The fast individuation and modeling of faults responsible for large earthquakes are fundamental for understanding the evolution of potentially destructive seismic sequences. This is even more challenging in case of buried thrusts located in offshore areas, like those hosting the 9 November 2022 Ml 5.7 (M w 5.5) and M L 5.2 earthquakes that nucleated along the Apennines compressional front, offshore the northern Adriatic Sea. Available on- and offshore (from hydrocarbon platforms) geodetic observations and seismological data provide robust constraints on the rupture of a 15 km long, ca. 24° SSW-dipping fault patch, consistent with seismic reflection data. Stress increase along unruptured portion of the activated thrust front suggests the potential activation of longer portions of the thrust with higher magnitude earthquake and larger surface faulting. This unpleasant scenario needs to be further investigated, also considering their tsunamigenic potential and possible impact on onshore and offshore human communities and infrastructures., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The geodetic dataset used in the research article entitled " Multi-technique geodetic detection of onshore and offshore subsidence along the Upper Adriatic Sea coasts" [1] is presented here. It consists of the outcomes of three different techniques, i.e. Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and topographic Levelling surveys. This dataset has been used for the estimation of onshore and offshore deformation in a mineral concession area located along the Upper Adriatic Sea coastal area (Italy), South-East of Ravenna city. InSAR data covers the period from 2002 to 2018, GNSS data from 1998 to 2018 and levelling data from 2002 to 2017.The different measurements have been cross-validated and referred to a common local reference system fixed in the urban area of Ravenna. This data collection will be very useful for deepening the analysis of any type of deformation in the Ravenna coastal area., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.)

We provide a dataset of 3D coordinate time series of 37 continuous GNSS stations installed for stability monitoring purposes on onshore and offshore industrial settlements along a NW-SE-oriented and ~100-km-wide belt encompassing the eastern Italian coast and the Adriatic Sea. The dataset results from the analysis performed by using different geodetic software (Bernese, GAMIT/GLOBK and GIPSY) and consists of six raw position time series solutions, referred to IGb08 and IGS14 reference frames. Time series analyses and comparisons evidence that the different solutions are consistent between them, despite the use of different software, models, strategy processing and frame realizations. We observe that the offshore stations are subject to significant seasonal oscillations probably due to seasonal environmental loads, seasonal temperature-induced platform deformation and hydrostatic pressure variations. Many stations are characterized by non-linear time series, suggesting a complex interplay between regional (long-term tectonic stress) and local sources of deformation (e.g. reservoirs depletion, sediment compaction). Computed raw time series, logs files, phasor diagrams and time series comparison plots are distributed via PANGAEA ( https://www.pangaea.de ).

The effect of dopamine (DA) on GH release was studied in monolayer cultures obtained from 21 GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. DA at a concentration of 10(-6) M inhibited GH release in 13 adenomas (group 1: inhibition from 27--74%), had no effect in 3 (group II), and elicited a marked stimulation in 5 (group III: stimulation from 62--170%). The adenomas of acromegalic patients which were preoperatively responsive to DNA infusion (4 micrograms/kg . min) al fell into group I, whereas adenomas from patients not responsive to DA in vivo fell into groups II and III. The dose dependency of the effect of DA on GH secretion was studied in groups I and III. In group I adenomas the maximal inhibition was from 32--76% between 10(-7) and 2 x 10(-5) M DA. At high concentrations DA elicited a stimulatory effect. In group III adenomas the maximal stimulation was from 95--310% between 10(-7) and 10(-5) M DA. The dopaminergic ergot derivative CH 29--717 was as potent as DA in inhibiting GH release but, in contrast to DA, was nearly ineffective in stimulating the secretion of the hormone. We hypothesize that the different in vitro responsiveness of GH-secreting pituitary adenomas to DA could be due to the presence of multiple forms of DA receptors.

A morphological study was carried out on eight macroprolactinomas surgically removed from untreated patients and on nine macroprolactinomas removed from patients treated with bromocriptine (Brc; seven from patients treated for 6 weeks and two from patients treated for 1 yr). All treated patients had both serum PRL levels and tumor size (by computed tomographic scan) reduced. The study was carried out using light, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic techniques and electron microscopic morphometry. By immunofluorescence microscopy, all tumors consisted of cells positive for PRL. In some treated tumors, the fluorescence was more marked than in untreated tumors. By light and electron microscopy and by morphometry, significant reductions in cell size were observed in the adenomas from Brc-treated patients. Both the cytoplasm and the nucleus shrank, but the reduction of the cytoplasm was much greater than that of the nucleus. The shrinkage of the cytoplasm was a consequence of marked involution of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex in Brc-treated tumors. This effect may be related to inhibition of PRL synthesis by the drug. In some tumors from treated patients, the number of secretory granules was increased. No differences were observed between tumors from patients treated for 6 weeks and those from patients treated for 1 yr. The observed reduction in cell size by Brc could explain, at least in part, the well known size reduction of PRL-secreting adenomas in patients treated with the drug.