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Background: Adding immunotherapy to first-line chemotherapy might improve outcomes for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. We aimed to compare carboplatin and paclitaxel versus avelumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel as first-line treatment with avelumab given concurrent to chemotherapy and as maintenance after the end of chemotherapy. Methods: MITO END-3 is an open-label, randomised, controlled, phase 2 trial conducted at 31 cancer institutes, hospitals, and universities in Italy. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with histologically confirmed advanced (FIGO stage III–IV) or recurrent endometrial cancer, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0–1, and no previous systemic anticancer therapy as primary treatment for advanced or metastatic disease. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) using a computerised minimisation procedure stratified by centre, histology, and stage at study entry, to either receive carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 5 mg/mL × min) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2; standard group) intravenously every 3 weeks for six to eight cycles or avelumab (10 mg/kg intravenously) added to carboplatin and paclitaxel (experimental group) every 3 weeks and then every 2 weeks as a single maintenance treatment after the end of chemotherapy until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients, treating clinicians, and those assessing radiological examinations were not masked to study treatment. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival, measured in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Patients who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analysis. Experimental group superiority was tested with 80% power and one-tailed α 0·20. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03503786) and EudraCT (2016–004403–31). Findings: From April 9, 2018, to May 13, 2021, 166 women were assessed for eligibility and 39 were excluded. 125 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive carboplatin and paclitaxel (n=62) or avelumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (n=63) and included in the ITT population. The median follow-up was 23·3 months (IQR 13·2–29·6) and was similar between the two groups. 91 progression-free survival events were reported, with 49 events in 62 patients in the standard group and 42 events in 63 patients in the experimental group. The median progression-free survival was 9·9 months (95% CI 6·7–12·1) in the standard group and 9·6 months (7·2–17·7) in the experimental group (HR of progression or death 0·78 [60% CI 0·65–0·93]; one-tailed p=0·085). Serious adverse events were reported more frequently in the experimental group (24 vs seven events in the standard group); neutrophil count decrease was the most frequent grade 3–4 adverse event (19 [31%] of 61 patients in the experimental group vs 26 [43%] of 61 patients in the standard group). Two deaths occurred in the experimental group during treatment (one respiratory failure following severe myositis [possibly related to treatment] and one cardiac arrest [not related to treatment]). Interpretation: Adding avelumab to first-line chemotherapy deserves further testing in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, although consideration of mismatch repair status is warranted.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological cancer in developed countries. The ESGO/ESTRO/ESP updated evidence-based guidelines in 2020, introducing molecular classification to guide EC treatment. The genomic-based approach has identified four prognostic subgroups of EC. Each of these may benefit from a tailored treatment depending on the molecular profile, the histotype, and stage of disease for the adjuvant and the metastatic/recurrent setting. Several clinical trials are now ongoing to identify the best treatment according to the molecular profile of EC.This review analyzes tailored treatment for EC according to the molecular profile, both in the adjuvant and in the metastatic/recurrent setting. The authors review the results of clinical studies and highlight ongoing trials.Several new agents are under evaluation in order to personalize EC treatment according to specific molecular profiles in the adjuvant, advanced, and recurrent settings. Clinical trials investigating the impact of molecular classification have yielded encouraging results. EC can no longer be considered a single tumor entity susceptible to a single treatment modality but rather be split into four distinct types, requiring tailored treatments.

ObjectiveCorrelation betweenBRCA1/2 (BRCA) pathogenic variants and the response to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) has been recognized in patients with ovarian cancer. Moreover, data on the clinical implications of variants of unknown significance are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in survival outcomes in patients withBRCAvariants of unknown significance, mutated, and wild type relapsed ovarian cancer treated with PARPi.MethodsPatients with ovarian cancer whose somaticBRCAtesting was available and who were receiving PARPi as maintenance treatment at the first recurrence between January 2014 and January 2021 were included in the present study and analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according toBRCAmutational status (variant of unknown significance, mutated, and wild type). Progression-free survival was assessed in each study group.ResultsOf 67 patients identified, 20 (29.9%), 24 (35.8%), and 23 (34.3%) had BRCA variant of unknown significance, mutated, and wild type, respectively. Patients received PARPi as maintenance treatment at the time of the first relapse after a complete response or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy without differences in the previous platinum-free interval among the analyzed groups. The median progression-free survival of patients withBRCAmutation was significantly longer than for those with BRCA wild type or variant of unknown significance (not reached vs 4 months vs 7 months, respectively; pBRCAwild type andBRCAvariant of unknown significance (p=0.50).ConclusionOur study suggests that carriers of BRCA variant of unknown significance have survival outcomes comparable to patients withBRCAwild type and shorter progression-free survival than women harboringBRCApathogenic variants.

ObjectiveThis international study aimed to investigate the impact of substage, histological type and other prognostic factors on long-term survival for stage I ovarian carcinoma.MethodsOur study was a retrospective multicenter cohort study that included patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I (IA-IC3) ovarian carcinoma treated at four European referral centers in Germany and Italy. Using Kaplan-Meier survival curves we compared overall and disease-free survival between the different stage I groups.ResultsA total of 1115 patients were included. Of these, 48.4% (n=540) were in stage IA, 6.6% (n=73) stage IB, and 45% (n=502) stage IC, of the latter substage IC1, 54% (n=271), substage IC2, 31.5% (n=158), and substage IC3, 14.5% (n=73). Five-year overall and disease-free survival rates for the entire cohort were 94% and 86%, respectively, with no difference between stage IA and IB. However, there was a significantly better overall and disease-free survival for stage IA as compared with stage IC (p=0.007 and pConclusionAlthough stage I ovarian carcinoma exhibited excellent outcomes, the prognosis of patients with stage IA differs significantly compared with stage IC. Sub-optimal staging as an indicator for quality of care, and tumor biology defined by histology (low-grade endometrioid/mucinous) independently impact disease-free survival.

Immunotherapy is an effective treatment option for gynecological malignancies. Radiologists dealing with gynecological patients undergoing treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors should be aware of unconventional immune-related imaging features for the evaluation of tumor response and immune-related adverse events. In this paper, immune checkpoint inhibitors used for gynecological malignancies and their mechanisms of action are briefly presented. In the second part, patterns of pseudoprogression are illustrated, and different forms of immune-related adverse events are discussed.

Electrical resistivity tomography is a technique widely used for the investigation of the structure and fluid dynamics of the shallow subsurface, particularly for hydro‐geophysical purposes, sometimes using cross‐borehole configurations. The results of electrical resistivity tomography inversion and their usefulness in solving hydrogeophysical problems, even though invariably limited by resolution issues, depend strongly on the accuracy of inversion, which in turn depends on a proper estimation and handling of data and model errors. Among model errors, one approximation often applied in cross‐hole electrical resistivity tomography is that of neglecting the effects of boreholes and the fluids therein. Such effects inevitably impact the current and potential patterns as measured by electrodes in the boreholes themselves. In the presence of very saline fluids, in particular, this model approximation may prove inadequate and the tomographic inversion may yield images strongly contaminated by artefacts. In this paper, we present a case study where highly saline water was used for hydraulic fracturing to improve permeability of a shallow formation impacted by hydrocarbon contamination, with the final aim of improving the effectiveness of in situ contaminant oxidation. The hydraulic fracturing was monitored via time‐lapse cross‐hole electrical resistivity tomography. Arrival of the saline water in the monitoring borehole likely caused a strong borehole effect that significantly affected the quality and usefulness of electrical resistivity tomography inversions. In this paper, we analyse the experimental dataset and produce, via three‐dimensional electrical resistivity tomography forward modelling, a viable explanation for the observed, paradoxical field results.

Lurbinectedin is an antitumor agent belonging to the natural marine-based tetrahydroisoquinoline family which has shown very promising clinical activity with a favorable safety profile in many types of cancer. Preclinical evidence showed that lurbinectedin inhibits active transcription and binds to GC-rich sequences, leading to irreversible degradation of RNA polymerase II and generation of single- and double-strand DNA breaks and, as a consequence, apoptosis of tumor cells. In addition, lurbinectedin has demonstrated modulation of the tumor microenvironment and activity against cancer cells harboring homologous recombination DNA repair deficiency. Although considerable improvements have been made in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer, most patients with advanced disease experience recurrence with a dismal prognosis due to chemotherapy (mainly platinum) resistance. Platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer remains a difficult-to-treat setting of disease, and currently, the exploration of new therapeutic approaches represents a main field of interest. Although the CORAIL phase III study did not meet its primary endpoint, the results suggest that lurbinectedin might be a valid alternative for patients that have exhausted therapeutic options. This article will focus on the clinical evidence, the most recent investigations, and the future perspective regarding the use of lurbinectedin in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and very little is known about the underlying tumorigenesis mechanisms. For other tumors, like colorectal cancer, a relationship between several opportunistic pathogens and cancer development and progression has been proven. Recent researches also underline a possible correlation between gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer treatment efficacy and adverse effects. Several studies have also demonstrated a link between abdominal surgery and gut microbiota modifications. In this paper, we aim to review the available evidences of this issue in OC to understand if there is a relationship between gut microbiota modifications and efficacy and adverse effects of cancer therapies, either surgical and medical treatments. Well-designed clinical studies, with a robust translational component, are required to better understand the modulation of gut microbiota during OC treatment. The microbiota/microbiome composition analysis, in the near future, could represent a novel instrument to personalize anticancer therapies.

BackgroundPlatinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients have a poor prognosis and few treatment options are available. Preclinical and clinical data demonstrated that the combination of poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors with immune checkpoint inhibitors could have a synergistic antitumor activity in this setting of patients.Primary ObjectiveThe primary objective is to assess the efficacy of niraparib plus dostarlimab compared with chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer patients not suitable for platinum treatment.Study HypothesisThis trial will assess the hypothesis that niraparib plus dostarlimab therapy is effective to increase overall survival, progression-free survival, and time to first subsequent therapy respect to chemotherapy alone, with an acceptable toxicity profile.Trial DesignThis is a phase III, multicenter trial, where recurrent ovarian cancer patients not eligible for platinum re-treatment will be randomized 1:1 to receive niraparib plus dostarlimab vs physician’s choice chemotherapy until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal of patient consent. The study will be performed according to European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) model B and patients will be recruited from 40 sites across MITO, CEEGOG, GINECO, HeCOG, MANGO, and NOGGO groups.Major Inclusion/Exclusion criteriaEligible patients must have recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer not eligible for platinum retreatment. Patients who received previous treatment with poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors will be eligible. No more than two prior lines of treatment are allowed.Primary EndpointThe primary endpoint is overall survival defined as the time from the randomization to the date of death by any cause.Sample Size427 patients will be randomized.Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting ResultsJune 2024Trial Registration NumberNCT04679064.

The hyporheic and riparian zones are critical domains in a river ecosystem since they mediate the interactions between surface water and groundwater. These domains are generally strongly heterogeneous and difficult to access; yet their characterization and monitoring still rely mostly on hard-to-perform invasive surveys that provide only point information. These well-known issues, however, can be overcome thanks to the application of minimally invasive methods. In this paper, we present the results of the hydrogeophysical characterization of the Vermigliana Creek's hyporheic and riparian zones, performed at an experimental site in the Adige catchment, northern Italy, by means of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), distributed temperature sensing (DTS), and hydrological modeling. A major advancement is given by the placement of electrodes and of an optical fiber in horizontal boreholes at some depth below the river bed, put in place via directional drilling. The results of this static and dynamic (time-lapse) geophysical characterization identify the presence of two subdomains (the sub-riverbed and the left and right banks) and define the water flow and solute dynamics. The ERT information is then used, together with other hydrological data, to build a 3D subsurface hydrological model (driven mainly by the watercourse stage variations) that is calibrated against local piezometric information. A solute transport model is then developed to reproduce the variations observed in the dynamic geophysical monitoring. The results show good agreement between ERT data and the model outcome. In addition, the transport model is also consistent with the temperature data derived from DTS, even though some slight discrepancies show that the heat capacity of the solid matrix and heat conduction cannot be totally neglected.

Noninvasive methods for the characterization of shallow subsurface have been used routinely for some 20–30 years. The growth in these methods has been driven by a variety of breakthroughs in the use of electrical, electromagnetic, and seismic methods, to mention only the most common techniques. Increasing field capabilities and computational power have yet to yield all their potential fruits. In this chapter, we introduce readers to the basic concepts of shallow subsurface methods. We guide them through some of the physical details and present a number of application examples all derived from our own experience, concerning both structural characterization and (fluid)-dynamic understanding of the shallow subsurface. Finally, we propose ideas concerning the future development of this wide and exciting discipline.

We applied a multi-offset surface wave analysis (MOPA) to detect subsoil lateral heterogeneities at a dismissed industrial site along the coast of the city of Trieste (Italy). The site is heavily contaminated and is undergoing characterization in view of possible remediation and re-use. Sea/land interactions and massive anthropic interventions make the site particularly complex. The main lateral heterogeneities consist of an extended buried quay , which also divides continental and marine sediments . We used seismic surface waves to define this contact, while also using supporting data from boreholes and geo-electrical surveys. A multi-offset phase and attenuation analysis was conducted on a few seismic lines, and produced clear evidence concerning the sought heterogeneities. Field data interpretation was corroborated also by ancillary information, and by synthetic modeling, that produced seismograms totally consistent with the recorded ones. In summary, the case study demonstrates how MOPA can be applied in a straightforward manner to define heterogeneities even at a very small spatial scale, and in complex environments such as derelict industrial sites.

Purpose To compare corneal incision width after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (IOL) using different delivery systems. Methods One hundred and seventeen patients with cataract and no other anterior segment pathological features or previous eye surgery underwent cataract surgery with IOL implantation through a 2.2 mm incision. Three foldable IOL were implanted with their recommended delivery systems: Acrysof© SN60WF with Monarch© III/cartridge D (Group A, 38 patients); Tecnis© ZCB00 with Unfolder Platinum/cartridge easy load (Group B, 38 patients); Acrysof© SN60WF with Ultrasert™ preloaded system (Group C, 42 patients). Incision width was measured before and after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Results Before and after phacoemulsification incision width was, respectively, 2.21 ± 0.02 mm and 2.34 ± 0.08 mm in group A; 2.20 ± 0.02 mm and 2.31 ± 0.06 mm in group B; 2.20 ± 0.02 mm and 2.30 ± 0.07 mm in group C. Incision width was not significantly enlarged after phacoemulsification. Before and after IOL implantation incision width was, respectively, 2.34 ± 0.07 mm and 2.47 ± 0.07 mm in group A; 2.32 ± 0.06 mm and 2.45 ± 0.08 mm in group B; 2.30 ± 0.07 mm and 2.39 ± 0.07 mm in group C. Incision widths in group C were significantly different to groups A and B. No relationship was found between incision sizes and phacoemulsification time, ultrasound energy and IOL powers. Conclusion In cataract surgery Ultrasert™ enlarges the corneal incision less than other delivery systems.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcome of robotic surgical staging with hysterectomy (RH) plus or less pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy, compared to the same procedures performed by laparoscopic surgery (LH) in obese patients (BMI≥30 kg/m2) with endometrial cancer. Material and methods From October 2001 to April 2017, obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2) with primary, histologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma who underwent LH or RH using the Da Vinci Si or Xi Surgical System® (Intuitive Surgical Inc®, 1266 Kifer Road, Building 101 Sunnyvale, CA) were eligible for the study. Results We identified 655 women with endometrial cancer and BMI >30 kg/m2. Out of 655 patients, 249 (38%) underwent RH and 406 (62%) underwent LH plus or less pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. Our study showed that, compared to the 406 patients treated in LPS, 249 patients treated in robotics have a statistically significant difference in terms of increased operating time and a decreased conversion rate. In addition, the rate of pelvic lymphadenectomies in robotic surgeries is twice the one reported in LPS surgeries. Furthermore, a reduction in hospital stay was observed in the robotic group. We observed that the oncological outcomes do not vary according to the surgical approach and BMI variation. Conclusions: robotic surgery in severely obese women with endometrial cancer is feasible, safe, and reproducible and could be a valid alternative to laparoscopy in the treatment of these patients. Prospective studies could confirm our results.

The Pliocene to Early Pleistocene volcanic activity which generated the basaltic plateau of the Orosei-Dorgali area in Eastern Sardinia led to the disruption of the local hydrographic network by damming some tracts of the fluvial valleys incised in the granite basement. This resulted in the formation of lacustrine basins, whose fine-grained fills were partly interfingered and eventually covered by younger lava flows. In the SW part of the plateau, close to the Galtelli village, a number of unknown depressions, locally named “Paules,” were formed. In order to reconstruct their subsurface structure, two electrical resistivity tomography surveys were carried out across these depressions. The geophysical results, which demonstrate the existence of a disrupted layered system, were used to build a numerical geomechanical model that suggest the depressions originated by local collapses of the basaltic cover due to the compaction of the underlying fine-grained valley fills.

Mass and energy exchanges between soil, plants and atmosphere control a number of key environmental processes involving hydrology, biota and climate. The understanding of these exchanges also play a critical role for practical purposes e.g. in precision agriculture. In this paper we present a methodology based on coupling innovative data collection and models in order to obtain quantitative estimates of the key parameters of such complex flow system. In particular we propose the use of hydro-geophysical monitoring via "time-lapse" electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in conjunction with measurements of plant transpiration via sap flow and evapotranspiration (ET) from eddy covariance (EC). This abundance of data is fed to spatially distributed soil models in order to characterize the distribution of active roots. We conducted experiments in an orange orchard in eastern Sicily (Italy), characterized by the typical Mediterranean semi-arid climate. The subsoil dynamics, particularly influenced by irrigation and root uptake, were characterized mainly by the ERT set-up, consisting of 48 buried electrodes on 4 instrumented micro-boreholes (about 1.2 m deep) placed at the corners of a square (with about 1.3 m long sides) surrounding the orange tree, plus 24 mini-electrodes on the surface spaced 0.1 m on a square grid. During the monitoring, we collected repeated ERT and time domain reflectometry (TDR) soil moisture measurements, soil water sampling, sap flow measurements from the orange tree and EC data. We conducted a laboratory calibration of the soil electrical properties as a function of moisture content and porewater electrical conductivity. Irrigation, precipitation, sap flow and ET data are available allowing for knowledge of the system's long-term forcing conditions on the system. This information was used to calibrate a 1-D Richards' equation model representing the dynamics of the volume monitored via 3-D ERT. Information on the soil hydraulic properties was collected from laboratory and field experiments. The successful results of the calibrated modelling exercise allow for the quantification of the soil volume interested by root water uptake (RWU). This volume is much smaller (with a surface area less than 2 m2, and about 40 cm thick) than expected and assumed in the design of classical drip irrigation schemes that prove to be losing at least half of the irrigated water which is not taken up by the plants.

The main goal of this study is to evaluate the reliability of the Mise-a-la-Masse (MALM) technique associated with saline tracer tests for the characterization of groundwater flow direction and velocity. The experimental site is located in the upper part of the Alento River alluvial plain (Campania Region, Southern Italy). In this paper we present the hydrogeological setting, the experimental setup and the relevant field results. Subsequently, we compare those data against the simulated results obtained with a 3D resistivity model of the test area, coupled with a model describing the Advection - Dispersion equation for continuous tracer injection. In particular, we calculate a series of 3D forward solutions starting from a reference model, all derived from electrical tomography results, but taking into consideration different values of mean flow velocity and directions. Each electrical resistivity 3D model is used to produce synthetic voltage maps for MALM surveys. Finally, the synthetic MALM voltage maps are compared with the ones measured in the field in order to assess the information content of the MALM dataset with respect to the groundwater field characteristics. The results demonstrate that the information content of the MALM data is sufficient to define important characteristics of the aquifer geometry and properties. This work shows how a combination of three-dimensional time-lapse modeling of flow, tracer transport and electrical current can substantially contribute towards a quantitative interpretation of MALM measurements during a saline tracer test. This approach can thus revive the use of MALM as a practical, low cost field technique for tracer test monitoring and aquifer hydrodynamic characterization. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Recent flood events in Northern Italy (particularly in the Veneto Region) have brought river embankments into the focus of public attention. Many of these embankments are more than 100 years old and have been repeatedly repaired, so that detailed information on their current structure is generally missing. The monitoring of these structures is currently based, for the most part, on visual inspection and localized measurements of the embankment material parameters. However, this monitoring is generally insufficient to ensure an adequate safety level against floods. For these reasons there is an increasing demand for fast and accurate investigation methods, such as geophysical techniques. These techniques can provide detailed information on the subsurface structures, are non-invasive, cost-effective, and faster than traditional methods. However, they need verification in order to provide reliable results, particularly in complex and reworked man-made structures such as embankments. In this paper we present a case study in which three different geophysical techniques have been applied: electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), frequency domain electromagnetic induction (FDEM) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Two test sites have been selected, both located in the Province of Venice (NE Italy) where the Tagliamento River has large embankments. The results obtained with these techniques have been calibrated against evidence resolving from geotechnical investigations. The pros and cons of each technique, as well as their relative merit at identifying the specific features of the embankments in this area, are highlighted. The results demonstrate that geophysical techniques can provide very valuable information for embankment characterization, provided that the data interpretation is constrained via direct evidence, albeit limited in space.

Electrical resistivity methods are widely used for environmental applications, and they are particularly useful for the characterization and monitoring of sites where the presence of contamination requires a thorough understanding of the location and movement of water, that can act as a carrier of solutes. One such application is landfill studies, where the strong electrical contrasts between waste, leachate and surrounding formations make electrical methods a nearly ideal tool for investigation. In spite of the advantages, however, electrical investigation of landfills poses also challenges, both logistical and interpretational. This paper presents the results of a study conducted on a dismissed landfill, close to the city of Corigliano d'Otranto, in the Apulia region (Southern Italy). The landfill is located in an abandoned quarry, that was subsequently re-utilized about thirty years ago as a site for urban waste disposal. The waste was thought to be more than 20 m thick, and the landfill bottom was expected to be confined with an HDPE (high-density poli-ethylene) liner. During the digging operations performed to build a nearby new landfill, leachate was found, triggering an in-depth investigation including also non-invasive methods. The principal goal was to verify whether the leachate is indeed confined, and to what extent, by the HDPE liner. We performed both surface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and mise-a-la-masse (MALM) surveys, facing the severe challenges posed by the rugged terrain of the abandoned quarry complex. A conductive body, probably associated with leachate, was found as deep as 40 m below the current landfill surface i.e. at a depth much larger than the expected 20 m thickness of waste. Given the logistical difficulties that limit the geometry of acquisition, we utilized synthetic forward modeling in order to confirm/dismiss interpretational hypotheses emerging from the ERT and MALM results. This integration between measurements and modeling helped narrow the alternative interpretations and strengthened the confidence in results, confirming the effectiveness of non-invasive methods in landfill investigation and the importance of modeling in the interpretation of geophysical results.

In this paper we present the results of seasonal monitoring and irrigation tests performed on an experimental farm in a semiarid region of Southern Sardinia. The goal of the study is to understand the soil–vegetation interactions and how they can affect the soil water balance, particularly in view of possible climatic changes. We used long-term electromagnetic induction (EMI) time lapse monitoring and short-term irrigation experiments monitored using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and EMI, supported by time domain reflectometry (TDR) soil moisture measurements. Mapping of natural ?-ray emission, texture analysis, and laboratory calibration of an electrical constitutive relationship on soil samples complete the dataset. We observe that the growth of vegetation, with the associated below-ground allocation of biomass, has a significant impact on the soil moisture dynamics.It is well known that vegetation extracts a large amount of water from the soil particularly during summer, but it also reduces evaporation by shadowing the soil surface. Vegetation represents a screen for rainfall and prevents light rainfall infiltration but enhances the wetting process by facilitating the infiltration and the ground water recharge. In many cases, the vegetation creates a positive feedback system. In our study, these mechanisms are wellhighlighted by the use of noninvasive techniques that provide data at the scale and resolution necessary to understand the hydrological processes of the topsoil, also in their lateral and depth spatial variability. Unlike remote sensing techniques, noninvasive geophysics penetrates the soil subsurface and can effectively image moisture content in the root zone. We also developed a simple conceptual model capable of representing the vegetation–soil interaction with a simple enough parameterization that can be fulfilled by measurements of a noninvasive nature, available at a large scale and evidences possible relevant developments of our research.

In contrast to traditional field investigation techniques in hydrogeology, geophysical methods are relatively non-invasive, cost effective and can be performed with a higher spatial sampling. The most commonly applied technique in hydrogeophysics is electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), both from the ground surface and in cross-borehole configurations. To infer reliable results from such a hydrogeophysical application, however, the uncertainty related to the data inversion has to be taken into account and specific attention must be paid to the experimental set-up and design, especially when the main target of the study is a quantitative estimation of some relevant hydrological quantity. The sensitivity and resolving power of ERT depend on the type of acquisition methodology; operating from the ground surface only, for example, could lead to severe limitations in terms of resolution, thus limiting the quantitative utilisation from a hydrogeological perspective. In this work, we present the results of a saline tracer test experiment performed in the saturated zone at the water works facility at Valdobbiadene (Treviso, North-East Italy), where an alluvial phreatic aquifer is heavily exploited for irrigation and drinking water supply. The experiment was monitored by time-lapse ERT acquisitions, using both surface and cross-borehole configurations. We compared the results of the two approaches and conclude that, in general, ERT has excellent imaging capabilities for saline tracer tests, however, significant limitations are inherent in the use of surface electrode configurations only. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The description of catchment response during storms and droughts is a fundamental issue in geosciences. In particular, the subsoil characterization is a crucial step towards understanding hydrological processes in mountain regions and for the calibration of models that can describe and predict water flow patterns. Non-invasive (or minimally invasive) geophysical techniques are helpful to provide spatially extensive data, whereas traditional borehole-based sampling is often limited because of the localized nature of such measurements and the disturbance induced to samples. The aim of this study is the characterization of a small-scale mountain catchment to obtain detailed knowledge about its hydrogeological and hydrological system behavior. The experimental site is located at Carre near Vicenza (North-Eastern Italy) in the pre-alpine hill region named Bregonze. For this purpose we used several geophysical techniques: Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Seismic refraction survey, Seismic surface wave investigation. The former techniques highlight the shallowest subsoil discontinuities (from 0 to 2 m); the latter one provides knowledge about the underlying layers and the associated lateral heterogeneities. The combination of geophysical methods can help characterize a complex hydrogeological system, at least from the structural viewpoint.