Soil slips and debris flows on terraced slopes

International audienceTerraces cover large areas along the flanks of many alpine and prealpine valleys. Soil slips and soil slips-debris flows are recurrent phenomena along terraced slopes. These landslides cause damages to people, settlements and cultivations. This study investigates the processes related to the triggering of soil slip-debris flows in these settings, analysing those occurred in Valtellina (Central Alps, Italy) on November 2000 after heavy prolonged rainfalls. 260 landslides have been recognised, mostly along the northern valley flank. About 200 soil slips and slumps occurred in terraced areas and a third of them evolved into debris flows. Field work allowed to recognise the settings at soil slip-debris flow source areas. Landslides affected up to 2.5 m of glacial, fluvioglacial and anthropically reworked deposits overlying metamorphic basement. Laboratory and in situ tests allowed to characterise the geotechnical and hydraulic properties of the terrains involved in the initial failure. Several stratigraphic and hydrogeologic factors have been individuated as significant in determining instabilities on terraced slopes. They are the vertical changes of physical soil properties, the presence of buried hollows where groundwater convergence occurs, the rising up of perched groundwater tables, the overflow and lateral infiltration from superficial drainage network, the runoff concentration by means of pathways and the insufficient drainage of retaining walls

Flowmeter and Ground Penetrating Radar: comparison between hydrogeological and geophysical methods

We discuss a comparison between saturated hydraulic conductivity calculated with Electromagnetic Borehole Flowmeter (EBF) and water content obtained by Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Zero Offset Profile (ZOP

Driving forbidden transitions in the fluxonium artificial atom

Atomic systems display a rich variety of quantum dynamics due to the different possible symmetries obeyed by the atoms. These symmetries result in selection rules that have been essential for the quantum control of atomic systems. Superconducting artificial atoms are mainly governed by parity symmetry. Its corresponding selection rule limits the types of quantum systems that can be built using electromagnetic circuits at their optimal coherence operation points ("sweet spots"). Here, we use third-order nonlinear coupling between the artificial atom and its readout resonator to drive transitions forbidden by the parity selection rule for linear coupling to microwave radiation. A Lambda-type system emerges from these newly accessible transitions, implemented here in the fluxonium artificial atom coupled to its "antenna" resonator. We demonstrate coherent manipulation of the fluxonium artificial atom at its sweet spot by stimulated Raman transitions. This type of transition enables the creation of new quantum operations, such as the control and readout of physically protected artificial atoms.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

A homozygous contiguous gene deletion in chromosome 16p13.3 leads to autosomal recessive osteopetrosis in a Jordanian patient

Human malignant autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by reduced bone resorption by osteoclasts. Mutations in the CLCN7 gene are responsible not only for a substantial portion of ARO patients, but also for other forms of osteopetrosis characterized by different severity and inheritance. The lack of a clear genotype/phenotype correlation makes genetic counselling a tricky issue for CLCN7-dependent osteopetrosis. Here we characterize the first homozygous interstitial deletion in 16p13.3, detected by array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (a-CGH) in an ARO patient of Jordanian origin. The deletion involved other genes beside CLCN7, while the proband displayed a classic ARO phenotype; however her early death did not allow more extensive clinical investigations. The identification of this novel genomic deletion involving a large part of the CLCN7 gene is of clinical relevance, especially in prenatal diagnosis, and suggests the possibility that this kind of mutation has been underestimated so far. This data highlights the need for alternative approaches to genetic analysis also in other ARO-causative genes

Impact of the Specific Mutation in KRAS Codon 12 Mutated Tumors on Treatment Efficacy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Cetuximab-Based First-Line Therapy: A Pooled Analysis of Three Trials

Purpose: This study investigated the impact of specific mutations in codon 12 of the Kirsten-ras (KRAS) gene on treatment efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients: Overall, 119 patients bearing a KRAS mutation in codon 12 were evaluated. All patients received cetuximab-based first-line chemotherapy within the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG), AIO KRK-0104 or AIO KRK-0306 trials. Results: Patients with KRAS codon 12 mutant mCRC showed a broad range of outcome when treated with cetuximab-based first-line regimens. Patients with tumors bearing a KRAS p.G12D mutation showed a strong trend to a more favorable outcome compared to other mutations (overall survival 23.3 vs. 14-18 months; hazard ratio 0.66, range 0.43-1.03). An interaction model illustrated that KRAS p.G12C was associated with unfavorable outcome when treated with oxaliplatin plus cetuximab. Conclusion: The present analysis suggests that KRAS codon 12 mutation may not represent a homogeneous entity in mCRC when treated with cetuximab-based first-line therapy. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

Sigma-phase in Fe-Cr and Fe-V alloy systems and its physical properties

A review is presented on physical properties of the sigma-phase in Fe-Cr and Fe-V alloy systems as revealed both with experimental -- mostly with the Mossbauer spectroscopy -- and theoretical methods. In particular, the following questions relevant to the issue have been addressed: identification of sigma and determination of its structural properties, kinetics of alpha-to-sigma and sigma-to-alpha phase transformations, Debye temperature and Fe-partial phonon density of states, Curie temperature and magnetization, hyperfine fields, isomer shifts and electric field gradients.Comment: 26 pages, 23 figures and 83 reference

A one-dimensional lattice model for a quantum mechanical free particle

Two types of particles, A and B with their corresponding antiparticles, are defined in a one dimensional cyclic lattice with an odd number of sites. In each step of time evolution, each particle acts as a source for the polarization field of the other type of particle with nonlocal action but with an effect decreasing with the distance: A -->...\bar{B} B \bar{B} B \bar{B} ... ; B --> A \bar{A} A \bar{A} A ... . It is shown that the combined distribution of these particles obeys the time evolution of a free particle as given by quantum mechanics.Comment: 8 pages. Revte

Local scale multiple quantitative risk assessment and uncertainty evaluation in a densely urbanised area (Brescia, Italy)

Abstract. The study of the interactions between natural and anthropogenic risks is necessary for quantitative risk assessment in areas affected by active natural processes, high population density and strong economic activities. We present a multiple quantitative risk assessment on a 420 km2 high risk area (Brescia and surroundings, Lombardy, Northern Italy), for flood, seismic and industrial accident scenarios. Expected economic annual losses are quantified for each scenario and annual exceedance probability-loss curves are calculated. Uncertainty on the input variables is propagated by means of three different methodologies: Monte-Carlo-Simulation, First Order Second Moment, and point estimate. Expected losses calculated by means of the three approaches show similar values for the whole study area, about 64 000 000 € for earthquakes, about 10 000 000 € for floods, and about 3000 € for industrial accidents. Locally, expected losses assume quite different values if calculated with the three different approaches, with differences up to 19%. The uncertainties on the expected losses and their propagation, performed with the three methods, are compared and discussed in the paper. In some cases, uncertainty reaches significant values (up to almost 50% of the expected loss). This underlines the necessity of including uncertainty in quantitative risk assessment, especially when it is used as a support for territorial planning and decision making. The method is developed thinking at a possible application at a regional-national scale, on the basis of data available in Italy over the national territory

AUTOLOGOUS INTRAMUSCULAR TRANSPLANTATION OF ENGINEERED SATELLITE CELLS INDUCES EXOSOME-MEDIATED SYSTEMIC EXPRESSION OF FUKUTIN-RELATED PROTEIN AND RESCUES DISEASE PHENOTYPE IN A MURINE MODEL OF LIMB-GIRDLE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY TYPE 2I

\u3b1-Dystroglycanopathies are a group of heterogeneous dystrophic phenotypes associated to reduced levels of \u3b1-DG glycosylation. Since the glycosylated domains of \u3b1-DG exert a key role in extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) binding to the myofiber cytoskeleton, the hypoglycosylation leads to the disruption of this linkage and, consequently, to sarcolemma fragility and myofiber necrosis. To date, any successful therapeutical approach has been developed in the field of \u3b1-dystroglycanopathies. Many genes have been found to be implicated in the \u3b1-DG glycosylation process; all these genes encode for glycosyltransferase enzymes. Of note, mutations occurring in one of these genes, the fukutin related protein (FKRP) give rise to different subtypes of clinical phenotypes, ranging from the mild limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2I (LGMD2I), to the severe congenital muscular dystrophy 1C (MDC1C), to Walker-Warburg Syndrome (WWS) and Muscle-Eye-Brain disease (MEB). FKRP glycosyltransferase exerts its glycosyltransferasic function by conveying a ribitol phosphate group from a CDP \u2013ribitol to \u3b1-DG. Recent findings have reported cells ability to release FKRP in vitro. In line with this evidence, it has also been reported that some glycosyltransferases, generally referred to as \u2018\u2019extracellular glycosyltransferases\u2019\u2019, freely circulate in the bloodstream or, alternatively, packed with a subpopulation of microvesicles (MVs) physiologically secreted by cells, named exosomes. Thus, we hypothesize that freely or exosome-carried FKRP might circulate as an extracellular glycosyltransferase, reaching distal compartments and acting as a \u201cglycan remodeller\u201d. Interestingly, we firstly established a successful transduction of blood-derived CD133+ multipotent stem cells isolated from an MDC1C patient and FKRP L276IKI murine satellite cells, exploiting a lentiviral vector expressing the wild-type isoform of human FKRP gene. Furthermore, we reported FKRP expression in infected LV-FKRP cells- derived exosomes. Subsequently, we performed an autologous intramuscular transplantation of LV-FKRP infected SCs in the L276IKI mouse model and we evaluated the recovery of the exogenous protein expression and function. Similarly, we investigated the presence of FKRP positive exosomes in the plasma of transplanted FKRP L276IKI mice. The exosome-mediated systemic distribution of FKRP glycosyltransferase favoured its rescue at distal sites, determining an overall recovery of \u3b1-DG glycosylation and improved muscle strength, as suggested by functional measurement performances. An in vitro model based on an optically accessible microfluidic bioreactor allowed us to mimic the exosome diffusion between cells in vivo, providing further details of functional kinetic and mechanisms underlying exosome uptake. Overall, observed data suggest the possibility to develop a trivalent therapeutical approach, based on the combination of: cell therapy, gene therapy, leading to a physiological exosome-mediated therapy. The autologous transplantation of engineered stem cells would simultaneously provide the recovery of the wild-type isoform of the mutated protein and tissue regeneration, thus overcoming the limits related to single gene therapy. Moreover, intramuscularly transplanted engineered cells- derived exosomes would allow toobtain a systemic amelioration of the dystrophic phenotype. This exosome-based approach is extremely pioneering and promising, particularly in the field of metabolic myopathies and all muscular dystrophies presenting an enzymatic defect, rather than a structural protein disruption. Indeed, vesicles carrying the exogenous therapeutic enzyme rapidly diffuse through the bloodstream reaching target cells and promoting a fast response mediated by the stabilization of the enzymatic activity

Optimizing rheological performance of unsaturated polyester resin with biobased reactive diluents: A comprehensive analysis of viscosity and thermomechanical properties

[EN] Bio-based reactive diluents (RD) have been explored as alternative to styrene (STY) in unsaturated polyester resin (UPR). Among the different candidates, acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) stand out as triglyceride derivatives. Aditionally, methyl methacrylate (MMA), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) with acrylic functionality, limonene (LIM), and cinnamates (CINN), has been tested in different percentages. Firstly, their efficiency in viscosity reduction has been studied. Best results were obtained after the addition of MMA, LIM, and CINN at 5 wt%. These RD achieve a viscosity reduction of 48.9 %, 76.7 %, and 22.9 %, respectively, compared to the reference sample. The industrial utilization of CINN as RD is impeded by its reactivity, as has been evidenced by its prolonged reaction time (24 min) and low reaction enthalpy. The thermo-mechanical properties studied through flexural tests, Shore D hardness, Charpy¿s Impact test, and heat deflection temperature (HDT), show that the developed UPRs exhibit a decrease in resistant mechanical properties while doubling their ductility by using LIM and MMA as bio-based RD (1.88 and 2.15 kJ m¿ 2 , respectively). The HDT study results demonstrate a certain level of thermal stability when MMA is employed (56 ¿C), which is 15 % lower in the case of LIM. Therefore, it is observed that UPRs with bio-based RD exhibit balanced and improved thermo-mechanical properties in terms of ductility and strength, especially with the use of a 5 wt % of LIM and MMA.This work has been developed in the context of EOCENE project (Circular Economy in the Thermostable Composites Industry) supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through the Misiones Ciencia e Innovacion" ¿ program in its 2019 call. The program Misiones is managed by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI), and is co-founded with FEDER funds through the Plurirregional Operational Program of Spain 2014 2020 (POPE). On the other hand, the UPV would like to thank the funding received by Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through the Retos de la Sociedad . Project references: PID2020- 119142RA-I00.Grimalt, J.; Frattini, L.; Carreras, P.; Fombuena, V. (2023). Optimizing rheological performance of unsaturated polyester resin with biobased reactive diluents: A comprehensive analysis of viscosity and thermomechanical properties. Polymer Testing. 129(108264). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2023.10826412910826