Biomonitoring of Trace Metals by Different species of Lichens (Parmelia) in North-West Italy

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were measured in four different species of lichens (Parmelia caperata, P. pastillifera, P. saxatilis, P. sulcata) sampled in North-West Italy, in order to obtain maps showing metal distribution and the degree of deviation from background (natural) conditions. Significant differences among the species were found for Zn, Mn, Pb and V, suggesting that the combined use of mixed species in biomonitoring surveys can affect the interpretation of results. Results obtained for Parmelia caperata samples have been compared with background (natural) levels, and maps showing the distribution of each metal expressed as deviation from background levels have been obtained. Overall such maps show a medium to high alteration degree in the study area.     

Time-clustering analysis of volcanic occurrence sequences

We investigate the time dynamics of worldwide volcanic activity in order to find the presence of time correlation structures, by applying the Fano factor (FF) method. The analysis, performed on 35 time-occurrence volcanic eruptive sequences with volcanic explosivity index (VEI≥0) has revealed fractal behaviors in the most of the data sets considered, with fractal exponent α ranging from ∼0.2 to 0.9.     

Photoelectric photometry and rotation periods of the asteroids 26 Proserpina, 194 Prokne, 287 Nephthys,and 554 Peraga

We present the photoelectric observations of the asteroids 26 Proserpina, 194 Prokne, 287 Nephthys, and 554 Peraga, performed in the years 1977–1978 at the Astronomical Observatory of Torino. The resulting synodic rotation periods are, for Proserpina, 13^h13; Prokne, 15^h67; and Peraga, 13^h63. The period of Nephthys is possibly ～7^h or the double. A tentative value for the phase coefficient of Peraga was found: 0.043 mag/degree.     

Removal of Lead, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium from Water Using Phosphate Rock

Removal of Pb2 ,Cu~(2 ),Zn~(2 )and Cd~(2 )from aqueous solutions by sorption on a natural phosphate rock(FAP)was investigated.The effects of the contact time and initial metal concentration were examined in the batch method.The percentage sorption of heavy metals from solution ranges generally between 50% and 99%.The amount of sorbed metal ions follows the order Cu>Pb>Cd>Zn. Heavy metal immobilization was attributed to both surface complexation of metal ions on the surface of FAP grains and partial dissolution and precipitation of a heavy metal-containing phosphate.The very low desorption ratio of heavy metals further supports the effectiveness of FAP as an alternative and low-cost material to remove toxic Pb~(2 ),Cu~(2 ),Zn~(2 )and Cd~(2 )from polluted waters.     

Design,test and analysis of a light‐weight dissipative bracing system for seismic protection of structures

The paper deals with the proposal and the experimental validation of a novel dissipative bracing system for the seismic protection of structures; compared with other similar systems, it is characterized by smaller size and weight, which makes it easier to move and to install, as well as particularly suitable to be inserted in light‐framed structures (e.g. steel structures of industrial plants). The proposed system consists of an articulated quadrilateral with steel dissipaters inserted, to be connected by tendons to frame joints; the prototypes have been designed and realized for the seismic protection of a two‐storey, large‐scale, steel frame, specially designed for shaking‐table tests. The paper, after an illustration of the system, and of its design and behaviour, presents the shaking‐table tests carried out. The experimental results have fully validated the proposed system, showing its good performance in controlling the seismic response of framed structures. A numerical non‐linear model, set up and validated on the basis of the physical tests, has been used to help interpreting the experimental results, but also to perform parametrical studies for investigating the influence of the design parameters on the performance of the control system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Il ritrovamento dei paleoalvei fluviali con la misura dei potenziali elettrici naturali (P.S.)

Riassunto L'A. espone un nuovo metodo electtrico dimisura di potenziali elettrocinetici (P.S.), ricordando dapprima i precedenti, per il rapidoritrovamento sperimentale dei paleo-alvei fluviali, e per l'interpretazione delle relative elettrodiagrafie P.S. così ottenute. — L'A. esemplifica per ora i risultati pratici conseguiti altrove, sopratutto in Russia dove l'argomento è stato posto per la prima volta in forma teorica rigorosa, e in una prossima nota completando l'attuale testo esporrà i risultati ottenuti personalmente.

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Summary The A. expounds a new electrical method for measuring electrokinetic potentials (Spontaneous Potentials), touching first upon the previous works, in view of easily refinding experimentally the palaeo river-beds, and interpreting the relating electro-graphics, obtained by these measures. — The A. exemplifies, for the present, the practical results realized elsewhere, particularly in Russia, where the problem has been set down for the first time in a rigorously theoretical way; in a next paper the A., perfecting the present work, will expound the personally attained results.

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Relazione presentata il 10 Aprile 1958 alla Sesta Assemblea Generale della Società Italiana di Geofisica e Meteorologia (Genova: 10–12 Aprile 1958).     

Shakemaps uncertainties and their effects in the post-seismic actions for the 2012 Emilia (Italy) earthquakes

The May 20, 2012, Emilia Ml 5.9 earthquake was followed by some major aftershocks, well recorded by a large number of temporary stations that were installed to monitor the sequence. These additional recordings allowed us a thorough testing of the performance of the ShakeMap—a procedure designed to provide rapid information on the experienced ground motion. We found that the shakemaps for the May 29, 2012, Ml 5.8 earthquake, obtained using the permanent stations only, underestimate significantly the ground motion computed with the highest station density, especially for PSA at long periods (T \(=\) 3.0 s). This low-frequency motion is controlled primarily by the surface waves recorded in the Po plain: the observed site effects are likely not accounted properly by the site correction coefficient based on Vs30 as implemented in the ShakeMap procedure. The shakemaps determined during the seismic sequence have been included in an Italian national law that was passed after the 2012 earthquake. According to this law, the factories safety verifications were bound to the comparison between the shakemaps and the design acceleration required by the current national seismic code. We then decide to appraise the impact of the shakemap accuracy on the law provisions. Following the law recommendations, we have estimated the possible errors resulting from the incomplete evaluation of the ground shaking: our results show that, if the complete dataset were available at the time of the law approval, the number of buildings for which the safety check was required would have been significantly smaller.     

Advanced frame element for seismic analysis of masonry structures: model formulation and validation

This paper presents a masonry panel model for the nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of masonry buildings suitable for the seismic assessment of new and existing structures. The model is based on an equivalent frame idealization of the structure and stems from previous research on force‐based frame elements. The element formulation considers axial, bending, and shear deformations within the framework of the Timoshenko beam theory. A phenomenological cyclic section law that accounts for the shear panel response is coupled, through equilibrium between shear and bending forces along the element, with a fiber‐section model that accounts for the axial and bending responses. The proposed panel model traces with a low computational burden and numerical stability the main aspects of the structural behavior of masonry panels and is suitable for analyses of multi‐floor buildings with a relatively regular distribution of openings and with walls and floors organized to grant a box‐like behavior under seismic loads. The model capabilities are validated though analyses of simple unreinforced masonry panels and comparisons with published experimental results. The model accuracy is strongly dependent on the fiber and shear constitutive laws used. However, the formulation is general, and laws different from those employed in this study are easily introduced without affecting the model formulation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.