Characterization of seismic sources is an important aspect of seismology. Parameter uncertainties in such inversions are essential for estimating solution robustness, but are rarely available. We ...have developed a non-linear moment tensor inversion method in a probabilistic Bayesian framework that also accounts for noise in the data. The method is designed for point source inversion using waveform data of moderate-size earthquakes and explosions at regional distances. This probabilistic approach results in an ensemble of models, whose density is proportional to parameter probability distribution and quantifies parameter uncertainties. Furthermore, we invert for noise in the data, allowing it to determine the model complexity. We implement an empirical noise covariance matrix that accounts for interdependence of observational errors present in waveform data. After we demonstrate the feasibility of the approach on synthetic data, we apply it to a Long Valley Caldera, CA, earthquake with a well-documented anomalous (non-double-couple) radiation from previous studies. We confirm a statistically significant isotropic component in the source without a trade-off with the compensated linear vector dipoles component.
Following the 22 March 2020 ML 5.5 earthquake near Zagreb, Croatia, the citizens became increasingly interested in earthquakes and the multitude of simultaneous visitors caused the webpage with ...Croatian Seismological Survey reports on earthquakes to crash. To remedy the situation, seismologists used social network accounts to provide information, using the opportunity to educate the citizens on basic concepts of seismology, earthquake preparedness and the occurring seismic sequence. Citizens’ feedback was useful to improve the communication, but required extensive moderation. In July 2020, three seismologists from the Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, one from the Slovenian Environment Agency, and a psychologist from the Croatian Catholic University conducted a poll to find out which sources of information citizens mostly use, their knowledge about earthquakes, and the level of fear they were experiencing due to the earthquakes. Most respondents relied on institutional sources of information and their knowledge on different aspects of earthquake preparedness increased relatively compared to the time before the earthquake. The majority of respondents was extremely worried on the day of the mainshock, predominantly because they were concerned of a possible stronger event, their safety and the safety of their close ones.
Nakon potresa 22. ožujka 2020. godine lokalne magnitude ML 5.5 s epicentrom nedaleko Zagreba, Hrvatska, pojačao se interes građana za potrese i velik broj istovremenih
posjetitelja doveo je do pada internetske stranice Seizmološke službe s izvješćima o potresima. Kako bi osigurali nekakav kanal za informiranje javnosti, seizmolozi su se poslužili
društvenim mrežama, koristeći pritom priliku da educiraju građane o osnovnim konceptima seizmologije, pripremljenosti za potres i seriji potresa koji se događala. Povratne
informacije građana iskorištene su za poboljšanje načina komunikacije. Neki od korištenih
računa su zahtijevali strogo moderiranje. U srpnju 2020. godine, tri seizmologinje s
Geofizičkog odsjeka Prirodoslovno-matematičkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, jedna
iz Agencije za okoliš Republike Slovenije i psiholog s Hrvatskog katoličkog sveučilišta
proveli su anketu kako bi saznali koje izvore informacija o potresima građani najčešće
koriste, kakvo im je znanje o potresima i koliko su zbog njih zabrinuti. Anketa je pokazala da se većina ispitanika oslanjala na institucionalne izvore informacija, a njihovo
znanje o različitim aspektima pripremljenosti za potres poraslo je u odnosu na vrijeme
prije potresa. Većina ispitanika bila je izrazito zabrinuta na dan glavnog potresa, ponajviše
zbog mogućnosti jačeg potresa, svoje sigurnosti i sigurnosti svojih bližnjih.
Moment tensor (MT) inversion studies of events in The Geysers geothermal field mostly focused on microseismicity and found a large number of earthquakes with significant non‐double‐couple (non‐DC) ...seismic radiation. Here we concentrate on the largest events in the area in recent years using a hierarchical Bayesian MT inversion. Initially, we show that the non‐DC components of the MT can be reliably retrieved using regional waveform data from a small number of stations. Subsequently, we present results for a number of events and show that accounting for noise correlations can lead to retrieval of a lower isotropic (ISO) component and significantly different focal mechanisms. We compute the Bayesian evidence to compare solutions obtained with different assumptions of the noise covariance matrix. Although a diagonal covariance matrix produces a better waveform fit, inversions that account for noise correlations via an empirically estimated noise covariance matrix account for interdependences of data errors and are preferred from a Bayesian point of view. This implies that improper treatment of data noise in waveform inversions can result in fitting the noise and misinterpreting the non‐DC components. Finally, one of the analyzed events is characterized as predominantly DC, while the others still have significant non‐DC components, probably as a result of crack opening, which is a reasonable hypothesis for The Geysers geothermal field geological setting.
Plain Language Summary
Earthquakes are a result of rocks breaking under stress, but their mechanisms can be more complicated in volcanic and geothermal areas. A good example is The Geysers geothermal field, an area of highly fractured rocks where electricity production activities were related to occurrence of small earthquakes. To investigate the complexities of several largest earthquakes in The Geysers, we analyzed the ground motion recorded on stations throughout California. We used a probabilistic method to compute the source mechanisms, which gives the uncertainty of the results and reduces the effect of noise on the calculations. Our results show a variety of earthquake mechanisms, from a simple earthquake, through an event that includes crack opening within rocks, to even more complicated events that might involve fluids moving away from the source area.
Key Points
We perform a probabilistic Bayesian moment tensor inversion (including uncertainties) of largest earthquakes in The Geysers geothermal field
Empirically estimated noise covariance matrix accounts for interdependences of data errors and notably different focal mechanisms
One of the events is predominantly double‐couple, while others involve crack opening and imply a low Poisson ratio or fluid extraction
Earthquakes are natural phenomena that can strongly affect the human population, infrastructure, and the environment. Croatia is part of a tectonically and seismically active area so its habitants ...and relevant institutions should be aware of possible hazardous events, which can be devastating. Therefore, crisis communication is extremely important, and in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes, it must be clear, timely and concise. Scientific institutions dealing with earthquakes should also be involved in crisis communication. The information on two strong earthquakes in 2020 that shocked the area of Zagreb and Petrinja and the wide surrounding area, have shown how relevant institutions can deal with information on earthquakes and their consequences and share them publicly. This paper adopts a mixedmethods research design, combining both qualitative, and quantitative data on the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes from various sources of scientific and professional institutions in the field of geology, geophysics, seismology and civil engineering in Croatia. Empirical data suggest that interactive communication that strives to address local contextual concerns, explain actions, and provide honest, timely, accurate and reliable information is most effective. In the future, institutions have to find a way to react or share their information to help in the crisis.
Potresi su prirodni fenomeni koji mogu snažno utjecati na zajednice, infrastrukturu i okoliš.
Hrvatska je dio tektonski i seizmički aktivnog područja, tako da bi njezini stanovnici i nadležne
...institucije trebali biti svjesni mogućih opasnih događaja, koji mogu biti razorni. Stoga je
krizna komunikacija izuzetno važna, a u slučaju prirodnih katastrofa poput potresa mora biti
jasna, pravodobna i sažeta. Znanstvene institucije koje se bave potresima također bi trebale biti
uključene u krizno komuniciranje. Podaci o dva snažna potresa 2020. godine koji su potresli
područje Zagreba i Petrinje te širu okolicu, pokazali su kako se relevantne institucije mogu
nositi s informacijama o potresima i njihovim posljedicama i javno ih dijeliti. Ovaj rad usvaja
mješoviti dizajn istraživanja, kombinirajući i kvalitativne i kvantitativne podatke o potresima
u Zagrebu i Petrinji iz različitih izvora znanstvenih i stručnih institucija iz područja geologije,
geofizike, seizmologije i građevinarstva u Hrvatskoj. Empirijski podaci sugeriraju da je najučinkovitija
interaktivna komunikacija koja nastoji riješiti lokalne kontekstualne probleme,
objasniti radnje i pružiti iskrene, pravodobne, točne i pouzdane informacije. Ubuduće institucije
moraju pronaći način da reagiraju ili podijeliti svoje informacije kako bi pomogle u krizi.
Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic heavy metal whose mechanism of toxicity is still not completely understood. The aim of this study was to test Tl cytotoxicity on several cell lines of different tissue ...origin in order to clarify specific Tl toxicity to a particular organ. In addition, possible interference of Tl with cell potassium (K) transport was examined. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), porcine kidney epithelial cells (PK15), human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells (V79) were treated with thallium (I) acetate in a wide concentration range (3.9-500 µg/mL) for 24 h, 48 and 72 h. To assess competitive interaction between Tl and K, the cells were treated with four Tl concentrations close to IC
(15.63, 31.25, 62.50, 125 µg/mL) in combination with/or without potassium (I) acetate (500 µg/mL). The cells' morphology was monitored, and cytotoxic effect was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The most sensitive to Tl exposure were SH-SY5Y cells, while HepG2 were the most resistant. The combined exposure to thallium (I) acetate and potassium (I) acetate for every cell line, except V79 cells, resulted in higher cell viability compared to thallium (I) acetate alone. The results of our study indicate that cell sensitivity to Tl treatment is largely affected by tissue culture origin, its function, and Na
/K
-ATPase activity.
Organic amendments are often reported to improve soil properties, promote plant growth, and improve crop yield. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the biochar and compost produced from ...sewage sludge and olive pomace on soil hydraulic properties, water flow, and P transport (i.e., sorption) using numerical modeling (HYDRUS-1D) applied to two soil types (Terra Rosa and Rendzina). Evaporation and leaching experiments on soil cores and repacked soil columns were performed to determine the soil water retention, hydraulic conductivity, P leaching potential, and P sorption capacity of these mixtures. In the majority of treatments, the soil water retention showed a small increase compared to the control soil. A reliable fit with the modified van Genuchten model was found, which was also confirmed by water flow modeling of leaching experiments (R2 0.99). The results showed a high P sorption in all the treatments (Kd 21.24 to 53.68 cm3 g−1), and a high model reliability when the inverse modeling procedure was used (R2 0.93–0.99). Overall, adding sewage sludge or olive pomace as compost or biochar improved the Terra Rosa and Rendzina water retention and did not increase the P mobility in these soils, proving to be a sustainable source of carbon and P-rich materials.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-family and cyclin-D1 have been extensively studied in breast cancer; however systematic studies that examine protein expression and gene status in the same ...cohort of patients are lacking. Also emerging evidences suggest existence of a direct EGFR-signaling pathway, which involves cellular transport of EGFR from cell membrane to the nucleus, and transcriptional regulation of the target genes. Thus, we examined the protein expression of membrane EGFR, nuclear EGFR, cyclin-D1 and the corresponding gene status in 113 breast carcinomas by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization using tissue microarrays. Membrane EGFR overexpression and EGFR gene amplification were detected in 2% cases, while nuclear EGFR was detected in 40% of cases, with 12% having high nuclear EGFR staining. Nuclear EGFR correlated with tumor size (P=0.0005), lymph node metastasis (P=0.0288), Nottingham prognostic index (P=0.0011) and estrogen receptor (ER) expression (P=0.0258) but the letter correlation was observed only in premenopausal group of patients. Strong cyclin-D1 expression and cyclin-D1 gene (CCND1) amplification were found in 64 and 13% of the cases, respectively. Cyclin-D1 expression showed positive correlation with ER (P=0.0113) and inverse correlation with Nottingham prognostic index (P=0.0309) and membrane EGFR (P=0.0201). CCND1 amplification also showed inverse correlation with membrane EGFR (P=0.0420). A strong correlation between membrane EGFR expression and gene amplification (P=0.0035), as well as cyclin-D1 overexpression and gene amplification (P=0.0362), was demonstrated. On univariate analysis cyclin-D1 expression showed a correlation with longer overall survival in the premenopausal group and nuclear EGFR correlated with shorter overall survival in whole cohort as well in the premenopausal group of patients. Multivariate analysis revealed nuclear EGFR to be an independent prognostic factor and showed 3.4 times greater mortality risk for nuclear EGFR+++ patients as compared with nuclear EGFR negative patients (hazard ratio =3.402; P=0.0026).
Gaucher disease type 3 (GD3) is a severely debilitating disorder characterized by multisystemic manifestations and neurodegeneration. Enzyme replacement therapy alleviates visceral signs and symptoms ...but has no effect on neurological features. Ambroxol has been suggested as an enzyme enhancement agent. Some studies have confirmed its effectiveness in preventing the progression of neurological manifestations of neuronopathic Gaucher disease. In this study, we report two GD3 siblings in whom ambroxol combined with enzyme replacement therapy was initiated at different stages of the disease. We demonstrate the enzyme enhancement effect of ambroxol on L444P/H225Q;D409H glucocerebrosidase activity through results of fibroblast studies and long-term clinical outcomes of the two patients. The sibling diagnosed at the age of four-and-a-half years with significant neurological involvement manifested relatively rapid improvement on ambroxol treatment, followed by stabilization of further course. The younger sibling, in whom the treatment was started at seven weeks, displayed attention deficit and low average cognitive functioning at the age of seven years, but did not manifest other neurological symptoms. The difference in neurological outcomes indicates that ambroxol delayed or even halted the evolution of neurological manifestations in the younger sibling. This observation suggests that early initiation of ambroxol treatment may arrest neurological involvement in some GD3 patients.
•Ambroxol has a chaperone effect on L444P glucocerebrosidase in fibroblast culture.•Ambroxol modifies progression of neurological involvement in Gaucher disease type 3.•Early initiation of ambroxol treatment may prevent neurodegeneration.
Wheat bran has a short shelf life, which could be prolonged by reducing the activity of enzymes in lipid degradation. In this study, high-intensity ultrasound treatment (400 W, 80% amplitude, ...15 min), with or without cooling, was investigated for reducing the activity of lipase and peroxidase of wheat bran. Lipid stability parameters (free fatty acid content, peroxide value, anisidine value) of bran with coarse and reduced particle size (median 50th percentile diameter 503 and 177 μm, respectively) were followed under ambient or refrigerated storage conditions. Ultrasonic treatment without accompanying cooling inactivated 63% of lipase and 90% of peroxidase, but also decreased the antioxidant activity of bran by 13%. Compared with the untreated bran, the ultrasound-treated bran was darker, redder, and yellower. When ambiently stored, the critical anisidine value (10) of the unprocessed bran was exceeded after only 2 months, whereas the ultrasound-treated bran had an acceptable anisidine value for almost 12 months. Cooling during ultrasonication limits the ability to inactivate enzymes, and the reduction in bran particle size promotes its oxidative deterioration. The application of high-intensity ultrasound without cooling is beneficial for prolonging the oxidative stability of wheat bran compared to refrigerated storage.
•Ultrasound treatment reduces lipase and peroxidase activity of wheat bran.•Ultrasonic treatment prolongs bran stability from 2 to 12 months at ambient storage.•Ultrasound treated bran is more oxidatively stable than refrigerated bran.•Particle size reduction promotes oxidation of wheat bran.
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