Granular Deposits Research Articles

Discrete-element method simulations of the seismic response of tunnels in deep granular deposit

The seismic response of tunnels constructed in a deposit of granular soil of depth greater than 20 m is examined in this paper. Three-dimensional discrete-element method (DEM) simulations were used to model the soil assembly and the tunnel lining. Soil particles were simulated as rigid spherical particles that are allowed to overlap at the contact points. The tunnel lining was modeled as a flexible system using a collection of particles that were glued together using cementitious bonds to mimic the physical properties of an actual tunnel. Free-field boundaries were utilized at the model’s lateral sides to prevent the propagating wave’s reflections back to the domain and enforce the free-field motion. The DEM computational framework was validated using published centrifuge test results. DEM simulation results reveal good agreement with the experimental centrifuge test results when subjected to the same input motion. Further simulations were carried out to investigate the seismic response of the system under different input motion characteristics. The dynamic earth pressure was monitored at certain points on the tunnel lining. It was found that the dynamic earth pressure and tunnel lining forces increased during seismic excitation and the final residual values were, in most cases, considerably larger than the initial static values. The results also showed that the maximum amplification factor, ground settlement and tunnel lining internal forces occurred close to the resonant frequency of the system.

German Shorthaired Pointer dogs with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus develop immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy.

German Shorthaired Pointer (GSHP) dogs with a UNC93B1 gene mutation develop exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE) and kidney disease resembling lupus nephritis in humans. The objective of this study was to characterize the kidney disease by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy in a population of GSHP dogs with ECLE. Medical records were reviewed, and light microscopy of kidneys from 7 GSHP dogs with a previous histologic diagnosis of ECLE was performed. Immunofluorescence of fresh-frozen kidney from 1 dog and transmission electron microscopy of kidney from that dog and 2 additional dogs were performed. Five of 7 dogs had proteinuria diagnosed by urinalysis or urine protein-to-creatinine ratio. Two of 7 dogs were intermittently hypoalbuminemic, and none were azotemic. Histologic findings included early (2 dogs) to late (5 dogs) membranous glomerulonephropathy characterized by mild-to-severe glomerular capillary loop thickening and tubular proteinosis. In all 7 cases, trichrome staining revealed red granular immune deposits on the subepithelial surface of the glomerular basement membrane. Immunofluorescence revealed strong granular labeling for immunoglobulins and complement protein C3. Electron microscopy demonstrated subepithelial electron-dense immune deposits encircled by the remodeled glomerular basement membrane. These findings are diagnostic of immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy and are similar to class V lupus in humans. This cohort of GSHP dogs with ECLE developed immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy, which we hypothesize is a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. GSHP dogs with ECLE should undergo clinical evaluation of renal function for early identification and treatment.

High-Current Capable and Non-Flammable Protic Organic Electrolyte for Rechargeable Zn Batteries.

Rechargeable Zinc batteries (RZBs) are considered a potent competitor for next-generation electrochemical devices, due to their multiple advantages. Nevertheless, traditional aqueous electrolytes may cause serious hazards to long-term battery cycling through fast capacity fading and poor Coulombic efficiency (CE), which happens due to complex reaction kinetics in aqueous systems. Herein, we proposed the novel adoption of the protic amide solvent, N-methyl formamide (NMF) as a Zinc battery electrolyte, which possesses a high dielectric constant and high flash point to promote fast kinetics and battery safety simultaneously. Dendrite-free and granular Zn deposition in Zn-NMF electrolyte assures ultra-long lifespan of 2000 h at 2.0 mA cm-2/2.0 mAh cm-2, high CE of 99.57 %, wide electrochemical window (~3.43 V vs. Zn2+/Zn), and outstanding durability up to 10.0 mAh cm-2. This work sheds light on the efficient performance of the protic non-aqueous electrolyte, which will open new opportunities to promote safe and energy-dense RZBs.

High‐Current Capable and Non‐Flammable Protic Organic Electrolyte for Rechargeable Zn Batteries

AbstractWiederaufladbare Zinkbatterien (RZBs) gelten aufgrund ihrer zahlreichen Vorteile als potente Konkurrenten für elektrochemische Geräte der nächsten Generation. Dennoch können herkömmliche wässrige Elektrolyte aufgrund der komplexen Reaktionskinetik in wässrigen Systemen durch schnellen Kapazitätsabfall und schlechte Coulomb′sche Effizienz (CE) ernsthafte Gefahren für den langfristigen Batteriebetrieb verursachen. Wir haben hier die neuartige Verwendung des protischen Amid‐Lösungsmittels N‐Methylformamid (NMF) als Zinkbatterie‐Elektrolyt vorgeschlagen, dass eine hohe Dielektrizitätskonstante und einen hohen Flammpunkt besitzt, um gleichzeitig eine schnelle Kinetik und Batteriesicherheit zu fördern. Die dendritenfreie und körnige Zn‐Abscheidung im Zn‐NMF‐Elektrolyten gewährleistet eine ultralange Lebensdauer von 2000 Stunden bei 2.0 mA cm−2/2.0 mAh cm−2, ein hohes CE von 99.57 %, ein breites elektrochemisches Fenster (≈3.43 V vs. Zn2+/Zn) und eine hervorragende Haltbarkeit bis zu 10.0 mAh cm−2. Diese Arbeit wirft ein Licht auf die effiziente Leistung des protischen nichtwässrigen Elektrolyten, der neue Möglichkeiten zur Förderung sicherer und energiedichter RZBs eröffnen wird.

Two-Dimensional Polyphosphazene Nanosheet-Derived N,P Doubly Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction

Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic polymers (COPs) featuring large surface areas and exposed active sites are desirable in the modification of electrode materials for electrochemical reactions. However, the rigid and planar conformation of 2D COPs limits the wrap of one-dimensional electrodes. Herein, we have proposed a molecular strategy to regulate in situ encapsulation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with 2D polyphosphazene. The stoichiometric control over the nucleophilic substitution reaction between hexachlorocyclophosphazene and amines allows for the oriented evolution around the surface of CNTs. The formed COP sheath is an ultrathin and uniform coating without granular deposition. Upon carbonization, the well-defined core/shell CNT composite was converted into the N,P-codoped carbon, exhibiting outstanding electrocatalytic oxygen reduction performance with a diffusion-limiting current density of 5.4 mA cm–2 and an electron transfer number of 3.97. The improved electrocatalytic activity originates from a high content of active N,P-containing catalytic sites uniformly distributed on porous carbon. This study provides a viable strategy to develop functional composite materials by modulating the flexibility of 2D COPs for 1D substrates, contributing to broad applicability.

Histopathologic features predictive of perivascular deposition of IgA on direct immunofluorescence in cases of leukocytoclastic vasculitis: A retrospective study of 112 specimens.

IgA vasculitis is a small-vessel vasculitis subtype with increased risk of systemic involvement. We aimed to investigate if any light-microscopic features can predict the presence of perivascular granular IgA deposits on direct immunofluorescence (DIF) microscopy. We performed a retrospective search of cutaneous pathology reports from our internal and consultation practice (January 1, 2010-October 5, 2021) with a diagnosis of leukocytoclastic vasculitis and accompanying DIF. A blinded dermatopathologist reviewed standard microscopy slides for predetermined histopathological features. Fifty-six biopsies (48 patients) and 56 biopsies (42 patients) met inclusion criteria for IgA+ and IgA-, respectively. The presence of eosinophils and mid and deep dermal inflammation were statistically more associated with IgA- (41/56 [73.2%] and 31/56 [55.4%], respectively) than IgA+ cases (28/56 [50.0%] and 14/56 [25.0%]; p = 0.049 and 0.006, respectively, chi-squared test). Other microscopic criteria recorded were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05, chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests). In this retrospective study of 112 cases, we found that while the absence of eosinophils and absence of mid- and deep inflammation were correlated with increased likelihood of IgA perivascular deposition on DIF, no other histopathological features on light microscopy tested could reliably predict the presence of IgA perivascular deposition on DIF. Therefore, DIF remains a necessary component for the accurate diagnosis of cutaneous IgA vasculitis.

Presence of pseudo-Kayser-Fleischer rings in patients without Wilson disease: a prospective cohort study.

Kayser-Fleischer (KF) rings are due to copper deposition in Descemet membrane of the cornea in Wilson disease. Pseudo-KF ring (PKF), seen in patients with high bilirubin, is often misinterpreted as KF rings. These are bilirubin deposits in posterior corneal stroma. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the presence of KF and PKF rings in Wilson disease and non-Wilsonian liver disease with serum bilirubin >5mg/dL. All patients referred from the hepatology unit with serum bilirubin >5mg/dL were assessed by slit-lamp examination (SLE) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months for differences in corneal deposits between KF and PKF rings. All other clinical, laboratory, radiological, genetic, and tissue diagnoses by liver biopsy were done as required to confirm the cause of liver disease. Among the 750 patients examined, corneal deposits were present in 13%, KF rings as granular deposits in 31.7%, and PKF as a posterior stromal hue in 68.3% of cases. PKF rings showed regression in 60%, disappearance in 36.6% at 3 months, and in 100% of cases at 6 months. KF ring showed regression in 10.7% and 8.3% until 6 months. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography identified KF ring as a hyperintense line on Descemet membrane in an additional 9.7% of patients compared with a scattered hyperintense hue in PKF rings. The presence of PKF rings in patients with jaundice is not uncommon and should be differentiated from true KF rings. Serial monitoring is essential to look for resolution, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be additionally helpful.

Insights Into PROM1-Macular Disease Using Multimodal Imaging.

To describe the features of genetically confirmed PROM1-macular dystrophy in multimodal images. Thirty-six (36) eyes of 18 patients (5-66 years; mean age, 42.4 years) were prospectively studied by clinical examination and multimodal imaging. Short-wavelength autofluorescence (SW-AF) and quantitative fundus autofluorescence (qAF) images were acquired with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRA+OCT, Heidelberg Engineering) modified by insertion of an internal autofluorescent reference. Further clinical testing included near-infrared autofluorescence (NIR-AF; HRA2, Heidelberg Engineering) with semiquantitative analysis, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (HRA+OCT) and full-field electroretinography. All patients were genetically confirmed by exome sequencing. All 18 patients presented with varying degrees of maculopathy. One family with individuals affected across two generations exhibited granular fleck-like deposits across the posterior pole. Areas of granular deposition in SW-AF and NIR-AF corresponded to intermittent loss of the ellipsoid zone, whereas discrete regions of hypoautofluorescence corresponded with a loss of outer retinal layers in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans. For 18 of the 20 eyes, qAF levels within the macula were within the 95% confidence intervals of healthy age-matched individuals; nor was the mean NIR-AF signal increased relative to healthy eyes. Although PROM1-macular dystrophy (Stargardt disease 4) can exhibit phenotypic overlap with recessive Stargardt disease, significantly increased SW-AF levels were not detected. As such, elevated bisretinoid lipofuscin may not be a feature of the pathophysiology of PROM1 disease. The qAF approach could serve as a method of early differential diagnosis and may help to identify appropriate disease targets as therapeutics become available to treat inherited retinal disease.

Clinical characterization of polycythemia vera associated with IgA nephropathy in a single Chinese center: A case series

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm which is characterized by excessive production of erythrocytes as well as myeloid and megakaryocytic proliferation. PV associated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has rarely been reported in the literature. The long-term renal prognosis of these patients is unknown. Clinical and pathological characteristics of 7 patients with renal biopsy-proven IgAN associated with PV were retrospectively analyzed. The 7 patients were all males, with a mean age of 49.1 ± 18.8 years when admitted to our hospital. Systemic symptoms include: hypertension in case 2, 3, 5, and 6, splenomegaly in case 2, 4, and 5, and multiple lacunar infarction in case 6. Bone marrow biopsy test revealed relative erythroid hyperplasia and atypical megakaryocyte proliferation which consistent with a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm. All patients had JAK2V617F and BCR-ABL tested, and JAK2V617F positive in 2 patients. Mild mesangial proliferation was observed in 5 patients and moderate/severe mesangial proliferation in 2patients. Immunofluorescence mainly showed diffuse granular deposition of dominant IgA in mesangium. After follow-up of 56.7 ± 44.0 months, hemoglobin level was 144 ± 29 g/L and hematocrit lever was 0.470 ± 0.03, compared with 187 ± 29 g/L and 0.563 ± 0.087 respectively when admitted to our hospital. The urine protein was 0.85 ± 0.64 g/24 h compared with 3.97 ± 4.68 g/24 h. Case 3 progressed to end stage renal disease and had received hemodialysis for 5 years before renal transplantation. The results of this study showed that PV associated with IgAN mainly occurs in males and is often accompanied by hematuria and mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency. The long-term prognosis was good for most patients, and few progressed relatively quickly to end stage renal disease.

Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Deficiency Aggravates Cationic Bovine Serum Albumin–Induced Membranous Nephropathy Through T Helper Cell Type 2-Prone Immune Response in Mice

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a crucial activator of the fibrinolytic system that modulates tissue remodeling, cancer progression, and inflammation. However, its role in membranous nephropathy (MN) remains unclear. To clarify this issue, an established BALB/c mouse model mimicking human MN induced by cationic bovine serum albumin (cBSA), with a T helper cell type 2–prone genetic background, was used. To induce MN, cBSA was injected into Plau knockout (Plau−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice. The blood and urine samples were collected to measure biochemical parameters, such as serum concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG2a, using enzyme-linked immunoassay. The kidneys were histologically examined for the presence of glomerular polyanions, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis, and transmission electron microscopy was used to examine subepithelial deposits. Lymphocyte subsets were determined using flow cytometry. Four weeks post–cBSA administration, Plau−/− mice exhibited a significantly higher urine protein-to-creatine ratio, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia than WT mice. Histologically, compared to WT mice, Plau−/− mice showed more severe glomerular basement thickening, mesangial expansion, IgG granular deposition, intensified podocyte effacement, irregular thickening of glomerular basement membrane and subepithelial deposits, and abolishment of the glycocalyx. Moreover, increased renal ROS levels and apoptosis were observed in Plau−/− mice with MN. B-lymphocyte subsets and the IgG1-to-IgG2a ratio were significantly higher in Plau−/− mice after MN induction. Thus, uPA deficiency induces a T helper cell type 2–dominant immune response, leading to increased subepithelial deposits, ROS levels, and apoptosis in the kidneys, subsequently exacerbating MN progression in mice. This study provides a novel insight into the role of uPA in MN progression.

Study of the groundwater regime in unsaturated slopes prone to landslides by multidisciplinary investigations: Experimental study and numerical modelling

The triggering of shallow landslides in granular deposits is highly controlled by the groundwater regime, namely, the pore water pressure distribution, which directly affects soil shear strength. The slope hydraulic state is usually variable over time and space due to the high variability of atmospheric loads at the ground surface and local geologic conditions, such as stratigraphic irregularities and preferential groundwater flow paths. The unfavourable combination among critical geomorphological and topographical settings with stratigraphic and hydrogeological features are commonly recognized as predisposing factors of flowslides and debris flow occurrences.This paper proposes a multidisciplinary approach that combines geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigations to identify the role of local geological and geotechnical factors on the groundwater regime in slopes prone to flow-like landslides. The study is based on seasonally repeated electrical resistivity tomography measurements integrated with geotechnical numerical modelling of hydraulic phenomena affecting the soil cover. The latter is used to analyse the effects of the stratigraphic variability in terms of the geometry, continuity, and thickness of the soil horizons on the groundwater regime over time. The proposed approach has been applied to a test site located on the northern slope of Faito Mt. in the Lattari/Sorrento Peninsula mountain chain (southern Italy), an area historically affected by many rapid instability phenomena, such as flow-like landslides and flash floods. Both geophysical and geotechnical models obtained for the test site were cross-checked and validated, providing significant insights into the hydraulic response of the soil cover to rainfall and its hydraulic interaction with the underlying bedrock. Specifically, the integrated approach proved that i) the buried paleo-morphology of the bedrock severely affects the pore water distribution in the soil cover and ii) ashy soil fills the upper karst portion of the bedrock, providing a hydraulic connection of the water flow infiltrating from the topsoil downwards.

Gender-related differences in IgA nephropathy; an eleven-year experience according to revised Oxford classification

Introduction: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common glomerular disease characterized by dominant or co-dominant granular IgA deposits in the glomerular mesangial areas. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the possible gender-related differences in IgAN at a single center in Iran. Patients and Methods: All renal biopsy-proven cases of IgAN during the last 11 years (2009-2020) were studied. All kidney biopsies had two samples for immunofluorescence and light microscopy. Renal biopsies were reviewed using the recently revised Oxford classification of IgAN. In addition to Oxford-MEST morphologic variables, other data consisting of age, gender, serum creatinine and level of proteinuria within 24 hours at the time of biopsy were collected. The data were analyzed in SPSS version 21.0. Results: This study included 246 biopsy-proven cases of IgAN patients with a mean age of 38.23±13.71 years and a male prevalence of 67.1% (n=161). The mean ± SD values of serum creatinine and 24-hour proteinuria were 1.47±1.06 mg/dL and 1753.63±1049.418 mg/d, respectively. Analysis regarding age, serum creatinine, the quantity of 24-hour proteinuria, the number of sclerotic glomeruli, and the percent of interstitial fibrosis showed only serum creatinine to be significantly higher in males than females (P=0.017). Moreover, 24-hour proteinuria was higher in males than females (P=0.047). Our study showed that males have more segmental sclerosis (P=0.023) and more significant IgM deposits than females (P=0.003). The mean scores of IgA, IgG, and C3 deposited immunological reactants were not substantially different between males and females (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that serum creatinine and proteinuria were significantly higher in males. Males also had higher segmental sclerosis on biopsies. Larger-scale research is needed to confirm our results.

Immunopathological Assessment of the Oral Mucosa in Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (Duhring's disease, DH) is a chronic blistering cutaneous condition with pruritic polymorphic lesions, consisting of vesicles, papules or nodules and erythema, found predominantly on the extensor surfaces of the limbs, buttocks, and neck. Diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical and immunopathological findings. Oral manifestations of DH have rarely been described. The aim of the study was to evaluate IgA, IgG, IgM and C3 complement deposits in the oral mucosa in DH patients. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) was performed on the oral mucosa specimens collected from 10 DH patients. Biopsy was taken in a local anesthesia from perilesional site from the buccal mucosa and then preserved in a standard procedure using polyclonal rabbit IgG, IgA, IgM and C3 antibodies. Granular IgA and C3 deposits were found in 6 patients (60%), and in 3 subjects (30%) the result was indeterminate. Significant fluorescence of the deposits along the basement membrane was observed in 2 patients, moderate fluorescence in 3 patients, and in 4 cases the result was indeterminate. C3 deposits were found in 5 subjects (50%), 3 of them being moderate and 2 indeterminate. No IgM and IgG deposits were detected in the collected buccal mucosa specimens.

Effect of pyrazine in PEDOT:PSS thin films: Structural, optical, optoelectrical, and electrical analysis

The pristine PEDOT:PSS and different weight amounts of pyrazine in PEDOT:PSS thin films were prepared using the doctor-blading technique on a borosilicate glass substrate. The structural, optical, and electrical properties of the effect of pyrazine in PEDOT:PSS thin films were presented for the first time of this admixed solution. More accuracy in the surface of thin films was observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) which revealed the granular deposits on the film surfaces. Some hill shapes and the distribution of agglomerated grains were also observed on the thin films. The PEDOT:PSS with pyrazine has a preferred orientation to be an orthorhombic crystal structure. The crystallite sizes were reduced from 230.40 nm to 101.81 nm for 30–60 mg pyrazine in the PEDOT:PSS. The energy band gap (Eg) value of pristine PEDOT:PSS is of 3.50 eV with Urbach energy (EU) of 336.10 meV. The alteration Eg values from 3.52 to 3.67 eV was obtained with the estimated EU values in the range of 283.16–324.62 meV depends on various amounts of pyrazine. The linear optical parameters, i.e., the refractive index, optical electronegativity, real/imaginary dielectric constants, extinction coefficient, and optical conductivity were investigated and explained by the changes in the formation, nucleation, growth of clusters, and particle arrangement. As the spectrum increased, the highest χ(1), χ(3), and n2 values were obtained for the 80 mg pyrazine in PEDOT:PSS of 0.110, 2.562 × 10−14 esu, and 6.219 × 10−13 esu, respectively. The electrical conductivity was clearly increased for pyrazine exceeding 40 mg from 1.85 × 102 to 3.84 × 102 S/cm and the figure of merit was in the range of 4.34 × 10−2 to 4.68 × 10−2 Ω−1. Thus, the novelty of this work can show that pyrazine in the range of 40 mg–80 mg is the optimum condition to synthesize non-linear optical (NLO) materials, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic light-emitting transistors (OLETs).

TengizChevroil future growth project, Kazakhstan – the design of temporary haul roads

The 36km haul road for the TengizChevroil future growth project in western Kazakhstan provided a unique opportunity to examine the dynamic effect of heavy traffic loading on earthworks. The haul road was constructed to facilitate transport of 252 partially constructed module units from a purpose-built terminal in the Caspian Sea. The ground underlying the haul road comprises recent, predominantly granular deposits with palaeo-channels of very soft cohesive material up to 4 m thick. The module units, weighing up to 2300 t, were transported on multi-wheeled trailers imparting a maximum distributed ground bearing pressure of 80 kN/m2. All areas underlain by soft cohesive soils were not treated, but a budget allocated for maintenance during operation of the road. The haul road was designed using quasi-static loading with checks using limit equilibrium and finite-element methods. The construction programme allowed instrumentation installed during the ground investigation to be used to complete a dynamic embankment trial to monitor settlement and pore-water pressure response in the underlying soils, which was supplemented by further monitoring during haul road operation. The monitoring indicated that adoption of the quasi-static approach for traffic loading does not realistically reflect short-duration dynamic loading on earthworks and that the quasi-static approach is highly conservative when applied to moving loads.

Research on SOFC Properties of Low Concentration Gas Fuel and SFM-GDC Reforming

When gas fuel is used in solid oxide fuel cells, methane cracking occurs at high temperature in the Ni-based anode, forming granular carbon deposition in the active site of the anode, and finally completely wrapped Ni metal, greatly losing the electrochemical performance. Therefore, it is very necessary to add a reforming catalytic layer in the anode of the battery. The methane is reformed into CO and H2 fuel before entering the anode, and the place where methane cracking occurs is mostly transferred to the reforming layer, which reduces the catalytic reforming burden of the Ni-based anode, so as to effectively improve the battery performance. In this paper, Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6 with double perovskite structure was synthesized and prepared, which maintained very good stability in high temperature REDOX atmosphere and had high electrical conductivity. The combination of GDC and SFM can increase the reaction site of the three-phase interface of the reforming layer, and also help to improve the thermal expansion matching between the reforming layer and anode. In this paper, the electrochemical performance of straight cell coated with SSFM-GDC reforming layer has been studied. Low concentration gas in coal mine contains methane, oxygen, nitrogen, and water hydrogen sulfide, etc., and its reaction process in solid oxide fuel cells is complicated. Therefore, studying the reaction mechanism of low concentration gas in solid oxide fuel cells has important practical significance for promoting its application.

A multidisciplinary study on the spatial variability of the local stratigraphic conditions in partially saturated slopes for flow-like landslide prediction

Flow-like landslides, which occur mainly in shallow granular deposits resting on steep bedrock, represent a major natural hazard worldwide. The pore water pressure distribution and the soil water content directly affect the soil shear strength, thus controlling the triggering of these landslides. Criticalgeomorphological and topographical settings, together with peculiar stratigraphic and hydrogeological features, are commonly recognized as predisposing factors for flow-like landslides occurrence. Hence, investigating the spatial and temporal variability of hydraulic slope conditions is a fundamental activity that consists of identifying local geological factors and seasonal monitoring of the subsurface water regime. The present work proposes an integrated geological, geophysical and geotechnical approach to identify the spatial variability of the local stratigraphic setting and hydrogeological conditions in a partially saturated slope, in order to set up a procedure able to provide a prediction of the flow-like landslides occurrence atslope scale. The multidisciplinary study has been applied to a test site on Mt. Faito, in the Lattari Mts. (Southern Italy), where extensive geophysical, geological and geotechnical soil characterization and in situmonitoring data collected over two years are available.

Numerical Modeling of the Effect of Desaturation on Liquefaction Hazard Mitigation

Earthquake-induced liquefaction is always a concern when the soil near the surface of a site is composed of relatively loose saturated sand. One of liquefaction mitigation methods is to induce gas bubbles into the deposit to reduce the degree of saturation. A coupled pore-scale model is presented herein to investigate liquefaction resistance of desaturated granular materials. The multiphase fluid, which mimics the behavior of air and water, is modeled using the multiphase single component lattice Boltzmann method. The solid phase is modeled using the discrete element method. The coupled framework was utilized to study the behavior of a soil deposit with the different degrees of saturation of 100%, 92%, and 82% during an earthquake loading. Based on the results of the simulations performed, liquefaction occurred in the fully saturated granular deposit and was not observed anywhere at depth in the desaturated deposits. It has also been found that reducing the saturation level from 100% to 92% significantly affects behavior. In desaturated deposits, higher average coordination number, lower pore pressure buildup, and slower effective stress decay were observed compared to fully saturated deposits. However, it turned out that a further reduction in the degree of saturation from 92% to 82% does not have a significant impact on the calculated parameters.

Hitchhiking spider: a case of unilateral vasculitis.

A 63-year-old man presented with two days of palpable purpura over the right anterior shin and calf with notable point tenderness on the distal mid-calf without any palpable deep abnormality. Localized right calf pain worsened with walking and was associated with headache, chills, fatigue, and low-grade fevers. A punch biopsy of the anterior right lower leg showed necrotizing neutrophilic vasculitis of superficial and deep vessels. Direct immunofluorescence showed non-specific focal granular deposition of C3 within vessel walls. Three days after presentation, a live spider was found and microscopically identified as a male hobo spider. The patient suspected the spider arrived via packages shipped from Seattle, Washington. The patient was treated with a prednisone taper with full resolution of his cutaneous symptoms. Given the unilaterality of his symptoms and otherwise unexplained etiology, the patient was diagnosed with acute unilateral vasculitis secondary to hobo spider bite. Microscopic examination is required for identification of hobo spiders. Although not deadly, there have been several reports of cutaneous and systemic reactions resulting from hobo spider bites. Our case illustrates the importance of considering hobo spider bites in areas outside of their native regions, as they are known to travel in packaged items.

QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER OF INTERMOUNTAIN BASIN OF KORÇA IN ALBANIA AND IMPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

Korça intermountain basin is the largest of its kind in Albania and from the hydrogeological point of view represents a semiclosed intermountain basin developed in Pliocene-Holocene granular unconsolidated deposits, which maximal thickness is about 300 m. The aquifer consists of intergranular gravelly to sandy layers containing artesian groundwater and the drilling wells are free flowing on most of the basin surface. The main recharge of the intergranular aquifer comes mainly from the rivers and torrents flowing from mountain gorges around the Korça Plain. The natural groundwater drainage of Korça basin is realized through the vertical leakage in the area of the former Maliq marsh. Hydrochemistry of the aquifers show the presence of four main hydrochemical facies which are related mainly to the hydrochemistry of the recharge sources and to the solution processes and ion exchange. In the central part of the basin the water supply wells of the cities Korça and Maliq are located. The natural renewable groundwater resources of the basin are relatively restricted, but the volume resources (or static water resources) are abundant (about 1.1 × 10–9 m3). The perspective of their exploitation is very important, but respecting the “basin yield” concept that is defined as the maximum rate of withdrawal that can be sustained by the hydrogeological system of groundwater basin without causing unacceptable changes to any other environmental component of the basin. To face the problems related to the intensification of the groundwater pumping systematic observations of the hydraulic reaction of the basin and of the possible groundwater quality deterioration and other negative environmental impacts must be organized. The purpose of the present study is for the first time to analyze the abundant basin wide hydrogeological data and to evaluate: (1) geometry and hydraulic parameters of the aquifers: (2) groundwater hydrodynamic conditions; (3) their chemical composition and (4) the natural groundwater resources and the possibility to intensify the groundwater pumping in close relation to the environmental impact.