Archaeoseismic Evidence of Surface Faulting in 1703 Norcia Earthquake (Central Italian Apennines, Mw 6.9)

We present the first evidence of surface rupture along the causative fault of the 14 January 1703 earthquake (Mw 6.9, Italian central Apennines). This event was sourced by the ~30 km-long, Norcia fault system, responsible for another catastrophic event in Roman times, besides several destructive earthquakes in the last millennium. A dozen paleoseismological excavations have already investigated the surface ruptures occurred during the Holocene along the Cascia-Mt Alvagnano segments, as well as along secondary splays close to the Medieval Norcia Walls. Remarkably, the master fault bounding the Norcia-Campi basins have never be proved to rupture at the surface. An antique limekiln that was improvidently set across the main fault scarp provides the amazing evidence of an abrupt offset in the 1703 earthquake, which likely occurred during a liming process of carbonate stones. Obviously, the limekiln became useless, and was progressively buried by slope debris. The amount of the offset and the kinematics indicators surveyed in the site allow the strengthening of our knowledge on the seismogenic potential of the Norcia fault system, on its geomorphic rule, and on its impact on the human activities.

A Fatal Association of COVID-19 and Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

We represent a case with simultaneous COVID-19 and acute type A aortic dissection. Type A aortic dissection, an aortic catastrophic event, seems to have higher mortality on coexistence with COVID-19.

Linezolid-Associated Posterior Reversible Leuco-encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient with Disseminated Tuberculosis

Neurological side-effects of linezolid manifesting as a posterior reversible leuco-encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is rare. Early identification of this offending drug might reverse this catastrophic event. We report a 45-year-old female, who was diagnosed as a case of disseminated tuberculosis and was treated with antitubercular drugs (ATT), but later developed ATT-induced hepatitis. She was then put on modified ATT (moxifloxacin, terizidone, and linezolid). In the next two days she developed an altered sensorium. Brain imaging was suggestive of PRES. Linezolid was withdrawn, following which she showed an excellent clinical and radiological recovery.

The Hopewell airburst event, 1699-1567 years ago (252-383 CE)

Meteorites, silicious vesicular melt glass, Fe and Si-rich magnetic spherules, positive Ir and Pt 25 anomalies, and burned charcoal-rich Hopewell habitation surfaces demonstrate that a cosmic airburst event occurred over the Ohio River valley during the late Holocene. A comet-shaped earthwork was constructed near the airburst epicenter. Twenty-nine radiocarbon ages demonstrate that the event occurred between 252 and 383 CE, a time when 69 near-Earth comets were documented. While Hopewell people survived the catastrophic event, it likely contributed to their cultural decline. The Hopewell comet airburst expands our understanding of the frequency and impact of cataclysmic cosmic events on complex human societies.

Periaortic air in native and post-operative aorta on computed tomography

Periaortic air can be seen in various conditions which can be a benign imaging finding or harbinger of a catastrophic event. The causes vary in native aorta and post-operative aorta. A radiologist has an important part in the management process of these patients, as the treatment varies from conservative to radical surgery based on the aetiology. The presence of periaortic air seen in the light of various clinical, laboratory and radiological findings can guide the radiologist towards a particular aetiology. Cross-sectional imaging, mainly computed tomography, is an indispensable tool in recognising ectopic periaortic air and to identify the associated findings and eventually make an accurate diagnosis. We present a pictorial review of various causes of the periaortic air in native and postoperative aorta, the salient features and management of the described conditions.

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Predicting Complications following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a high mortality hemorrhagic stroke that affects nearly 30,000 patients annually in the United States. Approximately 30% of aSAH patients die during initial hospitalization and those who survive often carry poor prognosis with one in five having permanent physical and/or cognitive disabilities. The poor outcome of aSAH can be the result of the initial catastrophic event or due to the many acute or delayed neurological complications, such as cerebral ischemia, hydrocephalus, and re-bleeding. Unfortunately, no effective biomarker exists to predict or diagnose these complications at a clinically relevant time point when neurologic injury can be effectively treated and managed. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) in extracellular biofluids are highly associated with aSAH and complications. Here we provide an overview of the current research on relevant human studies examining the correlation between miRNAs and aSAH complications and discuss the potential application of using miRNAs as biomarkers in aSAH management.

A New Fundamental Understanding of Gas in the Drilling Riser

The work described here originated from the tragic and ultimately environmentally catastrophic event at the Macondo well in April 2010. The first part of the paper addresses the causes for the sudden and often destructive ejection of hydrocarbons from a riser when a gas kick escapes timely detection. The approach differs from previous work on the subject and provides a realistic understanding of the sequence of events responsible for the phenomenon. The focus is on the crucial few minutes and seconds prior to the sudden eruption of gas and provides a quantitative illustration of the extreme rapidity of the ejection which leaves no time for a drill crew to adopt mitigation measures. It is shown that, in many cases, a back-pressure applied at the top of the well can be beneficial. The second part of the paper describes a novel method for the detection of gas which relies on the measurement of pressure differences along sections of the riser. These data are sensitive to the mean density of the fluid in the section and can therefore detect the presence of free gas. Laboratory experiments supporting the idea are described. Proper signal processing can be developed which may be able to allow for automatic mitigation measures to be taken in the event of an otherwise undetected gas influx approaching the surface.

Information and technical features of the process of managing a natural emergency caused by hydrological and meteorological phenomena in a separate region of mountainous area

Emergency situations are objective (regardless of the attitude towards them) spatio-temporal processes, each of which is conventionally divided into five stages, namely: everyday accumulation of negative factors; extreme development of a negative factor; catastrophic event; elimination of the consequences of this event and their remote consequences. They occur on vehicles, man-made and natural objects, areas of the territory, water basins and in mountains, cities and administrative regions. The type of each emergency is tied to a specific catastrophic event that may occur, is happening or has already happened. The main goal of emergency management is to prevent a catastrophic event, and if it occurs, to minimize its consequences. The task of the management process is formulated by stages of the emergency.The main feature of the soils of the Carpathian Mountains is their relative looseness and water saturation. When additional volumes of the aquatic environment appear, which are set in motion by the forces of gravity, significant hydraulic gradients are created, which lead to landslides, mudflows, collapse of mountain slopes and banks of rivers and streams. Natural emergencies caused by hydrological and meteorological events in mountainous areas have five characteristics. This is the inevitability and suddenness of the onset of a catastrophic event, which can cover an extended territory, be accompanied by great destruction and changes in the terrain. Information and technical features of emergency management in a separate mountainous region include a detailed study of the area and monitoring with the local population, geoinformation modeling of disasters and early preparation of action plans, constant training of rescuers and preparation for the use of new rescue equipment – helicopters.

Genomic Chaos (Multiple Copy Number Variations and Structural Reorganization) Detected in Two Prenatal Cases

The use of new technologies in the routine diagnosis of constitutional abnormalities, such as high-resolution chromosomal microarray and next-generation sequencing, has unmasked new mechanisms for generating structural variation of the human genome. For example, complex chromosome rearrangements can originate by a chromosome catastrophe phenomenon in which numerous genomic rearrangements are apparently acquired in a single catastrophic event. This phenomenon is named chromoanagenesis (from the Greek “chromo” for chromosome and “anagenesis” for rebirth). Herein, we report 2 cases of genomic chaos detected at prenatal diagnosis. The terms “chromothripsis” and “chromoanasynthesis” and the challenge of genetic counseling are discussed.