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Explicit model predictive control (EMPC) maps offline the control laws as a set of regions as a function of bounded uncertain parameters using multi-parametric programming. Then, in online mode, it seeks the best solution within these areas. Unfortunately, the offline solution can be computationally demanding because the number of regions can grow exponentially. Thus, this paper presents the application of a deep neural network (DNN) to learn the EMPC's regions for a photovoltaic-based charging station. The main uncertain parameters in this study are the forecast error of photovoltaic power production and the battery's state of charge. Additionally, the connection or disconnection of an electric vehicle is considered a disruption. The final controller creates the regions at the start of each prediction time or when a disruption occurs, only using the previously created DNN. The obtained solution is validated using data from an e-vehicle charging station installed at the University of Trieste, Italy. • Uncertainties like EV consumption affect the performance of optimization techniques. • EMPC creates offline critical regions that are a function of uncertain parameters. • The dimensionality of the problem can be untractable and time-consuming with EMPC. • DNN can be trained to create critical regions in a reduced computation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Founded in 1959, the Italian Society of Parasitology (SoIPa) includes nearly 200 researchers and professionals in the fields of medicine, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, epidemiology and environmental sciences. The diversity of its members, in a historical and continuous collaboration with other international scientific societies, embodies a broad and multidisciplinary field such as parasitology. Since 1959, SoIPa has organized a biennial congress, covering all aspects of general parasitology with participants from all over Italy, Europe and beyond, involved in a dynamic and multi-faceted scientific framework of contributions and symposia. The present Special Issue (SI) contains 6 review papers and 1 research article, focussed on emerging topics presented and discussed during some of the symposia organized within the XXXII SoIPa Congress, held in Naples from 27th June to 30th June 2022. These review papers reflect several emerging subjects (i.e. 'Italian network on Neglected Tropical Diseases', 'Wildlife parasites and citizen science', 'Comparing approaches to parasitological issues', 'Unusual perspectives on the role of parasites') with the aim to explore the new role that parasitologists can play in the future society, working together to promote dialogue on science-informed decisions to support the so-called 'twin green and digital transition'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The introduction in Italy in July 2021 of the "COVID-19 Green Certification", known as the "Green Pass", was a particularly important moment in the political and social history of the country. While its use for health reasons is debatable both logically and scientifically, its effects should be measured at the general sociological level. The "Green Pass" allowed Italian social life to be shaped according to a social and political profile that can be traced back to a "society of control". This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issue. Design/methodology/approach: This paper, of a theoretical nature, intends to verify such an interpretation through a critical survey of Gilles Deleuze's well-known Post-scriptum sur les sociétés de contrôle (1990) and relating the theories to it from cybernetic science, sociology of social systems and the continental philosophy, specifically Michel Foucault. After a short introduction on the history of the instrument's introduction, the paper, divided into parts reflecting the set-up of Deleuze's text, examines the systemic social effects of the "Green Pass" with regard to its logic, and concludes with a reflection on the program of the instrument's future developments. Findings: The "Green Pass" put into practice a model of a society of control as anticipated by Deleuze, verified with particular reference to some instances of Luhmann's theory of social systems, and in the perspective of a Foucault's "normalizing society" in the process of definition and affirmation. Social implications: The "Green Pass" has been a controversial tool that has caused forms of social discrimination and exclusion and has seriously questioned the architecture of the rule of law. The conceptual paper tries to reflect on the premises and implications of this instrument. Originality/value: The approach to the problem both in a critical key and according to concepts and theories of the sociology of social systems, cybernetics and continental philosophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Pliocene-Quaternary Outer Thrust System of the Apennine-Maghrebides fold-and-thrust belt extends ~2000 km from northern Italy to Sicily. Its northernmost arc is seismically active and represents a test case to study geometries and seismogenesis of slowly deforming megathrusts developed within the continental lithosphere. Two distinct SW- dipping reverse shear zones (T1 and T2) in the Outer Thrust System of eastern Central Italy have been recently unveiled thanks to geological and integrated seismological information. These shear zones penetrate the Adria continental lithosphere to a maximum depth of ~60 km, with an outward convex shape associated with an outwarddiverging radial pattern. This paper presents new constraints on the megathrusts' geometry in light of a novel microseismic catalog (from 2009-2022) specifically focused on the compressional volume. Further details in the reconstruction of T1 and T2 are derived from a recent compressional seismic sequence (November 2022, MW 5.5) located in the Adriatic offshore. It activated the outermost T1 upper crustal segment with pure compressional kinematics and illuminated T2 at lower crustal depths. We integrate geological sections, seismic lines, serial hypocentral cross sections, and focal mechanisms to build a detailed nonplanar 3-D model of the thrusts involved. In addition, we build Coulomb stress scenarios for analyzing the possibility of the static interplay between the upper crust T1 segment activated by the 2022 sequence and the underlying T2 crust segment. The overall results may be relevant for assessing seismic hazards in areas with multi-depth active structures and for gaining insights into plate tectonic dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the MIAC Tissue Exhibition and Conference 2015, a traditional autumn tissue industry fair held in Lucca, Italy.

In Italy, computer science is still far from playing a relevant role within an overall cultural vision: on the one hand, public discourse superimposes informatics as such on digital world in a broad sense; on the other hand, there is a tendency to conceive computer science exclusively as a knowledge useful for specialised job placement. However, this is an evolving situation, in the wake of countries that have already started a real debate on these issues for some time. In the present paper, a comparison between different educational systems is made, while carrying out an analysis about the role of informatics in a globalised society; of course, it is not possible to ignore the importance of an epistemological reflection on its core concepts and on Ict ethical implications, especially in the light of pedagogical issues and digital education need for everyone [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide a general overview of sensory disabilities, focusing on the importance of teacher training in digital technologies from an inclusive perspective. In Italy, students with sensory disabilities represent 3.6 percent of the total number of students with disabilities. It becomes clear how crucial it is to direct educational attention to the strategies and ways that teachers and educators can put in place in order to be able to promote inclusive learning. In this, ICT can contribute in responding to what are the individual needs of students with sensory disabilities, enabling them to express their full potential both cognitively and in terms of their autonomy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textbooks determine the way school is experienced and learning realised. Their centrality, however, differs according to the various pedagogical cultures in which they are used. This paper shows how mother-tongue and literature textbooks are used in secondary education in Romania and the way in which they reflect an adequate pedagogy for the cognitive development of students. The Romanian case can stimulate a reflection also on the teaching of language and literature in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theme of inclusion in the school environment is increasingly defined in the name of a conquest of civilization. The paper aims to summarize the main phases that led to Italy on a regulatory and methodological level from the Deamicisian School to that of Inclusion, through literaries references such as Cuore by Edmondo De Amicis and The appeal by Alessandro D'Avenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The paper aims to disentangle the factors behind territorial disparities in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case fatality ratio, focusing on the pressure put by the pandemic on healthcare services and adopting a spatial perspective. Design/methodology/approach: Multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models have been used for uncovering the spatial variability in the impact of healthcare services on COVID-19 case fatality ratio, allowing authors to better capture the real spatial patterns at local level. The authors proved that this approach yields better results, and the MGWR model outperforms traditional regression methods. The selected case studies are two of the biggest UE countries, among the first affected by a high incidence of COVID-19 cases, namely Italy and Germany. Findings: The authors found sizeable regional differences in COVID-19 mortality rates within each of the analysed countries, and the stress borne by local healthcare systems seems to be the most powerful factor in explaining them. In line with other studies, the authors found additional factors of influence, such as age distribution, gender ratio, population density and regional development. Originality/value: This research clearly indicated that COVID-19 related deaths are strongly associated with the degree of resilience of the local healthcare systems. The authors supply localized results on the factors of influence, useful for assisting the decision-makers in prioritizing limited healthcare resources. The authors provide a scientific argument in favour of the decentralization of the pandemic management towards local authorities not neglecting, however, the necessary regional or national coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different laws, including the recent Law no.227 / 2021 "Delega al Governo in materia di disabilità", underline the importance of building educational projects for pupils, especially in a condition of disability, according to the Life Design’s perspective: alongside the pedagogical tension that characterizes the daily educational experience it is essential that the learning contexts know how to systematize organizational strategies to manage the various school life’s transitions: from the entering school phase, to internships experience rather than in outgoing educational guidance, assuming a systemic and unitary vision introduced thirty years ago with the law 104/1992. This paper documents the quantitative outcomes relating to the first phase of a survey involving a network of Vocational Training Centers (VTC) in Italy. The main goal is to know and understand the complexity of the practices implemented, the VTCs ability to give coherence to the educational guidance, even linking themselves to different stakeholders in the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features the Superstudio, an organization founded in Florence, Italy by a group of young architects, which imagined a thoroughly oblique relationship between virtual approaches to building and their end result. Founding members of the Superstudio; Background on Italian architecture during the period which forced young architects to develop methods of integration that were better suited to their changing circumstances; Distinction between architecture and building according to author Beatriz Colomina.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate contemporary changes in the education system. In particular, an analysis of the mechanisms of coordination and communication involved in the process can show how different geographical factors with different relational mechanisms may contribute to the creation of a new academic entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach: The authors propose a methodology with two-step approach. In the first part of the paper, they use a theoretical approach to carry out a longitudinal study of academic literature on the topics of "entrepreneurial university," "academic entrepreneurship" and "spin-off organizations." In the second part, they use cross-database analysis to theorize the main aspects of recent developments in higher education in Italy. To this end, the authors use three public and open-access databases on spin-offs, universities and higher education institutions and incubators in Italy. Findings: First, issues relating to the formation and best practices of entrepreneurial universities are discussed, based on the works of researchers from 25 countries. Second, a hypothesis is put forward to suggest that the organizational model of entrepreneurial university affects microeconomic competitiveness. Third, a case study of Italian spin-off organizations suggests that the number of incubators and spin-offs, and the type of academic knowledge, all directly affect the entrepreneurial university. Originality/value: This paper aims to examine the role of the university in the modern economic system. The originality of this investigation lies in its ability to offer a picture and first analysis of the main actors and of the entrepreneurial university system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on artful paper products in Florence, Italy including handmade marbled paper known as carta marmorizzala and machine-made paper known as "Florentine paper".

Describes the village of Ravello, Italy and its points of interest. Historical information; The Duomo or cathedral; Tradition in handmade paper-making; Proximity to Salerno and description of the Salerno ivories; Trip to Paestum from Salerno.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the sharing economy in Italy, focusing on key socioeconomic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: Adopting an exploratory approach, it analyzes the answers of a questionnaire, created using Google Forms and administered via social networks and e-mails. To analyze the answers statistical tests and descriptive statistics were used. The survey reveals potential behavioral factors, which influence the participation propensity to share economic practices. Findings: Results exhibit that the age of the consumer is an impactful participating factor of sharing economy, and therefore, it seems to be a discriminant. On the contrary, gender and annual income are insignificant determinants. Research limitations/implications: The sample is unbalanced, the majority of the answers were provided by young people. Social implications: The paper can give a picture of the role and the importance of the sharing economy in Italy. Motivated by its global economic growth that could reach in 2025 the value of €570bn, it contextualizes what drives people to collaborate and share tangible and intangible assets. Originality/value: It aims to discover how this digital trend shapes the social fabric of the global economy, providing a broader reflection in terms of future sustainability developments. Ongoing dynamic changes on digital consumer preferences toward sharing products and services provide valuable evidence on their future commercial behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on handmade decorative papers available at the Venice, Italy-based shop Antica Legatoria Piazzesi. Customers' value for aesthetics of the papers, according to shopowner Lavinia Rizzi; Display of antique boxes.

The article offers information on the First Meeting of the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) Study Group on Multipart Music to be held in Sardinia, Italy from September 15-20, 2010.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the key factors for successful creation of social value using the social business model (SBM) as an explanatory framework. Design/methodology/approach: This study follows the Krippendorff and Gioia's methodology seeking the rigor while examining the selected case study – a social cooperative named La Paranza, in the city of Naples in the south of Italy. In doing so, the SBM canvas is used to present the research's results in a systematic way. Findings: The existence of a strong "identity" with the local context, the "enthusiasm and the wish to change things", the presence of a "visionary", acting as an orchestrator and the ability to provide for responses to the local needs were identified as key factors in the successful creation of social value in the examined case. Research limitations/implications: The main research limits stem from the single case study methodology approach, which embodies the researchers' subjectivity. A comparative study based on the collection of multiple successful case studies is therefore suggested to develop a generalization of the key drivers underlying the process of social value creation. Originality/value: The study's originality results from its use of the SBM framework in presenting a successful example of social value creation. The examined empirical evidence is also original in itself, mainly because of its inner uniqueness as a new and innovative formula: this allows an in-depth investigation and the inspiration for new ideas in the ground of SBM and, in a broader sense, in the field of social innovation and social value creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that Maurizio Consoli, of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics in Catania, Sicily, has found a loophole in the 19th-century experiment that defined our modern view of the universe. The experiment established that light always travels through space at the same speed, whatever direction it is heading in and whatever the motion of its source, there is no way to put the wind in light's sails. Einstein used this foundation to build his special theory of relativity, but it seems his confidence may have been premature. Consoli's paper, published in the periodical "Physics Letters A," shows that there might be a wind that blows in light's sails after all something called the ether. INSET: Einstein the usurper?.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the independence of regulatory authorities (RAs) under Italian law. In this paper, reflecting a widespread opinion in Italy, we will address the idea of the inadequacy on the part of the Italian legal framework in ensuring the independence of RAs. The structure of the paper is as follows. After a brief presentation of Italian RAs, independence from politics and independence from stakeholders are both separately considered in light of Italian law. Before concluding, we also offer some insights concerning judicial review of RAs' acts.A part of the debate regards how to ensure and to improve their independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a real-world fundamental theme under a data science perspective. It specifically discusses whether fraud or manipulation can be observed in and from municipality income tax size distributions, through their aggregation from citizen fiscal reports. The study case pertains to official data obtained from the Italian Ministry of Economics and Finance over the period 2007–2011. All Italian (20) regions are considered. The considered data science approach concretizes in the adoption of the Benford first digit law as quantitative tool. Marked disparities are found, - for several regions, leading to unexpected “conclusions”. The most eye browsing regions are not the expected ones according to classical imagination about Italy financial shadow matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article shows concern on the huge influx of Albanian immigrants into Italy. People are rushing in tankers, ferries and fishing boats and other vessels of fortune. The first passengers were met with food and blankets, medical attention and a place to sleep. Later, as their numbers grew into the tens of thousands, they were ushered into the football stadium and locked up while officials examined their papers and the Italian government debated whether to send them back to where they came from. It highlights the agony of the refugees.

This paper focuses on the contrast between the rule on State immunity and human rights norms, and on the ICJ judgment on Jurisdictional Immunity (Germany v. Italy) from an Italian point of view. In the first part of the paper, the preceding Italian national case law on the denial of State Immunity is analysed - from the notorious Ferrini decision of the Italian Court of Cassation to the final decision in the Milde case, as a result of which Germany brought the dispute before the Hague Court. In the second part of the paper the ICJ's approach to the issue of State immunity and the arguments raised by the Italian defence are explored. It is shown that, although the outcome of the dispute was not unexpected, the Court rendered a very conservative and State-centric judgment which does not take into consideration the interests of individuals. Furthermore, it does not give any effective solution to the issue of the contrast between jurisdictional immunity and human rights norms. Finally, the paper shows the main difficulties which the implementation of the Court's judgment may involve for the Italian legal order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1994. the Italian Parliament passed a reform which aimed to radically change the economic regulatory institutions of the water sector in the country. The implementation of the reform, which lasted about twelve years, resulted in a new regulatory regime which combined selected features of public ownership, franchise allocation, and discretionary regulation. The reform was implemented in different ways across the country, resulting in different forms of organisation and management of water services at the local level. Drawing from this case, this paper aims to discuss two issues, namely why water regulatory reforms are designed as 'hybrids' between different regulatory 'models', and why, within a given regulatory institutional framework, water regulatory reforms may be implemented in different ways at the local level. This paper, therefore aims to contribute to a broader scholarly discussion regarding the rationales for institutional variety of water infrastructure regulation at the national and sub-national levels, and regarding the practical implications for managing the implementation of water regulatory reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offers a look at retail shops and items in Italy. Price of silver frames from the Anticoli Gioielli shop; Number of gloves available at the Sergio Di Cori glove shop; Range of Carnevale items sold by vendors at Saint Mark's Square.

Focuses on performing artist Ennio Marchetto of Venice, Italy. Description of one-man show, Ennio: Starring Ennio Marchetto; Opinion on the employment of personification of famous women and lip-synching in the show; Inspiration of the artist for the show; Views on the rapper Eminem.

The objective of the paper is to evaluate the potential of tank-based rainwater harvesting systems in free standing houses as the source control method to mitigate peak roof runoff due to rainfall in urban areas. To this aim, the water balance simulation of the rainwater tank was carried out using both high resolution rainfall series and toilet water demand data extracted from the database of results built in a previous field campaign involving six experimental households in southern Italy. Simulations show that significant potential for runoff peak reduction exists, basically depending on the rainwater tank size and on the characteristics of the water demand in the house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the growing importance of efficient water management, it has become crucial to understand water utilities' characteristics and the environmental factors affecting water pricing, so as to provide guidance to policy-makers. The analysis of factors influencing water tariffs is a challenging task in a context in which companies providing the service are characterized by different ownership features. Moreover, environmental factors and companies' characteristics may simultaneously influence both the decision to privatize the service and the water tariff level. Using a treatment effects model, where privatization is considered as an endogenous binary treatment variable, this paper analyzes whether and how certain relevant variables affect the tariffs levied by water utilities in Italy. The results show that higher tariffs are set in order to cover a greater amount of investments; furthermore, abundant water availability, measured by the average annual rainfall, significantly reduces prices. The data surprisingly show that tariffs are higher where the income level is lower. Significantly, after accounting for the endogeneity due to the fact that water firms are not randomly distributed between totally publicly or not totally publicly owned, our results seem to suggest that ownership does not influence the tariffs levied by water utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue is a collection of selected papers presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS) 2018 that was held in Florence, Italy, on 27-30 May 2018. As the flagship conference of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS), ISCAS attracts researchers across all the main themes associated with the circuits and systems domain. ISCAS 2018 was attended by more than a thousand delegates presenting their papers on analog, mixed signal and digital circuits, communication systems, signal processing, power circuits and systems, and many other relevant and timely topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation is an essential element of agricultural production whose absence would create great economic hardship in many regions of the global South. Yet irrigated agriculture uses 70% of global fresh water withdrawals, putting major pressure on global water resources. Whilst much research has focused on technological solutions to improve irrigation efficiency, irrigation water governance arrangements remain poorly investigated. This paper examines the irrigation water governance arrangements in place in the Canale Emiliano Romagnolo (CER) district in Italy. The objective is to understand key factors driving or hindering irrigation efficiency, and to identify context-relevant policy-making dynamics that could enable greater efficiency. The analysis is conducted following the Policy Arrangement Approach, which describes a policy domain in terms of actors, rules, resources and discourses, and identifies opportunities for change in the interplay of these dimensions. Findings suggest that the existing governance arrangements have led to improvements in irrigation efficiency over the past decades in the CER district. Key factors of this performance include public financial investment in research and farm modernization, the existence of local capacity building and social capital, and the presence of a public-private organization with capacity to raise resources and to generate and transfer knowledge to both policy-makers and farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1994 the regulatory framework of water services in Italy was radically modified, by transforming a traditional publicly operated system, which relied heavily for investments on fiscal budgets, into a system made up of selfsustaining corporate enterprises regulated at arm's length. After 19 years, the time has come to make an assessment of what has been achieved. This paper develops an original methodology, inspired by the concept of water sustainability, which tries to integrate economic, environmental and financial aspects within a unique framework. Our analysis discloses both allocative as well as distributive impacts of the reform, showing that it has been possible to generate some value for money while shifting the economic burden from taxpayers to service customers. However, improvements have been too slight and many signs are showing that it will be rather problematic to speed them up without undertaking a substantial restyling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New COVID-19 mathematical model with lock-down effect. • New fractal-fractional differentiation. • New fractal-fractional integration. • Numerical scheme based on Newton polynomial. Countries around the world are implementing lock-down measures in a bid to flatten the curve of the new deadly COVID-19 disease. Our paper does not claim to have found the cure for COVID-19, neither does it claim that the suggested model have taken into account all the complexities around the spread of the disease. Nonetheless, the fundamental question asked in this paper is to know if within the conditions taken into account in this suggested model, the integral lock-down is effective in saving human lives. To answer this question, a mathematical model was suggested taking into account the possibility of transmission of COVID-19 from dead bodies to humans and the effect of lock-down. Three cases were considered. The first case suggested that there is transmission from dead to the living (medical staffs as they perform postmortem procedures on corpses, and direct contacts with during burial ceremonies). This case has no equilibrium points except for disease free equilibrium, a clear indication that care must be taken when dealing with corpses due to corona-19. In the second case we removed the transmission rate from dead bodies. This case showed an equilibrium point, although the number of deaths, carriers and infected grew exponentially up to a certain stability level. In the last case, we incorporated a lock-down and social distancing effect, using the next generation matrix. We could achieve a zero reproduction number, with number of deaths, infected and carriers decaying very rapidly. This is a clear indication that if lock-down recommendations are observed the threat of COVID-19 can be reduced to zero in few months.While our mathematical model agrees with the effectiveness of the lock-down, it is important to mention damaging effects of inadequate testing. The long waiting period of few days before confirmation of status, can only lead to more infections. The asymptomatic tested person could be positive and spread the infection, or could contact the virus in days after testing and will spread the disease further, after being given a false result. Testing kit that with immediate results are needed for more efficient measures. We used Italy's Data to guide the construction of the mathematical model. To include non-locality into mathematical formulas, differential and integral operators were suggested. Properties and numerical approximations were presented in details. Finally, the suggested differential and integral operators were applied to the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive geoneutrino measurement using the Borexino detector, located at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy. The analysis is the result of 3262.74 days of data between December 2007 and April 2019. The paper describes improved analysis techniques and optimized data selection, which includes enlarged fiducial volume and sophisticated cosmogenic veto. The reported exposure of (1.29 ± 0.05) × 1032 protons × year represents an increase by a factor of two over a previous Borexino analysis reported in 2015. By observing 52.6+9.4-8.6 (stat)+2.7-2.1 (sys) geoneutrinos (68% interval) from 238U and 232Th, a geoneutrino signal of 47.0+8.4-7.7 (stat)+2.4-1.9 (sys) TNU with +18.3-17.2% total precision was obtained. This result assumes the same Th/U mass ratio as found in chondritic CI meteorites but compatible results were found when contributions from 238U and 232Th were both fit as free parameters. Antineutrino background from reactors is fit unconstrained and found compatible with the expectations. The null-hypothesis of observing a geoneutrino signal from the mantle is excluded at a 99.0% C.L. when exploiting detailed knowledge of the local crust near the experimental site. Measured mantle signal of 21.2+ 9.5-9.0 (stat)+1.1-0.9 (sys) TNU corresponds to the production of a radiogenic heat of 24.6+11.1-10.4 TW (68% interval) from 238U and 232Th in the mantle. Assuming 18% contribution of 40K in the mantle and 8.1+1.9-1.4 TW of total radiogenic heat of the lithosphere, the Borexino estimate of the total radiogenic heat of the Earth is 38.2 +13.6-12.7 TW, which corresponds to the convective Urey ratio of 0.78+0.41-0.28. These values are compatible with different geological predictions, however there is a 2.4 σ tension with those Earth models which predict the lowest concentration of heat-producing elements in the mantle. In addition, by constraining the number of expected reactor antineutrino events, the existence of a hypothetical georeactor at the center of the Earth having power greater than 2.4 TW is excluded at 95% C.L. Particular attention is given to the description of all analysis details which should be of interest for the next generation of geoneutrino measurements using liquid scintillator detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All over the world, governments are compelling water utilities to improve their efficiency and productivity through reforms and tougher regulatory tools. Despite the different strategies and approaches, the goals remain the same: to make the whole sector more efficient, to curb the profits and 'quiet life' of water utilities and pass the productivity gains to customers through reduced prices or better environmental protection and quality of service. The water sectors in Portugal and Italy underwent deep reforms in the 1990s, in pursuit of higher levels of performance. Therefore, there is added interest in measuring the performance of water utilities in these two Mediterranean countries. We assess their performance using composite (global) indicators on a sample of 88 water utilities, for the year 2007. While we compare the performance of the two countries in this sector we also try to identify the impact of the ownership structure on efficiency. Finally, this paper discusses the benchmarking results of our research and draws some policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose |!|#8211; The purpose of this paper is to apply a dedicated checklist for the evaluation of good practice information in the design of Italian internet sites on electromagnetic fields (emf) and health. Design/methodology/approach |!|#8211; The |!|#34;Guidelines on the collection, evaluation and dissemination of good practice information on the Internet|!|#34; by European Occupational Safety and Health Agency (EU-OSHA) and the criteria of effective health communication, by the American National Institute of Health (NIH), have been reoriented to the issue |!|#34;emf and health|!|#34;. In total, 100 Italian internet sites, provided by the search engine GoogleItalia, have been analysed. Findings |!|#8211; The results show how Italian official sources of information on |!|#34;emf and health|!|#34;, mainly affiliated to public institutions, apply good practice criteria in the design of internet sites, in terms of Identity card of the provider, quality of information, usability, interactivity and content of the sites. Practical implications |!|#8211; In recent years, the internet has become a powerful tool for information, especially concerning health issues. Internet users need to find a trusted source providing accurate, balanced, evidence-based, reliable, understandable information. This research provides practical criteria for selecting good practice information in the internet sites dedicated to |!|#34;emf and health|!|#34;. Originality/value |!|#8211; The authors|!|#39; effort in collecting and evaluating main criteria for an ergonomic design of internet sites dedicated to |!|#34;emf and health|!|#34;, confirms the need to implement usability of the internet sites and enhance the quality of information provided in the web in terms of |!|#34;good practice|!|#34;. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a basin-scale approach to the analysis of receiving water body quality considering both point and non-point pollution sources. In particular, this paper describes an extensive data gathering campaign carried out in the Nocella catchments, which is an agricultural and semi-urbanised basin located in Sicily, Italy. Two sewer systems, two wastewater treatment plants and a river reach were monitored during both dry and wet weather periods. A mathematical model of the entire integrated system was also created. Specifically, a detailed modeling approach was developed by employing three well known models: Storm Water Management Model, GPS-X and Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The study proposed a comprehensive modeling approach to analyze the importance of diffuse and concentrated polluting sources on receiving water quality. The study demonstrated that point pollution loads can be more influential during wet periods by an order of magnitude compared with the dry weather period. In the long term, diffuse and point pollution sources were demonstrated to affect river quality and they have both to be considered. The use of the proposed integrated model-based approach may support water managers in decision making about which strategies should be preferred with the aim of water quality preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of the commercial banking industry as a mediator between lenders and borrowers. A brief history of banking is presented, including the development of banks looking like their modern counterparts in Italy. In 1667, the Stockholm Bank has failed by issuing more bank notes than it could handle. Information on the paper money devised by economist Alfred Marshall to help French King Louis XIV is also provided.

Italian water services reform, started in 1994, has been surrounded by a lively debate on water management models; however, the story of the reform is difficult to understand if only those models chosen by local public agencies are considered. This paper provides a general picture of the reform, analyzes the decision-making process and presents a map of local outcomes. The decision-making analysis considers the course of action taken by the actors involved in reform from 1994 to 2008, and summarizes the events into three rounds. The map of the local modes of governance is focused on the relationship between local authorities and utilities, and has been realized through a collection of data from the 91 areas in which the national system has been reorganized, which has allowed the definition of four ideal types of outcome. The analysis shows that the range of solutions is wider (and the boundaries between them more ambiguous) than commonly assumed by the mainstream national debate which appears to overestimate the role of tools and of formal instruments, and, conversely, to underestimate the real and differentiated abilities and power of the actors in the water sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pipe systems illegal branches can take away remarkable water resources with negative effects from both the economic and technical points of view. Difficulties in pointing out illegal branches by means of steady-state pressure and discharge measurements are mainly due to the fact that, of course, such systems are not active according to a regular time schedule. In this paper the possibility of using Transient Test-Based Techniques (TTBT) for the location and sizing of branches is shown. Specifically, tests carried out in different branched pipe systems at the Water Engineering Laboratory of the University of Perugia, Italy, show that TTBT allow us to detect branches irrespective of whether they are active or not. To improve the precision of the localization, arrival times of pressure waves are detected by means of wavelet analysis. Finally, a simple relation based on the water hammer theory is proposed to size the branch reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first attempt by Italian scientists to carry on Astrophysical observations from Space can be traced back to the early 60ʼs just after the launch of the first satellites. Dominated by Physicists for decades, slowly space astrophysics has become one of the major fields of modern Astronomy. From the first experiments flown on balloons and rockets to the construction of todayʼs sophisticated satellites a historical scenario will be presented in the framework of Italian Science and, more generally, of European and World growth of the field. The first experiments in Universities, the setting of the CNR (National Research Council) labs, later transformed in institutes, to the recent merging of all Astronomical Observatories, will be discussed with mention to historical episodes. Main results and achievements will be outlined. How politics has affected the development of this branch of astronomical research will also be briefly considered within the limits assigned to the present talk. Some of the information contained in this paper comes from original documents, some from interviewing people who played a major role in the events, some from the literature but most of it is from personal reminiscences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Extreme Energy Events (EEE) Project is devoted to the study of extremely high energy cosmic rays by means of an array of particle detectors distributed all over the Italian territory. Each element of the array (called telescope in the following) is installed in a High School, with the further goal to introduce students to particle and astroparticle physics, and consists of three Multigap Resistive Plate Chambers (MRPC), that have excellent time resolution and good tracking capability. In this paper the first results on the detection of extensive air showers by means of time coincidences between two telescopes are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Messinian Laga basin is the largest foreland basin within the Central Apennines fold and thrust belt (Italy). This area, actively investigated in the 1980s and 1990s for hydrocarbon resources, is considered a valuable analogue for clastic reservoirs developed in confined structural settings. Furthermore, it represents a key area for understanding the evolution of the Apennines, as it links the internal, structurally uplifted Early Miocene fold and thrust belt of the western Central Apennines with the more external and recent belt to the east. Despite several papers published on this area, the only reconstruction of the substratum structure is an internal and classified industry report. During the present study, we had access to a seismic database comprising 200 km of seismic profiles that were collected between 1983 and 1990. These data allowed us to reconstruct the structural setting of the Laga basin substratum, define the lateral continuity of the main compressional structures within the basin, construct a balanced cross-section, and define the shortening values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigated agriculture in Europe is facing major changes, due to the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy and the coming into force of the new Water Framework Directive (60/2000). The objective of this paper is to evaluate the perceived outcome of different scenarios from the point of view of different stakeholders, as an instrument to support policy in the sector of irrigated farming. The methodology is based on the multicriteria analysis of water and agricultural policy scenarios and is applied in five study areas in Italy. The pay-offs for different stakeholders differ greatly between scenarios. Basic contrasts between farmer-related and environmental/water institutions are emphasised when facing different futures. This shows that greater coordination is necessary to provide consistent policies and appropriate incentives to farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OPERA (Oscillation Project with Emulsion tRacking Apparatus) is a long baseline neutrino experiment aiming to detect for the first time the appearance of tau neutrinos in a pure muon neutrino beam. The OPERA detector is exposed to the CNGS beam (CERN Neutrinos to Gran Sasso), a high-intensity and high-energy beam of muon neutrinos produced at the CERN SPS and directed toward the Gran Sasso underground laboratory (LNGS), 730 km away. The LNGS laboratory is situated under an average depth of 3800 meters water equivalent, making OPERA the deepest experiment able to measure cosmic ray muons with a magnetized detector, e.g. the cosmic ray muon charge ratio. Cosmic ray events were observed, together with the first neutrino beam events, during the 2007 and 2008 CNGS runs. This paper reviews the experimental apparatus, presents the first results for neutrino data and describes the analysis of cosmic ray data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We propose a generalization of the Dynamic Conditional Correlation multivariate GARCH model of Engle [R.F. Engle, Dynamic conditional correlation: a simple class of multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity models, Journal of Business and Economic Statistics 20 (2002) 339–350] and of the Asymmetric Dynamic Conditional Correlation model of Cappiello et al.[L. Cappiello, R.F. Engle, K. Sheppard, Asymmetric dynamics in the correlations of global equity and bond returns, Journal of Financial Econometrics 25 (2006) 537–572]. The model we propose introduces a block structure in parameter matrices that allows for interdependence with a reduced number of parameters. Our model nests the Flexible Dynamic Conditional Correlation model of Billio et al. [M. Billio, M. Caporin, M. Gobbo, Flexible dynamic conditional correlation multivariate GARCH for asset allocation, Applied Financial Economics Letters 2 (2006) 123–130] and is named Quadratic Flexible Dynamic Conditional Correlation Multivariate GARCH. In the paper, we provide conditions for positive definiteness of the conditional correlations. We also present an empirical application to the Italian stock market comparing alternative correlation models for portfolio risk evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The DAΦNE electron-positron collider at the Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati dell''INFN has made available a unique quality low-energy negative kaons “beam”. Two experiments, SIDDHARTA and AMADEUS, will use this kaon source to perform unprecedented precision measurements on kaonic atoms and kaonic nuclei. The scientific cases, together with the experimental setups, are briefly presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Z-control approach is applied on a SEIR model with an overexposure mechanism. • Awareness is considered as an indirect control on the class of infective individuals. • Z-control is used to detect what trend must awareness display to eradicate the disease. • The Z-procedure is generalized to treat high-dimensional uncontrolled models. • The awareness variable is qualitatively compared to Google Trends data on Covid19. In this paper, we use the Z-control approach to get further insight on the role of awareness in the management of epidemics that, just like Covid-19, display a high rate of overexposure because of the large number of asymptomatic people. We focus on a SEIR model including a overexposure mechanism and consider awareness as a time-dependent variable whose dynamics is not assigned a priori. Exploiting the potential of awareness to produce social distancing and self-isolation among susceptibles, we use it as an indirect control on the class of infective individuals and apply the Z-control approach to detect what trend must awareness display over time in order to eradicate the disease. To this aim, we generalize the Z-control procedure to appropriately treat an uncontrolled model with more than two governing equations. Analytical and numerical investigations on the resulting Z-controlled system show its capability in controlling some representative dynamics within both the backward and the forward scenarios. The awareness variable is qualitatively compared to Google Trends data on Covid-19 that are discussed in the perspective of the Z-control approach, inferring qualitative indications in view of the disease control. The cases of Italy and New Zealand in the first phase of the pandemic are analyzed in detail. The theoretical framework of the Z-control approach can hence offer the chance to reflect on the use of Google Trends as a possible indicator of good management of the epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper a forecasting method for the extremely dangerous aqua alta phenomenon is developed. The city of Venice, which is located in the northeastern part of Italy, is often subjected to intense flooding, due to increasing of the sea level. The classical methods used in Geophysics generally failed in forecasting this phenomenon, because of the complexity of the physical modelling. Therefore, a method based on a non-linear auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) approach is proposed here. It is found that the time series, corresponding to the sea level data, present a Gaussian distribution, but during short periods, of order of few days, a strong non-Gaussian behaviour is evident, which is concomitant with aqua alta events. This suggests the development of a non-linear version of the usual ARMA models. An empirical orthogonal function technique is applied in order to avoid numerical pathologies of the model due to the particular characteristics of the time series. The encouraging results indicate that such technique is a good tool for forecasting and alarm purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the role of frames in the art-historical world. It discusses the critical views of curators on frames. It discusses the emergence of finest frames and influential styles from Italy. This paper also presents information on types of frames including gilt frames. Moreover, the article also highlights the framing styles developed by Impressionists.