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Psacothea hilaris hilaris is an exotic cerambycid detected in Lombardy (northern Italy) in 2005 and now established and undergoing an expansion phase. The species constitutes a serious pest for Ficus spp. and Morus spp.The aim of this work is to update the distribution area of the species in Italy, investigating its expansion over 16 years. Data were acquired through the authors' direct field records and community science, by data mining on national and international web platforms and social networks. Reports were analysed and GPS points plotted in ArcMap 10.8.1 to obtain distribution maps.Of the records collected, 34% were acquired during field surveys, 22% via e‐mail and 44% through on‐line forums and social networks.Adults of P. h. hilaris showed a long period of activity, from April to the beginning of December, with a peak of presence from June to September. The presence of the pest has been ascertained over six provinces in Lombardy covering an area estimated at more than 1750 km2 in 2021. New detections occurred within 2 km of a known infestation from the previous year in 41.6% of cases, and between 2 and 4 km away in 37.7% of cases. The mean rate of range expansion estimated from reported records was 3.17 ± 0.33 km/year from 2010 to 2021. After an initial phase of settlement, the insect is now spreading southward.Given the relevant phytosanitary interest that the species may have for fig plants in Italy and in the Mediterranean Basin, it is fundamental to deepen the knowledge about its flight biology, dynamics and active dispersal capabilities in order to estimate the future range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the present work, we considered areas located in a park of 4000 ha in northern Italy in a suburban area, with an altitude between 190 and 960 m asl. Our aim was to update the list of insect species and to evaluate the influence of habitat and the locality on the beetle fauna present in the park. We therefore monitored the insects using different collection techniques. A total of 409 different species were collected. Species in Coleoptera were the most abundant, followed by Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, with other orders in smaller numbers. The analysis showed that the habitat influenced the communities more than the locality. Unfortunately, as there is no detailed historical information on the presence of the species in the area, we cannot hypothesize an effect of the area on the communities. This research, therefore, allowed us to list numerous species for the area, among which some are important, as they were never detected in this area, and constitutes a new starting point for future research on the biodiversity in the prealpine areas. Human activities and habitat fragmentation are known to greatly influence biodiversity. The aim of this study was to update an entomological checklist of a prealpine area in Italy, and also to evaluate the influence of different habitats and the proximity to cities on the entomological fauna. This study included different areas of a local park in Northern Italy, covering about 4000 ha, and situated at altitudes between 190 and 960 m asl. The surveys were carried out between 2010 and 2013 using different monitoring techniques (pitfall traps, car mounted nets, light traps, direct catches on soil and vegetation, visual sampling, gall collection). Furthermore, to assess the effect of habitat and locality on the composition of epigeic beetles, pitfall traps were set and inspected from April to September. All captured specimens were classified to species level. A total of 409 species were recorded, belonging to 7 orders and 78 families. A total of 76.1% were represented by Coleoptera, 13% Lepidoptera, 9.4% Hymenoptera, followed by other orders. In particular, some species with peculiar characteristics, or whose presence in the area had not been previously reported, were detected, such as Atheta pseudoelongatula, Ocypus rhaeticus, Tasgius tricinctus, Euplagia quadripunctaria, Scotopteryx angularia, Elachista constitella, Parornix bifurca, Oegoconia huemeri, and Lasius (Lasius) alienus. It seems possible that the habitat affected the community more than the locality. The woods showed a reduced biodiversity, and a simplified community structure. The comparison of the same habitats in different localities did not show significant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak led to the diffusion of several telemedicine solutions. The choice of the correct platform is crucial for ensuring the release of effective assistance. However, there is a lack of an objective method for the assessment of technical features. Objective: This study proposes a methodology for the evaluation of functional requirements of telemedicine platforms. This approach also permits the comparison of solutions in the Italian market by means of defined parameters, thus directing the choice of health care professionals. Methods: The study is divided into three phases. First, a mapping of the telemedicine platforms operating in Italy is performed. Then, the available platforms are selected based on the offered telemedicine activity. Finally, a method for evaluating the investigated platforms is defined. Results: Thirty-three (n = 33) technological systems were identified through an accurate investigation on the web and interviews with IT companies. Fifteen parameters were defined and organized into three categories: (1) usability of the telemedicine platform, (2) security, and (3) technological and organizational aspects. A score between 1 and 4 was assigned to each parameter, proportionally to the completeness of the platform. In particular, 62.96% of platforms reached an average score between 3.01 and 4 points; 33.33% of them had scores between 2.01 and 3, while the remaining 3.70% of solutions obtained a result between 1.01 and 2. Conclusions: The study provides an evaluation approach that is easily usable by health professionals to select the most suitable platform. The number of solutions and quality of information could be updated to obtain a complete tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) is responsible for a high number of hospitalizations, caused by a progressive worsening quality of life. Telemedicine allows for better management of patients' complex conditions, improving the care released. However, the risk of remaining at a testing stage often limits the integration of remote care in daily pathways for HF patients. The aim of this study is to outline the steps needed to integrate telemedicine activities into ordinary HF clinic practices. This methodology is applied to observe activities and trend improvements over a 12-month routine phase. Method: Three steps have been defined for an efficient introduction of remote care services in ordinary activities, integrating them with traditional in-person care: (i) introduction of temporary telemedicine projects, (ii) systematization of telemedicine pathways, and (iii) evaluation of monitoring phase. Observational data have been collected from structured interviews to show the rate of telemedicine activities achieved in clinical practice over the last year. Results: The methodology has been proposed in the HF clinic of the Italian hospital ASST Bergamo Est. After an initial testing phase, in which usability and user experience have been tested, four different remote activities were added: (i) telemonitoring for patients with an implantable device, (ii) follow-up televisits, (iii) nursing telephone support, and (iv) high-intensity telesurveillance pathways for patients after an HF acute event. During the last year, 218 telemonitoring pathways, 75 televisits, 500 telephone calls, and nine telesurveillance pathways have been performed. Success rates were high, and patients gave positive feedback. Conclusion: By integrating multiple telemedicine activities, it has been possible to better manage complex patients, keep track of disease progression, and improve their participation in care.

Background: Telemedicine has emerged as a potential solution to mitigate the significant greenhouse gas emissions of the healthcare sector. A comprehensive evaluation is required to quantify the environmental benefits of its implementation., Objectives: The study aims to compare the environmental sustainability of in-person and virtual examinations for heart failure patients., Methods: A standard life cycle assessment has been applied to quantify the equivalent CO2 of direct and indirect activities required to release a medical examination (virtual or physical) for a patient in an Italian hospital. Inputs of the analysis include electronic devices of hospital and patients, energy consumption, wastes, internet usage and patient travel. Depending on the type of visit (virtual or physical), inputs have been processed differently, considering actual consumption and utilization., Results: Televisit reduces emissions from 9.77 kgCO2e to 0.41 kgCO2e. Transport and internet data use are key inputs for in-person (i.e., 98%) and telemedicine visits (i.e., 72%), respectively., Discussion: Given the frequent car travels, telemedicine emerges as a tool to improve environmental benefits and reduce time for patients and caregivers.

Background: The sprint is one of the two ski-mountaineering disciplines that will be held at the coming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Italy). To date little information exists on this novel Olympic discipline., Methods: We characterized retrospectively the participation and performance in international male and female ski mountaineering sprint races from November 2012 to April 2022. Potential associations between sex and season with participation, as well as between sex, period, round and final ranking with parameters of performance were examined with linear-mixed models., Results: The minimal performance time required for success (i.e., being eligible for the next round/winning a medal) decreased progressively from the qualifications (Qs) to the final (F). Finalists adopted a conservative strategy in the Qs, improving their performance in the quarter-finals (QFs) and semifinals (SFs). The best and second-best male skier and the best female skier improved their performances even further in the F, which appears to be a key feature for success. For women, the number of participants and level of competition increased over the decade, whereas male participation did not. During the last two seasons, male sprint winners performed relatively more slowly in the preliminary rounds leaving more room for improvement in the F, which could reflect increased specialization in this discipline., Conclusions: Our findings provide novel insights into ski-mountaineering sprint races that can guide competition strategies and could be of considerable importance in connection with the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Italy).

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak led to the diffusion of several telemedicine solutions. The choice of the correct platform is crucial for ensuring the release of effective assistance. However, there is a lack of an objective method for the assessment of technical features. Objective: This study proposes a methodology for the evaluation of functional requirements of telemedicine platforms. This approach also permits the comparison of solutions in the Italian market by means of defined parameters, thus directing the choice of health care professionals. Methods: The study is divided into three phases. First, a mapping of the telemedicine platforms operating in Italy is performed. Then, the available platforms are selected based on the offered telemedicine activity. Finally, a method for evaluating the investigated platforms is defined. Results: Thirty-three ( n  = 33) technological systems were identified through an accurate investigation on the web and interviews with IT companies. Fifteen parameters were defined and organized into three categories: (1) usability of the telemedicine platform, (2) security, and (3) technological and organizational aspects. A score between 1 and 4 was assigned to each parameter, proportionally to the completeness of the platform. In particular, 62.96% of platforms reached an average score between 3.01 and 4 points; 33.33% of them had scores between 2.01 and 3, while the remaining 3.70% of solutions obtained a result between 1.01 and 2. Conclusions: The study provides an evaluation approach that is easily usable by health professionals to select the most suitable platform. The number of solutions and quality of information could be updated to obtain a complete tool.