Search

This article focuses on the Francoprovençal varieties and on the French spoken in Northern Italy, in two regions located in multilingual contexts: the Aosta Valley (where, in addition to French and Francoprovençal, Italian and Walser dialects also coexist) and Piedmont (which, in addition to sharing the diatopic varieties mentioned for the Aosta Valley, also embraces Piedmontese and Occitan). It will be shown that French has played an important role in the history guaranteeing the autonomy of the Aosta Valley, also thanks to the sustainment of the government, while the various Francoprovençal dialects have not been supported at the same grade, are rather used in oral contexts and in general, they are undergoing a process of Italianisation, even though they are taught at school and partly also at university. French is the language of instruction in the Aosta Valley next to Italian and as L2 in Piedmont, while Francoprovençal has been introduced at school only towards the end of the XX century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-intensity, diversified agricultural land use is needed to counteract the current decline in agrobiodiversity. Landscape ecology tools can support agrobiodiversity assessment efforts by investigating biodiversity-related ecological functions (pattern–process paradigm). In this study, we test a toolkit of landscape ecology analyses to compare different farm management models: polyculture agroforestry (POLY) vs. conventional monoculture crop management (CV). Farm-scale analyses are applied on temperate alluvial sites (Po Plain, Northern Italy), as part of a broader multi-scale analytical approach. We analyze the landscape ecological quality through landscape matrix composition, patch shape complexity, diversity, metastability, and connectivity indices. We assess farm differences through multivariate analyses and t-tests and test a farm classification tool, namely, a scoring system based on the relative contributions of POLY farms, considering their deviation from a local CV baseline. The results showed a separate ecological behavior of the two models. The POLY model showed better performance, with significant positive contributions to the forest and semi-natural component equipment and diversity; agricultural component diversity, metastability; total farm diversity, metastability, connectivity, and circuitry. A reference matrix for the ecological interpretation of the results is provided. Farm classification provides a quick synthesis of such contributions, facilitating farm comparisons. The methodology has a low cost and quickly provides information on ongoing ecological processes resulting from specific farm management practices; it is intended to complement field-scale assessments and could help to meet the need for a partially outcome-based assessment of good farm practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study's objective is to assess the environmental performance of rice production in Northern Italy, in particular in Piedmont, the first Italian and European district for the rice-growing area, and thus identify the most critical hotspots and agricultural processes. In particular, as a case study, a farm located in Vercelli (VC) has been chosen. Subsequently, the study results were compared with other different cultivation practices to evaluate the most sustainable choice. Methods: The application of the LCA has been performed, highlighting the phases of rice production that have the most significant impact. Then, uncertainty and sensitivity analyses have been made to estimate the robustness of the results and assess the influence of changing some input variables on emission reduction. Finally, multivariate statistical, specifically a principal component analysis (PCA), was conducted to aid the interpretation of the output dataset of this case study. LCA, uncertainty analysis, and sensitivity analysis were performed with SimaPro 9.2.0, using ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) methodology, and PCA with R software. Results and discussions: The hotspot with the highest environmental load is irrigation, which compared to the other phases impacts more in 15 out of 18 categories, including 12 with impacts greater than + 75%. This is because irrigation causes direct impacts, related to the methanogenesis in rice fields, but also indirect impacts related mainly to the production of the energy mix required to move the large masses of irrigation water. Therefore, different water management systems were compared and results show that the irrigation systems based on intermittent paddy submergence (DSI) could result in − 40% lower impacts, resulting to be the preferable technique over the other irrigation systems analyzed, including the traditional one used in this study. Conclusions: In order to reduce the environmental impacts related to the irrigation process, a water management system characterized by intermittent flooding of the paddy field (DSI) could be used as it reduces the environmental impacts the most (− 40%), while the least suitable system is one characterized by continuous flooding without drought periods, as it causes the highest impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a brand-new interdisciplinary approach applied to an enduring problem: the communication of severe diagnoses. The moment when physicians explain the diagnosis to patients and their relatives is sensitive, particularly for a disease that is rarely diagnosed early. The first part of the article is dedicated to the context of this delicate doctor-patient interaction. With this framework in mind, the paper delves into the innovative interdisciplinary methodology developed in the pilot study Communi.CARE, conducted in a hospital in Northern Italy, which focuses on the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). SARS-CoV-2 impact on the study development is highlighted. The study aims to explore the topic by combining different areas of expertise, including medicine, philosophy, sociology, and psychology. The contribution of philosophy is here presented as essential: it has a leading role in the conception of the study, its development, and the elaboration of results. It is shown throughout the study, from methodology to the analysis of results. Strengths and weaknesses of the methodology are discussed. In conclusion, further philosophical considerations on effective and ethical communication in this delicate context are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reorganization of health services, potentially affecting the quality of care for major public health concerns such as proximal femoral fractures. This study aimed to investigate potential changes in the timing of various steps in the patient journey after a hip fracture during the pandemic in Piedmont, a region in Northern Italy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the discharge records of patients aged 65 or older who were admitted for hip surgery following a femur fracture in 2019 and 2020. The study examined four-time steps: duration from hospital admission to surgery, length of hospital stay, interval between hospital discharge and admission to the rehabilitation facility, and duration of stay at the rehabilitation facility. To mitigate biases linked to sex and age factors, groups well-balanced across 2019 and 2020 were created using propensity score estimation. Results: The dataset consisted of two cohorts of 583 patients each for the years 2019 and 2020. The average duration from admission to surgery was approximately 1.9 days in both years, with 75% of patients undergoing surgery within 2 days of hospital admission. The average hospital stay reduced from 13.49 days in 2019 to 11.34 days in 2020. The gap between hospital discharge and admission to rehabilitation was approximately 10–12 days, and the average duration of stay at the rehabilitation facility was about 31.6 days. Discussion: The study indicates that healthcare systems can exhibit resilience and adaptability, even during a global pandemic, to ensure high-quality and safe standards of care. However, further long-term studies are needed to fully understand the pandemic's impact on primary health outcomes following hip replacement surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. The potential role of telemedicine in reducing the time between steps also warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work would like to illustrate a new concept of multiparametric stations to characterize the crustal fluids-tectonic interaction in specific geological contexts. The dynamics of crustal fluids in relation to tectonics is a complex and sometimes intricate issue. Several factors act and mutually influence themselves, so that in each tectonic and geological context they follow a specific behavior, and a comprehensive cause-effect rule is hard to find. Changes in water chemistry and levels and in soil flux regimes (e.g., CO2, CH4, radon) are just a few examples well documented in the literature as being pre-, co- and post-seismic modifications as well as being markers of the local tectonic stress acting in the crust. A regional study combined with a long-lasting multiparametric monitoring is needed to prepare to a seismic sequence in a given place. The field infrastructure was set up starting from the end of 2021, and multiparametric stations have been installed in correspondence of active seismogenic sources initially located in Northern Italy. Data are transmitted in real-time and archived in an ad hoc developed relational database. Monitoring is mainly focused on groundwater parameters (water level, temperature, and electrical conductivity) of aquifers showing distinct degrees of confinement and lithologies. Sites are also equipped of meteorological sensors (pressure, temperature, rain, humidity, wind speed and direction), radon sensors and surface and borehole seismic stations providing accelerometric and velocimetric data. A mud volcano field is also monitored and holds the installation of a permanent CO2 soil flux station. A statistical analysis working flow is also proposed for a preliminary evaluation of the acquired time-series. In particular, a couple of tools to detect, and thus filter, anthropogenic and meteorological effects on a groundwater level series is described. We wish to provide a model of approach to analogous study cases in other potentially seismic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Genomic surveillance of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) is crucial for virulence, drug-resistance monitoring, and outbreak containment. Methods: Genomic analysis on 87 KPC-Kp strains isolated from 3 Northern Italy hospitals in 2019-2021 was performed by whole genome sequencing (WGS), to characterize resistome, virulome, and mobilome, and to assess potential associations with phenotype resistance and clinical presentation. Maximum Likelihood and Minimum Spanning Trees were used to determine strain correlations and identify potential transmission clusters. Results: Overall, 15 different STs were found; the predominant ones included ST307 (35, 40.2%), ST512/1519 (15, 17.2%), ST20 (12, 13.8%), and ST101 (7, 8.1%). 33 (37.9%) KPC-Kp strains were noticed to be in five transmission clusters (median number of isolates in each cluster: 5 [3-10]), four of them characterized by intra-hospital transmission. All 87 strains harbored Tn4401a transposon, carrying blaKPC-3 (48, 55.2%), blaKPC-2 (38, 43.7%), and in one case (1.2%) blaKPC-33, the latter gene conferred resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA). Thirty strains (34.5%) harbored porin mutations; of them, 7 (8.1%) carried multiple Tn4401a copies. These strains were characterized by significantly higher CZA minimum inhibitory concentration compared with strains with no porin mutations or single Tn4401a copy, respectively, even if they did not overcome the resistance breakpoint of 8 ug/mL. Median 2 (IQR:1-2) virulence factors per strain were detected. The lowest number was observed in ST20 compared to the other STs (p<0.001). While ST307 was associated with infection events, a trend associated with colonization events could be observed for ST20. Conclusions: Integration of genomic, resistance score, and clinical data allowed us to define a relative diversification of KPC-Kp in Northern Italy between 2019 and 2021, characterized by few large transmission chains and rare inter-hospital transmission. Our results also provided initial evidence of correlation between KPC-Kp genomic signatures and higher MIC levels to some antimicrobial agents or colonization/infection status, once again underlining WGS's importance in bacterial surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate prediction of intense precipitation events is one of the main objectives of operational weather services. This task is even more relevant nowadays, with the rapid progression of global warming which intensifies these events. Numerical weather prediction models have improved continuously over time, providing uncertainty estimation with dynamical ensembles. However, direct precipitation forecasting is still challenging. Greater availability of machine‐learning tools paves the way to a hybrid forecasting approach, with the optimal combination of physical models, event statistics, and user‐oriented postprocessing. Here we describe a specific chain, based on a random‐forest (RF) pipeline, specialised in recognising favourable synoptic conditions leading to precipitation extremes and subsequently classifying extremes into predefined types. The application focuses on northern and central Italy, taken as a testbed region, but is seamlessly extensible to other regions and time‐scales. The system is called MaLCoX (Machine Learning model predicting Conditions for eXtreme precipitation) and is running daily at the Italian regional weather service of ARPAE Emilia‐Romagna. MalCoX has been trained with the ARCIS gridded high‐resolution precipitation dataset as the target truth, using the last 20 years of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reforecast dataset as input predictors. We show that, with a long enough training period, the optimal blend of larger‐scale information with direct model output improves the probabilistic forecast accuracy of extremes in the medium range. In addition, with specific methods, we provide a useful diagnostic to convey to forecasters the underlying physical storyline which makes a meteorological event extreme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between drugs and alcohol intake and sexual abuse in adolescents, otherwise defined as Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA). We considered the survivors who accessed care at the Centre "Soccorso Violenza Sessuale" (SVS – Sexual Violence Relief Centre) in Turin (Italy), between May 2003 and May 2022. We found that 973 patients aged 13–24 among which 228 were victims of DFSA. Epidemiological and anamnestic aspects of the episode of sexual violence were examined, with a specific focus on investigating the alcohol and/or drug intake as reported by the victim, along with the results of the toxicological analysis. the study further accounts for the variations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on DFSA-related accesses. Our findings show that 23% of adolescents accessing care at SVS were subjected to DFSA. Six out ten adolescents knew their aggressor, at times a partner (10%) oran acquaintance (43%). In 12% of cases violence was perpetrated by a group of people (12%). Almost 90% of young victims described alcohol consumption, while 37% reported drug use at the time of the assault. Alcohol taken alone or in combination with other substances was the most detected drug in our sample throughout the period considered. Given the large use of psychoactive substances among adolescents, it is imperative to implement harm reduction strategies alongside educational activities aimed at fostering awareness about consent. Health personnel should be trained to manage the needs of victims of DFSA clinically and forensically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Summa, Animali da Reddito is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plant invasions have a negative impact on biodiversity and lead to species loss. Although studies on traits promoting invasiveness have been largely developed, comparative studies on germination traits of closely related native versus alien invasive species, which also take into account threatened species, are lacking. We analysed the germination requirements of two congeneric Lindernia species inhabiting paddy field in Northern Italy. Germination tests were conducted exposing seeds of both species across a broad range of temperature and conditions (i.e., cold-wet stratification, dark condition, alternate temperature, gibberellic acid). The invasive L. dubia showed higher and faster germination, occurring over a broader range of temperatures compared to the native threatened L. procumbens, along with a lighter non-deep physiological dormancy. These results show a competitive advantage of the alien species already in the early stages of plant regeneration and provide a comprehensive overview of the germination requirements, necessary for the development of future conservation and management plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are a global public health issue, representing a significant burden of disease that leads to prolonged hospital stays, inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs, intricately linked to the development of resistant microorganisms, and higher costs for healthcare systems. The study aimed to measure the prevalence of HAIs, the use of antimicrobials, and assess healthcare- and patient-related risk factors, to help identify key intervention points for effectively reducing the burden of HAIs. Methods: A total of 28 acute care hospitals in the Lombardy region, Northern Italy, participated in the third European Point Prevalence Survey (PPS-3) coordinated by ECDC for the surveillance of HAIs in acute care hospitals (Protocol 6.0). Results: HAIs were detected in 1,259 (10.1%, 95% CI 9.6–10.7%) out of 12,412 enrolled patients. 1,385 HAIs were reported (1.1 HAIs per patient on average). The most common types of HAIs were bloodstream infections (262 cases, 18.9%), urinary tract infections (237, 17.1%), SARS-CoV-2 infections (236, 17.0%), pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections (231, 16.7%), and surgical site infections (152, 11.0%). Excluding SARS-CoV-2 infections, the overall prevalence of HAIs was 8.4% (95% CI 7.9–8.9%). HAIs were significantly more frequent in patients hospitalized in smaller hospitals and in intensive care units (ICUs), among males, advanced age, severe clinical condition and in patients using invasive medical devices. Overall, 5,225 patients (42.1%, 95% CI 41.3–43.0%) received systemic antimicrobial therapy. According to the WHO's AWaRe classification, the Access group accounted for 32.7% of total antibiotic consumption, while Watch and Reserve classes accounted for 57.0% and 5.9% respectively. From a microbiological perspective, investigations were conducted on only 64% of the HAIs, showing, however, a significant pattern of antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: The PPS-3 in Lombardy, involving data collection on HAIs and antimicrobial use in acute care hospitals, highlights the crucial need for a structured framework serving both as a valuable benchmark for individual hospitals and as a foundation to effectively channel interventions to the most critical areas, prioritizing future regional health policies to reduce the burden of HAIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Milk is one of the most globally produced foods with a growing trend, so its environmental performance needs to be studied. This research assessed the environmental impact of cow milk according to herds' performance through climate change and photochemical ozone creation potential indicators. The quality of feeds was also addressed. Under our conditions, knowing the nutritional characteristics of diets fed to animals as an alternative to tabulated values reduces the estimated impacts of considered indicators. An estimate of the environmental impact of dairy farms in Northern Italy producing milk for hard cheese (protected designation of origin) has been obtained through a comprehensive life cycle assessment. The estimate focused on climate change (CC) and photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP) indicators, which were evaluated according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines and interpreted with the aid of the feeds' composition evaluated using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Foss NIR-System 5000) as well as with a diet evaluation according to the NRC (National Research Council) or the CNCPS (Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System) nutrient requirement modeling. Herds were classified into high-, mid-, and low-performing based on the daily milk yield per cow. A lower impact on indicators was observed as herd performance increased. The high-performing herds had a lower contribution from enteric fermentation (6.30 × 10−1 kgCO2-eq), and the more milk that they produced allowed for a differentiation of CC from land use and transformation (2.39 × 10−1 kgCO2-eq), compared to low-performing herds (3.66 × 10−1 kgCO2-eq). Compared to the IPCC approach, the CC and POCP indicator estimates were reduced when addressing the feed's quality, particularly in mid- and high-performing herds. The results could be helpful in the dairy sector as they provide an insight into how diet quality affects the environmental impact of milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the region of Piedmont, in Northern Italy, formal monitoring of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs has been in place since 2012. The objective of our study was to provide an updated assessment of AMS programs operating in our region, and to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stewardship activities. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted to investigate AMS programs implemented in acute-care trusts participating in a broader healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention and control program, promoted by the regional health department. Within this program, structure, process, and outcome indicators of AMS programs were investigated, using a previously developed scoring system. Differences between scores prior to (2019) and during the pandemic (2021) were assessed. Linear regression was used to assess whether the 5-year trends (2017–2021) in outcome measures in relation to structure and process scores were statistically significant. Compound annual growth rates (CAGR) for each outcome were calculated to illustrate changes in outcome rates over time. Results: All public trusts in the Region (20) and a small number of private institutions (3) provided data for this study. A modest, non-significant improvement was found for 2021 structure, process, and total scores compared to respective 2019 scores. A significant improvement was found concerning the definition of a formal mission statement, whereas significantly less trusts included monitoring adherence to antimicrobial policy or treatment guidelines in their programs. Overall consumption of antibiotics for systemic use saw an increase in 2021, with 2021 recording the highest median overall consumption compared to all previous years considered in this study. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria (CRE) rates decreased over the 5-year period. Significant downwards trends in MRSA rates were identified for high-outlier structure and process groups. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest AMS programs in Piedmont were not set back following the pandemic. This outcome was possible thanks to well-established programs, coordinated within a regional framework. Continued efforts should be dedicated to supporting AMS programs and contrasting AMR, even when the focus is shifted towards other public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Fast-track care have been proved to reduce the shortterm risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA). We aimed to investigate stroke risk and to characterize short- and long-term stroke predictors in a large cohort of TIA patients undergoing fast-track management. Methods: Prospective study, enrolling consecutive TIA patients admitted to a Northern Italy emergency department from August 2010 to December 2017. All patients underwent fast-track care within 24  h of admission. The primary outcome was defined as the first stroke recurrence at 90  days, 12 and 60  months after TIA. Stroke incidence with 95% confidence interval (CI) at each timepoint was calculated using Poisson regression. Predictors of stroke recurrence were evaluated with Cox regression analysis. The number needed to treat (NNT) of fast-track care in preventing 90-day stroke recurrence in respect to the estimates based on baseline ABCD2 score was also calculated. Results: We enrolled 1,035 patients (54.2% males). Stroke incidence was low throughout the follow-up with rates of 2.2% [95% CI 1.4–3.3%] at 90 days, 2.9% [95% CI 1.9–4.2%] at 12 months and 7.1% [95% CI 5.4–9.0%] at 60 months. Multiple TIA, speech disturbances and presence of ischemic lesion at neuroimaging predicted stroke recurrence at each timepoint. Male sex and increasing age predicted 90-day and 60-month stroke risk, respectively. Hypertension was associated with higher 12-month and 60-month stroke risk. No specific TIA etiology predicted higher stroke risk throughout the followup. The NNT for fast-track care in preventing 90-day stroke was 14.5 [95% CI 11.3–20.4] in the overall cohort and 6.8 [95% CI 4.6–13.5] in patients with baseline ABCD2 of 6 to 7. Conclusion: Our findings support the effectiveness of fast-track care in preventing both short- and long-term stroke recurrence after TIA. Particular effort should be made to identify and monitor patients with baseline predictors of higher stroke risk, which may vary according to follow-up duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The few existing studies in international literature about students with learning disabilities' postsecondary persistence and academic performances show varied outcomes. Rigorous research has been limited. Moreover, in Italy there is a dearth of public data on students' careers and clearly a deficiency regarding literature on this topic. To tackle this situation, propensity score matching techniques were used in this paper to compare data about persistence and academic success of students who reported a learning disability with those who did not, all enrolled in a large University in Northern Italy. Once potential confounders were taken into account, our findings indicated that students with an attested learning disability were as likely to persist in academic context as peers without any LD. However, for what concerns academic performances, the outcomes varied according to the measures being used. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the number of course credits (ECTS) earned, students with learning disabilities continued to lag behind their counterparts without disabilities concerning first-year grade point average achieved. This paper includes final recommendations for future research, in order to fill existing gaps in methodology and area of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concerns the characterization of the color palette of Michelino da Besozzo, one of the leading painters and illuminators of the Late Gothic period in Northern Italy. The artist's relationship with the color blue was investigated by considering the recipe for lapis lazuli given by the artist to Giovanni Alcherio in Venice in 1410 and found in the medieval treatise of Jean Lebegue. The paper highlights this important evidence for the study of painting technique in the first half of the 15th century with an analytical and technical study of two paintings: The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine (Siena, Pinacoteca Nazionale, inv. 171) and The Madonna of the Rose Garden (Verona, Museo di Castelvecchio, inv. 173-1B359). These two case studies were approached through analyses carried out with non-invasive and portable techniques such as Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectroscopy and Fiber Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS). The results show a color palette based on ultramarine, azurite, verdigris or copper resinate; earths, cinnabar or vermillion; and lead white, yellow and red ochre and lac. These preliminary results made it possible to clarify certain aspects of the artist's style and his painting technique and identify common elements between the two works of art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few decades, several pestiviruses have been discovered in ruminants, pigs, and, more recently, in non-ungulate hosts. Consequently, the nomenclature and taxonomy of pestiviruses have been updated. The Tunisian sheep-like pestivirus (TSV, Pestivirus N) is an additional ovine pestivirus genetically closely related to classical swine fever virus (CSFV). In this study, during a survey of pestivirus infections in ovine farms in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, we identified and isolated a pestivirus strain from a sheep that was found to belong to Pestivirus N species based on its genomic nucleotide identity. The sheep itself and its lamb were found to be persistently infected. We performed molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of three viral genomic regions (a fragment of 5′-UTR, partial Npro, and the whole E2 region). In conclusion, these results confirmed circulating TSV in Northern Italy after notification in Sicily, Italy, and France. Correlation with Italian, Tunisian, and French strains showed that detection might have resulted from the trading of live animals between countries, which supports the need for health control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domesticated apple is a drought-sensitive species that spread from continental to Mediterranean temperate regions, where it can particularly experience prolonged water stress. One strategy to improve drought resistance in apple is engrafting on selected rootstocks. This study explores the potential of fast chlorophyll a fluorescence for the comparison of rootstock sensitivity to drought, looking for significant correlations with fruit productivity. The experiment was conducted in a field located in the coastal Po River Plain, Northern Italy, characterized by a loamy sandy soil, particularly prone to drought (86% sand). Mature plants of apple cv. Superchief® Sandidge engrafted on three different rootstocks (CIVP21pbr, MM106, M26) were monitored throughout the summer of 2021 and compared between irrigated and non-irrigated parcels, and at the end of the season, fruit production was evaluated. Despite soil water tension only reaching −13 kPa, the non-irrigated plants experienced a small but consistent loss of Photosystem II (PSII) activity and a lesser capacity of light energy conservation in the photosynthetic electron transport chain. The fruit weight correlated with PSII photochemical indexes recorded during early drought, particularly FV/FM and PIABS; a correlation emerged between fruit number per plant and median values of electron transport parameters, including PITOT. Although all rootstocks underwent a 40% loss of productivity, the fluorescence parameters revealed a graded susceptibility to drought, M26 > CIVP21pbr > MM106, which matched well with the plant vigour. The least drought-sensitive MM106 produced less numerous but heavier fruits than the other two rootstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have changed perioperative care, aiming to optimize patient outcomes. This study assesses ERAS implementation effects on postoperative complications, length of hospital stay (LOS), and mortality in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. A retrospective real-world analysis was conducted on CRC patients undergoing surgery within a Northern Italian Cancer Registry. Outcomes including complications, re-surgeries, 30-day readmission, mortality, and LOS were assessed in 2023, the year of ERAS protocol adoption, and compared with data from 2022. A total of 158 surgeries were performed, 77 cases in 2022 and 81 in 2023. In 2023, a lower incidence of postoperative complications was observed compared to that in 2022 (17.3% vs. 22.1%), despite treating a higher proportion of patients with unfavorable prognoses. However, rates of reoperations and readmissions within 30 days post-surgery increased in 2023. Mortality within 30 days remained consistent between the two groups. Patients diagnosed in 2023 experienced a statistically significant reduction in LOS compared to those in 2022 (mean: 5 vs. 8.1 days). ERAS protocols in CRC surgery yield reduced postoperative complications and shorter hospital stays, even in complex cases. Our study emphasizes ERAS' role in enhancing surgical outcomes and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the use of the rain-on-grid (or direct rainfall) method for flood risk assessment at a basin scale. The method is particularly useful for rural catchments with small vertical variations and complex interactions with man-made obstacles and structures, which may be oversimplified by traditional hydrologically based estimations. The use of a hydrodynamic model solving mass and momentum conservation equations allows the simulation of runoff over the watershed at a basin scale. As a drawback, more detailed and spatially distributed data are needed, and the computational time is extended. On the other hand, a smaller number of parameters is needed compared to a hydrological model. Roughness and rainfall loss coefficients need to be calibrated only. The direct rainfall methodology was here implemented within the two-dimensional HEC-RAS model for the low-land rural, and ungauged, watershed of the Terdoppio River, Northern Italy. The resulting hydrographs at the closing section of the watershed were compared to synthetic design hydrographs evaluated through pure hydrological modelling, showing agreement on the peak discharge values for the low-probability scenarios, but not on the total volumes. The results in terms of water depth and flow velocity maps were used to create flood hazard maps using the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience methodology. The Index of Proportional Risk model was then adopted to generate a basin-scale flood risk map, by combining flood hazard maps, damage functions for different building-use classes, and the value of reconstruction and content per unit area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous exposure to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is strongly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). By contrast, past cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may have no association, or be negatively associated with MS. This study aimed to investigate the associations of herpesvirus infections with MS in an Italian population. Serum samples (n = 200) from Italian people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) classified as the relapsing-and-remitting clinical phenotype and (n = 137) healthy controls (HCs) were obtained from the CRESM Biobank, Orbassano, Italy. Both PwMS and HCs samples were selected according to age group (20–39 years, and 40 or more years) and sex. EBV virus capsid antigen (VCA) IgG, EBV nucleic acid-1 antigen (EBNA-1) IgG, CMV IgG, herpes simplex virus (HSV) IgG, and varicella zoster virus (VZV) IgG testing was undertaken using commercial ELISAs. EBV VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG seroprevalences were 100% in PwMS and 93.4% and 92.4%, respectively, in HCs. EBV VCA IgG and EBNA-1 IgG levels were higher (p < 0.001) in PwMS compared with HCs. For PwMS, the EBNA-1 IgG levels decreased with age, particularly in females. The CMV IgG seroprevalence was 58.7% in PwMS and 62.9% in HCs. CMV IgG seroprevalence increased with age. The HSV IgG seroprevalence was 71.2% in PwMS and 70.8% in HCs. HSV IgG levels were lower (p = 0.0005) in PwMS compared with HCs. VZV IgG seroprevalence was 97.5% in PwMS and 98.5% in HCs. In the population studied, several herpesvirus infections markers may have been influenced by the age and sex of the groups studied. The lack of a negative association of MS with CMV infection, and the observation of lower levels of HSV IgG in PwMS compared with HCs are findings worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is responsible for immunodeficiency syndrome in cats. Several viral subtypes have been identified, each with a variable geographical distribution. To date, the subtype B is known to be the genotype spread in Italy. In this study, the genetic diversity of FIV in northern Italy was assessed by detecting proviral DNA in the blood samples of 50 cats determined to be positive through an anti-FIV antibodies test. These cats were tested using six different PCR assays, and the identified viruses were sequenced and analyzed. Forty-eight cats were confirmed positive, and several FIV subtypes were characterized. As expected, the subtype B was the most commonly observed, and the subtype A was reported for the first time in Italy. Moreover, a new taxon possibly representing an additional FIV subtype was detected, and one virus belonging to subtype B potentially had a recombinant origin. The genetic variability between the FIV viruses that emerged in this study may lead to the potential diagnostic failure of single molecular tests. Therefore, a new diagnostic strategy, which adopts different molecular tests and sequencing, is recommended to monitor the evolution and spread of FIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bedrock mapping is essential for understanding seismic amplification, particularly in sediment-filled valleys or basins. However, this can be hard in urban environments. We conducted a geophysical investigation of the sediment-filled Bolzano basin in Northern Italy, where three valleys converge. This study uses low-impact, single-station geophysical methods suitable for urban areas to address the challenges of mapping in such environments. A dataset of 574 microtremor and gravity measurements, along with three seismic reflection lines, allows for the inference of the basin's deep bedrock morphology, even without direct stratigraphic data. The dataset facilitates a detailed analysis of the spatial patterns of resonance frequencies and amplitudes, revealing 1D and 2D characteristics of the resonances. Notably, 2D resonances predominate along the Adige valley, i.e., the deepest part of the basin with depths up to 900 m. These 2D resonances, which cannot be interpreted through simple 1D frequency-depth relationships, are better understood by integrating gravity data to develop a depth model. The study identifies resonance frequencies ranging from 0.27 to over 3 Hz in Bolzano, affecting different building types during earthquakes. Maximum resonance amplitudes occur at lower frequencies, specifically at 2D resonance sites, therefore primarily impacting high structures. The 2D resonances are directional, with the most significant amplification occurring longitudinally along the valley axes. The resulting 3D bedrock model aids in seismic site response modeling, hydrogeological studies, and geothermal exploration and provides insights into the geological history of the basin, highlighting the role of the Adige Valley as a major drainage pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish otoliths from three localities in northern Italy (Piedmont), Grazzano, Rio Freddo di Albugnano and Valle Ceppi, ranging in age from late Oligocene (Chattian) to Early Miocene (Burdigalian) are described herein. One of these localities, Rio Freddo di Albugnano, straddles the Oligocene/Miocene boundary, and the otoliths are interpreted to reflect a late Oligocene age. The other two localities are from the upper Burdigalian (Lower Miocene). The otolith assemblages described herein complement previously described associations from the northern Mediterranean region and contain a total of 68 species-level taxa, 16 of which are new and 12 remain in open nomenclature. The upper Oligocene strata yielded 24 species and the Lower Miocene strata 48 species; four species are shared. The results are compared with previous studies and discussed. Deepwater taxa are abundant in the assemblages, particularly those pertaining to the mesopelagic family Myctophidae. The otolith assemblage fills a stratigraphic gap in the record of this family in Europe and thus contributes to refinement of stratigraphic ranges of myctophid species. The otolith assemblages are also compared with coeval assemblages known from other regions of the world and their paleobiogeographic significance is discussed. Myctophid species particularly show often a very wide geographic distribution pattern across ocean basins during the Miocene similar to that characteristic of this family today. In combination with refined stratigraphic ranges of myctophid species, this wide geographic distribution could ultimately become useful as a biostratigraphic tool in a supra-regional perspective. The following 15 taxa are described herein as new: Bathycongrus delfinoi n. sp., Japonoconger asper n. sp., Ariosoma ceppiensis n. sp., Eokrefftia paviai n. sp., Diaphus cuneatus n. sp., Diaphus pertinax n. sp., Diaphus hastaensis n. sp., Lampanyctus rostratus n. sp., Nezumia marramai n. sp., Coryphaenoides delapierrei n. sp., Glyptophidium monoceros n. sp., Giuntellia n. gen. singularis n. sp., Epigonus liguriensis n. sp., Cepola macilenta n. sp., Owstonia rhomboidea n. sp.

Background: The progressive aging of the population and the increasing complexity of health issues contribute to a growing number of older individuals seeking emergency care. This study aims to assess the state of the art of care provided to older people in the Emergency Departments of Lombardy, the most populous region in Italy, counting over 2 million people aged 65 years and older. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was developed and disseminated among emergency medicine physicians and physicians affiliated to the Lombardy section of the Italian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SIGG), during June and July 2023. The questionnaire covered hospital profiles, geriatric consultation practices, risk assessment tools, discharge processes and perspectives on geriatric emergency care. Results: In this mixed method research, 219 structured interviews were collected. The majority of physicians were employed in hospitals, with 54.7% being geriatricians. Critical gaps in older patient's care were identified, including the absence of dedicated care pathways, insufficient awareness of screening tools, and a need for enhanced professional training. Conclusions: Tailored protocols and geriatric educational programs are crucial for improving the quality of emergency care provided to older individuals. These measures might also help relieve the burden on the Emergency Departments, thereby potentially enhancing overall efficiency and ensuring better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periphyton is the dominant primary producer in mountain streams and sustains the higher trophic levels. While certain periphyton groups, particularly diatoms, have received extensive study, the comprehensive characterization of the entire community has been largely neglected. This study aims to investigate the temporal pattern of biofilm in mountain streams characterized by different water thermal regimes. A one-year quantitative campaign, involving monthly samplings, was conducted in five subalpine streams in Northern Italy's Orobic Alps to collect epilithic biofilm from a wide surface area. The total biomass was quantified and the periphyton was analyzed both for composition (diatoms, green algae, cyanobacteria, and red algae) and for pigments. Disturbance, water temperature, physico-chemical conditions, nutrients, substrate diversity, and light availability were assessed concurrently with biofilm samplings. Results show sharp biofilm variations over months. In all sites, the disturbance was the primary factor reducing biomass and pigment content. Annually, all sites experienced similar turnover in periphyton composition mainly associated with light and water temperature. Overall, the study indicates that frequent quantitative investigations of biofilm help understand intra-annual variations and identify key drivers. Such information is useful to understand the ecosystem processes and the food web dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic (MP) contamination represents an issue of global concern for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but only in recent years, the study of MPs has been focused on freshwaters. Several monitoring surveys have detected the presence of a wide array of MPs differing in size, shape, and polymer composition in rivers and lakes worldwide. Because of their role of sink for plastic particles, the abundance of MPs was investigated in waters, and deep and shoreline sediments from diverse lakes, confirming the ubiquity of this contamination. Although diverse factors, including those concerning anthropogenic activities and physical characteristics of lakes, have been supposed to affect MP abundances, very few studies have directly addressed these links. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the levels of MP contamination in mountain and subalpine lakes from Northern Italy. Fourteen lakes dislocated at different altitudes and characterized by dissimilar anthropic pressures were visited. Lakeshore sediments were collected close to the drift line to assess MPs contamination. Our results showed the presence of MPs in lakeshore sediments from all the lakes, with a mean (± standard deviation) expressed as MPs/Kg dry sediment accounting to 14.42 ± 13.31 (range 1.57–61.53), while expressed as MPs/m2, it was 176.07 ± 172.83 (range 25.00–666.67). The MP abundance measured for Garda Lake was significantly higher compared to all the other ones (F1,13 = 7.344; P < 0.001). The pattern of contamination was dominated by fibers in all the lakes, but they were the main contributors in mountain lakes. These findings showed that the MP abundance varied according to the altitude of the lakes, with higher levels measured in subalpine lakes located at low altitudes and surrounded by populated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left ventricular assist device (L‐VAD) implantation is increasingly used in patients with heart failure (HF) and most patients also have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Limited data are available on the incidence of ICD therapies and complications in this special setting. The aim of this study was to analyze the real‐world incidence and predictors of ICD therapies, complications and interactions between ICD and L‐VAD. Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective observational study in patients with advanced HF implanted with ICD and a continuous‐flow L‐VAD, followed‐up in five advanced HF centers in Northern Italy. Results: A total of 234 patients (89.7% male, median age 59, 48.3% with ischemic etiology) were enrolled. After a median follow‐up of 21 months, 66 patients (28.2%) experienced an appropriate ICD therapy, 22 patients (9.4%) an inappropriate ICD therapy, and 17 patients (7.3%) suffered from an interaction between ICD and L‐VAD. The composite outcome of all ICD‐related complications was reported in 41 patients (17.5%), and 121 (51.7%) experienced an L‐VAD‐related complication. At multivariable analysis, an active ventricular tachycardia (VT) zone and a prior ICD generator replacement were independent predictors of ICD therapies and of total ICD‐related complications, respectively. Conclusions: Real‐world patients with both L‐VAD and ICD experience a high rate of ICD therapies and complications. Our findings suggest the importance of tailoring device programming in order to minimize the incidence of unnecessary ICD therapies, thus sparing the need for ICD generator replacement, a procedure associated to a high risk of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, affecting various medical fields, including ophthalmology. Eye infections, ranging from conjunctivitis to more severe conditions like keratitis, are commonly treated with antibiotics. However, the misuse and overuse of these drugs have led to the development of resistant strains of bacteria, allowing traditional treatments ineffective. This paper aims to examine the current situation of antibiotic resistance in eye infections globally, with a specific focus on a large group of hospitals located in Milan (Italy) with considerable experience in cataract and cornea surgery as well as in retinopathy. The results of the study show the prevalence of Gram-positives in the tested samples and a low resistance of fluoroquinolones and glycopeptides. The results also highlight the need to implement sample collection methods for ocular infections, as the quantity of positive samples is rather low compared to the total number of samples. In conclusion, the study, although with limited data, shows that resistance to aminoglycosides and cephalosporins is a situation to be monitored. These data also show the critical need to improve and guide the biological sample collection modalities in order to make the diagnosis more reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides new evidence on the geography of literacy rates in pre-unitary Italy. I provide direct estimates based on a novel and balanced random sample of marriage certificates in 1815. The new figures are disaggregated by gender, area, and skill levels, and are compared to the relevant alternative estimates available. Literacy rates are generally low, and North versus South difference in 1815 literacy was as low as 13.7 percentage points, with the Southern literacy rate of about 50% that of Northern Italy. The North–South gap is much smaller for women than for men, and the average female literacy rate across Italy is a lower 9%. Literacy rates in Central Italy were almost identical to that of Southern Italy, arguably because the schooling systems of Central and Southern Italy were more elitist than the Northern Italian one. This evidence suggests that, although partially present also before 1815, the wide magnitude of North–South gaps in literacy which characterized the country on the eve of the political unification (1861) originated after the Napoleonic period. Primary school centralization reforms might have helped women to rapidly improve literacy rates, leading to a first, regionally unequal, 'Silent Revolution' (Cappelli and Vasta in Cliometrica 15:1–27, 2020a). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban regeneration programs involve a series of intricate activities that utilize human, material, and financial resources, executed at varying times and in diverse manners. Within this complex scenario, a major challenge lies in effectively managing concurrent developments across multiple buildings and infrastructure projects, while also harmonizing the interests of all parties engaged in urban regeneration initiatives. This paper introduces a multi-step strategy designed to enhance and streamline urban management amid the multifaceted decision-making processes characteristic of urban regeneration efforts. Specifically, the multi-criteria decision-making model ELECTRE TRI-B is employed to sort the array of basic tasks within a complex transformation endeavor into priority groups based on various evaluative criteria. To ascertain the significance of these criteria and rank each task according to the interests of the stakeholders likely to be impacted, a panel of specialists, including construction experts, economists, and environmental assessors, is convened. Following this, project actions are organized in a Gantt chart reflecting the construction priority determined by the evaluation model. This approach facilitated the temporal organization of master plan activities, incorporating insights from a broad spectrum of experts including municipal technical staff, professionals, and the community at large. The findings indicate that this comprehensive and interactive approach to performance measurement enabled the handling of extensive datasets and the refinement of financial, economic, environmental, and social resources, all while adhering to logical constraints and urban policy demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm birth may affect maternal mental health. We explored the relationship between preterm birth and the risk of initiating antidepressant use during the year after birth. Methods: We conducted a population-based investigation using regional healthcare utilization databases. The exposure considered was preterm birth. The outcome was having at least one prescription for antidepressant medications during the year after birth. We used a log-binomial regression model including terms for maternal age at birth, nationality, educational level, parity, modality of conception, modality of delivery, use of other psychotropic drugs, and diabetes to estimate relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between preterm birth and the initiation of antidepressant use. In addition, the absolute risk differences (ARD) were also computed according to the timing of birth. Results: The cohort included 727,701 deliveries between 2010 and 2020 in Lombardy, Northern Italy. Out of these, 6,522 (0.9%) women had at least one prescription for antidepressant drugs during the year after birth. Preterm births were related to a 38% increased risk of initiation of antidepressant use during the year after birth (adjusted RR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.25-1.52) for moderate to late preterm and to 83% (adjusted RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.46-2.28) for extremely and very preterm. Excluding women with only one antidepressant prescription, the association was consistent (adjusted RR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.23-1.61 for moderate to late preterm and adjusted RR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.31-2.49 for extremely and very preterm). Also, excluding women who used other psychotropics, the association remained consistent (adjusted RR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.26-1.54 and adjusted RR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.53-2.38, respectively for moderate to late and extremely and very preterm). Conclusion: Women who delivered preterm may have an excess risk of initiation of antidepressant consumption during the first year after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IoT (Internet-of-Things)-powered devices can be exploited to connect vehicles to smart city infrastructure, allowing vehicles to share their intentions while retrieving contextual information about diverse aspects of urban viability. In this paper, we place ourselves in a transient scenario in which next-generation vehicles that are able to communicate with the surrounding infrastructure coexist with traditional vehicles with limited or absent IoT capabilities. We focus on intersection management, in particular on reusing existing traffic lights empowered by a new management system. We propose an auction-based system in which traffic lights are able to exchange contextual information with vehicles and other nearby traffic lights with the aim of reducing average waiting times at intersections and consequently overall trip times. We use bid propagation to improve standard vehicle trip times while allowing emergency vehicles to free up the way ahead without needing ad hoc system for such vehicle, only an increase in their budget. The proposed system is then tested against two baselines: the classical Fixed Time Control system currently adopted for traffic lights, and an auction strategy that does not exploit traffic light coordination. We performed a large set of experiments using the well known MATSim transport simulator on both a synthetic Manhattan map and on a map we built of an urban area located in Modena, Northern Italy. Our results show that the proposed approach performs better than the classical fixed time control system and the auction strategy that does not exploit coordination among traffic lights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether copeptin, MR-proADM and MR-proANP, alone or integrated with the SOFA, MuLBSTA and SAPS II scores, are capable of early recognition of COVID-19 ICU patients at increased risk of adverse outcomes. Methods: For this predefined secondary analysis of a larger cohort previously described, all consecutive COVID-19 adult patients admitted between March and December 2020 to the ICU of a referral, university hospital in Northern Italy were screened, and clinical severity scores were calculated upon admission. A blood sample for copeptin, MR-proADM and MR-proANP was collected within 48 h (T1), on day 3 (T3) and 7 (T7). Outcomes considered were ICU and in-hospital mortality, bacterial superinfection, recourse to renal replacement therapy (RRT) or veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and pronation. Results: Sixty-eight patients were enrolled, and in-hospital mortality was 69.1%. ICU mortality was predicted by MR-proANP measured at T1 (HR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001–1.010, p = 0.049), although significance was lost if the analysis was adjusted for procalcitonin and steroid treatment (p = 0.056). Non-survivors showed higher MR-proADM levels than survivors at all time points, and an increase in the ratio between values at baseline and at T7 > 4.9% resulted in a more than four-fold greater risk of in-hospital mortality (HR 4.417, p < 0.001). Finally, when considering patients with any reduction in glomerular filtration, an early copeptin level > 23.4 pmol/L correlated with a more than five-fold higher risk of requiring RRT during hospitalization (HR 5.305, p = 0.044). Conclusion: Timely evaluation of MR-proADM, MR-proANP and copeptin, as well as changes in the former over time, might predict mortality and other adverse outcomes in ICU patients suffering from severe COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ora Ignimbrite (~275 Ma) is a crystal-rich (~40%), heterogeneous, supereruption-sized (~1300 km3) rhyolite in northern Italy and the final eruptive product of the Athesian Volcanic Group (289–274 Ma), the largest Permian volcanic district in Europe. Two key outcrops, an intracaldera vitrophyre and an outflow vitrophyre, contain well-preserved, glass-bearing juvenile material. We investigate at what scale heterogeneities existed in the Ora magmatic system by studying the geochemical and petrological characteristics of crystal-rich (20–50%) and crystal-poor (<20%) fiamme from the Ora vitrophyres, allowing us to reconstruct critical aspects of Ora's magmatic architecture and pre-eruptive history and granting us further insight into the storage and dynamic processes that occur in large, crystal-rich, silicic systems. Textural analysis of fiamme reveals four types: the intracaldera vitrophyre has very coarse-grained crystal-rich (VCCR) and fine-grained crystal-poor (I-FCP) fiamme, while the outflow vitrophyre has coarse-grained crystal-rich (CCR) and fine-grained crystal-poor (O-FCP) fiamme. The diversity of crystal-poor (I-FCP & O-FCP) fiamme glass trace-element compositions suggests that multiple small crystal-poor magma bodies were dispersed throughout the Ora magmatic system. Compositionally and texturally distinct glass types in single O-FCP fiamme preserve evidence of variable degrees of magma mixing and record different mingling to eruption timescales, revealing that the Ora magmatic system experienced multiple silicic recharge events. In the crystal-rich (VCCR & CCR) fiamme, high crystal contents (VCCR: 40–50%; CCR: 20–40%), large crystals (max grain size: VCCR: 4–10 mm; CCR: 3–4 mm), and interlocking growth textures suggest that these fiamme contain parcels of disaggregated magma mush. High-silica rhyolite glass compositions (77.2–78.3 wt.% SiO2) and extremely depleted Sr (VCCR: <20; CCR: <5 ppm) and Ba (VCCR: <70; CCR: <20 ppm) glass trace-element concentrations indicate that the crystal-rich fiamme glasses represent highly fractionated melts. Crystal-rich fiamme glass trace-element compositions also form discrete, tightly clustered populations, suggesting that multiple crystal-rich, melt-dominated magma bodies existed prior to eruption. We propose that the coexistence of large-scale heterogeneity (e.g. deposit-scale and outcrop-scale) with small-scale homogeneity observed in crystal-rich fiamme is resolved by a model in which at least two separate magma reservoirs, each containing multiple melt-dominant magma bodies, erupted to form the Ora Ignimbrite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the Po Valley, the control of maize from insect pests (Ostrinia nubilalis and Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) can include insecticide applications. The results of research on insecticide spray's impact on beneficial insects, which can contribute to the biological control of maize pest, are reported. Aphid predators and Trichogramma brassicae (O. nubilalis egg parasitoid) were used as indicators. Chemical insecticide application significantly increased aphid abundance when no rotation protocol was applied. In addition, an alteration in aphid predator community composition was recorded. In insecticide-sprayed fields managed according to repeated crop protocols, the predator community was dominated by hoverflies, while in maize fields where crop rotation was practiced, ladybirds and Orius spp. predominated. In addition, the insecticides had a negative effect on the natural parasitism of T. brassicae. The research suggests that Integrated Pest Management strategies should be planned based on crop rotation protocols and biological control of maize pests. The European corn borer (ECB) (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) and to a lesser extent the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) are a threat to maize in the Po Valley (Northern Italy), and their control can require insecticide applications. The results of a study to evaluate the effects of insecticide sprays on the beneficial insect Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and aphid predators are reported. A three-year research project was carried out in two Study Areas, in Lombardy. In area 1, crop rotation was a common practice, while in area 2 repeated maize crop was practiced. The natural trend of ECB egg masses attacked by T. brassicae was affected and parasitism rates were reduced as a result of insecticide exposure (chlorpyriphos methyl, cypermethrin, alphacypermethrine). Repeated maize crop and insecticides spraying increased the abundance of the aphid population and negatively affected the aphid predator community, which mainly included ladybirds, hoverflies, true bugs and lacewings. The predator community was dominated by hoverflies in sprayed fields managed according to repeated maize crop protocols, whereas ladybirds and Orius spp. dominated in maize fields managed according to crop rotation protocols. Crop rotation protocols help to prevent ECB outbreaks; when the risk of exceeding the economic threshold limit is high, and this may be the case when maize is cultivated for seeds or for horticultural crops such as sweet corn, inundative release of T. brassicae and/or microbial control (i.e., use of Bacillus thuringiensis preparations) can integrate natural biocontrol, and provide a valuable alternative to chemical insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IRd) have been approved for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) based on the results of the TOURMALINE‐MM1. Objectives and Methods: We conducted a retrospective–prospective analysis of 106 RRMM patients (pts) treated with IRd in 21 centers in Northern Italy, with the aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IRd in real life. Results: At IRd initiation, 34% of pts were aged ≥75 (median 72.5), 8.5% had an ECOG performance status ≥2, 54.7% of evaluable pts carried high‐risk cytogenetic abnormalities [del17p and/or t(4;14) and/or t(14;16) and/or 1 g gain/amp], 60.2% had received ≥2 prior lines of therapy (pLoT), 57.5% were lenalidomide (Len)‐exposed (including both Len‐sensitive and Len‐refractory pts), and 22% were Len‐refractory. Main G ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were thrombocytopenia (16%) and neutropenia (12.3%). G ≥3 non‐hematologic AEs included infections (9.4%) and GI toxicity (diarrhea 5.7%, hepatotoxicity 2.8%), VTE, skin rash, and peripheral neuropathy were mainly G1‐2. The overall response rate was 56.4% (≥VGPR 30%). With a median follow‐up of 38 m, median PFS (mPFS) was 16 m and the 1‐year OS rate was 73%. By subgroup analysis, an extended PFS was observed for pts achieving ≥VGPR (mPFS 21.2 m), time from diagnosis to IRd ≥5 years (26.2 m), 1 pLoT (34.4 m), Len‐naïve (NR), age ≥70 (20 m). In pts exposed to Len, non‐refractory in any prior line and immediately prior to IRd, mPFS was 16 and 18 m, respectively. An inferior PFS was seen in Len‐refractory pts (4.6 m). By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of PFS were age ≥70 (HR 0.6), time from diagnosis ≥5 years (HR 0.32), refractoriness to Len in any prior line (HR 3.33), and immediately prior (HR 4.31). Conclusion: IRd might be effective and safe in RRMM pts with an indolent disease, in early lines of treatment, and who proved Len‐sensitive, independent of age, and cytogenetic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem blight and dieback rank among the most relevant diseases affecting blueberry production worldwide. In Northern Italy, Neofusicoccum parvum, Diaporthe rudis, Cadophora luteo-olivacea and Peroneutypa scoparia have been reported to cause stem blight and dieback in blueberry. Considering that the incidence and severity of these diseases are on the rise in Northern Italy, two of the main aims of the present study were a—to compare the in vitro growth rate of the four fungi at different temperatures and b—to assess the aggressiveness of the same fungi on four commercial blueberry cultivars. Neofusicoccum parvum had the fastest growth rate and was the most aggressive pathogen. A possible effect of temperature on host colonization by N. parvum and disease expression was postulated and tested as a third aim. In planta trials were performed to model and predict the influence of temperature on the severity of blueberry stem blight and dieback caused by N. parvum. Increasing temperatures boosted the aggressiveness of the pathogen, causing higher disease severity and host mortality. Our findings suggest that temperature plays a relevant role in the severity of blueberry stem blight and dieback caused by N. parvum. Given the predictions of a warmer climate, this disease may become increasingly more significant and should be actively managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) displays clinical heterogeneity, but little information is available for patients with mild or very early disease. We aimed to characterize biomarkers that are useful for discriminating the hospitalization risk in a COVID-19 cohort from Northern Italy during the first pandemic wave. We enrolled and followed for four weeks 76 symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive patients and age/sex-matched healthy controls. Patients with mild disease were discharged (n.42), and the remaining patients were hospitalized (n.34). Blood was collected before any anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy and assessed for soluble C5b-9/C5a, H3-neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), calprotectin, and DNase plasma levels via ELISA and a panel of proinflammatory cytokines via ELLA. Calprotectin and NET levels discriminate between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients, while DNase negatively correlates with NET levels; there are positive correlations between calprotectin and both NET and neopterin levels. Neopterin levels increase in patients at the beginning of the disease and do so more in hospitalized than non-hospitalized patients. C5a and sC5b-9, and other acute phase proteins, correlate with neopterin, calprotectin, and DNase. Both NET and neopterin levels negatively correlate with platelet count. We show that calprotectin, NETs, and neopterin are important proinflammatory parameters potentially useful for discriminating between COVID-19 patients at risk of hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer organizations generally adopt deterministic models within their talent pathways. In this framework, early ability and results are emphasized, leading to selection biases, such as birth advantages (i.e., relative age effects and birthplace effects), which research has shown affect both early developmental experiences and continued sporting involvement. Accordingly, this study aimed to (a) provide further test of birth advantages in Italian youth soccer by exploring the birth quarter (BQ) and birthplace (BP) distribution of 1050 male Italian players born between 1999 and 2001 who competed in the national U17 championship throughout the 2015–16 season and (b) investigate how birth advantages influenced selected players' future career status. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests revealed early born players, and players born in North Italy were overrepresented at the youth level (p-values < 0.0001). Successive prospective analysis revealed only 18% of players developed into professional-level soccer players. Chi-square tests of independence indicated that players' BP was associated with their future career status (p < 0.0001), whereas their BQ was not (p = 0.459). Odds ratios showed players born in North Italy were five times more likely to complete the youth-to-senior transition than those born in South Italy. These findings highlighted environmental factors influence Italian players' early developmental experiences and their future career status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metallurgical study was performed on a 16th–17th century "rapier" sword manufactured in Caino (northern Italy). Metallographic investigations and Vickers microhardness measurements indicate that the rapier was forged by assembling via hammer-welding different hypoeutectoid and near eutectoid steel bars. The rapier blade was heat treated by slack-quenching to increase its hardness, especially near the blade tip, improving the thrusting performance. The chemical composition of slag inclusions was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray dispersive spectroscopy. Compositional data of slag inclusions were analyzed by a multivariate statistical strategy aimed to distinguish and classify slag inclusions on the basis of their origin. It was estimated that the temperature reached during the finery and forging processes was at least 1270 °C and 1160 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite various studies on the impact of incontinence on patients' lives, the existing literature has not investigated the contribution of nursing care during rehabilitation in terms of quality of life. Fewer data, therefore, exist on the characteristics and perceived impact of the therapeutic relationship as part of the rehabilitation program. Aims: To investigate the characteristics of the nurse–patient therapeutic relationship and its impact throughout the rehabilitation program; to describe the levels of patient burden on everyday activities. Materials and Methods: A monocentric, retrospective, multimethod descriptive study was conducted in the nurse‐led continence clinic of a major teaching hospital in Northern Italy. A phenomenological approach with semistructured interviews was adopted after 6 weeks of rehabilitation, following the method of phenomenological enquiry by Giorgi. The short form 12 questionnaire was administered upon admission of patients to the clinic, after 6 weeks, and during the last consultation to investigate the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on daily activities and physical and psychological quality of life. Results: Ninety‐one adult patients of both genders presenting for nonneurogenic nonpostpartum UI were consecutively enrolled. Physical scores (PCS‐12) and MCS‐12 scores significantly increased over time. Psychological scores showed great variability upon admission, which was reduced halfway through the rehabilitation program. The thematic analysis highlighted four categories based on data saturation: the impact of UI on daily activities, strategies to face the problem, feelings, and the role of nurses. Conclusions: This mixed‐method investigation suggests the importance of therapeutic nursing relationships, clinical expertise, and rehabilitative skills. Quality of life is arguably related to the positive results of the rehabilitation program but also to the environment, patients perceive in terms of support, honesty, and trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dogs, as well as a wide variety of other warm-blooded animals, act as intermediate host of Toxoplasma gondii. In dogs, most cases of toxoplasmosis are subclinical, although clinical disease has been sporadically reported. Beyond its role in diagnostic pathways, seropositivity also functions as a reflection of the parasite's spread within the dog's living environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible risk factor associated with seropositivity to T. gondii in dogs in Central-Northern Italy, analysing 120 dogs sera for the presence of IgG antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Results: The population examined was composed of 54.2% hunting dogs, 24.2% companion dogs, 14.2% truffle dogs and 7.5% watchdogs. Thirty-four (29.2%) dogs tested positive for T. gondii IgG, with titres ranging from 1:40 to 1:1280. Seroprevalence and antibodies titres were not related to dog gender, age or function. The logistic regression and ordered logistic regression results indicated that seroprevalence, and antibody titres were significantly higher in dogs cohabiting with cats, exhibiting coprophagy habits, and living constantly outdoors. Notably, the lifestyle factor showed the highest odds-ratios in the study: dogs living constantly outdoors were found to be at approximately 5 times greater risk of testing positive and having higher antibody titres compared to dogs living both indoors and outdoors. Conclusion: Both logistic and ordered logistic regression results support the key role of living with cats, engaging in coprophagy behaviours, and maintaining an outdoor lifestyle in increasing the risk of T. gondii infection in dogs. These identified risk factors collectively suggest that both ingesting oocysts, as observed through cat cohabitation and coprophagy, and engaging in predatory behaviours, as possible for outdoor living dogs, are indicating likely sources of T. gondii infection in this host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the Sonotope Hypothesis, the heterogenous nature of the acoustically sensed, but not yet interpreted, environmental sounds (i.e., sonoscape) is created by the spatial and temporal conformation of sonic patches (sonotopes) as recently been described in a Mediterranean rural landscape. We investigated the Sonotope Hypothesis in a mountain beech forest of the Northern Apennines, Italy that is notoriously poor in soniferous species. Our aim was to test whether sonotopes were temporally distinct over seasonal and astronomical timeframes and spatially configured in relation to vegetation variables. We used the Acoustic Complexity Index (ACItf) to analyze the heterogeneity of sonic information gathered from an array of 11 sound recorders deployed within a lattice of eleven 4-ha hexagonal sample sites distributed throughout a 48-ha managed beech forest. We visualized and described the temporal patterns of ACItf between seasons (May-June and July-August 2021), across six astronomical periods (Night I, Morning Twilight, Morning, Afternoon, Evening Twilight, and Night II), and according to two aggregated frequency classes (<2000 and >2000 Hz). We introduced Spectral Sonic Signature (SSS) calculated from the sequence of ACItf values along frequency bins as a descriptor of the dynamic production of sounds across spatial and temporal scales. We calculated Mean Spectral Dissimilarity to compare SSS values across temporal periods and between sample sites. We identified sonotopes by grouping similar SSS for each sample site generated from cluster analyses and visualized their spatial arrangements. Frequencies <2000 Hz (mainly geophonies from wind and rain) were more prevalent than frequencies >2000 Hz (mainly biophonies from songbirds). Despite there being no strong relationship to vegetation variables and minimal biophony and anthropophony, distinct sonotopes still emerged for every astronomical and seasonal period. This suggests that the sonoscape expresses distinct spatial and temporal sonotope configurations associated with the temporal and spatial patterns of geophysical events that generate geophonies with minimal animal or anthropogenic occurrences. A new strategy based on the reintroduction of indigenous trees and shrubs in managed clearings should be considered for enhancing local biodiversity conservation along with ecoacoustic monitoring based on the Sonotope Hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first flush (FF) phenomenon is commonly associated with a relevant load of pollutants, raising concerns about water quality and environmental management in agro-urban areas. An FF event can potentially transport contaminated water into a receiving water body by activating combined sewer overflow (CSO) systems present in the drainage urban network. Therefore, accurately characterizing FF events is crucial for the effective management of sewer systems and for limiting environmental degradation. Given the ongoing controversy in the literature regarding the delineation of FF event occurrences, there is an unavoidable necessity for further investigations, especially experimental-based ones. This study presents the outcomes of an almost two-year field campaign focused on assessing the water quantity and quality of two combined sewer systems in Northern Italy. For this purpose, various hydro-meteorological variables, including precipitation, flow rate, temperature, and solar radiation, in addition to water quality analytics, were measured continuously to capture stormwater events. Throughout the monitoring period, sixteen stormwater events were identified and analyzed using five indices usually adopted in the literature to identify FF occurrences. The results indicate that there is a strong positive correlation between the mass first flush ratios calculated for nutrients and three factors, including maximum rainfall intensity, maximum flow rate, and antecedent dry weather period. Furthermore, rainfall duration was found to possess a strong negative correlation with the mass first flush ratios calculated for nutrients. However, for the same rainfall event, the occurrence of FF has never been unanimously confirmed by the indices examined in this study. Moreover, different macro-groups of pollutants can behave differently. Thus, it becomes apparent that relying solely on a priori analyses, without the support of data from experimental monitoring campaigns, poses a risk when designing actions for the mitigation of FF occurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political parties can be crucial gatekeepers to the political participation of immigrants. This article analyzes the political selection strategies of political parties at the local level. The case study focuses on the multi-ethnic city of Bolzano in Northern Italy, which is home to a significant migrant population as well as three autochthonous language groups: Italian, German, and Ladin. First, the article gives an overview of the political lists presented at the last local elections in 2020. Second, it discusses party strategies to recruit candidates with an immigration background. The presented insights are drawn from seven "elite" interviews (i.e., with high-ranking party representatives). Overall, the findings indicate that diversity stemming from migration does not have a significant impact on the recruitment strategies of the province's political parties': Despite electoral lists containing an increasing number of immigrants, who have migrated to South Tyrol since the 1990s, neither newer nor traditional parties adopt significant strategies to recruit candidates with an immigration background. Overall, the diversity on political lists mostly reflects the existing language cleavages of the autochthonous population, while diversity stemming from immigration is still largely overlooked. However, the results also show that while neither of the parties is fully inclusive or exclusive in their selection methods, we identify a tendency toward selective inclusiveness of certain immigrant groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Italy, malaria was endemic until the 1970s, when it was declared eradicated by WHO. Nowadays, with the persistence of competent mosquito populations, the effect of climate change, and increased possibility of importing malaria parasites from endemic counties due to growing migration, a malaria resurgence in Italy has become more likely. Hence, enhancing the understanding of the current distribution of the Anopheles maculipennis complex and the factors that influence the presence of this malaria vector is crucial, especially in Northern Italy, characterised by a high density of both human population and livestock. Methods: To assess the presence and abundance of malaria vectors, a 4-year field survey in the plain areas of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna region in Italy was conducted. Every sampling point was characterised in space by the land use in a 500-m radius and in time considering meteorological data collected in the short and long time periods before sampling. We combined the results of a linear regression model with a random forest analysis to understand the relative importance of the investigated niche dimensions in determining Anopheles mosquito presence and abundance. Results: The estimated normalised variable importance indicates that rice fields were the most important land use class explaining the presence of Anopheles, followed by transitional woodlands and shrubland. Farm buildings were the third variable in terms of importance, likely because of the presence of animal shelters, followed by urbanised land. The two most important meteorological variables influencing the abundance of Anopheles in our study area were mean temperature in the 24 h before the sampling date and the sum of degree-days with temperature between 18 °C and 30 °C in the 14 days before the sampling date. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study could be helpful in predicting the risk of autochthonous malaria transmission, based on local information on land cover classes that might facilitate the presence of malaria vectors and presence of short- and medium-term meteorological conditions favourable to mosquito development and activity. The results can support the design of vector control measures through environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sturgeon farming is rapidly expanding in Europe, where Italy ranks first in farmed caviar production. A major threat to sturgeon health in captivity is infection with Acipenser European Iridovirus (AcIV-E), a viral disease definitively identified in 2016. Here we present data on the occurrence of AcIV-E in 482 sturgeons (age ≤ 12 months, species of the genus Acipenser and the species Huso huso) collected from sturgeon farms in northern Italy between January 2021 and December 2023. The health status of each specimen was determined by necroscopy and virological assay. Virological analysis was performed on gill samples and real-time PCR specific to the MCP gene of the iridovirus viral capsid. Molecular analysis revealed positivity to the virus in 204 samples (42.68% of the total), while anatomopathological examination of nearly all fish with positive real-time PCR disclosed swollen abdomen, hepatic steatosis, splenomegaly, and increased gill volume. Two challenges to timely diagnosis are the absence of pathognomonic symptoms and the inability to isolate the virus on cell monolayers. Continuous and widespread health monitoring is therefore crucial for disease management and to effectively control spread of the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]