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This study provides an overview of veterans from the Italian Peninsula who settled in the province of Upper Moesia after their military service. The research takes an onomastic approach and attempts to explain the reasons for the preference for this option. The inscriptions date from the end of the 1st century AD to the first half of the 2nd century AD. Of the 11 veterans identified, 10 served in the legio VII Claudia and one in the legio IIII Flavia Felix. As regards the origin of the veterans, northern Italy (especially Aquileia, Placentia and Vicetia) was an important recruitment area for the legionaries of the legio VII Claudia in the 1st century AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxamyl is a highly toxic carbamate molecule with toxicological risk from contamination, used as an insecticide, nematicide, and acaricide on many field crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Suspected poisoned animals and baits were collected between January 2018 and August 2021 from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions and analyzed at the chemical toxicology laboratory of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, located in Brescia. The analyses were carried out by an ion trap GC-MS system in 2467 suspected samples and showed the presence of oxamyl in 67 of these. In this study, we analyzed 47 (out of 67) positive baits: the provinces in which more cases have been recorded are Mantua, Ferrara, and Cremona, which overall had 72% of positivity. The nature of the analyzed samples was mostly corn (55.3%), followed by bird carcasses (19.1%), apples (14.8%), meatballs (2.1%), bread (2.1%), and other (8.5%). The use of oxamyl to produce poisoned baits is constantly increasing, proving that it must be considered as a public health risk for the possible consequences on target and non-target organisms, including humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxamyl is a highly toxic carbamate molecule with toxicological risk from contamination, used as an insecticide, nematicide, and acaricide on many field crops, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals. Suspected poisoned animals and baits were collected between January 2018 and August 2021 from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions and analyzed at the chemical toxicology laboratory of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, located in Brescia. The analyses were carried out by an ion trap GC-MS system in 2467 suspected samples and showed the presence of oxamyl in 67 of these. In this study, we analyzed 47 (out of 67) positive baits: the provinces in which more cases have been recorded are Mantua, Ferrara, and Cremona, which overall had 72% of positivity. The nature of the analyzed samples was mostly corn (55.3%), followed by bird carcasses (19.1%), apples (14.8%), meatballs (2.1%), bread (2.1%), and other (8.5%). The use of oxamyl to produce poisoned baits is constantly increasing, proving that it must be considered as a public health risk for the possible consequences on target and non-target organisms, including humans.

Around the mid-19th century, several groups of archaeologists active in northern Italy discovered a few sites characterized by the presence of ‘hut-floors’ or ‘pit-dwellings’ (fondi di capanna), which they attributed to a well-defined period of their Stone Age sequence. Research in the central Po Plain of Lombardy was resumed in the 1970s, allowing one to attribute some of the older discoveries to the Early Neolithic Vhò cultural aspect. The scope of the excavations, which started on one of the Vhò di Piadena sites in 1974, was to interpret the function of the previously discovered features, establish their radiocarbon chronology, and compare the finds with those of the Fiorano culture distributed across the eastern regions of the Po Plain. The main goal of this paper is to provide an international audience with novel information about one of the still poorly known Early Neolithic cultural aspects of northern Italy, namely that of the Vhò.

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We analyze the energy saving obtainable by coupling a commercially available M-cycle evaporative cooling system to a conventional refrigeration cycle, for the air conditioning of office buildings in North Italy. The analysis is performed through the dynamic simulation of a case study. The hourly energy needs for cooling, dehumidifying and air change, during July and August, of a real office building located in Milan are considered. The climate of Milan is humid in summer, so that the example refers to critical conditions for the application of this technology in Italy. Two systems with M-cycle evaporative cooling are analyzed and compared to a traditional system: M-cycle pre-cooling of the external air, coupled to a refrigeration cycle; M-cycle cooling of the recirculated air, coupled to a refrigeration cycle with heat recovery. The results show that the second application of the M-cycle offers the best performance: it yields a 37.6% reduction in energy extracted by the refrigeration cycle, a 76% reduction in heating energy, and a 38% reduction in the total use of electric energy, under the assumption of electric heating. The reduction in heating energy is due to avoiding reheating after dehumidification, without decrease in thermal comfort. • Combined M-cycle and refrigeration-cycle air conditioning systems are studied. • The energy saving potential for office buildings in North Italy is analyzed. • Commercially available M-cycle units and a real office building are considered. • A traditional plant and two plants with M-cycle are simulated for two summer months. • The best system yields 38% saving both in cooling energy and in electric energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Six cases of birds trapped in telephone wires or in structures connected to telephone wires were signaled in the areas of Turin and Novara (Piedmont, N. W. Italy). The birds stayed hanging fatally either by chance or during a trophic activity. The species involved in the described episodes are five, but become eight when added to the ones subjects of previous signaling: Little bitten Ixobrychus minutus, Grey heron Ardea cinerea, Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Barn owl Tyto alba, Little owl Athene noctua, Robin Erithacus rubecula, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Hooded crow Corvus corone cornix.] [Article in Italian]

This study completes the description of the chiton fauna (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from deposits of the Miocene marine sequence of North Italy, located in Piedmont and Emilia Romagna regions. This second and final part describes chitons belonging to five families: Callochitonidae, Chitonidae, Lepidochitonidae, Acanthochitonidae and Cryptoplacidae. Nineteen species were identified, of which two are described as new (Chiton sulcomarginatus sp. n. and Craspedochiton brunettii sp. n.), and 17 were already known. Craspedochiton mutinocrassus is the new name attributed to the species previously known as Acanthochiton costatus or A. costatus var. mutinocrassa; Chiton sulcomarginatus sp. n., Lepidochitona monterosatoi, L. pliocinerea, and Acanthochitona oblonga, previously known only up to Pliocene, are reported for the first time from the Miocene of Italy. The stratigraphic distribution of numerous species thought to first appear in the Late Miocene (Callochiton doriae, Chiton olivaceus, C. corallinus, Acanthochitona fascicularis, A. crinita, and Craspedochiton altavillensis) is here extended to the Early Miocene. The distribution of Cryptoplax weinlandi is extended to the Middle Miocene (Serravallian). In total 35 chiton species (with 3.003 valves) were identified in the Italian Miocene (including both parts of this series). Ten species became extinct at the end of the Miocene, six in the Pliocene, two in the Pleistocene, and 17 are extant. Of the extant species nine occur both in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, two exclusively in the Atlantic and six only in the Mediterranean. The number of species reported from the Torino Hill assemblages (Burdigalian?) is increased from three listed by Sacco (1897) to nine. Thirty-four of the 35 species (excluding only Lepidopleurus benoisti) occur in the Tortonian-Messinian Po Basin. Thirteen (37%) of the species are also found in the Miocene Paratethys (Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine), which can be explained by connections between the Proto-Mediterranean and Paratethys during the Miocene.

This study describes the chiton fauna (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from deposits of the Miocene marine sequence of North Italy, located in Piedmont and Emilia Romagna regions. This first part of the work describes the chitons pertaining to four families: Leptochitonidae, Hanleyidae, Ischnochitonidae and Callistoplacidae. The studied fossils consist of 377 valves from 13 sites (Sciolze, Valle Ceppi, Rocco di Passerano, Albugnano, Monchio di Sarzano Casina, Villa Monti, Rio di Bocca d’Asino, Sant’Agata Fossili, Vargo, Vigoleno, Montegibbio, Borelli, and Moncucco Torinese) ranging from the Early Miocene (Burdigalian) to the Late Miocene (Messinian). We identified 16 species, 12 of which were already known, two are identified only at generic level (Stenosemus sp. A & sp. B), and two are described as new: Parachiton statianus sp. n., and Callistochiton borellianus sp. n. Some species found are particularly noteworthy; Lepidopleurus benoisti is the new name attributed to the species previously known as Middendorffia subcajetana or Gymnoplax orbignyi, based on the study of the type material; Leptochiton salicensis, previously known only from the Early Pleistocene of Salice (Messina, Sicily); Hanleya mediterranea is reported for the first time from the Miocene of Italy; Ischnochiton ligusticus, previously known only from the Early Pliocene of Western Liguria; the distribution of Stenoplax paviai, recently described from the Late Miocene (Rio di Bocca d’Asino), is extended to the Early Miocene (Langhian). A complete discussion on the chiton fauna from the North Italian Miocene, consisting of all the species treated in both parts, will be given in the second part of this work.

This study completes the description of the chiton fauna (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from deposits of the Miocene marine sequence of North Italy, located in Piedmont and Emilia Romagna regions. This second and final part describes chitons belonging to five families: Callochitonidae, Chitonidae, Lepidochitonidae, Acanthochitonidae and Cryptoplacidae. Nineteen species were identified, of which two are described as new (Chiton sulcomarginatus sp. n. and Craspedochiton brunettii sp. n.), and 17 were already known. Craspedochiton mutinocrassus is the new name attributed to the species previously known as Acanthochiton costatus or A. costatus var. mutinocrassa; Chiton sulcomarginatus sp. n., Lepidochitona monterosatoi, L. pliocinerea, and Acanthochitona oblonga, previously known only up to Pliocene, are reported for the first time from the Miocene of Italy. The stratigraphic distribution of numerous species thought to first appear in the Late Miocene (Callochiton doriae, Chiton olivaceus, C. corallinus, Acanthochitona fascicularis, A. crinita, and Craspedochiton altavillensis) is here extended to the Early Miocene. The distribution of Cryptoplax weinlandi is extended to the Middle Miocene (Serravallian). In total 35 chiton species (with 3.003 valves) were identified in the Italian Miocene (including both parts of this series). Ten species became extinct at the end of the Miocene, six in the Pliocene, two in the Pleistocene, and 17 are extant. Of the extant species nine occur both in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, two exclusively in the Atlantic and six only in the Mediterranean. The number of species reported from the Torino Hill assemblages (Burdigalian?) is increased from three listed by Sacco (1897) to nine. Thirty-four of the 35 species (excluding only Lepidopleurus benoisti) occur in the Tortonian-Messinian Po Basin. Thirteen (37%) of the species are also found in the Miocene Paratethys (Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine), which can be explained by connections between the Proto-Mediterranean and Paratethys during the Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-eight freshwater crayfish were collected from 8 streams and one small lake in the province of South Tyrol (North Italy) from autumn 1999 to spring 2001, in order to investigate the presence of branchiobdellidans. At 6 of the streams the white clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes italicus) was collected, while the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus), the exotic species: signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and spiny-cheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus) were respectively caught at the other 2 streams and at the lake. Except for O. limosus, branchiobdellidans were observed on all crayfish examined. On noble crayfish, specimens of Branchiobdella italica and Branchiobdella hexodonta were found on the same host. Branchiobdella italica was largely recovered from all white clawed crayfish. The specimens of signal crayfish were found to carry only Xironogiton victoriensis.

The contribution intends to examine the relationships between the image of the city and its spatial context, real or virtual, through the analysis of Pietro Chiesa’s artistic windows (1892–1948). In its production, the size of the inhabited space, emphasized by small architectural details or elaborate prospective games accentuated by profound chromaticities, is therefore a crucial factor. The windows then allowed the artist to work with the light and with the changing colour effects which it was able to create, depending on the transparency, the changing atmospheres, as well as new sensations and moods. The urban space and the constructions then become the subjects of a new narration portrayed by Pietro Chiesa in an ever-heterogeneous way without using an univocal interpretation, never in controversy with History, projected rather, towards the innovations of the artistic-literary avant-gardes.

The survival probability of adult Scops Owls was studied in NW Italy, near the northern limits of the European breeding range. The species reappeared in the study area at the beginning of this century, after more than 30 years of absence as a breeding bird. Scops Owls were captured at a bird-ringing station that operated continuously from 1990, and apart from three sporadic captures in the nineties, regular presence was detected only from 2002. Survival estimates were based on 190 captures of adult birds obtained in twelve years (2003-2014). After allowing for the presence of transients, the model with constant survival and constant recapture probabilities suggested an adult apparent survival probability of 0.58 ± 0.07 (SE), with no sex differences. This is the first Scops Owl survival estimate, and it puts the species within the lower range of owl survival estimates, as partially expected by its small size and its migratory habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance In the past Alpine populations were isolated from comforts of industrial and technological development present in large cities and, therefore, they were obliged to find in nature a source of sustenance and care. Traditional use of plant is a wealth of local knowledge that is likely to be lost. This work, carried out during 2012, aims to collect, analyze and process information on the species used for medicinal, veterinary, cosmetic, domestic, ritual and religious purposes by the inhabitants of Valfurva, in the Province of Sondrio (Italy). Furthermore it is a means for the preservation of local traditions regarding such uses and increases the ethnobotanical data from Northern Italy, till now poorly documented. Methods Our survey was conducted by semi-structered interviews. We interviewed 92 people, aged from 23 to 97 y.o., born or resident in Valfurva. All information collected and concerning their use of plants, were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices such as Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Relative Importance (RI) and Factor Informant Consensus (FIC). Results Our study stated that people living in Valfurva use 126 species belonging to 48 families. Findings revealed that the most cited species is Achillea moschata Wulfen, with values of RFC and RI equal to 1.00 and 1.12 respectively. Furthermore, 95 species were collected in the wild and 31 were cultivated. The most commonly used part plants were leaves, flowers, fruits, roots and complete aerial parts. The most frequent preparation methods were infusion, decoction and poultice. Among the recorded species, 91 of them are used for medicinal purposes, 72 for cooking, 19 for veterinary purposes, 10 for animal feed, 12 for cosmetic practices, 7 for religious or ritual purposes and 45 for domestic and various uses. The validity of the species use emerged in our survey is confirmed by scientific literature and research conducted on the same topics. Conclusions This study increases ethnobotanical data coming from Italian Alps, whose regions have been so far hardly investigated. Our study confirms the interest in species already mentioned in previous surveys and placings. It also provides evidences which could be usefully exploited by new investigations aimed at knowing the active metabolites found responsible for plants use in traditional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cave bear evolution is characterized by some specific trends, including the increase in size, the progressive complication of the tooth surface and the gradual strengthening of the metapodial bones. Important indicators of the evolutionary level are the morphodynamic index of P 4 / 4 and the plumpness index of the metapodial bones. Only recently, the morphological and morphometric analysis was complemented by genetic analysis – particularly of mtDNA. As a consequence, mainly based on genetics, new taxa have been proposed, for some of whom the exact taxonomic rank (species or subspecies?) is still under discussion. However, the new evolutionary model presents some problems because the genetic data alone are not sufficient to ensure a specific distinction and the morphodynamic and morphometric data do not support a specific distinction between the cave bear populations. The morphometric analysis performed on numerous metapodial bones belonging to some Italian (Buco dell’Orso, Covoli Velo and S. Donà di Lamon) and European populations seems to confirm, on the whole, a level of diversity not higher than that of a subspecies, allowing at most the identification of some local evolutionary trends, as assumed for the populations which have been living in the Italian peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arene Candide Cave (Finale Ligure, Northern Italy) is considered one of the most important prehistoric site in Italy. The archaeological excavations conducted by the “Istituto Italiano di Paleontologia Umana” of Rome revealed 3 different horizons: an upper horizon with Holocene human presence dated from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period, and two underlying Pleistocene horizons with Gravettian and Epigravettian lithic artefacts. The stratigraphical sequence of the upper Palaeolithic is divided in two groups of strata separated by a depositional gap: the “P” complex, divided in 13 layers, dated from 25,620 to 18,560 years BP, and the 5 “M” layers dated between 11,750 and 9,980 years BP (14C non-calibrated dating). In this paper the fossil bone remains of bats from “M” layers are described. Fifteen taxa, divided into 3 families and 6 genera have been identified: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. mehelyi, R. euryale, R. hipposideros, Myotis myotis, M. blythii, M. capaccinii, M. emarginatus, M. mystacinus s.l., Myotis sp. (small sized), Plecotus auritus s.l., Nyctalus lasiopterus, N. noctula, Barbastella barbastellus and Miniopterus schreibersii. Comments for each of these taxa on current ecological and geographical distributions are presented, together with some osteometric measures and recent data referred to Late Pleistocene fossils bats in Italy. Finally, the value of this bat tanathocoenoses as a microclimatic, environmental, and human activity indicators is discussed. SHORT NOTE

Since 1991, the Caverna Generosa was subject of numerous digging campaigns, principally in two areas called "Sala Terminale" and "Cunicolo 13-15". Dating of the first 6 stratigrafical levels of the 13 investigated in the "Sala Terminale" gave an age between 50.000 and 38.000 years BP (14C non calibrated dating). In the area of the "Cunicolo 13-15", between meters 13 and 15 from the entrance, seven stratigrafical levels were excavated, and bones coming from layers from II to V were dated between 37.000 and 31.000 years BP ago (14C non calibrated dating). Microvertebrates remains are used to infer paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic information. The microfaunal assemblages of "Sala Terminale" testifies for a climatic improvement, during the period between over 50.000 y BP and 40.000 y BP: from a cold climate and an environment characterised by open vegetation to a wooded areas and milder temperature. This climatic improvement is also recorded in the lower level of "Cunicolo 13-15", probably subsequent to the top of the "Sala Terminale". Then, microfaunal associations became typical of cold climate. This climatic worsening had its maximum at the base of lev. Cun 0, during the last Pleniglacial. Therefore, the sediments of "Caverna Generosa" probably testify the climatic and faunal changes of the period between isotopic stage 4 and 1.

The Fontana Marella cave, located in the Pre-Alps in Varese province (Lombardy, North Italy), supplied a Middle Pleistocene small mammal fauna, unique for this region. Thanks to the presence of Arvicola cf. mosbachensis and Pliomys episcopalis it is possible to date this sequence to the Early Toringian. Mostly for the predominant, presence of dominant Glis glis, Chionomys nivalis and Dinaromys bogdanovi, the faunal association is attributed to a temperate period, but cooler and perhaps more arid that the present one. The find of Macroneomys is important because it allows to extend the geographic distribution of this rare species.

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: This work increases the ethnobotanical data from Northern Italy and, in particular, the Lombardy region, till now poorly documented, safeguarding the local folk knowledge, and provides information on new or scarcely reported properties of medicinal plants, whose traditional use needs to be validated experimentally. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to gather, analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical information on the species used for medicinal and food purposes by the native people of Val San Giacomo. Materials and methods: The plant use was documented by speaking with more than 100 people, mainly over 60 years old, born and resident in Val San Giacomo. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews and then analysed by indices such as Ethnophytonomic Index (EPI), Ethnobotanicity Index (EI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), relative importance (RI) and factor informant consensus (FIC). Results: Information on 66 plants belonging to 35 families (Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Lamiaceae, mainly) was gathered. The preference ranking placed Achillea moschata Wulfen at first place, both for the citation number and for RFC and UV. Arnica montana L., Thymus pulegioides L. and Artemisia genipi Stechm. were also in relevant use. Sixty species were wild and six were cultivated. Leaves, flowers, complete aerial parts and fruits were the plant parts most commonly used for remedy preparation (infusion, especially). The interviewees collected local flora for medicinal purposes, specifically. About 51.5% of the plant species were used to treat gastrointestinal tract of humans as digestive, depurative, appetiser, laxative, astringent and carminative remedies. About 56% of the plants were used in cookery, 24.2% in veterinary field, and 3% as cosmetics. The calculated indices demonstrated that in the studied area there is a small retention of plant knowledge. Only 6.2% of the autochthonous plants proved useful in folk tradition. Despite this, the uses of Sempervivum montanum L., Rhododendron ferrugineum L. and Panicum miliaceum L. were never documented by other ethnobotanical investigations conducted in the alpine area. Conclusions: This survey was an extension of the ethnobotanical investigations performed in the Italian Alps. A study like this, though performed in a small area with a reduced traditional knowledge, could be the basis for subsequent research on the species that are interesting from a phytochemical point of view and on the potential use of their active metabolites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Covolo Fortificato di Trene site is located on the eastern slope of the Berici hills, Vicenza, in the middle of the great Po-venetian plain in Northern Italy, at a height of 360m.a.s.l. The cavity was the object of systematic excavations made by the University of Ferrara in 1956, which yielded a 1.14 m-thick deposit, subdivided into seven stratigraphic units. The lithic industry, associated with macromammals remains, bird bones and charcoal, ascribe the anthropic frequentation of the archeological layers to the early Epigravettian. This is confirmed by two dates obtained on bone (17.640±140 AMS 14C B.P. and 18.630±150 AMS 14C B.P.). This work presents a taxonomic revision and zooarchaeological analysis of already published faunal remains, whose spectrum shows a clear dominance of Ursus spelaeus over the other determined taxa. During human frequentation, the site was in a predominantly forest environment under cold-temperate climate conditions with wetland areas on the underlying plain, as shown by the presence of elk, deer, wild boar and fish vertebrae. The taphonomic analysis has shown anthropic traces on the remains of elk and cave-bear, which used the cave as den during wintering. The study focused on Ursidae remains, affected by butchering marks due to fur extraction, mostly from young individuals. Moreover, a limited comparison (Berici hills) with contemporary sites (Paina cave, Buso Doppio cave), associates cave-bear presence with shouldered points. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Lower Permian ichnofauna in the Collio Formation (Artinskian) in the Val Trompia (Brescian Prealps, North Italy) has been studied for a long time, but the studies have focused mainly on vertebrate prints. In this study, the invertebrate ichnofauna of the Collio Formation, and in the epiclastites of the Monte Luco Formation (Artinskian) cropping out in the Monte Luco area (Trentino Alto Adige region), is systematically analyzed for the first time. This ichnocoenosis consists of: Permichnium isp., Paleohelcura tridactyla, Diplichnites gouldi (Types A and B), Diplopodichnus biformis, Circulichnis montanus, Helminthopsis hieroglyphica, Gordia marina, Acripes cf. multiformis, Cruziana cf. problematica, Cochlichnus anguineus, Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites isp. and ?Scoyenia isp. The ichnoassociation from the Collio Formation belongs to the Scoyenia ichnofacies, while that from the Mt. Luco Formation belongs to the Mermia ichnofacies. The latter, because of the lack of complete data, can be linked only to one of several submersion phases of the intravolcanic basin and is not referred to the complete continental Permian sequence in this zone. The composition of the ichnoassociation here analysed is similar to those of other European (especially France and Germany) and extra-European areas (especially North America and Argentina). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity of a dense network in Northern Italy started from the lack of available data after the occurrence of the 24th November 2004, Ml 5.2, Salò earthquake. Since 2006, many efforts have been made by the INGV ( Italian National Institute for Geophysic and Vulcanology), Department of Milano-Pavia (hereinafter INGV MI-PV), to improve the strong-motion monitoring of the Northern Italy regions. This activity led to the installation of a strong-motion network composed by 20 accelerometers, 4 coupled with 20-bits Lennartz Mars88 recorders, 12 coupled with 24-bits Reftek 130 recorders and 4 coupled with 24-bits Gaia2 recorders. The network allow us to reduce, in the area under study, the average inter-distances between strong-motion stations from about 40 km (at November 2004) to 15 km. At present the network includes nine 6-channels stations where velocity sensors work together the strong-motion ones. The data transmission is assured by modem-gsm, with the exception of four stations that send data in real time through a TCP/IP protocol. In order to evaluate different site responses, the stations have been installed both in free field and near (or inside) public buildings, located in the center of small villages. From June 2006 to December 2008 a dataset of 94 events with local magnitude range from 0.7 to 5.1 has been collected. An ad hoc data-processing system have been created in order to provide, after each recorded event, engineering parameters such as peak ground acceleration (PGA) and velocity (PGV), response spectra (SA and PSV), Arias and Housner intensities. Data dissemination is achieved through the web site , while the waveforms are distributed through the Italian strong motion database (). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collective action among producers is a corrective measure for power imbalance, which affects primary producers in agro-food supply chains. As associations of producers and processors, Interbranch Organisations (IBOs) promote dialogue, best practice, and market transparency. However, interbranch cooperation is still a less explored subject in agro-food governance studies. Therefore, the present paper aims to analyse the role of IBO North Italy for Processing Tomato (IBO NIPT) in the governance of the processed tomato value chain. The IBO for Processing Tomatoes of Northern Italy was chosen as a case study as it is one of the eight recognized IBOs in the country and Italy is the third biggest producer of tomatoes for processing worldwide. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in the processed tomato value chain were carried out to reach this aim. Abridged transcripts were analysed through thematic analysis by two or three researchers. The present study has three research steps: first, to explore the history of the IBO NIPT; second, to explore its current role as collective institution acting towards power imbalances; third, the IBO's role in reference price streamlining. A multi-theoretical approach based on the following three theoretical frameworks was used to analyse the interviews: New Institutional Economics (NIE); Devaux's framework for collective action; and Transaction Cost Economics. The paper highlights the role of local institutions in bringing innovations in the food supply chain and suggests that the future of IBOs in Italy has to be expanded beyond reference price streamlining and could benefit from the cooperation of retailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Collio Formation (Lower Permian) of the South-Apine region (North Italy) paleobiodiversity consists of tetrapod footprints, invertebrate traces and rarer plants, and is characterized by an absolute poverty of taxa that becomes more acute from the lower to the upper part of the Collio Formation. Regionally, the drop in diversity can be explained by joint tectonic and climatic change; humid evergreen environments became mainly dry. Examination of ichnofossil distribution supports this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently discovered population of the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), introduced to Ticino Park, Lombardy (N Italy), is likely to spread into continuous prealpine broadleaf forests of Lombardy and the south of Switzerland. We used Spatially Explicit Population Dynamics Models (SEPMs), successfully used to predict the spread of grey squirrels in England and Piedmont, Italy, to examine the effects of different control scenarios on grey squirrel expansion in a 20000 km2 area around Ticino Park. Without control, grey squirrels will invade Switzerland within the next two decades, and, concomitantly, the size and distribution of local populations of native red squirrels will be reduced. Simulating different grey squirrel control or removal scenarios suggests that: (i) efficient control is possible and mainly determined by the spatial distribution and woodland size of the ‘target’ control areas; and (ii) immediate actions must be taken, since delay in grey squirrel control will result in the population increasing and spreading, which makes the problems of successful containment more difficult. Model scenarios were based on surveys that may underestimate the real distribution range and current population size of grey squirrels. Therefore, a combination of hair–tube monitoring and a public participation survey to detect grey squirrel presence, which may also help to increase public awareness, is recommended. Successful containment of further grey squirrel spread will require local co-operation between Italian and Swiss authorities involved in wildlife management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To guarantee high production standards which respect the environment, decision-makers in the European Community must promote best management practices (BMPs). Given the strong interactions between pedo-climatic conditions and management, decision support systems are useful tools for selecting the more effective BMPs. An integrated non-point source (NPS) model-GIS system was designed to evaluate the production and environmental effects of alternative criteria of BMPs in the Mincio River Basin (NE-Italy). It is based on an integration of the CropSyst model (version 3.02.21) with a high informational level GIS developed in the Arc/Info environment. Three alternative criteria were evaluated: (1) obtaining maximum irrigation efficiency; (2) obtaining maximum nitrogen (N) fertilisation efficiency; (3) obtaining combined maximum irrigation and N fertilisation efficiency. The hypothetical criteria were compared applying multicriteria analysis of concordance/discordance to a set of agro-environmental indicators. The latter were obtained from field-scale CropSyst applications in the study area in the period 1994–2000. Application of the system required a preliminary 2-year validation phase of CropSyst on 12 experimental sites in the Basin that are heterogeneous in terms of climate, soil and management. The multi-criteria analysis considered the actors currently involved in the management of the Basin area: the farmer, environmentalist and politician. This application demonstrated that water flow control, through irrigation rationalisation, is the critical point for reducing pollution in the area. This allowed crop yield to be improved with a contemporary reduction in irrigation depths (50%) and nitrogen leaching (more than 50%). Irrigation rationalisation represents the best compromise between the farmers’ production and livestock waste disposal requirements and the environmentalists’ desire for water saving and protection. The GIS–CropSyst integration considers the different pedo-climatic and crop combinations and represents a valid support for territorial management and planning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The addition of aerosol water content returns reasonable mass closures. • Six common PM 2.5 sources are present over 5 cities in the lower end of Po Valley. • Aerosol is acidic/moderately acidic throughout the year with lower pH in summer. • Sulfate and fossil fuel lower pH; nitrate and biomass burning increase pH. • Secondary sources and pH increase when air masses pass Central/Eastern Europe. This study investigates the major chemical components, particle-bound water content, acidity (pH), and major potential sources of PM 2.5 in major cities (Belluno, Conegliano, Vicenza, Mestre, Padua, and Rovigo) in the eastern end of the Po Valley. The measured PM 2.5 mass was reconstructed using a multiple-site hybrid chemical mass closure approach that also accounts for aerosol inorganic water content (AWC) estimated by the ISORROPIA-II model. Annually, organic matter accounted for 31–45% of the PM 2.5 at all sites, followed by nitrate (10–19%), crustal material (10–14%), sulfate (8–10%), ammonium (5–9%), elemental carbon (4–7%), other inorganic ions (3–4%), and trace elements (0.2–0.3%). Water represented 7–10% of measured PM 2.5. The ambient aerosol pH varied from 1.5 to 4.5 with lower values in summer (average in all sites 2.2 ± 0.3) and higher in winter (3.9 ± 0.3). Six major PM 2.5 sources were quantitatively identified with multiple-site positive matrix factorization: secondary sulfate (34% of PM 2.5), secondary nitrate (30%), biomass burning (17%), traffic (11%), re-suspended dust (5%), and fossil fuel combustion (3%). Biomass burning accounted for ~90% of total PAHs. Inorganic aerosol acidity was driven primarily by secondary sulfate, fossil fuel combustion (decreasing pH), secondary nitrate, and biomass burning (increasing pH). Secondary nitrate was the primary driver of the inorganic AWC variability. A concentration-weighted trajectory (multiple-site) analysis was used to identify potential source areas for the various factors and modeled aerosol acidity. Eastern and Central Europe were the main source areas of secondary species. Less acidic aerosol was associated with air masses originating from Northern Europe owing to the elevated presence of the nitrate factor. More acidic particles were observed for air masses traversing the Po Valley and the Mediterranean, possibly due to the higher contributions of fossil fuel combustion factor and the loss of nitric acid due to its interaction with coarse sea-salt particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six cases of birds trapped in telephone wires or in structures connected to telephone wires were signaled in the areas of Turin and Novara (Piedmont, N. W. Italy). The birds stayed hanging fatally either by chance or during a trophic activity. The species involved in the described episodes are five, but become eight when added to the ones subjects of previous signaling: Little bitten Ixobrychus minutus, Grey heron Ardea cinerea, Moorhen Gallinula chloropus, Barn owl Tyto alba, Little owl Athene noctua, Robin Erithacus rubecula, Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Hooded crow Corvus corone cornix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequency data for the STR system HumFGA were obtained from a North Italian population sample (Milano area) of 201 unrelated individuals. PCR products were detected by horizontal polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a total of 15 alleles were identified by side-by-side comparison with a commercially available sequenced allelic ladder. The observed genotype distribution showed no significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The high information content (discrimination power > 0.96, polymorphism information content > 0.84) render this system a useful tool in forensic routine casework both in criminal and paternity cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]