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The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on adolescent mental health, with a dramatic rise in psychiatric emergencies that has challenged healthcare systems worldwide. This paper aims at focusing on reporting the authors' experience and their data collected on adolescent emergencies in 2022 in Tuscan, within the context of the "Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest", a large department covering about a third of Tuscany's Regional Health Service, in central Italy. The collected findings will be shortly presented and commented on, while providing insights concerning the importance of adapting healthcare systems to adequately respond to this growing crisis and the need for broader strategies to support adolescent mental health in these challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural and forest ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs) fundamental to the well-being and quality of life of citizens. However, in the European context, these ecosystems are often threatened by processes of urban development, around cities, or abandonment, in mountainous or remote areas. Faced with the need for solutions oriented towards greater sustainability and resilience of socio-ecological systems, planning should contribute to rebuilding more integrated and mutually beneficial relationships between urban and rural areas, ensuring the effective production of multiple ESs. The regulation and management of ESs are complex and require scientifically sound and widely understandable policies and governance models, based on detailed assessment methods. This paper proposes a method for mapping and bundling the supply of five ESs produced in agricultural and forest areas, based on the processing of open source territorial data through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and tailored for the Tuscany region (Italy). The method integrates the land use and land cover map with other data to obtain a comprehensive ESs assessment, and then uses cluster analysis to identify bundles of ESs. Based on a first trial, the method seems to show high potentialities as a Decision Support System to promote innovative governance models for ES management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on two events about systems research and behavioral science. The 2nd International Conference on Politics and Information Systems: Technologies and Applications, in Orlando, Florida on July 21-25, 2004; The Second International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities, in Tuscany, Italy on July 20-23, 2004.

Muon radiography (muography) is an imaging technique based on atmospheric muon absorption in matter that allows to obtain two and three-dimensional images of internal details of hidden objects or structures. The technique relies on atmospheric muon flux measurements performed around and underneath the object under examination. It is a non-invasive and passive technique and thus can be thought of as a valid alternative to common prospecting techniques used in archaeological, geological and civil security fields. This paper describes muon radiography measurements, in the context of archaeological and geological studies carried out at the Temperino mine (LI, Tuscany, Italy), for the search and three-dimensional visualisation of cavities. This mine has been exploited since Etruscan times until recently (1973), and is now an active tourist attraction with public access to the tunnels. Apart from the archaeological interest, the importance of mapping the cavities within this mine lies in identifying the areas where the extraction ores were found and also in the safety issues arising from the tourist presence inside the mine. The three-dimensional imaging is achieved with two different algorithms: one involving a triangulation of two or more measurements at different locations; the other, an innovative technique used here for the first time, is based on the back-projections of reconstructed muon tracks. The latter requires only a single muographic data tacking and is to be preferred in applications where more than one site location can be difficult to access. Finally the quality of the three-dimensional muographic imaging was evaluated by comparing the results with the laser scan profiles obtained for some known cavities within the Temperino mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study has proposed and tested a semi-empirical method to estimate crop irrigation based on a water balance logic and Sentinel-2 Multi Spectral Instrument (MSI) NDVI imagery. The current paper aims at extending the same approach to the analysis of the main irrigation patterns occurred in Tuscany (Central Italy) during the 2000–2019 period. This operation was made possible by feeding the irrigation water (IW) estimation method with 250-m spatial resolution Terra/Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI images. The results of this operation were first assessed versus various reference datasets available for the region; next, the annual maps of IW estimated for the 20 study years were analyzed at province scale in conjunction with relevant agricultural statistics. The use of MODIS in place of MSI images reduces the IW estimation accuracy irregularly at local scale, depending on the size and spatial arrangement of irrigated and non-irrigated fields; the reduction in accuracy is, however, marginal over relatively large areas. Irrigated crops are decreasing throughout most Tuscany provinces, while they are increasing in the most southern and driest province. The possible reasons and implications of these findings are finally discussed in relation to the main environmental issues affecting the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To control the spread of COVID-19, exceptional restrictive measures were taken in March 2020 that imposed a radical change on the lifestyle of millions of citizens around the world, albeit for a short period. The national lockdown, which lasted from 10 March to 18 May 2020 in Italy, was a unique opportunity to observe the variation in air quality in urban environments under conditions comprising almost total traffic restriction and a strong reduction in work activities. In this paper, the data from 17 urban monitoring sites in Tuscany are presented, and the PM and NO2 concentrations in the 2 months before the start of the lockdown and the 2 months after lockdown are compared with the corresponding months of the previous 3 years. The results show that the total loads of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 and 10 µm , respectively) decreased, but they did not exhibit significant changes compared to previous years, whereas NO2 underwent a drastic reduction. For three of these sites, the chemical composition of the collected samples was measured using thermal–optical techniques, ion chromatography, and particle-induced X-ray emission analysis, and the application of multivariate positive matrix factorization analysis also allowed for PM 10 source identification and apportionment. Using these analyses, it was possible to explain the low sensitivity of PM 10 to the lockdown effects as being due to different, sometimes inverse, behaviors of the different sources that contribute to PM. The results clearly indicate a decline in pollution levels related to urban traffic and an increase in the concentration of sulfate for all sites during the lockdown period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to relate the observations of some historians who have dealt with epidemic events in early modern Italy to some central features of Norbert Elias' approach, and to observe some social phenomena related to such events in the perspective of Eliasian sociology. In this way, we will try to suggest that the social implications of great epidemic events that occurred "in the past" can be included among the various fields of investigation in which the Eliasian approach can be tested, and we will attempt to highlight the usefulness of some key concepts of the figurational sociology for the interpretation of what can be observed in that field. With particular reference to seventeenth-century Tuscany, attention will be focused on some dynamics of change that involved - at the same time - both certain institutions engaged in the fight against the plague and certain dimensions of people's attitudes and "sensibilities". Following Norbert Elias, we will also try to suggest that the role played by the plague in defining the direction of those dynamics of change was part of a broader (civilizing) process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This data set collects capture–mark–recapture data, biometric data, and stomach contents of seven populations of the Italian cave salamander (Speleomantes italicus), one of the strictly protected European plethodontid species endemic to mainland Italy. We monitored six subterranean populations inside caves, and one fully epigean population living in a forest, surveying a total area of >5200 m2. Data collection was performed 24 times throughout a year for each of the subterranean populations, and seven times in late winter‐early spring for the epigean population. Salamanders were individually identified using two different marking methods: subcutaneous injection of visual implant elastomers (VIE) and photographic recognition of the dorsal pattern. Overall, the data set contains information on 1283 captured salamanders, corresponding to 783 different individuals and 500 recapture events. This type of data can be used to assess the species detection probability and to estimate the size of the populations, which are fundamental parameters for the assessment of its conservation status. Captured salamanders were weighed using a digital scale and photographed next to a reference ruler to perform post hoc measurements. This allows to assess the potential variation of the body condition of individuals through the time, and the potential divergences between conspecific populations. Furthermore, repeated measurements of recaptured individuals can allow to evaluate the seasonal growth rates of Speleomantes. Before their release, the salamanders underwent stomach flushing, a non‐invasive technique that allows us to investigate the food residues in the salamanders' stomach. In 951 salamanders, we were able to recognize a total of 7077 consumed prey items belonging to 37 different prey categories (i.e., order level or lower), completing the information on the consumed prey for the entire Speleomantes genus. Data on consumed prey can be used to assess potential divergences between populations or between individuals of different ages/sexes, but also to assess the potential trophic specialization of individuals. The distinctiveness of this data set is that, by combining the capture–mark–recapture data with those on the diet of individuals, it allows to perform detailed studies on the consistency of individuals' food preference over time, an analysis that has never been performed on these salamanders. We release the data set into the public domain under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC‐BY). When you use this data in your publication, we request that you cite this data paper; if you are using the whole data set related to the entire project, please cite all the related papers. If this data set will be an important part of the data analyzed in your study, you should consider discussing a collaboration with the data set contact person. If you plan to use data from the European plethodontid salamanders trophic niche project, please contact the contact person to find out if similar analyses are already underway or if unpublished updates are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Garfagnana region of Tuscany has witnessed a resurgence in the small-scale farming sector. Rooted in a historical practice of multifunctional agriculture, over the last decade family farmers and local institutions have increasingly focused on place-based development initiatives, such as revalorizing native livestock breeds and promoting agroecological practices, as ways to strengthen small-scale agriculture and the local rural economy. This place-based turn is now reshaping the development trajectories of many family farms and communities in Garfagnana. Drawing on qualitative field research conducted in 2015, this paper utilizes the sociological conceptual lenses of multifunctional agriculture and place-based development to analyze three casestudy farms, each with different production systems and territorial relations. Multifunctional agriculture theory is used to analyze how farming practices in the three case-studies represent a range of adaptive shifts away from productionist trends and toward a more diversified farming approach. Then place-based theory is used to demonstrate how these multifunctional agriculture practices relate to the distinct socio-ecological landscape of Garfagnana, uniquely rooting these farms in the territory. This article ultimately examines how new forms of multifunctional agriculture are fostering a place-based food and agriculture system in central Italy and how this approach can strengthen family farming and rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Etruscan control in Italy was not constrained distinctly by the well-known region of Etruscan culture (Tuscany and northern Lazio). The Etruscan power also extended toward the southwestern areas (Campania) as well as to the northern parts of Italy (Po valley). The impact of Etruscan culture spread over the entire land. The essential wellsprings of the paper are represented by the ancient sources in Latin and Greek from different periods treating Etruscan culture and society. The ancient authors portrayed the high class of society intentionally. They planned to define Etruscans as pleasure-seekers that participated in the spectacular banquets. The truth of the matter, from an archaeological perspective, is that it was not completely real. Archaeobotanical and anthropological investigation demonstrates that the way of life of the vast majority of the Etruscan population was standardly modest. Comparison of ancient written sources with archaeological data proves that the ancient writers were one-sided, sometimes without a critical approach to the sources, which could cause the misconception of certain components of Etruscan culture. There could be several reasons why it was so. The main focus of this paper is the examination of these reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the different drivers of the establishment of innovation relationships in an aerospace cluster. In particular, the work investigates the impact of the various forms of proximity in the formation of inter-organisational collaborations for innovation. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on primary data collected through interviews and questionnaires on innovation collaborations, administered to all the firms operating in the aerospace cluster in Tuscany. The work applies social network analysis and Exponential Random Graph Models to analyse the forces that drive inter-organisational collaborations for innovation. Findings: Results confirm the importance of geographical proximity in the formation of ties in the cluster, but social proximity is one of the main drivers for tie formation. Reciprocity shows that companies develop innovations in a reciprocal way and that most relationships are bidirectional. Triadic closure is also relevant, where the role played by trust and previous relationships is evident. Finally, hierarchy network processes are underlined, where the most central actors of the network are the most popular confirming a processes of preferential attachment. The central organisations gradually are more important, whereas the marginal ones are left in the periphery. Originality/value: The work presents some novelties. First, it measures the different impacts of the various forms of proximity together with more advanced measures of network analysis. It allows pointing out the relevance of a firm's network position in clusters and the fact that clusters assume hierarchical structures similar to centre-periphery networks, where most relevant nodes are in the inner core and marginal organisations are relegated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses results of an interdisciplinary research project integrating lead isotope, chemical, and archaeological analysis of 20 early metal objects from central Italy. The aim of the research was to develop robust provenance hypotheses for 4th and 3rd millennia BC metals from an important, yet hitherto neglected, metallurgical district in prehistoric Europe, displaying precocious copper mining and smelting, as well as socially significant uses of metals in 'Rinaldone-style' burials. All major (and most minor) ore bodies from Tuscany and neighbouring regions were characterised chemically and isotopically, and 20 Copper Age axe-heads, daggers and halberds were sampled and analysed. The objects were also reassessed archaeologically, paying special attention to find context, typology, and chronology. This multi-pronged approach has allowed us to challenge received wisdom concerning the local character of early metal production and exchange in the region. The research has shown that most objects were likely manufactured in west-central Italy using copper from Southern Tuscany and, quite possibly, the Apuanian Alps. A few objects, however, display isotopic and chemical signatures compatible with the Western Alpine and, in one case, French ore deposits. This shows that the Copper Age communities of west-central Italy participated in superregional exchange networks tying together the middle/upper Tyrrhenian region, the western Alps, and perhaps the French Midi. These networks were largely independent from other metal displacement circuits in operation at the time, which embraced the north-Alpine region and the south-eastern Alps, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions, such as ConstructedWetlands (CWs), for the treatment of industrial wastewater can be more efficiently operated making use of online monitored parameters as inlet/outlet flows and concentrations for specific substances. The present study compares different datasets acquired in a two-and-a-half-year-long period by normal laboratory methods and also from a specific COD/BOD sensor installed at a winery CWs wastewater treatment plant in Tuscany, Italy. The CW wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is composed of: equalization tank (70 m³); French Reed Bed (1200 M²); horizontal subsurface flow (HF) CW (960 M²): free water system (850 M²); optional post-treatment sand filter (50 M²); and emergency recirculation. The obtained average performances for this last period are for COD 97.5%, for MBAS 93.1%, for N-NO2-84.7%, for NO3-39.9%, and for TP 45.5%. The online sensor has shown excellent performance in following the COD concentration patterns along the observed period. The qualitative and quantitative validity of the online sensor measurements has been assessed by statistical analysis (t-test) and reported in the paper. Online data, acquired every 30 min, availability is of extreme importance for the CW system performance optimization, for understanding the behavior of theWWTPin different operative scenarios, and finally for driving the powering on or off eventual process enhancement tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Waiting times for elective treatments, including elective surgery, are a source of public concern and therefore are on policy makers' agenda. The long waiting times have often been tackled through the allocation of additional resources, in an attempt to reduce them, but results are not straightforward. At the same time, researchers have reported wide geographical variations in the provision of elective care not driven by patient needs or preferences but by other factors. The paper analyses the relationship between waiting times and treatment rates for nine high-volume elective surgical procedures in order to support decision making regarding the availability of these services for the citizens. Using the framework already proposed for the diagnostic services, we identify different patterns that can be followed to align the supply with patient needs in the Italian context.Methods: After measuring the waiting times and the treatment rates for nine procedures in the 34 districts in Tuscany, we performed correlation analyses. Then, we plotted the results in a matrix cross-checking waiting times and rates. By doing so, we identified four different contexts that require a second step analysis to tackle unwarranted geographical variations and ensure timely care to patients. Finally, for each district and elective surgical procedure, we measured the economic impact of the different treatment rates in order to evaluate whether there are any supply criticalities and eventually some room for maneuver. We also included active and passive mobility of patients.Results: The results show a high degree of variation both in treatment rates and waiting times, especially for the orthopaedic procedures: knee replacement, knee arthroscopy and hip replacement. The analysis performed for the nine interventions shows that the 34 districts are in varying positions in the waiting time-treatment rate matrix, suggesting that there is no straightforward relationship between rates and waiting times. Each combination in the matrix may have different determinants that require healthcare managers to adopt diversified strategies. The decision making process needs to be supported by a two-level analysis: the first one to put in place the matrix that cross-checks waiting times and treatment rates, the second one to analyse the characteristics of each quadrant and the improvement actions that can be proposed.Conclusions: In Italy, waiting times in elective surgical services are a main policy issue with a relevant geographical variation. Our analysis reveals that this variation is due to multiple elements. In order to avoid simplistic approaches that do not solve the problem but often lead to increased expenditure, policy makers and healthcare managers should follow a two-step strategy firstly identifying the type of context and secondly analysing the impact of elements such as resource productivity, resource availability, patients' preferences and care appropriateness. Only in some cases it is required to increase the service supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The agricultural sectors' contribution to the provision of energy is a central issue in Horizon 2020 strategies and has shaped the public and research debates on the future of the bioeconomy. The common agricultural policy (CAP) has been one of the main drivers of farmers' behavioural changes and represents the main agricultural policy instrument to address viability of rural areas and maintaining the profitability of the agricultural sector. To contribute to the ongoing policy debate towards CAP reform, this paper will provide an empirical model to simulate the impact of an alternative CAP mechanism on the provision of renewable energy. By applying a dynamic mathematical programming model, the paper tests the impact that new policy measures will have on the provision of a second-generation of bio fuel crops that represent a relevant option for Tuscan farmers. Results show that CAP reform positively impacts the supply of energy crops mainly due to the introduction of greening payments, which allows an enlarging of crop diversification. Model results stress also the income stabilisation effects of energy production introduction at farm level, due to reduction of farm exposure to market prices fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-farm diversification towards multifunctional activities is perceived as central in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform and in the Horizon 2020 strategies, because it strengthens territorial and social cohesion of rural areas. While from a "macro" point of view relations between farm-household diversification and rural economies are central in the process of multi-functionality and in the provision of public goods through agricultural activities, from a "micro" point of view on-farm diversification activities can represent a relevant share of farm income. Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology have developed models aiming to explain the determinants of on-farm diversification thus providing a set of variables potentially influencing on-farm diversification. The paper applies a count model to explain the number of on-farm diversification activities that are implemented by farms in Tuscany. Since the high number of agricultural holdings that do not apply any diversification activity, we propose a two-step model where, firstly a simulation of adoption of diversified strategy as binary variable is considered and secondly, a model analysing the determinants of diversification intensity among the farms that have decided to diversify is implemented. Results confirm that location near main touristic areas and vicinity to urban markets are important determinants of on-farm diversification intensity. Results highlight a positive contribution of the Pillar 2 agricultural policies both in determining the diffusion of on-farm diversification activities and in influencing the intensity of adoption, while high per hectare Single Farm Payments have a negative influence on diversification intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flatbreads are particularly prevalent in the Mediterranean region, including Italy, where each community has its unique traditional recipe, preparation method, and baking system. This traditional narrative review provides an overview of the Italian flatbreads that have achieved national or international quality recognitions. The aims of this study are, firstly, to scientifically evaluate these flatbreads and establishing a catalog that includes both technical and cultural information, which are currently missing in the international scientific literature and, secondly, to conduct a comparative analysis of the technical and cultural diversity of traditional Italian flatbreads, outlining areas for future research development. The examined flatbreads were found to be characterized by considerable diversity, reflecting the Italian region's diverse culinary heritage. The formulation is generally simple and includes flour, water, possibly yeast, and salt. Additional ingredients are region dependent, reflecting local availability, and include fats of animal origin, or ham, mostly found in flatbreads from Northern Italy, while olive oil or EVOO is common in flatbreads of Tuscany, Liguria, and Sardinia. The types of flour also differ regionally: Besides soft wheat flour, durum wheat semolina is used in southern Italy and Sardinia, chestnut flour in Tuscany, rye flour in Alto Adige, chickpea flour in Liguria, and corn flour in central Italy. Historically, high-extraction flour and sourdough were largely used but have been replaced by refined flour and commercial baker's yeast over time. Flash baking (short time, high temperature) is generally adopted, and some flatbreads, typical of Sardinia, are baked twice, resulting in complete dryness and long shelf-life. In contrast, quickly prepared unleavened bread is a staple in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, Lunigiana, and the Po Valley. Overall, these results suggest encouraging the revival of the ancient baking tradition of using high-extraction flours and sourdough fermentation, which today are almost lost. Reintroducing these methods could increase the fiber, mineral and, vitamin content and ensure a rich sensory profile. Further research could focus on improving the nutritional quality, particularly, through salt reduction, acrylamide levels mitigation, and protein content increase. The lack of historical information highlights the need to perform historical research to gain a deeper understanding of origins, evolution and characteristics of Italian flatbreads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting on 2 November 2023, some territories in the Region of Tuscany in Italy were hit by exceptionally intense meteorological and calamitous events. The Region of Tuscany's government was immediately at the forefront of relief, assisting the population, and aiding restoration. On 3 November, a national state of emergency was declared due to flooding. Journalistic communication is an essential aspect of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. In terms of protecting people and reducing damage, journalists and the media have an important role to play. This article reports an Italian case study analysing the behaviour of local media in cases of natural disaster. Nine focus groups were conducted with local journalists covering the flood emergency. The results highlight the role of social and institutional mediation, rather than mere dissemination, played by the local press in emergency situations, a central element in the construction of a community bond, precisely in moments of insecurity and disorientation. The narration of a disaster from the inside seems to have allowed the emergence and representation of hitherto unknown social realities in Tuscany. The goal of the news coverage was widened, making it possible to respond better to the diverse interests of the reading public and to satisfy in a short time and exhaustively the information needs of individual communities in difficulty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing awareness in today’s society regarding the potential of sustainable farming practices to decrease soil degradation processes. This paper analyses the financial, environmental and social aspects of durum wheat cultivation practices linked to soil degradation processes in Southern Tuscany. The analysis has been conducted within a Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) framework and utilizing NAIADE (Novel Approach to Imprecise Assessment and Decision Environments) as a software tool. Conventional, integrated and organic durum wheat cultivation practices have been compared. One key outcome of the analysis is that organic practices represent a good compromise solution in relation to the environmental and socio-economic evaluation criteria chosen. Finally, the paper also offers some considerations regarding the influence of Agricultural European Policies (such as the CAP-Common Agricultural Policy) on the management of farming systems and as a consequence on the soil degradation phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop irrigation uses more than 70% of the world's water, and thus, improving irrigation efficiency is decisive to sustain the food demand from a fast-growing world population. This objective may be accomplished by cultivating more water-efficient crop species and/or through the application of efficient irrigation systems, which includes the implementation of a suitable method for precise scheduling. At the farm level, irrigation is generally scheduled based on the grower's experience or on the determination of soil water balance (weather-based method). An alternative approach entails the measurement of soil water status. Expensive and sophisticated root zone sensors (RZS), such as neutron probes, are available for the use of soil and plant scientists, while cheap and practical devices are needed for irrigation management in commercial crops. The paper illustrates the main features of RZS' (for both soil moisture and salinity) marketed for the irrigation industry and discusses how such sensors may be integrated in a wireless network for computer-controlled irrigation and used for innovative irrigation strategies, such as deficit or dual- water irrigation. The paper also consider the main results of recent or current research works conducted by the authors in Tuscany (Italy) on the irrigation management of container-grown ornamental plants, which is an important agricultural sector in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a methodology for correlating products derived by Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) measurements and laser profilometric road roughness surveys. The procedure stems from two previous studies, in which several Machine Learning Algorithms (MLAs) have been calibrated for predicting the average vertical displacement (in terms of mm/year) of road pavements as a result of exogenous phenomena occurrence, such as subsidence. Such algorithms are based on surveys performed with Persistent Scatterer Interferometric SAR (PS-InSAR) over an area of 964 km2 in the Tuscany Region, Central Italy. Starting from this basis, in this paper, we propose to integrate the information provided by these MLAs with 10 km of in situ profilometric measurements of the pavement surface roughness and relative calculation of the International Roughness Index (IRI). Accordingly, the aim is to appreciate whether and to what extent there is an association between displacements estimated by MLAs and IRI values. If a dependence exists, we may argue that road regularity is driven by exogenous phenomena and MLAs allow for the replacement of in situ surveys, saving considerable time and money. In this research framework, results reveal that there are several road sections that manifest a clear association among these two methods, while others denote that the relationship is weaker, and in situ activities cannot be bypassed to evaluate the real pavement conditions. We could wrap up that, in these stretches, the road regularity is driven by endogenous factors which MLAs did not integrate during their training. Once additional MLAs conditioned by endogenous factors have been developed (such as traffic flow, the structure of the pavement layers, and material characteristics), practitioners should be able to estimate the quality of pavement over extensive and complex road networks quickly, automatically, and with relatively low costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2013, loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta, Linnaeus 1758) nesting has been observed further north along the Italian coast, reaching the Tuscan coast (NW Mediterranean Sea). The four nesting events that occurred in Tuscany in the summer of 2019 spurred the scientific community to monitor these occurrences more carefully, following them from egg deposition to hatching. This provided an opportunity to collect samples for conducting multidisciplinary investigations, including the toxicological investigations of the biological material collected from the four nests. The aim of this study was to conduct an initial assessment of persistent organic pollutants in the eggs laid in Tuscany, aiming to establish a baseline on this topic for subsequent nesting events that have occurred until today. Organochlorine compounds (OCs), specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites, and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were analyzed and detected in unhatched eggs, embryos, and chorio-allantoic membranes (CAMs). OCs were detected in all samples, with PCBs > DDTs » HCB. A significant spatial variation in pollutant levels and profiles among sea turtle nesting locations was found. Embryos showed higher levels of contamination than egg contents regardless of the developmental stages. Depth of the laying chamber and egg mass were not significant factors in OC bioaccumulation. For the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, this study assessed the role of CAM in the transfer of contaminants to the embryo. Overall, the OC levels found were lower compared to the results from other studies conducted worldwide on loggerhead sea turtle biological material. This was the first assessment of nest biological material for the North-Western coast of Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium ampeloprasum var. holmense (elephant garlic) is traditionally cultivated in "Val di Chiana", an area between Umbria and Tuscany regions of Central Italy, under the name "Aglione della Valdichiana". This product has recently increased in importance, becoming a key economic resource for local farmers. In 2019, phytosanitary problems of elephant garlic cloves ready for transplanting emerged in this cultivation area. Symptom/sign observations and fungal isolations were performed for cloves divided into four components (tunic, basal plate, reserve tissue and shoot) from six farms in the "Val di Chiana" area. Isolates obtained were identified, using partial β-tubulin (BenA) and calmodulin (CaM) or translation elongation factor 1α (tef1α) genes sequences, as belonging to Penicillium [P. allii (95%), P. citrinum (4%), P. brevicompactum (1%)] or Fusarium [F. oxysporum (81%), F. proliferatum (19%)]. Fusarium spp. were mainly associated with clove tunics and basal plates, while Penicillium spp. with basal plates, reserve tissues and shoots. Fungi often also developed from asymptomatic components, but a correlation was found between isolated pathogens and disease symptoms. Pathogenicity and virulence towards elephant garlic cloves were verified for a representative isolate of each identified species, and Penicillium allii was the most virulent. Strategies to control Fusarium and Penicillium spp. on cloves were assessed, including chemicals, a biocontrol agent, surface sterilization and heat treatment. Among these, treatments with Patriot Gold® (active ingredient [a.i.] Trichoderma asperellum TV1, approved in organic farming on crops similar to elephant garlic), or Signum® (a.i. boscalid + pyraclostrobin, approved for Integrated Pest Management systems on crops similar to elephant garlic), were effective in simultaneous reduction of Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. Transplanting of asymptomatic cloves combined with the use of the above treatments showed promising effects for pathogens control, and to assist elephant garlic crop establishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in the CO2 dissolved in water springs have long been observed near the epicenters of moderate and strong earthquakes. In a recent work focused on data collected during the 2017–2021 period from a monitoring site in the Northern Apennines, Italy, we noticed a significant correlation between CO2 anomalies and moderate-to-weak seismic activity. Here, we extended this analysis by focusing on data collected from the same site during a different period (2010–2013) and by integrating the CENSUS method with an artificial neural network (ANN) in the already-tested protocol. As in our previous work, a fit of the computed residual CO2 distributions allowed us to evidence statistically relevant CO2 anomalies. Thus, we extended a test of the linear dependence of these anomalies to seismic events over a longer period by means of binary correlations. This new analysis also included strong seismic events. Depending on the method applied, we observed different time lags. Specifically, using the CENSUS methodology, we detected a CO2 anomaly one day ahead of the earthquake and another anomaly eleven days ahead. However, no anomaly was observed with the ANN methodology. We also investigated possible correlations between CO2 concentrations and rain events and between rain events and earthquakes, highlighting the occurrence of a CO2 anomaly one day after a rain event of at least 10 mm and no linear dependence of seismic and rain events. Similar to our previous work, we achieved a probability gain of around 4, which is the probably of earthquake increases after CO2 anomaly observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A WebGis tool called GoProsit has been developed to support winegrowers in planning a new sustainable vineyard and in the identification of high-quality terroir in Tuscany, Central Italy, by providing various information on soils, climate, hydrological risks, and fertilization. GoProsit, hosted by the web platform GEAPP, is a free, user-friendly, and interactive Geographic Decision Support System (GDSS). Soil data behind the WebGis tool has a 1 ha resolution, achieved by processing the legacy vector-type soil database of the Tuscany Region with the DSMART (Disaggregation and Harmonization of Soil Map Units Through Resampled Classification Trees as supervised classification) algorithm, which disaggregated the map to 297,023 vineyard grid cells. Each grid cell holds climatic and pedologic information, along with physical and chemical features for each horizon of the most probable soil. GoProsit also provides soil maps in image format obtained by georeferencing about 50 historical soil maps (1969–2012). Finally, GoProsit runs and returns the outputs of six models: (a) carbon footprint, (b) potential erosion and maximum vine row length compatible with tolerable erosion, (c) potential water stress, (d) risk of runoff/waterlogging, (e) identification of suitable rootstocks, and (f) nutritional needs before planting. Statistics of the main model results for the investigated area are reported. This promising tool will soon be usable for the whole Italian territory; however, its potential makes it suitable for use in any wine-growing district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring soil organic carbon (SOC) typically assumes conducting a labor-intensive soil sampling campaign, followed by laboratory testing, which is both expensive and impractical for generating useful, spatially continuous data products. The present study leverages the power of machine learning (ML) and, in particular, deep neural networks (DNNs) for segmentation, as well as satellite imagery, to estimate the SOC remotely. We propose a new two-stage pipeline for remote SOC estimation, which relies on using a DNN trained to classify land cover to perform feature extraction, while the SOC estimation is performed by a different ML model. The first stage is an image segmentation DNN with the U-Net architecture, which is trained to estimate the land cover for an observed geographical region, based on multi-spectral images taken by the Sentinel-2 satellite constellation. This estimator is subsequently used to extract the latent feature vector for each of the output pixels, by rolling back from the output (dense) layer of the U-Net and accessing the last available convolutional layer of the same dimension as our desired output. The second stage is trained on a set of feature vectors extracted at the coordinates for which manual SOC measurements exist. We tested a variety of ML models and report on their performance. Using the best extremely randomized trees model, we generated a spatially continuous map of SOC estimations for the region of Tuscany, in Italy, with a resolution of 10 m, to share with the researchers as a means of validating the results and to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach, which can can easily be scaled to create a global continuous SOC map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a methodology for predicting and mapping surface motion beneath road pavement structures caused by environmental factors. Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) measurements, geospatial analyses, and Machine Learning Algorithms (MLAs) are employed for achieving the purpose. Two single learners, i.e., Regression Tree (RT) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), and two ensemble learners, i.e., Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) and Random Forest (RF) are utilized for estimating the surface motion ratio in terms of mm/year over the Province of Pistoia (Tuscany Region, central Italy, 964 km2), in which strong subsidence phenomena have occurred. The interferometric process of 210 Sentinel-1 images from 2014 to 2019 allows exploiting the average displacements of 52,257 Persistent Scatterers as output targets to predict. A set of 29 environmental-related factors are preprocessed by SAGA-GIS, version 2.3.2, and ESRI ArcGIS, version 10.5, and employed as input features. Once the dataset has been prepared, three wrapper feature selection approaches (backward, forward, and bi-directional) are used for recognizing the set of most relevant features to be used in the modeling. A random splitting of the dataset in 70% and 30% is implemented to identify the training and test set. Through a Bayesian Optimization Algorithm (BOA) and a 10-Fold Cross-Validation (CV), the algorithms are trained and validated. Therefore, the Predictive Performance of MLAs is evaluated and compared by plotting the Taylor Diagram. Outcomes show that SVM and BRT are the most suitable algorithms; in the test phase, BRT has the highest Correlation Coefficient (0.96) and the lowest Root Mean Square Error (0.44 mm/year), while the SVM has the lowest difference between the standard deviation of its predictions (2.05 mm/year) and that of the reference samples (2.09 mm/year). Finally, algorithms are used for mapping surface motion over the study area. We propose three case studies on critical stretches of two-lane rural roads for evaluating the reliability of the procedure. Road authorities could consider the proposed methodology for their monitoring, management, and planning activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes, in a non-systematic ways, a discussion of some issues that may be the subject of a new phase of research on the subject of political culture in Italy. First, it addressed the issue of the persistence of territorial differentiation of the political culture in Italy: are still valid those interpretative categories that featured a long period of studies on this issue? The interplay between general and nifying trends and persistence of a territorial political culture is then analyzed, taking as an example the case of the electoral success of the Five Star Movement. Finally, it discusses the transformation of the political culture in Tuscany, one of the "red regions" where the ideal-typical model of "territorial political subculture" has emerged historically in a form almost "pure". Is this model still valid? and what are the changes that have occurred? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landscape of an area is not only made up of natural elements but also of man-made elements represented by civil and agricultural artefacts and much more. These elements used to blend aesthetically and harmoniously with the landscape itself thanks to the use of local building materials. Particularly, this contribution examines the use of the travertine in the architecture of the Tuscany region from the Etruscan time to the contemporary age. In Tuscany, travertine is a remarkable example of an identity stone of the territory, so rich in thermal springs that favoured the formation of large deposits of this stone widely used in public and private buildings both in interior design and urban furnishing. The work was carried out through a survey in the Tuscan territory and collection of bibliographic information on the architectural web sites. The survey made it possible to collect a photographic documentation and to assess the state of conservation through the empirical observation of the morphologies of decay when present. Indeed, this stone material in the Mediterranean climate, which characterises Tuscany, shows a good durability against atmospheric agents but may be affected by a chromatic alteration that tends to give the surfaces a greyish appearance. This aesthetic issue is more evident in the Tuscan travertine due to is classic whitish colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The geothermal power plants for electricity production currently active in Italy are all located in Mt. Amiata area in the Tuscany region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the framework of the regional project "InVETTA—Biomonitoring Survey and Epidemiological Evaluations for the Protection of Health in the Amiata Territories", using objective measures of lung function to investigate the role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in affecting the respiratory health of the population living in this area. Methods: 2018 adults aged 18–70 were enrolled during 2017–2019. Home and workplace addresses of participants were geocoded. Dispersion modelling was used to evaluate the spatial variability of exposure to H2S from the geothermal power plants' emissions. We estimated average long-term historical exposure to H2S and more recent exposure indicators. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to investigate associations between outcome and exposure. Results: Our findings did not showed any evidence of an association between increasing H2S exposure and lung function impairments. Some risk reductions were observed: a -32.8% (p = 0.003) for FEV1<80% and a -51.7% (p = 0.001) risk decrease for FVC<80% were associated with interquartile increase (13.8 μg/m3) of H2S levels. Conclusion: Our study provides no evidence that chronic exposure to low levels of H2S is associated with decrements in pulmonary function, suggesting that ambient H2S exposure may benefit lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Monti Pisani massif (Tuscany, central Italy) is an isolated mountain relief known for its rich geodiversity, including a remarkable palaeontological heritage from the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. The Palaeozoic record consists of exquisitely preserved plant remains and rarer invertebrates of Permo-Carboniferous age, which testify to extensive rainforests and large swamps that thrived in an alluvial system under a humid, (sub)tropical climate. In addition to invertebrate shells, invertebrate trace fossils and microbial structures, the Mesozoic record features a diverse Middle Triassic tetrapod ichnoassemblage consisting of tracks of lepidosauromorphs, archosaurs (among which are the earliest dinosauromorph fossils of Italy) and nonmammalian therapsids. These vertebrates lived in a subsiding costal setting that stretched across an expanding rift valley under a subarid climate. The Cenozoic record features abundant fossils of terrestrial vertebrates (including spectacular members of the mammalian megafauna) from karst deposits, testifying to the manifold inhabitants of the massif during the glacial and interglacial phases of the Late Pleistocene. Overall, this long-lasting fossil record remarkably demonstrates how much the Earth's environments have been changing through the Phanerozoic. The outstanding palaeontological heritage of the Monti Pisani area is in need of specific efforts of conservation and valorisation, especially with respect to the many palaeontological sites that punctuate the massif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents the development and testing of a multi-step methodology which integrates remotely sensed and ancillary data to estimate olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit yield in Tuscany (Central Italy). The processing of very high resolution (Ikonos) and high resolution (Landsat ETM+) images provides a map of olive tree canopy cover fraction for all Tuscany olive yards, which is used to extract olive tree NDVI values from MODIS imagery. The combination of these values with standard meteorological data within a modified parametric model (C-Fix) enables the prediction of daily olive tree gross primary production (GPP) for ten years (2000–2009). These GPP estimates are then joint to the respiration estimates of a bio-geochemical model (BIOME-BGC) to simulate olive tree net primary production (NPP). The NPP accumulated over proper periods of the ten growing seasons is finally converted into olive fruit yield, whose accuracy is assessed through comparison with provincial statistics. The methodology is only partly capable of capturing spatial and temporal olive fruit yield variability at province level, but can accurately reproduce inter-year yield variation over the entire region. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results achieved and with considerations on the research prospects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The impacts of flood events that occurred in autumn 2011 in the Italian regions of Liguria and Tuscany revived the engagement of the public decision-maker to enhance the synergy of flood control and land use planning. In this context, the design of efficient flood risk mitigation strategies and their subsequent implementation critically relies on a careful vulnerability analysis of the fixed and mobile elements exposed to flood hazard. In this paper we develop computation schemes enabling dynamic vulnerability and risk analyses for a broad typological variety of elements at risk. To show their applicability, a series of prime examples are discussed in detail, e.g. a bridge deck impacted by the flood and a car, first displaced and subsequently exposed to collision with fixed objects. We hold the view that it is essential that the derivation of the computational schemes to assess the vulnerability of endangered objects should be based on classical and fluid mechanics. In such a way, we aim to complement from a methodological perspective the existing, mainly empirical, vulnerability and risk assessment approaches and to support the design of effective flood risk mitigation strategies by defusing the main criticalities within the systems prone to flood risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to identify the monetary value of the different functions of a forest in order to estimate the environmental diseases or in order to plan and take decisions. The aim of this paper is to test a new methodology that focuses on the spatialization of the monetary values of benefits (services) that are offered by a forest. This methodology is based on the "Benefit transfer" approach and empirical indexes used in non-monetary evaluations. The result demonstrates the analysis of tourist-recreational function of the forest in the Tuscany Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extra-zonal beech forests in Tuscany: structure, diversity and synecologic features. The present paper focuses on the structural, synecological and floristic diversity features of beech-dominated forest communities in four major areas of the Antiapenninic Tyrrhenian system in Tuscany: Metalliferous hills, mountains to the south of Mt. Amiata, volcanic area of the upper Lente valley and Mt. Cetona. These are relict woodlands of Holo-Pleistocene origin with a special ecological and conservation value due to their extrazonal location in lowland submediterranean areas. Results show substantial among-area differences in structure, synecology and plant species composition, but in general a potential for coppices to reach the tall forest stage, as demonstrated by the old-growth stands of Pietraporciana and Sassoforte. Compared with montane Apenninic beechwoods, the relatively rich flora of the studied communities include thermophilous species with a southern Apennine-Balkan distribution, making their syntaxonomical position unclear. Closer affinities are found with the calcicolous Beech Forests of the Lathyro veneti-Fagetum association and with the silicicolous ones of the Fraxino orni-Fagetum. Based on the Natura 2000 system, all the examined communities belong to the priority Habitat "Apennine beech forests with Taxus and Ilex" (code: 9210*). Due their relict nature, these biotopes appear vulnerable to climate changes and to a production-oriented forest management. Criteria of naturalistic silviculture should instead promote the dynamic development of these communities towards tall forests and their natural regeneration. INSET: Schema sintassonomico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its high price, extra virgin olive oil is frequently targeted for adulteration with lower quality oils. This paper presents an innovative optical technique capable of quantifying and discriminating the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil caused by lower-grade olive oils. An original set-up for diffuse-light absorption spectroscopy in the wide 400-1,700 nm spectral range was experimented. It made use of an integrating sphere containing the oil sample and of optical fibers for illumination and detection; it provided intrinsically scattering-free absorption spectroscopy measurements. This set-up was used to collect spectroscopic fingerprints of authentic extra virgin olive oils from the Italian Tuscany region, adulterated by different concentrations of olive-pomace oil, refined olive oil, deodorized olive oil, and refined olive-pomace oil. Then, a straightforward multivariate processing of spectroscopic data based on principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis was applied which was successfully capable of predicting the fraction of adulterant in the mixture, and of discriminating its type. The results achieved by means of optical spectroscopy were compared with the analysis of fatty acids, which was carried out by standard gas chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial beach nourishment can significantly modify original beach colour, altering an important component of the coastal landscape; this can produce deleterious environmental effects and potentially induce controversies among stakeholders, leading even to litigation. This paper reviews some of these impacts, discusses chromatic compatibility of borrow sediments, and proposes techniques to assess it. Further, it evaluates the preference of beach users towards different sand colours through 320 interviews held at natural and nourished beaches in Italy using Munsell and CIE L*a*b* colour spaces. Results show that colour acceptance is significantly related to sand lightness, though in some cases different preferences were due to memories and sensations related to the colour of original or idealised beaches. The study confirmed the preference of beach users towards light-colour sand and showed that nourishments that use sediment of a new colour can influence the degree of appreciation of light and dark sands. Results from this study were further applied to the specifications of a bid for a beach fill project, setting the colorimetric coordinates in CIE L*a*b* space for sediments considered suitable for the nourishment of a particular beach in Tuscany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  This paper presents the first general survey of carpological analyses carried out in archaeological sites in Tuscany (Italy), based on literature and our own research. The data show that with the onset of the Neolithic, naked wheats (Triticum aestivum/durum/turgidum), unfortunately not certainly identifiable due to the lack of chaff, different glume wheats (Triticum monococcum/dicoccum/spelta) of which einkorn and emmer are certainly identified and barley (Hordeum vulgare) play a definite role. Certainly identified specimens of spelt (Triticum spelta) and millet (Panicum miliaceum) appear in the Bronze Age. The importance of oats is difficult to assess. Beginning in the Bronze Age, an increasing importance of pulses is observed, as in some other parts of Europe. Grape collection seems to be a practice that goes back at least to the Neolithic in Tuscany, while it is not yet clear as to when the appearance of viticulture and wine-making should be dated. The use of cornelian cherry was widespread in the Bronze Age and also continued in the Etruscan period (around 1000 b.c.). However, the available results are scarce and previous identifications may need verification. Corroboration of the data is needed through future systematic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  A 90 m deep core from the Massaciuccoli lake basin (Tuscany, Italy) offers new material for improving the knowledge of the Holocene vegetation history in the coastal plains in Tuscany and Liguria bordering the Mar Ligure (Ligurian sea). In this paper, an assessment of the upper part of the core is presented. During the Holocene, the area was covered by woodlands whose composition changed in time. Numerous oscillations of the tree taxa were recorded which can probably be connected to sea level variations that had a strong influence on the depth of the water table. Human impact is evident particularly at ca. 4200–2500 b.p. when traces of opening of the woodland accompanied by noticeable pollen percentages ofVitiscould suggest an early agricultural practice favouring this native plant. The new data have been integrated with previous palaeobotanical and archaeobotanical research. The occurrence of coastal wetlands has been shown. Throughout the Holocene, Mediterranean evergreen vegetation is generally poorly represented; it becomes widespread only in the late Holocene, suggesting that its establishment was probably favoured by the management practices in the coastal plains, particularly land reclamations, starting from the Roman period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the days 20-21 November 2000, a storm of exceptional intensity triggered over 50 landslides within the province of Pistoia in Tuscany (Italy). These failures are mostly of complex type, originating as rotational or translational landslides, and transforming into flows. Two of these landslides were investigated in this paper by modelling the ground water infiltration process, the pore water pressure variations, both positive and negative, and the effects of these variations on slope stability during the rainfall event. Morphometric and geotechnical analyses were carried out for both sites through a series of in-situ and laboratory tests, the results of which were used as input for the modelling process. In a first step the surface infiltration rate was simulated using a modified Chu (1978) approach for the Green and Ampt (1911) equations in case of unsteady rainfall together with a surficial water balance. A finite element seepage analysis for transient conditions was then employed to model the changes in pore water pressure during the event, using the computed infiltration rate as the ground surface boundary condition. Finally, once again using the data from the previous step as input, the limit equilibrium Morgenstern-Price (1965) slope stability method was applied to calculate the variations in the factor of safety during the event and thereby determine the most critical time of instability. In both sites this method produced a curve for the factor of safety that indicated that the most critical time for failure occurred a few hours after the peak of rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A form of rural tourism in expansion is horse tourism. Equitourism is a form of hiking that allows for an intimate and natural use of landscapes and local territories. Equestrian tourism today no longer represents a small elite market niche, as it has become a true form of pastime for an increasing number of users. Trail planning and management need to consider the changes that are already occurring, as well as those that are predicted to lie ahead. The key trends that are expected to have an impact on recreational horse trail planning and management are highlighted in this research. Many of these trends have been emerging over decades and have rapidly increased due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, in many Italian regions, especially in Tuscany, thanks to the enhancement of the Tuscan equestrian routes, projects for the promotion of equestrian tourism have been developed. In this work the methodology applied was based on the identification of an appropriate database created in the GIS context and specifically coded for equestrian tourism. The aim is to guarantee the creation of an innovative and functional product to meet the needs of this sustainable tourism sector, providing information capable of facilitating the end user, who, through their GPS, georeferenced images and maps, will have the possibility of planning and traveling the horse trail in complete safety. The final result of this research (the first case study in Italy) is the creation of a modern and complete information database of a horse trail that can be managed using GIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variability in lithology and weathering degree affects physical and mechanical properties of rocks. In this study, we investigated the relationships between weathering degree and engineering geological properties of trachydacitic volcanic rocks from Monte Amiata (central Italy) by coupling field and laboratory analyses. We collected in situ Schmidt hammer tests in the field. We evaluated weathering quantifying the percentage of secondary minerals through thermal analysis in the laboratory. We also determined dry density ( ρ d ), specific gravity of solids (Gs), porosity (n) and two-dimensional (2D) porosity as resulted from scanning electron microscopy investigations. The results of our study indicate a negative linear correlation between Schmidt hammer rebound values and secondary mineral percentage. This correlation provides a tool to quantitatively estimate the deterioration of rock uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) as weathering increases. Moreover, thermal analysis turned out to be a quantitative and reproducible method to evaluate weathering degree of magmatic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extinct "false mako" shark, Parotodus benedenii (Lamniformes: Otodontidae), is essentially known from large, robust teeth that are widespread but overall rare in Oligocene to Pliocene deposits worldwide. More than 150 years after its description, this species still represents a palaeontological conundrum, as very little is known about its body aspect and palaeoecology. Here, we describe new specimens of P. benedenii from the Pliocene of Tuscany, central Italy. These new finds comprise some of the geologically youngest finds of P. benedenii worldwide, witnessing to the survival of false makos until the Late Pliocene at least, which in turn suggests that P. benedenii may have been the latest surviving member of the family Otodontidae. Building upon a thorough literature review, we provide an updated synthesis of the palaeobiology of P. benedenii. In light of the morphological evidence, and considering previously published suggestions, P. benedenii may be reconstructed as a large-sized, carnivorous shark that dwelt in pelagic settings and fed primarily on large, soft prey and scavenging items. Thus, some ecological partitioning did likely exist between P. benedenii and other elasmobranch apex predators of the Neogene mid-latitude seas (including, in Pliocene times, the extant species Carcharodon carcharias, Carcharhinus leucas and Galeocerdo cuvier). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In central Italy, the Charterhouse of Calci hosts the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa. This monumental monastery was founded in 1366 by Carthusian monks. The Charterhouse has experienced various transformations over the centuries, until its abandonment in the 1970s. Since 2018, interdisciplinary archaeological research focused on the monks' gardens (and particularly: the Prior's, the Apothecary's, and the Master's garden) and the green spaces outside the cloister walls, consisting of courtyards and orchards, to determine the individual (gardens) and collective (green spaces and surrounding woods) practices adopted by Carthusians. Palynology and archaeobotany have allowed to reconstruct the plant biodiversity, with flowers and ornamental, aromatic, and medicinal herbs that grew in the gardens, as well as the management of local hilly woods and agricultural practices, including the cultivation of fruit trees, such as chestnut, olive tree, almond tree, and grapevine. Our research has been based on a solid theoretical approach, interpreting archaeological and archaeobotanical data in relation to the intricate network of human and non-human connections. Gardens are seen as a co-creation made together by human and non-human agencies, and their diachronic transformation is read as an expression of personalities of the monks, feelings, and connections with nature and divinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new mineral batoniite, [Al 8 (OH) 14 (H 2 O) 18 ](SO 4)5 ⋅ 5H 2 O, was discovered in the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine, Chiusdino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It occurs as hemispherical aggregates composed of brittle tabular crystals, up to 1 mm in size, white to colorless in color, with a white streak and a vitreous to greasy luster. Batoniite is biaxial negative, with α= 1.4833(6), β= 1.4948(6), γ= 1.5019(5) (589 nm), and 2 V(meas.)= 71(1) ∘. Electron microprobe analysis, affected by the dehydration of batoniite under the chamber vacuum, gave (in wt %) the following: Al 2 O 3 33.48, Fe 2 O 3 0.05, SO 3 33.00, and H 2 O calc 44.41, total 110.94. It corresponds to the chemical formula (Al 7.98 Fe 0.013+)Σ7.99 (SO 4)5.01 (OH) 13.95 (H 2 O) 18 ⋅ 5H 2 O. Batoniite is triclinic, belonging to space group P1‾ , with a= 9.1757(6), b= 12.0886(9), c= 20.9218(15) Å, α= 82.901(3), β= 87.334(3), γ= 86.999(2) ∘ , V= 2297.8(3) Å 3 , and Z= 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1= 0.0916 for 8118 unique reflections with Fo>4σ(Fo) and 811 refined parameters and 60 restraints. Batoniite is characterized by isolated [Al 8 (OH) 14 (H 2 O) 18 ] 10+ polyoxocations, H-bonded to five interstitial (SO 4) 2- and five H 2 O groups. In type material, it is associated with gypsum and a poorly crystallized Al–Fe sulfate. The crystallization of batoniite is probably due to the action of H 2 SO 4 on Al-bearing rocks of Paleozoic age cropping out in the Garibaldi Tunnel, the lowest mining level of the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In Valdichiana, an agricultural area of Tuscany (C Italy), an antique landrace of elephant garlic (A. ampeloprasum L.) locally known as "Aglione della Valdichiana" has been cultivated for a long time, and has been recently recognized as a traditional agri-food product of Tuscany and of Italy. Two methods of cultivation of elephant garlic are currently in use in Valdichiana: conventional and organic, the latter not making use of mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides, even if the cultivation of elephant garlic is a low impact one. This paper aimed at testing if there are differences in the mineral and nutraceutical profiles of elephant garlic cultivated conventionally and organically in the Valdichiana area. Our results indicated only small differences and no evidence of healthier food or superior nutraceutical quality for organically grown elephant garlic. In the Valdichiana area (Tuscany, Italy) an ancient native landrace of elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), locally known as "Aglione della Valdichiana", has long been cultivated. The aim of this study was to check whether there are differences in the mineral and nutraceutical profiles of the Aglione della Valdichiana cultivated conventionally and organically. Based on the analysis by ICP-MS of a wide array of major, minor, essential, and non-essential trace elements as well as rare earth elements, and the evaluation of the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, soluble proteins, soluble sugars, and starch, as well as the weight and water content, it was concluded that differences in the mineral and nutraceutical profiles of organically and conventionally grown bulbs were very limited. Only a statistically (p < 0.05) higher concentration of Cd (+2620%), Co (+113%), Mn (+55%), Rb (+180%), and Sb (+180%), as well as glucose (+37%) in conventionally cultivated bulbs emerged. Cadmium was the only element slightly higher than in the "reference plant," but with a negligible risk (three orders of magnitude lower) for human health based on consumption. It is concluded that we failed to find evidence of healthier food or a higher nutraceutical quality for organically cultivated elephant garlic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolichopoda schiavazzii is a cave cricket species endemic to Tuscany, Italy. This species inhabits natural limestone caves and also man-made hypogean environments. Dolichopoda schiavazzii can colonize new environments both passively and actively. This species shows a metapopulational structure depending on both the cave's external bioclimatic conditions and the geographical distance. This paper reports data on 26 allozyme loci in nine populations of D. s. schiavazzii and in one of D. s. caprai, investigates their genetic structuring and provides measures of gene flow between them at different geographical scales. Some loci showed heterozygote deficiencies, probably owing to the Wahlund effect, caused by the mixing of individuals belonging to two different cohorts. Genetic subdivision is high, particularly among populations inhabiting caves located on the Tyrrhenian coast. The mean F[sub ST] (θ estimator) across populations was 0.34. An analysis of the gene flow levels, carried out by comparing pairwise Nm values, indicates that the number of migrants drops as the geographical distance increases, suggesting the actual occurrence of gene flow only between geographically close populations in an inner area of Tuscany where the occurrence of mesophilous woods might favour migration between caves. The general picture, however, is one of a substantial lack of gene flow, even if a significant trend of isolation by distance is found, probably reflecting historical gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic radically changed learning approaches by introducing long-distance teaching methods that are being applied both partially or completely. However, this emergency solution has not allowed everyone access to primary and secondary education and has resulted in various forms of discomfort due to students' socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. This contribution aims to demonstrate how long-distance teaching has produced different effects in the diverse pathways of study within the Italian school system which is based on early tracking and is characterized by the persistence of social reproduction mechanisms that have long been called attention to. In order to highlight how long-distance learning has been experienced differently by technical, vocational, and liceo students, an exploratory qualitative study focused on different upper secondary pathways within some schools in Tuscany was carried out. From the data collected, it was revealed that the greatest difficulties were encountered by students from low-SES families mostly concentrated in vocational schools. The pandemic emergency, therefore, seems to have further underscored the relational and educational needs of the most disadvantaged students. Overcoming an educational system based on early tracking could be a first necessary response to dealing with these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with arsenic distribution in groundwater, soil and edible vegetables in the densely populated area of the Versilia Plain (Tuscany region, Italy), addressing potential impacts on people's health. The data revealed high As concentrations in some domestic irrigation wells, exceeding 1200 µg/L. The average As concentration in topsoil and subsoil was 39 and 46 mg/kg, respectively, with the highest concentration reaching about 200 mg/kg. Arsenic concentrates in plant roots compared with the edible parts; in tomato fruits, black cabbage leaves and edible leek parts As reached about 0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, respectively. Geochemical and hydrostratigraphic data suggest that As in soils and alluvial sediments originated from mineralized and historical upstream mining areas. The exposure routes for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment here considered include soil ingestion, dermal absorption, soil dust inhalation and vegetable consumption. For non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects, the hazard was higher than the acceptance threshold. The calculated soil screening levels resulted even lower than the guideline soil-concentration imposed by Italian regulations, and this poses an issue on the actual meaning of arsenic regulatory thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]