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The goal of this study was to track the progress of Italian children at risk for school failure enrolled in preschools based on the Reggio-Emilia approach. Risk factors considered included family socioeconomic status (SES), child receptive language, and child gender. Participants were 211 children (Mage = 60.8 months, 116 girls) in Reggio-inspired preschools in Genoa, Italy. The sample was followed over six time points starting from the last year of preschool (ages 5-6 years) through the end of the second year of elementary school. We examined trajectories of school liking, teacher-child relationships, and teacher-rated language/mathematics. Trajectories of at-risk children were predominantly indistinguishable from those of the full sample. Children at risk because of lower SES and poorer receptive language (but not gender) were rated by teachers as more dependent than children not identified as at risk. Contrary to expectations, children of mothers from low-SES backgrounds liked school more than the rest of the sample.

Systematic, mandated facilitation of school transitions is an important but understudied aspect of the Reggio-Emilia approach to early childhood education admired internationally as best practice. We studied the links between Northern Italian transition practices and academic achievement, school liking, cooperativeness, and problem behaviors. We followed 288 students across a transition from preschool to elementary school. Schools varied in their implementation of transition practices. High implementation of Reggio-type transition practices was related to significantly more school liking and significantly fewer problem behaviors after the transition. At follow-up at the end of the post-transition year, high-implementation schools were still characterized by lower levels of problem behavior. These data indicate that the facilitation of school transitions in the Reggio-Emilia tradition is associated with successful post-transition adjustment.

Recently, food-related policy initiatives have proliferated, such as food strategies, food plans, food councils, food districts and food communities, just to name the more relevant ones. Far from being systematically defined and logically systematized, these concepts often overlap or are used as synonyms. The paper has systematically traced the current trends showing how these concepts are used in the current debate, the theoretical background on which they are grounded and the public policies they call for, following a threefold approach: (1) a literature analysis to establish the state of academic research on food systems in its multidimensionality; (2) a review of the existing national legislation to detect the utilization of food policy-related lemmas in the normative; (3) a computational linguistic analysis applied on institutional documentation to explore how cities and territories are using concepts and definitions in the grey literature. The results show that the construction of narratives around the topic of food systems planning is experiencing a momentum, with particular emphasis on principles, background premises and governance aspects. In this context, the risk of marginality for the agricultural sector in such discourses and narratives is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aim (i) to redesign sepsis's clinical pathway and fit the organizational requirements of a novel machine‐learning algorithm incorporating a novel biomarker test and (ii) to assess adoption drivers of the new combined technology. Background: There is an urgent need to achieve sepsis' early detection and diagnostic excellence. Methods: A qualitative study based on semi‐structured interviews conducted at the target site and across other Italian hospitals. A content analysis was undertaken, emergent themes were selected and categorized, and interviews were conducted until saturation was reached. Results: Sixteen nurses (10 at the target site and six across other hospitals) and nine non‐nursing professionals (seven at the target site and two across other hospitals) were interviewed. An organizational redesign was identified as the primary adoption driver. Even though nurses perceived workload increase related to the machine‐learning component, technology acceptability was relatively high, as the standardization of tasks was perceived as crucial to improving professional satisfaction. Conclusions: A novel business‐oriented solution based on machine learning requires interprofessional integration, new professional roles, infrastructure improvement, and data integration to be effectively implemented. Implications for Nursing Management: Lessons learned from this study suggest the need to involve nurses in the early stages of the design of new machine‐learning technologies and the importance of training nurses on sepsis management through the support of disruptive technological innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opencast mining is currently one of the most destructive economic activities of natural ecosystems. Many restoration techniques have been developed to promote the recovery of terrestrial ecosystems degraded by mining, and afforestation and reforestation are among the most important methods to this purpose. In this study, we evaluated the combined effect of tree species mixture and thinning intervention on growth dynamics and responses to the climate of a target native planted oak (pedunculate oak, Quercus robur L.) about 40 years after reforestation of an opencast lignite mining area in Central Italy. The species used for reforestation were a native tree species (Q. robur L.), two valuable broadleaved trees (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Prunus avium L.) and a nitrogen-fixing tree (Alnus cordata Loisel.) to improve timber quality and restore the ecological and environmental value of the degraded land. Climate-growth relationships for precipitation, the Standardised Precipitation-Evaporation Index (SPEI), and temperature (on a monthly and seasonal scale) were tested together with indices based on tree-ring responses to drought. Thinning improved the stem quality and promoted a significant long-term increase in basal area increment (BAI, +31.0%) only in the mixture with alder. The thinning effect slightly mitigated radial growth reductions of oak trees during drought (resistance) and produced a general improvement in the magnitude of resilience and post-drought growth recovery (+37% and +27% on average, respectively). This effect was most evident when oak trees were mixed with only the N-fixing alder species, both after shorter- and longer-term drought or rainfall reduction. In conclusion, the mixture with alder combined with thinning practices resulted in the best management option to produce good-quality stems, improve growth performances, and mitigate drought effects in the recovery of opencast lignite mines through reforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional thinning and stand silviculture had positive effects on tree stability, stand efficiency and tree growth if compared to the lack of management. Nevertheless, the tree oriented silviculture has proven to be a type of management best meets the multifunctionality pourpouses required by forests today. In Italy beech high forests are generally managed with traditional thinning from below ascribable to stand silviculture; in the last decades tree oriented silviculture, an innovative management system is spreading in Europe. The aim of the study is to compare two thinning types applied in two localities of central Italy, in beech stands deriving from shelterwood system, aged 45-50 years: stand silviculture (SS), treesilviculure (TS) and control (C). All trees were periodically measured in order to assess growth, mortality and production from 2008 onwards. Crop trees DBH, selected for each silvicultural approach, was annually measured while, an evaluation of the stem quality, crown development and stability were carried out between the 1st and last thinnings. Differences in vertical and horizontal diversity stand structures were assessed. Results pointed out similar growth rate at stand level; while a superior growth in diameter, in dimension of the crown and stability of the crop trees were observed in TS. The TS has proven to be the management option that best meets the multifunctionality required by forests today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to assess the impact of different thinning approaches for coppice conversion into high forest of Turkey oak stands in Italy. The stand structure and the tree/shrub diversity were analyzed in 27 long-term monitoring plots from 7 experimental trials in the Colline Metallifere district (Tuscany, Central Italy) to verify the consistency of the original cultivation goals with the current stand structures. Three different approaches were applied from 1969 onwards: thinning from below, selective thinning, and no-management. Three indexes of specific diversity (Specific Richness, Shannon index and Importance Value) and two indexes of vertical diversity (Vertical Evenness and Coefficient of variation of tree height) were used to analyze and compare the outcome of management practices. The results showed a significantly higher dimensional variability and basal area, and a more complex vertical diversity in control plots and in the plots subject to selective thinning, as compared with plots subject to thinning from below. Tree species richness was high in all plots, independently of the thinning type applied. Based on our results, we suggest Turkey oak-dominated transitory stands to be initially managed by thinning from below, which is easy to be implemented and economically feasible. Selective thinning may be applied later with the aim of promoting sporadic but valuable tree species and increasing tree species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Walnut growing on mine spoil banks, alone or associated with a N-fixer, was studied. • Italian alder positively influenced walnut growth, also by improving stem shape. • Black locust enhanced soil quality more than alder, increasing organic matter and porosity. • Due to its invasive nature, black locust eventually depressed walnut, nearly eliminating it. Mining activities have a major impact on the environment, depressing several ecosystem services. Afforestation is an efficient approach to recovering abandoned mining areas. This paper aims to assess the suitability of common walnut (Juglans regia L.) for planting on mine spoil banks for wood production, hydrogeological protection, and climate change mitigation. The paper also examines if associating walnut with a nitrogen-fixing species, such as Italian alder (Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby) or black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), is advantageous compared to monoculture for the mentioned objectives. For this purpose, contiguous stands of pure walnut and walnut intercropped with one of the two nitrogen-fixing species were studied. The stands had been growing for 34 years on the spoil banks of a lignite mine in central Italy that was abandoned in the 1980s. Overall, walnut in monoculture showed good performances on the infertile substrate, in terms of both growth and stored carbon. On average, in fact, walnut showed a mean height of 16.2 m and a woody volume of 70.1 m3/ha, and had stored 16.5 Mg C/ha between above and below ground. However, walnut significantly benefited from the association with Italian alder, which stimulated the early growth of walnut (up to 15 years) and improved the commercial quality of woody assortments. At the current age, walnut showed significant differences in diameter at breast height (DBH, 44.6%) and total height (H, 17.9%) between the stand where it was originally interspersed with 75% Italian alder and the stand where it grew in monoculture. Alder did not improve soil carbon sequestration, while black locust showed a greater soil improving capacity than alder when associated with walnut, both in terms of organic matter enrichment and bulk density decrease. However, black locust impressive growth rate and strength in chasing suckers induced high walnut mortality. Our results demonstrated that Italian alder is to be preferred to black locust as a nitrogen-fixing species to be associated with walnut, at least in the pedoclimatic and environmental conditions we dealt with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the quality of disclosure and the level of accountability of Italian museums using MPADI2 index (Wei et al. 2008; Botes et al. 2013) on a sample of 13 annual reports which, given the legal status of some entities, encompasses the activity of 93 Italian public and private museums, many of which are within the most visited in Italy and worldwide. The results allow for an international comparison with the annual reports of a panel of USA, UK and European museums which have undergone the same MPADI2 analysis, giving an interesting insight about museum different disclosing practices across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coppice silviculture has a long tradition in Italy. Societal demands have led to the development of forest management techniques for integrating wood production with other kinds of forest uses and regulations have been issued to limit forest degradation. In Italy, 35% of the national forest cover is currently managed under coppice silvicultural systems that provide 66% of the annual wood production. Fuel-wood demand is increasing and a large amount of fuelwood is currently imported in Italy. Modern coppice practices differ from those adopted in the past and may have a reduced impact on ecosystem characteristics and processes. Nevertheless, coppice silviculture has a bad reputation mostly on grounds that are beyond economic, technical and ecological rationales. Neither cessation of use nor a generalized conversion from coppice to high forest are likely to respond simultaneously to the many demands deriving from complex and articulated political and economic perspectives operating at global, European, national, regional and forest stand-level scales. Different approaches of modern silviculture to coppice successfully tested in Italy for more than a decade are illustrated. We propose to combine different options at the stand and sub-stand level, including either development without human interference or conversion to high forest, and to apply these approaches within the framework of novel forest management plans and regionally consistent administrative procedures. This bottom-up approach represents a potential solution to the socio-economic and environmental challenges affecting coppicing as a silvicultural system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since installation of the new accelerator at INFN-LABEC in Florence in 2004, the workload has progressively increased in the radiocarbon dating laboratory, requiring a faster sample preparation throughput and greater versatility to allow for a larger variety of treated materials. The "standard" sample preparation line is based on an elemental analyzer (EA) for the combustion of the pretreated samples, and a vacuum line where the CO2 is collected and then converted to graphite. This line has been recently redesigned while maintaining the EA, since this instrument provides us reliable and fast sample combustion and separation of gases. The volumes were optimized and all the mechanical parts (e.g. the fittings) were changed in order to improve the vacuum level, thus decreasing the possibility of contamination; finally, the number of graphitization reactors was doubled (from 4 to 8). In those rare cases involving samples characterized by a complex nearly graphitic structure (e.g. burnt residues), the EA might not guarantee a complete combustion. For these samples, we successfully tested the new sample preparation line that has been recently installed at LABEC and especially dedicated to aerosol samples. This line is equipped with a custom-made combustion oven able to heat to 1000 °C. The subsequent gas separation is accomplished by chemical and thermal traps. As an example, the dating of organic matter collected from an Etruscan bronze statue will be presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by early perivascular inflammation, microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) activation/damage, and defective angiogenesis. Junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs) regulate leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation and ischemia-reperfusion injury, vascular permeability, and angiogenesis. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible role of JAMs in SSc pathogenesis. Methods JAM-A and JAM-C expression levels in skin biopsy samples from 25 SSc patients and 15 healthy subjects were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Subcellular localization of JAMs in cultured healthy dermal MVECs and SSc MVECs was assessed by confocal microscopy. Serum levels of soluble JAM-A (sJAM-A) and sJAM-C in 64 SSc patients and 32 healthy subjects were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results In control skin, constitutive JAM-A expression was observed in MVECs and fibroblasts. In early-stage SSc skin, JAM-A expression was strongly increased in MVECs, fibroblasts, and perivascular inflammatory cells. In late-stage SSc, JAM-A expression was decreased compared with controls. JAM-C was weakly expressed in control and late-stage SSc skin, while it was strongly expressed in MVECs, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells in early-stage SSc. Surface expression of JAM-A was higher in early-stage SSc MVECs and increased in healthy MVECs stimulated with early-stage SSc sera. JAM-C was cytoplasmic in resting healthy MVECs, while it was recruited to the cell surface upon challenge with early-stage SSc sera. Early-stage SSc MVECs exhibited constitutive surface JAM-C expression. In SSc, increased levels of sJAM-A and sJAM-C correlated with early disease and measures of vascular damage. Conclusion Our findings indicate that JAMs may participate in MVEC activation, inflammatory processes, and impaired angiogenesis in different stages of SSc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a neo-liberal approach, the need to increase levels of cost saving, effectiveness, and quality in producing local public services is correlated to awareness of the limited resources available and is an economic issue that has been much debated in recent decades. Ways of measuring and evaluating public services have stimulated academic interest for several years now. In this context, evaluating the levels of performance of public services provided by non-profit organizations (NPOs) as a consequence of contracting-out by public administration is an essential variable in rationalizing—both in terms of quantity and quality—public expenditure. The aim of this article is to measure multi-dimensional aspects of nursery school services offered by Italian municipalities and to verify whether using different management models makes a difference in the results obtained. We examine data contained in final accounts of main Italian municipalities in order to evaluate effectiveness, cost saving, and quality aspects of the nursery school service supplied. Regarding overall performance, the distinction between direct management and contracting-out has not brought out significant differences in terms of effectiveness and cost saving, even if the direct management solution is better than the externalized one. By contrast, as previous research showed, quality levels for externalized services are on average lower than for directly managed services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at evaluating the role of standards in chestnut coppices from a biological and functional perspective. In addition to a detailed analysis of Italian regulations on the issue, the technical definition of the term is analysed: (i) as for the functional role of standards; (ii) to assess whether the required functions are technically necessary and are being actually performed. In this contex, the results of an experimental trial are reported. The goal of the trial were to assess the shoots' parameters, the stand productivity, the dynamics of canopy cover in coppices with or without standards. In 2001, at harvesting operations in a coppice aged 30 with standards managed by the local community, two experimental plots 2500 m2 each were established. The two theses being compared were: simple coppice and coppixce with standards (100 standards per hectare). The released standards were qualified immediately after final harvesting. Sprouting ability, growth pattern and stool vitality were surveyed in March 2004 (at age 2), in May 2008 (at age 6) and in April 2010 (at age 8). First results highlighted the evidence of statistically significant differences between the two thesis. The high number of standards effected negatively both vitality and growth pattern of the stools. Simple coppice recorded a lower shoot mortality, a higher diametrical growth and canopy cover degree as well; the heigth growth was, on the opposite, significantly lower. These results, although referred to a limited lifespan (1/3 of the rotation time) and to one site only, underline productive, ecological and environmental benefits and as a consequence suggest the widening of the experimental network and the development of new, more relevant and consistent rules, making acceptable the simple coppice as a possible silvicultural choice to be applied to chestnut coppices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of electrical power and electricity networks in Italian cities between the 19th and 20th centuries, with a focus on the economic historiography of the Italian electrical industry during this period, and with reference to the city of Siena in the Tuscany region. Topics discussed include the history of industrialization in Italy, the development of electrical networks within local districts, and the history and development of the electrical sector in the city of Siena.

• Context: This research was conducted in a 62-year-old stone pine ( Pinus pinea L.) forest within the National Natural Reserve of the Roman Coast, Italy. Net under-canopy precipitation was measured between September 2004 and December 2008 in a unthinned and a thinned area of about 1 ha each. • Aims: The goals were to document and compare net under-canopy rainfall (throughfall and stemflow) in thinned and unthinned stands, and evaluate how the re-growth of tree crowns following thinning influences canopy interception. • Methods: Thinning was carried out during the winter of 2002 and reduced the number of trees by 56% and leaf area index (LAI) by 63%. Rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow were measured and analysed. • Results: Interception loss averaged 23% and 40% in the thinned and unthinned areas respectively, but difference decreased during larger rainfall events. Net under-canopy precipitation was always higher ( P < 0.001) in the thinned area, and showed a significant ( P = 0.041) relationship with LAI. Stemflow was very low. • Conclusion: These results highlight the positive effect of thinning, which reduces water loss from precipitation caused by interception of rainfall in Mediterranean forests that have never been thinned. Thinning guarantees a greater flow of water under the canopy, particularly in the driest months and for lower amounts of rainfall, and improves stand growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faecal samples were collected from 324 pet reptiles showing no clinical signs, including 28 saurian species (n=192), three ophidian species (n=74) and three chelonian species (n=58). Samples were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by direct smear and faecal flotation, while direct immunofluorescence assays were used to reveal the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. Overall, 57.4 per cent of the reptiles were harbouring intestinal parasites. These included oxyurids (16 per cent), coccidia (12.3 per cent), flagellates (9.3 per cent), strongyles (6.8 per cent), coccidia plus oxyurids (4.9 per cent), coccidia plus flagellates (1.8 per cent), coccidia plus strongyles (1.8 per cent), oxyurids plus strongyles (1.2 per cent), oxyurids plus flagellates (1.2 per cent), Cryptosporidium species (1.2 per cent) and strongyles plus flagellates (0.6 per cent). Intestinal parasites were more prevalent in saurians than in ophidians and chelonians, in insectivores than in carnivores, omnivores and herbivores, and in wild-caught than in captive-born reptiles. A highly significant difference was observed for saurians versus chelonians (odds ratio [OR]=2.20, 95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 1.21 to 3.99), insectivores versus herbivores (OR=2.38, 95 per cent CI 1.26 to 4.49) and in wild-caught versus captive-born pet reptiles (OR=2.36, 95 per cent CI 1.27 to 4.40). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A preliminary analysis was made of growth trends in two silver fir forests in the Apennines in central Italy. The forests are closely located but were managed differently in the past. The aim was to verify the climatic variation over time, the influence of extreme events on radial growth and the role of silvicultural systems in defining growth response. The two forests have distinct structures due to differing past silvicultural management. The Camaldoli Forest, containing one-storeyed, evenaged, pure silver fir stands, was essentially managed in the past for wood production and featured high plantation density, low to moderate thinning, and clear cutting every 80–100 years. The La Verna Forest includes multi-layered, unevenaged stands that are mixed in with beech and other broadleaves. Increment cores were collected from aged dominant and healthy trees in the two forests. Climatic data were taken from the Camaldoli station and covers the period 1885–1994. All the analysed dendroecological parameters displayed similar patterns and indicated suitable site conditions for the silver fir. Silvicultural systems played an important role in defining growth pattern and rate. In the evenaged system there were higher growth rates and a greater number of pointer years, whereas there were lower growth rates and long, homogeneous development stages in the semi-natural conditions of La Verna. A rising growth trend recorded in the last three decades in both series could be explained by the consistent extension of the growing season due to a significant increase of mean spring and autumn temperatures. No correlation was found with precipitation while significant correlations were found between tree ring growth and February, April and August temperatures. Preliminary results indicated that the silvicultural system does not bias, but just enhances the ability of the species to record the effects of disturbing factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to explore the acceptance of peers with mental retardation (MR) in an Italian elementary school hosting a cluster of pupils with severe and profound MR. A similar school in which most pupils have little regular contact with children with disabilities participated for purposes of comparison. To assess social acceptance, we presented photographs of hypothetical children together with vignettes describing the protagonists' social behaviour. Respondents indicated how likely they would be to include the hypothetical child in social activities and which of the adjectives on a checklist they would ascribe to the child. Although most of the participants responded that they would include the hypothetical child in most social activities, sociometrics revealed that five of the six children with moderate disabilities who were integrated in the regular classes of both schools were rejected socially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active tuberculosis in prisoners are higher than the general population and are two public health concerns, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with LTBI among the inmate population detained in three Southern Italian penitentiaries. Tuberculin intradermal reaction skin test was performed on the inmates who agreed to participate in the study. In case of positivity, the QuantiFERON-TB test was performed. In those positive to QuantiFERON, chest X-ray films were performed, and treatment initiated. A total of 381 inmates accepted to participate. The prevalence of LTBI was 4.2%. In the analysis, LTBI was associated with no self-reported contact with active tuberculosis patients within the prisons, and 10% of subjects admitted the use of inhaled drugs. No HIV coinfections were found. No cases of active symptomatic tuberculosis were identified during the study period. Our results confirm that incarceration increases the risk of tuberculous infection. Non-EU nationality and a history of drug addiction appear to be major risk factors for tuberculosis infection in the penitentiary setting. Reinforcing tuberculosis control is essential to prevent its transmission in prisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Abies alba is able to grow and regenerate under meso -Mediterranean conditions. • Mediterranean silver fir decadal tree ring width trends follow European patterns. • Lowland silver firs are very sensitive to water shortage and summer drought. • Drought summers impact the growth in the current season but not in the following. • Silver fir confirms its potential to thrive at the warm edge of its distribution. The potential ecological envelope of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) based on its present distribution suggests a high suitability for moist rather than warm and dry environments. This contrasts with paleoecological evidence reporting its former presence at low elevations under meso -Mediterranean conditions. In this study, we evaluated the growth performance of silver fir at low elevation (20–60 m a.s.l.) under meso -Mediterranean climatic conditions in Tuscany (central Italy). We conducted a dendroecological analysis on Abies alba trees along a geomorphological gradient (from depression to upper slope conditions). Climate-growth relationships were assessed by means of correlations, response functions, pointer years, and superposed epoch analysis. Silver fir was found to grow and regenerate well in these stands mixed with evergreen (e.g., Quercus ilex L.) and thermophilous deciduous Mediterranean tree species (e.g., Q. cerris L.). Summer drought was the most growth-influencing factor, with immediate (i.e., current season) negative impacts on tree-ring widths (TRW). No significant impacts were observed in the four years following extreme summer droughts, but the TRW series (which started between the 1930s and 1950s) showed a growth decline since the mid-1990s that is likely drought-related. Our results show that, provided there is a sufficiently large soil water holding capacity, silver fir provenances exist which are able to withstand Mediterranean summer droughts, can naturally and regularly regenerate in these systems, and may even dominate over typical meso -Mediterranean species. As long as annual precipitation is not too low (i.e., >850 mm) and summer drought conditions not too extreme (i.e., less than three months), silver fir has thus the potential to thrive under warm Mediterranean conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the applicability of Forecast, a neural network, in monitoring road surface temperature in Italy. Prediction of subzero temperatures and ice formation; Functionality; Efficacy in providing temperature data.

Abstract: The main facility of the new INFN laboratory in Florence (LABEC, LAboratorio di tecniche nucleari per i BEni Culturali) is a 3MV Tandetron accelerator, manufactured by High Voltage Engineering Europe, used for both Accelerator Mass Spectrometry and Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) measurements. The AMS beam line is equipped with a 59-sample sputter ion source and a sequential injector – on the low energy side – and a spectrometer composed of a 115° analysing magnet and a 65° electrostatic analyser – on the high energy side. A sample preparation laboratory has been installed for radiocarbon measurements. Combustion of pre-treated organic samples is performed using an elemental analyser; four parallel graphitisation reactors are available for CO2 reduction. In this paper, the performance of the whole system is presented: 14C values of chemistry blanks correspond to radiocarbon ages in the order of 50,000 years BP; measurements of 14C concentration in different standard reference materials demonstrate good accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Less is More and Choosing Wisely (CW) campaigns have raised awareness about inappropriate diagnostic procedures and therapeutic approaches among both physicians and patients. • Little is currently known about the effects of Choosing Wisely recommendation-driven educational programs on clinical practice. • The CW-SIMI study evaluated the impact of a simple educational program, based on the Italian Society of Internal Medicine (SIMI) Choosing Wisely recommendations, on clinical practice in internal medicine units. • The proposed online educational intervention effectively reduced the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription rate and the mean duration of central venous catheter (CVC) usage. To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on the Italian Society of Internal Medicine Choosing Wisely (CW-SIMI) recommendations. Multicenter, interventional, controlled study. Twenty-three acute-care hospital wards in Italy. 303 Physicians working in internal medicine wards. An online educational course. The rate of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescriptions, the number of days of central venous catheter (CVC) usage, and the duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotic prescriptions evaluated at one month (T1) and at six months (T2) after course completion. Patients admitted and discharged during a 30-day period before the educational intervention (T0, one year before T2) were considered the comparison group. A total of 232 physicians completed the course, while 71 did not attend the course. Data from 608, 662, and 555 patients were analyzed at T0, T1, and T2, respectively. The rate of PPI prescriptions declined at one month (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52–0.87, p = 0.0005) and at six months (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46–0.84, p = 0.003), and the number of days of CVC usage was reduced at six months (9.13 days at T0 vs. 5.52 days at T2, p = 0.007). The duration of IV antibiotic prescriptions displayed a decreasing trend (7.94 days at T0 vs. 7.42 days at T2, p = 0.081). A simple online educational intervention based on the CW-SIMI recommendations was associated with a clinically relevant reduction in the usage of PPIs and CVCs. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and a possible benefit on patients' outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although companies are decisive in contributing to urban resilience, unresolved questions remain about which practices they can implement. Considering that the concept of resilience is acknowledged both explicitly and implicitly in a range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this research aims to fill the existing gap between theoretical considerations about the role of companies in fostering urban resilience and the practices they implement and disclose. First, we build a theoretical framework based on strategic and instrumental components that can support the contribution of companies to urban resilience. Subsequently, we analyze 138 sustainability reports from organizations operating in Italy and Japan to identify how the SDGs, in particular those targets concerning environmental and social resilience, are implemented in their activities and communicated in their nonfinancial reports. Because greater attention to disclosures on the impacts of companies on resilience is a starting point for action towards achieving the SDGs, this study provides new insights into the contribution of companies to the resilience of cities, thus advancing the literature on the link between business and urban resilience. • Resilience is acknowledged both explicitly and implicitly in a range of SDG targets. • New insights into the contribution of companies to the resilience of cities. • Theoretical framework based on strategies and instruments for urban resilience. • Content analysis of 138 GRI sustainability reports of Italian and Japanese companies. • Biodiversity, prevention and governance as the main strategies addressed by companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tuscany Region was the first Italian Region to initiate a program for the prevention of hip fractures in over 65 year old. The T.A.R.Ge.T. project "Appropriate treatment of geriatric re-fractures in Tuscany" (Trattamento Appropriato delle Rifratture Geriatriche in Toscana), which is still on-going, includes a preliminary phase (2009-2010) for baseline analysis and education of the participating centers and a 4-year-prospective phase (2011-2014). The monitoring system is performed horizontally analyzing 5 different flows: SDO (Performance Hospitalization), SPF (Pharmaceutical Distribution Dataset), FED (Direct Distribution Dataset), SAA (Registry of Patients), SPA (Specialized Outpatient) flows. In this review will be shown some of the most important results of analyzes of the retrospective phase. Between 2006 and 2011 only 26% of hip fractured patients has being treated with anti-osteoporotic drugs. The percentage of treatment increases 10% after the second fracture. Until 2011 there wasn't in Tuscany a prevention program of bone fragility; patients were treated with specific treatment only in severe cases: this phenomenon implies that mortality and re-fracture are higher on treated patients than in patients who did not have any kind of treatment. The treated patients are the most severe and therefore they have a higher risk of death and re-fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A crustal reflection seismic profile, more than 100km long, was recorded across central Sicily, from the Tyrrhenian shore to the Sicily Channel, to understand the deep structures and the collision mechanisms between Europe and Africa and the subsequent geodynamic evolution. The profile was acquired using explosive sources and 240 active channels recorded by a Sercel 408-XL, 24 bits A/D converter, with a 12km spread and a 24-fold coverage. The data were processed following a non-conventional procedure in order to preserve the relative amplitudes of the reflections and to better investigate the Sicily deep structures down to the Moho. The main highlighted structures are the dramatic flexure of the Iblean crust, the huge, deeper than expected, trough of Caltanissetta consisting of deep seated thrusts and nappes, and the imbricate thrust system of rigid bodies characterizing the northern Maghrebian chain. We designed an ad hoc acquisition and processing in order to highlight these main geological features in the seismic stacked section. Moreover, the deepest parts of the Caltanissetta trough are imaged for the first time, and its bottom is now fixed at more than 7s TWT. The giant crustal wedge flexuring the Iblean foreland and the Moho geometries are examinated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The magmatic island of Capraia in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea records late stages in the evolution of a retreating subduction zone following continental accretion. Subduction rollback in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea was accompanied by an eastward migrating magmatic arc that coincided with Capraia at ∼7.7Ma. This was followed by segmentation of the subducting slab through eastward propagating tear faults. We present high-precision, step-heating 40Ar/39Ar data that provide robust constraints for the timing of magmatism in Capraia, indicating that the island was subjected to two distinct magmatic episodes. The bulk of the island, characterised by typical calcalkaline, subduction-related volcanic rocks, formed during a relatively short period between 7.7 and 7.2Ma. This major magmatic event was followed by a period of quiescence between 7.1 and 4.8Ma. Magmatic activity resumed at 4.8Ma, with the eruption of shoshonites from a monogenic centre in the southern part of the island. We interpret the latter as a magmatic event triggered by the formation of a tear fault within the subduction slab. The example provides a unique insight into the destruction of a subduction system during the interlinked process of subduction rollback, slab segmentation, and the development of slab tear faults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Prisoners are at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency due to their lacking exposure to sunlight. So far, there are no published studies evaluating blood levels of vitamin D in relation to the health status of inmates and the quality of the Italian prison system., Aim: To investigate vitamin D status and its determinants in a cohort of prisoners., Subject and Methods: One hundred and seventy-two (172) pri-son inmates (males, n=159, age 47± 11.3 years; females, n=13, age 43.91±12.18 years) of three penitentiaries in the province of Salerno. Vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency were respectively defined as a 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL; from 20 to 30 ng/mL, >30 ng/mL., Results: In our group, Vitamin D deficiency occurs in 77.32% of the prisoners with 32.55% of the cases having severe insufficiency. Prisoners with higher BMI show lower circulating vitamin D levels (p<0.001). No significant relationship was found with the duration of detention (Pearson R: 0.01)., Conclusion: In this cohort of inmates the vitamin D status is determined by BMI, but not by the duration of the detention.

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of congenital heart disease in a homogeneous population we examined 46,895 liveborns in the period from January 1975 to December 1984 in the Careggi Maternity Hospital in Florence., Methods: The diagnosis of congenital heart disease was made in 579 newborns within five days from birth. All newborns were examined clinically by two neonatologists and referred to the pediatric cardiologist in case of cardiac abnormalities. An ECG was recorded in each of them, chest x-ray in 87% and echo in those who were born after 1980. The children were followed up until December 1989. Mean follow-up period was 6 years., Results: The annual incidence ranged from 9.5% to 15.7% (average 12.3%). Chromosomic anomalies and extra-cardiac malformations occurred in 102 children (17.6%), respectively in 50 (8.6%) and 52 (9.0%) cases. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), isolated or associated, were the most frequently recognized congenital heart diseases. 52 children (9.0%) were lost at follow-up. The initial diagnosis was changed in 11/579 cases. In 187 children (32.3%) there was a spontaneous disappearance of clinical and/or instrumental findings that had suggested the presence of congenital heart disease at birth: in 144 the diagnosis was VSD, and in 43 PDA. The prevalence of VSD was 4.7 per thousand in the period 1975-80 and 8.6 in the period 1981-84. 131 children (22.6%) died, 127 (96.9%) of them in the first year of life. 52 children were operated on and pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed in 5., Conclusions: The prevalence of congenital heart disease does not change during a long observation period, while the number of VSDs increases. VSD and PDA spontaneously close in a high percentage of cases. The study suggests the usefulness of an intensive care unit for newborns with severe congenital heart disease, especially for those in the first year of life.

The results of many studies on the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse have been greatly influenced by the diagnostic methods and criteria adopted as well as by population selection. The method of choice today is 2d-echocardiography because of its ability to highlight both movement anomaly (i.e. functional prolapse) and any eventual morphological variations of the mitral valve (i.e. anatomic prolapse). The latter (chordae lengthening, thickening and overabundance of the leaflets, dilation of the valvular ring) are, nowadays, considered especially important even as predictive factors of complications. Therefore we studied the prevalence of these two types of prolapse in a population of 420 university students. Functional mitral valve prolapse was found in 27/420 (6.4%) and anatomical prolapse in 2 cases (0.5%). No auscultatory finding was present in 24/27 patients with functional prolapse. There was no correlation between the two types of mitral valve prolapse and the body mass index, the fractional shortening of the left ventricle and symptoms (dyspnea, palpitations, precordial pain, dizziness). We think that the distinction between the two types of mitral valve prolapse should prove very useful for the comparison of results in future epidemiological studies. Follow-up of both groups of patients will hopefully clarify the usefulness of such distinction from the clinical point of view.

11,584 consecutive live-born babies in the Ostetric Clinic of Florence in the years 1975 and 1976 were examined for the presence of congenital heart disease. Diagnosis was made by necropsy, cardiac catheterization and operation in 20% of cases and by clinical observations in 80%. The 74% of babies who were diagnosed as affected by congenital heart disease at birth were eventually controlled. The incidence of congenital heart disease was 7.1% in 10,789 live-born of weight over 2500 g while it was 37% in 795 under such weight. Global incidence was 9.2%. The first essentials in epidemiological study of congenital heart malformations is to define the method which is used for diagnosis since this is the primary factor responsible for wide variations in incidence. It is suggested that the institution of a Regional Register of malformations would allow more accurate estimate of overall incidence of congenital cardiopathies.

337 newborn, in whom a cardiovascular malformation was diagnosed at birth by criteria previously reported, were followed for variable period of time from January 1975 to December 1980. They came from a population of 32,561 live births which occurred at the Maternity of Florence in the same period. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography, surgical procedure or autopsy in the 15 per cent of the whole group. Fifty-nine babies (18 per cent) with one exception died within the first year of age. Signs and symptoms referable to the cardiovascular malformation at birth disappeared during the follow-up period in 33.8 per cent of cases. Total incidence lowered from 10.3 per thousand at birth to 6.8 at the end of the follow-up. The percentage of normalized babies correspond to the frequency with which ventricular septal defects close spontaneously in the first period of age and accounts for the disappearance of this malformation from the first place of relative incidence of cardiac malformations in adults.