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Projectile implements are one of the most frequent transformed lithic blanks within the Upper Paleolithic assemblages. Since the first taxonomic studies, their morphological variability has been used as primary fossil director to define specific regional trends and diachronic phases. However, an exhaustive analysis of manufacturing methods and techniques applied to shape this gear category is extremely rare. In fact, during the Late Epigravettian, except for a certain typological variability, the lack of detailed studies resulted in an apparent homogeneity in armatures production. In this paper, a technological and traceological approach applied to reconstruct the whole chaîne opératoire of armatures manufacture in three Northern Italian sites dated between 17,000 and 12,000 cal BP demonstrates important variations in how projectile implements are fashioned, concerning shape, production methods and retouch techniques. Moreover, a large-scale comparison suggests how renewals in projectile implements production in North-Eastern Italy may result from long-distance connections between human groups over the western Late Epigravettian territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regular monitoring of the seismicity in north-eastern Italy began in 1977, one year after the strong earthquake that caused about 1000 victims in Friuli. Over the years, the monitoring network operated by OGS has increased, today reaching a consolidated level in terms of geometry and number of stations. Furthermore, the entire data acquisition and processing system, which has changed over the years, is currently also highly robust. After the huge number of studies on the 1976 seismic sequence and on the regional seismicity developed in the 1970s and 1980s, the present paper illustrates a comprehensive work on the subject since the beginning of the 21st century. With this work, we take up the thread and analyse the evolution of seismicity in the first two decades of the 21st century (2000-2021). As part of the study, we took a retrospective look at the qualitative development of the data provided by OGS over time, basically focusing on the earthquake catalogue obtained by the network recordings and developing a new relation for calculating the duration magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interdisciplinary study of the ancient landscape of the Trieste Karst (north-eastern Italy) is presented in this paper. Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) has been applied to obtain high-resolution topography of the 25 km2 investigated area in order to identify potential archaeological anomalies. The ALS-derived high-resolution Digital Terrain Models have been visualized and managed using QGIS and Relief Visualization Toolbox. Possible archaeological anomalies have been verified through field surveys and interpreted using a multidisciplinary approach mainly based on the collection of associated archaeological materials and geomorphological and stratigraphic evidence. From a methodological perspective, the elaboration and study of ALS-derived images, and in particular the local relief model visualization, combined with the collection of Roman shoe hobnails, have proven to be effective approaches for the certain identification and dating of Roman roads in karst environments. The obtained results have revealed an almost completely unknown Roman landscape: the investigated area was crossed by important public roads, whose layout has been accurately reconstructed for a total length of over 10 km, and occupied by large country estates, sometimes enclosed within boundary walls perfectly fitting the Roman land division grid. One of the identified buildings could correspond to a road station, perhaps the Avesica known from ancient itinerary documents—i.e., the itinerarium Antonini Augusti—due to its position and proximity to a major road junction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne nematode, causing heartworm (HW) disease in wild and domestic canids. HW can also affect felids with different clinical patterns from asymptomatic pictures to sudden death, making the monitoring and diagnosis complicated. Canine HW is endemic in North-eastern Italy; however, very little information has been recorded for felids. This study aims to provide new information on HW in felids in North-eastern Italy. Two hundred and six domestic cats from Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto-Adige regions (North-eastern Italy), nine captive felids from zoological parks from Veneto, and nineteen European wildcats from Friuli Venezia Giulia were recruited. Sera/plasma was analysed for the detection of anti-HW antibodies (Ab) and HW antigens (Ag); positive blood samples were molecularly analysed, targeting the HW DNA (5S-rRNA gene). Twelve out of two hundred and six (5.8%) cats presented with Ab, and three out of two hundred and six (1.5%) presented with Ag, mainly those from the Veneto region, already known as a canine HW-endemic area. Among Ab-positive cats, two were from Belluno, a mountain province previously considered free, suggesting the expansion of HW into the northern areas. No cats were positive for both Ab and Ag. Three out of nineteen (15.8%) wildcats were Ag-positive, constituting the first HW report in Italy. No captive felids were positive. Dirofilaria immitis DNA was not amplified in positive samples, suggesting the low sensitivity of PCR on blood. This study provides new data on the occurrence of HW in domestic cats and wildcats in North-eastern Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne nematode, causing heartworm (HW) disease in wild and domestic canids. HW can also affect felids with different clinical patterns from asymptomatic pictures to sudden death, making the monitoring and diagnosis complicated. Canine HW is endemic in North-eastern Italy; however, very little information has been recorded for felids. This study aims to provide new information on HW in felids in North-eastern Italy. Two hundred and six domestic cats from Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto-Adige regions (North-eastern Italy), nine captive felids from zoological parks from Veneto, and nineteen European wildcats from Friuli Venezia Giulia were recruited. Sera/plasma was analysed for the detection of anti-HW antibodies (Ab) and HW antigens (Ag); positive blood samples were molecularly analysed, targeting the HW DNA (5S-rRNA gene). Twelve out of two hundred and six (5.8%) cats presented with Ab, and three out of two hundred and six (1.5%) presented with Ag, mainly those from the Veneto region, already known as a canine HW-endemic area. Among Ab-positive cats, two were from Belluno, a mountain province previously considered free, suggesting the expansion of HW into the northern areas. No cats were positive for both Ab and Ag. Three out of nineteen (15.8%) wildcats were Ag-positive, constituting the first HW report in Italy. No captive felids were positive. Dirofilaria immitis DNA was not amplified in positive samples, suggesting the low sensitivity of PCR on blood. This study provides new data on the occurrence of HW in domestic cats and wildcats in North-eastern Italy.

This paper shows the first findings of an ongoing research project on “Territorial Impact Assessment of the Italian regions territorial cohesion. Place based evidence model for the policy evaluation towards the development of green economy in inner and metropolitan peripheries”, coordinated by Maria Prezioso (Tor Vergata University, Rome) as Principal Investigator. We hereby present the results of the first two years of investigation carried out by the Research Unit number 8, located in Trieste.

On October 29, 2019, the Vaia storm hits the North-Eastern regions of Italy by wind gusts exceeding 200 km h-1. The forests in these regions have been seriously damaged. This contribution illustrates the methodology adopted in the emergency phase to estimate forest damages caused by Vaia storm, both in terms of damaged forest areas and growing stock volume of fallen trees. 494 Municipalities registered forest damages caused by Vaia, destroyed or intensely damaged forest stands amounted to about 42.500 ha, spread in Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy and, only marginally, Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. The growing stock volume of fallen trees was about 8.5 millions m3.

In recent years Prosecco, the renowned Italian sparkling wine, has become an increasingly popular product globally, leading to a massive expansion of viticulture within Prosecco’s production zones (north-eastern Italy).

On October 29, 2018, the Vaia storm hits the North-Eastern regions of Italy by wind gusts exceeding 200 km h-1. The forests in these regions have been seriously damaged. This contribution illustrates the methodology adopted in the emergency phase to estimate forest damages caused by Vaia storm, both in terms of damaged forest areas and growing stock volume of fallen trees. 494 Municipalities registered forest damages caused by Vaia, destroyed or intensely damaged forest stands amounted to about 42,500 ha, spread in Trentino Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy and, only marginally, Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. The growing stock volume of fallen trees was about 8.5 millions m³. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonosis caused by a positive RNA single stranded virus of the Hepeviridae family. In developed countries, pigs and wild boars are the main reservoir for zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4. In spring 2017, for the first time HEV was detected in wild boars captured in the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, in north-eastern Italy. Phylogenetic analysis of two complete viral genomes and seven partial ORF1 and ORF2 sequences of HEV viruses, selected from twelve positive animals, showed that the viruses grouped together within genotype 3 but clustered separately from previously identified subtypes, thus suggesting the identification of a novel genotype 3 subtype. The phylogenetic analysis of nine partial ORF2 sequences showed the closest similarity with wild boar/human viruses identified in central-northern Italy in 2012. The circulation of HEVs in this area, characterized by a vast man-made environment, an overpopulation of wild boars and >150 swine farms, should be considered in a public health perspective. Further investigations at the wild/domestic species and human interface are therefore necessary to gain a deeper understanding of HEV dynamics. • Zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E virus detected in wild boars in north-eastern Italy. • Phylogenetic analyses of 2 complete genomes and 7 partial ORF1 and ORF2 sequences. • The Italian hepatitis E viruses cluster separately from previously described subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Over the recent decades, container-breeding mosquito species belonging to the genus Aedes have frequently been recorded far from their place of origin. Aedes koreicus was first reported in north-eastern Italy in 2011, in a region endemic for Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease. The vector competence of Ae. koreicus for D. immitis was here tested under laboratory conditions, by infecting mosquitoes with a local strain of D. immitis. Methods Blood containing 3000 microfilariae/ml was offered to 54 mosquitoes (T group) while 29 were left as a control (C group). Mosquitoes killed at scheduled days post infection (dpi) and naturally dead were divided in head, thorax and abdomen and examined for D. immitis larval stages by dissection under a microscope and molecularly. Results Of the 45 engorged mosquitoes in T, 32 (71.1%) scored positive for D. immitis larval stages. L3 were found as early as 8 dpi in the Malpighian tubules and then in the thorax, salivary glands, palp and proboscis. At the end of the study a total of 18 mosquitoes developed L3 giving an estimated infection rate at 12 dpi of 68.2% and a vector efficiency index of 25.2%. The rate of mortality in T group within the first 9 days post infection was significantly higher in T group (47.6%) than in C group (8.3%) (p

Abundant clay burnt plaster remains and a few flaked tools, including an obsidian artefact, found on the ground surface not far from Trieste (north-eastern Italy) provide rare evidence of a possible prehistoric open-air occupation in the area. To confirm and detail their ancient origin, a plaster sample has been dated between 4000 and 2000 B.C. via thermoluminescence. Outer and inner structure of selected plaster samples has been characterized using several techniques, i.e. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed micro-tomography, obtaining information about their production technology. The last technique has allowed to image and virtually extract vegetal remains and imprints. Their 3D morphological study has contributed to collect information about the ancient environment and has provided clues to define the plaster production season. The provenance of the obsidian artefact from Lipari Island, revealed by prompt gamma activation analysis, suggests that the finding site was part of long-distance connection systems and probably worked as intermediate point between the north-eastern Adriatic coastal areas and the inner Karst plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the housing strategies and changing living styles of the Bangladeshi population in a small town in north-eastern Italy. It analyses the re-use and “domestication” of everyday public spaces, as a way of exploring how bidesh (foreign-land) space is transformed into a shodesh, home-like space. A parallel process of re-functionalization occurs in the private sphere. Different forms of cohabitation are put in place to deal with immigrants’ family-based needs, against deteriorating economic conditions. The process is not without contradictions. For instance, family reunification allows men to recover an important component of their emotional universe, possibly healing the loneliness of migration. Reunified women, though, may experience their new home as an ambivalent place of solitude. Along these lines, the paper also highlights the gap between men’s and women’s views of “home” and “homeland”, in order to make sense of their evolving ways of “feeling at home”.

In this study, the strontium, neodymium and oxygen isotopic composition of Roman (1st–3rd century AD) and late-Roman glass (4th–6th century AD) from Adria and Aquileia, two of the most important archaeological sites of north-eastern Italy, is discussed. The majority of glass analysed, independent from age, shows values of strontium isotope ratios close to that of modern seawater, indicating that the source of lime in the glass was marine shell, and likely coastal sands were used in its production. The Nd signature of all late-Roman glasses from Aquileia and of the majority of the Roman ones from Adria, independent from their chemical composition, is homogeneous and higher than −6 εNd, supporting the hypothesis of an eastern Mediterranean origin, probably located on Syro-Palestinian coast. However, the composition of late-Roman samples with HIMT signature, with lower 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values correlated to higher contents in Fe 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , MgO and lower contents in CaO, suggests an area of origin for this glass on the Egyptian coast. In addition, the different Nd signatures of two Adria Roman glasses (εNd < −7) suggest their primary production in western Mediterranean. Oxygen isotopes proved to be a further diagnostic method to discriminate natron and soda plant ash glass, and different silica sources, in the case of the soda plant ash glass. The combination of isotopic and chemical data supports the hypothesis of an eastern Mediterranean origin for late-Roman glass, which may be produced in few primary workshops on the Syro-Palestinian and Egyptian coast, although not necessarily in the same ateliers as have been identified so far. In the case of the Roman glass investigated, although the majority of data suggests an eastern Mediterranean origin, on the basis of Nd isotopes and chemical compositions, the existence of other primary glass producers located in the western Mediterranean can be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North-eastern Italy is one of the most seismically active areas of Italy, being affected in the past by eight destructive earthquakes. This area is densely populated and heavily industrialized, hence its seismic monitoring is crucial for Civil Defense purposes. This task is managed by the Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS), through its Centro Ricerche Sismologiche (CRS), that performs the automatic real-time locations through the Antelope® BRTT software package. An accurate choice of the Antelope® setting parameters is necessary to ensure the best performance of the real-time system, that means the most accurate location for the earthquakes with magnitude ML=2.5 (the alarm threshold), avoiding any false event. This goal was pursued by testing different parameters on a data set built with 295 earthquakes representative of the local seismicity. The tuned parameters were then validated on the earthquakes which occurred in the monitored area in 2011: all events with MML=2.5 were correctly detected and located with a median epicentral distance difference of 2 km with respect to the OGS catalogue. The OGS real-time system was tuned with these parameters that have been operating successfully since 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of Bronze Age whetstones from protohistoric hill forts, locally called castellieri, of eastern Friuli Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy) has been studied using different techniques, including non-destructive methods such as X-ray computed microtomography and portable X-ray fluorescence, in order to characterize the raw material and define its origin. The obtained results suggest that small pebbles of reddish subarkose and quartz arenites collected from the gravel deposits of the Isonzo River, perhaps deriving from Val Gardena Formation outcrops, were exploited for the production of the studied artefacts during the Bronze Age. These data complement our knowledge about the lithic raw materials exploitation strategies during the ancient phase of the castellieri culture, almost exclusively based on local rock types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the recent decades, container-breeding mosquito species belonging to the genus Aedes have frequently been recorded far from their place of origin. Aedes koreicus was first reported in north-eastern Italy in 2011, in a region endemic for Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine heartworm disease. The vector competence of Ae. koreicus for D. immitis was here tested under laboratory conditions, by infecting mosquitoes with a local strain of D. immitis. Methods: Blood containing 3000 microfilariae/ml was offered to 54 mosquitoes (T group) while 29 were left as a control (C group). Mosquitoes killed at scheduled days post infection (dpi) and naturally dead were divided in head, thorax and abdomen and examined for D. immitis larval stages by dissection under a microscope and molecularly. Results: Of the 45 engorged mosquitoes in T, 32 (71.1%) scored positive for D. immitis larval stages. L3 were found as early as 8 dpi in the Malpighian tubules and then in the thorax, salivary glands, palp and proboscis. At the end of the study a total of 18 mosquitoes developed L3 giving an estimated infection rate at 12 dpi of 68.2% and a vector efficiency index of 25.2%. The rate of mortality in T group within the first 9 days post infection was significantly higher in T group (47.6%) than in C group (8.3%) (p < 0.01). The concordance between microscopy and PCR was high (0.8-0.9), however, a positivity for D. immitis in the head was found molecularly at 13 dpi, three days before microscopy. Conclusions: Aedes koreicus, a new invasive species for Europe, is most likely a competent vector of D. immitis being of potential relevance in the natural cycle of the parasite. This poses a new threat for animal and human health in endemic areas for dirofilariosis and enhances the risk of spreading the infection in previously non-endemic areas. These results stress the importance of active surveillance and control strategies to minimize the risk of introduction of invasive alien species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2005 to 2013 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (NE Italy), using the playback method, a study on the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos minor, was carried out. The aims were to identify the trends in distribution, the range, and the habitat preferences, along with the evaluation of the responsiveness to acoustic stimulation. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker responded in 10.67% of the points where a conspecifics stimulus was emitted, demonstrating a "strong" responsiveness to the first stimulus. In the case of a response, males prevailed, and the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was confirmed as the Picidae species that tended to show itself the most (79.17% of the points). Thanks to the tendency to expand the range and to occupy new zones within the known range, most of the suitable environments were occupied in the Provinces of Trieste and Gorizia and from the lowlands to the outer prealpine zone, even in urban areas. In the montane zone, expansion occurred through ascending of the valleys and slopes. The species was found from sea level to 1200 m (mean altitude: 429±270 SD m a.s.l.) and particularly below 800 m a.s.l. (about 90% of the contacts). Of all the contacts, 71.69% occurred in broadleaf woodlands. Woodlands along watercourses were revealed to be very important (most highly represented forest type with more than one fifth of contacts), which have allowed the species to live in the lowlands and subsequently colonise other suitable environments, and the countryside and orchards, which are fundamental in the mountains for the spread and permanence of the taxon. In some areas, densities of 1.11-2.50 territories/100 ha were obtained. In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a population of 150-190 pairs has been estimated, with an increase of just over 60% compared to the beginning of the century. Finally, some aspects concerning conservation- related problems are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossils of large felids collected, in the so called "Brecce di Soave", by Angelo Pasa during the first half of XX century and stored at Museo di Storia Naturale di Verona are revised. Pasa referred these fossils to different taxa such as Panthera pardus, Panthera leo spelaea, Panthera sp. coming from different localities near Soave: Viatelle, Monte Zoppega, Sentiero, Castello, Monte Tenda. The term "Brecce di Soave" is used to define a karst filling deposits occurring on the Eocene limestones exposed near the village of Soave (Verona, NE Italy). The Brecce di Soave chronology is not homogeneous and includes different Pleistocene phases. The sites located in the Soave area can be referred at least to 2 different depositional phases: 1) around 1 Ma, as suggested by the occurrence of Mimomys, Allophaiomys, Beremendia, etc.; 2) around 0.5 Ma, characterized by the presence of Arvicola, Microtus (Terricola), Chionomys etc. Most of the fossils can be classified as Felidae indet. because of their fragmentary condition. All the other more complete remains can be referred to Panthera cf. P. fossilis with the exception of a partial M1 which has to be ascribed to Homotherium latidens (Viatelle) and a partial P4 referable to Canis cf. C. mosbachensis.

The nothosauroid sauropterygian Simosaurus is reported for the first time both from Italy and from the early Carnian (earliest Late Triassic). Diagnostic dorsal neural arches and clavicles as well dorsal ribs have been collected in the Rio dal Lago Formation near Dogna (Friuli). Purported Simosaurus remains from the Ladinian of Austria cannot be attributed to this genus with certainty and the presence of additional articular structures in the dorsal neural arch ("infraprezygapophyses" and infrapostzygapophyses) cannot distinguish Simosaurus from Bobosaurus if the craniocaudal polarity or other vertebral features are unknown.

Downstream hydraulic geometry relationships describe the shape of alluvial channels in terms of bankfull width, flow depth, flow velocity, and channel slope. Recent investigations have stressed the difference in spatial scales associated with these variables and thus the time span required for their adjustment after a disturbance. The aim of this study is to explore the consequences in regime models considering the hypothesis that while channel width and depth adjust quickly to changes in water and sediment supply, reach slope requires a longer time span. Three theoretical models were applied. One model incorporates an extremal hypothesis (Millar RG. 2005. Theoretical regime equations for mobile gravel-bed rivers with stable banks. Geomorphology 64: 207-220), and the other two are fully physically based (Ikeda S, Parker G, Kimura Y. 1988. Stable width and depth of straight gravel rivers with heterogeneous bed materials. Water Resources Research 24: 713-722; Parker G, Wilcock PR, Paola C, Dietrich W, Pitlick J. 2007. Physical basis for quasi universal relations describing bankfull hydraulic geometry of single-thread gravel-bed rivers. Journal of Geophysical Research 112, DOI: 10.1029/2006JF000549). In order to evaluate the performance of models introducing the slope as an independent variable, we propose two modifications to previous models. The performance of regime models was tested against published data from 142 river reaches and new hydraulic geometry data from gravel-bed rivers in Patagonia (Argentina) and north-eastern Italy. Models that assume slope as a control (Ikeda et al., 1988; or Millar, 2005) predict channel depth and width reasonably well. Parker et al.'s (2007) model improved predictions because it filters the scatter in slope data with a relation slope-discharge. The extremal hypothesis model of Millar (2005) predicts comparably to the other physically based models. Millar's model was chosen to describe the recent changes in the Piave and Brenta rivers due to human intervention - mainly in-channel gravel mining. The change in sediment supply and recovery was estimated for these rivers. This study supports the interpretation that sediment supply is the key factor guiding morphological changes in these rivers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out from 2003 to 2011 with the aim of determining the responsiveness to acoustic stimulation, the distribution and the habitat preferences of Picus canus and Picoides tridactylus in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (NE Italy). P. canus resulted as being more responsive than P. tridactylus to conspecifics stimulation, responding in 13.23% of the points where a stimulus was emitted, against 7.65% of the other species. In both taxa, when there was a response, it was predominantly by the male birds. The most frequent type of response in P. canus was song, heard in 57.89% of the points, while for P. tridactylus, it was drumming, which was heard in 65.38% of the points. For both species (especially for P. tridactylus), a tendency was recorded to expand the range and to occupy new areas within the known range. P. canus in Friuli-Venezia Giulia was found from altitudes close to the sea level up to the treeline (range 0-2000 m a.s.l.), while P. tridactylus was found in montane and subalpine woodlands (range 800-2000 m a.s.l.). The observations of P. canus were obtained at a mean altitude of 977 m a.s.l. (± 402 SD), located in the altitudinal belt dominated by Fagus sylvatica L., which is present in more than half of the woodlands in which the woodpecker was found. P. tridactylus was discovered at a mean altitude of 1424 m a.s.l. (± 246 SD), located in the altitudinal belt dominated by Picea abies (L.) H. Karst., which is present in almost 90% of the woodlands in which this species was found. In some areas, densities of 0.67-2.26 territories/100 ha were obtained for P. canus and 0.16- 0.40 territories/100 ha for P. tridactylus. In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a population of 320-390 pairs of P. canus and 45-60 pairs of P. tridactylus has been estimated, with an approximate 15% increase of P. canus compared to the beginning of the century, and just over 60% for the other species. Finally, some aspects concerning conservationrelated problems are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The container breeding species belonging to the genus Aedes (Meigen) are frequently recorded out of their place of origin. Invasive Aedes species are proven or potential vectors of important Arboviruses and their establishment in new areas pose a threat for human and animal health. A new species of exotic mosquito was recorded in 2011 in north-eastern Italy: Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica]. The aim of this study was to characterize the biology, the environment and the current distribution of this mosquito in north-eastern Italy. Morphological details useful to discriminate this species from other invasive Aedes mosquitoes are also given (see Additional files). Methods All possible breeding sites for larval development were monitored. In addition, ovitraps and traps for adults were used to collect eggs and adults. The mosquitoes (larvae and adults) were identified morphologically and molecularly. Environmental data and climatic variables during the period of mosquito activity (from April to October) were considered. Results Aedes koreicus was found in 37 municipalities (39.7%) and was detected in 40.2% of places and in 37.3% of larval habitats monitored, in a range of altitude from 192 to 1250 m.a.s.l.. Garden centres were the most common locations (66.7%), followed by streets/squares (57.1%), private gardens (46.4%) and cemeteries (21.1%) (p < 0.01). The main larval habitats were catch basins (48.5%) and artificial water containers (41.8%). As for Aedes albopictus [Stegomyia albopicta], ovitraps were attractive for adult females resulting in the higher rate of positivity (15/21; 71.4%) among breeding sites. The period of Ae. koreicus activity ranged from March 29 to October 29. Conclusion The species is clearly established in the area and is now overlapping with other vectors such as Ae. albopictus and colonizing areas over 800 m.a.s.l, not yet or sporadically reached by the tiger mosquito. The data collected are essential to assess the risk of colonization of other parts of Italy and Europe, as well as the risk of spreading of pathogens transmitted. These findingsstress the importance of implementing entomological surveillance for early detection of invasive species, which is necessary for eradication or limitation of its further spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: West Nile virus (WNV) transmission through organ transplantation occurs rarely and screening of organ donors for WNV infection remains controversial. This report describes the case of WNV encephalitis in a kidney recipient and the case of asymptomatic WNV infection in the organ donor, both observed at Treviso Hospital, northeastern Italy. After briefly reviewing the literature, we discuss the implications for WNV screening. Methods: We reviewed medical, laboratory and epidemiological records at our hospital, and the literature concerning cases of organ-transmitted WNV infections and WNV screening of organ donors in Italy and worldwide. Results: The kidney recipient was the first confirmed case of WNV infection notified in northeastern Italy in 2011, and the first case of WNV infection in a cluster of four transplant recipients who acquired the infection from a common organ donor. The organ donor, whose WNV infection was only retrospectively diagnosed by IgM detection, represents the index case of a WNV outbreak in the Treviso Province. Screening of her blood prior to organ recovery did not show detectable levels of WNV nucleic acid with the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions: This report emphasizes that transplant-acquired WNV neuroinvasive disease can be particularly severe. We suggest that pre-procurement screening of organ donors by testing blood with both WNV IgM capture ELISA and a sensitive nucleic acid testing should be adopted during the transmission season in the present Italian epidemiological setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to characterize the deformation of a natural cave induced by temperature variations and by the underground water flow. We consider the tilt recorded by two horizontal pendulums installed in the largest cave of the Italian Karst, the Grotta Gigante. The environmental factors we consider are temperature, rainfall and level and flow rate of the river Reka that feeds the underground Karstic waters. The tilt and temperature have a regular annual cycle, with period of 365 days, which is caused primarily by the thermo-elastic deformation. Semiannual periods are present but more than 10 times smaller. For rainfall and river level the semi-annual and annual oscillation have comparable amplitudes. The effect induced by the underground water flow consists in a tilting towards SW, that has a linear relation between maximum tilting and the integrated amount of water entering the Karst during the flood, with tilting coefficient a = 10.7×10-6 nrad/m3. The minimum amount of water giving a tilt signal is V0 = 5.2×106 m3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative contribution of substrate depth and vegetation type on temperature mitigation and stormwater runoff reduction was studied in an experimental green roof in North eastern Italy. Two substrate depths (120 and 200 mm) and two vegetation types (herbaceous plants and shrubs, respectively) were used, and compared to control modules with similar substrate depths but left bare of vegetation. Experimental observations showed that: a) green roofs substantially reduce thermal load over the rooftop, with significant effects of substrate depth and no apparent impact of vegetation type; b) thermal effects are strongly influenced by substrate water content; c) green roofs strongly reduce water runoff with significant substrate x vegetation effects. Our data suggest that green roof design addressed to optimization of the thermal functions should take into account adequate planning of substrate depth. Moreover, our data show that vegetated modules out-competed medium-only ones in terms of runoff reduction capacity, in accordance with some previous studies. Both shrub-vegetated and herbaceous modules intercepted and stored more than 90% rainfall during intense precipitation events, with no significant difference between the two vegetation types despite different substrate depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the existence of the immigrant paradox in a sample of 130 immigrant (69 Albanian and 61 Serbian) and 162 Italian native children, aged 7–12 years. All participants were individually tested regarding levels of emotional instability, pro-social behavior and aggressive behaviour as indicators of children's ability to interact adequately in a school context. Results showed significant differences between immigrant and native children, and particularly in the area of emotional instability. In spite of lower socioeconomic status, immigrant children showed lower levels of emotional instability than natives, while no significant group differences emerged on pro-social and aggressive behaviours. Gender differences revealed that boys in all ethnic groups scored higher on emotional instability and aggression and lower on pro-social behaviours than girls. Overall, the results resemble the paradox, suggesting that immigrant children display positive social relationships within the Italian school context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: We investigate detection probabilities and recording completeness of the seismic network in northeastern Italy, operated by the OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale) during the years 1977–2007, using the Probability-based Magnitude of Completeness (PMC) method by . Completeness of the dataset is varying in space and time due to the evolution of network geometry, instrumental characteristics, and monitoring and processing strategies over time: this is a common feature for all the regional and national instrumental catalogues that should be properly accounted for in seismicity rate evaluations. For the first time, we quantify with the new PMC method detection probabilities of a regional network operating since the late 70s, also including paper records. PMC is based on empirical data and requires the earthquake catalog containing phase picks, the station locations and on-/off-times, and the attenuation relation used to compute local magnitudes. In the 30-year period, we identified four time windows, roughly corresponding to the main changes in the acquisition system. We reconstructed on-/off-times by merging the available information on instruments with the analysis of inter-pick times at each station. We revised the relationship between duration and local magnitudes as the calibration of duration magnitude demonstrated to be not homogeneous among the different acquisition systems. Moreover, we introduced some constraints on the application of the PMC method to improve its performance for networks with sparse data and show the role of missing events and of temporary networks on regional completeness maps. The results demonstrate that the OGS network is detecting earthquakes completely down to magnitude 1.5 for a large part of the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region since the earliest stages of its functionality; the OGS instrumental catalog is therefore the most precise and complete dataset available for this area. Our analysis shows that the change from analog to digital systems does not necessarily correspond to an improvement in detection capabilities. The computed time series of completeness maps are available and should be considered for any seismicity study involving data from the OGS network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Migrations of aphid vectors of Barley yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV) were monitored using a Rothamsted Insect Survey suction trap in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy). Catches from 1983 to 2002 were studied for trends, correlations of total catches of each year with those of previous years, correlations between the autumn and the spring + summer catches of the same year and between spring + summer catches of one year with catches of the previous autumn. Infectivity of autumn alates was studied using biological tests, and infectivity indexes were calculated for all vector species and for Rhopalosiphum padi alone. Colonisation of barley and proportion of infected plants were checked in a field close to the suction trap from 1992 to 2002 and related to trap catches. Catches were also correlated to acreage dedicated to cereal and fodder crops in the region. During the 20 years, 15 BYDV vector species were caught in the trap, but only five species were found consistently colonising barley plants during autumn. R. padi was the most numerous species in catches, while Sitobion avenae was the predominant colonising species in the barley field. Relatively to R. padi, S. avenae colonies were about six times more numerous than expected from catches. The yearly abundance of catches of most species did not change significantly during the 20 years, with a few exceptions, significantly correlated to changes in the acreage dedicated to cereal and fodder crops. There was a significant decrease of the autumn catches of both R. padi and the total of BYDV vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Facies analysis of Priabonian shallow-water carbonate successions in the outcrops near Mossano (eastern Colli Berici, north-eastern Italy) and the subsequent integration of palaeoecological data have been used to produce a detailed palaeoenvironmental model. The facies distribution and the processes, which controlled the larger benthic foraminiferal and coralline algal assemblages in the study Priabonian storm-influenced, carbonate ramp, are discussed in detail. In the middle-ramp trough, cross-bedded small Nummulites and rhodolith packstones pass laterally into coralline algal crust wackestones. These rhodoliths exhibit two well-differentiated growth-phases: the first occurring during low-water energy periods, followed by a second developed during high-energy events during which they were reworked and partially destroyed. These facies pass laterally into orthophragminid rudstones and packstones characterised by orthophragminid tests and channel structures. The latter were formed by storm-induced return currents, which swept the middle-ramp creating distal middle-ramp channel structures. Further toward the distal part of the middle-ramp the return currents decreased in energy and discharged nutrients allowing the coralline crustose pavement to develop. This is characterised by rhodoliths typically discoidal in shape (up to 10 cm in diameter) with a loose inner arrangement consisting of encrusting-to-foliose growth-forms. The occurrence of the channel structures in orthophragminid rudstones and in the coralline crustose pavement appears to be unique in Upper Eocene carbonate ramp depositional systems. During the erosive events associated with the return currents, these shallow-water carbonates were unlithified or only weakly lithified and were, therefore, easily transported into deeper water ramp settings. The model suggests that the significant changes of the middle-ramp benthic communities with depth could have formed, at least in part, by offshore return currents, which played an important role in both controlling substrates and in supplying nutrients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

From 2004 to 2006, a parasitological survey aimed at the detection of the microsporidian parasite Thelohania contejeani Henneguy was carried out on 177 wild white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes complex) captured in six streams and rivers of the province of Belluno in north-eastern Italy. Microscopical examination of the skeletal muscles, and histological analysis applying different histochemical stains to full transverse and sagittal sections of the cephalothorax and abdomen were carried out. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also conducted on the parasites recovered during the survey. Out of 177 crayfish examined, Thelohania contejeani (Microsporidia, Thelohaniidae) was present in only one crayfish from the Vena d’oro creek. The parasite was detected in the skeletal muscles in several developmental stages, including mature spores, which represented the most common stage recovered. Sporophorous vesicles were also present. Histological examination revealed that the fibres of the skeletal, cardiac and intestinal muscles were filled with spores. Melanin infiltrations were focally present in the infected striated muscles. The gill phagocytic nephrocytes were engulfed by small masses of spores. Among the staining techniques applied, Crossman’s trichrome stain represented the most effective method of detecting T. contejeani.