Abruzzo Region Research Articles

Geomorphology of the floodplain at the confluence of the Aventino and Sangro rivers (Abruzzo, Central Italy)

This paper presents a geomorphological map of the floodplain at the confluence of the Aventino and Sangro rivers (scale 1:10,000), located across the Adriatic piedmont of the Maiella Massif (Abruzzo Region, Central Italy). This area is in the lower reach of the Sangro–Aventino drainage basin, which in the mid-1900s was affected by the creation of four main artificial water reservoirs by damming of the basin's major rivers and the related network of spillway pipes for hydropower purposes. This, combined with climatic factors, induced a strong rearrangement of river channels and floodplains. The fluvial geomorphological features have been analyzed through a detailed-scale multi-temporal analysis based on geomorphological field mapping, topographic analysis, and a remote sensing analysis carried out on aerial photos, orthophotos and Lidar images. The map includes three sections: physiographic and geological setting; main geomorphological map; multi-temporal (1954–2009) and morphometric analysis of the floodplain. The mapping is focused on landforms and continental deposits, mainly linked to fluvial, slope and anthropogenic processes, and to 1954 and 2009 river channels planform analyses and the related morphometric parameters, in order to outline the changes in the river dynamics, strongly influenced by anthropogenic intervention. At a local scale, this type of map can contribute to the understanding of the causes, mechanisms and consequences of the changes in fluvial form and support river management. Finally, it may represent a tool for the assessment of natural hazards in landscapes characterized by intense and rapid geomorphological (fluvial) processes, as well as a tool for correct land management.

Rings or daggers, axes or fibulae have a different composition? A multivariate study on Central Italy bronzes from eneolithic to early iron age.

BackgroundOne of the main concerns for archaeo-metallurgists and archaeologists is to determine to what extent ancient craftsmen understood the effect of metal alloy composition and were able to control it in order to produce objects with the most suitable features.This problem can be investigated by combining compositional analyses of a high number of ancient artefacts with correlation analyses of the objects’ age, production site, destination of usage etc. – and thus chemometric data treatment is carried out. In this study, multivariate analyses were performed on a matrix composed of elemental compositional data from 134 archaeological bronze objects, obtained by XRF analyses. Analysed objects have been dated back from the Eneolithic Period to the end of the Bronze Age including the early Iron Age and were excavated in Central Italy (mainly Abruzzo Region).ResultsChemometric analysis was performed attempting to visualise clouds of objects through PCA. In parallel and independently, object grouping was attempted using several different approaches, based on object characteristics (e.g. shape, weight, type of use – cutting or hitting and age) following indications given by archaeologists (or derived from the archaeological context).Furthermore, case-tailored data pretreatment (logratio-centred scaling) was used, but no homogeneous groups could be identified.ConclusionsBy using chemometric data analysis, homogeneous groups of objects could not be detected, meaning that compositional data of alloys is not correlated with the considered objects’ characteristics. This favours the conclusion that – without discussing the ascertained ability of ancient foundry-men - they had also already discovered the convenience of recycling broken objects thus producing a more or less similar bronze alloy each time, depending on materials’ availability; necessary mechanical characteristics could then be obtained by post processing.Graphical Scores PCA plot in 3D space with 3 different bronze objects.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13065-015-0090-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The practices of active citizenship as medium of social innovation: the Social Plan for Disability in SdS North-West Florence as case study

The paper presents an analysis on the use of the ICF-CY in the network of local services who deal with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It has been done before, refer to the epistemological bases that characterize the classification system of the World Health Organization and, later, we considered the factors relevant to the marketability services that relate to the developmental age. Regarding the ASD, in fact, the ICF-CY is an instrument capable of synthesizing the information obtained from the paths of assessment of health profiles of autistic individuals, in order to program interventions to facilitate personal autonomy and / or social inclusion. The paper proposes the outcome of the experience gained in the period 2011-2014, within a network of social/health services and education in the Abruzzo Region.

Cultural Explanations of Sleep Paralysis in Italy: The Pandafeche Attack and Associated Supernatural Beliefs.

The current study examines cultural explanations regarding sleep paralysis (SP) in Italy. The study explores (1) whether the phenomenology of SP generates culturally specific interpretations and causal explanations and (2) what are the beliefs and local traditions associated with such cultural explanations. The participants were Italian nationals from the general population (n=68) recruited in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. All participants had experienced at least one lifetime episode of SP. The sleep paralysis experiences and phenomenology questionnaire were orally administered to participants. We found a multilayered cultural interpretation of SP, namely the Pandafeche attack, associated with various supernatural beliefs. Thirty-eight percent of participants believed that this supernatural being, the Pandafeche-often referred to as an evil witch, sometimes as a ghost-like spirit or a terrifying humanoid cat-might have caused their SP. Twenty-four percent of all participants sensed the Pandafeche was present during their SP. Strategies to prevent Pandafeche attack included sleeping in supine position, placing a broom by the bedroom door, or putting a pile of sand by the bed. Case studies are presented to illustrate the study findings. The Pandafeche attack thus constitutes a culturally specific, supernatural interpretation of the phenomenology of SP in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Agronomic behaviour of some Cynodon dactylon ecotypes for turfgrass use in the Mediterranean climate

In Italy, the expansion of turfgrasses is limited by the lack of suitable species for cultivation in the Mediterranean climate. With this view, Mi.Te.A.Med. (Turfgrass improvement in the Mediterranean climate) research project was developed with the main purpose to find out and agronomically characterise native turfgrass species of Southern and Central Italy and to compare them with some commercial cultivars. During the first step of the research, 11 sites from 6 regions of Southern and Central Italy were identified. In these sites 24 ecotypes of Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) were collected and their habitus, phenology plus some biometric parameters have been determined. During the two years of research both botanic and agronomic characterisation of the collected C. dactylon ecotypes and their comparison with 3 commercial cultivars (Panama, Transcontinental and Yukon) was carried out. In the first year the colour loss interval was assessed. In the second year, colour index was measured by an electronic colorimeter, weekly growth rate was measured by a turfmeter, turf quality and ground cover percentage were assessed by visual estimate. Some native accessions showed behaviour similar to commercial cultivars while an ecotype from the Abruzzo region showed better results compared to the commercial cultivars for several quality indices.

Condivisione della checklist ICF-CY di bambini e adolescenti autistici nella rete dei servizi territoriali

The paper presents an analysis on the use of the ICF-CY in the network of local services who deal with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It has been done before, refer to the epistemological bases that characterize the classification system of the World Health Organization and, later, we considered the factors relevant to the marketability services that relate to the developmental age. Regarding the ASD, in fact, the ICF-CY is an instrument capable of synthesizing the information obtained from the paths of assessment of health profiles of autistic individuals, in order to program interventions to facilitate personal autonomy and/or social inclusion. The paper proposes the outcome of the experience gained in the period 2011- 2014, within a network of social/health services and education in the Abruzzo Region.

Alberi monumentali d'Abruzzo: dalla conoscenza alla tutela

This article describes the legislative process that has led to the protection of the monumental trees in Abruzzo Region (Central Italy), starting from 1971 when Franco Tassi, Director of the National Park of Abruzzo, launched the “Big Tree” operation, with the collaboration by WWF. The history of the monumental tree censuses in Abruzzo is also reported and the current regional list of 363 monumental trees, protected by the Decree no. 72/2012 of the President of Regional Council, is illustrated, as documented by the book “Monumental Trees of Abruzzo”. Distinctively, the top ten monumental trees as concern stem size, tree height and tree canopy cover are here presented. Finally, the many reasons to protect the monumental trees, in the light both of the latest scientific research findings and of an ecocentric perspective, are stressed.

Ergonomic Design in eHealthcare: A Study Case of eHealth Technology System

The eHealthcare theme through the support of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) is the focus of a number of European, national and regional actions, to improve service in remote patient care. The paper intends to contribute to the theme of “Human Factors and Ergonomics in eHealthcare” through the presentation of a study case of eHealth technology system design developed in the Department of Architecture of Pescara (Italy) for the Abruzzo Region with the contribute of European funds. The intent of this study case is to promote discussion on a possible new solution eHealthcare widespread in retail pharmacies, to improve the quality of the organization, management and sustainability of the health system, as well as the performance and interaction between employees and patients, and between computers and medical equipment. E-Health technology system is an integrated set of service (E-Health technology service) [1–3] and the teleservice medical product (E-Health technology station). The design was based on some methods known in the areas of Design for Sustainability (MSDS Method for System Design for Sustainability)[4] and the ergonomic design (Hta, Hierarchical Task Analysis) and Owas (Ovako Work Analysis System) [5].

Scontrone (central Italy), signs of a 9-million-year-old tragedy

The fossilierous bonebeds of Scontrone (Abruzzo region, central Italy) are preserved in tidal-flat aeolian calcarenites at the base of the Lithothamnion Limestone, a Miocene carbonate ramp widespread in the central-southern Apennines. The site bears evidence of a catastrophic event at 9 Ma. Reported are the results of the palaeobiological and taphonomic analysis conducted on the rich vertebrate assemblage, particularly on the remains of Hoplitomeryx (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Ruminantia), recovered from the so-called Scontrone calcarenites between 1992 and 2012. This is the first taphonomic study of a Late Miocene continental bone assemblage preserved in coastal deposits. The bones are not in primary context. They were likely exhumed during the initial phase of a marine transgression after a period of primary ‘storage’ within a possibly flood-generated deposit in an estuarine environment. The mortality patterns indicate that the carcasses accumulated in a short time (within a year). The bones of the disarticulated skeletons were then removed, broken in a dry and brittle state, scattered over wide carbonate ramps along an arid to semi-arid, wind-exposed coastline and eventually buried again in aeolian calcarenites that drape transgressive tidal-flat creek deposits. The analysis also reveals that hoplitomerycids were possibly seasonal reproducers and that the land they inhabited, the so-called Apulia Platform, was probably swept by sudden, disastrous, storm-supplied flash floods.

Hierarchical generalised latent spatial quantile regression models with applications to indoor radon concentration

Radon-222 is a noble gas arising naturally from decay of uranium-238 present in the earth’s crust. In confined spaces, high concentrations of radon can become a serious health concern. Hence, experts widely agree that prolonged exposure to this gas can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. A range of variables, such as geological factors, soil properties, building characteristics, the living habits of dwellers and meteorological parameters, might have a significant impact on indoor radon concentration and its variability. In this paper, the effect of various factors that are believed to influence the indoor radon concentrations is studied at the municipal level of L’Aquila district (Abruzzo region, Italy). The statistical analysis is carried out through a hierarchical Bayesian spatial quantile regression model in which the matrix of explanatory variables is partially defined through a set of spatial common latent factors. The proposed model, here referred to as the Generalized latent-spatial-quantile regression model, is thus appropriate when some covariates are indicators of latent factors that can be used as predictors in the quantile regression and the variables are supposed to be spatially correlated. It is shown that the model has an intuitive appeal and that it is preferable when the interest is in studying the effects of covariates on one or both the tails of the response distribution, as in the case of indoor radon concentrations. Full probabilistic inference is performed by applying Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques.

Techno-economic evaluation of small-hydro power plants: Modelling and characterisation of the Abruzzo region in Italy

The potential of “small hydro” power generation in Europe is still largely unexploited because of strict environmental requirements and legal rights for water use. Among the EU-27 member states, Italy is recognised as one of the most promising countries for the further exploitation of small hydro power.This paper presents a methodology for assessing the technical and economic potential of small hydro on a regional scale. The methodology is applied to the Abruzzo region in Italy. The investigation covers approximately 90 river branches belonging to the major regional basins. The methodology characterises the flow duration curves of suitable stretches of river using a regional analysis based on a graphical approach.An energy model evaluates the rated power and the annual electricity production of installable small-hydro power plants based on the flow duration curve and the type of hydraulic turbine. The economic analysis estimates the unit cost of electricity produced and the profitability of the initial investment assuming two scenarios based on different fixed- and variable-cost models. The net potential obtained from the energy analysis is adjusted to give the economically feasible potential at different levels of economic competitiveness for the regional basins investigated.

Odontometric sex estimation on three populations of the Iron Age from Abruzzo region (central–southern Italy)

BackgroundIn archaeological contexts, sex identification is a necessary step for a complete reconstruction of the biological profile of the individuals and to know demographic patterns of the population, nutritional stress, diseases, growth and development, and distribution of pathological conditions. MethodsThis study is based on the skeletal remains of 149 individuals from three protohistoric populations in close temporal and geographic proximity in Abruzzo region (central–southern Italy): Opi, Alfedena and Bazzano. It has been possible to develop logistic regression equations based on dental measurements of permanent teeth of adult individuals whose sex had previously been estimated based on pelvic and cranial features. These equations were subsequently applied to the permanent dentition of immature individuals and adult individuals whose sex was estimated as uncertain or unknown in order to estimate their sex. ResultsThe mandibular canine is the tooth with the greatest sexual dimorphism in adults, followed by both maxillary and mandibular first and second molars, providing a correct assignment of sex ranging from 83.7% and 95.9% of cases, depending on the dimensions used for the construction of these equations. Of the 29 individuals in the target sample (14 adultus, 10 juvenilis and 5 infans), sex estimation was possible for 23 (10 adultus, 8 juvenilis and 5 infans), representing an applicability rate of 79.31% of the individuals. ConclusionsThe results indicate that odontometrics is a useful tool for sex estimation and allows to increase the data to perform more complete paleodemographic studies on archaeological populations.

Prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents one year after the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake.

BackgroundIn 2009, an earthquake devastated the Abruzzo region in Italy. Despite the occurrence of several disasters in this country, no study on mental health of Italian children has ever been conducted in complex emergencies. Objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms among children in the affected area 12 to 17 months after the event.MethodsA community sample of 1839 3-14 years children was identified from the general population assigned to 37 paediatricians of the National Health System, including children living in the earthquake epicentre, the surrounding earthquake zone, and the adjacent non-affected areas. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Youth Self Report (YSR), completed by 452 children aged 11–14 years. The association between symptoms and sociodemographic, health, family, and earthquake-related factors was examined.ResultsThe prevalence of CBCL-defined cases was 14.9% in the epicentre, 13.0% in the remainder earthquake zone, 13.9% in the unaffected area (p = .876). No differences among areas were found when comparing the YSR results. Prevalence of CBCL-defined post-traumatic stress (PTS) cases was 8.4% in the epicentre, 4.0% in the remainder earthquake zone, 2.2% in the unaffected area (p = .002). PTS and anxiety were significantly more frequent in the epicentre than in other areas only in the 6–10 year-old children group (respectively p = .009 and p = .014). In multivariate logistic analyses, factors associated with PTS were living in the epicentre (OR = 3.6) and child or maternal history of mental health care prior to the earthquake (respectively OR = 7.1 and OR = 4.5).ConclusionsChildren living in the epicentre, particularly those 6–10 years old, had the highest prevalence of CBCL-defined cases, and of PTS and anxiety symptoms one year after the earthquake. No signs of increased psychopathology were detected in younger (3–5 years) or older children (11–14 years). Family and health related factors showed stronger association with psychiatric outcomes than earthquake-related factors. The identification of populations at higher risk of developing psychiatric symptoms has implications for public health interventions in complex emergencies.

Death and contact-induced rebirth of impersonal pronouns. A case study

Abstract Abruzzese, a southern Italian variety spoken in the central Italian region of Abruzzo, makes use of an impersonal pronoun, nomə, which is the continuation of Latin hŏmo (D'Alessandro & Alexiadou 2006). Nomə is used both as an arbitrary 3rd person pronoun and as a generic pronoun. Its use was quite widespread in the Abruzzo and Molise regions until about 50 years ago; however, as a result of heavy contact with Italian, it has recently been almost completely abandoned, and appears to be used only by the older generation of speakers. Its function has also been reshaped, in that it mostly serves as a marker of plurality on verbs. The loss of impersonal pronouns is a common trend in the European area, as witnessed by the typological study conducted by Giacalone Ramat & Sansò (2007). This typological trend, particularly combined with the significant decay of the dialects in favor of a generalized use of regional Italian, means that the creation of new impersonal pronouns is wholly unexpected. However, it appears that a new impersonal pronoun, annə, is in fact emerging in Abruzzese, and is almost entirely replacing nomə in most areas of Eastern Abruzzo. The development of this impersonal pronoun is following a rather unusual path, seeming to be the result of the re-adaptation of an auxiliary borrowed from Italian. This paper examines the diachronic development of both pronouns, showing that they follow opposite paths. While nomə is grammaticalizing into a plural marker, annə is degrammaticalizing into an arbitrary pronoun.

Buildings Behaviour in Urban Fabric: The Safety Assessment Issue in the Post Earthquake Reconstruction Plans

This paper is the second one of two companion papers [1] that deal with the experience carried out in the post-seismic reconstruction plans activity in the Abruzzo region done by the research groups of the University of Catania (Coord. C.F.Carocci) and University of Genoa (S. Lagomarsino). In particular, this paper focuses on the issues related to the choice and use of the most suitable modeling strategies and analysis methods to perform the seismic assessment at scale of buildings in aggregate. Both recurring seismic responses of masonry, that is the global one and the local mechanisms, are considered. The strong complementarity with the knowledge phase, faced in detail in [1], is discussed by illustrating an application based on the use of an analytical mechanical model for the in-plane response and that of Macro Block model for the out-of-plane response.

Data on the management of eating disorders on the level of outpatient treatment in Italy in the Abruzzo Region

PURPOSE: To monitor improvements and follow-up of patients with EDs (Eating Disorders), and BED (Binge Eating Disorder) in the Regional Reference Center for the Physiopathology of Nutrition of Teramo, Italy. METHODS: All the access for EDs (diagnosed according to DSM-IV) were recorded at first visit and follow up. The diagnoses and characteristics of patients from the Teramo area, who enjoy easier access to the service were compared to those of patients from other local health authorities. The degree of improvement in BMI between the first and last appointment of patients with AN (anorexia nervosa), and the average time of treatment, were noted. Microsoft Excel was used for data storing and processing. Statistical analysis was performed by the X-Lstat software. RESULTS: Of the 169 patients registered, 90.5% were female. The average age of patients followed by the Centre for eating disorders was 29.3 (60.9% of the cases were in the youth age bracket). In local patients, the AN is corrected with greater success and in less time compared to cases of AN in active mobility. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that an integrated multidisciplinary outpatient service provides continuity of care and more support to patients coming from the province. The data demonstrate that the ability of the outpatient structure to intercept early cases and offer effective therapeutic itineraries is directly related to its accessibility. These data provide valuable references for a more rational and thoughtful use of available resources and to begin the development of a registry of EDs in Abruzzo’s region in center of Italy.

Improving the energy-efficiency of historic masonry buildings. A case study: A minor centre in the Abruzzo region, Italy

The high cost of energy, along with an urgent need to reduce global worming causing emissions, has contributed to the rethinking of contemporary design and building techniques. It also brought to the forefront the need to increase the energy performance of heritage buildings. Italy's Abruzzo region has many small towns with old structures. The earthquake that struck the area in 2009 caused significant destruction to many communities and buildings. The need to rebuild led to a series of interventions aiming not only at reconstructing, but also at increasing the structure's energy performance. This paper describes a study of Abruzzo's historic buildings and proposes interventions to improve their energy-efficiency. The authors developed a methodology based on an on-site investigation and the study of compatible possible solutions. The first phase includes a series of thermal measurements, using both indirect and qualitative methods such as thermography and direct and quantitative methods. With the information gathered, it was possible to verify the energy performance of each solution based on the level of invasiveness of the proposed intervention. The proposed methodology serves as a guide to recovery design, using a “case by case” approach to identify the method of intervention in each value context.

Median Italy: Territorial Diversity as the Cornerstone of Regional Development

This text describes the results of a research conducted as part of the Junction territories Project 2 Abruzzo by the Ministry for Infrastructure and Transport and the Abruzzo Region, which interprets the regional space of the Central Italy as Median Macro-region, implemented through the Territory projects. The identification of Territorial Settlement Systems, of Tourist Systems, Territorial Frameworks, Network Cities (in relational terms) is used to overcome the dualism that has always characterized the development of central Italy, its polycentrism and the imbalance of policies in favor of Metropolitan cities.

From a Smart City to a Smart Up-Country. The New City-Territory of L’Aquila

Ever since it was founded in the Middle Ages, the city of L’Aquila has been known as a City-territory. This was because it was established through an original unification process involving approximately 70 minor centres, which transferred a number of their inhabitants into the new City, in an act that we today would call Territorial Cohesion, thereby forming a city that was inextricably linked to its territory. While it is now undergoing radical transformation with dedicated resources, it is within this context that the issue of Smart Cities has emerged, which has, however, focused its work solely on established urban systems and historic centres. By reflecting on L’Aquila’s role as a City-territory, which falls within the disadvantaged inland areas, and by preparing the Project in the Junction 2 - Abruzzo Territories of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Abruzzo Region, we are able to extend the objectives of the Smart-City to the L’Aquila City-territory and in particular to the Seismic Crater, a pertinent example of an “inland area” (or rather “Up-Country”) that today has been increasingly deprived of its identified resources. With a view to the development of inland areas based on the “smart” concept and involving planned integration between the Macro-region, the Territory Project and the Urban Planning Project, this paper supports the need for immediate intervention in the L’Aquila City-territory, and more broadly speaking for the entire territorial settlement system that is a feature of inland areas in Abruzzo. Nowadays, it is not possible to prepare a development project for inland areas without providing them with suitable access to connectivity and other more general networks.

Accounting for suffering: Calculative practices in the field of disaster relief

This study examines the role of accounting and other calculative practices in the context of a natural disaster and subsequent emergency-relief effort. Relying on document analysis and interviews with key participants, the study chronologically examines when, how, and with what effects accounting and other associated practices were mobilized in the follow-up to an earthquake that occurred in the Abruzzo region of central Italy in 2009. The study considers these practices through the three lenses of private-interest maximization, inequality, and suffering. The study shows how accounting actors simultaneously serve multiple ethical masters, and how one of these can come to dominate accounting's ‘moral economy’. In so doing, the study helps bridge the gap between ethics and critical accounting research.