Abruzzo Region Research Articles

Inner areas matter: A place-sensitive approach for the identification of the Daily Life Spaces in the Italian Abruzzo region

Despite the institutionalization of the issue of inner areas with the National Strategy for Inner Areas (Strategia Nazionale per le Aree Interne, SNAI), a reflection on their spatial organisation is still missing. Our paper aims at filling this gap by providing a methodology for identifying the citizens' Daily Life Spaces (DLS) in the Italian Abruzzo region, which can be used as the spatial unit of analysis of cohesion policies. Their identification results from a multi-step algorithm based on an original definition of central places and on the notions of geographical and organised proximity which consider both citizens’ isochrones and commuting flows. Our methodology is able to provide the internal spatial organisation of both Labour Market Areas and Project Areas and is consistent with a historical perspective. Finally, it questions the SNAI classification, calling for a revision of its methodology of identification.

Responses of Freshwater Invertebrates to Imhoff Tank Sewage Effluents: A Preliminary Study in Four Watercourses with Different Ecological Status (Abruzzo, Central Italy)

In many EU countries, a large proportion of domestic effluents is treated in small, decentralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) which often lack appropriate treatment technologies. The low efficiency of these systems and their incorrect maintenance often contribute to environmental deterioration, with a large quantity of inadequately treated sewage dispersed in the soil or discharged into superficial watercourses. In the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), almost all rivers and streams receive wastewater from Imhoff tanks with only primary treatments. The ecological impacts of these effluents have rarely been investigated. This paper aimed to evaluate the response of freshwater invertebrates to Imhoff effluents in receiving watercourses with different ecological status. Our results showed that wastewater from Imhoff plants negatively affected the structure and composition of freshwater communities, with a reduction in the richness and abundance of more sensitive taxa and an increase in the most tolerant ones. These negative effects were more accentuated during low flow periods and in streams with moderate ecological status. To improve the ecological status of rivers and streams and to limit the diffusion of pathogens and micropollutants in freshwater, a more efficient (secondary treatments, possibly with nature-based solutions) and sustainable (water reuse or sewage sludge recycling) approach to wastewater treatment in decentralized WWTPs is urgently needed.

Comparative analysis of rare earth elements concentrations in domestic dogs and Apennine wolves of Central Italy: Influence of biological, nutritional, and lifestyle factors

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are strategical elements playing a crucial role in the industry, especially in producing high-tech materials. Therefore, REEs are new contaminants of emerging concerns. However, due to the lack of exposure data on REE occurrence in environmental matrices, especially in European countries, it is still tricky to establish environmental background levels to assess the ecotoxicological risk related to REEs exposure. The present study aimed to evaluate the liver concentrations of REEs in domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and Apennine wolves (Canis lupus italicus) living in the Abruzzo region, Italy. Moreover, for the scope of the present study, the dog's group was divided according to their sex, age, lifestyle, and diet. Wolves were categorized concerning their sex and genetic characteristics. Liver samples from dogs and wolves were collected during diagnostic necropsies from carcasses, sample mineralization was performed by a microwave digestion system with a single reaction chamber, and simultaneous determination of the presence of REEs was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS) using standard mode for all rare earth elements except scandium (Sc) which was acquired in kinetic energy discrimination (KED) mode. Hepatic concentrations of REEs were statistically significantly higher in wolves compared to dogs. Moreover, significant differences in REEs concentrations arose also from the genetic type of wolf, since “pure wolves” had higher liver concentrations of REEs compared to wolf-dog hybrids. Female and adult dogs also showed elevated REEs compared to male and juvenile dogs, while no significant differences were demonstrated for dogs' diet and lifestyle. The results of the present study confirm the exposure of domestic and wild carnivores to REEs, showing also the ability of REEs to accumulate in carnivore livers, suggesting the potential role of this species as an alternative bioindicator.

Incidence of Rotavirus-Related Hospitalizations in an Italian Southern Region from 2015 to 2021.

(1) Background: Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants and young children worldwide. The economic and social burden of rotavirus-related hospitalizations, particularly among children, remains a pressing concern for healthcare systems across the globe. Healthcare infrastructure and access to medical care can vary significantly within the region. Differences in the availability of healthcare facilities and the quality of care may influence the management and outcomes of rotavirus cases. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective study performed in the Abruzzo region, Italy. The study considered all hospitalization due to rotavirus gastroenteritis that occurred in the Abruzzo region from the year 2015 to 2021. Data were extracted from the hospital discharge records. The trend in hospital admissions, hospitalization costs and length of stay were evaluated and analyzed. (3) Results: A total of 664 admissions were reported during the study period. The incident rate grew till year 2019 with an annual percentage change of +13.9% (95%CI 12.6-15.2, p < 0.001). During the pandemic years, the incident rate showed a significant decrease with an annual percentage change of 12.5% (95%CI 15.5-9.3, p = 0.004). The length of stay of admissions was significantly higher among patients aged less than 1 year. (4) Conclusions: Rotavirus admission represents a heavy burden even in a high-income country such as Italy. These findings have the potential to inform targeted public health interventions, including vaccination strategies, and improve the overall well-being of children.

Survey of Mycobacterium spp. in Eurasian Badgers (Meles meles) in Central Italy.

A survey to determine the presence of Mycobacterium spp. in the Abruzzo and Molise regions was conducted by testing samples from 124 badgers found dead or road-killed during the 2013-2021 period. Head lymph nodes were collected from all carcasses, as well as mediastinal lymph nodes from 20 of them, for bacteriological and molecular tests; tissues were inoculated onto a set of solid egg-based Lowenstein-Jensen media and in a liquid culture system (BACTEC) and were analyzed by polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). Organs and lymph nodes from 31 carcasses were collected for histological tests. During post-mortem examinations, macroscopic lesions consistent with a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections were not detected. Mycobacteria were isolated from four animals (3.22%). M. avium subsp. avium was isolated by head lymph nodes from two badgers (1.61%), M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (0.80%) from one, and Mycobacterium spp. from another (0.80%). The significance of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in wildlife hosts in the absence of clinical signs and gross pathology has yet to be assessed. The most critical aspect came from isolates belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex infection in wildlife due to the possible interference with tuberculin skin tests in cattle.

The Disc Phenomenon: A Technological Study of 50 Protohistoric Bronze Discs with Concentric Decoration, from the Abruzzo Region in Italy

The Disc Phenomenon: A Technological Study of 50 Protohistoric Bronze Discs with Concentric Decoration, from the Abruzzo Region in Italy

Point-Of-Care low-field MRI in acute Stroke (POCS): protocol for a multicentric prospective open-label study evaluating diagnostic accuracy

IntroductionFast and accurate diagnosis of acute stroke is crucial to timely initiate reperfusion therapies. Conventional high-field (HF) MRI yields the highest accuracy in discriminating early ischaemia from haemorrhages and mimics....

Rare Earth Element Variability in Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oils from Abruzzo Region.

Extra virgin olive oil is a food product from the Mediterranean area that is particularly and continuously experiencing to increasing instances of fraudulent geographical labeling. Therefore, origin protection must be improved, mainly based on its intrinsic chemical composition. This study aimed to perform a preliminary chemical characterization of Abruzzo extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) using rare earth elements (REEs). REEs were evaluated in EVOO samples of different varieties produced in different geographical origins within the Abruzzo region (Italy) in three harvest years using ICP-MS chemometric techniques. Principal component, discriminant, and hierarchical cluster analyses were conducted to verify the influence of the variety, origin, and vintage of the REE composition. The results of a three-year study showed a uniform REE pattern and a strong correlation in most EVOOs, in particular for Y, La, Ce, and Nd. However, europium and erbium were also found in some oil samples. Compared with cultivar and origin, only the harvest year slightly influenced the REE composition, highlighting the interactions of the olive system with the climate and soil chemistry that could affect the multielement composition of EVOOs.

Valutare e certificare le competenze degli studenti nell’assolvimento dell’obbligo di istruzione. Un’indagine empirica nella scuola secondaria della Regione Abruzzo

ASSESS AND CERTIFY STUDENTS’ SKILLS IN FULFILLING THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION. AN EMPIRICAL SURVEY IN SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE ABRUZZO REGION Abstract The article concerns the results of an empirical investigation relating to evaluation practices and opinions of secondary school teachers in the Abruzzo Region on the evaluation and certification of skills in fulfilling compulsory education. To collect information, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 383 teachers. After an initial descriptive analysis, some contingency tables were produced from which some statistically significant connections emerged. The preliminary results of the study highlight good practices in the management of evaluation processes, such as the use of evaluation as a resource for learning, but still show a lack of awareness of the difference between learning and transversal citizenship skills and a poor mastery of docimological tools capable to grasp the complexity that characterizes skills.

A Survey to Assess Food Safety Knowledge and Habits Among High School Students, Their Parents and Teachers in Pescara and Chieti Provinces, Abruzzo Region (Italy)

Food safety is a topic of increasing relevance in the European Union (EU). Ensuring safe food from farm to fork is one of the main objectives of EU policies. In our study, we conducted an online survey to assess the food safety knowledge and eating habits in various categories. For young people, we chose school students aged 15–19, based on their ability to cook autonomously after school. For adults, we choose a representative sample consisting of students’ parents and teachers in Chieti and Pescara Provinces of Abruzzo Region (Italy). The survey was structured in eight sections with particular attention to questions regarding risks associated with microorganisms (e.g., Salmonella spp.) and bacterial cross-contamination. Students represented 60.7% of all respondents (n = 290). Risk perception associated with microorganisms in food was significantly different among students and teachers (p < 0.05). Students indicated microorganisms as a food risk in 20.2% of cases, while environmental pollutants were considered the greatest problem for 71.7% of participants. Among teachers, results indicated that 55.1% considered microorganisms a food-associated risk. An adequate theoretical knowledge regarding safe cooking practices was demonstrated by the majority of participants. Acceptable knowledge regarding microbiologically safe cooking practices was also demonstrated by participants. Based on these results, we provide suggestions to improve food safety education programs including the use of social media, as well as by adjusting educational strategies according to the background of learners.

Stable Isotopes Unveil Dietary Trends in the Samnite and Peligni Communities of Opi Val Fondillo and Sulmona S. Lucia (V-VI Centuries BCE, Abruzzo, Central Italy).

The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the subsistence activities and nutrition of the Samnite and Peligni populations who lived in the Abruzzo region (Italy) during the Iron Age. The samples under investigation are from Opi Val Fondillo (AQ) and Sulmona S. Lucia (AQ), dating between the Vth and VIth centuries BCE. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes were utilized to characterize the diet of the inhabitants in this region. The study involved analyzing carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in 84 available samples and comparing them with isotopic values from animals found in the nearby sites of Loreto Aprutino, Gabii, and La Sassa's Cave. The results of this study revealed statistically significant differences between sexes in δ15N values. Additionally, significant statistical variations were observed when comparing different populations.

Trend in HPV-related hospitalization in years 2015-21 in a Southern Italian Region

Abstract Background The Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infections in the general population. Genotypes are classified into two main class, high-risk and low-risk genotypes, according to their capacity to induce cancers. The low-risk class (types 6-11) is associated to anal and genital lesions. The high-risk is responsible for up to 4.5% of all new cancer cases yearly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of HPV-related hospitalizations and its trend in a Southern Italian Region in years 2015-2021. Methods It was a retrospective study performed in Abruzzo Region, Italy. All admissions performed during years 2015-2021 were extracted from the hospital discharge record. The study included genital warts, head-neck cancers, anal cancers, cervical cancers, genitourinary cancers and penile cancers. Annual hospitalization rates for each HPV-related disease were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants using the related attributable fractions. The Joinpoint model was used to evaluate the time trends of standardized rates and the average annual percent change (APC). Results During study period, totally 5492 HPV-related admissions were performed. The great part was related to cervical cancer (3386 cases) and to genital warts (638 cases). The great reduction was reported among genital warts, decreased from 8.5 admissions in 2015 to 5.9/100,000 in 2021 with APC of -8.03 (95%CI -11.91 - -0.33). The other most important reduction was referred to anal cancer (APC -4.79, 95%CI -16.91 -6.43) and genitourinary cancers (APC -3.72, 95%CI -11.21-7.20). Considering the first year of pandemic (year 2020), the great part of considered diseases reported a decrease, particularly among cervical cancer (PC -10.8 from 2019 to 2020). Conclusions HPV-related hospitalizations decrease in Abruzzo during study period. These results could be useful to policy maker in improving vaccination coverage and screening adherence. Key messages • HPV-related hospitalizations represent a heavy burden for healthcare services. • During years 2015-21, a decrease in HPV-related hospitalizations was observed.

On the identity of Rumex uliginosus and the occurrence of R. dentatus in Italy (Polygonaceae)

The identity of the name Rumex uliginosus is investigated. This species was validly described by Giovanni Gussone from central Italy (Abruzzo region) and currently considered as synonym of R. dentatus or R. palustris. The occurrence in Italy of R. dentatus is based on an old record in NW-Sicily (Boccadifalco near Palermo) as R. uliginosus by M. Lojacono-Pojero in his Flora Sicula but, actually, it is not supported by herbarium material. This Sicilian locality was reported as the only place in which R. dentatus occurs in Italy. The study of the original material of R. uliginosus allowed to: 1) lectotypify the name (on a NAP specimen) and 2) highlight that this taxon can be ascribed to R. palustris (lectotypified in this paper on a Pitchford’s collection at LINN, from Great Britain). Therefore, we here propose to exclude R. dentatus from the flora of Italy.

A web-based geographic information system monitoring wildlife diseases in Abruzzo and Molise regions, Southern Italy

BackgroundNowadays there is a worldwide consensus on the importance of conducting wildlife disease surveillance. Indeed, 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic in nature, and the majority of these (71.8%) originate in wildlife. Surveillance of wildlife diseases is crucial to prevent negative effects on human and animal health. Data digitization and sharing are among the main goals for the present and coming years. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly used to analyze the geographical distribution of diseases and the relationships between pathogenic factors and their geographic environments.MethodsWild animal’s samples collected in the Abruzzo and Molise regions and delivered to our laboratory are entered in our Laboratory Information System and processed to be displayed through the Web-GIS mash-up presented in this paper. We built it using both open source and proprietary solutions, to produce data driven interactive maps, charts and tables to help to understand the epidemiology of wild animal diseases, their spread and trend.ResultsSince 2013, 9.606 samples collected from wild animals have been analyzed in the laboratories of the IZS-Teramo and have been recorded in the system, facilitating the reporting to the judicial authorities and the identification of highly risky areas to set up control and repression measures. Moreover, thanks to the monitoring health protocol, a canine distemper epidemic in wolves has been detected and monitored in its temporal and spatial evolution, as well as cases of bovine tuberculosis in wild boars.ConclusionsWhile it is more evident that the starting point is to choose the right sampling method, it is for sure less obvious that the information system in which data is stored is equally important. In fact, it should give the possibility to consult it in an easy and instructive way. GIS allows immediately grasping the spatial relationships between the data itself and those between the data and the territory; it is an important tool to support veterinary services in managing epidemic and non-epidemic emergencies and performing epidemiological investigations, but also to examine control plans and identify new gaps and challenges.

Impact of Climate Change on Crop Yields: Insights from the Abruzzo Region, Central Italy

Climate change poses a major sustainability challenge, with potential far-reaching economic and social impacts, including fluctuations in agricultural yields and subsequent volatility in the availability and prices of essential food resources. In this study, we analyze the changes in climatic variables and agricultural yields for main crops cultivated in the Abruzzo Region (Central Italy), as well as their reciprocal correlation pattern in the time range, 1952–2014. Central Italy exhibits a well-developed agricultural sector and is characterized by a Mediterranean climate; given its proximity to the semi-arid and arid North African climate zone, such a region may be particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The analysis reveals an increase in drought intensity and persistence, starting from the 1980s, with a shift towards more temperate conditions in winter months and a transition to a warmer and more arid climate during the summer season. Moreover, the study identifies an overall increase in the correlation magnitude between crop yield fluctuations and climatic variables in the period 1983–2014 compared to that during the previous thirty-year time range. This finding can be interpreted as a change in the resilience (or increased vulnerability) of the agricultural production system to climate change. This work can be thus considered as an interesting case study in the Mediterranean region, offering valuable insights for constructing probabilistic models of fluctuations in agricultural production possibly induced by climate change.

Multi-approach methods to predict cryptic carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Klebsiella pneumoniae detected in Central Italy.

The rapid emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) strains in diverse environmental niches, even outside of the clinical setting, poses a challenge for the detection and the real-time monitoring of novel antimicrobial resistance trends using molecular and whole genome sequencing-based methods. The aim of our study was to understand cryptic resistance determinants responsible for the phenotypic carbapenem resistance observed in strains circulating in Italy by using a combined approach involving whole genome sequencing (WGS) and genome-wide association study (GWAS). In this study, we collected 303 Kp strains from inside and outside clinical settings between 2018-2022 in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The antimicrobial resistance profile of all isolates was assessed using both phenotypic and bioinformatic methods. We identified 11 strains resistant to carbapenems, which did not carry any known genetic determinants explaining their phenotype. The GWAS results showed that incongruent carbapenem-resistant phenotype was associated specifically with strains with two capsular types, KL13 and KL116 including genes involved in the capsule synthesis, encoding proteins involved in the assembly of the capsule biosynthesis apparatus, capsule-specific sugar synthesis, processing and export, polysaccharide pyruvyl transferase, and lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis protein. These preliminary results confirmed the potential of GWAS in identifying genetic variants present in KL13 and KL116 that could be associated with carbapenem resistance traits in Kp. The implementation of advanced methods, such as GWAS with increased antimicrobial resistance surveillance will potentially improve Kp infection treatment and patient outcomes.

Seismic amplification effects induced by ancient shallow cavities underneath the urban area of the historical city center of Chieti, Italy

Anthropogenic cavities excavated just beneath the walkable floor (about 1–6 m depth) are present in many ancient urban centres, particularly in Europe and along the Mediterranean basin. The oldest caves are Roman constructions and have been used for different purposes over time (i.e., water storage, secret pathways, shelters against sieges, and wars). For this reason, Seismic Microzonation (SM) studies performed in urban areas must consider the presence of these holes in the subsoil, with their effects predicted through numerical simulations of local seismic response on the surface. In this study, we investigate the seismic effects of ancient anthropogenic cavities in Chieti city centre (Italy) through the cavity amplification factor (CAF). A parametric study was carried out on several different dynamic subsoil models. We define CAF as the ratio between the Acceleration Spectral Intensities on the surface and at the bedrock calculated in the period range of 0.1–0.5 s. The 2-dimensional parametric simulations were performed adopting the soil equivalent linear constitutive law by varying: (1) shear wave velocity values of subsoil, (2) cavity dimensions, (3) cavity depths, (4) cavity lining shear wave velocity values. The CAF plots were calculated on the surface for cavity sizes (width x height) varying from 4 × 5 m to 7 × 9 m. Our study demonstrates that CAF values are relevant only in the period range of 0.1–0.5 s. In particular, results show that: (1) CAF values vary from 1% to 15%; (2) the maximum CAF is felt away from the cavity axis at a distance equal to about 1.5 times the cavity width (L); (3) the maximum difference in CAF values at the surface is equal to 40% within a horizontal distance from the cavity axis ranging from 6 to 14 m. Finally, the case study of the city centre of Chieti (Abruzzo Region) is considered to show how to draw CAF maps for microzonation purposes.

The Senses as Experiences in Wine Tourism—A Comparative Statistical Analysis between Abruzzo and Douro

Sensory experiences play a remarkable role in the visitor’s satisfaction and behavioral intention to return to a wine tourism unit, so it is important to frequently review the environment in which the experience is lived, to make it memorable. This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of the perception of sensory experiences between the Abruzzo region in Italy and the Douro region in Portugal. This study also intended to understand the most important sensations sought by wine tourists in each region. A quantitative methodology was used, based on a questionnaire survey that analyses the perceptions of sensory experiences and some variables that characterize the profile of wine tourists. The sample consisted of 199 wine tourists who visited the wine tourism units of the aforementioned regions. The structural equation model results showed that sensory experiences were composed of five factors: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, and sensory experiences manifested with greater intensity in the hearing and smell factors. By comparing the results between the two regions, it can be concluded that smell is the most important factor for wine tourists who visit the Douro region, while for those who visit the Abruzzo region, it is the taste. The obtained results are important, in that they allow perceiving the differences in perception in sensory experiences, which has an impact on the management of companies in the two regions studied. This comparison between two wine regions in two different countries is pioneering work. Different wine regions have different attractiveness factors.

An overview on the presence of Iris unguicularis (Iridaceae) in Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) and a new record of Iris unguicularis subsp. carica for the Italian vascular flora

Iris unguicularis sensu lato is an endemic species to the Mediterranean region. In Italy, the species is alien and recorded in Liguria, Tuscany, Abruzzo, and Apulia administrative regions. In the latter region, the species was recorded in Salento, Province of Lecce (Southern Apulia), in three main stations: Li Fani, in the administrative territory of the municipality of Salve, Serra del Rio, Castiglione d’Otranto (Andrano) in the residual Mediterranean scrub areas, along with the new station of Serra of Masseria Grande, Spongano, and on a site near Surano. Morphological analyses and genetic investigations made it possible to establish how the specimens from Li Fani (Salve) belong to I. unguicularis subsp. unguicularis, a species of allochthonous origin, while the plants of Castiglione d’Otranto and Spongano represent a taxonomically distinct group, identifiable as I. unguicularis subsp. carica. The presence of this subspecies in Salento redefines the western boundaries of the area known to date, constituting a novelty for the Apulian and Italian flora.

The impact of the L'Aquila earthquake on demographic changes

AbstractThis paper analyses the consequences on demographic changes observed in the municipalities of Abruzzo region after the earthquake of L'Aquila in 2009. Relying on Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) data on the population in the municipalities, we aim to understand how population growth changed after the earthquake, analysing population dynamics both in the municipalities affected by the earthquake and in the other municipalities of the Abruzzo region. We apply a spatial regression model to understand the associations between population growth, the earthquake, and some demographic and economic variables, taking into account the spatial autocorrelation. Our findings confirm the importance of space and the close association of the population dynamics after the earthquake with the population age structure, both in the pre‐existing situation and in the subsequent dynamics. Population trends in the Abruzzo region were closely associated with the pre‐existing vulnerabilities. The effect of the earthquake was strong in the crater municipalities in the period immediately after the shock, while it petered out over time. A destructive earthquake implies a tremendous shock, however, in places that are already suffering from demographic, social, and economic fragility, pre‐existing factors can act equally or even more strongly on the population dynamics in the medium term. Hence, in the medium period, the characteristics of the population and socio‐economic context are stronger than in the short one, and also the effect that space and territorial contiguities have on these and other nonobservable variables is stronger than in the short period.