Area Of Central Italy Research Articles

Diet of adult and juvenile wildcats in Southern Tuscany (Central Italy)

The wildcat is a rare and elusive mammal species, with a broad feeding spectrum. We collected 34 scats of wildcat in the surroundings of a reproductive site to assess the diet of juvenile wildcats and relevant parents in a rural area of Central Italy. The Brillouin diversity index suggested that our sample was large enough to assess the seasonal diet of both age classes. Wood mice were the most preyed species (59.4 %), followed by bank voles (12.5 %). No significant difference was observed between adult and juvenile diet compositions. Birds were rarely consumed and mostly present in the diet of adult individuals, with the exception of the red-legged partridge, observed only in juvenile scats.

Parole, soltanto parole, parole tra noi

In recent years there has been a fair amount of debate in Italy about regional differences in student achievements at the end of the high school cycle (Esame di Stato). In particular, concerns have been expressed about the performance of students in Southern Italy, higher than the national average, while standardized tests of learning outcomes point to a very different situation. The paper investigates this issue using simple statistical methods to disentangle the geographical area effect from the effects of other characteristics. The main finding is that a regional effect is present in final grades, but it is more important in the area of Central Italy rather than in Southern Italy.

Energy from poultry waste: An Aspen Plus-based approach to the thermo-chemical processes

A particular approach to the task of energy conversion of a residual waste material was properly experienced during the implementation of the national funded Enerpoll project. This project is a case study developed in the estate of a poultry farm that is located in a rural area of central Italy (Umbria Region); such a farm was chosen for the research project since it is almost representative of many similar small-sized breeding realties of the Italian regional context. The purpose of the case study was the disposal of a waste material (i.e. poultry manure) and its energy recovery; this task is in agreement with the main objectives of the new Energy Union policy. Considering this background, an innovative gasification plant (300KW thermal power) was chosen and installed for the experimentation.The novelty of the investigated technology is the possibility to achieve the production of thermal energy burning just the produced syngas and not directly the solid residues. This aspect allows to reduce the quantity of nitrogen released in the atmosphere by the exhaust flue gases and conveying it into the solid residues (ashes). A critical aspect of the research program was the optimization of the pretreatment (reduction of the water content) and the dimensional homogenization of the poultry waste before its energy recovery. This physical pretreatment allowed the reduction of the complexity of the matrix to be energy enhanced.Further to the real scale plant monitoring, a complete Aspen Plus v.8.0 model was also elaborated for the prediction of the quality of the produced synthesis gas as a function of both the gasification temperature and the equivalence ratio (ER).The model is an ideal flowchart using as input material just the homogenized and dried material.On the basis of the real monitored thermal power (equal to about 200kW average value in an hour) the model was used for the estimation of the syngas energy content (i.e. LHV) that resulted in the range of 3–5MJ/m3 for an equivalence ratio (ER) equal to 0.2.

MULTITEMPORAL 3D MODELLING FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE EMERGENCY DURING SEISMIC EVENTS: DAMAGE ASSESMENT OF S. AGOSTINO CHURCH IN AMATRICE (RI)

Abstract. One of the challenging purposes that must be undertaken by applied geomatics, is the need of monitoring by documenting continuously over time the evolution of urban spaces. Nowadays, this is a subject of great interest and study, mainly in case of sudden emergency events that implicate urban areas and specific historical buildings of our heritage. The newest Geomatics technique solutions must enable the demands of damage documentation, risk assessment, management and data sharing as efficiently as possible, in relation to the danger condition, to the accessibility constraints of areas and to the tight deadlines needs. In August 24th 2016, the first earthquake hit the area of central Italy with a magnitude of 6.0; since then, the earth never stop shaking in a wide area in the middle of Italy. On 26th and 30th of October, two other big seismic events were recorded (magnitude 5.9 and 6.5) and the already damaged built heritage were struck again. Since the beginning of the emergency all the available resources (human and material) were deployed and the world of researchers is trying to furnish an effective contribute as well. Politecnico di Torino, in coordination with the national institutions, is deploying people, expertise and resources. The geomatics research group and the connected Disaster Recovery team (DIRECT - http://areeweb.polito.it/direct/) is part of this process and is working in deep contact and collaboration with the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) group of the Italian Firefighter. Starting from the first earthquake the late medieval religious complex of S. Agostino has been carefully monitored and detected, using a multi-perspective oblique imagery strategy with the aim to achieve 3D aerial and terrestrial models, in a multi-temporal perspective concerning three different time situation.

The 7 and 11 May 1984 earthquakes in Abruzzo-Latium (Central Italy): reappraisal of the existing macroseismic datasets according to the EMS98

The aim of this paper is to provide a complete and reliable macroseismic knowledge of the events that stroke a large area in Central Italy on 7 and 11 May 1984. Previous studies, together with original accounts integrated with new and unpublished information, have been gathered and examined in order to re-evaluate macroseismic intensities in terms of the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS98). New intensity maps have been compiled; the total number of localities with available information for both the shocks increases from 1254 of the previous study to 1576. On the basis of the new dataset, the macroseismic magnitude of the first shock is MW 5.6 which is lower than the previous macroseismic computation (MW 5.7). Moreover, the topic of assessing macroseismic intensity in the presence of multiple shocks has been also investigated, proposing an unconventional approach to presenting the macroseismic data: an overall picture of the cumulative effects produced by all the seismic sequence is given to support a partial but faithful reconstruction of the second shock. This approach is inspired by the common experience in interpreting historical seismic sequences and gives a picture of the impact of the 1984 events on the territory.

Quantifying whether different demographic models produce incongruent results on population dynamics of two long-term studied rodent species

Abstract1. Population density (ind/ha) of long-term (>15 years) series of CMR populations, using distinct demographic models designed for both open and closed populations, were analysed for two sympatric species of rodents (Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis) from a mountain area in central Italy, in order to test the relative performance of various employed demographic models. In particular, the hypothesis that enumeration models systematically underestimate the population size of a given population was tested.2. Overall, we compared the performance of 7 distinct demographic models, including both closed and open models, for each study species. Although the two species revealed remarkable intrinsic differences in demography traits (for instance, a lower propensity for being recaptured in Apodemus flavicollis), the Robust Design appeared to be the best fitting model, showing that it is the most suitable model for long-term studies.3. Among the various analysed demographic models, Jolly-Seber returned the lower estimates of population density for both species. Thus, this demographic model could not be suggested for being applied for long-term studies of small mammal populations because it tends to remarkably underestimate the effective population size. Nonetheless, yearly estimates of population density by Jolly-Seber correlated positively with yearly estimates of population density by closed population models, thus showing that interannual trends in population dynamics were uncovered by both types of demographic models, although with different values in terms of true population size.

Effects of free-ranging cattle and landscape complexity on bat foraging: Implications for bat conservation and livestock management

Traditional agropastoralism increases biodiversity by maintaining habitats whose existence depends on human practices as well as by providing wildlife, including bats, with key spatial and trophic resources. Bats in farmland are crucial predators of crop pests, thus offering an economically important ecosystem service. It seems possible that bats may also provide services by feeding on insects associated with livestock. We tested whether bats forage over cattle in a traditionally managed pastoral area of central Italy, i.e. setting the bases for providing pest control services. We found that small bat species (mostly Pipistrellus spp.) foraged preferentially over livestock, and that their activity increased, but then reached a plateau or slightly decreased, for progressively larger herds. Landscape complexity also led to an increase in bat activity over livestock. Since insects attracted to cattle at night typically include flies such as mosquitoes (Culicidae) and biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), which are potentially harmful to cattle and may carry serious diseases, and that bats such as Pipistrellus spp. are important predators of such flies, we argue that bats may play a valuable pest-suppression role.

Home-range size of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris): a report from two areas in Central Italy

Abstract Although the behavioural ecology of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) has been studied in several European countries, its home-range size is still poorly known due to elusive behaviour of the species living in typically low population densities. In our study, 11 wildcats from two distinct areas, the Maremma Regional Park (Tuscany; 3 males and 1 female) and the Paradiso di Pianciano Estate (Umbria; 6 males and 1 female), both located in Central Italy, were studied by means of classical VHF radio-tracking. Home ranges were calculated by means of the Brownian bridge movement model (BBMM). Variables significantly affecting home-range size were: study area, gender and the interaction between gender*age. The potential effect of the reproductive season and the nocturnal period was not supported. The main findings indicate that: (1) home-range sizes in Tuscany were larger than those in Umbria; (2) home-range size was positively related to the age of individuals; (3) males exploited larger home ranges than females in all age-classes except for the sub-adult age-class; this latter pattern has never emerged from any previous wildcat radio-telemetry study. Population density, different management regimes in the areas considered and the local abundance of prey may explain differences in home-range sizes between the study areas. The estimated home ranges of wildcats in Umbria were slightly larger than those reported across Europe, while those calculated in the Tuscan study area were significantly greater.

Clinical characteristics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in an area of central Italy: a population-based study.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic rheumatic disease in children and an important cause of short and long-term disability. In a recent systematic review of population based studies, the epidemiology of JIA is variable worldwide with incidence rates ranging between 1.6 and 23.0/100,000, and prevalence rates between 3.8 and 400.0/100,000. We investigate the incidence and describe the characteristics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the pediatric population of the central Italy, in the period 2000-2009. A retrospective study was conducted in the Marche region to identify patients with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis according to ILAR criteria, between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009. JIA was classified according to the ILAR criteria, that is, arthritis of unknown etiology that persisted for > 6 weeks with onset before the age of 16 years. The pooled global ascertainment of cases was estimated by capture-recapture methods and two independent information sources of ascertainment of new cases of JIA were considered. We studied 151 patients (56 males, 37.1% and 95 females, 62.9%) meeting the ILAR criteria of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Mean age at presentation was 6.8 ± 3.7 years for males and 6.0 ± 4.0 years for females (p=0.22). The overall incidence rate was 6.34 per 100,000/year (C.I. 6.26-7.35) and the total incidence rate increase from 2000-2009 was 8.16%. Oligoarthritis was the most common onset type (n=98, 65.0%) with 62.5% of ANA-positive patients in at least two determinations. Our results indicate that juvenile idiopathic arthritis incidence rates in Italy are comparable to previous data from southern Europe, with a higher frequency of oligoarthritis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first population-based epidemiological study carried out in Italy focusing on the incidence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Generation and collection of restaurant waste: Characterization and evaluation at a case study in Italy

Because restaurants (as a division of the hospitality sector) contribute to the generation of commercial and institutional waste, thus representing both a challenge and an opportunity, the objective of the present study was to deepen the knowledge of restaurant waste in terms of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of waste generation and the performance achievable by the implementation of a separate collection scheme. In this study, the generated waste was characterized and the implemented separate collection was evaluated at a relevant case study restaurant in a coastal tourist area of Central Italy (Marche Region, Adriatic Sea side). The qualitative (compositional) characterization of the generated total restaurant waste showed considerable incidences of, in decreasing order, food (28.2%), glass (22.6%), paper/cardboard (19.1%), and plastic (17.1%). The quantitative (parametric) characterization of the generated restaurant waste determined the unit generation values of total waste and individual fractions based on the traditional employee and area parameters and the peculiar meal parameter. In particular, the obtained representative values per meal were: 0.72kgmeal−1 for total waste, and ranging, for individual fractions, from 0.20 (for food) to 0.008kgmeal−1 (for textile). Based on the critical evaluation of some of the resulting unit waste generation values, possible influences of restaurant practices, conditions, or characteristics were pointed out. In particular, food waste generation per meal can likely be limited by: promoting and using local, fresh, and quality food; standardizing and limiting daily menu items; basing food recipes on consolidated cooking knowledge and experience; and limiting plate sizes. The evaluation of the monthly variation of the monitored separate collection, ranging from an higher level of 52.7% to a lower level of 41.4%, indicated the following: a reduction in the separate collection level can be expected at times of high working pressure or the closing of a seasonal business (typical for restaurants in tourist areas); and the monthly variation of the separate collection level is inversely correlated with that of the unit generation of total waste per meal. The interception rates of the different restaurant waste fractions collected separately presented a ranking order (i.e., 96.0% for glass, 67.7% for paper/cardboard, 34.4% for food, 20.6% for metal, and 17.9% for plastic) similar to the order of efficiencies achievable at both small and large urban levels. Finally, the original concept of the customer equivalent person (Pce) was introduced and behaviorally evaluated at the case study restaurant, providing the values of 0.42 and 0.39kgPce−1day−1 for the food waste generation and the landfilling of biodegradable waste by the customer equivalent person, respectively. These values were compared, respectively, with the food waste generation per person at the household level and the landfilling of biodegradable waste per inhabitant at the territorial level.

Prevalence of the microsporidian Nosema ceranae in honeybee (Apis mellifera) apiaries in Central Italy.

Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis are microsporidia which play an important role in the epidemiology of honeybee microsporidiosis worldwide. Nosemiasis reduces honeybee population size and causes significant losses in honey production. To the best of our knowledge, limited information is available about the prevalence of nosemiasis in Italy. In this research, we determined the occurrence of Nosema infection in Central Italy. Thirty-eight seemingly healthy apiaries (2 to 4 hives each) were randomly selected and screened from April to September 2014 (n = 11) or from May to September 2015 (n = 27). The apiaries were located in six areas of Central Italy, including Lucca (n = 11), Massa Carrara (n = 9), Pisa (n = 9), Leghorn (n = 7), Florence (n = 1), and Prato (n = 1) provinces. Light microscopy was carried out according to current OIE recommendations to screen the presence of microsporidiosis in adult worker honeybees. Since the morphological characteristics of N. ceranae and N. apis spores are similar and can hardly be distinguished by optical microscopy, all samples were also screened by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) assay based on 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers to differentiate N. ceranae from N. apis. Furthermore, PCR-positive samples were also sequenced to confirm the species of amplified Nosema DNA. Notably, Nosema spores were detected in samples from 24 out of 38 (63.2%, 95% CI: 47.8–78.5%) apiaries. Positivity rates in single provinces were 10/11, 8/9, 3/9, 1/7, or 1/1 (n = 2). A full agreement (Cohen's Kappa = 1) was assessed between microscopy and M-PCR. Based on M-PCR and DNA sequencing results, only N. ceranae was found. Overall, our results highlighted that N. ceranae infection occurs frequently in the cohort of honeybee populations that was examined despite the lack of clinical signs. These findings suggest that colony disease outbreaks might result from environmental factors that lead to higher susceptibility of honeybees to this microsporidian.

Feeding habits of the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata L. 1758 (Mammalia, Rodentia) in a Mediterranean area of Central Italy

Old World porcupines are widely recorded as being agricultural pests throughout their distribution range. Despite being legally protected in Italy, the crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is extensively poached for its meat as well as for complained crop damages. In this work, we analysed the diet of crested porcupines in a Mediterranean coastal area surrounded by agricultural patches. Feeding habits of this species were assessed throughout the year through faecal analysis. Underground vegetal organs were the staple of the diet of this large rodent in both cold and warm months. Fruits were consumed mainly in cold months (hard epicarp species, e.g. acorns and pine nuts). In warm months, agricultural products, e.g. sunflowers, cereals and watermelons, were mostly consumed. Patterns of food consumption are consistent with a study on habitat selection by crested porcupine within the same study area. According to this previous study, the Mediterranean “macchia” represents a poor habitat in terms of food resources and it is selected only in cold months, when porcupines mainly feed on underground storage organs of woodland plants. During the summer, porcupines are forced to travel long distances to search for other food categories, e.g. cultivated species.

Genetic relatedness affects socio-spatial organization in a solitary carnivore, the European pine marten

Genetic relatedness among individuals can play a major role in the socio-spatial organization of mammals. However, only a few studies have documented kin-related spatial pattern in solitary medium-sized carnivores. Using radiotelemetry and genetic data from 15 individuals (seven males and eight females), we investigated the relationship between kinship and spatial organization (distance and overlap between home ranges) in the European pine marten Martes martes in a wooded area of central Italy. Data analysis included 45 pairs (10 individuals) tracked in spring and summer and 66 pairs (12 individuals) tracked in autumn and winter. Kinship, distance between home ranges and proportion of home range overlap were also compared among inter- and intra-sexual pairs. Spatial distribution of pine martens was affected by genetic relatedness, so that individuals living in close proximity or occupying the same area were also more likely to be closely related. Female pairs had a higher proportion of overlap of their home and core ranges than male pairs. Male pairs were also less related than female and inter-sexual pairs, showing a pattern of space use consistent with male-biased dispersal and female philopatry. Most of the females that overlapped their home and core ranges were genetically related, while only a third of the few male pairs occupying the same territories were kin. However, our results seem to indicate that positive association between home range overlap and relatedness was mainly a consequence of common female philopatry rather than kin-biased tolerance. Male-female dyads had the highest percentage of related individuals overlapping their home and core ranges, suggesting that spatial segregation is unlikely to play a role in preventing encounters between kin.

HRM: A TOOL TO ASSESS GENETIC DIVERSITY OF PHYTOPHTHORA CAMBIVORA ISOLATES

Phytophthora cambivora (Petri) Buisman is a widespread soil born oomycete causing root rot on several woody species. Together with P. cinnamomi, it is considered the most pathogenic species associated with chestnut ink disease all over Europe. Currently, no efficient control strategies are available for ink disease. Information about the population genetic variability of P. cambivora is quite limited, despite that it might be useful for the development of integrated control programmes. To our knowledge no such studies have been conducted in chestnut-growing regions in Europe. Therefore, we set up a reliable and accurate genotyping approach named HRM (High Resolution Melting) analysis in order to assign efficiently and accurately the signatures of genetic variation among P. cambivora isolates collected in a chestnut growing area in Central Italy. Degenerated primers were designed in conserved regions of exons 3 and 4 of the gene locus Ypt1. The resulting melting curves profiles specifically assigned all P. cambivora isolates in eight unique HRM genotypes according to their normalized curve profiles implying high intraspecific genetic variation of these isolates. Data confirmed that the HRM approach might be on a wide scale a rapid and reproducible technique for efficient intraspecific genotyping of P. cambivora populations.

Trophic overlap between wolves and free-ranging wolf [formula omitted] dog hybrids in the Apennine Mountains, Italy

Hybridization between wolves (Canis lupus) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) can represent a threat to wild populations via genetic introgression and ecological competition. Therefore understanding the ecological role of hybrids may be crucial for developing appropriate conservation strategies.The Italian wolf population has a peculiar genetic composition due to a long-lasting geographic isolation. Nowadays, however, its genetic integrity is threatened by the spread of canine genes as a result of the hybridization with stray dogs in the wild.The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the ecological role of free-ranging wolf–dog hybrids by investigating their winter food habits in comparison with wolves in a mountain area of Central Italy. Levels of genetic introgression from the dogs were assessed in two adjacent areas occupied by up to five different packs by analyzing non-invasive samples and carcasses collected therein with a set of uniparental and bi-parental molecular markers.The obtained results enabled us to classify the two areas as ‘hybrid’ and ‘wolf’ areas based on their level of genetic introgression.Trophic niche and similarity/dissimilarity analyses did not detect significant difference in the diet between the two areas: in both of them, wild boar was the main prey, followed by roe deer. Furthermore, the same age/body mass classes of the two ungulates were selected by wolves and hybrids. Our findings confirmed wolf–dog hybrids as potential competitors for wolves. Further studies on other aspects of their biology and ecology are recommended in order to better estimate the impact of hybridization on natural wolf populations.

Plant phenological observations in rural and industrial central Italy areas.

The physiological stress caused by particular pollution conditions can result in phenological phase shifts that can include a block in vegetative or reproductive development. The main aim of the present study was to determine and analyse the mean development trends of some winter deciduous species in comparison to the climate tendencies, as calculated within two phenological gardens in the Arezzo and Perugia areas of central Italy. Moreover, a phenological comparison between the guide species of the two phenological gardens, one located in an industrial area, and the other in a farming area, was carried out. The phenological evidences showed significant phase displacements for the common guide species present in both the gardens which however may be explained by the meteorological performances above all in the Perugia not polluted area. In these terms, there were no evident phenological effects on the plants from the industrial area pollutants in the Arezzo garden. Moreover, also the temperature reduction tendencies at the end of spring not influenced significantly the phenological behaviours of the plant species not inducing them toward a predictable delay of reproductive and adult leaves phases.

Application of boron and tritium isotopes for tracing landfill contamination in groundwater

Groundwater beneath a municipal solid waste landfill area in central Italy has been studied. The study included two sampling events: in June and October 2014. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of groundwater and to test the use of boron and tritium isotopes as tracers of contamination due to the presence of the landfill. The results of chemical analyses indicate that the samples collected from boreholes located downgradient from the landfill are contaminated. The principal contaminants are Cl−, NH4+, Fe, As, Cr, B, Hg and Zn, which were detected at maximum levels during the June sampling event. The boron and tritium isotopic composition of the collected water samples was analysed to evaluate the source of contamination. The results indicated a δ11B value of 19.31‰ for uncontaminated groundwater, while δ11B values between 4.37 and 9.41‰ were reported for contaminated groundwater. The correlation between boron and chloride provided a basis for evaluating the plume direction. Tritium (3H) isotopes were analysed during the second sampling event (October). The results indicate that 3H values ranging between 2.7 and 3.6 TU were reported for uncontaminated waters; this groundwater has a short residence time in the aquifer. A 3H value of 34.5 TU was reported for one groundwater sample (Sample 7). This value is indicative of contamination by landfill leachate.

Parole, soltanto parole, parole tra noi

In recent years there has been a fair amount of debate in Italy about regional differences in student achievements at the end of the high school cycle (Esame di Stato). In particular, concerns have been expressed about the performance of students in Southern Italy, higher than the national average, while standardized tests of learning outcomes point to a very different situation. The paper investigates this issue using simple statistical methods to disentangle the geographical area effect from the effects of other characteristics. The main finding is that a regional effect is present in final grades, but it is more important in the area of Central Italy rather than in Southern Italy.

Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: simultaneous determination of metabolites in human biomonitoring studies

Introduction: exposure assessment of residents in industrial areas is a crucial issue in environmental epidemiology . We propose a novel analytical method for simultaneous quantification of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (OH-PHAs), to assess exposure to urban pollution, diesel exhaust and biomass burning and to verify the contribution of smoking to the selected biomarkers . Method: 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-and 2-hydroxynapthalene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, 6-hydroxynitropyrene were measured in the urine samples of 614 healthy residents in an industrial area of Central Italy, aged 35-69 years, non-occupationally exposed to PAHs. Samples were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis, to SPE, and further analyzed on ESI-HPLC-MS/MS in the negative ion MRM mode, using isotope labelled internal standards. Smoking status was assessed by measuring urinary nicotine metabolite (cotinine) levels. We studied the association between each OH-PAH log-transformed value and cotinine levels (<100 µg/l, ≥100 µg/l) by using regression analysis (Geometric Mean Ratios (GMR) and p-value). Results: method accuracy was never less than 90%, variability never higher than 19%, and limits of detection were low enough to detect the five proposed biomarkers in the general population. 6-OHNP was present in the 65% of the subjects and 3-OHBaP in the 70% and the concentrations of these metabolites were not affected by smoking: we found no association between their log-transformed values and cotinine levels (GMR=1.33 (p=0.137) for 6-OHNP; GMR=1.05 (p=0.825) for 3-OHBaP). Conclusion: The novel HPLC-MS/MS method made it possible to simultaneously quantitate a metabolite of nitropyrene, a diesel exhaust pollution marker, and a metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene, a IARC class 1 carcinogenic substance, other than more known and usually determined metabolites; the fact that 6-OHNP and 3-OHBaP are not affected by smoking makes these biomarkers suitable for studying exposure to environmental pollution.

Inter-comparison of source apportionment of PM10 using PMF and CMB in three sites nearby an industrial area in central Italy

Receptor models (RMs), based on chemical composition of particulate matter (PM), such as Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), represent useful tools for determining the impact of PM sources to air quality. This information is useful, especially in areas influenced by anthropogenic activities, to plan mitigation strategies for environmental management. Recent inter-comparison of source apportionment (SA) results showed that one of the difficulties in the comparison of estimated source contributions is the compatibility of the sources, i.e. the chemical profiles of factor/sources used in receptor models. This suggests that SA based on integration of several RMs could give more stable and reliable solutions with respect to a single model. The aim of this work was to perform inter-comparison of PMF (using PMF3.0 and PMF5.0 codes) and CMB outputs, focusing on both source chemical profiles and estimates of source contributions. The dataset included 347 daily PM10 samples collected in three sites in central Italy located near industrial emissions. Samples were chemically analysed for the concentrations of 21 chemical species (NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, Si, Al, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, EC, and OC) used as input of RMs. The approach identified 9 factor/sources: marine, traffic, resuspended dust, biomass burning, secondary sulphate, secondary nitrate, crustal, coal combustion power plant and harbour-industrial. Results showed that the application of constraints in PMF5.0 improved interpretability of profiles and comparability of estimated source contributions with stoichiometric calculations. The inter-comparison of PMF and CMB gave significant differences for secondary nitrate, biomass burning, and harbour-industrial sources, due to non-compatibility of these source profiles that have local specificities. When these site-dependent specificities were taken into account, optimising the input source profiles of CMB, a significant improvement in the comparison of the estimated source contributions with PMF was obtained.