District Of Bologna Research Articles

Saving the local tradition: ethnobotanical survey on the use of plants in Bologna district (Italy)

BackgroundTraditional knowledge about plants is unfortunately subjected to a progressive loss, mainly due to globalization and depopulation of the rural areas. This work enhances the ethnobotanical knowledge from Northern Italy, specifically Bologna district, and contributes to preserving Italy’s plant-based traditional knowledge and to valorize local resources also in view of an ecological transition.MethodsThe study was conducted between 2010 and 2016 in Bologna district encompassing 22 municipalities, which were grouped into three areas: hill, mountain, and plain. In total, 1172 key informants were interviewed, ranging in age from 50 to 85 years, and having strong links with traditional activities in the area.ResultsThe final inventory included 374 taxa belonging to 91 families. Among these, 251 were wild native, 40 wild alien, 74 cultivated and 6 were products bought from the market. Hill, mountain, and plain provided information on 278, 213, and 110 taxa, respectively. The most cited families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Rosaceae. The information was systematized in 12 use categories (UC): medicinal (MED), food, cosmetic, domestic, superstitious–magical–religious (SMR), agropastoral, craft, repellent-insecticide, veterinary, toxic, games, other uses and information. The most relevant UC were in turn divided into subcategories. A descriptive table with all the results was also created. MED was the most relevant UC (310 taxa), and among the 17 MED subcategories, the most significant ones were: gastroenteric (160 taxa), respiratory (133 taxa), and dermatologic (122 taxa). Food was also relevant (197 taxa, and 16 subcategories), and the widest food subcategory was nutraceutical (98 taxa). In cosmetic, the most relevant subcategory was skin treatment (37 taxa). Within SMR, the majority of the plants were cited to heal a disease in a ritual or superstitious way (15 taxa), while for agropastoral, the majority of the taxa (29) were cited as feed.ConclusionsThe data collected has highlighted a significant traditional use of plants in Bologna district. Some plants or uses emerged for the first time from an ethnobotanical study carried out in Italy. The inclusion of a large number of municipalities and informants enabled the collection of a wide spectrum of data, encompassing various uses, anecdotes, and historical curiosities, which are crucial to preserve from being forgotten.

What Grounds Our Loyalty towards “Authentic Brand Activism” of a Sustainable Food Brand?

“Authentic brand activism” is an under-researched area of study, and it suffers from a clear lack of understanding concerning the effectiveness of its practices. This study aims to assess how consumers’ evaluations of a brand regarding brand reputation, competence, credibility, and benevolence affect consumers’ brand trust and brand loyalty. This research focuses on the Italian brand “Libera Terra” (“Free Land”), an organisation that uses assets confiscated from the mafias for the production of environmentally and socially sustainable agri-food products. Based on a sample of 366 randomly chosen consumers in a supermarket in the urban district of Bologna (Italy), the results show that consumers’ perceptions of brand performance contribute to their perceived levels of brand trust. The brand trust subsequently impacts consumers’ brand loyalty. This research confirms that alignment between an organisation’s values, business practices, and marketing strategies ensures that authentic brand activism is effective, highlighting the need for businesses to consciously adopt brand activism and avoid “woke washing” practices. The theoretical and managerial implications arising from this research are also presented.

A 70-year study of femicides at the Forensic Medicine department, University of Bologna (Italy)

Femicide is defined as the gender-related killings of women and girls or as an any intentional murder of women and it represents a worldwide health issue. Although it has gained a growing attention across the public and the media, true data on its prevalence and a characterization of the phenomenon are still scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of female homicides and femicides, which are necessary to design and monitor effective preventive efforts. Post-mortem examination reports of female homicides occurred in the judicial district of Bologna over a period of 70 years were revised. Characteristics of victims and perpetrators, circumstantial and post-mortem data were extracted. Overall, 172 female homicides were observed, including 103 femicides, with no significant changes over time. The mean age of victims increased over time and showed a statistically significant association with the victim-perpetrator relationship. Homicides committed by non-intimate partner family members increased.Our study unveiled that, in the past decades, femicide was a hidden but constant social phenomenon, despite the social, cultural and juridical changes. The research in forensic pathology could help bring to light trends, characteristics and risk factors to be considered for strategies to counteract violence against women.

Multivariate Geostatistical Analysis of CPT Readings for Reliable 3D Subsoil Modeling of Heterogeneous Alluvial Deposits in Padania Plain

Urban planning and big infrastructure designing demand two novel and seemingly contrasting approaches: 1) a continuous description of subsoil nature and behavior under natural hazards, to increase the resilience of urban areas; and 2) a reliable characterization of subsoil hydro-mechanical properties and monitoring their working behavior. Both exigences can be addressed by reconstructing 3D mechanical models at a local scale by extracting from large databases several in-situ testings, already available for several urbanized territories worldwide. In this paper, 182 cone tip resistance qc, sleeve friction fs, and pore pressure u2 profiles, drawn from CPTs performed in the Bologna district (Padania Plain, Italy), have been used. Here, the alluvial deposits are mixtures of silt, clay, and sands, and they locally show gravel lenses where the ancient fans from the Apennines can be detected. Their heterogeneous hydro-mechanical characters cannot be described only through point investigations such as CPTs. Additionally, the variability of these mechanical profiles and the uncertainties due to the limited amount of data must be assessed and used in designing and hazard mapping. Thus, to draw a continuous 3D subsoil mechanical model based on these 182 CPTs, the Partially Heterotopic Co-Kriging technique (PHCK) has been applied. This approach is a multivariate technique that can be used when only some measurements are taken at the same locations. It allows for the estimation of the distribution of qc, fs, and u2 values in the studied domain by considering the spatial variability of the preceding random functions but also their spatial correlations. Differences in variance and spatial resolution between the measurements on the horizontal plane and along the vertical direction were accounted for by considering anisotropic spatial dependence models. As a result, this study has provided horizontal maps and vertical sections of qc, fs, and u2, as well as their 3D solid models.

Subsequent attendance in a breast cancer screening program after a false-positive result in the Local Health Authority of Bologna (Italy)

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the likelihood of returning for routine breast cancer screening among women who have experienced a false-positive result (FPR) and to describe the possible individual and organizational factors that could influence subsequent attendance to the screening program. Several information were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics data. Electronic data from 2014 to 2016 related to breast screening program of the Local Health Authority (LHA) of Bologna (Italy) of women between 45 and 74 years old were reviewed. A total of 4847 women experienced an FPR during mammographic screening and were recalled to subsequent round; 80.2% adhered to the screening. Mean age was 54.2 ± 8.4 years old. Women resulted to be less likely to adhere to screening if they were not-Italian (p = 0.001), if they lived in the Bologna district (p < 0.001), if they had to wait more than 5 days from II level test to end of diagnostic procedures (p = 0.001), if the diagnostic tests were performed in a hospital with the less volume of activity and higher recall rate (RR) (p < 0.001) and if they had no previous participation to screening tests (p < 0.001). Our results are consistent with previous studies, and encourages the implementation and innovation of the organizational characteristics for breast cancer screening. The success of screening programs requires an efficient indicators monitoring strategy to develop and evaluate continuous improvement processes.

A Digital Beamformer for the PHAROS2 Phased Array Feed

PHased Arrays for Reflector Observing Systems (PHAROS) is a C-band (4–8[Formula: see text]GHz) Phased Array Feed (PAF) receiver designed to operate from the primary focus of a large single-dish radio astronomy antenna. It consists of an array of 220-element Vivaldi antennas ([Formula: see text] polarization), cryogenically cooled at roughly 20[Formula: see text]K along with low noise amplifiers (LNAs), and of analogue beamformers cryogenically cooled at roughly 80[Formula: see text]K. PHAROS2, the upgrade of PHAROS, is a PAF demonstrator developed in the framework of the Square Kilometer Array Advanced Instrumentation Program (SKA AIP) with the goal of investigating the potential of the PAF technologies at high frequencies in view of their possible application on the SKA dish telescopes. The PHAROS2 design includes new cryogenically cooled LNAs with state-of-the-art performance, a digital beamformer capable of synthesizing four beams from a sub-array of 24 single-polarization antenna elements, and a C-band multi-channel Warm Section receiver capable of analogue filtering and down-converting the signals from the antennas to a suitable frequency range at the input of the digital backend, providing an instantaneous bandwidth of 275[Formula: see text]MHz for each signal. In this paper, we describe the design and performance of the PHAROS2 digital backend/beamformer, based on the Italian Tile Processing Module (ITPM) hardware, which was initially developed for the SKA Low Frequency Aperture Array (LFAA). The backend was adapted to perform the beamforming for our PAF application. We describe the implementation of the beamformer on the Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) of the ITPM and how the backend was successfully used to synthesize four independent beams, both in the laboratory (across the entire 275[Formula: see text]MHz instantaneous bandwidth) and during on-field observations at the BEST-2 array (across 16[Formula: see text]MHz instantaneous bandwidth), which is a subset of the Northern Cross Radio Telescope (located in the district of Bologna, Italy). The beamformer design allows re-scaling to a greater number of beams and wider bandwidths.

Estimation of building energy performance for local energy policy at urban scale

Cities play a key role in sustainability policies aimed at reducing environmental impacts and increasing energy efficiency in the building sector. At urban level, the analysis models are split in bottom-up and top-down types as a function of the methodological approach of input data processing, aggregated in the first case and disaggregated in the second one. The present paper describes the methodological approach adopted for the implementation of a bottom-up model able to estimate the energy performance of buildings and to define an energy diagnosis process at urban scale. Starting from the information provided by tools available at the Public Authorities and at the most relevant statistical studies on the national energy market, the model provides an estimation of the energy consumption and performance of buildings. The model is applied to a real district of Bologna and the derived spatial database allows the energy performances of buildings to be mapped.

Biomass Residues to Renewable Energy: A Life Cycle Perspective Applied at a Local Scale

Italy, like every country member of the European Union (EU), will have to achieve the objectives required by the Energy Roadmap 2050. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of residue recovery arising from the management of public and private green feedstocks, activity of the cooperative “Green City” in the Bologna district, and usage in a centralized heating system to produce thermal energy for public buildings. Results, obtained using the ReCipe impact assessment method, are compared with scores achieved by a traditional methane boiler. The study shows some advantages of the biomass-based system in terms of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and consumption of non-renewable fuels, which affect climate change (−41%) and fossil resources depletion (−40%), compared to the use of natural gas (NG). Moreover, scores from network analysis denote the great contribution of feedstock transportation (98% of the cumulative impact). The main reason is attributable to all requirements to cover distances, in particular due to stages involved in the fuel supply chains. Therefore, it is clear that greater environmental benefits could be achieved by reducing supply transport distances or using more sustainable engines.

Adsorption of pathogenic microorganisms, NH4+ and heavy metals from wastewater by clinoptilolite using bed laminar flow

AbstractThe contamination of water bodies in urban areas is a serious problem, which may increase when wastewater is discharged without complete remediation. Due to their high adsorption capacity and ion-exchange properties, zeolites, such as clinoptilolite, can be used successfully to detoxify the wastewater before discharging it into the water body. In this study, experimental use of clinoptilolite is presented for water remediation. A static flow (A) and a laminar flow (B) method were applied in order to evaluate the efficiency of clinoptilolite for reducing different contaminants in the outflow wastewater of an old municipal treatment plant in Bologna District (Northern Italy). Mesocosm experiments were performed in order to achieve reduction of the microbial faecal indicators and of the excess nutrients and heavy metals in the effluent. During the experiments, pathogenic microorganisms, ammonium and heavy metals were reduced by as much as between 78 and 95% within 24 h, highlighting the great efficiency of this low-cost material for water remediation.

Chagas disease at the crossroad of international migration and public health policies: why a national screening might not be enough

Since the year 2000, Chagas disease, traditionally known as a rural Latin American affliction, has been rising in the ranking of international health priorities due to the growing migration flows from endemic areas to non-endemic ones. Using the example of Italy and reporting preliminary results of a study carried out in the district of Bologna, the paper will argue that a disease-centred public health approach might be inadequate when dealing with complex and uncertain situations, in which complete statistical data are not available or not reliable, and in which the involved actors, health professionals on the one side, migrants on the other, appear to be unaware of the issue, or might even be denying it. In such a context, an effective public health approach should be capable of crossing disciplinary boundaries and bridging the gap between health services and communities, as well as between health and social issues.

Air quality assessment in Bologna by an urban dispersion model

An urban dispersion model (ADMS?Urban) was run to calculate PM10 and NO2 concentration during a one-year period, on a district of Bologna, Italy. Moreover, the exposure of 333 children was estimated using model outputs corrected with observations. The model was able to correctly simulate the long-term statistical properties of roadside observed concentrations (such as annual mean and frequency distribution), but it failed in reproducing instantaneous values. The proposed methodology is of easy implementation, and it could be useful to identify areas with high pollutant levels, to estimate population exposure and to evaluate the benefit of pollution reduction policies.

LCA of integrated MSW management systems: Case study of the Bologna District

LCA as a decision-supporting tool in planning integrated municipal solid waste management is not, as yet, widely used in Italy. This paper presents a study concerning the application of the LCA methodology to support the development of the new waste management plan for the Bologna District. The main goal of the study was to show decision-makers at the political level the benefits obtainable with the use of LCA, in terms of the identification and quantification of the potential environmental impacts of different waste management strategies. The integrated waste management system of the Bologna District includes waste collection and transport, sorting, recycling, composting, incineration and landfilling. Three scenarios, referring to 2006 and assuming the presence of 950,000 inhabitants and the production of ∼566,000 t of waste in the district, have been compared. A detailed model has been developed in order to capture effects related to the waste fraction from separated collection and to the different waste treatments. The discussion of the results has focussed in particular on the greenhouse effect and the acidification potential. On the basis of the results obtained, the analysis of an additional scenario characterised by a further increase in separated collection has been put forward.

Assessing the effects of land-use changes on annual average gross erosion

Abstract. The effects of land-use changes on potential annual gross erosion in the uplands of the Emilia-Romagna administrative region, a broad geographical area of some 22 000 km2 in northern-central Italy, have been analysed by application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The presence of an extended mountain chain, particularly subject to soil erosion, makes the estimation of annual gross erosion relevant in defining regional soil-conservation strategies. The USLE, derived empirically for plots, is usually applied at the basin scale. In the present study, the method is implemented in a distributed framework for the hilly and mountainous portion of Emilia-Romagna through a discretisation of the region into elementary square cells. The annual gross erosion is evaluated by combining morphological, pedological and climatic information. The stream network and the tributary area drained by each elementary cell, which are needed for the local application of the USLE, are derived automatically from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of grid size 250 x 250 m. The rainfall erosivity factor is evaluated from local estimates of rainfall of six-hour storm duration and two-year return period. The soil erodibility and slope length-steepness factors are derived from digital maps of land use, pedology and geomorphology. Furthermore, historical land-use maps of the district of Bologna (a large portion — 3720 km2 — of the area under study), allow the effect of actual land use changes on the soil erosion process to be assessed. The analysis shows the influence of land-use changes on annual gross erosion as well as the increasing vulnerability of upland areas to soil erosion processes during recent decades. Keywords: USLE, gross erosion, distributed modelling, land use changes, northern-central Italy

Incidence of stroke among inpatients in a large Italian hospital.

The incidence of stroke among inpatients is not known. The aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of stroke not preceded by evident iatrogenic factors such as surgical or medical procedures in a cohort of inpatients in a large Italian general hospital. From January 1, 1992, to December 31, 1992, we evaluated patients referred to our neurology department with a suspected diagnosis of stroke that occurred during hospitalization. Patients presenting with stroke as a complication of iatrogenic causes were excluded. We calculated the incidence rate of first-ever stroke in our cohort (crude and among patients aged older than 50 years), thereafter adjusting these rates for age to the general population of the city district of Bologna (Italy). In 1992, 22 inpatients had a first-ever stroke with no evidence of iatrogenic factors. The crude stroke incidence rate was 11.08/1000 per year (95% confidence interval, 6.95 to 16.73). The age-adjusted rate was 5.46 (95% confidence interval 3.42 to 8.24). The incidence rate of first-ever stroke among hospitalized patients is higher than those reported in community-based studies. Higher frequency of coronary artery disease among our patients could explain our findings. Further studies are needed to identify possible predisposing factors (individual or environmental) for stroke among inpatients.