Italian Pioneer Research Articles

Integrated Reporting and the experience of the Pilot Programme: perspective of an Italian pioneer company over ten years

Purpose This study aims to propose a longitudinal analysis of motivations for Integrated Reporting (IR) adoption, internal changes, the benefits of IR implementation and compliance challenges. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse a longitudinal case study of an Italian-listed company (Eni) participating in the IR-Pilot Programme (PP) and covering 10 years of IR adoption. The analysis was based on a mixed-method approach that included semi-structured interviews, content analysis of annual reports and triangulation with other data sources. Results are discussed regarding institutional theory, legitimacy theory and diffusion of innovation theory. Findings The study suggests that motivations for adopting IR change over time and participation in the IR-PP helps Eni acquire a comprehensive and substantial integrated view of value creation over time, makes integrated culture a key factor for strategic business sustainability and confirms the readiness of early adopters to comply with the non-financial Directive (NFD). Originality/value This study, among the few longitudinal case studies, provides organisations, regulators and academics with insights into the motivations driving the successful adoption and implementation of IR and the NFD. The results may help companies consider one of the tools currently deemed to bring sustainability into action and participation in pilot groups.

The Red Coral Community in the Messina Strait: New Findings from the 1700s Lazzaro Spallanzani Collection

The precious red coral (Corallium rubrum L.) represents one of the most fascinating marine species of the Mediterranean Sea. Several samples, including red coral together with its accompanying species, were found in the zoological collection of the Italian pioneer biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani (1729–1799), collected in the Messina Strait during his voyage in Sicily (1788). The study of these samples allowed the inclusion of numerous additional species in the traditional red coral facies as the large oyster Neopycnodonte cochlear, the giant barnacle Pachylasma giganteum, the mesophotic scleractinian Caryophyllia (Caryophyllia) cyathus. These specimens proved to be very useful in describing the diversity of the paleo-community including red coral, shedding light on its formation processes. In particular, some specimens are composed of red coral rubble consolidated and cemented with other carbonatic remains Probably, these peculiar specimens have a similar origin to those of the Sciacca Banks already known from the Sicily Channel. In fact, the two areas are prone to intense seismic activity that periodically causes mass mortalities of red coral from nearby rocky reliefs and the formation of biogenic detritus, while the resulting chemical environment of the water and the sediments allows the consolidation of the carbonatic remains.

The 20-Year Jubilee of the Interdivisional Group of Separation Science of the Italian Chemical Society

This paper illustrates the origin, mission, organization and main activities of the Interdivisional Group of Separation Science (Gruppo Interdivisionale di Scienza delle Separazioni, GISS) of the Italian Chemical Society in occasion of the twentieth anniversary of this organization, whose mission is to promote and disseminate knowledge on all aspects of separation science and to facilitate strong peer-to-peer relationships. GISS originates from a discussion group, also belonging to the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), having similar finality and the same promoter (the Italian pioneer of Chromatography Prof. Arnaldo Liberti), but less extended scientific interests than the GISS, since it was mainly focused on liquid and gas chromatography. The interests of the GISS span theoretical and practical aspects of separation science and cover all key topics requiring high-performance separation techniques to carry out advanced investigations and/or solve challenging analytical problems. The panoramic view of the GISS includes a synthetic review of the main activities carried out since its foundation, which comprises fast-track discussion meetings, participation, promotion and/or organization of national and international congresses, sponsorship of participation grants for young trainees and Ph.D. students, recognition of scientists who have made and continue to make an outstanding contribution to separation science, as well as young scientists who have evidenced their attitude to carry out significant studies in the field of separation science.

Familial Gullo’s Syndrome: a clinical case report

This case report describes a male patient born in 1953 presenting an occasional increase in serum amylase and lipase forty years ago. The monitoring of enzymes was accompanied by radiological investigations, which did not reveal pancreatic pathology. In his family, including 10 siblings, half were carriers of this isolated anomaly; multiple cysts in pancreas, kidneys, and liver were present in some family members, in addition to a pancreatic neoplasia in a sister who did not carry the enzymatic abnormality. Our patient developed colon adenocarcinoma at the age of 67.Here we examine the characteristics of non-pathological chronic pancreatic hyperenzymemia defined as such by the main Italian pioneer Professor Gullo.

IN MEMORIAM

PROF. DR. ERMINIO CARIATI"Italian Pioneer of Modern Lymphology and Lymphatic Surgery"February 28, 1934 - July 20, 2019

Seismic analysis and retrofit of the oldest R/C elevated water tank in Florence

The seismic performance of an elevated water tower with reinforced concrete staging structure—the oldest one in Florence—is analyzed in this paper. The tower, erected in 1905, is a major achievement by engineer Attilio Muggia, an Italian pioneer of reinforced concrete, and is now classified as modern heritage architecture. The structure is characterized by an atypical bracing layout, with all braces rising from the bottom left corner to the upper right corner at each bay of the three upper staging levels, and no braces on the first level. The time-history assessment study, carried out by a detailed finite element simulation of the water–tank dynamic interaction, shows unsafe response conditions of the first level columns starting from seismic action scaled at the basic design earthquake level. Based on these data, two retrofit measures are proposed, consisting either in integrating the existing reinforced concrete braces of the staging skeleton with additional steel braces, or incorporating a seismic isolation system, and namely a set of double curved sliders on top of the underground columns. From an architectural viewpoint, the former strategy meets the requirement of leaving the original staging elements exposed, whereas the latter causes no intrusion in the superstructure. The design criteria and technical installation details of the two systems are illustrated, along with the results of the seismic performance assessment analyses in both rehabilitated conditions, including the cost estimation of the interventions.

«Volete la salute?». Bevande e alimenti per il benessere nelle campagne pubblicitarie italiane tra XIX e XX secolo

One of the main themes of the late 19th century Italian advertising concerns the production and marketing of food products (drinks especially), advertised as healthful in newspapers and on billboards. In this activity, Attilio Manzoni is an important architect; Manzoni, active in the commercialization of pharmaceutical products, promotes - in the second half of the 19th century - some modern advertising campaigns, using effectively the opportunities offered by newspapers and magazines. In 1863, he founds in Milan the «A. MANZONI & C.», an advertising company still important in Italy. The readers of the first issue of Corriere della Sera (5 March 1876) can see the rates for advertising on this newspaper, with the invitation to contact «exclusively» the «A MANZONI & C.» office. Over many years, Corriere della Sera and other Italian newspapers take the custom to publish advertisements in their last page; most of these commercials refer to medicines, spirits, mineral waters and other beverages with healing properties. The relationship between press and this type of advertising remained important for many years. In 1881, during the Italian Expo, held in Milan, Manzoni publishes a detailed catalogue of mineral waters, medicinal products, medical and surgical devices, and also perfumery articles marketed by his company. Other entrepreneurs are likewise interesting in the history of Italian advertising: for example Felice Bisleri and Arturo Gazzoni (chemical-pharmaceutical industrialists) seem define many of their advertising activities following those already developed by Attilio Manzoni. The advertising of medicines and health products is addressed, in late 19th and early 20th century, to an elite of Italian population, in a context of severe social and economic hardship. Afterwards, the progress of medical and pharmaceutical science, and the extension of a modern health care, change this panorama. The clearer distinction between medicinal and pharmaceutical products and other types of foods and beverages have impact also on advertising activities. Considering these issues in historical perspective, we can observe some similarities with the current debate on nutraceuticals and functional foods; a debate that regards science, journalism and advertising. For these reasons, it may be interesting to analyze the historical context and the bioghaphies of some Italian pioneers of advertising and marketing.

“China loves Italy”: transnational co-productions between China and Italy behind the mask of market

ABSTRACTSince the term “transnational cinema” first appeared in 1997, most studies have focused on films epitomizing the logic of either profit maximization or ethnic affinity to explain phenomena such as the mainstreaming of Kung Fu movies. Yet, these two logics do not account for the entirety of the transnational projects that have been produced to date, hence the call for more studies on “trans-border patterns” that operate beyond both of them (Berry 2010, 123). In this article, we take up this call and approach the co-productions between China and Italy as exhibiting a “trans-border pattern” which satisfies interests beyond both the market and ethnic affinity. We trace the history of such a “pattern” back to the arrival of the Italian pioneer of Chinese cinema, Amerigo Lauro, in Shanghai in the early 1900s. We contextualize the productions of Michelangelo Antonioni’s Chung Kuo/China (1973), Giuliano Montaldo’s Marco Polo (1982) and Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor (1987) to provide exemplary cases of a non-market oriented affinity between two culturally distinct nations: China and Italy. We conclude by suggesting that China has pursued transnational co-productions with European countries such as Italy to exercise a more productive control than censorship over the ways China is to be represented internationally.

Goodwill and value creation: insights from Italian pioneers

This paper aims to determine the contribution of Italian pioneers of 'Economia Aziendale' to the debate on goodwill. The relations between Italian pioneers' thoughts and modern concepts and practices in goodwill valuation, are analysed by an in-depth literature review of studies published between 1840 and 1940. We develop a comparative analysis of past theoretical approaches in order to, on one hand, investigate the relations with the current studies and practices and, on the other hand, build new insights for future studies. Our findings show that the studies of the Italian pioneers intertwine with international research. Italian pioneers contributed to the development of the knowledge on goodwill with farsighted thoughts about the relations among accounting, value creation and strategic valuations. Moreover, we found additional hidden suggestions on goodwill 'duration' and accounting, which should have relevant implications for future developments in studies, accounting standards and the professional valuations of acquisition value of this asset.

The Italian Contribution to Manchester

This project looks for evidence that the Italian people have made a valuable contribution to the city of Manchester, UK. It examines the following areas: the Roman settlement of Manchester; the first wave of immigration in the late 1700s of professional and highly skilled Italians, predominantly from northern Italy; the second wave of immigrants after Italian unification in 1861, mainly from the ‘contadini’ or farming classes of Italy; the Italian pioneers of the ice cream industry in Manchester; prominent Italian figures in the city’s musical culture; notable names of the highly skilled terrazzo and mosaic workers, carvers, and sculptors who worked in the city; the Italian community’s devotion to religion; influence on football; service to the armed forces; and creation of businesses from post-war to modern day. By providing concise evidence of Italian activity in these areas, the conclusion is reached that Italian immigrants have made a significant positive contribution to the city.

International Scientific Cooperation During the 1930s. Bruno Rossi and the Development of the Status of Cosmic Rays into a Branch of Physics

SummaryDuring the 1920s and 1930s, Italian physicists established strong relationships with scientists from other European countries and the United States. The career of Bruno Rossi, a leading personality in the study of cosmic rays and an Italian pioneer of this field of research, provides a prominent example of this kind of international cooperation. Physics underwent major changes during these turbulent years, and the traditional internationalism of physics assumed a more institutionalized character. Against this backdrop, Rossi's early work was crucial in transforming the study of cosmic rays into a branch of modern physics. His friendly relationships with eminent scientists — notably Enrico Fermi, Walther Bothe, Werner Heisenberg, Hans Bethe, and Homi Bhabha — were instrumental both for the exchange of knowledge about experimental practices and theoretical discussions, and for attracting the attention of physicists such as Arthur Compton, Louis Leprince-Ringuet, Pierre Auger and Patrick Blackett to the problem of cosmic rays. Relying on material from different archives in Europe and the United States, this case study aims to provide a glimpse of the intersection between national and international dimensions during the 1930s, at a time when the study of cosmic rays was still very much in its infancy, strongly interlaced with nuclear physics, and full of uncertain, contradictory, and puzzling results. Nevertheless, as a source of high-energy particles it became a proving ground for testing the validity of the laws of quantum electrodynamics, and made a fundamental contribution to the origins of particle physics.

The EFIS‐EJI Ruggero Ceppellini Advanced School of Immunology Innate Immunity 2012: From Evolution to Revolution

The EFIS‐EJI Ruggero Ceppellini Advanced School of Immunology Innate Immunity 2012: From Evolution to Revolution

Tips and tricks: hemorrhoidectomy with LigaSure™

The search of the most effective and less painful technique for the treatment of hemorrhoids is still a major concern for colorectal surgeons. The technique of LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy is just a new method to perform the classic operation described by Milligan and Morgan more than 70 years ago. This kind of surgical option still plays a significant role in the treatment of hemorrhoids, particularly for IV degree hemorrhoids [1], and is still considered the most effective treatment in term of hemorrhoid relapse [2]. Although this technique is considered ‘‘invasive’’ compared to other less painful methods [3, 4], it has been demonstrated to improve significantly postoperative pain, bleeding and, consequently, in-hospital stay compared to traditional diathermy Milligan–Morgan excision [5]. Besides the advantages for the patients, I would like to point out the major advantages for the surgeon. The possibility to perform a virtually bloodless operation makes the operation easier, quicker and safer thus justifying the increased cost of the LigaSure device compared to diathermy. The technique here described by Gianni Milito, one of the Italian pioneers of this surgery, is a detailed step-bystep description of the operation; however, it describes an ideal 3-pedicle hemorrhoidectomy which unfortunately is not the rule in our operating theatre. First of all I like to would add something about patient selection. Patients with congenital, acquired or drug-induced coagulative defects are good candidates for this technique which ensures a safe sealing of the hemorrhoid vessels. Even recurrent hemorrhoids or cases with one or two sides prolapsing hemorrhoids can be effectively treated with this technique, even in an ambulatory setting under local anesthesia. In this case, the prolapsing hemorrhoids are pulled out and its excision is performed as described by Milito but without the need of an anal dilator. I have also had some positive experience of this technique in some AIDS patients with bleeding IV degree hemorrhoids without complications. The forceps have recently been improved. The old device has been abandoned in favor of the most practice, effective and ergonomic forceps (LigaSure Precise mod 1200LS, Valleylab, Tyco Healthcare group LP, USA). This new devise has short and slim jaws which facilitate hemorrhoids dissection from the internal anal sphincter and further limiting the extent of thermal injury to just 1 mm. For completeness I would add that a similar operation could be performed using ultrasounds (Ultracision, Ethicon EndoSurgery) instead of radiofrequency energy. The procedure is just a little bit quicker (mainly because it is not necessary to transect the line of coagulum), but the temperature developed during the excision is higher than in radiofrequency and a painful edema of the residual skin tags is the rule. It could have been interesting to know Milito’s experience in case of intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. In case of uncontrolled bleeding one can prepare a classic diathermy on the operating setting, use a re-absorbable stitch or try again the LigaSure device. In the rare cases of persistent bleeding after repeated application of the LigaSure device, I put a re-absorbable stitch at the bleeding site. Another point to be stressed could be what to do in case of postoperative bleeding. An emergency re-operation, sometime during the night after the operation, is an This comment refers to the article doi:10.1007/s10151-009-0530-2.

Galileu contra a inércia circular

Segundo os estudiosos que propoem a como um dos principais aspectos do sistema conceitual de Galileu, o italiano pioneiro da fisica moderna acreditava que somente movimentos circulares em torno do centro de um corpo cosmico, como a Terra, poderiam persistir sem a acao de uma forca. Essa interpretacao amplamente aceita esta baseada em excertos das duas principais obras de Galileu, o Dialogo de 1632 e o Discorsi de 1638. Esses estudiosos, entretanto, nao levam em consideracao certas passagens dessas obras nas quais as palavras de Galileu nao estao adequadas a sua interpretacao. Discutirei tais passagens de modo a rejeitar a interpretacao da inercia circular e para defender o ponto de vista de que o conceito de inercia de Galileu nao leva em consideracao a trajetoria do movimento, mas trata unicamente do grau de velocidade indelevelmente impresso em um corpo movente.

Pioneer Italian Teachers of Italian in the United States

Author's Summary— Against the background of the educational conditions prevalent in American colleges during the first three quarters of the nineteenth century, the author examines the contributions made to the teaching of Italian in the United States by Italian pioneers in this field, principally: Foresti, Bachi, Monti, Botta, Maroncelli, Gallenga, Speranza and others. The principal textbooks used in the teaching of Italian are also briefly analyzed.

Pioneer Italian Teachers of Italian in the United States

Author's Summary— Against the background of the educational conditions prevalent in American colleges during the first three quarters of the nineteenth century, the author examines the contributions made to the teaching of Italian in the United States by Italian pioneers in this field, principally: Foresti, Bachi, Monti, Botta, Maroncelli, Gallenga, Speranza and others. The principal textbooks used in the teaching of Italian are also briefly analyzed.