Region Northern Italy Research Articles

Targeting farmers’ heterogeneity to enrich climate change adaptation policy design: findings from northern Italy

With its scientifically proven effects and widespread acceptance, climate change stands as one of the most pressing and intricate challenges for society and economies. Farmers are on the frontline of managing climate change. Therefore, how they perceive and respond to climate change shapes their risk assessment and structures future resilience and adaptive capacity. Employing a bottom-up approach, we conducted 460 surveys randomly among farmers throughout the Lombardy region in northern Italy. A triple-loop approach considering climate change awareness, perceived impacts, and adaptation measures and barriers was implemented to characterize the potential heterogeneity of farmer behaviour and explore whether risk attitudes and adaptation actions differ between farmer profiles. We then profiled farmers through a clustering analysis. Four groups emerged, highlighting farmers’ adaptation preferences and risk attitudes: (1) cropping-adapted and isolated farmers, (2) cooperation-adapted and insecure farmers, (3) risk insurance-adapted and confident farmers, and (4) climate services-adapted and aware farmers. Although the groups vary in terms of farmers’ characterization and farming activities (e.g. young and highly educated vs. old and highly experienced farmers, rainfed vs. irrigated farms), similar patterns were observed regarding climate change awareness and perceived impacts—however, the contrast increased in terms of adaptation measures and barriers. Gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the diverse ways in which farmers assess risks and adapt can promote the transferability of bottom-up findings and inform the co-design of tailored and flexible adaptation instruments, minimizing the risk of maladaptation or ineffective transformation in the face of climate change.

Long-term trend and variability in surface temperatures over Emilia-Romagna from 1962 to 2022

Scientific interest is increasingly drawn towards regional meteorological extremes, given their impacts on populations, infrastructure, and ecosystems. These extremes are shaped by complex interactions between internal climate variability and long-term trends. The aim of the present work is to evaluate changes in high-frequency variability and the influence of long-term trends on the frequency of occurrences of extremes, with a focus on surface temperatures over the period from 1962 to 2022 in Emilia-Romagna, a region of Northern Italy. Daily data of 2 m air temperatures averaged over the region are retrieved from ERACLITO, a high-resolution climate analysis. The distributions of daily temperature anomalies show a general broadening in 1992–2022 with respect to 1962–1991. This is true for maximum, minimum, and mean daily surface temperatures, especially during the summer and spring seasons. A significant warming trend of 0.37 °C/decade is detected in annual mean surface temperatures over the period considered. The study is completed with a comparison between the observed frequency of record-breaking annual temperature events, a hypothetical stationary climate distribution and a theoretical derivation that accounts for changes in trends and variability. During the last decade, the theoretical count of extreme events is 1.26, which yields a likelihood of 86% that this is owed to the trend rather than interannual variability. Idealized experiments demonstrate that the expected occurrences of record-breaking events in future decades depend on the warming rate rather than the warming level. Finally, an analysis performed at seasonal level shows that the majority (minority) of record events are occurring in the summer (spring) seasons.

Landslide susceptibility mapping using ensemble machine learning methods: a case study in Lombardy, Northern Italy

Landslide susceptibility mapping using ensemble machine learning methods: a case study in Lombardy, Northern Italy

A novel smart fertigation system for irrigation with treated wastewater: Effects on nutrient recovery, crop and soil

Both southern and northern regions of Italy are experiencing reduced precipitation and increased heat waves due to climate change, negatively affecting agricultural sector. Urban wastewater could be a solution to this problem, providing a constant source for irrigation and reducing synthetic fertilizer use. This research presents a two-year field study on using tertiary treated wastewater for processing tomato crop irrigation through an innovative smart fertigation system, designed to supply the exact doses of NPK nutrients considering those already delivered to the plants via the irrigation water. With the aim of studying the effects of irrigation with treated wastewater, three water sources were compared: fresh water added with chemical fertilizer, tertiary treated wastewater added with chemical fertilizer and tertiary treated wastewater without addition of fertilizer. The proposed system was efficient and consistent with the design, it saved considerable amounts of fertilizers, handling nutrient fluctuations in wastewater. Of the three irrigation water types that have been tested, only the one that used tertiary treated wastewater alone without additional fertilizers was not capable of meeting tomato nutritional needs, despite the fact that significant macronutrient savings were achieved. No negative effects on soil or plant physiological performances were observed. Plants irrigated with wastewater showed similar growth and productivity to those irrigated with fresh water and no significant differences in fruit quality were found, highlighting the benefits of wastewater reuse for crop irrigation.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices about Electronic Personal Health Records: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Region of Northern Italy

The Electronic Personal Health Record (EPHR) provides an innovative service for citizens and professionals to manage health data, promoting patient-centred care. It enhances communication between patients and physicians and improves accessibility to documents for remote medical information management. The study aims to assess the prevalence of awareness and acceptance of the EPHR in northern Italy and define determinants and barriers to its implementation. In 2022, a region-wide cross-sectional study was carried out through a paper-based and online survey shared among adult citizens. Univariable and multivariable regression models analysed the association between the outcome variables (knowledge and attitudes toward the EPHR) and selected independent variables. Overall, 1634 people were surveyed, and two-thirds were aware of the EPHR. Among those unaware of the EPHR, a high prevalence of specific socio-demographic groups, such as foreign-born individuals and those with lower educational levels, was highlighted. Multivariable regression models showed a positive association between being aware of the EPHR and educational level, health literacy, and perceived poor health status, whereas age was negatively associated. A higher knowledge of the EPHR was associated with a higher attitude towards the EPHR. The current analysis confirms a lack of awareness regarding the existence of the EPHR, especially among certain disadvantaged demographic groups. This should serve as a driving force for a powerful campaign tailored to specific categories of citizens for enhancing knowledge and usage of the EPHR. Involving professionals in promoting this tool is crucial for helping patients and managing health data.

Covid-19 pandemic and mental health among adolescents and young adults: results from two studies conducted in North of Italy

IntroductionThe northern region of Italy had been the epicenter of the first wave of Covid-19. The youth population residing in this area experienced an extended period of restrictive measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus. Given the adverse effects of social distancing and lockdown measures, there is a concern regarding the mental health of young individuals in this region. However, there remains a notable scarcity of studies exploring the long-term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of this vulnerable population.ObjectivesTo assess psychopathological symptoms among adolescents and young adults in order to evaluate the extent of their impact in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. To explore potential risk factors and resilience factors in youth who have experienced the effects of the pandemic.MethodsTwo studies are performed. Study n1 has observational design and includes 7,146 adolescents and young adults (age range 14–25) evaluated during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 through standardized measures for depression, anxiety, anger, somatic symptoms, resilience, loneliness and post-traumatic growth. Study n2 has prospective design and includes 153 students (mean age 16.1±0.49), evaluated before the Covid-19 pandemic (November 2019–January 2020) and 1 year later (April–May 2021) to measure anxiety, depression, stress, emotional dysregulation, maladaptive behaviours.ResultsStudy 1. Clustering methods identifed two groups of students with different psychological features, that we further defined as “poor mental health” and “good mental health”. Those with poor mental health were characterized by higher scores of loneliness and self-harm, followed by being of female gender, presenting binge eating behaviors and, finally, having unsatisfying family relationships.Study 2. Over the course of one year, significant changes in various psychological parameters were observed: an increase in anxiety, stress for future uncertainty, and higher frequency of maladaptive behaviours.Stress related to social domains (i.e., school attendance, romantic relationships, peer pressure) decreased over the year. Cluster analysis identified three distinct groups of youths based on their changes in psychopathological symptoms over time: those who worsened (N=23; 15%), improved (N=55; 34%), or remained stable (N=75; 46%). Furthermore, adolescents who reported an increase in self-harm (OR=2.61; p<0.001), binge-drinking (OR=3.0; p=0.007), aggressiveness (OR 1.92; p=0.004), and binge-eating (OR 2.55; p=0.003) were more likely to be associated with a worsened mental health condition.ConclusionsThe findings from these studies substantiated the significant psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, they yielded valuable further insights regarding into the factors linked to distinct patterns of mental health outcomes.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Elucidating the mechanisms of atmospheric new particle formation in the highly polluted Po Valley, Italy

Abstract. New particle formation (NPF) is a major source of aerosol particles and cloud condensation nuclei in the troposphere, playing an important role in both air quality and climate. Frequent NPF events have been observed in heavily polluted urban environments, contributing to the aerosol number concentration by a significant amount. The Po Valley region in northern Italy has been characterized as a hotspot for high aerosol loadings and frequent NPF events in southern Europe. However, the mechanisms of NPF and growth in this region are not completely understood. In this study, we conducted a continuous 2-month measurement campaign with state-of-the-art instruments to elucidate the NPF and growth mechanisms in northern Italy. Our results demonstrate that frequent NPF events (66 % of all days during the measurement campaign) are primarily driven by abundant sulfuric acid (8.5×106 cm−3) and basic molecules in this area. In contrast, oxygenated organic molecules from the atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) appear to play a minor role in the initial cluster formation but contribute significantly to the consecutive growth process. Regarding alkaline molecules, amines are insufficient to stabilize all sulfuric acid clusters in the Po Valley. Ion cluster measurements and kinetic models suggest that ammonia (10 ppb) must therefore also play a role in the nucleation process. Generally, the high formation rates of sub-2 nm particles (87 cm−3 s−1) and nucleation-mode growth rates (5.1 nm h−1) as well as the relatively low condensational sink (8.9×10-3 s−1) will result in a high survival probability for newly formed particles, making NPF crucial for the springtime aerosol number budget. Our results also indicate that reducing key pollutants, such as SO2, amine and NH3, could help to substantially decrease the particle number concentrations in the Po Valley region.

The contribution of the private healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic: the experience of the Lombardy Region in Northern Italy.

In Lombardy, the first European region hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, for decades the regional public healthcare service has followed a mixed delivery model with extensive involvement of private accredited providers. The study aimed at examining the role of the private sector in delivering healthcare services (diagnosis, hospitalization, and vaccination) during the pandemic. Healthcare system study. We analysed regional healthcare data referring to the period from March 2020 onwards to assess the availability of acute care and intensive care hospital beds, SARS-CoV-2 tests, and COVID-19 vaccinations. We specifically examined healthcare offered by private accredited providers within the region. Of the 12,306 converted beds for COVID-19 treatment, 4,975 (40%) were in accredited private hospitals. Intensive care beds increased by 95%, reaching 1,755, with 484 (28%) in accredited private hospitals. Since the pandemic onset, 28.9 million (62%) of SARS-CoV-2 tests were conducted by private accredited facilities including pharmacies. Private sector actively contributed to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign administering over 2.6 million doses in 2021, enhancing vaccination capacity to its peak. The longstanding relationship between the public and private sectors within the Lombardy regional healthcare service facilitated a rapid increase in hospital bed capacity, the upscaling of SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity, and the achievement of vaccination goals to address the COVID-19 emergency. Therefore, alongside a robust and adequately funded public healthcare service, the private sector serves as an asset to enhance the resilience of healthcare systems, in line with WHO indications.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the complete rehabilitation journey of hip fracture patients in Italy: From surgical admission to rehabilitation facility discharge.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reorganization of health services, potentially affecting the quality of care for major public health concerns such as proximal femoral fractures. This study aimed to investigate potential changes in the timing of various steps in the patient journey after a hip fracture during the pandemic in Piedmont, a region in Northern Italy. A retrospective study was conducted on the discharge records of patients aged 65 or older who were admitted for hip surgery following a femur fracture in 2019 and 2020. The study examined four-time steps: duration from hospital admission to surgery, length of hospital stay, interval between hospital discharge and admission to the rehabilitation facility, and duration of stay at the rehabilitation facility. To mitigate biases linked to sex and age factors, groups well-balanced across 2019 and 2020 were created using propensity score estimation. The dataset consisted of two cohorts of 583 patients each for the years 2019 and 2020. The average duration from admission to surgery was approximately 1.9 days in both years, with 75% of patients undergoing surgery within 2 days of hospital admission. The average hospital stay reduced from 13.49 days in 2019 to 11.34 days in 2020. The gap between hospital discharge and admission to rehabilitation was approximately 10-12 days, and the average duration of stay at the rehabilitation facility was about 31.6 days. The study indicates that healthcare systems can exhibit resilience and adaptability, even during a global pandemic, to ensure high-quality and safe standards of care. However, further long-term studies are needed to fully understand the pandemic's impact on primary health outcomes following hip replacement surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. The potential role of telemedicine in reducing the time between steps also warrants further investigation.

The Role of Energy Policies for Air Pollution Control in the Po Valley

This paper examines the use of integrated assessment modelling to select policies aimed at reducing air pollution in response to growing concerns about the deterioration of air quality, especially in highly populated and industrialized areas. The study focuses on the Po Valley region in northern Italy, renowned for its intricate environmental difficulties arising from industrial operations, extensive farming, and topographic characteristics. The goal of the multi-objective decision problem is to find the best plans for reducing emissions that will minimize the average annual concentrations of PM2.5 while also considering the costs of putting these plans into action and incorporating end-of-pipe, energy, and fuel switch measures. Results highlight the trade-offs between air quality improvement and associated costs, presenting a Pareto curve of optimal solutions.

COVID-19 impact on viral hepatitis in Italy: a time-series analysis

Abstract Background Worldwide there has been a sharp decrease in the number of notified cases of any type of viral hepatitis during the pandemic period. This study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on viral hepatitis in Italy. Methods This was a retrospective study that analysed data extracted from the “Integrated Epidemiological System of Acute Viral Hepatitis” (SEIEVA) online platform from 1994 to 2022 in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Descriptive statistics were used to compare data from the pandemic period (2020-2022) to three years of pre-pandemic period (2017-2019). Second, a univariate ARIMA temporal forecast model based on the years 1994-2019 was built to predict how many cases should have been registered in the pandemic period. The Wilcoxon test was performed to detect if there was a statistically significant difference between the observed and predicted values. Results The time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the serological test, potentially indicative of challenges related to hospital access, was delayed by a couple of days (median 7, 2-12 IQR) in the three-year period 2020-2022 compared to 2017-2019 (median 5, 3-9 IQR). The same occurred considering the time between the positive test and the epidemiological interview (median 6, 3-16 IQR vs median 4, 2-9 IQR). Although the ARIMA forecasting model confirmed a downward trend, the observed values of notified cases were lower than expected. A statistically significant difference was found between predicted and observed values (p = 0.004). Conclusions Although it is difficult to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the transmission of viral hepatitis, the results of this study suggest a lower accuracy of the surveillance. It will be important to restore the previous levels of attention and investigation, monitoring the trend in the coming years. The World Health Organization's goal is the eradication of viral hepatitis. COVID-19 may have slowed down the process. Key messages • It is important to keep up the level of attention towards viral hepatitis, which seems to have decreased following the COVID-19 pandemic. • It will be important to pay attention to the trend of notified cases in the coming years to establish more precisely the level of impact of the pandemic.

High promiscuity among females of the invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), the spotted-wing drosophila, is a highly invasive fruit fly that spread from Southern Asia across most regions of Asia and, in the last 15 years, has invaded Europe and the Americas. It is an economically important pest of small fruits such as berries and stone fruits. Drosophila suzukii speciated by adapting to cooler, mountainous, and forest environments. In temperate regions, it evolved seasonal polyphenism traits which enhanced its survival during stressful winter population bottlenecks. Consequently, in these temperate regions, the populations undergo seasonal reproductive dynamics. Despite its economic importance, no data are available on the behavioural reproductive strategies of this fly. The presence of polyandry, for example, has not been determined despite the important role it might play in the reproductive dynamics of populations. We explored the presence of polyandry in an established population in Trentino, a region in northern Italy. In this area, D. suzukii overcomes the winter bottleneck and undergoes a seasonal reproductive fluctuation. We observed a high remating frequency in females during the late spring demographic explosion that led to the abundant summer population. The presence of a high degree of polyandry and shared paternity associated with the post-winter population increase raises the question of the possible evolutionary adaptive role of this reproductive behaviour in D. suzukii.

Z-Type Control Methods on a Three-Species Model with an Invasive Prey

The process by which nature and evolution discriminate between species bound to survive or become extinct has always been an interesting phenomenon. One example of this selection is represented by biological invasions, when alien species spread into new environments causing ecological disruptions, alteration of native population dynamics and ecosystem dysfunctioning. In this paper, we concentrate on the introduction of the Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) into the regions of northern and central Italy. This has influenced the local predator–prey dynamics of the indigenous European hares (Lepus europaeus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), consequently producing a “hyperpredation” effect on hares. In this framework, we investigate this scenario with the objective of mitigating the negative effects of the invasion. Specifically, we devise and apply a Z-control technique in order to drive chosen populations toward a desired state that at least theoretically can ensure the survival of native species. The purpose of such a study is twofold: on one hand, this approach is employed with the aim of reducing the invasive population; secondly, it aims to avoid the extinction of native prey, i.e., the hare population.

Farmers in the transition toward sustainability: what is the role of their entrepreneurial identity?

IntroductionThe European Union has recently prompted a shift toward Ecological Intensification (EI) practices, aiming to harmonize agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. Despite the benefits of EI, its implementation has been limited, as farmers face challenges in business reorganization and supply chain adaptation. This paper investigates the role of contract farming (CF) in promoting the adoption of sustainable practices among Italian wheat producers. Specifically, it analyzes the influence of farmers’ entrepreneurial identity on their engagement in such initiatives.MethodsUsing the case study of Barilla Group’s Carta del Mulino initiative, an innovative contract farming scheme incentivizing sustainable EI practices, the study explores the relationship between entrepreneurial identity and participation in CF schemes supporting EI. Data from a sample of 314 soft wheat farmers in four regions of Northern Italy were collected to examine the role of entrepreneurial identity in the adoption of sustainable practices and participation in CF schemes. To evaluate the research hypotheses, two distinct econometric models were developed.Results and discussionThe findings reveal that farmers with a more developed entrepreneurial identity are more likely to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices and engage in contractual schemes involving EI practices. The study highlights the importance of fostering and supporting farmers’ entrepreneurial identity while increasing their knowledge of alternative agricultural techniques to address the challenges of the agricultural sector. This integration of individual perspectives (entrepreneurial identity) with a systems view (contract farming schemes) offers valuable insights for future research, policy, and practice in agri-food systems sustainability.

Preliminary results on an autochthonous dengue outbreak in Lombardy Region, Italy, August 2023.

In August 2023, six locally acquired dengue virus 1 infections were detected in Lodi province, Lombardy Region, in northern Italy, where the vector Aedes albopictus is present. Four cases were hospitalised, none died. The viruses clustered with Peruvian and Brazilian strains collected between 2021 and 2023. This preliminary report highlights the importance of continued integrated surveillance of imported vector-borne virus infections and the potential for tropical disease outbreaks in highly populated regions of northern Italy where competent vectors are present.

Mortality and Case Fatality Rates Associated With Surgical Site Infections: A Retrospective Surveillance Study.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) have been associated with increases in terms of costs, hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality. We aimed to assess trends in SSIs monitored through 10 years of surveillance activities in our region, and to describe mortality attributable to SSIs in the two most frequently monitored surgical procedures: colorectal surgery and hip arthroplasty. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the 42 hospitals participating in the surveillance network of our region in northern Italy. All colorectal and hip arthroplasty procedures performed between January 1st, 2010, and December 31st, 2019, and monitored through the surveillance system were included in the study. Surgical site infection rates, overall mortality, case fatality rates (CFR), and mortality attributable to SSIs were evaluated overall and by year of participation in the surveillance program. Results: In total, 11,417 colon surgery and 20,804 hip arthroplasty procedures were included. Among colon surgery procedures, SSI rates decreased from 9.21% in 2010 to 5.7% in 2019. A significant decreasing trend was found for overall mortality (p = 0.008), which progressively decreased from 4.96% in 2010 to 2.96% in 2019. Among hip arthroplasty procedures, no significant trend emerged for SSI and mortality rates. Considering the 10-year period, the CFR was 6.62% and 3.7% for SSIs after colon surgery and hip arthroplasty procedures, respectively. Conclusions: The impact of SSIs on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing surgery highlights the importance of SSI surveillance.

Distribution and prevalence of viral genomes in Italian populations of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species that causes significant agricultural losses, especially to orchard fruits, vegetables, herbaceous and ornamental plants. It is also a nuisance pest that seeks shelter in indoor spaces during the winter months. Harnessing the H. halys virome can result in new environmentally sustainable approaches to contain its populations and its relatated agricultural damages.In this study, RNA-Seq data were used to explore the virome associated to ten field populations collected in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy. We identified six complete viral genomes, three of which were previously unknown, belonging to the orders Reovirales, Articulavirales, Ghabrivirales, Durnavirales, and Picornavirales. The prevalence of the six viruses was evaluated by Real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR on eighty individuals. Halyomorpha halys ifla-like virus 2 turned out to be the most geographically widespread virus, as it was found in more than 50% of the analyzed insects and in nine out of the ten sampling locations. Moreover, in some individuals, this iflavirus was found in association with each of the other viruses in various combinations that involved up to four viruses. Further studies on such virus-virus interactions and their relationships with the insect host may open the possibility to exploit these naturally occurring viruses as specific and targeted biocontrol agents of H. halys.

Microbial Spoilage of Traditional Goose Sausages Produced in a Northern Region of Italy.

Recently, during the ripening of goose sausage, a defect consisting of ammonia and vinegar smell was noticed. The producer of the craft facility, located in Lombardia, a Northern region of Italy, asked us to identify the cause of that defect. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the potential responsible agents for the spoilage of this lot of goose sausages. Spoilage was first detected by sensory analysis using the "needle probing" technique; however, the spoiled sausages were not marketable due to the high ammonia and vinegar smell. The added starter culture did not limit or inhibit the spoilage microorganisms, which were represented by Levilactobacillus brevis, the predominant species, and by Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium. These microorganisms grew during ripening and produced a large amount of biogenic amines, which could represent a risk for consumers. Furthermore, Lev. brevis, being a heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB), also produced ethanol, acetic acid, and a variation in the sausage colour. The production of biogenic amines was confirmed in vitro. Furthermore, as observed in a previous study, the second cause of spoilage can be attributed to moulds which grew during ripening; both the isolated strains, Penicillium nalgiovense, added as a starter culture, and P. lanosocoeruleum, present as an environmental contaminant, grew between the meat and casing, producing a large amount of total volatile nitrogen, responsible for the ammonia smell perceived in the ripening area and in the sausages. This is the first description of Levilactobacillus brevis predominance in spoiled goose sausage.

Spread of Toxoplasma gondii among animals and humans in Northern Italy: A retrospective analysis in a One-Health framework

Toxoplasmosis occurs worldwide and is considered one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses. The consumption of undercooked meat containing viable tissue cysts and ingestion of environmental oocyst are the most important sources of infection. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the spread of Toxoplasma gondii in the province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna region) in northern Italy, with a One Health approach, comparing seropositivity rates in different animal species and in humans over the last 19 and 4 years respectively. Analyses were performed on serological data collected over different periods at three separate locations: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e della Emilia-Romagna (IZSLER); Veterinary University Hospital Clinical Pathology Service, Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna; and Unit of Microbiology, St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna. Most relevant seropositivity rates observed in animals were 15.5% (wild boar), 25% (roe deer), 18.7% (goat), 29.9% (sheep), 9.7% (pigs), 42.9% and 21.8% in cat and dog, respectively. A comprehensive screening was conducted on a population of 36,814 individuals, revealing a prevalence of 20.4%. Among pregnant women, a frequence of 0.39% for active toxoplasmosis was observed. Despite certain limitations, this study provided valuable insights into the extensive distribution of this parasitic infection among diverse animal species and human populations in the province of Bologna. These findings underscore the importance of implementing consistent and proactive toxoplasmosis screening protocols during pregnancy, while emphasizing the critical need for adopting a One Health approach for effective control of this parasitic disease.

Localisation and determinants of the creative class in the peri-urban areas. The case of Northern Italy

This article analyses the Creative Class localisation and its determinants in the peri-urban areas of Northern Italy. Florida's hypothesis on the localisation patterns of the creative class, based on the famous 3Ts (Talent, Technology and Tolerance), has been largely debated and sometimes discredited due to the shaky conceptual foundations of some of the variables on which it is based (e.g. the Gay Index) or the excessive focus on urban areas, which gave rise to worrying implications in terms of deepening socio-economic inequalities between urban and non-urban territories. This paper seeks to deal with some of these limitations by reconsidering Florida's determinants as well as using new innovative means to define them. It also extends the analysis to a yet unexplored territory, the peri-urban areas, which occupies a third of the European territory and attracts creative people whilst still being closely integrated with urban economies. These new hypotheses have been tested specifically by PCA and spatial regression models to the peri-urban municipalities in the regions of Northern Italy, the most creative regions in Italy. Here, the creative class results unevenly distributed as is greater in the municipalities closest to the urban centres and decreases in the ones furthest away. Its presence is strongly associated with socio-economic determinants (public expenditure, presence of creative and non-creative firms, volunteering), less to cultural amenities and technology. Tolerance has more controversial appealing affects.